Upgrading the Firmware of My Nikon D300

Proving once again that a digital camera is a computer with a lens on front, yesterday I upgraded the firmware (or BIOS) of my Nikon D300. This was a simple process. I downloaded the file containing the up-to-date firmware to my Mac (of course, you can use a Windows PC as well). I de-compressed the file, and copied it to the root directory of a Nikon D300 formatted memory card attached to the computer with a card reader. Next, I loaded the card into the camera. From the camera’s Setup menu, I chose Firmware, followed by Update, and confirmed the command.

You do need to be careful not to turn the camera off while the firmware is updating, and to follow instructions for the process precisely (a link to detailed instructions appears below). There are two sets of firmware, for the D300, A and B; this upgrade only concerns the A firmware.

As of the date of this story, the most current revision of the firmware is 1.02A. Most people who own D300s will have older versions, and probably should upgrade. You can check your firmware version by choosing Firmware from the camera’s Setup menu.

Links: Detailed instructions for the Mac; Download for the Mac; Detailed instructions for Windows; Download for Windows.

Posted in Photography

Virgin River

Looking up, the world is reduced to a crescent of sunlight between the cliff walls the river has carved over the eons of time.

Ahead, around the next bend, the river is a trail that you cannot lose. Follow upstream, clothing wet, water sloshing in your hiking boots, and who knows what you’ll find?

[This photo: 18mm in 35mm terms, 2.5 seconds at f/22 and ISO 100, tripod mounted.]

Posted in Landscape, Photography, Zion

Looking down Nevada Falls



Looking down Nevada Falls, originally uploaded by Harold Davis.

It’s a long way down from the top of Nevada Falls. It made me dizzy to take to take this photo.

I like the sense of being in some kind of bowl – in fact the geology around Nevada Falls has made a giant punch bowl of sorts. You can see the far edges of the “bowl” with the run-off waterfalls coming down in the picture.

An unusual amount of water due to the season and this wet, wet year in the Sierra.

I’m posting this photo from a trip I made a few weeks ago because I am getting so bored with working *for real* – it would be nice to be back in Yosemite.

Posted in Hiking, Landscape, Photography, Yosemite