Retirement purchase: I'm getting ready to jump. Very interested in Sony A7R2 with fast 24-70 & fast 70-200. I've been saving for my retirement camera. Last camera was a Nikon F3 with...

JamesRx Loc: Bradenton, FL

I'm getting ready to jump. Very interested in Sony A7R2 with fast 24-70 & fast 70-200. I've been saving for my retirement camera. Last camera was a Nikon F3 with lenses, long since sold. Now the Nikon D850 is out, and I'm rethinking that with comparable nikon lenses vs the Sony. What are UHH member opinions?

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Stick with Nikon. Although you will not have use of all the modern bells and whistles, your F3 lenses will work on the D850.

JamesRx Loc: Bradenton, FL

Sold the Nikon lenses with the F3 long ago. Really starting fresh.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

What kind of photography do you do?

JPL

JamesRx wrote:

I'm getting ready to jump. Very interested in Sony A7R2 with fast 24-70 & fast 70-200. I've been saving for my retirement camera. Last camera was a Nikon F3 with lenses, long since sold. Now the Nikon D850 is out, and I'm rethinking that with comparable nikon lenses vs the Sony. What are UHH member opinions?

It depends on how you want to shoot. If you want to let the camera do most of the work you should get the Nikon. But if you want to focus manually and save money on lenses you should get the Sony. It has the in camera stabilizing that works with evey lens you put on it and also excellent tools to make manual focus easy so if you are mainly shooting landscapes or architecture or products or others still scenes the Sony would be better than the Nikon in some ways. But this Nikon D850 is a killer camera, probably the best camera you can get for everyting you want to shoot with autofocus lenses.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

They are both very capable cameras. I suggest a direct specifications comparison between the two to determine which camera is better suited for your specific needs and approach to photography. Considering the investment, it may also be wise to rent each first before deciding.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

bpulv wrote:

Stick with Nikon. Although you will not have use of all the modern bells and whistles, your F3 lenses will work on the D850.

Ok. I retired last December and shortly before I did, I bought the equipment I would use in retirement as you are doing. So I understand it; you are looking for high end equipment that will serve you for years to come. If that is the case, I would not depend on specifications and the hype articles you read online and elsewhere. Instead, I would rent each of the cameras you are seriously considering for a short time. That will allow you to get the feel of each and allow you to make a decision you will not later regret.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I found my 55-200 Nikkor lens to be of little use. My 55-300 Nikkor is used a lot. I found the extra focal length to be essential for birds.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Bobspez wrote:

I found my 55-200 Nikkor lens to be of little use. My 55-300 Nikkor is used a lot. I found the extra focal length to be essential for birds.

Bob,

Please address the issue under discussion, which is not which lens is better than another. The issue is which camera system will better serve James during his retirement.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

JamesRx wrote:

I'm getting ready to jump. Very interested in Sony A7R2 with fast 24-70 & fast 70-200. I've been saving for my retirement camera. Last camera was a Nikon F3 with lenses, long since sold. Now the Nikon D850 is out, and I'm rethinking that with comparable nikon lenses vs the Sony. What are UHH member opinions?

Do you have a budget?

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Bpuly. Please re-read his post. I quote ... "I'm getting ready to jump. Very interested in Sony A7R2 with fast 24-70 & fast 70-200.... Now the Nikon D850 is out, and I'm rethinking that with comparable nikon lenses vs the Sony. What are UHH member opinions?"

My opinion is that part of his plan is faulty whether he ultimately chooses the Sony or the Nikon camera. Namely a 200mm zoom is goint to be less useful than a 300mm zoom for many types of photography. That's what I found and that's my opinion.

And who are you to suggest anyone stay on topic? Self appointed topic police? And not one person offered an opinion on whether the Sony or the Nikon was a better camera for the OP to purchase. It's an unanswerable question. So what is the topic, genius.

bpulv wrote:

Bob,

Please address the issue under discussion, which is not which lens is better than another. The issue is which camera system will better serve James during his retirement.

CO

You have to determine if you would like an electronic viewfinder or an optical viewfinder. I prefer an optical viewfinder. I like to see the scene exactly the way it is. You might want to rent first. LensRentals.com is excellent.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

JamesRx wrote:

I'm getting ready to jump. Very interested in Sony A7R2 with fast 24-70 & fast 70-200. I've been saving for my retirement camera. Last camera was a Nikon F3 with lenses, long since sold. Now the Nikon D850 is out, and I'm rethinking that with comparable nikon lenses vs the Sony. What are UHH member opinions?

That's a big decision. Let us know what you decide.

Some comparison sites.

(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

Tough choice...they are both very good cameras. Go to the store and hold both cameras in you hand and see which one feels better. Good luck.

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

JamesRx wrote:

I'm getting ready to jump. Very interested in Sony A7R2 with fast 24-70 & fast 70-200. I've been saving for my retirement camera. Last camera was a Nikon F3 with lenses, long since sold. Now the Nikon D850 is out, and I'm rethinking that with comparable nikon lenses vs the Sony. What are UHH member opinions?

Either the D500 (if you want to shoot mainly sports and wildlife) or the D850 for landscape and family shooting.