Frame Rate Troubleshooting - Nikon D300 Complete Manual

V1.02
(though remember that the color LCD isn't calibrated; still, it's
good enough for crude assessments of color, so I can get real
close to the proper white balance using it).

Frame Rate Troubleshooting

Problem: When set to either Continuous release shooting
method, the camera takes pictures at irregular intervals.
Solution: Single Servo autofocus is also set, and in this mode
focus operations always have precedence over shutter release
(e.g. the camera waits for the autofocus system to refocus the
lens on a moving subject before releasing the shutter). Even in
Continuous Servo autofocus the camera will sometimes
"hiccup" while focusing. Set the camera to manual focus and
the camera takes pictures at regular intervals. Also check
Release + focus (Custom Setting #A1), which can produce
this symptom.
Problem: Rapid shooting with a flash produces inconsistent
exposures.
Solution: You probably need to use a Speedlight with faster
recycling properties, or you need to set the flash to one of its
lower-power manual modes (many Speedlights can fire at
high frame rate speeds when set to manual flash mode at
reduced power; see my Nikon Digital Flash Guide for more
details). If you need to shoot with flash with rapid refresh, you
should also look into getting the high voltage power option
for your Speedlight. For example, you can run both a D300
and an external Speedlight from either a Digital Camera
Battery or a Quantum Turbo battery, with the Speedlight
being powered at 24v by the battery for faster cycling.
Problem: The D300 shoots at a slower frame rate when the
background is dark (as compared to scenes with light
backgrounds).
Solution: Most recent Nikon bodies exhibit this characteristic.
Nikon has not released an explanation for the phenomenon.
Switching to manual exposure mode does not change the
behavior. Your only choice is to light the background.
Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D300 Page 439