Hi everyone,

I would like to purchase this camera later today...and I have figured out mostly what I need but I do have a couple of questions which I am hoping the gear genies will help me with.

 

This is the camera....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/927106-REG/nikon_d7100_dslr_camera_body.html

 

Under the picture you can see OVERVIEW - SPECIFICATIONS - IN THE BOX- ACCESSORIES

 

I want to buy an extra memory card. It does have a small one, and even one extra as an offer..but I would like one more. I just cannot figure out how big it should be.

I cannot find anywhere in all that material where it tells me how many pictures it will take if I shoot in RAW - JPEG or both if that is possible. I just don't se it anywhere???

 

I am not great at math..either. This is 24 megapixels. I studied the wrong information for this kind of an answer. :)

 

Then I am not sure which card to get. I have had Lexar and San Disc both..in the past.. I have only used compact flash until now. So, when is see that this camera can use three different kinds of a memory card. how do I know what is best. Also it takes two at a time...

 

I dont know why it takes three kinds, what the difference is or what i should buy ? This is what it says...

The D7100 DSLR features dual SD card slots with SD, SDHC, SDXC memory card compatibility that offers a several recording options including designating separate NEF (RAW) JPEG and movie files.

 

And for 24 megapixels how important is the speed of the card?

Is this one fast enough?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/841482-REG/Lexar_LSD32GCTBNA400_32GB_SDHC_Memory_Card.html

 

Do I need higher than 400x. Should I get the 1000 X. Is it necessary? I dont care about downloading the data I am more concerned that if it is not fast enough there will be a lag when shooting..

 

So those are a few questions....which memory card...how fast/ how big in terms of memory...how many pictures will this camera take. ;)

 

Any help would be appreciated as I would like to order this later today..

Thank you so much.

Phyllis

 

I do not own the cam, but as i see it, the cam is great and the card fast enough

for most situations the card speed is not really very important. It becomes when you want to shoot continu in high speed, like action wildlife, or sports photography. As far as I understood the only really weak point of the D7100 is the memory buffer it has to write away the pictures.

I guess if you do landscape or studio work this speed will not be really important.

 

Another question is : WHEN will you need this big storage ? Price of the cards is always getting down. For photography at home you don't need so much storage. only when you are on travel you will need so much. So, you can start with a cheaper one with few GB ; and before you go on travel after some months or a year you will perhaps find a 64 GB for the price of a 32 now ?

 

for info about how much photos on a card

 

http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/69/~/number-of-pictures-that-can-be-stored-on-a-memory-device

 

Interesting Link Piet! I never have considered such as i always use 32 GB and always have spare cards with me. As for the speed of the card i am partly agree with you as this counts only in high speed modus of the camera but the non pro models do not have high speed anyway. But there is a small issue with the speed of the card and the buffer on the camera when you shoot free hand panoramas as waiting time sometimes spoils a picture. Happen on my D700 many times. So that time i did go for the Etreme Pro cards with 90 mbits which was much better.

 

Considerable is with max 550 shots available on the card, which is a bit less according to my point of view, to have a second card just for make sure you will not miss anything.

Hi Phyllis, my camera is a Nikon D3200 @ 24mp and I use a 32 GB SanDisk Extreme 45MB/sec. It's fast enough for most of my shooting. If I was shooting more action and sports I would get a faster one but already I can shoot at least 10-12 RAWs in continuous mode before I see any delay. This in daylight as in the dark it slows down considerably because of the on camera noise reduction. I also have a couple of smaller cards in my bag. Now about the capacity of the 32 GB; shooting RAW again in fact the camera counter gives me more than 1000 pictures but I think this number may be underestimated. I never left more than 450 frames on the memory card and even then the counter gave me about 600 more to shoot. If I was going to buy a new card now it would be a 64 GB / 90 MB/sec. either make you say but this only if I was going on a trip and needed more space.

I hope this is going to help, Gianni

and here is a link about the topic:

http://d7100.org/2013/03/sd-card-speed-comparison-for-nikon-d7100/

 

thanks Gianni ;-)) ; very helpful and understandable

Hi Chris, Robert, Gianni and Piet,

Thank you all for your advice, and information.

