Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

I’ve had my share of buying and selling equipment trying to get that perfect “kit” for my passion of birding, wildlife, floral photography. I am not what you’d call a professional but I have had a show at a local gallery and have sold some of my prints. I have stuck with DSLRs for the most part...but was once pulled to the mirrorless side by Fujifilm when their X-T2 was released. I loved the ergonomics of that camera, the EVF, the weight (although with the 100-400mm, the difference was minimal) and the quality of the images I got in MOST situations. My concerns were with the AF performance for BIF (which very well could have been improved by firmware updates since then) and most noticeably the battery life EVEN WITH the addition of the battery grip.
So, here I am a few years later using two awesome Nikon DSLRs (D850/D500) and some beautiful glass and I’m getting that “itch” again.
I’m not asking for you to tell me that I should or shouldn’t switch because we all know that doesn’t work.
What I’d like is to hear some REAL detailed feedback from any serious bird/wildlife photographers about their experiences with any mirrorless systems that do or do not live up to the hype and do or do not compare to their previous DSLR setup.
Really hope this doesn’t turn in to a big debate. Just some good conversation would be nice. Thanks!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

You already answered your own question. You tried that route once and went back to dslr - and short of the "PRO" body you have Nikon's top cameras in full frame and crop sensor. For birds and wildlife the lens is such a big part of the size and weight that the camera body becomes almost a non-entity. And any mirrorless will require you replace all your lenses (well rumor is Canon is working on a mirrorless FF with EF mount, but you are Nikon) unless someone makes an adapter and those are never 100% satisfactory - many do find them "good enough" and learn to use/like them - but not everyone. Will you be one of those who adapt or one who is discontented? Finding out can be expensive.
You have great Nikon cameras and lenses.* Is the small weight & size difference of the body worth it? Or will a few ounces make it that much easier for you to be worth the expense?

My Opinion: let other people try out the new mirrorless bodies or even the ones available now and learn from them before making a decision. Your bank account will thank you.

*Note, I am a Canon user and I say you have great cameras and lenses now.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

This is a real good question Laura !.....I only have experience with one small niche in the Sony world - but it has LARGE consequences - IMO.

I shoot Sony and Canon. My biggest attraction for the Sony was the Clear Image Zoom and the EVF. You have to be shooting JPEG to use the 1.1-2x CIZ- but that is fine with me as I do NOT shoot raw. I had the Canon 300 2.8 and used it on a Sony body with 2X CIZ and then shot the same subject with the Canon 2X extender. I looked at the renderings. They were slightly different looking but I cannot say one was any "better" than the other in a blind testing. But, with the CIZ there was no light loss - and no DOF loss - there was no "compatibilty" issues, it turned my 300mm into a 300-600 2.8 zoom, and it was FREE. This was a game changer for me !

So, I got rid of the big/heavy/expensive 300 2.8 and got the Sigma 100-300 f4 (in A-mount for the A77II) So, now the Sigma gives me 100-600mm f4 with the CIZ.

Now, you can shoot raw and crop and use some pixel enlargement software on your own - but I am NOT that person ! The less computer work I do the better I like it !

The bottom line to all this is - with a high MP crop sensor OR full frame and using optimum resolution techniques, you can crop your way to longer focal lengths by using smaller/lighter/cheaper/smaller aperture lenses and still retain respectable image quality - and Sony (mirrorless) makes this the easiest way to do !

I cannot really speak to the Sony AF, because I use the older A77II and all my lenses are the older screw drives - That is why I retain my Canon equipment - for the superior AF systems (with the lenses I can AFFORD).

Sony A77II and Sigma 100-300 f4 @300 f4 with 1.7X CIZ (510mm)

(Download)

mikee

Hobbyist, and relatively new to the hog. No experience with mirrorless. I've got a d7200 and D500; using only nikon lenses. Not trying to redirect you question, but would appreciate your input.

My best are 70-200 f2.8 vr; 12-24 f4;105 D f2.8 micro, and 200-400 f4 vr1). Only the 105 seems "tack sharp". What are you using that you consider beautiful glass? I have tried a bunch of lenses that I'm unhappy with.

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

I currently use the 200-500mm on my D500 and love the IQ I’m getting. I feel it’s better than the Canon 7DII/100-400mm II that I had used prior to my mirrorless foray. Have thought about the Nikkor 500mm f4 which is also highly regarded. Always saving up for it but not sure about the weight!

Bill_de Loc: US

I like the 200 - 500 on the D500. Wanting something faster, and in anticipation of eventually getting a D850, I went with the Nikkor 400 F/2.8.

I like the higher shutter speeds and shallow depth of field it allows. But my hope is that with the wider field of view and the option to crop more my BIF shots might not suck as much as they do now.

Once I get a D850 I'll see if I was thinking straight.

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crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Canon Shooter here.
D850 AND D500 are rock stars in Nikon.
Only switch GAS for me would be the A9 with no blackout, no jello when using silent shutter, crazy buffer (won't quit) and 20fps. That 20fps is pretty attractive for Wildlife and sports...

...otherwise, you already have the best bodies to cover all your photo needs.
...the D850 made me wanna cry when it came out but it was still not enough to make me switch from my 5dMkiv (have too much glass)

A9 spec got the tears flowing again.

..waiting to see if Canons FF mirrorless is even remotely competitive. (The latest canon FFs were barely competitive for stills and almost useless for hybrid shooters due to codec despite awesome DPAF)

My advice, wait to see what Nikons FF Z6 Z mount adapter performance for accurate and fast AF and FPS looks like....

Load up on the antacid and keep shooting with your 2 gorgeous Nikon bodies :-)

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

The trick will be what happens when Nikon announces their new mirrorless next week. If the adapter is seamless, you'd have access to all of Nikon's glass with no hit in performance. If the body can perform, then I'll probably start using mirrorless for my wildlife work. I used to sort of snub mirrorless, but the more I see and play with them, the more I can see the advantages over DSLRs.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Laura, Scratch the itch and enjoy what you got. You have awesome bodies, and beautiful glass. Get rid of the GAS also. Gear Acquisition Syndrome. In a rational mode, the lens is the key for Bird/wildlife. The difference in weight between your D850 with your longest telephoto in insignificant compared to Mirrorless.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Laura - (grinning) I suggest you ignore next week’s announcement. First efforts are inevitably imperfect and flawed. Since you appreciated the Fuji X-T2 at one time but may not have chosen quite the right Fuji lenses (others are in the offing), I suggest you explore the Fuji X-H1 (in the news today) or wait for the Fuji X-T3 due out in November. Here is a link to the Fuji Rumors site which will have all the news. Good luck. — Ralph

https://www.fujirumors.com/

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Excellent image.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Simple answer, not in a million years!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Sony, has the fastest autofocus on the planet, with their hybrid phase/contrast detect AF system. My only hesitation is the system behind the great cameras Sony makes - there isn't much as far as OEM lenses with native support, though you can always get an adapter from Fotodiox or Metabones to improve your lens choices.

As for Nikon's mirrorless cameras, I would wait at least 6 mos if not longer - this is new territory for them, and there are bound to be some serious hiccups for the early adopters. I do own several Nikons and a boatload of lenses - but I also own Sony's very impressive RX10M4 which continues to impress me every time I use it. Sony's A7R II and A9 are total monsters in the resolution and AF performance realm. Now, if they only had a faster, longer lens than a 100-400 F4-5.6, I'd need to order a case of the product shown below.

As far as that itch is concerned this ought to do the trick:

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Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

It would be great to be able to use the glass I have. Thanks Steve!

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

Good advice...sticking with what I have for now...