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Archive 2022 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

Fivesense
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

They hardly ever show up for sale used. The price for new hasn't dropped. I rarely see them discussed.

How many D780s are out in the wild? Was it just released at the wrong time?

By all accounts, it's a very good camera and a worthy upgrade from the D750. Are prices on the D780 likely to drop if there's a Z6III, or is the D780 firmly in a different category, to remain a DSLR stalwart while mirrorless marches on?

Aug 18, 2022 at 12:34 PM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

I think as long as it's a current-model DSLR, pricing isn't likely to change much. Even the D850 is only $200-400 less than its 2017 launch MSRP depending on promotions. The D6 still costs $1000 more than a Z9 which bests it in pretty well every category and by a pretty wide margin, but it might be cheaper to produce. Supply/Demand drives everything so if Nikon needs to alter the price to move inventory, they will.

The D780 probably hasn't sold in huge numbers as it was released in the middle of a mirrorless transition. It's also a fairly minor update so it's unlikely to have had a significant R&D cost that needs to be recouped. They added on-sensor PDAF so maybe it was intended for people not quite ready for a full mirrorless switch, or to give people a taste. Who knows.

The D780 is $100 off right now and as you've suggested, you might see another drop when the Z6III arrives and there is a genuine mirrorless alternative. Nobody can say for sure what the future holds for the D780 or what sales numbers are.

Aug 18, 2022 at 12:41 PM

Fivesense
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

Thank you.

I'm in a quandary because I want to bridge the functionality gap between my Fuji system (X-T4 and X100V) with an FX upgrade to my D750. I've got some very good XF mount lenses but when it comes to portraiture, I always favor FX IQ.

Given the uncertainty about the potential updates to the Z6II, the D780 feels like a good interim step since I already have a decent stable of F mount glass. An investment in a Z series body means an investment in Z series lenses. If I didn't have Fuji, I'd just suck it up and jump into the Z series, and if the Z6II has marked upgrades, I'd just trade up.

Alternatively, I may just have to get very specific with my D750 and shoot it as I always have- primarily through the viewfinder. It still produces excellent IQ, but just doesn't have the now ubiquitous utilitarian mirrorless AF and live view benefits.

We're fortunate to have many good options today.

Aug 18, 2022 at 01:10 PM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

I would bet the Z6III is here in less than a year, and if I were you I would go all the way into mirrorless rather than something like the D780 which is still a traditional DSLR more than it is anything else. Even if it's below everyone's expectations, it should still outshine a D780 by quite a lot. The D780 used with the mirror up still means you're relying on the rear LCD only rather than any kind of EVF, so it's a welcome upgrade but still a far cry from a true MILC.

A Z body investment doesn't necessarily require a Z lens investment - with the FTZ adapter, F mount lenses work as good or better on mirrorless than they do on DSLRs for the most part. The exception being screw-drive AF lenses. I have a Z9 and until recently I had no Z lenses, and I was enjoying the fact that my F mount lenses all performed better than they ever did on my D850.

So if you're looking to transition and hang onto a lot of your F mount glass at least for the time being, I would suggest doing that with the FTZ rather than a D780.

Aug 18, 2022 at 02:15 PM

AcuteShadows
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

The Z cameras work well with F mount lenses. Most AF issues are either due to the camera (not much processing power, not fully developed algorithms) or to the lenses (slow AF lenses are also slow on Z cameras, older lenses don't work well with the contrast-detect algorithm of the Z cameras). If you have fairly new F glass, then the Z6 II might be the best choice for you.

I have the D780 because it has the better autofocus with tele lenses, compared to non-Z9 Z cameras, and because I don't want to invest in new Z tele lenses and will probably rather buy used F mount tele lenses.

I wouldn't buy the D780 as an interim camera, i.e. I'm planning to use mine for 5-10 years rather than 3-4 years. It probably has low additional R&D costs because much of the new stuff is transitioned from the Z6. But it has a large number of small improments that really make it a great step forward compared to the D750.

Aug 18, 2022 at 03:18 PM

PeaktoPeek
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

Well, I must fall into that niche. I tried for several years to shoot only Fuji after selling off my Nikon gear, but I just never felt completely satisfied. I love the Fuji gear for travel and packing light, but for landscapes I just never jived completely with it. I really missed having an optical viewfinder and frankly the battery life while backpacking was more annoying than I thought. So I traded in most of my Fuji gear for a D780 and a few lenses. So far, I feel like the D780 is pretty much perfect for me. I'll always keep a small Fuji kit as well, just for the size alone.

Aug 18, 2022 at 10:59 PM

Fivesense
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

PeaktoPeek wrote:
Well, I must fall into that niche. I tried for several years to shoot only Fuji after selling off my Nikon gear, but I just never felt completely satisfied. I love the Fuji gear for travel and packing light, but for landscapes I just never jived completely with it. I really missed having an optical viewfinder and frankly the battery life while backpacking was more annoying than I thought. So I traded in most of my Fuji gear for a D780 and a few lenses. So far, I feel like the D780 is pretty much perfect for me. I'll always...Show more →

I'm getting closer to falling into that niché as well. I also love my Fuji gear, but I've also ALWAYS preferred my Nikon FX files. I'm happy with my Fuji for most things, but I also think it's because I've fallen in love with many of the mirrorless features. Don't get me wrong- I love Fuji color and it's great for documentary shooting and I've even done sports in a passable manner. The XF lenses are solid.

At this point, I don't feel the Z series is quite there for my needs (because I'm not jumping to a Z9 😂

. The D780 seems like a legitimate replacement for my D750 and should serve me well through the next gen or two of the Z6/7 lineup.

I'll probably flip back and forth for a bit. We'll see if I make my decision before Nikon announces its plans...

