This gear are tools for a job. Different jobs different tools. I have two D4s and, for what and how I shoot I couldn't use a D7100. But I am sure the D7100 is just perfect for some jobs.
As far as spray and pray: Consider that there are photographic events where there are multiple, momentary, poses that occur aperiodically such that the photographer cannot anticipate the exact moment and fire one frame 1/15 sec in advance (so the mirror can clear).
This can be as simple as candid portraiture (in a group someone will blink, frown or pick their nose) or a dancer who is improvising. Focus, also, is a statistical anomaly which is to say in a group of shots one or two will, typically, be better. Then there's the possibility of extending the creative process to editing the extra content in post.
I have tried it both ways. In the 60's with a Nikon F everything was manual. I even bought the F-36 motor drive that shot a blazing 2.5 fps and, or course, not for long with a 36 exposure load. Believe me today's DSLR owners are way ahead. Yes I have some fine shots for the old days but 1000s more were not captured or didn't make the cut.
Having just taken my new D7100 out for a test this morning on birds I'm now seeing in reality what an unbelievable and stupid thing Nikon did to cripple the buffer on this camera. In all other ways its quite perfect (besides no D300 style body but to be honest I don't even think about that when using it). The buffer was abysmal, yeah I'm spoiled and used to the D300s but still. If you've never had faster it probably won't bother you but I know it will bother me. It's my one and only complaint of an otherwise brilliant camera. There's nothing that can be done about it though so I will just enjoy, live with the compromise, and still live in hope of a D400 one day.
gfinlayson wrote:
I know a lot of people would like to see a deeper buffer and a faster frame rate in the D7100, but given that the file sizes have gone up from 16.2MP to 24MP, the performance isn't too shabby compared to the D7000. If we compare it to the D300s, which was a 12MP camera, it would only do 3fps in 14 bit. The D7100 is 24MP and will shoot 6fps for 8 to 10 frames in 14 bit with a fast card before slowing to around 3 fps. It's pushing a lot more data than the D300s.
Even the mighty D4, which is a 16MP body runs out of steam after 20 frames, and then needs 10 seconds to clear its buffer. ...Show more →
This is probably one of the best and most logical responses to the buffer 'issue'.... If you want a fast camera, buy a fast camera -- otherwise, the D7100 actually does a fairly good job given the spec's. It's not a D4....
My mighty D4 runs out of steam after about 68 RAW frames and then very rapidly recovers such that I can shoot a frame or two each second. In actual practice I have never been able to fill the buffer and I am not shy about pulling the 10fps trigger.
My mighty D4 runs out of steam after about 68 RAW frames and then very rapidly recovers such that I can shoot a frame or two each second. In actual practice I have never been able to fill the buffer and I am not shy about pulling the 10fps trigger.
gfinlayson wrote:
I find it strange that so many people seem to 'need' a massive buffer capacity. The D7100 will shoot 6 frames at 6fps before it slows down, and from there on will maintain an overall average of about 2fps with the right card in 14 bit lossless. Increasing compression and going to crop mode gives a whopping buffer depth at 6fps and at 4fps in CL mode, you just can't run out of buffer, period.
The D7100's AF system is incredible - initial lock is lightning fast and AF tracking is superb, even in lousy light. With half decent technique, I really can't see the need for a machine gun frame rate and endless buffer.
Concentration, anticipation and technique will always win the day over 'spray and pray'........Show more →
I would like to throw in my 2 cents worthless on this also.
I am specifically a sports shooter and there are several times that I have needed to "mash" the shutter if a fight breaks out or I have to shoot through say a check or a hit because I am anticipating something is going to happen during the "contact" of the action taking place in front of me. I don't do it much as I usually will do a 3 second "burst" of holding down the shutter.
I over this last year had to "re-focus" my gear I had as I was moving out of specifically shooting sports and moving into doing more portrait and studio photos. So I sold a good portion of my gear in order to acquire and "shift" more of the pieces of gear (tools) I have so I could broaden my shooting capabilities.
I had a D3s and (2) D700's at the time along with the 200-400mm f/4 VR II, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II and other various lenses and pieces of gear.
Well Nikon released the D800, then the D600, and now the D7100. For what those camera bodies offered it fit what I needed for pretty much everything plus they were newer technology along with higher resolution and other capabilities I needed for all that I was doing (Video, larger prints...).
I couldn't afford a D4 let alone (2) that I honestly I really would need to do what I want. So originally I purchased a D800, then a D600 and now I have added the D7100. By the suggestion of another friend of mine who shoots a lot more pro sports than I do he said the D7100 contains the same computer and focusing capabilities as what the D4 does. You are getting the same focusing power that the D4 has with some limitations but again at a 1/6 of the price. He has been shooting along side plenty of other pro sports photographers who needed a decent backup that could really fit the bill well and it did.
I sunk a lot of the money I had from all the gear I sold into other gear...(600mm f/4 VR, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I, Sigma 35mm f/1.4, etc.). Because I had to disperse around my funds in order to get more studio flash equipment (4) SB-900's, (4) PCB Einsteins, more pocket wizard triggers...etc. I may have stepped back in some of the glass and camera bodies I got, but I had to step forwards in other areas so I could have all the tools I needed for everything.
As far as the D7100 goes it very well compliments what I am needing to do for my shooting because I do need the fps rate when I am shooting sports. If I need FF I go with my D600, If I want longer length I go with the D7100 because it does still have the fps and with the 1.3 crop feature it also gets me 2x magnification for when I have to shoot down field with my 600mm f/4 and get stuff in the other corners.
Later on maybe this year I can afford to get the D4 (after I pay for all my tuition when I go back to school) and then I will possibly give up say the D600 or the D7100...who knows?
It is difficult to shoot RAW on the D7100 because the buffer does fill up very fast. And only being able to use SD cards (600x is the fastest at the moment) over CF cards (1000x is the fastest at the moment thats affordable), that is another factor to take into account because of how quickly I need the buffer to empty to start shooting burst over again.
As mentioned before it all comes down to the tools that the "craftswo/man" needs to complete their work. So the D7100 as a sports shooter fits the bill pretty well getting that extra 1 fps (7 total) for the shots I need to get.
m.sommers00 wrote:
Does anyone know if the grip added to the D7100 will increase FPS? I'm having a heck of a time finding any information on this.
it is always difficult to find info about things that are not possible, btw it is difficult to find info about the movie mode of the D700.
Crossczechfoto wrote:
It is difficult to shoot RAW on the D7100 because the buffer does fill up very fast. And only being able to use SD cards (600x is the fastest at the moment) over CF cards (1000x is the fastest at the moment thats affordable), that is another factor to take into account because of how quickly I need the buffer to empty to start shooting burst over again.
Have you tried 12-bit compressed? Unless you're pulling lots of shadows, losing their detail in lower quality mode isn't significant. Should give you all the buffer you need if you use 1.3x crop mode.
