Nikon d850: I have been a happy user of the d7200, but the sales pricing of the 850 has made me think of an upgrade. Question is whether I am correct that my dx lenses while...

Temuna

I have been a happy user of the d7200, but the sales pricing of the 850 has made me think of an upgrade.

Question is whether I am correct that my dx lenses while technically compatible with the 850 have limitations which mean I would not really get the benefit of the 850 and that I would also have to buy new lenses —- adding considerable expense.

RichinSeattle

You are correct.

Temuna

Thanks.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

It's still worth it. Keep your D7200, too.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Temuna wrote:

I have been a happy user of the d7200, but the sales pricing of the 850 has made me think of an upgrade.

Question is whether I am correct that my dx lenses while technically compatible with the 850 have limitations which mean I would not really get the benefit of the 850 and that I would also have to buy new lenses —- adding considerable expense.

Not knowing your situation, this advice may be meaningless. Have you considered the weight and size you are taking on with a FF camera and FF lenses. I was originally using a D7100 and have worked my way up to a D850. I do love the D850 but I mostly use it on a tripod for studio work. I am not comfortable carrying it around. Also, my computer is quite capable of handling the large files created by the D850. However, I do most of my photography using DX cameras and almost never feel that the pixel count isn't adequate. If you shoot raw and like to process, is your computer up to it.

If you don't mind the weight, by all means get the D850 if you can. Just consider the other aspects and whether it is better for your preferred photography.

WCS

I had a D7000 and really enjoyed using 'old glass' because of the bargain prices compared to 'new' lenses. What was a bonus - the 'old glass' worked even better on the used D750! I was fortunate to find on Facebook's Marketplace at a crazy good price. If you have DX glass, you'll be starting all over. But there is a marked difference in IQ between crop sensor and full frame. It is lovely and the weight/size isn't dramatic - at least the D750 wasn't. Best of Luck!

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

(As a D850 owner) You will probably not be happy with the performance of your DX Lenses on the D850. There have been recent UHH comments on this topic.

Basically, it's like having a high performance auto and trying to put regular gasoline in it to save a few bucks. It might work a bit, or poorly. But, you'll never get the performance you paid for in purchasing the D850. Plan on trading out or selling your DX lenses, unless you want to keep the D7200 and use them on it. (And, do look at the cost of good-very good condition used Nikon lenses as a realistic way to save some big money. Nikon has a list of lenses that do perform up to the requirements of a 45.6 MP sensor. Buy from this list.)

Temuna

All good comments, and reflective of the helpful nature of most who post here.

For now I am sticking with the 7200. I think I have about 70,000 shutter clicks on it so it should still have good life.

When I next upgrade it may be to full frame, but no rush to that.

Thanks to all.

CO

I would recommend buying a D500. The D500, D850, and D5 all have the same great 153-point autofocus system. The D500 is a little smaller and a little lighter than the D850. The D500 costs $1500 now. With the savings, you could buy another lens.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Temuna wrote:

All good comments, and reflective of the helpful nature of most who post here.

For now I am sticking with the 7200. I think I have about 70,000 shutter clicks on it so it should still have good life.

When I next upgrade it may be to full frame, but no rush to that.

Thanks to all.

The D850 is a wonderful camera. And there are some things it can do better than just about any other camera. But it does represent a commitment (raw files are about 92 MB each, and a "contact print" is about 18x27). The D500 is almost the same camera in a DX version.

By the way...the D850 has a DX mode, or you can shoot 24x24mm square images with your DX lenses while you are saving for some new full frame lenses. So you don't have to immediately drain your account further. And a full frame 24-120mm f/4 full-frame zoom can be found in nice condition for about $400.

Have fun if you decide at some point to move forward.

BebuLamar

You can use DX lenses on the FX camera but you don't get the benefit of a FX camera by doing so.

Temuna

Helpful and excellent comments.

Bill_de Loc: US

Paul Diamond wrote:

(As a D850 owner) You will probably not be happy w... (show quote)

The good DX lenses work very well on the D850 when switched to DX mode. It's about the same as shooting on the D500, which is no slouch. If you don't tell anybody what lens you used, they will never know the difference.

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starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Think about the Tamron G2 line of lenes. I went from a D7200 to D810. It took about a year but I got the Holy Trinity of 2.8 lens for about $3800. Some people don't care for 3rd party lens but these are quality products.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Temuna wrote:

I have been a happy user of the d7200, but the sales pricing of the 850 has made me think of an upgrade.

Question is whether I am correct that my dx lenses while technically compatible with the 850 have limitations which mean I would not really get the benefit of the 850 and that I would also have to buy new lenses —- adding considerable expense.

As stated , Yes you are correct.
One other thing to think about, Can your computer handle the software for processing of the D850 images?