Buy a D7100 or go Full Frame?
- Thread starter Samsonite
- Start date
Well I dont need absolute sharpness in the corners, as long as its not a very dark / visible vignette, it doesnt impact the type of photos I take. If there is an improvement in image quality between the D5100 - D7100, then thats another bonus (Yes Im sure the Full frame bodies will have even better IQ than the D7100), but what they make up for in image quality, they lose in other areas, such as FPS and reach...
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
I struggled long and hard with this one and it's all captured in a thread in the D7100 forum. I have to agree with Dave and say that if this is a serious question for you then you should take a deep breath, look at what it would take to get a D800, and seriously think about going that way. It's the best of both worlds, eliminates the buffer issue, can give you 16MP's in DX mode like a D7000 (which is 2/3 of the D7100, but do you really need the extra MP's in DX?) and shoot forever in JPG mode.
I love my D600, and having never shot a D7100 I can't give you any pros or cons on it other than what I can suss out on paper. But if you're serious about going full frame, then take a hard look at the D800 and what it would take to go there. You'll get great IQ, the FPS you want, reach with MP's in DX mode - it's all there for you, albeit at a price.
I love my D600, and having never shot a D7100 I can't give you any pros or cons on it other than what I can suss out on paper. But if you're serious about going full frame, then take a hard look at the D800 and what it would take to go there. You'll get great IQ, the FPS you want, reach with MP's in DX mode - it's all there for you, albeit at a price.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
All Full Frames can shoot in DX mode, and the D800 has the advantage of shooting 1.5X and 1.2X crops. Lowers file size and saves you on cropping when shooting at distances. I have the Fn button on the front set so I can spin between crop modes as I shoot. Sure beats importing bigger files than I need. There's a menu setting that will grey out the cropped areas when in a cropped mode, so you don't accidentally crop when you don't want to. I really think it's the best solution for someone who has a foot in both worlds, or wants to at least do more than dip their toes in full frame.
I looked at a D7100 as a second body and I liked everything on paper. But I will admit the buffer issue made me shy away from it. Shooting jpg may alleviate the problem but to me it's still a problem.
If the D7100 is a serious prospect for you then I'd take your fastest card up to a camera shop and ask if you could snap off a few on a D7100 body. Shoot the high frame rate and see how the buffer performs with jpg and raw.
If the D7100 is a serious prospect for you then I'd take your fastest card up to a camera shop and ask if you could snap off a few on a D7100 body. Shoot the high frame rate and see how the buffer performs with jpg and raw.
At motorsport events I Shoot JPEG, with very good outdoor light I don't feel I need RAW, especially when capturing sequences... To be honest, if its all round better than my D5100, I consider it a good upgrade. I'm happy with my selection of glass at the moment, the only foreseeable purchase in the near future is a teleconverter to give my 70-200 more reach....
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BackdoorArts
Senior Member
Yes, lower than the D7100 in full DX, but still a hefty 16MP's, and in 1.2X mode you get 25MP's. It shoots 5 fps as is and will do 6 with the battery grip, so you can match the D7100, though you can get the DX camera a little higher. That said, while it is more or less one fps slower, you can get 17 images in the buffer at full resolution 14-bit lossless RAW in FX mode and 29 in DX (more if you add compression or go 12-bit). So you've got more than 3X the shooting length if you're shooting RAW. Shoot JPG and it's a little less an issue, but suffice it to say that I've only once run into a buffer wait issue on the D800, and that was shooting a flock of geese that were headed over my head and I was just going as long as I could.
There are always trade-offs, so prioritize your needs and find what works best.
Thats why I havent bought a new camera yet. I have decided to go FX, just not sure on D600 or D800 or if even a D700. Its a tough decision but I know that I dont want to go the D7100. I have no issues with DX, my 7000 has been a great a camera and has lots of life left. I am just looking for more but not in a rush.
You might look at renting the body to see which way you want to go. I have been thinking about doing this myself.
You might look at renting the body to see which way you want to go. I have been thinking about doing this myself.
Phillydog1958
Senior Member
You've got a nice collection of glass, which will carry you for a long while. Take your time and make the right decision for you. I'd continue to use my D5100, until I found the right price or right camera. Heck, the longer you wait, the better off you are. Prices will drop on the D600 and D800, or the newest FX body might be out. The problem that you're dealing with is, you want to try out that nice glass on a FX body. To temporarily satisfy that desire or vice, you could always rent a FX body, as KRS_2007 suggested.
I have decided to go for the D7100, I found one which is brand new for a very good price, and I think it meets more of my needs right now than a D600 or D800 would do. That being said, I definitely plan to go FX in future, but would rather save some money and buy a used D3 or D4 when I can afford one.... Thanks for all your help guys. Much appreciated!
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