Question for Nikon D7100 users - DPChallenge Forums

09/20/2013 11:14:11 PM · #1

The D7100 looks like everything I want in a camera. I have one concern and that is the buffer speed. In addition to my normal shooting I want to try my hand at birding and birds in flight. In raw the camera will stop after 5 or 6 images even with the fastest of media cards like 95mbs.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any comments about this. I'm also wondering if I switch to JPEG fine for my birds in flight shots will that provide a much higher amount of shots before the buffer stops the camera. If so how many?

Your comments are appreciated. I don't want to make a purchase I'll regret due to this one concern.

09/20/2013 11:39:26 PM · #2

I'm in the same boat, I am overdue for an upgrade and want a D7100. I did my homework too and saw the concerns about buffer speed as well. *shrug* I don't really have anything to say or recommend, other than that with 24 mp you're going to have bigger files and better resolution. Is renting one for a day or weekend an option,so you can try it out before you buy?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/21/2013 12:24:09 AM · #3

I dont have the 7100 but do have the 7000 and havent had any issues with the buffer speed. I shoot strictly RAW and can get 10-12 shots off before the buffer is full and it takes roughly 10-15 secs for the writing to finish. If you shoot JPG the buffer will hold more. I know several people that have the 7100 and non have complained about the buffer, just make sure you have some fast SD cards it helps.

Nuno

Nikon D700

09/21/2013 07:17:32 AM · #4

Originally posted by Damon:

Yes, but the problem is the D7100 has 24MP abd that will clutter the buffer more easier.

I thought this could be also a nice backup camera, but the buffer won't be useable for any fast shooting. Nor does the D600 for that matters.

Mond

09/21/2013 07:57:18 AM · #5

The D7100 is marketed as a 'do it all' camera. I have one and I can switch from macro to wildlife to landscape with the twist of a lens. The results are top drawer. If you want to continue with general photography at a high level you will find it very hard to beat. If you want to specialize in birds, then that's another matter and you may want to look around.

09/21/2013 11:26:12 AM · #6

Adorama has a refurb'd 7000 right now for $689. I purchased mine refurbed from them and have had zero issues. Just thought I would share

09/21/2013 11:45:13 AM · #7

FWIW, I think you may want more than just a new camera body. I have the Nikkor 300mm f.4 lens and it's a great birding lens. The 300mm is in fact 420mm naked (remember it's still a cropped-sensor body with a 1.4x magnification factor) and if you add a 1.4x teleconverter, then you're looking at 588mm. Not bad for a lens that cost $1500 CDN. Keep in mind the size of the birds you plan to shoot as well as how close you can get, your own particular shooting style etc. Are you looking to catch birds in flight, coming in for landing etc? If so then I find that timing your bursts is more important than anything else. I'm stuck with only 4.5 fps, so I have to concentrate on timing, knowing that I have some lag coming afterwards before I can do another.

Anyway I've had no problem shooting everything from small feeder birs like chickadees, finches and jays all the way up to snowy owls, osprey, herons, buntings, petrels and other shorebirds. Hope this helps!

Message edited by author 2013-09-21 11:48:50.

09/21/2013 11:58:15 AM · #8

How fast is the 300 focusing on your D90, and how much more distance (in feet, meters or yards)are you really getting versus a 200?

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

09/21/2013 12:19:04 PM · #9

Originally posted by Damon:

How fast is the 300 focusing on your D90, and how much more distance (in feet, meters or yards)are you really getting versus a 200?

The speed of focusing is fine, though as the D90 has only 11 focus points I am very limited. That's why I'm jonesing for a D7100 with its what, 51 focus points? Trust me, it's not my lens restricting me.

In all honesty I don't know how much more actual distance I am getting with the 300mm off the top of my head, but it's noticeable.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

09/21/2013 12:36:11 PM · #10

Originally posted by Damon:

How fast is the 300 focusing on your D90, and how much more distance (in feet, meters or yards)are you really getting versus a 200?

I have a D800, the 300/4, and the Nikon TC's. Focus speed is fine. Let me put it this way...If you're having trouble focusing with a D7100, 300/f4 and Nikon teleconverters, it's probably a technique problem, not an equipment problem.

As far as focal length, with appropriate teleconverters attached, the 300/4 and 70-200/2.8 are very similar beasts. The main difference is, that since the D7100 can autofocus at f8, then you have the option of putting a 2x TC on the 300 f4 and getting 900mm effective, which makes a difference when shooting birds. And then there's price. The 300 f4 isn't exactly cheap, but it's a cheaper way to go long than the 70-200. If I already had a 70-200 f/2.8, though, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't bother with the 300.

09/21/2013 12:43:12 PM · #11

Yeah I was just curious how much more reach the 300 was getting over the 200. I may buy the TC instead of the 300 but then again it would be nice to have both :)

09/21/2013 01:27:37 PM · #12

Of course you do lose some DOF with the TC up, but it depends what's more important to you and your style of shooting. I agree with Ann, in that if I already had a killer 70-200mm f2.8, I wouldn't be wanting or needing a 300mm. Ann is dead on; both lenses offer excellent value for the money.

