Rich43224

Years ago I spent my time with an F5 shooting track and field. As to moved away that that and into vacation photos and family affairs, I went digital with a D70, D300, D600. I still have all of these, only using the D600 for sunrises, sunsets, beach scenes. Now I would like to get back to sports, (grand kids), basketball and volleyball. Plenty of FX primes at 1.8, 2.8, and 2.8, 4 zooms. I have run into an issue with lighting in high schools gyms. Barely able to freeze action even with 1.8 primes. Would moving into a D780, or Z6 ii be a solution.

Thanks for your help.

SGC

My path in camera evolution follows yours: Nikon N90 (film), D70, D300, D600/D610, then to Z6 and Z6ii. I found the Z6 allowed me to go without a flash for my international engineering conference photos for which I served as conference photographer. I used successfully the Z 24-70mm f/4 S and AF-S 24mm f/1.8 and AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 with the FTZ converter.

shackcf

Rich43224,
I had to look up the specs on the D600 before I sent this. Basically with the lighting in most gyms I understand the challenge. I shoot dance couples in action and find the existing light wanting but at least you are not dealing with lighting that changes colors in certain areas, I hope. Would you share your standard settings on your D600 and your preferred lens as well when shooting in gyms? I think your D600 is very capable.

I am a hobbyist photog. I started with a D3100 in 2013 and 2 years ago purchased a reconditioned Z6 from Nikon with an FTZ so I can use my D & F glass. I shoot RAW 98% and always underexposed so as to not blow out the highlights when shooting dancers. At times I would +1 to +1.5 exposure compensation and still do with the Z6. My go to lens is a Nikkor 18~105 3.5 ~ 5.0 Zoom. You may require a bit longer as dance floors are not as long as basketball courts. But it works for me. My usual settings are f3.5 ~ 5.0 I do not go above 5 for inside shots. SS 125~160 will freeze most of the action with dancers. I don't mind a bit of blur at the finger tips or toes, the extremities so to speak. The ISO is the key for me. with the Z6 I can go to 3500 at times in shadowed areas up to 5000, It is rare to go that high for me. The D3100 would go to ISO 1500 after that it was to grainy.

I do use DxO PL6 elite to process. However Nikon's NX Studio does a pretty good job too, for free. Capture 1 is also available to Nikon owners for free. I have all 3 plus ON1 Raw 2022. DxO PL is my go to for processing I have NIK Collection as well as Affinity Photo for edits.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would say definitely a Z, unless you can find a good price on a D7XX.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/nikon_d780_dslr_camera_vs_nikon_nikon_z6_ii_mirrorless/BHitems/1538572-REG_1703857-REG?origSearch=Nikon%20D780%20Vs%20Z6%20Ii&sts=red
https://photographylife.com/nikon-z6-ii-vs-nikon-d780
https://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-Z6-Mark-II-vs-Nikon-D780
https://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/nikon/d780/vs/nikon/z6-ii/
https://www.apotelyt.com/compare-camera/nikon-d780-vs-nikon-z6-ii

YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nikon+d780+vs+nikon+z6ii

DJCard Loc: Northern Kentucky

If you’re able, why not rent a Z6 II and/or Z7 II to see which works better for you in the conditions you like to shoot?

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Rich - thought I'd throw my 'tuppence' into your ring, even from t'other side of the Atlantic !

I've used Nikon DSLRs, but effectively 'went mirrorless' in 2012.

1. In terms of future proofing, go mirrorless rather than the D780.
2.If your prime motivation is to be able to capture movement then look past the Z6ii to the Z8 - best AF (along with Z9) at present on a Nikon mirrorless. Be prepared to explore the means of paying for it if you need to - save a little longer - what can you sell that you don't really need/use?
3. While F lenses will work on Z cameras, you would need to spend on an FTZ which you may not use for long. Take a look at your current lenses, explore which might be best 'in the interim', but start now to learn about Z lenses with Z cameras and plan for future redundancies with 'F' and purchases with 'Z'.
4. Bit of good thought and planning now may help prevent any damaging effect upon your wallet !

You may already be familiar with Thom Hogan, but you can't really beat his advice about 'all things Z' if you immerse yourself in his website ....... https://www.zsystemuser.com/

Get yourself in the right frame of mind about 'mirrorless' and have lots of fun as you move into new territory whilst using your long-time Nikon knowledge and familiarity - wish ya' luck from afar !

delder Loc: Maryland

Still using my D3100!
My basic Nikon.

DJCard Loc: Northern Kentucky

Yes, if you can afford a new Z 8, you would have much more available in terms of AF, FPS, etc.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

For low light indoor sports shooting, shooting raw with a FF body is the way to go. In the Nikon DSLR world, the D5 is the king of low light sports, which it was designed for - even a little better than any of the Z mirrorless series in terms of low light high ISO performance, but the Z6 II is close (~1/2 stop worse), and almost 2 stops better DR, so a good choice. In addition to being mirrorless, it has a little better resolution and is half the size/weight of a D5 (!), which isn’t trivial when you’re holding a camera up to your eye for hours. Haven’t used them both, but I’d be surprised if the low light AF performance of the Z6II isn’t better as well.

btbg

I would not purchase anything other than a mirrorless Nikon for sports photography. Obviously the Z9 is the top of the Nikon line for sports, but the Z6ii or Z8 will both do fine for sports.

I have not used any of the Z bodies other than the Z9, but it will shoot up to 12,800 iso and still be usable for newspaper photography. I'm sure that the Z8 will have the same specs, but not sure about the other Z bodies.

lightyear

Despite all of the good advice above, I believe that camera selection should be individual and depends upon what feels comfortable in your hands and works with your brain and eyes. Many years ago my eyes necessitated autofocus, which my Leicas were incapable of and despite heavily discounted offers from Canon, I found I could work better with Nikon. I have recently tried the Z cameras, recognize their immense viewfinder advantages, the lesser camera weight, low noise, etc., but found that my large hands as well as brain/eye/hand coordination work better with the bigger Nikon D810 body and lenses. You should find a large camera store and handle all of the camera bodies you are considering. Fuji is different than Nikon, and Canon also does it differently. To my knowledge Nikon is only now making mirrorless camera bodies and lenses for them. but there are millions of digital DSLR bodies/ lenses in circulation, which means you can make whatever choice works best for you.
Stan

btbg

The z9 body is significantly larger than the D810. That's one of the reasons that is my camera.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

If it works for your budget, Z8. For half the price, a used D5 in good condition. Either would be a huge improvement over your 600.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

You may want to wait a little bit as the Z6iii is expected to be released sometime in late 2023 or 2024.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Why not a good ole D850. I have used mine with my Tamron 70-200 2.8 in a gym for my grand daughters basket ball games with no problems. Siince you must already have a bunch of f mount lens's.

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