SpikeW Loc: Butler PA

I have a Nikon D7000 I have been using for some time now. I have always had somewhat of a problem with the sharpness of my pictures. On a Road Scholar tour to Rapid City I asked our moderator if he could check it. He said that yes it was a problem and it must be in the camera because my lens seemed to work fine with his camera.I returned the camera to Nikon and they couldn't find anything wrong with the camera so I felt it must be my age. I won't get into the problems I had with mailing and getting the camera back which didn't upgrade my estimation of Nikon repair. Anyway my question is if I would upgrade to a Nikon D7200 would I see a significant increase in sharping in my pictures without the filter thing they removed. I might add here that B&H told me to call them if I had a problem with Nikon repair as they had more influence with them than I had.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Spike, the 7200 has an almost 50% increase in pixel density so of course you will see an increase in fine detail. Now that's assuming that you're doing everything right, and not wrong.
Everything right means you're holding the camera still enough. There is decent light, your lenses aren't bottom of the barrel etc, etc!
But that will only affect the IQ, that's the 12" in front of the monkey, not the composition, that's the monkey!!! LoL

SS

SpikeW Loc: Butler PA

Thanks sharpshooter. My lens are I think good. I have a Nikon 70 -200, Nikon 85 mm micro and a sigma 18-50 so I think my lens are adequate and I use a tripod a lot. I know my stability is not what it once was and the photos are good but as with everyone we always want better. I realize I could crop a little more and maybe I am just blowing wind but I am toying with upgrading and a little might be just a feel good thing and my wife said to go ahead.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

So, SpikeW, did you call B&H if for no other reason than to see what you might learn or what they might suggest? Other members have acknowledged that B&H’s repair process may not be the swiftest, but they are extremely thorough. B&H is in business to make a profit, but they are less likely than some others to recommend an upgrade that you do not need.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The D7000 is a 16 megapixels camera, and the D7200 has 24 megapixels. The D7200 also has a better buffer than the D7000 and D7100. A D7200 with a FX 28-300mm lens, makes good company.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Without running a test on your camera (despite Nikon) I would think swopping your camera may not be a great idea....you have to understand 'what is sharp' and 'how to get there'.

Whatever is on screen /Printed is made up of pixels....not lines. The more you zoom in the less sharp anything looks (Yes thats basic) But in photography there is a tendency to try to achieve the impossible....Ask your optician for glasses that 'make everything sharp'.

DOF can have an effect on how truley 'in focus' the whole print appears. So which 'bit' are you dissatisfied with and will another camera set-up of settings facilitate this. A lot of studio work for example is run tethered to a laptop so that every image can be inspected and camera settings altered for just this reason.

The ability to post process adds a whole new dimension to how you 'want' things to look versus how you normally see them.

Many web sites send endless emails of 'ten ways to get sharper images'... because there is: a) a misconception about clarity and focus rather than sharpness
b) sometimes where and how you set up your camera and lens can make a huge difference to how your images appear.

As you say in your post...your date of birth doesn't help matters.

I would do a bit more research before changing your tools.

PS being dissatisfied with your workmanship is a necessary part in developing your skills - not necessarily a bad thing.

Have fun

Bill_de Loc: US

I wouldn't jump to a new camera before verifying that it is not user error. Have somebody else shoot with the camera. I'd hate to see you buy the new camera and get the same results.

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Fred Harwood Loc: Sheffield, Mass.

Could you post a sample of your problem?

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Even if there is nothing wrong with your D7000 a D7200 or D7100 will definitely produce better quality images. If you can afford to upgrade then go for it. If the problem is your technique then you will need to improve. One advantage the D7200 will allow you is the use of higher ISO'S without adding additional electronic noise. Higher ISO'S will let you use faster shutter speeds thus reducing unwanted camera shake. Also, have you tried the D7000 on a tripod? If you're still getting bad images even on a tripod then there very well may be something not right with your D7000.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This is the best way to demonstrate your issue and allow us to review and confirm the issue and to provide accurate and actionable suggestions.

All you have to do is

1. Take any problem image direct from the camera. Assure the file size is less than 20MB.
2. Create a reply to this post, reply to yourself for example, then attach the image with 'store original' selected and <Add Attachment>.
3. Be sure to <Send> to post into the board.

It would help if you explain a bit about the image and your issues & expectations about what is should be. We can take it from there in analysis and follow-up Q&A.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Come on guys, in his responce to me he said he has nice glass and uses a tripod! Tripods don't take a rocket scientist to use.
With 50% more pixels the quality will certainly go up.
SS

SpikeW Loc: Butler PA

Thanks everybody. I get about half yes upgrade and half no so that tells me that the change will not be completely amazing. That is what I thought. My pictures can't be all that bad because I have won several contests and have made several books that I have had requests for, that is until I quote prices. So over all I guess I will upgrade or go for a bridge camera. everything is in the eye of the beholder. Thanks again. Now if someone can tell me how to send pictures and what does a person have to do to put that download caption on a picture.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

All you have to do is:

1. Take any problem image direct from the camera. Assure the file size is less than 20MB.
2. Create a reply to this post, reply to yourself for example, then attach the image using button <Choose file>. Select the image file and click the checkbox 'store original'. Then <Add Attachment>.
3. Then, be sure to <Send> to post into the board.

If you see your post but not your image, use the edit link and attempt to edit your post adding the attachment as described. If it just doesn't seem to work, go back to step 1 and make the file size is not too large.

Bill_de Loc: US

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/help/

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lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

One additional hint for making your first posts. Bring the above directions up on a smart phone and keep it next to your keyboard while you make your post on your computer.