09/21/2013 07:31:17 PM · #13

I appreciate all the comments and I think that when I shoot birds I can go into JPEG High mode, (heck I used to shoot weddings that way and the images were fine). That would allow me a buffer speed that won't choke easily.

As for the comments I'd lean towards the 70-200 for birding. It's about 20 ounces lighter and I think the fixed length may drive me crazy but I will admit it seems like most serious birders prefer a fixed length. As long as the IQ doesn't suffer much with the zoom I think I'd head that way. However if I buy a full frame camera then I'll want something longer than 200 (maybe a tele-extender works).

So just when I got myself past the buffer problem by deciding to shoot birds in HIGH JPEG mode I found another possible deal breaker. The "live view" is not "simulated live view" such as the D800 or 5D mark III. I actually don't prefer the 36mb.raw image size of the D800 (another objection for me).

I've been spoiled with an unbelievable electronic viewfinder and LCD on the Sony Nex 7 that displays image changes both in the viewfinder and the LCD. When you change shutter or aperture it shows in the viewfinder/LCD. I just assumed all good digital camera's did that but I found out that they don't. The N7100 doesn't.

So now I have to figure out how important that is to me. How important is it to you folks? If I can't get past that hurdle then I'm probably looking at the NIkon D800e or 5dMark III. I just was trying to avoid the extra dollars (I'd rather spend it on glass) as well as the additional weight. I also kind of like the 1.5 multiplier effect of the N7100 as it increases my lengths length.

09/21/2013 09:00:16 PM · #14

Hmm in all the 4 years or so I've had a D90, I think I've used live view maybe half a dozen times, so that's not an issue for me. I was down at the local camera store ~~fondling~~ err, trying out a D7100 with my 300mm up and LOVING it. Of course they were sold out, so it's on back order...*sigh*...Did look at the D800 and D600 but the latter has oil spot issues, the former has those ridiculously huge files, and both are full-frame. I have 4 lenses so would only be able to use 2.

Yeah, the 70-200mm would be good for birding, I love what I get with the 300mm but it can be a bit much when a bird like a hawk or owl is flying closer and closer and wingtips are gettting cropped out. A 70-200mm f2.8 is now getting more affordable though.

Message edited by author 2013-09-21 21:01:48.

Enlightened

09/21/2013 09:10:26 PM · #15

Susan if you go with the D7100 check this link out. D7100 mostly digital has great reviews too.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/21/2013 09:33:57 PM · #16

Thanks Trace, think I'm already sold :-)

Devinder

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/21/2013 09:43:15 PM · #17

Trotter, I don't know if you've had the chance to try it out, but the tracking on a 5dmkiii with the 70-200 is absolutely rocking. I d talk about other lenses if i didn't do a lot slower stuff with em, but seriously - tracking on that thing is just gorgeous. I encourage you to try it out.

Enlightened

09/21/2013 09:47:49 PM · #18

Originally posted by snaffles:

Thanks Trace, think I'm already sold :-)

Susan scroll down on the link. There is a company called Mostly Digital and the D7100 is $997.00

09/21/2013 09:52:02 PM · #19

Originally posted by snaffles:

Did look at the D800 and D600 but the latter has oil spot issues, the former has those ridiculously huge files, and both are full-frame.

Agreed on all accounts. I did forget about the oil spot issues.

At this point, after doing some preliminary comparisons. If I do go hi-end my choice would be the Canon 5D mark III for many reasons.

However, I'm still thinking about the 7100. Unlike you I live by live view. Especially since it's live in the NEX 7 viewfinder and changes as you make camera adjustments. So I have to make sure I'm going to be happy without the "simulation" feature.

09/21/2013 09:53:05 PM · #20

Originally posted by Devinder:

I bet it is unbelievably fast. Everything I see on youtube about that confirms the same. Thanks for the comment.

09/21/2013 09:55:38 PM · #21

Originally posted by Enlightened:

Originally posted by snaffles:
Thanks Trace, think I'm already sold :-)

Susan scroll down on the link. There is a company called Mostly Digital and the D7100 is $997.00

Oh OK thanks, didn't realize that it was a sale site, just a review site. But Henrys has it on sale for $1079 and Vistek for a tad less like $1029...and they're both within driving distance :-

ETA: Bf has a 5D MkIII, also into bird and he says that with the 70-200mm f2.8 non-IS and tracking after birds in flight is almost too easy! Generally he only uses the view image for macros.

Message edited by author 2013-09-21 21:58:52.

09/21/2013 09:58:37 PM · #22

Nikon D7100 from Mostly Digital at $998.00.

You wonder if that is grey market where you have to buy a third party warranty of it's NIKON where you get a full Nikon warranty?

09/21/2013 10:02:20 PM · #23

Yeah, that diciness is why I'd rather buy from an authorized Nikon dealer. BTW my bf is Ryan, aka

Magnumphotography. He used the 500mm a lot but still gotten a ton of great shots with the 70-200.

Enlightened

09/21/2013 10:24:22 PM · #24

It is an authorized Nikon dealer and its not grey market. I bet Henry's will match the price if you ask.