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Nikon d7100 and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR
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Oct 16, 2020 07:12:21   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
imagemeister wrote:
Despite what a few reviewers say, I have seen the Imatest numbers for the 70-300 AF-P DX and FX lenses and the FX is optically better, built better, and is 5.6 instead of 6.3 - your trip deserves the BEST ! Yes, it is slightly bigger/heavier.
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I agree. The FX version is an excellent lens and works well on DX. If you want to invest slightly more, I have found the Tamron 100-400 to provide great results in a relatively lcompact package.

I would check with the tour orgaizers, however, about lens size. I am pretty sure that your traveling companions will be hauling some big glass for this type of trip, and it is reasonable to think that the tour company expects this. Worth asking.

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Oct 16, 2020 07:18:42   #
Fiddlingbill Loc: Mass.
 
Hi. Buy the Nikon 70-300 4.5- 5.6 vrg. The ad is fast. And the optics are extremely good. I used one on a d7200 for sports. It was a great set-up. You will not be sorry owning this combo.

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Oct 16, 2020 07:41:48   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
Fiddlingbill wrote:
Hi. Buy the Nikon 70-300 4.5- 5.6 vrg. The ad is fast. And the optics are extremely good. I used one on a d7200 for sports. It was a great set-up. You will not be sorry owning this combo.


One consideration might be whether the lens results in excessive battery drain when you are riding in a moving vehicle with the camera powered up. The VR system will be continuously sensing the movement of the vehicle and making adjustments, draining your battery all the while.

I have very limited experience with D7xxx cameras, but since the D7100 is a little bit older, this could be a problem if you tend to leave your camera powered up. In my experience, this would definitely be something to check out before leaving for Africa.

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Oct 16, 2020 08:07:44   #
geezer7 Loc: Michigan
 
jdub82 wrote:
It is very unlikely that you will have much opportunity to use a tripod on a Safari tour. You will likely be shooting almost exclusively handheld from the vehicle. Perhaps you will have a different kind of tour, but in my experience with a Safari tour in Kenya, we were moving throughout the day. The guides will stop the vehicle briefly to allow passengers to get shots, and then move on to the next spot. The 18-300 lens will likely be suitable for most of your shots. If you want anything longer, you might take a super zoom camera along with your Nikon setup. I was able to get some amazing shots with a Canon SX50. Depending on your budget for new gear, a Sony RX10 IV would be an excellent choice for an Africa trip, and would work for any longer distance shots.
It is very unlikely that you will have much opport... (show quote)


I don't plan on taking a tripod on the safari for the reason you mentioned. I have a Panasonic gm5 with a 12-32mm lens that I intend to take for landscape shots so I won't have to change lenses. How was the resolution on the SX50? Thanks for your reply.

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Oct 16, 2020 08:11:29   #
geezer7 Loc: Michigan
 
Fiddlingbill wrote:
Hi. Buy the Nikon 70-300 4.5- 5.6 vrg. The ad is fast. And the optics are extremely good. I used one on a d7200 for sports. It was a great set-up. You will not be sorry owning this combo.


Not sure which model you are referring to. Could you be more specific?

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Oct 16, 2020 08:16:01   #
geezer7 Loc: Michigan
 
NikonRocks wrote:
Two other areas worth exploring with your existing 200mm lens is using a combo of either/together

1. a teleconverter 1.4x, 1.7x, 2.0x - downside is softer images and reduction in max aperture the greater the magnification used

2. In camera image area reduction by 1.3x (18x12) - giving a further 1.3x optical reach on top of the DX 1.5x (24x16) giving equivalent of using a 390mm lens.

I don't think a teleconverter would provide good resolution on my 55-200. Also the 1.3x optical reach you mentioned I believe is actually a digital zoom which can be achieved with a crop during post processing.

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Oct 16, 2020 08:17:14   #
uhaas2009
 
I used this lens with my 7000 and there wasn’t any problem. Most of time I use it hand held and for longer exposure tripod. I used this lens on my 810 too, it’s fast enough to keep up with the focus.....

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Oct 16, 2020 08:28:51   #
agillot
 
Tamron 18/400 ?

