mightypir

<p>The 24mpx sensor is clearly more demanding of handling than the older 12mpx ones were. When you see images at 100% its more apparent. <br> Having recently moved from a D300 to a D7200 I too was seeing a lot of unusable images. I find that the smaller camera body doesn't help much either with my larger hands. So have added the battery grip to help, and gone back to the basics...breathing out, bracing as I shoot etc!! :O No issues on a tripod, so its my sloppy form that is at fault. <br> But, luckily the D7200's ISO performance means that I am also able to keep the shutter speeds on the higher side. This has helped considerably. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Travel with a laptop and back up to the internal hard drive as well as a USB Stick drive rather than a spinning hard drive. Keep everything on your SD cards as well for maximum redundancy. </p>

<p>Ilkka: I have done precisely what you recommend. Have also enabled easy ISO that keeps the ISO visible in the viewfinder.</p>

<p>I've just gone from a D300 to a D7200. I can tell you that the image quality is awesome compared to the older cameras. Dynamic range, noise and colors are all a marked improvement and the removal of the AA filter makes the images bitingly sharp. Images at ISO 3200 are excellent. AF seems to be quite good at least as good as the D300. Its just that the controls are different and will take some time to get used to the AF modes. </p> <p>What I don't like is the body...its too small for my hands and I've had to get the battery grip. Also the drive mode dial uses a ridiculous locking mechanism that is different from the D300. The other big issue is that the green dot reset resets the Auto ISO parameters (!) which was not the case with the older camera. Very irritating, but I suppose one can program the U1 and U2 settings. The removal of information from the top plate LCD is also an irritant and the lack of ISO in the viewfinder...really, NIKON?</p> <p>I must be one of the lucky ones though, because the WiFI works perfectly. It really is very nice to be able to transfer photos and remotely control the camera with a smartphone whenever you want. </p> <p>So yes, on the whole you should find the upgrade from your D7000 pretty good. </p>

<p>Agreed Shun, its not the best or ideal position to lay the lens at but sometimes while changing to another, I have found that its the most convenient position while I attach another. Usually less than a minute, between my feet and then its into the case. </p> <p>Incidentally, when I first got the lens a few years back I managed to drop it! This was while holding the removable tripod collar (which had not been tightened) and accidentally pulling the trigger. Luckily it was on carpeted floor, and not too great a height, but it is a testament to the outstanding build quality of the lens. </p>

<p>This is an awesome lens and great on DX. Have used it with my D300 indoors extensively for the last 7 years. Mostly for my kids school events. Its tack sharp pretty much all the time. The VR is not as good as the newer Nikon lenses but gets the job done and the lens doesn't have the pesky focus breathing issues that the VR2 does. Also, it comes with a much nicer hood that allows you to set the lens face down with no fear of it toppling over. <br> It does weigh a ton and you will need to get used to handling it especially if you are going to be using 1/30th of a sec. I do recommend that you add the battery grip to your D7100, it will help balance the combo better. </p>

<p>The SB800 is probably the best for you in terms of size and cost, but you wont be able to get it new. </p> <p>I supplemented my 800 with a Nissin Di866 II which I would recommend. This is about the same size, takes 4 AA cells and has a bit more power. Importantly, despite the difference UI, it works perfectly with my D300 and has no problem working alongside the SB800 with CLS. There are minor differences but on the whole I have been extremely satisfied with the flash. It has quite a rugged build despite being considerably cheaper.</p>

<p>I have both and they each have different uses. The 2.8 is primarily used as an indoor event lens or for portraits. On occasion as a track and field lens. The 70-300VR is my travel tele zoom. It packs small and light and does the best possible job at zoos etc. Would have actually upgraded this to the 80-400AFS but the latter is too expensive. </p> <p>So the question is what do you need to do with each lens? </p>

<p>I once dropped my D300 and 70-200VR1. The quick release tripod mount on the lens had not been locked down and it separated from the camera/lens combo when I foolishly picked it up using the mount as a handle. Nothing happened, except that the hood is still slightly bent, but I can tell you the sickening feeling that I had for a few moments was terrible!!! You have all my sympathy!!!</p>