Hey everyone!
I felt like doing a write up on the D7100 experience, because I haven't really seen anything comprehensive or even step-by-step about using a D7100. There's already a lot of reviews online, but I think this might help: A step by step of a project I shot.
Background:
I'm a film major at LMU, and I started shooting on a Canon HV20 in high school. Moved to the HMC150 when I got a job, learned photography, swapped to the T2i and a 60D, traded those for a GH3, traded that for a Nikon.
I switched to Nikon because the 60D wasn't really cutting it for me anymore. I wanted video that could match up better to some of the other stuff that's accessible at the school's rental house, and I wanted the small size because I'm a take the camera everywhere kind of guy. Problem is, I got into portrait and event photography for the various things I do on the side and for those, the GH3 couldn't cut it (Small website crops, impossibly poorly lit venues, challenges for the autofocus system). For me, it was either go back to Canon or try Nikon. My first DSLR was a Nikon D200 I got new for 500 bucks in high school, so I knew the system decently well. I didn't want full-frame, so I found a D7100 and 85mm 1.8 on Craigslist for $1100 after getting rid of my GH3. Added a 35mm 1.8 & 50mm 1.8. I also have a lot more access to borrowing Nikon glass than anything.
I'm a film student who does some freelance to make food money. I'm not a pro, really. Look at it from that angle. Open to learning new stuff all the time. Anways:
First Project
Challenging shoot for a couple of very subtle reasons:
1. Light keying Navin was constantly changing. I had 2-3 stop differences throughout the interview shot with him. That top of the sofa was a problem in several parts of the shot.
2. Prof. Chris's shirt. Enough said. My screen couldn't handle the moire and it was a mess. I thought it would terrible on camera.
3. No B-Roll. But that's not really relevant here is it.
Answers:
1. First off, not being able to change aperture without turning live view on or off is definitely a problem here. However, it's pretty gradable stuff, despite the low codec.
Here's a grab from one clip. They're a couple frames apart. You can see how the chair sort of shows where the limit is for the D7100.
(Note: I don't pride myself on grading, I just did what looked okay to me. Any suggestions, shoot them over)
Before:
After
I was able to do a light blur on the side to clean up the window with an 8pt Matte, and use Final Cut X's (I'm the only film major I know that appreciates it) Shape Color-Correction tool to bring down Navin's surroundings while keeping his exposure in check. The D7100 is definitely gradable and has a solid amount of range relative to the GH3. Highlights aren't great, but they're not that much worse than the GH3. It's pretty sharp. Out of camera, it's a little soft, so when I brought it into FCPX, I used compressor to turn it into ProRes, and added +5 sharpening to the footage. Made it pop.
2. Not a problem at all. The GH3 wouldn't be able to handle this shirt. The 60D would have exploded.
3. Used pictures, didn't really make the video more entertaining, but helped it flow I hope.
Impression of the D7100 after the shoot.
It's an awesome camera. Although Nikon is becoming a little more mainstream for video, it still doesn't have the reputation as well as Panasonic or Canon. The thing is a beast. Easy to read screen, easy set-up, easy to get used to aperture switching. Everything is where it needs to be and it's a pretty fun camera to shoot with.
Other D7100 Thoughts
Stills off this thing are ridiculous. Too sharp, it's really crazy. Also, autofocus is awesome if you're a really hybrid shooter. It's by far the best autofocus system I've used (and there's 5d MK III's at my job to compare to). RAW sizes are a little big, but I guess its a given with 24mp. The camera with a 35mm is sharper than a friend's with a D600 with a 50mm 1.4, so there you go. It's an incredible camera and I'm glad I got it for the steal that I did.
Comparisons:
Vs. GH3: GH3 is a lot sharper out of camera, but is prone to moire. A decent amount, where it becomes distracting when it does. Also a little more gradable. In my opinion, the Nikon is a little more flexible with shooting situations and is moire free. Flip out screen is a huge loss on the d7100, but I have a cheap viewfinder bolted on that I couldn't with the Gh3, so it's a trade-off. In a studio, the Gh3 would win. I'd rather have the D7100 when I don't know what's coming. Rolling shutter is also pretty good on the D7100 in my opinion. Nothing bad at all. Sometimes, I miss my GH3, but I love my Nikon so I'm okay with that.
Vs. 60D: No contest.
Vs 5D Mk III: I shoot the MK III a lot at work, and in my opinion, stills are better off the D7100 except for High ISO. That's just me. I got my Canon shooting boss impressed with my stills. Video-wise, the Canon is more gradable, but I think the Nikon beats it for sharpness and for moire. To his their own, both great cameras.
Vs 5d MK II: Just stills, but the D7100 tears it apart in real world taxing situations. Sharper, cleaner, especially at high ISO.
I love my D7100.
