Camera body comparisons: I would like to thank all of the Hogs who offered opinions about the Nikon bodies d850 vs the z9 that I posted on July 18. I put the same question to Thom...

BobbyA

I would like to thank all of the Hogs who offered opinions about the Nikon bodies d850 vs the z9 that I posted on July 18.
I put the same question to Thom Hogan and he wrote a response in his web site today. His response is certainly thorough and interesting.
His web site is "bythom.com" His title is the "tough" question under his NEWS/VIEWS section.
Hope you enjoy reading it.
BobbyA

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

Can you post a link to his web site?

Thanks.

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

Never mind. I found it.

Thanks.

therwol Loc: USA

stanikon wrote:

Never mind. I found it.

Thanks.

I'll post this anyway.

https://bythom.com/newsviews/the-tough-question.html

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

Interesting analysis. Of course, for me, I'd have to learn more about the issues he's discussing before I could apply it to my photography.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

therwol wrote:

I'll post this anyway.

https://bythom.com/newsviews/the-tough-question.html

Compare the relevant and actionable details of that answer ^^^^ above to this one, below. Which actually was more helpful? I'm not disputing any of the details of the technobabble, other than its true relevance to a $3000 vs $5500 question.

Why would you pay the $5500 needed for a camera with all-weather protection, an integrated grip, up to 120 frames per second in JPEG, up to 20 frames per second in 45MP RAW, 8K video, a Gigabit Ethernet port, JUST to primarily shoot landscapes and portraits??

Nikon (and all the major players) have a spectrum of products for all the various needs, expensive - yes, but at various price points so that you're paying for what you need and not a price premium for what you don't need. If you want a ton of pixels not hidden behind a flapping mirror, the Z7 line is the mirrorless version of the D850. Nikon has several 24MP options, both DSLR and MILC, that are even more cost effective and equally well-matched to landscapes and portraits (and all general purpose needs).

therwol Loc: USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

Compare the relevant and actionable details of tha... (show quote)

His review goes on and on about esoteric advantages and disadvantages of each camera for landscapes and portraits and only hints at the price difference at the end, suggesting that one should consider buying the D850 and spending the difference on a good lens. He could have said that in the first place and then went into the technical stuff for people who wanted to continue reading stuff like that.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

therwol wrote:

His review goes on and on about esoteric advantages and disadvantages of each camera for landscapes and portraits and only hints at the price difference at the end, suggesting that one should consider buying the D850 and spending the difference on a good lens. He could have said that in the first place and then went into the technical stuff for people who wanted to continue reading stuff like that.

He could have boiled it down further: one has a mirror and one doesn't. Although, that would be misleading as it skips the price issue, where a body at 45MP sans mirror remains the better option, if determined you need all those pixels.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Writers like Hogan have two jobs. Make sure you keep reading, and do whatever possible to make sure that you buy SOMETHING. Sounds like he was successful on both counts.

therwol Loc: USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

He could have boiled it down further: one has a mirror and one doesn't. Although, that would be misleading as it skips the price issue, where a body at 45MP sans mirror remains the better option, if determined you need all those pixels.

Of course the Z9 is a better camera because it doesn't have a mirror, however you pay an extra 3 grand over the price of a D850 for that option, and the other features that make the Z9 a better camera don't really apply for taking pictures of static subjects. I think the D850 is a better option in this comparison, assuming the OP doesn't branch out into other areas in the future.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

therwol wrote:

Of course the Z9 is a better camera because it doesn't have a mirror, however you pay an extra 3 grand over the price of a D850 for that option, and the other features that make the Z9 a better camera don't really apply for taking pictures of static subjects. I think the D850 is a better option in this comparison, assuming the OP doesn't branch out into other areas in the future.

No. It's actually much worse. Paying $2796 today, July 20, 2022, for a new copy of a DSLR released in 2017 borders on a crime against the entire photography community. That's the salient point everyone seems to be dancing around, seeking to avoid the ugly truth. If you're going to a pay a 'new camera premium' price, at least pay that premium price for a 'new' camera design.

therwol Loc: USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

No. It's actually much worse. Paying $2796 today, July 20, 2022, for a new copy of a DSLR released in 2017 borders on a crime against the entire photography community. That's the salient point everyone seems to be dancing around, seeking to avoid the ugly truth. If you're going to a pay a 'new camera premium' price, at least pay that premium price for a 'new' camera design.

There is a mystique surrounding the D850, certainly deserved in 2017, but it still apparently exists in the minds of some. The price is driven by demand, and the camera still sells. That's business. When it stops selling, they'll stop making it and sell off their inventory.

Remember that the OP was only interested in the D850 versus the Z9 for landscapes and portraits. There was no mention of the more reasonably priced Z7ii (except by you). I do think that the Z9 is a waste of money if the OP is stuck on this particular use of a camera and might want to look at all other options that are more cost effective. If the OP is just starting out with no Nikon equipment/lenses to go with their choice, it might even be reasonable to look beyond Nikon.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Why does not having a mirror make the Z9 a better camera?
--Bob

therwol wrote:

Of course the Z9 is a better camera because it doesn't have a mirror, however you pay an extra 3 grand over the price of a D850 for that option, and the other features that make the Z9 a better camera don't really apply for taking pictures of static subjects. I think the D850 is a better option in this comparison, assuming the OP doesn't branch out into other areas in the future.

therwol Loc: USA

rmalarz wrote:

Why does not having a mirror make the Z9 a better camera?
--Bob

Because it opens up the possibility of features not possible with a DSLR, many of which have been applied in the Z9. But I don't think it's cost effective to buy a Z9 unless you're going to use those features that are unique to that camera.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Zowee…. I thought it a pretty good comparison all things being equal, which they are apparently not. “Woe is me.”