A special thank you to Marie-Claude who wrote me with detailed info which was very helpful also.

 

I ordered it with 'extras' all this morning.

I had forgotten how helpful the people at B and H are. I would recommend them to anyone - anywhere. I do think they do International sales also.

 

I have to thank Gianni I think..it was - I can't remember now for even telling me about this camera, because I did not know it existed before this thread. I had been looking at the D600 and D800. However, I think this one the D7l00 is better for me, and it will do the job I need. And since the price is good it wil allow me to buy more lenses ...but first I have to learn how to use this camera.

 

As for the card...thanks for the info..I asked about that and he said that this card should be fine..in terms of speed.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/828326-REG/SanDisk_SDSDRX3_032G_A21_32GB_SDHC_Memory_Card.html

 

I also got this one which was free with the purchase of the camera..

 

Lexar 16GB SDHC Professional 400x Class 10 UHS-I

 

This group is great..Thank you Gianni for your work with this group...very much.

Phyllis

Congratulations on your new camera Phyllis; we all know what it feels like to have a new "toy". Have fun and enjoy the new body with your lenses, as far as I remember the are all compatible and they 'll give you at least metering readings with the D7100. We are waiting to see your first shots but fist have a good time !!!

I don't have the time to write much this morning but I'm sure you won't be disappointed with this camera...and don't forget to use it with your macro lens 105 f/2?8, sure you'll get great results !

MC

 

enjoy the now toy ; and keep us informed of + & - ... because I too hope to buy the D7100 as soon as possible

Thank you Gianni, MC and Piet.

I bought a book called D7100 for Dummies. I am not joking..I wish I was.

I do not find learning electronic items easy at all. I still do not know all of what the D200 can do!

 

So my learning will be slow, but hopefully without stress. I am very happy that this camera was mentioned here in this thread because I did not know it even existed before that.

 

MC, what generation of the Nikon 105mm do you have? Nikon sold a model of this long before the DX system arrived. Everyone who has that much older model loves it. Then they came out with the first generation l05mm DX VR f/2.8 and I bought it.

 

The lens does not focus on auto. Well on occasion it does. I gave up and just use manual now. But you know sometimes for Macro you really want to have Auto. Many people were dissatisfied and so they came out with Gen two a new version of this lens...that one I understand is much better. I am guessing you have that one. I don't think they even sell mine anymore.

 

I have only two good lenses really, the rest are slow and the glass is just not the same...but maybe with the camera..it will help. I will see. And yes I will let you know my reactions after I have figure out how to put the strap on the camera/ :)) It will come later in the week.

 

Thanks for all your help. It made a big difference.

Phy

Have fun with your new gear Phyllis:-)

There is a Lens compatibility table here Phyllis from Ken Rockwell and it's very analytical:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

also from Nikon Europe I use this one:

https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19026/kw/lens%20compatibility

just download the excel file, a bit more complicated than Ken's but very detailed as well.

Gianni

Thank you Gianni.... I would think all my DX lenses will work ...and I have only one or two other new ones...

The ones that I am not sure of are the very old ones...Looking at all the charts I cannot figure out which lenses they are! ...

 

But Nikon will know from the serial numbers IN fact B and H will know from the serial numbers. The 135mm f2.8 is brand new with the exception of one use when I tested it after speaking about it with Clyde. It mounted fine on the D200, but I think every thing was pretty much blank...It took one of the sharpest pictures I have ever seen. :)

 

These are all manual lenses. I see the photos of the lenses but I can't be sure. I know the Nikon FE was bought in 1978 - with certainty. It was right after its birth. The lenses were bought at the same time, but they could have been from before 1978 or earlier...

 

The other two need the cleaning. The B an H guy said not to use air but instead to use this fluid he is sending with a cloth he is also sending and then to wipe with tissues which are also coming. If I can clean them and they work - great - if not no problem. I would love to use them, but right now my priority is to learn the camera.

 

Thanks for all your help. :)

Phyl

I almost forgot..I bought a Pinhole lens..:)) I can't imagine it will be very good...but okay I can play a little.