Aug 18, 2022 at 11:44 PM

Sauseschritt
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

I think they mostly just dont sell well. Its not a very attractive offer.

Personally I'd rather keep using my D750.

What I really wanted for the D780 was a D850 with 24 Megapixel sensor, dual SD cards, and low fps. Would have payed the original D850 price for that.

Aug 19, 2022 at 03:37 AM

PeaktoPeek
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

I think if I had a D750 I would be less likely to upgrade to a 780 as well. But for coming back to Nikon (and not wanting the bulk or massive resolution of an 850) it's a great choice. The only aspect where I think it lags a little is using the same 51 point AF system from the 750. But in practice it seems to work really well and having the phase detect system with LV is a really nice alternative.

Aug 19, 2022 at 10:32 AM

PeaktoPeek
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

Fivesense wrote:
I'm getting closer to falling into that niché as well. I also love my Fuji gear, but I've also ALWAYS preferred my Nikon FX files. I'm happy with my Fuji for most things, but I also think it's because I've fallen in love with many of the mirrorless features. Don't get me wrong- I love Fuji color and it's great for documentary shooting and I've even done sports in a passable manner. The XF lenses are solid.

At this point, I don't feel the Z series is quite there for my needs (because I'm not jumping to a Z9 😂

....Show more →

Yeah I love Fuji colors and the tiny lenses are pretty darn good in most cases. I decided to keep the X-E3 and the small primes just for those reasons. But like you, I just love the files from Nikon cameras.

Aug 19, 2022 at 10:34 AM

Fivesense
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

Regarding pricing on the D780 (body only)- I made a lowball offer on Greentoe to see where retailers have room to move on full price. The lowest counter I've gotten thus far is USD $2099. The average price I see anywhere else (B&H, Adorama, Amazon...) is USD $2197.

I'm beginning to wonder if I should just buy a D780 now in case the price goes UP, and it becomes a collectors item at some point. 🤣

If I get a counter around $1800 I'll buy it. But $100 off full retail isn't going to make me jump at this point. Again, I'm sure the camera is worth $2100 in terms of its tech and capabilities, but it just seems priced too high at this point of F to Z transition.

Aug 19, 2022 at 03:51 PM

AcuteShadows
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

PeaktoPeek wrote:
I think if I had a D750 I would be less likely to upgrade to a 780 as well. But for coming back to Nikon (and not wanting the bulk or massive resolution of an 850) it's a great choice. The only aspect where I think it lags a little is using the same 51 point AF system from the 750. But in practice it seems to work really well and having the phase detect system with LV is a really nice alternative.

While the D780 phase detect autofocus system is based on the D750 system, the algorithms it borrows from the pro segment cameras make the autofocus much more responsive. It's one of the incremental improvements that are difficult to write down in a specification table but that make the D780 a great camera.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-d780/3

Aug 19, 2022 at 04:59 PM

jim allison
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

Everybody is required to upgrade to mirrorless, no matter how they love what they are currently shooting with, because that's the majority sentiment on this board

If you are happy with your current gear, DON"T GET GAS, GET GLASS!

Edited on Aug 24, 2022 at 12:35 PM · View previous versions

Aug 21, 2022 at 12:11 PM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

I owned the D750 but after reviewing the specs for the D780 the gain was not worth selling the D750. The true upgrade was to a D850.

Aug 21, 2022 at 05:15 PM

Oscarsmadness
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

I'm still on D700 and D810. The D780 looks very attractive to me because it has a ton of nice-to-haves. It does not have something that I absolutely need, which is why I'm not considering getting one. For me, D500 or D5 is in my upgrade path.

Aug 22, 2022 at 09:52 AM

atnpro
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

This wedding shooter did a comparison between D780 and D700.

"NIKON D700 -v- D780 Which camera has the more pleasing images?"

https://youtu.be/cfM7lHG1-VM

If you have no time for his babbling, his point is D700 is better.

Aug 23, 2022 at 08:53 AM

Sauseschritt
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

jim allison wrote:
Everybody is required to upgrade to mirrorless, no matter how they love what they are currently shooting with, because that's the majority sentiment on this board

If you are happy with your current gear, DON"T GET GASS, GET GLASS!

I already have all the glas I ever wanted, too ...

Aug 24, 2022 at 07:06 AM

bocajrs
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

True upgrade from D750 was a Z6 IMO (i skipped the D780) since it's ludicrious to pay $2200 for body only when you could have picked up a new Z6 Kit for $2275 (with extra goodies)

Aug 24, 2022 at 07:52 AM

SSISteve
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

I don’t think I would spend that kind of money on a 780 when for a little more you can get a Z7ii refurb from Nikon which is a better camera and newer technology.

Fivesense wrote:
Regarding pricing on the D780 (body only)- I made a lowball offer on Greentoe to see where retailers have room to move on full price. The lowest counter I've gotten thus far is USD $2099. The average price I see anywhere else (B&H, Adorama, Amazon...) is USD $2197.

I'm beginning to wonder if I should just buy a D780 now in case the price goes UP, and it becomes a collectors item at some point. 🤣

If I get a counter around $1800 I'll buy it. But $100 off full retail isn't going to make me jump at this point....Show more →

Aug 24, 2022 at 01:02 PM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Is the D780 a niché camera?

My emphasis has always been on the performance with respect to autofocus. The D750 was very good and better than the D800. The gain with the D780 was negligible and the second SD card slot was deleted from the design. For the price it was not a good value.

On a subjective level I disliked the size and controls layout of the D750 which were on the small side with my hands (wear a Large with gloves). Tough too if you have a second camera that is a D8xx or D500 as the layouts were reversed for some controls.

I think the relatively high price for the D780 is a lot of the reason for its low sales volume.

Aug 24, 2022 at 04:29 PM

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