80-400 lens on the d7100

I rented the newest 80-400 by Nikon for a bird trip to use with my D7100. Despite the weight the lens did excellent with regards to the Autofocus and speed. Before investing the money in this lens I am curious of any other setup anyone is using to get good detailed photos - even if it involves a teleconverter (is one available for that setup?) or a different faster Nikon body. Thanks!!!

1) Welcome to the forums!
2) Faster body? Better high ISO performance would help with a teleconverter, I'd think, but the lens determines the "faster" or aperture side of things. The D7100 is pretty durn sharp for a crop sensor, with the removal of the AA filter.
3) Don't forget to go to the introduction area and tell us a bit about ya!!
4) Once again, welcome to the forums! We're a fun bunch...

Welcome to nikonites!

The D4S is a little heavy for me. I have the D7100 normally using Nikon 70-300 lens and wanted to step up a notch. The 3.5 lb 80-400 works great but was unsure what other lenses (converter) I could use with the 70-300 or 80-400 to get just a little more detail from the distance for photographing birds. If anything exists...

Welcome to the forum

The 80-400VRIIG is an awesome lens well worth the money. It works well on both my D4 & D800
Below D4 & 80-400 @ 400mm

Welcome
I use the 80 - 400 on my D800 and it gives superb results. I think it is well worth the money. Tests show that it also works well with the TC 1.4 teleconverter but loses a little detail if you go to the 1.7x or 2x
This was taken at ISO 1600

I am planning on getting the Tamron 150-600mm lens when it comes out. A little slower than the Nikon 80-400 and bigger and heavier but less than half the price and a lot more reach. I had a chance to look at the Canon mount version last Sunday and talk to a Tamron rep about it. It should be available within the next 30 days for about $1069. I think they are going to be extremely hard to get a hold of when they first become available though.

couple more pictures d7100 old 80-400mm with and w/0 kenko 1.4 converter i found with the converter it focused better using the smallest (6mm) focus spot.***

I too want this lens and a few more lol...
How did it do at 400 mm , did you try the new crop mode with it?

If you do not need to zoom in close, then primes would be better option. The 80-400 is at par with the 300mmF4 with TC1.4 as far as sharpness goes, but you get a much less expensive and lighter package with the prime, but there is no VR here.
Nikon 300mm f/4D AF-S Review
Nikon 300mm f/4 Nikkor Review by Thom Hogan

From what I have read, the latest 500mm F4 is the preferred lense for birding as it is lighter than the 600mm and has excellent IQ with all the TC.
500 vs 600
Birding with a 500mm F4 or 600mm F4: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
Which Lens for Wildlife; 400mm, 500mm or 600mm

As far as speed of focus and DR is concerned the FX cameras are better than the D7100. The least cost (and VFM) option is the D610, which has a 2EV advantage in DR, and should focus faster in low light.

nikonpup said:

couple more pictures d7100 old 80-400mm with and w/0 kenko 1.4 converter i found with the converter it focused better using the smallest (6mm) focus spot.View attachment 86762***View attachment 86763

Click to expand...

Great capture i understand those blighter's move really fast