A fork in the road? (Page 2): annwi you've received lots of friendly advice... Albeit there are so many variables in the mix that I'm only responding on what I can speak to from the...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

annwi you've received lots of friendly advice...
Albeit there are so many variables in the mix that I'm only responding on what I can speak to from the actual "Science" involved...

"...Does the lightness of the camera make a difference in shooting?"
Yes Newton's First Law, sometimes referred to as the law of inertia states that "An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion at constant speed and in a straight line unless acted on by an unbalanced force."

https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/newtons-laws-of-motion/

The inertia of an object is directly proportional to the mass of the object.
A heavier camera is less likely that it will be subjected to "Camera Shake"

Trust me here... I've shot Nikon D3's and D3x's for many years...
And they resist any effect of what the mirrorless fan boys refer to as "Mirror Recoil" a.k.a. Shutter Shock... In fact the Nikon D810 was a HUGE improvement over the D800 & D800e owing to a robust "Dampening" mechanism Nikon deployed in the D810... I've shot the D800e and it has decidedly a greater magnitude of "Shutter Shock" i.e. recoil than my epic D810...

However a tripod is by far and away the most critical component of the acuity equation. For commercial work tripods are virtually always used (I assist many commercial shooters in may market)...

That said for enthusiast Tripods are a very "Hard Sell" item...
The reasons not to use them go around the block... Nearly all state inconvenience.

As for recommendations? On UHH nearly all come from folks trying to validate their own sometimes arcane and often questionable choices... Seriously It's the "peanut gallery" folks who will endeavor to put down any choices that does not reflect their unique realities...

Wishing you all the best on your photographic journey annwi...
Maybe an underwater housing for your next camera?

PACSMAN Loc: MA

I sold my D850 and glass and purchased a Z7ii and new lenses. Very happy with the purchase and performance of the new camera and glass. The weight savings alone was worth it and the images are outstanding. The new Nikon glass is incredible.

lreisner Loc: Union,NJ

CHG_CANON wrote:

The time has come. The Nikon Z7 II is much much mo... (show quote)

This really sums it up. I went mirror less and I wouldn't go back. Since you need a new camera, it is the way to go.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

CHG_CANON wrote:

The time has come. The Nikon Z7 II is much much mo... (show quote)

Everything he said here. Since you don’t like to use a tripod the IBIS alone makes it a good switch. I’ve had the Z7 for over a year and a half and I’d be adding a Z7II if I wasn’t getting ready to order the Z9.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Nicholas J DeSciose wrote:

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

Of course in his case the problem with the Z9 is he’ll be months without a camera waiting for it.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

CHG_CANON wrote:

This is not entirely correct for "all" N... (show quote)

While true it’s much overblown. Unless you have some older glass the chances are it’ll be fine, and if it isn’t then the manual focus benefits of mirrorless come into play. As for the Tamron it depends. My older Tamron 90 macro works great. I’ve even used it with the focus shift feature. Some of the newer lenses might need a firmware update.

cfbudd Loc: Atlanta, Georgia

annwi wrote:

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

Let us know what you conclude after renting and it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

SuperflyTNT wrote:

While true it’s much overblown. Unless you have some older glass the chances are it’ll be fine, and if it isn’t then the manual focus benefits of mirrorless come into play. As for the Tamron it depends. My older Tamron 90 macro works great. I’ve even used it with the focus shift feature. Some of the newer lenses might need a firmware update.

It's worth noting that a class of legacy AF-capable lenses lose this feature between Nikon upper-tier DSLRs and Nikon mirrorless. We've spent almost 35-years listening to Nikon's much vaulted F-mount and upward compatibility. Along comes mirrorless and backwards compatibility is now Canon's strength.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

annwi wrote:

I recently lost my Nikon d850 and 28-300 mm lens t... (show quote)

We're you really in the water that deep that a wave hit you?
If your walking the waterline seems strange a wave could get that high. I live 3 miles from ocean and there often.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

CHG_CANON wrote:

It's worth noting that a class of legacy AF-capable lenses lose this feature between Nikon upper-tier DSLRs and Nikon mirrorless. We've spent almost 35-years listening to Nikon's much vaulted F-mount and upward compatibility. Along comes mirrorless and backwards compatibility is now Canon's strength.

Like I said, overblown. For most people going from Nikon DSLR to mirrorless won’t be an issue.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

george19 wrote:

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.

You can download the manual as a pdf. Works just like the manual viewer in iPad books.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

IMHO, the D850 is the absolutely best camera Nikon makes for anything but sports action. I have owned one since they were released and it has been absolutely awesome. IF I were to trade it, I would definitely get the Z7 II and I would suggest that you take this opportunity to do exactly that. Mirrorless is the wave of the future. Although I shoot with the Z6 at the moment, I have a Z9 on order. If it as good as they say it will be, I will, most likely, switch to mirrorless completely within the next couple of years. Best of luck.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Nicholas J DeSciose wrote:

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

Interesting that you can comment on a camera (Z9) that hasn't been released to the public yet! Best of luck.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

IDguy wrote:

You can download the manual as a pdf. Works just like the manual viewer in iPad books.

Yes, thank you. I have it.
Mundy

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

This is not entirely correct for "all" N... (show quote)

Yes - I should have been more specific. The issue was his Nikon lenses.