The Nikon D7100 for birds in 2023. How good is it?

I give my opinion on the Nikon D7100 for shooting birds with plenty of examples.
My email: [e-mail]
My Nikon 7100 video from 2022: • Is the Nikon D7100 a G...
Nikon Z8 for backyard birds: • Backyard birds with th...

[@KM-qd4kf]

I like my D7100. Got it for a good price but in hindsight I’d get the D7200 because of the buffer issue & couple of added features. Having said that turning off DLighting & shooting jpeg improves the performance to the point I can do fast sports action. Portraits landscape etc it’s fine.

[@user-ng4jj8wg8c]

I have the D7100 ordered. Top notch video. Thanks ❤❤❤

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Thank you. You won’t be disappointed.

[@piratetimes659]

Bro how much cost this cam (used)

[@gumperP]

I've owned the D7100 for about 10 years now too, upgraded from a D3100 back then. I use it for a lot, birds, people and more recently, Baseball. I am part of a team in Ireland and use the AF-P 70-300mm lens on it, it works fine you just can't disable VR. It is super sharp and focuses unbelievably quickly. I have been debating finding a teleconverter to add to my collection, or, if I can afford it, a Sigma/Tamron G2 150-600mm, which would give me around 900mm DX!

[@robertdavis1255]

Great video.... thanks for sharing...I have the D7100 & purchased s/h ....I also have a D500 and enjoy both cameras for my hobby...I only buy s/h gear because of budget constraints.... cheers from Australia 🦘🦘😊

[@thegreatsiberianitch]

I'm planning on getting a d7100 to compliment my d700. The d700 for artsy shooting and the d7100 for more cropping ability and to basically double my small lens collection. Also for macro stuff. I don't think I'll be too bothered by the shortcomings of the d7100. I figure it will help me to sharpen my skills and force me to focus more. These older Nikons are really a bargain, such great cameras. Thanks for this review!!

[@user-il1cy9uj6d]

Thank you for the sharing, I have one 7100 and bought sigma 150-600 sports recently for bird photography

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Thanks for watching. How do you like the Sigma?

[@user-il1cy9uj6d]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 it is a second hand lens, will try soon, thanks

[@titofalcasantos289]

Yes I love to used my first dslr cam nikon D7100 and even though how much I wanted to upgrade but budget doesn't cooperate as of this moment. But It took a great pictures for me as a beginner photographer enthusiast.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

It’s still a very good camera.

[@user-dd9ek8sj5m]

Re the buffer. 5here’s a YT video that gives settings to improve buffer capacity. Forget them offhand but it worked well when i was shooting sports

[@johntravena119]

The D7100 tics a lot of boxes. The buffer is one of the drawbacks, as you mentioned. Also some drawbacks for video but nice photos and room to crop. I’ve considered saving for one of these. I have the Z50 and sometimes find the autofocus frustrating but haven’t yet fully explored all the autofocus settings. Nice photos!

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Thanks for your comments. If you need a larger buffer, check out the 7200.

[@paulbeese2665]

i have recently subscribed to your channel and enjoy your reviews i have a nikon d7100 had it from new i am 67 years of age and iv also just bought the sigma 160-600mm lens yet to try them together but hoping i get some cool shots

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

That lens should work great with the 7100. Best of luck to you. Thanks for watching.

[@patrickkavanagh779]

Wonderful video, thanks for sharing your experience. Just got a 7100, still learning how to use it. One of the things you mentioned was " focus on the birds eye" could you explain this a bit more please, and thank you.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@patrickkavanagh779 place the focus point on the Birds Eye, for best results. Thanks for watching my video.

[@kirgrushko]

@Jules, I’m really enjoying your videos! Looking forward to more Z8 content, as I’m very interested in this camera, and other kinds of videos too. Can we please see more of Chippy going forward? 😊

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Thank you. I need to photograph Chippy with the Z8. It’s going back to Nikon today for the strap lug repair.

[@kirgrushko]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 Hopefully it won’t take that long.

[@robertcarey3383]

I am using a Nikon D90 with a Nikon f4 300 mm fixed for bird photography in my back yard and I am pleased with my results as well. I think the lens is far more important the camera.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I agree. Where the newer cameras with better autofocus are needed is with birds in flight. Thanks for watching my video.

[@tomallen6073]

I also had the 7100, very good camera, it was my second my first was the D200 about 10+ yrs ago. With the D300 they transitioned from a CCD sensor to CMOS technology. Since that time I’ve moved to the D500 and have stopped at that point, my budget has kept me from moving to mirrorless, also waiting for the technology to mature a bit. Nikon has a forum where there a lot of posts from around the world by really good photographers who can’t afford newer tech and still use D90’s, D300’s even D200’s with very good results all things considered. Composition and knowing your equipment is key.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I agree. These older cameras still produce excellent results. I still use my D810 for studio type portraits.

[@johntravena119]

Can you post a link to the forum? I don’t mind lower megapixel sensors cause the files are smaller.

[@alexmirza5210]

The af-s 300mmD f4ED that nikon came out with to succeed their af 300mm f4 is even sharper and has even better chromatic performance like with the af-s 70-200. Those are fine. Bigger birds are easier.

