tjphxaz Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I have both cameras and the FX lens you reference in your question. Given your stated use is wildlife photography, I suggest you take the change in stages by getting the 80-400 mm FX lens (new VRII model) first. On your 7100 crop sensor that lens will equate to 120-600mm. Add a 1.4II or III teleconverter and you extend the reach out to more than 800mm.
After you have worked that combo a while, you might rent a D750 for a shoot to see the effect of full frame on your results.
You will have to decide on the body but I'm confident the Nikon 80-400 FX lens will be a good choice regardless.

warrenvon Loc: Ellicott City, MD

There is a big down side to the 200-500 mm lens and that is the 200mm low end.

There will be more than few times when you'd really wish for the 80mm end of the 80-400 lens.

The 800-400 is a really nice walk around wild life lens. Yes . . . it is heavy; but the use of a Black Rapid like shoulder strap or anything other than a neck strap will make the weight much easier to carry for extended periods of time.

I'm 80 and can carry mine around all day without undue wear and tear on my shoulders.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

you may also want to check out the tamron 150-600mm. great lens for much less money. maybe you could rent both lenses and compare the images. about the d750, i have both the d7200 and the d750 and love both cameras, but i have to say the d7200 has become my backup camera as the d750 is so much nicer to me.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

I believe Nikon has drastically dropped the price on the 7100 and the 18-300. You could buy the combinstion new for less than $1500 :thumbup:

MtnMan Loc: ID

The camera would decrease image quality from 24MP to 10 MP on the DX area.

The lens would likely greatly increase image quality over the 18-300. You can use the 80-400 on the D7100 also.

If cost is any concern consider the new Nikon 200-500. It is fabulous.

I might add that I use the 200-500 on my D5300 over my D800 on wildlife because of the better image quality.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I've set up duck blinds and deer stands in strategic places and seem to be having luck with them IF I get to them early enough which is at least a half hour before sunrise.
Thanks for the thought. I remember you posting those shots and was as impressed then as I am now. Thanks

tramsey Loc: Texas

That's a good one Jerry. I've used all of those sites except camerasize in my research.

Thanks for the comeback

tramsey Loc: Texas

CHASEPLACEMAIL Loc: Ct,Fla

[quote=tramsey]Most of my work is wild life. I have a friend in the restaurant business who allows me to display my work for sale. I am satisfied with the whistles and bells on the 7100 but looking for better image quality. I have one lens a Nikkor DX 18-300. If I decide to go to the d750 I will also upgrade the lens to a FX 80-400.
Finally to my question; would the increase in image quality be significant enough to warrant the money spent. B&H has the camera for 1900 and the lens for 2300 for total of 4200. I could probably sell my current outfit for 1500 or so; leaving an expenditure of 2700.

I would appreciate what you have to say.

I went from a Nikon D90 to a D750. I had other reasons to prefer the d750 to the D7100 BUT.... I also like to do wildlife and if that was my main rationale I would try the D7100 with a Tamron 150-600 first. I found that, with the D750, I needed the Tamron (around $1100) to get the length needed for some wildlife. It's high quality and on a d7100 it would give you 225-900mm.
You could rent a Tamron for under $100 and try it. If it works for you it would save you thousands of $ and perhaps still give you the results you're looking for.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

my daughter just bought a refurb D7100 with a 55-200 Nikon lens for under $700. Adorama. Works like brand new.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

In a situation you've mentioned, early mourning, the full frame wins hands down using higher ISO's. That said, some of my best shots ever, come around 9:00 am while the sun is rising and placing the subject in full sun, the best possible light. In this situation either format would work well, but having the crop sensor will give a bit more reach. I'd rather use a crop sensor camera for more reach, than an extender on a full frame. Something to think about..

Lionel1954 Loc: Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

The D7100 is a superb camera which allows you that extra reach using a crop sensor. Upgrading you optics would be a wiser choice and will cost you less in the long run. As for image quality there would be very little gain and you will also lose the reach going from a crop sensor to a full frame sensor. Presently you have a approx. 24mm x 16mm sensor with 24.1 MP. Now if you crop a FF sensor to that size you'll only have approx. 14.3 MP. So the optics is what will increase the quality of your work. Besides you already know how the D7100 works a new camera brings a new learning curve. Conclusion keep your camera and get better optics. This is just my opinion.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I think it was MT Shooter who said if you want better pictures get better glass. The camera is just the storage box.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

you do not really get more "reach" from a cropped sensor, your are just cropping the photo as you are taking your photo. the same effect may be accomplished by cropping during post processing.

Lionel1954 Loc: Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Agree.