jotaele

I have had both D cameras for several years and like them both.
My question to the UHH community is, if you go mirrorless (Z8), which one of the D cameras would you give up?
I always travel with 2 cameras for the usual reasons well known to those 2 camera people. I am keeping all my F-mount lenses and will get the adapter for the Z.
Thanks in advance for your answers.

BebuLamar

Both!

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

I traded in my D850 and D500 and my F lenses for the Z8 and comparable Z lenses. Very glad I did it. If I really needed a second body -- and I don't -- I'd get a second Z8. Nikon's "S" series lenses for the Z cameras are a step above their F lens counterparts. As fond as I was of the D850, the Z8 is even more impressive.

jotaele

Thanks for your response jwreed50. May I ask you? If you had 2 bodies before, for the usual reasons, I assume, why don't you need or want a second body now?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

all of them

Bill_de Loc: US

If/when the time comes I would go whole-hog. D4s, D850, D500 and D7200 would all be gone along with 20 lenses from fisheye to 800mm. I would keep my Df and FM2 to adorne the mantel.

I would get 2 Z bodies, probably both Z8's, and maybe a half dozen lenses.

First thing I would have to do is convince myself that the move would make me more anxious to go out shooting.

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Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I have a Z9, D850 and D500. When it's my time to go, I asked my wife to bury me with my D850.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

So tell me...just why did you keep your D500? The D850 can mostly duplicate what it can do. On the other side, why did you get a Z8 instead of a second D850? Those answers might guide your thinking better than any of us can.

I have two D500s and two D850s. That all started when I bought a D850 as a second body to my D810. Turned out I really like the minor control rearrangement on the D850 compared to the D810. But sometimes either of those cameras is just really overkill. That's why I got a D500. It's the greatest, most fun to shoot, most ergonomically perfect camera I've ever owned. So I got a second one, just in case. Then got a second D850 when they were on sale for $2495. Those cameras all shoot exactly the same. And they can get just about equal results when used with comparable lenses.

The Z8 seems to be exactly the camera I've been waiting on. It appears to also shoot exactly like the D500 and D850. I'd like to have one some day, but not before having opportunity to play with one. (The $6,000 cost of entry for camera, lens, grip, and memory is substantial.) But there's no expectation of doing anything with those other cameras. I do not expect the Z8 to supplant the joy of shooting the D500. And I'll never adopt a camera with an EVF for night sky shooting. One misstep with the viewfinder, and night vision is gone for 30 minutes.

That's my story. I encourage you to write your own.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

500, 850 does it all. Love the Z8.

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

I'm not a professional photographer, and I have rarely found myself really needing a second body. When I had both the D850 and the D500, there were times when one or the other seemed better suited to the task at hand. The Z8 seems to solve that problem. It's essentially the size of the D500 but has the performance capabilities of the D850 and then some. For me, the Z8 really hits the mark.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I'd give up the 'largest and heaviest'.

jotaele

larryepage, I still have both cameras and I am considering the Z8 as my entry to the mirrorless world. I always traveled with 2 bodies so I did not have to change lenses all the time. The D500 shoots faster, so I coupled it with the longer lenses (300, 500, teleconverter) to shoot wildlife in Africa, India, China, etc. The D850 was with the wide angle or zoom lenses for Landscapes, night shots, portraits, etc. Very rarely I had to change lenses in dusty conditions, or while on a moving boat with water spray, etc. Sometimes you lose your chance to a great photo opportunity while you change the lenses. I realize that the Z8 is faster than the D500 and it has better focusing capabilities than the D cameras, but I am concerned about the need to change lenses in critical conditions.

HT

The Z8 / Z9 cameras have sensor screens. Turn the camera off and screen comes down to protect the sensor during lens changes. The only risk is the time it takes to effect the lens change may mean a lost opportunity, but the sensor won’t be exposed to environmental risk during the change out…

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

If you have DX lenses that you intend to keep and use, then keep the D500.
If you only have FX lenses, then keep the D850
Alternatively, sell both D500 and D850, and buy 2 Z8’s. Some photographers find it easier to work with 2 identical cameras in the field.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Since most of my photography involves birding, I have so far decided to keep my D500 as a backup to my Z9, at least until the finance gods bless me with a Z8. Between my wife and I we have several earlier Z bodies, but none are as good at wildlife as the D500.