Old44

Hope I’m not pointing out my inabilities, but after reading every blog and review that rates the Nikon D500 as the greatest crop sensor in the universe, I traded by beloved D7500 for the D500 and after several trips bird shooting, including BIF, I really don’t see any better results, despite the claimed faster autofocus. Am I alone in this observation or is the D500 over-rated or just too good for an aging advanced amateur like me?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

You may need to learn more about the type of shooting you want to do. I have no specific idea why you don't see any advantage. The D500 is classed as a Professional DX (APS-C) Nikon, and the D7500 (DX) as an advanced hobbyist camera. Of course many Pros may use it. Which specific lenses are you using? The Nikon crowd when they chime in will want to know.

Bill P

i have been singing this old refrain for some time so I'm sorry if I offend, but that doesn't make it untrue. $100 spent on photo classes will produce better results than $1000 spent on a new camera.

Or in another way, it's not the camera that takes the pictures, it's the photographer.

It would be best if you could tell us what you don't like about what you got with the D7500 and what you expect with the D500. And please tell us what settings you use.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

There are many aspects of the D500 that make it capable of producing outstanding images. It is possible to produce images with the D500 that are absolutely equal in character to those from the D850. It also has outstanding low light capabilities for a DX camera (or even for a full frame camera). Dynamic range measures to be only half a stop less than the D810 for any given ISO, and only one stop less than the D850.

As it is shipped from Nikon, however, it is set up to produce pretty ordinary images. Sharpness, contrast, sharpness, and other parameters are by default set to pretty ordinary levels in the Image Control menu. Those need to be understood and adjusted to get the most out of the camera.

The biggest advantage that the D500 offers over other Nikon DX cameras is its professional user interface. Once you have some key menu items set up, you should find that it is possible to shoot all day (or at least almost all day) without ever having to enter the menus at all. Essentially every change and adjustment you would want to make in the studio or in the field is directly accessible through controls and buttons on the camera. (I even have mine set up so that the in-camera level can be turned on with a single button press.) And I realize that there is no pop up flash. My solution for this was to find a used SB-400 flash which I can carry in my pocket and is a better flash than a pop up anyway.

Almost forgot...be sure to investigate and try Highlight Weighted Metering. This is a metering mode not available on most consumer grade cameras. It checks the entire frame and sets exposure to avoid blowing out highlights anywhere in the frame. Pretty much ETTR (Expose to the Right) without having to work much at it. You probably will have to do at least some post processing if you use this mode.

Remember, though, that the sensor density of the D500 is almost exactly the same as the sensor density of the D850. While it will make any lens you own better than on any other camera, it is at its best when you use it with the best lenses.

I'd be interested to know more about the styles of photography that you do. There might not be a lot of difference in capturing what I'd call mainstream daylight images. But it shines in difficult situations or limited lighting. There is a myth that it is a sports and wildlife camera. I shoot neither of those, but have reaped major benefits since getting my D500. It does a lot of things very well that previously caused me to have to reach for a full frame camera.

My suggestion is to keep learning. Study the manual or one of the several good instructional books that are available. Don't be afraid to try functions and features. And depending on what you already have, you might want to look into a couple of premium lenses.

Old44

Thanks, all. Some good tips and not too brutal! I know it's the photographer first and lens and cameras second. At age 75 and with 50 years of shooting under my belt, that's the reality that worries me most.

Bill_de Loc: US

The differences are not all that great, but some may be important. Here is a site that makes for an easy, side by side, comparison.

https://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D500-vs-Nikon-D7500

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lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I totally agree with you. I took film photo classes back in 1978-80 to learn some photography and a new expensive hobby. After struggling for a few months with my first DSLR I took some digital photography and Photoshop classes around 2011-2013. Yes, they were needed and by my age and maturity I also was able to take in learning about composition and art aesthetics in general. The camera is a tool, the art is in my mind.

CO

I have two D500's. I noticed right away that the D500 focuses faster with all of my lenses than my other Nikon DSLR cameras. The D5, D500, and D850 are the first Nikons to have a processor dedicated to just the autofocus system. It can also function down to a light level of -4EV. The D7500 functions down to -3EV.

Are you using the .jpeg files from the camera or processing later? If you're using the .jpeg files straight from the camera you may want to edit the Picture Controls. Nikon sets the default sharpening low. Go through the Picture Controls and increase the sharpening to level 6.

The automatic AF fine tuning feature is very good. I use it with mine. It accurately fine tunes the autofocus.

I have a tip. The video record button can be re-programmed to execute Mode. Mode is in the group of four buttons on the top left on the camera but it's more convenient to have it next to the shutter button. I don't shoot video so I re-programmed mine.

D5, D500, and D850 have a dedicated AF processor

(Download)

BebuLamar

No camera is too good for any body.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I moved from a D7200 with Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G2 to a D500 using the same lens. My keep rate went up immediately. There are 3 books I highly recommend you get and read to get the most out of the D500 for wildlife / birding. All of them are by Steve Perry, who is a member here. Go to BackCountryGallery.com click on Photography How To Books / Videos and buy the first three books. There are no better materials out there on how to use a Nikon Camera for wildlife / birding photography.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Catching on to Madison Ave. hype.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"Greatest" can mean that an electronic device gave that sensor higher marks in comparison tests. It's like comparing high performance cars. One does 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 180. Another car does 0-60 in 4.0 seconds and tops out at 185. Is one really better than the other? Not in real life.

In my dealings with cameras, I've never gotten rid of a "beloved" until I had another "beloved" to replace it. I know it helps to get cash from one before buying another, but I like to wind up with stuff I really like. I doubt that the D500 is over-rated, but it's being compared to the D7500, which is also highly rated. Compare a D500 to a D7000, and you will see major differences. Bottom line: you have a great camera. Gradually learn to use all of its features, and put the D7500 behind you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes! I hate to hear about someone hesitating to buy an upscale camera because it is too good for them. We all deserve the very best.

John Sh Loc: Toronto, Australia

Have a look at Steve Perry's book on the Nikon Auto focus system. It covers just about everything you'll need to know.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The D500, like the D850 and D5, share a second processing engine just for focusing. The D7500 does not have this.
That said, it is up to the photographer to use this to their advantage.
Your quote reminds me of the following quote, "if you continue to do the SAME thing, you will continue to get the SAME result".
You need to IMPROVE your technique, the camera cannot do that for you.
My keep rate using the D500 on birds in flight is 98%.