 

I presume this 135mm is an AIS lens, so you will have to give the camera information about it, Nikon says: If maximum aperture is specified using [Non-CPU Lens Data option] in shooting menu, aperture value will be displayed in viewfinder and control panel.

The same applies with all your old manual lenses.

Glad to know you got a pinhole device, waiting to see you playing with it as well !!!

Gianni

 

Gianni is right about the Non-CPU database. You have 10 entries you can assign. Your enter focal length and max aperture. I have one of the buttons on my D7000 assigned to select between them. I use this a LOT!

 

ALL AI and forward lenses with Nikon's F mount will work on the D7100. Even old non-AI lenses can work if they have been retrofitted with the AI kit.

Phyllis, I'm so glad you bought this - how exciting. Is Bill fed up now that you only have eyes for it :)

 

i have a question regarding memory cards, which I suppose could be a new topic, but because a few of you have mentioned it here: you talk about using 32GB memory cards..... Do you not worry about putting a whole heap of images on one and then you find out it's buggered and you get nothing off it?

 

I hope that someone will tell me that the quality of these now are so advanced and it's far less likely that this will happen? I have only 4GB's and then a few 8GB's and have never wanted to get bigger than that. Yep, more cards to carry and have to load, but then if one is corrupt somehow, you don't lose your whole set of images??

I think you are right about this Eliza, there is always the danger of a damage so it's somehow safer to have several smaller memory cards than one for all the shots. By the way the D7100 has a feature to secure this, by copying the same files to two cards if you want to be on the safe side.

Gianni

Phyllis, I also have the Micro Nikkor 105mm VR and I regularely encounter "focus hunting" in AF mode, even on the full frame D700. The lens is known for that, but I still find such behavioiur a bit annoying, especially when I (rarely) use the lens hand held for macro. But, and this is the good part, the lens allows instant manual override by simply touching and turning the focus ring.

 

2 questions about that Gianni, and others

 

- How many of you did already encounter a card failure or loss of files on it ? I never did, and never encountered someone who did (not considering the stone age of digital photography)

- How many of you do copy use the second card (if available) for backup ? I can imagine this use also will increase the time needed to write the image away and be ready for the next burst.

It never occurred to me to have a damaged memory card Piet, but when I have a few good photos on it I prefer to change it with another one. This is also a procedure that I kept as a pro when I was shooting film but for another serious reason. Sometimes "authorities" had the bad habit of seizing films when they thought the material shot was not appropriate for them. So, as most photojournalists did at this time, I was quickly rewinding the film, even with only a few pictures taken, hide it and put a new one in. This way I saved my work many times as I was giving them the film straight from the camera and we were all "happy". I suppose I would do the same with the cards now if I was shooting in an unsafe environment.

Happily i never ever had a card failure so far. Knocking on wood now:-)

Gianni/Clyde..

Well, if I am able to clean the lens with the solution they are sending..I will come back to get more info on how to add this info...

 

Thanks..:)

Phyl

 

Eliza..

Exactly. I always thought have more of them...is better than very large ones..because if one is corrupted or you step on it. :) Oh well....

 

However, because this camera has 24 mega pixels I wanted to be sure I would have enough memory. I shoot in RAW and JPEG fine...together..and I ended up with one 32 mega because the price was so cheap..About 35.00.

Now if I were buying one of the pro ones..I would have gotten it smaller. ..because those get pricey. But yes as Gianni points out you can use two slots...that is new to me. I think you can use it for overflow or as a backup. But I am not sure.

 

Phyl

 

 

Piet,

I have had a card failure. And I had not downloaded the software which retrieves photos....I realized it too late..I mean that it was even available.

 

It was a Lexar Ultra something...:) They sent me a new card as I had sent in the warranty. Of course that does not save the photos. I did not lose anything of value.

 

I don't know yet about the second part ..but after I use the camera I will say if it slows things down to use two. ;)

Phyl

 

Thomas..I am not sure if you will e able to see this page...but I will give it a try. If you look at this lens...and read the overview you see that it has VR II...

This is a newer generation of the 'same' lens...apart from that there is nothing different. However the one I have is the first generation...

 

Many people have complained about the inability to auto focus..on his lens..and perhaps that is why they created a new model? I don't know...

 

If you have this one..I think you are lucky...