[@johnbooth3073]

Just discovered your site and I subbed. I have the D7000 and am probably going to upgrade to the 7100. Also have vintage lenses so I’m also thinking about getting an 810 at some stage. What are your thoughts on the 810 please ?

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I have a D810 since it was introduced. I've shot over 150,000 pictures with it and it has never been serviced. Even though I have a couple of mirrorless Nikons, I still use my 810. It's a fantastic camera. I made a couple of KZbin videos on the 810. Search my channel for them. Thanks for subscribing.

[@johnbooth3073]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 Wow thanks for the lightening fast reply. I’ll check out your videos on the 810. Cheers for the UK.

[@alexmirza5210]

Yes, the D810 image quality is almost the same as the D850 over the iso range and it's reliable for half the cost. Not to mention quiet in operation.

[@gs_myteN]

i want to get into photo, Mainly stationed cars not moving. would this be great for that? and what type of lens would u recommend for it?

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

The D7100 should be fine for photographing cars. A 17-50 DX zoom lens would be a good choice. Sigma made one that is now discontinued. However there are others. Nikon makes a 18-55 F mount that should work fine. Check out B&H Photo video.com. Let me know how you make out.

[@davidjohnston1374]

How would a Nikon D5600 compare with the D7100 or D7200 and how much better would the D7500 be? The Latter is still in production.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I f you are shooting family and travel type photos then the 5600 should be good enough. If you are looking to shoot kids sports and wildlife then I would recommend the 7200 or 7500. The D7500 is the best of the bunch. It has the same sensor as the discontinued D500 which is Nikons best cropped sensor camera. Thanks for watching my video.

[@chiftele08]

You could bring old cameras to new life with the newer noise reduction software. The D7200 is now capable up to ISO 6400 or even 8000 with Software like Dxo Photolabs 6 or PureRaw, if you only need the AI Noise Reduction module, or Topaz Denoise, or the newer version of Lightroom/Photoshop. The ISO 3200 photos now looks like ISO 400 back in the days. Eventually the same with the D7100, minus one stop. Try it out, cause, this software makes of an 35 mm, f2,8 an f1,8 or even f1,4 lens! This software solution is cheaper, than buy every lens the widest aperture with thousands of dollars.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Good point, but the fast lenses still give you much lens depth of field which isolates the subject from the background much better.

[@chiftele08]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 clear, this, and mostly better image quality than cheaper slower prime lenses. But if you are at the budget, and you must buy older DSLRs oder DSLMs, you couldn't afford most of the faster and famous primes, even used. So, this software workaround could be a solution for many of us poorer photographers. (and the difference of DOF or Bokeh between an 1,4 or 1,8 is mostly not soooo much. The distance between the background to the subject is a much more greater factor.)

[@titofalcasantos289]

What type of lens did you used for this series of photos?

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

The 70-200 F4.0

[@clivebush3322]

Love this camera but one thing I hate is a flat battery after not turning it off. My d7000 switches off after a period of time. Is there something here I am missing or is that just the way it is

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Check custom setting c2 stand by timer. I bet it’s set to no limit. Let me know.

[@clivebush3322]

Thanks for replying. Will do more investigating with both cameras together and see what gives. Was set to 30 seconds

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@clivebush3322 I have mine set to 10sec. After 10sec the display goes to standby mode and putting light pressure on the shutter release turns it back on.

[@clivebush3322]

Ok thanks. I charged 2 Batteries up and put in my 7000 and 7100. Left them on over night . This morning one is completely flat in the 7000. Now I'm thinking the issue is the battery. The other one still had a full charge. I thought without checking that these cameras had an auto shut off after no use. My mistake for not looking into it. Thanks. Great channel and info you have. I'm in New Zealand.

[@bme7491]

For me, trying to photograph wildlife was "for the birds", a frustrating experience. The AF-C modes and tracking were awful. I sold my D7100 and went with a modern full frame.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

I agree that mirrorless is far superior to the 7100 for birds in flight, but the D500 is excellent but still not as good as the latest mirrorless. For someone on a budget the 7100 can be used.

[@tonypmedia]

Should have checked your lenses because that's never been an issue with me. Let's remember this camera is over 10 years old, it's not going to have todays standard but it still nares down to your lens. That's where your speed is and APS-C for me it fast body side

[@Runningtherace51]

Personally I dont know anyone who's not on a budget...

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

Thanks for watching

[@miamiSincar]

i got the d7100 i dont like the photo very noisy and not that good ,,, i got a sony a6300 100 time better , maybe because the d7100 have a toshiba sensor the d7200 a sony

[@georgedavall9449]

I am sensing a troll… * troll alert!* You seem to know your ‘sensors,’ and have them differentiated correct, but I might add after shooting thousands and thousands of photos with my D7100, which I still have, the images are fine. I have wall hanger at 20X30 shot with the kit lens no less. But enjoy your little Sony. Peace

[@tonypmedia]

Or maybe taking a 10 year old camera and comparing it to a 3-4 year old camera lol... Yes new technology will always win these days but Noie is for those that know how to shoot past F.95 lol.