JimEaco

Was a devoted Canon shooter for years, prior to to transition away from film.
Then became a Nikon nut, with my wife using crop sensors and me with a Full Format (D810).
My bag stolen from my car, the 810 and my favorite 2-lenses never replaced, my phone became my ‘everyday’ camera.
I had the crop (D7100 and a D5000) and some good glass if needed.
Added a Drone with Hasselblad camera, and a gimbal for the iPhone.

But holding a screen and having no Viewfinder (not to mention the entire symphony of settings, feel, and file size/selections) leaves me craving
A ‘real’ camera (of my own, not shared) and better glass.

My real need for a pro level body no longer as much business as it is pleasure.

So I was thinking just get another 810; (well, an 850 now)
Or even go back to Canon.

Just doesn’t make practical sense, to go Canon, or anything other than Nikon I’d have to spend $8-$10,000 just on glass plus a body, and no back-up, body…

So; I’ve convinced myself that a Full Frame Nikon Mirrorless is the proper choice, with a couple basic lenses. Z 17-28 and maybe a Z 28-75. But with an adaptor, I have all the existing (slr ) AF glass available…
Not a lot of choices in the Z-line of lenses, but maybe for a good reason
So probably just an adaptor for starters.

Body choice still up in the air,

I’d welcome any thoughts.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Be aware that the adapter does not support AF on many Nikon lenses, look for other limitations as well.
Yes, they will mount but at the loss of capabilities.
With a large lens library that you have though it would be best to stick to Nikon.
Have fun choosing which.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Hello and welcome!! Nikon USA is still selling refurbished D810s and are currently offering 10% off.

Dodie

therwol Loc: USA

They are also selling refurbished D850s for 60 dollars less than the refurbished D810s. The choice between the two is a no-brainer. Both are fine cameras. From personal experience, the difference in IQ is very small. The D850 has much more advanced autofocus and a faster frame rate. Support for the D810 will end before support for the D850, which is still in production.

Having said that, it makes no sense in 2022 to buy a Nikon DSLR unless you are heavily invested in lenses that will not autofocus on their mirrorless cameras, even with an adapter. If you go that route, look at the used market for a camera with a low shutter count. You can buy a decent D810 used for $800-1000.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I would suggest the first thing to do is determine exactly which of your existing lenses will fully function with the Z or not. When that is known, is it a factor that is going to sway your decision?

As for the Z full frame models, sensor MP, card slots No, FPS, AF capability and body size are the main factors you will need to consider based on what you are going to photograph.

I use a Z6, I can not fault it's image quality, its fps is totally adequate for me and its AF for the moving subjects I shoot perfectly acceptable. But that is for what I photograph.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Sony a1, the current leader. I use it in Florida Wetlands, great for tracking or stills.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Below is a typical hand held grab shot taken about 150 yards from a juvenile Red Shoulder Hawk with extreme cropping.
Sony a1, Sony 200-600 at 600 6.3 (wide open)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It is your choice but if you have the lenses that fit the D810 and in your case, that would be my next step.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If you read his post he said all was stolen, body and lenses. He is starting over.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

No, just 2 lenses were stolen.
Still has a lot of Nikon glass.
Thus staying with Nikon is a good move.

jlg1000 Loc: Uruguay / South America

Being a Sony shooter, and having advocated many times in favour of MILC's, I believe your case is more like replacing a failed (stolen) component of a whole system.

In your shoes, I'd go for the 850D because:

a) you are heavily invested in that system
b) you've probably gathered a lot of experience using it
c) your wife is also a Nikon "D" shooter, do you can share equipment.

So this is my advice: just replace the missing component... just as you would do once the battery in your car goes flat.

JimEaco

Thanks, (everyone) for the replies.
Consensus follows my instincts, I just need to stop reading reviews and do it.

uhaas2009

I bought almost all pro gear used including the 810 and 70-200. What I learned from the 810 that the card reader can be damaged and so stuff I learned in eBay reviews.
I went to the store and there was the Sony 6400, z50 and canon RP (I believe it was). The canon and the z50 are impressive-I like cameras with view finder. The z50 for a low end camera feels better than t3i or 3400 in focus and some adjustments. I don’t have answers for you and me in case of mirror less….good luck

JimEaco

Unless I’m missing something,
All our lenses are AF-S and should work with the adapter. Actually have 1 Body (d5000) that can’t auto focus. (Ugh that was an impulse purchase as a back-up, but for short money)

I miss the ultra-wide, (16-35) and will need to replace. That may end up getting replaced with a Z lens… (z 14-24) even though it won’t go on the D7100. Or maybe I’ll look at an AF-S 14-24 and the ATZ converter… she is very comfortable (happy) with the slr body, and the used market is full of great bodies…
Really, my primary objective is a wide lens on a full frame sensor. The mirror or no-mirror shouldn’t be my concern. Any full frame body that can support AF-S glass is going to give me the results…
The Z series is lighter, and more future proof, but AF-S glass will outlast me.

JimEaco

You are spot on

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

One should really use their camera as if tomorrow it will be stolen. Although you can't replace the bad of luck of having a DSLR stole, you can go mirrorless. Look at the Z7 as the full-frame mirrorless version of the D850.