annwi

I recently lost my Nikon d850 and 28-300 mm lens to a large ocean wave. Nikon has told me that it cannot be repaired. I am at the point of replacing the camera. However, I am wondering if now is the time to try mirrorless. I have not thought much about it since my d850 was only a year old, and I still have some growing to do in using it. The camera company says that the mirrorless is lighter and the images will be sharp. And, she tells me that my variety of lenses will work on the z camera with an adapter. They also have a used d850 for 2200 that they say is in excellent shape.

I am not into videos....pictures are my focus. I like to take family photos, landscapes, macro, and I am still definitely learning. Questions....is it true that all my lenses will work well on a mirrorless? I have a tamron macro and various nikon lenses. All are F mounts. Does the lightness of the camera make a difference in shooting? I wish I could say I was better at using a tripod, but I tend to shoot handheld 95% of the time. I asked the camera company if they have a model of the mirrorless that I could try. They do not. Said it was because of covid. It would need to be ordered.

What things should I be thinking about to make my decision......jump to Nikon z mirrorless or purchase the used d850 that is in excellent shape from the local camera company. Your insights would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You are already acquainted with the 850. I'd stick with that. It's an awesome camera, as you probably already know. The one they mentioned is a good price. I hope it's a model made for the country in which you live. I mention that for maintenance/repair reasons.

To answer your question, yes, I think the weight of a camera makes a positive difference in shooting. Something folks tend to overlook.
--Bob

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I can't tell you about Nikon mirrorless other than I think they are getting to be very good. I just returned from an eagle trip at Haines, Alaska. The trip leader is in the process of switching from a Nikon D5 to the Sony A9. His images with the Sony 600 prime, even at 300% enlargement were super sharp and great color.
Another participant was shooting with both a Nikon Z6 and Z7 both second versions I think. His images were also very good and he was using Nikon FX lenses with an adaptor for the five days.

Personally, I switched from full frame Canon to Olympus in 2017 due to restricted left arm range of motion. I use the Olympus EM1 MKII bodies and shot primarily with the Pansonic/Leica 100-400 lens with good results. I am about ready to sell the 100-400 and order the OMS 300 f4 prime lines and probably the 40-150 Pro zoom lens.

Check BorrowLens or LensRental and see if you can try a Nikon mirrorless body. Your lenses will all work with the Nikon adaptor.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The time has come. The Nikon Z7 II is much much more than a mirrorless D850.

1. IBIS that turns every lens into a stabilized lens, even the golden oldies of the manual focus, pre-electronic ages.
2. EVF with shimmering highlights of the plane of focus.
3. Histogram available for display in electronic view finder (EVF).
4. Detailed 10x zoom in EVF.
5. Silent (not a single noise) shutter.
6. Image playback in EVF for review when LCD impossible to see in bright light.
7. Image playback at 10x zoom in EVF.
8. Sharper mirrorless lens designs.
9. More ultra fast lenses as sharp wide open as any stepped down DSLR lens ever.
10. One digital platform supporting portfolio of legacy DSLR lenses, legacy SLR lenses and modern mirrorless lenses.
11. Autofocus beyond f/8 for extended configurations.
12. Platform for any / all ongoing technology advancements in digital photography.
13. EVF that displays the results of the image before shooting.
14. EVF that allows for ad hoc updates like boosting the ISO for a brighter focus view, then restore ISO and shoot, without even lowering the camera from a shooting position.
15. Entire frame available for selective AF position.

The idea to rent a candidate replacement is a reasonable suggestion.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Sorry to hear about the loss of your camera and lens. I was a big fan of the D850. However, after my heart operation 18 months ago, I heeded to select a lighter and more compact camera. I originally ordered the D850, but after going to a store and actually placing the D850 into my hand, the canera was heavy for me. I also hand held a Z6ii and Z7ii in my hand and the camera was lighter and it also fit my medium hand better. The weight for me was also better. I have since reordered a Z6ii and Z 35mm f1.8 S lens. I will post my opinion on the camera once I have a few pictures taken. I have read books on both the D850 and the Z6ii & Z7ii. The manual for both cameras are available for download from Nikon. Good luck on your search for a replacement for your the D850.
Mundy

Hip Coyote

As far as I know, covid is not transmitted by cameras. Try another shop. In fact, one of my thoughts would be to go around an take photos of the idiotic signs about covid!!! My donut shop says they are not gong to stay open after 2 pm...because of covid.

Anyhoo, Youre not going to get any better advice than already presented. My only advice might be to just rent one from lensrentals.com for a week just to make sure. But mirrorless really is better (for me at least) in so many ways.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

SOLD!!!!! Waiting for Santa to ask . . .

george19

I was thinking about getting a D850, but after comparing weight decided on a Z7 ii, just got it a few weeks ago…with the FTZ adapter.

I haven’t tried my 200-500, but my other two F lenses (both D class) DO NOT autofocus.

I also ended up buying a book, because the enclosed quick guide didn’t cut it, and the online manual is too painful to navigate. Why Nikon canned their manual viewer program I’ll never know.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I can only speak on my behalf and I tell you the difference in weight, at least with the Olympus bodies I own, makes a big difference. I can take one of my cameras and two or three lenses in a small bag that is a breeze to carry anywhere without missing anything.
You have been using the D850 and I have to assume that you feel comfortable with it and if that is the case you should stay with the D850. If you are curious about mirrorless then, as has already been suggested, you could rent a mirrorless and try it by yourself to see if that is what you want.
All of your lenses will fit the mirrorless made by Nikon with the adapter.

ELNikkor

For $170, Lens Rentals will rent you a Z7II for a week. You can try all of your lenses on it, and see if it has advantages over your D850. If you like it, Adorama has them for around $3K.

annwi

Thank you for all your responses. They are very helpful. I will rent the Z7ii and see where that takes me!

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

See my recent post, "New Camera-New Baby" taken with my new Z50, which I got, mainly because of the size and weight. I have small hands, and it was much easier to handle than my beloved D7100. And the mirrorless features are exceptional. I got the adapter for my 18-140mm lens but haven`t tried it yet. The kit 50-250mm is fine.

Nicholas J DeSciose

Get a Z7 2 or if you can afford it is the Z 9 Both these cameras have exceptional handheld capabilities as well as amazing auto focus

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I think a mirrorless is the type of the future. I would try it. Most good vendors (I use B&H) have 100% return policies.

While I would expect all the Nikon lenses to work flawlessly with mirrorless, I'm not as confident about the Tamron. While it probably will also work flawlessly, there is a chance it won't. I had an issue with a Sigma lens that worked fine on an old camera but not the new one. Manufacturers only guarantee compatibility with their own lenses.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This is not entirely correct for "all" Nikon lenses.

Older Nikon autofocus lenses that do not have an internal motor and rely on the camera's focus motor, those lenses do not retain autofocus for the mirrorless camera. The FTZ (literally F-mount To Z-mount) does not include the necessary focus motor for these lenses to function in autofocus on the Z body. This differs from Canon's all electronic focus approach that debuted in 1987 with the EOS technology and focus motors deployed inside the lenses. All Canon EF / EF-S lenses operate with all autofocus functionality and flawless performance on EOS R type bodies. Nikon's AF capable lenses with their own internal motor similarly work with flawless performance on the mirrorless body via the FTZ adapter.