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Camera recommendations.

alarsen77
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Camera recommendations.

Hi all,

I have been out of the camera world for a little while now. I had a Nikon D750 with the 24-120 a little while back, but I ended up selling it to fund some other things that were needed more than the camera at the time.

I am now thinking about a new camera. We have a cruise coming up late next year (August) that I would like to have something for. My main uses are for vacations, family pictures, landscape, etc. I haven't gotten into wildlife photography much but wouldn't rule it out in the future.

I am probably going to be shopping somewhere in the $2500-$3000 budget range. I know that mirrorless is where everything is heading and it is what I am leaning towards to be honest. I know that Nikons S lens' are amazing. I have been thinking about the Z6ii with the 24-70 f/4 lens, it seems to be a great camera and would probably do everything I want it to really well.

However there is something that keeps drawing me to the used prices of the D850 and the 24-70 f/2.8. I have seen it possible to grab that combination on the used market for similar price. I know the D850 is one of the best DSLR's ever made. The 24-70 f/2.8 is also a great lens. However that combination will weigh more and be larger which might not be the biggest deal and in some ways the larger body would be more comfortable for me to hold.

I know this topic has probably been debated a lot. I am curious if the D850 with the 24-70 f/2.8 would be an overall better combo than the Z6ii and 24-70 f/4? I feel like it would, but for future lens expansion is the Z6ii going to be the better option? Is the AF on the Z6ii really as bad as I have read?

I ultimately want to buy a camera that I will have for the next 10 years or so and enjoy using and not feel like I need/want to upgrade for any reason.

Oct 26, 2023 at 11:18 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Camera recommendations.

A 10 year camera with no desire to upgrade does not exist in your price range in the Nikon Z world right now. Those would be the Z8 and Z9. I also simply can’t imagine using a DSLR for another decade when mirrorless is the new standard, and has been for years already.

Get a Z6ii and see if it works for you. It works for plenty of other people. Also consider the 24-120/4 instead of the 24-70/4, it’s better in every way.

Oct 26, 2023 at 11:21 AM

alarsen77
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Camera recommendations.

When I said 10 year camera, this is for personal use and not professional use. I will not be making money with it, and if it still serves it's purpose and produces great images then why would I need/want to upgrade.

I had thought about the 24-120 f/4 but it would be about $300 more expensive than the 24-70 f/4 and not sure if that would be worth the extra cost or if I put that towards another lens down the road.

I was already leaning mirrorless but wanted to see if there were some that thought the D850 was such a good value on the used market and would hold up nicely for quite a while. I didn't think so but just wanted to see what others thought.

I appreciate your input. I would love to be able to stretch the budget and go to a Z8 but that just won't happen. The most I might be able to do would be the Z7ii but again I don't see much advantage for the type of shooting I will do. I don't think the extra resolution will be necessary or needed in any way.

I am secretly hoping that Nikon announces the Z6iii with an upgrade AF system and using the 33mp sensor that the Sony A7iv uses. That to me would be the ideal camera.

Oct 26, 2023 at 11:32 AM

JadedWriter
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Camera recommendations.

If you aren't dealing with birds just get a Z7II and either the 28-75 2.8 or a 24-70 2.8S. I have a D850, I don't really use it unless I'm in the mood to shoot DSLR and even then I don't pick it that often.
alarsen77 wrote:
When I said 10 year camera, this is for personal use and not professional use. I will not be making money with it, and if it still serves it's purpose and produces great images then why would I need/want to upgrade.

I had thought about the 24-120 f/4 but it would be about $300 more expensive than the 24-70 f/4 and not sure if that would be worth the extra cost or if I put that towards another lens down the road.

I was already leaning mirrorless but wanted to see if there were some that thought the D850 was such...Show more →
If you don't need to buy something tonight wait for the Z6III to come or buy a ZF as a stop gap since it's the better AF system with a similar sensor. Then sell that when the Z6III comes out.

Oct 26, 2023 at 11:33 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Camera recommendations.

alarsen77 wrote:
I had thought about the 24-120 f/4 but it would be about $300 more expensive than the 24-70 f/4 and not sure if that would be worth the extra cost or if I put that towards another lens down the road.

$300 is well spent in this case when you more than double the functional focal range and get a sharper lens.

Oct 26, 2023 at 11:45 AM

kwalsh
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Camera recommendations.

Like Scott said you aren't getting a 10 year solve every problem Z camera/lens for $3K right now.

For your stated needs of vacations, family, landscape, etc. the Z6ii or Z7ii AF would be totally up to the task. And some aspects, like subject detection, would be superior to an 850. For some kinds of moving subjects there is a good chance the 850 in capable hands would do better, which is one reason many have been slow to move to Z until the advent of the Z9/Z8.

I'd see two paths for you in your budget:

- Get a used D850 and 24-70/2.8. Prices are really good because DSLR is being abandoned. Use that for a few years and either decide it is all you ever need, or sell it for the next generation of Z bodies and probably not lose very much in the bargain.

- Get a Z6ii and 24-70/4 (or as Scott says 24-120/4S) now and discover the AF is perfectly serviceable for you and you never need to upgrade. If your photograph interests expand beyond the Z6II AF then just upgrade the body in a few years, again selling your Z6II body at probably only a modest loss.

Both offer you the possibility of being happy for 10 years and with a relatively low loss option to upgrade in a few years. The advantage with going the Z6ii route is you'll at least be on the mirrorless path already and any lenses you acquire along the way will work with any future upgraded body. If you go the D850 route you'll need to change the whole kit if you want to upgrade later.

EDIT: If you don't mind the increased size the 24-120/4S is a good step up from the 24-70/4S in utility and performance at the wide end. On the used market, however, the 24-70/4S is a steal coming in $500 less expensive than the 24-120/4S.

Edited on Oct 26, 2023 at 11:50 AM · View previous versions

Oct 26, 2023 at 11:47 AM

sungphoto
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Camera recommendations.

A ZF or Z6ii would be my choice. If you're used to the D750, putting the large area AF mode (large square) and AF-C will be a bit of a revelation.

If you like a good 24-70, the 2.8 Z version is the best zoom on the market, and even the 24-70 f4 is exceptional and can be had for only $350-400 used. Plus the 24-120 f4 is nice as well (current workhorses lens). Plus you have several options for wide angle zooms that aren't the size of cantaloupe ie the honkin huge f-mount sigma and tamrons lol

Oct 26, 2023 at 11:48 AM

alarsen77
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Camera recommendations.

I am not planning on doing Bird photography much at all, now there might be the occasional time that I try to catch a bald eagle or something, but it isn't going to be enough that I need to cater to that situation.

I don't need to buy a camera right now. I can and most likely will wait until early next year to make a decision on something, unless there ends up being a deal that is hard to turn down.

I am still a bit ton on if I need/want a 45mp sensor. On one hand it would be nice for some of the landscape shots. On the other not sure if I want to deal with the file sizes and editing them or not.

Oct 26, 2023 at 11:55 AM

JadedWriter
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Camera recommendations.

In that space of time the Z6II will only just drop in price further and they'll bundle them with some glass to get rid of stock of them. Z6II is still "decent" I just stopped using it when I got my Z9.

Z62_8351 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

Z62_8249 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

Z62_8195 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
alarsen77 wrote:
I am not planning on doing Bird photography much at all, now there might be the occasional time that I try to catch a bald eagle or something, but it isn't going to be enough that I need to cater to that situation.

I don't need to buy a camera right now. I can and most likely will wait until early next year to make a decision on something, unless there ends up being a deal that is hard to turn down.

I am still a bit ton on if I need/want a 45mp sensor. On one hand it would...Show more →

Oct 26, 2023 at 12:01 PM

alarsen77
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Camera recommendations.

RoamingScott wrote:
$300 is well spent in this case when you more than double the functional focal range and get a sharper lens.

Yeah that does make sense. I guess it is all just going to ultimately come down to what I can budget at the time. I would love to get the 24-120 and might be able to budget it, but have to consider a lot of things when I am budgeting for this.
---------------------------------------------

kwalsh wrote:
Like Scott said you aren't getting a 10 year solve every problem Z camera/lens for $3K right now.

For your stated needs of vacations, family, landscape, etc. the Z6ii or Z7ii AF would be totally up to the task. And some aspects, like subject detection, would be superior to an 850. For some kinds of moving subjects there is a good chance the 850 in capable hands would do better, which is one reason many have been slow to move to Z until the advent of the Z9/Z8.

I'd see two paths for you in your budget:

- Get a used D850 and...Show more →

Thank you for the information this is a great post and very helpful. I do think the Z6ii or Z7ii AF would probably be perfectly fine for what I am doing. I don't plan on doing sports/too much wildlife photography. I just figured having the ability or capability to do so with less frustrations would be nice.

Who knows by the time I am looking to make a final decision the Z6iii or Z7iii could be out.

I have looked at the Zf and while it is a very nice camera. I am not a fan of the ergonomics of it.

Oct 26, 2023 at 12:01 PM

AcuteShadows
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Camera recommendations.

With the 24MP sensor, I would consider the 24-120 f/4 lens, because cropping is limited.

The D850 gives you more pixels, but the Z mount 24-70mm / 28-75mm zoom lenses are clearly optically better than the respective F mount lenses.

For vacations, family pictures, landscapes, a used DSLR set with a variety of lenses might be the better value compared to a mirrorless set with just one or two lenses.

For the D850, I would get some prime lenses (also Sigma or Zeiss) though, as the high-res sensor will show chromatic aberrations of every lens, including Nikon F mount lenses.

Oct 26, 2023 at 12:30 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Camera recommendations.

@alarsen77

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/refurbished-mirrorless-cameras/1659b/z-6ii-refurbished.html

$1440 after the deal, leaves you $1500 for glass

That'd get you a good used 24-120 and 50/1.8 to get started with.

Oct 27, 2023 at 11:18 AM

1bwana1
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Camera recommendations.

I would get the Zf. It has Nikons best non stacked sensor technology in all areas. Cool looking, very competent, and has the potential to serve your needs for a long time. Seems to be the best choice for your use case at this time.

The highest quality, most versatile lens would be a good used Nikon 24-120. That will put you near the high end of your $2500 - $3000 budget but will be worth it over the long haul.

These would be an excellent set of photographic gear that will serve you for the long haul. More than worth the extra 10% you may save by compromising on a less expensive lens.

Oct 27, 2023 at 12:58 PM

bluehawaii
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Camera recommendations.

The D780 is another nice option.

Twin UHS-II slots.

12 FPS.

PDAF live view.

High res. screen.

No IBIS of course.

I predict it will be the cult classic Nikon DSLR in years to come and quite sort after.

Oct 27, 2023 at 01:26 PM

Max Power
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Camera recommendations.

I don't think I could recommend anyone buying into F-mount at this point if they are starting from scratch. If they have lens baggage sure......

If you don't like the Zf's form factor, but like its capabilities, I think waiting on the inevitable Z6iii might be a good plan, although it might be closer to $2500 than $2000, which would hamper your lens budget.

Oct 27, 2023 at 01:43 PM

bluehawaii
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Camera recommendations.

I guess it's become a nerds platform. I like the OVF, screwdrive AF option and not being limited by sensor readout for AF like the Z6.

DSLR Lens calibration issues and the fact current Z mount zooms mostly outperform the F mount ones make it worthwhile buying into mirrorless.

That said, buying the D780 kit with a brand new 24-120 it ships with isn't the worst idea if only intending to use just that lens.

Oct 27, 2023 at 02:29 PM


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