9 replies to this topic

[Old Hi Fi Nut]

I am trading in my Fuji X-pro1 for a D7100 as the initial quote was much better than I expected and the company (mpb.com) has good reviews regarding trade-ins. I had the X-pro1 advertised in the classifieds but have closed it to use the trade-in instead. The more I read about the D7100, the more I like it. I am packing it up for sending it to them tomorrow. I tried to like the Fuji but I wasn't comfortable with it even although it is an excellent camera. I am really comfortable with my D3200.

[nbanjogal]

When you get the D7100, make sure you let us know you get on with it. I'm sure transitioning from the D3200 to the D7100 will be more comfortable than transitioning to another system entirely. Hope you enjoy it!

[Old Hi Fi Nut]

Thanks.
The funny thing is, I was dissapointed with the D3200 and thought it wasn't sharp. I researched how to re-calibrate the focus of the body which involves going in through the lens mount and using an allen key. Very dodgy operation for someone with shaky hands like me! I'm glad I didn't do it. I got a lens focus chart thing which folded into a triangular thing and found that it was spot on with focusing. I have gotten on far better with the D3200 since I took it off auto and switched to manual. One major thing I learned about focusing which should have been obvious, was a sharp focus needs good light. Switching to manual and back button focus is two of the best things I've done with my camera settings.

[nbanjogal]

Switching to manual and back button focus is two of the best things I've done with my camera settings.

 

Good things to figure out—I heartily salute folks who use manual focus regularly. One of our forum members uses it all the time, even for action shots of his daughter roller skating. It always blows me away that he can pull it off. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to manual focus—I use it only when shooting at night and maybe on a few other rare occasions. As for back button focus, I know many photographers who swear by it, and I've been intending to try it for...years...(ahem) now. Sheesh. Need to just do it, I guess. Thanks for the reminder.

[Old Hi Fi Nut]

I actually meant manual on the M, A, S, P dial. If I am using my 35mm for landscape, I like to use manual focus. One of the features of the D7100 I really like is the Pv button on the front of the camera can be used to check depth of field. I used to like using the lens markings of my old Contax RTSII to set hyperfocal distance. That camera had a cast brass body and was heavy with a hair trigger for a shutter button. I had to keep my finger away from it as the slightest touch set it off! It became an advantage though because a heavy camera is easier to keep steady hand held and the hair trigger shutter fired without pressing down hard. I think entry level cameras should be heavier, not lighter. Quirky things are good for us I think, it makes it fun. My Yashica 635 TLR taught me that. Figuring out how to use a polarising filter was a hoot! And I once took a picture holding it upside down over the heads of people and was surprised to get a good picture.
My goodness, I went on a bit there. Still, it's all good fun.

[Ron]

Good things to figure out—I heartily salute folks who use manual focus regularly. One of our forum members uses it all the time, even for action shots of his daughter roller skating. It always blows me away that he can pull it off. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to manual focus—I use it only when shooting at night and maybe on a few other rare occasions. As for back button focus, I know many photographers who swear by it, and I've been intending to try it for...years...(ahem) now. Sheesh. Need to just do it, I guess. Thanks for the reminder.

 

For someone who uses AF nearly all the time, you do fantastically well.

 

I personally use AF about half the time. For fast moving subjects, it's the only way I can keep up. For macro work or when shooting award photos I always use MF. Lately, I've been trying to get the hang of using Liveview for focusing in these situations but I'm missing something somewhere. And, it's really difficult for me to give up looking through the viewfinder. The struggle continues.

 

Back button focus takes a bit of time to get used to (at least it did for me) but once you do, you'll be hooked. Especially since your shiny new D810 has a dedicated Focus On button just for that purpose.

 

--Ron

[Old Hi Fi Nut]

.
 
Back button focus takes a bit of time to get used to (at least it did for me) but once you do, you'll be hooked. Especially since your shiny new D810 has a dedicated Focus On button just for that purpose.
 
--Ron

Back button focus confused me at first and I went back to shutter button focus but I gave it another go and now I wouldn't go back to shutter button focusing.

[Ron]

Back button focus confused me at first and I went back to shutter button focus but I gave it another go and now I wouldn't go back to shutter button focusing.

 

Yeah, I can understand. We're all so used to that half press of the shutter button taking care of everything. But, as you've found, it is worth the hassle to learn to use BBF.

 

--Ron

[TBonz]

Every once in awhile I manually focus an image...and then I laugh at myself and go back to AF whether or not that image was correctly focused!  Hey, back in the day I shot it all manually including high level sports...And, I got some pretty nice shots doing it...but I do love the AF for sports...

 

I also resisted back button focus for awhile...I too switched back for a couple of games and then tried it again and haven't gone back...finally think I've trained my wife to use it instead of the shutter focus as well...

[Old Hi Fi Nut]

Excellent news! I received an email this morning from mpb telling me they have evaluated my camera and my evaluation was agreed by them so now they are sending me the D7100 I asked for plus £120 into my bank account! I didn't want to tell you about the initial evaluation the quoted to me based on my evaluation incase it was downgraded which is what I expected. I was stunned to hear the lovely giggly girl tell me there was no adjustments to the initial quote! It is so nice to deal with honest businesses.