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Oct 16, 2020 08:38:49   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
geezer7 wrote:
I am going on a South African safari next year (assuming the pandemic permits) and would like to add a new lens for the trip. I currently have a maximum focal length of 200mm and want to extend that! We will probably be in fairly tight quarters when in the bush (in a vehicle) so I don't think a really long lens would be very convenient. I have a D7100 and think an AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR lens might fit the bill. My problem is that it seems that the lens and camera are only partially compatible. The main problem is that it is not possible to turn off the VR function since the lens lacks a switch and the D7100 has no item in the menu which makes it possible to turn off VR. I usually leave VR on but VR is apparently supposed to be turned off when mounted on a tripod. I seldom use a tripod so this may not be a great problem however I'd rather not lose the option of using a tripod. This lens apparently is sharper than the AF-S version so I'd prefer the AF-P lens. My question is whether the use of VR on a tripod is really a serious problem. I'd appreciate hoggers' opinions on this issue.
I am going on a South African safari next year (as... (show quote)


The VR system works by countering the movement of your arms by moving the internal elements of the lenses inside your camera. If your on a tripod and your camera is not moving and you have VR turned on, your lens WILL move internal elements in an effort to counter act supposed movement resulting in an unsatisfactory image.
As far as your lens goes, there is another 70-300 that does have a switch for VR, since this is a once in a life time trip, you may want to consider alternatives.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1349415-REG/nikon_20068_af_p_nikkor_70_300mm_f_4_5_5_6e.html?sts=pi&pim=Y
Your D7100 will have full AF functions with the following Nikon lenses, AF-D, AF-I, AF-S, E,and G lenses.

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Oct 16, 2020 08:52:20   #
V2volk Loc: St. Louis area
 
I also have the FX version and use it on my D750. I think it is pretty sharp for the cost of it.

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Oct 16, 2020 08:55:24   #
NikonRocks Loc: Sydney
 
geezer7 wrote:
I don't think a teleconverter would provide good resolution on my 55-200. Also the 1.3x optical reach you mentioned I believe is actually a digital zoom which can be achieved with a crop during post processing.


You are right about being a digital zoom but at least you see the effect in the viewfinder/rear screen which helps in the composition of the shot. After all the DX is a 1.5 crop of the FF 36x24 which is again effectively a digital zoom on the full frame sensor.

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Oct 16, 2020 09:29:23   #
Photec
 
geezer7 wrote:
I am going on a South African safari next year (assuming the pandemic permits) and would like to add a new lens for the trip. I currently have a maximum focal length of 200mm and want to extend that! We will probably be in fairly tight quarters when in the bush (in a vehicle) so I don't think a really long lens would be very convenient. I have a D7100 and think an AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR lens might fit the bill. My problem is that it seems that the lens and camera are only partially compatible. The main problem is that it is not possible to turn off the VR function since the lens lacks a switch and the D7100 has no item in the menu which makes it possible to turn off VR. I usually leave VR on but VR is apparently supposed to be turned off when mounted on a tripod. I seldom use a tripod so this may not be a great problem however I'd rather not lose the option of using a tripod. This lens apparently is sharper than the AF-S version so I'd prefer the AF-P lens. My question is whether the use of VR on a tripod is really a serious problem. I'd appreciate hoggers' opinions on this issue.
I am going on a South African safari next year (as... (show quote)

The D7100 body has a small switch by the lens mount, where your left thumb will normally be, that says "AF/MF". It works perfectly, use that to switch AF on or off.

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Oct 16, 2020 10:35:00   #
geezer7 Loc: Michigan
 
Photec wrote:
The D7100 body has a small switch by the lens mount, where your left thumb will normally be, that says "AF/MF". It works perfectly, use that to switch AF on or off.


Interesting thought. I guess switching to manual focus disables VR! According to the users' manual for the lens they recommend turning VR on for use on a tripod so I think I was obsessing unnecessarily!
Thanks everyone for the replies. It seems that the DX lens will be adequate though perhaps not quite as good as the FX version.

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Oct 16, 2020 10:48:20   #
SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY
 
geezer7 wrote:
I am going on a South African safari next year (assuming the pandemic permits) and would like to add a new lens for the trip. I currently have a maximum focal length of 200mm and want to extend that! We will probably be in fairly tight quarters when in the bush (in a vehicle) so I don't think a really long lens would be very convenient. I have a D7100 and think an AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR lens might fit the bill. My problem is that it seems that the lens and camera are only partially compatible. The main problem is that it is not possible to turn off the VR function since the lens lacks a switch and the D7100 has no item in the menu which makes it possible to turn off VR. I usually leave VR on but VR is apparently supposed to be turned off when mounted on a tripod. I seldom use a tripod so this may not be a great problem however I'd rather not lose the option of using a tripod. This lens apparently is sharper than the AF-S version so I'd prefer the AF-P lens. My question is whether the use of VR on a tripod is really a serious problem. I'd appreciate hoggers' opinions on this issue.
I am going on a South African safari next year (as... (show quote)


...there is also a firmware update that is required to use this lens with your camera...it is really a wonderful lens especially for the price...I used it extensively during my son’s Lacrosse career...my daughter is using it now on her D5600 and loves it...(I ain’t getting it back)...

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Oct 16, 2020 11:47:45   #
geezer7 Loc: Michigan
 
Thanks I have installed the firmware update. Which version of the lens did you own? The one I'm considering is the latest (2019?).

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