Nikon D7100 is not for me
As a professional photographer with FX Nikon body and FX prime lenses. Before I really bought the Nikon D7100, I was expecting that it would be a great backup body for my Nikon D600. I have a friend that has a Nikon D7100 and saw all the sharp images. I didn’t know that there’s something that I would regret that I shouldn’t have bought the Nikon D7100.
The Best DX?
Many reviewers out there always keep on saying, it’s the best DX Nikon DSLR body out there but for me, IT’S NOT! Why? It’s not friendly with prime lenses. It’s not sharp at the widest aperture. Even I am using the Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART, it still won’t give me the result I need.
When I find out that it’s not giving me what I want, what I did is by living it inside my bag; it would be an in case of emergency body.
Regret? Yes. Why I bought it in the first place? I need a backup body because I’m scared that the shutter mechanism of my Nikon D600 might corrupt and causing to fail in giving what the client is paying me for. It’s important to have a second body when shooting an event such as wedding.
The 50mm Prime
Let’s get back to the topic, with the Nikon D7100, the lens I’ve been using to mount it with, is my Nikon 50mm f1.4 and every time I shoot at the widest aperture for portrait, the result is so soft. My only solution to shoot with the Nikon D7100 is to go a narrower aperture of f2.8. It’s the best option just to get a good sharp image. Check images below.
Shot at F1.4
100% CROP
Shot at F1.8
100% CROP
In the shots above, I did everything to not move a little when clicking the shutter button, the D7100 still not giving me the sharpness I’m after.
If you have notice, there is only one DX prime lens in Nikon, the 35mm f1.8, and the rest are for FX. Why? Because DX bodies does not produce a very sharp image. Lenses created for DX bodies are mostly f2.8 such as the 17-55 f2.8 and so on. Yes, there is a wide aperture zoom lens, the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 ART. I haven’t tried and it was not convincing to buy the lens because it was expensive. I rather sell the D7100 and add US$500 to buy a used FX DSLR body.
AF Fine-tune
It won’t work and still not going to give me the result I need. Been there and tried it with my lenses except my Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART. I’m a photographer who loves to shoot wide open, especially in close distance portrait shoot. If AF Fine-tune works, I won’t still be satisfied because I always keep on changing lenses and turning on/off the AF Fine-tune is a waste of time when shooting events.
Selling my D7100
After thinking of selling the body, I had to talk to my wife about replacing the D7100 with FX body, as I have found a used D610, I had to sell it in a rush price. And many have inquired right away after posting it online. On the next day, it was sold right away because it was brand new with a shutter actuation of 1,190. After it was sold, I bought a used Nikon D610 to be my 2nd body.
Conclusion
Nikon D7100 is a good DSLR with great dynamic range and ISO. The only downside with DX bodies, it’s not sharp like the full-frame DSLR. DX bodies are made and meant only for DX lenses with an aperture starting at f2.8. If you want to use wide aperture prime lenses on a DX, starting at f2 would be good but I rather go for f2.8 or higher.
If you want to start photography business using DX bodies and planning to go full-frame in the future, buy one prime and the rest would be FX zoom lens. Why? So you won’t be wasting your money.
If you’re not planning to go full-frame, and set your mind as the best photographer is behind the camera and you’re on a budget, go for DX zoom-lens.