b top gun

Have been using a Nikon D7100 for a bunch of years; it's been to AZ twice, the Pac NW four times. Read a lot about the Nikon D750, then along came the D780. I have an old 18-70 kit lens (from a D70S) on the D7100 now; focus lock died on my Nikon 18-200 DX VR lens; have not replaced it and not certain I want to (Nikon was vague as to what it would cost to repair the 18-200 even though they had the lens at their repair facility, and that lens was ten years old). Have several Nikkor manual focus lenses from film days and have easy access to Nikon 24-70 and 70-200 FX lenses. Have used a D850 for in camera time lapse movies and like that capability; cannot do in camera time lapse movies with the D7100. I shoot mostly landscapes, seascapes and low light/night subjects, not much into sports and/or wildlife or people. Mirrorless? Not sure. D850? Price and body weight are factors. Options????

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

What short comings you have with your current set up that you think you need to upgrade?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar

I think he should upgrade as he has only 1 working DX lens the 18-70. The 18-200 is considered dead. The D850 is a good upgrade if the OP prefer DSLR.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

They're going for a great price right now, too. $2100.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Sounds to me like the heart of your crisis may be the need for a replacement "normal" lens. The loss of your 18-200 seems to have set you thinking and kicked off your problem. I used an 18-70mm zoom for a long time, but was always pretty underwhelmed by it. The 18-200 is a really convenient lens, but it has some shortcomings too.

I'll confess to not being familiar with the D7100, but it has always seemed to be pretty competent to me. Newer models offer some real improvements in video capability, though.

If this is an accurate assessment, it represents where I was just about a year ago. What I ended up doing was changing course pretty significantly around my 'normal' lens. I ended up buying a 24-120mm f4 full frame lens as the default lens for my D500. I bought it used for $425, and had to purchase a hood separately. It has rejuvenated my shooting quite a bit. It was a lot cheaper than the newer 16-80mm DX zoom, and I think it is a better lens.

This might not be the path you end up following, but something similar might solve your dissatisfaction.

Let us know what you decide.

repleo Loc: Boston

Sounds like a good time to upgrade. if you are even asking the question, you won't be content until you do. If you do upgrade, you may as well bite the bullet and go mirrorless or you will be asking yourself why you didn't when you had the chance. None of this is likely to make any difference to your photography, but it will make you happy - for awhile. Happiness is far more important than anything you are likely to shoot.

b top gun

I had a D300 for a while, liked it a lot yet got tired of waiting for its successor so sold it and got the D7100 which has been my workhorse for six Nikon holidays. My now deceased 18-200 DX was a nice lens and I had what I thought was a better than average copy. Yes, when it died is when I began to ponder my next move. As noted in my post, I have used a D850; bottom line, you better have really good glass to get the most out of that Nikon body.

b top gun

What also got me thinking upgrade, used the D7100 with 18-200 exclusively at the Grand Canyon, got some nice shots but thought I could have done even better. Wish I had had a D850 at the Canyon and at Petrified Forest National Park that year.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I used the D7000 in combination with the 28-300mm before purchasing a D800. I was very pleased with photos taken with that combination. What made you unhappy with the photos taken with your D7100. Was it when you enlarged your photos?

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Let's just stop this. Several folks have made that same statement. They go out and buy VERY expensive glass for their shiny new D850. Then they shoot Hand-held at higher ISO and don't even try to steady themselves against a tree or building.
Any FF Nikon, not just the 850, will benefit from top-grade glass. My D700 gives better results when I use top glass instead of old Series E manual focus lenses. But if I use those same "cheap" lenses on the D850 using a tripod, base ISO, shutter delay or mirror up release and careful/accurate focus, the images are still spectacular.
Ya say ya wanna upgrade? Sounds like the gear you presently have is getting a bit "long-in-the-tooth." So it's time. If you stay with Nikon, and if you want to get all the detail you can out of a scene, the 850 at 45MPs gives a ton of detail... if you use it right. It has ALL the features that I want in a "picture-maker." Too heavy for you? The D610 at 24MPs is very capable but less weight. The Df at 16MPs produces fantastic images from a smaller, lighter package. There are always alternatives.

JerryLS Loc: Davenport.Iowa

SteveR; Are you saying that the D850 is on sale for $2100. If that is true where is it on sale

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

Since you are not really invested in glass my thought would be to go mirrorless. Last fall I went to a Sony a7lll from Canon, with a Tamron 28 - 75 f2.8 and have been very happy with this change. I did buy the Sigma adapter so I could use my Canon EF glass (yes autofocus is a little slower especially when I use fewer focus points for birds) but until I can afford to buy more Sony E mount lenses I'm very pleased with the results.

JerryLS Loc: Davenport.Iowa

SteveR

Are you saying that the D850 is on sale for $2100. That sounds to good.Let us all know where we can buy for that price. I may be able to own one now. Thanks JerryLS

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Sounds like your camera and lens are kaput.
You have several options.
Since you like landscapes, seascapes and low light/night subjects, a FF camera could be in your future.
Mirrorless is an option, but you should really go and handle one. I myself find my Sony a9 OK to hold ONLY if I attach the vertical grip. Mirrorless are smaller than you D7100. So, my advice is to see if you like the feel of them first.
Again, since you like landscapes and seascapes, so your not shooting fast, mirrorless will let you see what your exposure is in real time, so as you look at your landscape through the viewfinder of a mirrorless camera you can adjust your speed, f stops, and see what it is doing exposure wise in your scene in real time. DSLR's cannot do this.
Although the Nikon D850 is a real nice camera. I know you stated you can get your hands on a 24-70 and 70-200. Speed is not that important in landscape photography but it is for night scenes.
My favorite landscape lens is the Nikon 16-35 f4 lens, followed by the 24-120 f4. I use these two because they are sharp and share the same filter size.
So, looks like more research is needed. You should consider renting a mirrorless camera but first read the instruction manual on it so that when you get it you can start shooting right away.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.