I felt like doing a write up on the D7100 experience, because I haven't really seen anything comprehensive or even step-by-step about using a D7100. There's already a lot of reviews online, but I think this might help: A step by step of a project I shot.
Background:
I'm a film major at LMU, and I started shooting on a Canon HV20 in high school. Moved to the HMC150 when I got a job, learned photography, swapped to the T2i and a 60D, traded those for a GH3, traded that for a Nikon.
I switched to Nikon because the 60D wasn't really cutting it for me anymore. I wanted video that could match up better to some of the other stuff that's accessible at the school's rental house, and I wanted the small size because I'm a take the camera everywhere kind of guy. Problem is, I got into portrait and event photography for the various things I do on the side and for those, the GH3 couldn't cut it (Small website crops, impossibly poorly lit venues, challenges for the autofocus system). For me, it was either go back to Canon or try Nikon. My first DSLR was a Nikon D200 I got new for 500 bucks in high school, so I knew the system decently well. I didn't want full-frame, so I found a D7100 and 85mm 1.8 on Craigslist for $1100 after getting rid of my GH3. Added a 35mm 1.8 & 50mm 1.8. I also have a lot more access to borrowing Nikon glass than anything.
I'm a film student who does some freelance to make food money. I'm not a pro, really. Look at it from that angle. Open to learning new stuff all the time. Anways:
First Project
Challenging shoot for a couple of very subtle reasons:
1. Light keying Navin was constantly changing. I had 2-3 stop differences throughout the interview shot with him. That top of the sofa was a problem in several parts of the shot.
2. Prof. Chris's shirt. Enough said. My screen couldn't handle the moire and it was a mess. I thought it would terrible on camera.
3. No B-Roll. But that's not really relevant here is it.
Answers:
1. First off, not being able to change aperture without turning live view on or off is definitely a problem here. However, it's pretty gradable stuff, despite the low codec.
Here's a grab from one clip. They're a couple frames apart. You can see how the chair sort of shows where the limit is for the D7100.
(Note: I don't pride myself on grading, I just did what looked okay to me. Any suggestions, shoot them over)
Before:
After
I was able to do a light blur on the side to clean up the window with an 8pt Matte, and use Final Cut X's (I'm the only film major I know that appreciates it) Shape Color-Correction tool to bring down Navin's surroundings while keeping his exposure in check. The D7100 is definitely gradable and has a solid amount of range relative to the GH3. Highlights aren't great, but they're not that much worse than the GH3. It's pretty sharp. Out of camera, it's a little soft, so when I brought it into FCPX, I used compressor to turn it into ProRes, and added +5 sharpening to the footage. Made it pop.
2. Not a problem at all. The GH3 wouldn't be able to handle this shirt. The 60D would have exploded.
3. Used pictures, didn't really make the video more entertaining, but helped it flow I hope.
Impression of the D7100 after the shoot.
It's an awesome camera. Although Nikon is becoming a little more mainstream for video, it still doesn't have the reputation as well as Panasonic or Canon. The thing is a beast. Easy to read screen, easy set-up, easy to get used to aperture switching. Everything is where it needs to be and it's a pretty fun camera to shoot with.
Other D7100 Thoughts
Stills off this thing are ridiculous. Too sharp, it's really crazy. Also, autofocus is awesome if you're a really hybrid shooter. It's by far the best autofocus system I've used (and there's 5d MK III's at my job to compare to). RAW sizes are a little big, but I guess its a given with 24mp. The camera with a 35mm is sharper than a friend's with a D600 with a 50mm 1.4, so there you go. It's an incredible camera and I'm glad I got it for the steal that I did.
Comparisons:
Vs. GH3: GH3 is a lot sharper out of camera, but is prone to moire. A decent amount, where it becomes distracting when it does. Also a little more gradable. In my opinion, the Nikon is a little more flexible with shooting situations and is moire free. Flip out screen is a huge loss on the d7100, but I have a cheap viewfinder bolted on that I couldn't with the Gh3, so it's a trade-off. In a studio, the Gh3 would win. I'd rather have the D7100 when I don't know what's coming. Rolling shutter is also pretty good on the D7100 in my opinion. Nothing bad at all. Sometimes, I miss my GH3, but I love my Nikon so I'm okay with that.
Vs. 60D: No contest.
Vs 5D Mk III: I shoot the MK III a lot at work, and in my opinion, stills are better off the D7100 except for High ISO. That's just me. I got my Canon shooting boss impressed with my stills. Video-wise, the Canon is more gradable, but I think the Nikon beats it for sharpness and for moire. To his their own, both great cameras.
Vs 5d MK II: Just stills, but the D7100 tears it apart in real world taxing situations. Sharper, cleaner, especially at high ISO.
I love my D7100.
Last edited:
