loganme wrote:
Questions:
I don't have experience using any of Nikon's mirrorless stuff. Besides some sensor resolution, would I be giving up much moving to a Z6/II and adapting the 58, then filling in the other holes in the lens lineup subsequently? My goal for this trip and some upcoming project ideas I have is to make prints at a max size of 16X20, which I think the Z6 could still manage quite well and the Z7 could definitely manage...I think?
Are 3rd party batteries good enough I can just buy 2-3 and be good on my trip? Are there good enough 3rd-party 35mm options for Z mount? Or should I just save my energy and keep on the D810 path, even though I'll have to spend ~$250 more on a body? Hold out for a D850 if I can find one around $900? ...Show more →
I enjoyed using the D810 back in the day, but personally I’d much rather have a Z mirrorless for the smaller size/lighter weight of the models you’re considering for travel, the EVF experience (especially for so easily previewing exposure and reviewing images), IBIS which I find very helpful for shooting non-action scenes in lower light, and more accurate AF with any lens including adapted F mount (I never again had to calibrate AF with my adapted F mount lenses when I switched to Z bodies). As already recommended, I’d try to spring for a used or refurbed Z5II as the AF is a useful upgrade over the original Z6 models - it’s a fantastic camera anywhere near its price and could satisfy most users for many years. You can make beautiful gallery-quality 16x20 prints from the 24mp sensors for sure, I have some on my wall and they are very satisfying.
Welp, while my D810 is being evaluated, a Z6 came up for $550 with a 256GB CFExpress on FB Marketplace and I couldn't really turn it down. I have to admit, it's a pretty slick camera. Going to try out my 58mm on an FTZ to see how I like that experience and go from there.
loganme wrote:
Welp, while my D810 is being evaluated, a Z6 came up for $550 with a 256GB CFExpress on FB Marketplace and I couldn't really turn it down. I have to admit, it's a pretty slick camera. Going to try out my 58mm on an FTZ to see how I like that experience and go from there.
Lol, you bought a memory card and got a free camera at these CFE prices!
RoamingScott wrote:
Lol, you bought a memory card and got a free camera at these CFE prices!
I know, it was a CRAZY deal, which is why i literally dropped what I was doing to go get it. It also came with a SmallRig cage as it was primarily (maybe only) used for video by the previous owner. 746 shutter count
loganme wrote:
Welp, while my D810 is being evaluated, a Z6 came up for $550 with a 256GB CFExpress on FB Marketplace and I couldn't really turn it down. I have to admit, it's a pretty slick camera. Going to try out my 58mm on an FTZ to see how I like that experience and go from there.
This is a pretty solid choice.
Yes, the newer Z6iii/Z5ii/Z8/Zf bodies have better focusing capability for moving objects, but from an IQ standpoint, the original Z6 solved all of the issues I had with the 58/1.4G that could be troublesome on my D700. Focus is so accurate and the rendering/sharpness results with that lens/24MP sensor just fantastic. I am a big fan of $500-600 Z bodies solving a lot of the focusing issues of some of the lenses could deal with on DSLR's, even though the ergonomics of those lenses on a DSLR is wonderful and pleasnt in it's own right.
If you really find you love the Z camera a ton but want to try newer models, a catch and release to a refurb Z5ii after you have your D810 back and more time with the Z6 is also a pretty friendly long term rental arrangement where you can recover most of your costs.
I dry-fired an 810 once and was so impressed with its quiet mirror box. But I wanted 46 mpx so I ordered a D850, assuming it would be quiet too. I was shocked at the D850's LOUDNESS. Almost returned it but its 46 mpx RAW files won me over.
Eventually I worked my way into a Z8, just after Nikon released the Z8. I say with certainty that I'll never let go of my Z8 camera and I'll never go back to any Nikon DSLR. No more right angle finders for low angle wildlife shots. And in my opinion, the D850's LCD does not do what Nikon advertises it doing in their promos.
