RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
WOW!!! Thats the best way to start... It was late when I got the battery charged so I just snapped a few indoor pics as I tried to learn to operate "The Beast" (and I say that in a good way) 
It may not be a big jump form say a D7000, but from a D5100, it is quite huge... Loads of buttons... many can have more than 1 function... Overwhelming at first because I am so use to the menu driven D5100 (and the info screen lets me change ALL that I want). I am sure as I read, learn and use, those buttons will become 2nd nature.
You will be able to totally customize the camera to your shooting style and you can also save 2 setups. Once I learn what settings I like, I will surely adapt well and enjoy that feature.
I cannot yet speak to image quality yet.... but the feel of the camera in
my hands is very solid. I was suprised, expecting it to feel heavier, but it is not. Solid Yes!!
The manual?? My wife commented that she did not see a manual like that with my 5100. No, it was 92 pages and the Manual for the D7100 is 384!!
A lot of my learning curve will be a result of so different than the 5100 (except menu is similar, just more) and so many more features.
I do find the little locks on the mode and shooting wheels a minor nuisance... Reality is though, I will surely get used to them (awkward for my big fingers until I learn the technique) and I do not really change them that often...
I like the dual card slots and how you can program the usage of the 2nd slot. I also think I will like U1/U2... (once I figure it all out!). Figuring on setting one for my normal every day aperture preferred .. spot focus etc... Not sure of the other yet but one I start changing settings willy nilly, be one step to get back to my norm.. (assuming that is how it all works!)
I only had a couple hours of study last night and similar tonight then I am gone for 2 days (Motorcycle ride through the rains of tropical storm Andrea!!)
I like the fact that I can bracket up to 5 shots with an expanded ev range as opposed to my 5100's 3 shots. That will be helpful for my HDR shots. It also syncs with my flash up to 1/250 where my 5100 only does 1/200.
Only real drawback, and it is well know... is the lack of adequate buffer... Nikon touts the high rate of shooting speed but crippled it some with a "to small" buffer. While it shoots faster than my 5100, I get more shots (although slower) with my D5100. Is this critical, not for me so I am not worried... 1.3 crop, jpeg, set a slower speed like 4 fps as in my 5100 and I can surely improve the results. If you want a camera that shoots 6+ frames for an extended period (longer than 6-8 shots) before it chokes the buffer, this is not ofr you... For my use, not an issue and I am loving it!!
Next week, when I get more into the features and learn enough, I will start shooting away (other than current tests as I learn ..)
Pat in NH
It may not be a big jump form say a D7000, but from a D5100, it is quite huge... Loads of buttons... many can have more than 1 function... Overwhelming at first because I am so use to the menu driven D5100 (and the info screen lets me change ALL that I want). I am sure as I read, learn and use, those buttons will become 2nd nature.
You will be able to totally customize the camera to your shooting style and you can also save 2 setups. Once I learn what settings I like, I will surely adapt well and enjoy that feature.
I cannot yet speak to image quality yet.... but the feel of the camera in
my hands is very solid. I was suprised, expecting it to feel heavier, but it is not. Solid Yes!!
The manual?? My wife commented that she did not see a manual like that with my 5100. No, it was 92 pages and the Manual for the D7100 is 384!!
A lot of my learning curve will be a result of so different than the 5100 (except menu is similar, just more) and so many more features.
I do find the little locks on the mode and shooting wheels a minor nuisance... Reality is though, I will surely get used to them (awkward for my big fingers until I learn the technique) and I do not really change them that often...
I like the dual card slots and how you can program the usage of the 2nd slot. I also think I will like U1/U2... (once I figure it all out!). Figuring on setting one for my normal every day aperture preferred .. spot focus etc... Not sure of the other yet but one I start changing settings willy nilly, be one step to get back to my norm.. (assuming that is how it all works!)
I only had a couple hours of study last night and similar tonight then I am gone for 2 days (Motorcycle ride through the rains of tropical storm Andrea!!)
I like the fact that I can bracket up to 5 shots with an expanded ev range as opposed to my 5100's 3 shots. That will be helpful for my HDR shots. It also syncs with my flash up to 1/250 where my 5100 only does 1/200.
Only real drawback, and it is well know... is the lack of adequate buffer... Nikon touts the high rate of shooting speed but crippled it some with a "to small" buffer. While it shoots faster than my 5100, I get more shots (although slower) with my D5100. Is this critical, not for me so I am not worried... 1.3 crop, jpeg, set a slower speed like 4 fps as in my 5100 and I can surely improve the results. If you want a camera that shoots 6+ frames for an extended period (longer than 6-8 shots) before it chokes the buffer, this is not ofr you... For my use, not an issue and I am loving it!!
Next week, when I get more into the features and learn enough, I will start shooting away (other than current tests as I learn ..)
Pat in NH