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/424744-USA/Nikon_2160_105mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html

 

I have the first one....they look the same.even the same numbers...but they are not the same.

I never use focus anymore (or rarely) because if if it beeps and you ''think' it is good...the slightest movement you make - the focus is lost...and this lens as you know is not lightweight. BTW the price for this one is also higher...

It does take good photos...

I would love to have the Sigma 180mm f. 2.8....which many members here have and take magnificent photos with. This one - but it is twice the price.

:) And I don't know if it is worth it. I had thought about selling the l05mm...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/837871-REG/Sigma_180mm_f_2_8_APO_Macro.html

 

BTW. lenses above @70mm are not DX vs. FX. The Nikon 105mm f2.8 G full coverage on both formats.

 

I have the Nikon 105mm f2.5 Micro Ai-S. It is indeed a wonderful sweet lens.

Well I'm glad it's not just me :) I have had a card failure, but luckily only on a 2GB with not much on it, but still I prefer to have lots of cards with small amounts on each.

 

I've also had a RAW file failure, once. Only once and luckily the following image was almost as good to use. But that was enough to get me shooting RAW and Jpeg Fine for everything. Obviously means even less space on the card and even more changing, but then I always have the option of a backup (I don't have the option for two cards on my camera).

An interesting discussion @ Flickr on last questions from D7100 users:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikond7100/discuss/72157633122884674/

Gianni

Gianni

That was interesting to read...lots of different opinions. As I read it I realized that for my needs one 32GB card which can take the following number of shots..

I have this on good authority...

Raw files 598

 

Raw + Jpeg fine 419

 

Raw + Jpeg normal 492

 

Raw + jpeg basic 540

 

I always shoot RAW + Jpeg fine...so that is 419shots...

 

I have now been functioning with the D200 and get 153 shots...on 4 GB...so really 419 shots..sounds like a lot to me. :)

 

As for the speed..if it not fast enough I will get a faster one.....

I have not shot video but sure I will try it if is there...why not? :)

I don't think I would ever use the second card as a back up unless I was shooting something really precious...for me it would be more for overflow..and probably I will just keep nice and shinny and new.

Also, I wonder about the battery and if using two cards has a major impact on that.

I am more worried about the batteries...I have only two now...and I may need more of those...I often shoot in the dark.

It was good to read Gianni..thanks for that.

Phyllis

I agree Phyllis, just think about wedding photographers and how wonderful for them to be sure that their work is absolutely safe. I have friends who lost wedding work and it was terrible for them and everybody ( mostly with the bride's mother :))))

Gianni

I'm using the D700 and have 2 batteries. On travel I had days with much more than 300 shots; and never needed to change battery. So probably a battery can get at least 500 shots; 2 batteries about 1000 ... and it would be exceptional if you couldn't find a way to reload them in 3 days ??? And shoot different days after another that much photo's.

So for me 2 batteries sound very safe.

 

To gianni

because it's perhaps stuff for another tread. Untill now I used an image tank for travel. But with the prices of cards going down, and the capacity going up ... perhaps in the close future it will be better to keep the shots on the cards and use more cards, instead of using an image tank, with the additional danger of loss of much more stuff if it breaks down.

How do other people deal with this problem of storage ???

 

I would go for more memory cards Piet as it saves time and equipment to carry.

Gianni

 

I would agree with Gianni and have more cards. I still back them all up on to my laptop (at the end of every day) and one or two external hard drives, but I like to leave the data on the card for the length of the job IF at all possible.

I have friend who one time and one time only forgot to back up a wedding...immediately..he had it on an external only...and that drive crashed. It cost him about $3000 to retrieve the photos...because how do you tell the bride..oh..by the way...you pictures are gone.

 

I once made a very stupid mistake...I had a folder of completed pictures...maybe as many as ten..and these were not just photos some were collages...on many layers..and I had them only on my hard drive...and in those days I did not have externals..I had zip drives...it was a while ago..and I had not yet saved them..

I accidentally put them all in the recycle bin. And I could not get them back..I did try ...now with Time machine this would be easy...

And as I write this now I realize I have done the same thing..so when I stop writing here I am going to copy one folder to at least one external...

quickly....

