cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

John, actually, I think that any DSLR that "requires" one to trash all of his former glass which has done such a good job over the years, should stay on the shelves and not sell to any photographer worth his salt. If my Nikkors were so great with film and 36MP digital SLRs, I'd certainly think that they will do well with a higher MP camera, too. Granted, as technology improves, I would expect Optics and optical design to improve also. Extra-low dispersion glass, rare earth elements, new-and-better lens coatings. I personally hope that things DO keep getting better. But that in no way means that I or anyone else cannot take killer images with a D850 and a vintage, legendary lens.
Another thing; to test your theory (before I heard it, actually) I spent an afternoon at Longwood Gardens testing the 850 with a light-weight, non-VR lens just to see how the images might turn out handheld. Now at my advanced age, I'd bet that all of the images could have benefited from the use of a sturdy tripod. But even in the relatively low light of the Conservatory, many of the images were very acceptable -- at least as much so as they would have been had I used my Df. And, shouldn't we welcome a camera that will press us to use our best technique? I often wear a polo shirt that has "Fix it in post" written backward across the chest to poke fun at "spray-and-pray" type of shooters.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

rehess, actually, No, I have not seen those results. Good to know, though. I have been able to get some wonderful images at the ends of the day with the Df. Guess I'll stop giving myself credit for that. Thanks again for letting me know.

Novicus Loc: north and east

About : smaller pixels requiring the " best of glass "...

First off, film , even the fast grainy ones ( TRI-X f.ex. ) has finer grain compared to any sensor.

Digital camera`s can be Calibrated to get the Best Possible performance out of Any Lens , my Nikkor 55 f1.2 was never as good on film as it is on my D3S / D3X , as they can be Calibratedfor it , and Many other lenses too.

Novicus Loc: north and east

Just to clarify :

Film Grain Consists of More and Smaller Light Sensitive parts Compared to the amount of Photosites on Any sensor.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

I'm with you, Novicus. I wonder just how many folks here have Calibrated all of their lenses to their cameras [https://www.slrlounge.com/calibrate-lenses-simple-fix-blurry-images/]. And so many opinions have been expressed as to which can resolve the greater detail, Super MP digital cameras or Low RMS transparency film (or Pan-X for Black-and-white folks). IMHO, lens makers have always tried to make the best optics that were possible. I think that it is a bit funny that now, with the D850, folks think that some new optical process will magically appear that will be a quantum leap in lens resolving power.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

I never knew about this. I went directly to the website and ordered the kit. Thank you for another invaluable insight from a fellow member of UHH.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Don't you have an upper end Sony and also one in the a6000 series? It would be interesting to see a comparison between those.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Curiously, I do not own a camera store. I'm afraid that I am limited by what gear I have managed to buy over the years. At the present time I do own Nikon DSLRs with sensors of 12MP, 16MP, 24MP, 36MP, and 45MP. Just for my own curiosity I have made a test target and plan to repeat the test at some point (went the rain and wind "give it a rest" here).

I have wondered how APS-C sensors would handle the same test. "Upper end Sony" didn't really interest me since it is my understanding (correct or not) that the image sensors in Nikon DSLRs are manufactured by Sony, anyway. But with my Nikons I can set them all more or less the same way and use the same lens, although next/this time I will use my Nikkor AF 85mm 1.8 that has been touted as one of Nikon's best.

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

My one man shows continue to generate good dollars from all of my NEVER CALIBRATED NOR CARED TO CALIBRATE LENSES.
I really don't care to calibrate, I concentrate on what is really important.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

So sorry- My error- this was meant for Joer since he does own Sony equipment.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

No worries.