p.2 #1 · Should I replace my D500 & D750 with a D850, or wait for mirrorless?
This is a helpful thread, but I'm not sure it pushes me one way or the other.
I've decided to move on from my D700 and D800 to a D850, but lingering at the idea of a Z8.
- I'm not a pro, and don't shoot sports and only occasionally birds. Most of what I shoot is travel, landscape, street/cameo, portraits/family, some product-type photos (mainly reviews of fine footwear for enthusiast forums) and photo walkabouts.
- I've got a decent kit of glass for what I shoot (70-200 f/4, 24-120 f/4, 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8 and an old Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 that I kinda love). The cost of moving to Z-glass would be significant - more than I can afford currently - so would have to start with maybe one lens (probably the Z 24-120 F/4) and an FTZ. for my other glass until I can slowly migrate to Z glass.
- I have screens and menus. I love knobs and buttons. I can operate both of my current cameras 90% of the time without taking my face away from the viewfinder.
- I love the idea of the autofocus on the Z8, but don't really struggle with focus except with birds, which is almost just fun and opportunistic, not a dedicated thing I go out to shoot.
All of that makes me think D850, which I can get for $1200 out of pocket for a new one with the equipment I'll trade in vs, $3500 for a new Z8 bundled with the 24-120 f/4 (after the trade-in). I could use the trade-in money for the Z 24-120 f/4 and maybe the FTZ and buy a used Z8 here on FM for a total of $3K out of pocket.
p.2 #2 · Should I replace my D500 & D750 with a D850, or wait for mirrorless?
There is no need to replace great F-mount glass if you go mirrorless, just add an FTZ and only replace when your pocketbook is flush and you feel the need.
p.2 #3 · Should I replace my D500 & D750 with a D850, or wait for mirrorless?
Both the Z8 and Z9 are essentially due for a refresh, but the Z9 will get its first by a margin. The Z9ii will crater the used and refurb prices of the Z9, and I would most certainly consider a Z9 before ever looking at a Z8 for this use case. Triple the battery life, NO buffer in backup mode unlike the Z8, far better heat management, and a much more solid "buy once, cry once" build quality.
The Z8 feels way bigger than it deserves to where the Z9 feels far smaller and lighter than IT deserves to.
I would not even entertain the idea of getting a DSLR, as the quality of life enhancements of the Z8 and Z9 are simply overwhelming. Just put an FTZ II on the Z and get shooting.
p.2 #4 · Should I replace my D500 & D750 with a D850, or wait for mirrorless?
M635_Guy wrote:
This is a helpful thread, but I'm not sure it pushes me one way or the other.
I've decided to move on from my D700 and D800 to a D850, but lingering at the idea of a Z8.
- I'm not a pro, and don't shoot sports and only occasionally birds. Most of what I shoot is travel, landscape, street/cameo, portraits/family, some product-type photos (mainly reviews of fine footwear for enthusiast forums) and photo walkabouts.
- I've got a decent kit of glass for what I shoot (70-200 f/4, 24-120 f/4, 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8 and an old Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 that I kinda love). The cost of moving to Z-glass would be significant - more than I can afford currently - so would have to start with maybe one lens (probably the Z 24-120 F/4) and an FTZ. for my other glass until I can slowly migrate to Z glass.
- I have screens and menus. I love knobs and buttons. I can operate both of my current cameras 90% of the time without taking my face away from the viewfinder.
- I love the idea of the autofocus on the Z8, but don't really struggle with focus except with birds, which is almost just fun and opportunistic, not a dedicated thing I go out to shoot.
All of that makes me think D850, which I can get for $1200 out of pocket for a new one with the equipment I'll trade in vs, $3500 for a new Z8 bundled with the 24-120 f/4 (after the trade-in). I could use the trade-in money for the Z 24-120 f/4 and maybe the FTZ and buy a used Z8 here on FM for a total of $3K out of pocket. ...Show more →
If you're happy with your lenses and the autofocus performance of the DSLR's, it's hard to say go spend $3000 on a Z8.
I think a good starting point is to figure out if you want any specific Z lenses as upgrades to what you've got now. If you do, the slow migration may be worth it. But if not, a good price on a D850 is a nice move from an older pair of DSLR's.