Phyl

Indeed ... you are right ... I always tend to have too much confidence everything will go well ... I'll keep the advice in mind !

Well, for a nice D7100 Nikon Body, i'd buy the brandnew Sigma 18-35mm F1.8

Lens, *if* i could afford both. The F1.8 Sigma is equal to a F2.7 Aperture on

35mm Format, but long & some kinda heavy....for the lucky US Customers,

it's a bargain for 799 US $, whileas we in europe here have to pay 999 EUR

for that great lens...sorry, it's not a accessoire, but essential, i'd like to say for

that great D7100 Nikon, if you can life with the limited zoom factor.

 

 

Don't buy it yet. :)

I have had it only for two days...but they are not happy ones..

However, I only mention this in case you are thinking of buying tomorrow. I intend to keep playing because I think I can send it back if the things I am not enjoying do not change. Also, I don't have any good alternatives....for another camera.

What camera are you using now?

I ask because maybe that might make a difference in how you feel about this one.

 

If you use Photoshop you must have CS6 to convert a RAW file. It only processes RAW images with Camera RAW ver 7.... And CS 5 does not accept Version 7. I think there workarounds with DNG files and other converters but I am not familiar with them.

I would imagine it is similar in Lightroom..meaning you probably need the latest version to install Camera Raw 7.

 

The camera itself is slow to show me a file on the monitor..and the noise at ISO 1000 - even 800 is quite bad.

So..I am continuing on...though I don't give up that easily..

Good news is that it is very lightweight, bad part...not so sturdy feeling.

Hopefully all my future updates will be much better.

:)

Phyl

answer to Phyllis ...

As I stated earlier in this or another tread I have now the D700, and use CS6 on an iMac.

My first Idea was to go for the D800 because more and moreI feel the need to finish my photos for large prints.

However a lot of comments made me think if I want for the D800 I also would have to replace my computer because the files are so big, and I'm limited in the possibilities to upgrade.

 

Besides the size of the images, my second Idea was ; as for the moment I can't afford to buy really good tele range, using a DX camera would extend the tele range of my 70-200 to an already more or less acceptable 300 mm for wildlife shooting.

The difference in price between D800 and D7100, and the (??) small difference in image quality would also offer me the possibility to add an excellent macro lens to my gear with the same budget, and keep my iMac running for some time ?

 

About digital noise ... I'm aware there are no cameras without digital noise ... and all the stuff talking about shot in high ISO without noise degradation is just "commercial". For noise reduction I use Topaz DeNoise, and it does a good job and is easy to keep control on the different aspects ... worth the money.

 

Very sorry to hear you are disappointed with the new camera.

Phyllis, why dont you tell us your first experiences with your new camera? How do you feel now?

Hi Phyllis, I feel really sorry that the camera does not meet your expectations and also a bit guilty about it because in a way, I lead you to this buying decision been so enthusiastic about the specifications and the positive comments about it. About the RAW conversion I think there is a bypass but I have to find the link and send it to you.

About the delay in the display, if the on camera noise reduction is ON and you shoot in low light this is also normal I think for many cameras.

Just play a bit more with it and tell us what you feel is wrong.

 

Hi again Phyllis, this is what I found about the Raw file conversion,

http://d7100.org/how-to-open-and-edit-d7100-raw-nef-image-files/

the book you bought may also have some information about this issue.

Gianni

HI Gianni and all..

Gianni for me it is not a big problem because I have CS6, but thank you I found the disc. :) I did not even realize it was a problem..until I tried to read the first group of files tonight...I wrote it mostly for Piet. :)

 

I saved all the DNG info ...

 

Gianni..never feel guilty, you are only helping me...and I am very glad for. Besides you have to be Catholic to have guilt. :) Please do not be concerned at all about this. I read all the reviews. They are sensational.

 

My plan had been to just keep practicing...I have 30 days..BUT I just read that it is no longer considered new if you shoot more than 200 shutters...and I have about 290. So.....

 

I think unless I want to spend a lot of extra money...I may have this camera for a while.

 

I will call them tomorrow...and ask this question...or Monday about the Shutter clicks...

