Anyone using a Nikon D7100 and/or new model 80-400 Zoom?

[Deleted]

Seen some really good reviews of the Nikon D7100 and the new 80-400mm VR2 zoom ( the old 80-400 focussed slower than a slow thing on St Slow's day )

However a lot of the reviews are on "sponsored" sites which have a vested interest in giving positive feedback!

Does anyone have hands on experience of these as individual items or, even better, as a combo?

My D200 is getting long in the tooth but I'm looking for some real life opinions before parting with best part of £4,000!

Thanks in advance,

GC

[gerrymanning]

Have you had a look at Grays of Westminster, all they sell is Nikon. I have just looked at their site and they have an 80-400 in the second hand list as mint (that means it is) for £945 and what about going up from your D200 to a D300s? They have one again mint for £745. Total £1690 much less than your nearly £4000.

In their new and on special they have the lens for £1235 the D7100 for £935 and D300s for £899.

I use the D300(not the newer "S") and love it. I have bought all my stuff from Grays and recommend them.

Take a look at their site.

Good luck in your hunt.

[Deleted]

Hi Gerry

Thanks for the reply.

I've considered the D300s over the years but hung on in antcipation of a D400 being launched. Nikon have announced that the D7100 will be their top end DX sensor model. I'm really keen on the additional 1.3x crop facility over and above the normal 1.6x DX sensor increase which, allied to the pixel count, appears to give impresive results given the high crop factor.

Just looked at the Grays site (I bought my first FM2 from them years ago!). The 80-400 at 1,235GBP is the older model. I've used one of these in the past and found the dynamic focus really slow. It also hunted badly in low contrast situations. I say that in comparison to my Sigma 100-300 constant f4. The new model is in the AF-S range which Grays list at 2,399GBP. Alot of money I know but I've seen some stunning images shot with it on Scramble and a.net.

The body price is similar to what I've seen in Chester, I need to add on the optional battery grip as I find the plain body too small to handle (same issue on the D200 and F90x) plus new SDHC memory cards as the D200 uses CF.

GC