In addition, Nikon removed the anti-aliasing filter on the sensor, so the Coolpix A gives more detailed images than the D7000. I actually own and use a Coolpix A, I have found the lcd display to be adequately bright so I do not miss a viewfinder. The fixed focal length lens is better at 18.5mm than most other lens Nikon makes that reach 18mm, most of them have lots of distortion. This camera can shoot at ISO 1000 without noise and it has a f/2.8 lens, it is good in low light but it does not have VR so there are some limits regarding shutter speed. The dynamic range is comparable to the D7000 and I like the color rendition better. At the current $269 price it is a bargain. If you like shooting at that focal length get one, you won't be disappointed.

The short answer is, on a dx body, a 50mm f/1.8 is a very versatile lens and gives you the most bang for the buck. Having said that, if you have been working with a zoom on a dx body and have shot some portraits that please you, check the focal length you were shooting at, this would be a good indicator of what works for you in terms of working distance and perspective.

There are some questions you should be able to answer when you go to choose a tripod:
How will it be used? At home? Travel? Hiking?
What type of photography does your wife enjoy? Landscape? Macro? Portrait? Birds/animals?
Will she be carrying the tripod any distance?
These are some you can start with.

Good luck!

If it is important to you, you will find a way. If you value other things more, then that is where you will spend your money.

I recommend the Fenix LD12 G2, it has settings as low as 3 lumens and as high as 125 lumens. Fenix makes a red filter for this flashlight, it can be used to preserve night vision. The beam does not focus, but it is small and uses 1 AA battery. Very easy to fit anywhere, pocket or camera bag.

http://smile.amazon.com/Fenix-Compact-Flashlight-Battery-LumenTac/dp/B00C31G24M/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1449833842&sr=1-1&keywords=fenix+ld12

I own both lenses, the f/1.8G is a simpler design, lighter, focuses a little faster (IMO), and is better at wide (f/1.8-f/2.8) apertures. The f/1.4G is a better overall performer (especially above f/4) on a full frame body. On an APS-C sensor body the f/1.8G is an easy choice, on a full frame it depends on how and what you plan to shoot.

Your D7100 should work with the Nikon - MC-DC2 Remote Release Cord which is different from the Nikon MC-30A Remote Trigger Release you use with your D300.

Is the slide lock for bulb engaged?

I would suggest you check out a refurbished D7100, it is currently selling for under $500 at Adorama, it is more closely related to the D70, product line development by Nikon goes D70, D80, D90, D7000, D7100. The controls for the D7100 would be more familiar to your daughter, it is more solidly constructed, and the 51 point auto focus is far superior than any of the D5xxx series cameras.

I see your point but, but...with my 70-200mm f2.8 on a cropped sensor with a 2x TC, I get pretty much the same thing ...200mm x 1.5 = 300mm angle of view X 2.o TC =600mm @ f/5.6. Why spend $1,400 on another lens I can replicate. Unless I'm missing something, other than getting 1000mm from the 500mm with the 2x TC but then I'm down to f/11, unless I'm mistaken, you can't use a 2xTC with a combined f stop over f/8. (Hope I said that right)[/quote]

I thought having a 500mm that you could use with your D750 and shoot at higher ISO might be a solution for your dilemma. You found the noise from your D7000 unacceptable, so this would allow you to get similar reach with lower noise in your images using the D750. The truth is there is no DX body/lens combo that will give you the same low light performance as this combo because with the D750 you can shoot at much higher ISO's and still get clean images.

I have both the D7000 and the D7200, the D7200 is better than the D7000 and is likely the best APS-C DSLR for low light shooting you can buy, BUT the reality is the D7000 produced clean images up to ISO 1000, the D7200 now reaches ISO 1200 before you see noise. The EXPEED 4 processor in the D7200 processes the noise differently, there is less chroma noise visable in the images, but lumina noise, which is harder to remove, is still present. Low noise is a function of sensor size and pixel size, larger sensors receive more light, larger pixels generate a stronger signal, both reduce noise. If you want to shoot at ISO 3000 with little noise, you need a full frame sensor.

Another thing you might try to get the reach and performance you want, I suggest you rent the new 200-500mm f/5.6 lens from Nikon. The people who have reported on it here give it good reviews though most shoot birds or wildlife, I have not seen a report on sport shooting with that lens, but at $1400 it is in a similar price range as the D7200.

I'm glad I could help.

My experience is with the D7000 and the D7200. The D7200 has a larger memory buffer which will give you 18 shots without slowing down shooting RAW + JPEG fine. Shooting JPEG you get about 100 shots before the buffer fills. The biggest difference I have noticed with the EXPEED 4 processor is the way noise is handled. There is a noticeable reduction in chroma noise, but lumina noise is still present. As far as I know they use the same sensor, the changes to processing were made to reduce the green banding that appeared is some low light images with the D7100. The D7200 also allows you to bracket 9 frames vs. 5 frames with the D7100. Only you can decide if the differences are enough to step up to the D7200, most people are very happy with either body.

I received mine yesterday, I posted a couple of test shots in the gallery section taken with a D7200 and a Nikon TC-14E II teleconverter. One of the appeals to me was the fixed aperture allowing use of a teleconverter.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-339055-1.html

The eagles have been nesting here in one of our city parks for about eight years. When they have eggs/hatchlings at least one parent is at the nest constantly (from March to June). Now I'm really looking forward to next Spring.