But please do not worry about this..:)

I see other people taking pictures at ISO 1200 and their photos are perfectly clear. Like Robert, and Andre...so..I can only think it must be the D-3 or D 4 that makes the difference....and MCs pictures look beautiful too.

 

I will be very interested to know others who have this camera and their feelings. At B and H it has five stars. Five. The reviews are amazing...

The camera feels like a toy...it is so cheaply made....ROFL now...but sill the pictures are very big..

 

The only photos I kept are the ones which are panned...and at ISO 100 so they can't tell you anything. The rest I threw out.

It is possible that I just need to spend more time with it..but frankly if this is how it performs with noise the D200 does the same job.

 

It is a steep learning curve also..everything is in a different place.

Anyhow..Robert asked what is wrong..ROFL

Well, I have never seen this much noise at ISO 1000 - ever on any camera..

I saw Chromatic Abberations...in blue fringing..lovely color

The camera is not strong. Nikon's have problems with the backs..and this one look weak.

The buttons are very tiny and some are for more than one thing..

A calendar keeps falling down and it takes ten shots to get rid of it..LOL.

When the sun comes up I will take a photo for you...:)) And put it in my gallery..and then you can see.

I just wanted to be sure that Piet understood it was not a perfect deal. And Piet if you are reading this BUY THE 800.. ..:) And use the lower setting..so the files will be smaller...

If I could do this over..I would get the 800. or wait..AND BUY one used.

:)

Phyl

PS..It is not the end of the world. It is just a camera...

About RAW Conversion for the D7100: Well, just use the FREE Adobe DNG

Converter, so you can use the DNG Files with your older Photoshop.

 

Apart from this, get the latest FREE Nikon ViewNX2 from their Website,

it's 32&64bit compatible. :-)

 

To name some good FREE RAW Converters:

 

DarkTable (DT), only avialable for Linux.

RawTherapee, for Windows, Linux and OSX.

Skarab Darkroom, Windows, Freeware.

 

I personally think the D7100 is a very good DSLR for APS-C (DX) Sensor

Size, the only drawback is the small buffer, which will maybe buffering much

more RAW Files when the Nikon D400 will be finally released - as that DSLR

should be the direct D300(s) Semipro DSLR Successor.

 

About memory cards: i'd only buy a very fast (UHS-1) SDXC card for the D7100,

nothing really slower. Sandisk is the market leader, but for a price...this brand never

failed me in all of these years, since i've had CF cards into the 90s with only 8 MB

storage. :) another way good brand, but not so popular from the name: adata,

or A-Data! you'll get 95% sandisk quality, but much more more less in price terms.

i also got 2 lexar pro x400 speed CF cards, they're ok.

 

@Phyllis Clarke

 

Good photographers can do decent shots with *any* camera -

no offence...and the D7100 is a very decent one. :)

 

it's neither the gear, it's the photographer.

better gear only manages to get better shots in technical

ways, not from composition & everything else.

 

high noise at just iso1000? i can't believe it. which lenses

are you using?

 

maybe you'd expect too much? i'm still happy for instance

with my D40, and the noise levels @iso 800, or 1600.

but i use my D90 more these days, because most of my

shots are done at ISO200 to 400 range, sometimes iso 800,

and rarely @iso 1600, i don't care about high iso performance

that much at all.

 

ps. if you have much CAs, or your pictures just doesn't look

good with the D7100 body, but with an older Nikon DSLR,

it just only means that your lenses are not as good as the D7100,

that means they can't keep up with the body in IQ terms,

especially they can't resolve much enough in optical terms for

the 24 MP sensor. Glas which is good at 6 MP, 12 MP perhaps,

might be way bad at 16 or 24 MP, for example.

 

HTH. Greetings

Marc

 

I think chromatic aberration and color fringe only come from the lens we use, and have not to do with the sensor. Only with a better sensor we see so much more the flaws of not excellent glass.

 

Perhaps also the noise story is in some way subjective. Some years ago we looked at our pictures in 950 px, or perhaps 1200 px, and we did not notice the digital noise. These day we look at our pictures on 27 inch monitors, and to search for noise we enlarge them on 200% REAL SIZE , much much bigger than our screens can show ... and yes, we discover digital noise everywhere, even some at 200 ISO. But this noise is not seen in normal screen mode; and is very manageable with a good noise reduction software.

