Recommend DX camera for BIF

#1
BostoNikon

Posted 21 March 2017 - 03:29 PM

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I currently own a D750 (which I love), FF lenses and some m43 gear. Been using my m43 gear for BIF (Olympus EM-1 and a Oly 40-150 f2.8). At times I am frustrated with the AF-C and AF-C tracking. Looking to improve AF and reach (which is currently 420mm FF equivalent when using a TE). Trying to keep the price and weight down..and take advantage of the DX 1.5x crop factor. Not interested in purchasing the D500 due to budget issues (though appreciate it might be the best choice given my interests). Was thinking about buying a Nikon 80-400 lens and a DX body. I think I've narrowed it down to three...D5500, D7100 and D300s. I see negatives with each as described below. Not too concerned about high ISO performance. My biggest concern is AF. Issues I worry about:

D300s: smaller MP files means less "room" for cropping? Do like current pricing.

D5500: Am concerned about AF performance and that it will be a big disappointment vs the D750 (already not fond of the OVF coverage)

D7100: might be happier with a lighter camera as I tend to carry around two cams.

I'm not concerned if the camera I choose is different re controls vs the D750. As is, I already have five cameras.

Thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

Richard

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#2
Merco_61

Posted 23 March 2017 - 11:24 PM

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My biggest concern with the D5500 and D7100 for BIF is the small buffer. The D300s has about the same buffer size as your D750, the D5500 about half that and the D7100 even less.

With a 24 MP sensor, you won't have much room to crop either as it will be empty magnification as 24 MP on DX is a pixel pitch that is close to the optical resolution of the lens. You won't see any difference between a 46X60 cm print from the D300s or the 24 MP cameras, except for the greater clarity because of the removed low-pass filter. This is the main reason the D500 is 20 MP instead of 24.

If you could stretch the budget to a D7200, you would get a body that has even better AF than the D300s with a really useful buffer size and the removed low-pass filter. It is a poor man's D500 rather than a jazzed up D5xxx for BIF.