We are getting much more critical about it.

Think about the film time ... HHHOOO, everything was much better then if we listen to voices from the past. But ... in those good old days, if you used a film of 400 ASA it was very very very filled with grain ... ;-)).

 

I think grain was on film, and noise is still on digital photography. Being able to shoot a 1000 ISO with manageable noise is excellent. I'm not experienced with the real pro camera's ... but I certainly learned to use the noise reduction from a pro photographer shooting with the Nikon D3 ... This means in my opinion he also needed it without any doubt.

 

I have still 1 question to the experts :

Do you use the in-camera noise reduction for high ISO; or do you manage in all cases the noise with software on the computer ? Or do you deal with it in the first RAW processing (completely of partially)

Hi Piet,

 

i am not a pro, but i'd sugguest to turn off the noise reduction to low or

disabled into your nikon, and let do this task by software via ps, or some

decent noise plugin, like dfine 2 from nik, or noise ninja for example.

 

greetings

marc

 

ps. thanks god, i am not a pixel-peeper, i rarely watch my pictures at 100%,

and not at 200% really. ;)

 

yes, asa400 at film times was already grainy...but i liked the grain from analogue

film era...

 

just to add a note: for myself, it doesn't matter *if* the images are considered

good or not good, i like them, because i love photography, and it's a way

emotional, well kinda intimate thing, because of this i don't sell images,

even they're average. it's a way great hobby to break from our fast lifes

of today's times, a friend of mine told me yesterday how it comes i don't

have a smartphone in 2013 - bc i don't want, or have use for it, and i neither

want to talk w/someone, nor chat with somebody with the cellphone/smartphone

when i am taking a break into the woods or just want to relax outside the

busy city life. :) have a good weekend.

 

Thank you Marc for all the info. I have CS 6 as I mentioned above I was concerned about Piet. But he has it also.

 

In my experience equipment makes a big difference - especially the lenses.

 

That is what my personal experience tells me..

 

It does not mean you cannot take a good photo ..if you work at it...but side by side...better equipment makes it easier...

Phyl

 

Piet,

Only you can decide for yourself.

 

The lens I used is the best one I own in terms of giving pretty perfect pictures on both the previous DSLR's I have had - the D70 and the D200.

 

I shot with a 60mm F.2.8Micro lens. :)

 

It has never before given any chromatic aberration Not even once in all the years I have it. Other lens have but not this one..

 

I wish I had saved the shots from this afternoon. At 800 ISo inside with side lighting and big light on in the room..they were not usable. :) You would have thrown them out also.

 

I did take more shots this am. and I will post them...tonight. These are in bright sunlight so they are better..but still not great.

 

Digital noise and grain are really different...though if you work and play you can get a nice affect from noise..in b/w especially.

 

Film had gorgeous grain...oo la la ...at 400 ISO...it was okay..digital noise is not very pretty. Oh I wish you could have seen these pictures.

 

On the ones I took this am..in full sunshine I could use a noise filter and it wold be gone...but it is the indoor shooting and not in bright light that I was hoping for a better look for..

 

My best, Phyllis

For D7100 support you only need LR 4.4:

http://nikonrumors.com/2013/04/03/adobe-lightroom-4-4-and-camera-raw-7-4-released-with-support-for-d7100-p330-coolpix-a-and-more.aspx/

 

Noise at ISO1200 to make the image useless is not correct for that camera. You have basically the same camera as I have in the D7000 but with one generation better sensor and image processing firmware. So you should be even better than me and, frankly, probably even better than a D3 at same ISO. I have shot quite a bit with my D7000 in that ISO range and was very happy with the results.

 

As far as in-camera noise reduction, my D7000 is set to High ISO NR: NORM

 

I too am sorry you are not having a good time "out of the box" but I do think you made the correct choice with the D7100. It is possible you got a bad one, it does happen.

Hi Phyllis, I don't have a d7100, I shoot with a d300,

I can shoot low light with a high iso, even 3200, if the lighting is even without a lot of contrast. Bad light is bad light, even with a low iso there will be noise.