Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

This is my 2nd post, and I have truly gotten to enjoy all the other postings. I look forward to receiving and opening this email every day. So, I need some help/advice. The majority of my photography is shooting grandkids sports and school events and landscapes. I currently use a Nikon D7200, and my lenses are the Sigma 18-35, 1.8; the Tamron 24-70, 2.4; the Tamron 70-200, 2.4; and the Tamron 18-400, 5.6. I also use the Tamron 150-600 at times and the Nikon 105 for macro photography. Typically, when shooting a soccer or baseball game outside, I have great success with either the 24-70 or the 70-200. I can get some really sharp images. On a cloudy day I might have to adjust the ISO a bit, or even go to Auto ISO. But there is almost always enough light outside. However, when I go indoors, it’s a different story. I will shoot in a variety of gyms and trying to freeze movement, at a basketball game for example, is really difficult. And going to a higher ISO for those types of shots just doesn’t give me what I’m looking for. I almost always use a monopod or tripod when I shoot indoors.

The question, then, is: Would I have better results with the Nikon D850? From everything that I have read so far, it seems that the D850 is better designed for the type of indoor photography that I like to do, and landscapes as well. I would really welcome any and all advice. Thanks!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I would stick with the D7200.

I have the D7100, D500 and D850 with good lenses and while I enjoy them, I just don't see the value in pursuing other cameras when you have the D7200.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

For the images you make, the 850 is the best Nikon camera available.
If you are looking to make the best images possible, and you can afford the 850, why limit your potential with a lesser camera?

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

Thanks, DaveO. Appreciate the quick response.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have a D850, and it does a wonderful job in low light situations. I routinely shoot at 2000 ISO with results very similar to my D300 at 400 ISO. Very good color rendition and low noise. I also use 4000 and 5000 ISO to do night sky photography with exposures around 30 seconds or so. And it is possible to go a couple of f stops higher, if necessary. The D850 is a big, heavy camera, though. It's a little taller and quite a bit thicker front to back than similar models. It does not have a pop up flash if you are a situation that suddenly calls for one. Finally, the price is pretty steep.

A similar choice would be a D810. It's about the same size and weight, and for what you are doing, close in performance to the D850. (Others will argue, but the two really are fairly similar.) The D810 does have a pop up flash. There are a lot of them available used right now for quite a bit less than the price of a new D850. I believe that the D810 controls are better arranged than those on the D850, but the D850 does have a tilting display and some lighted buttons. The 850 also has some fairly important enhancements to its video capabilities, if that is important to you.

I have both of these, and right now, the D810 is still my overall favorite, although there are some very useful new functions on the D850.

You will probably get a lot of other suggestions around your question, but these are my comments.

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

I have the D7200, 750, and 850. All have their advantages. IMHO you will have better high ISO with the D750, as well as a much lower price, if that is your main objective. That said, since I've had the D850 (about a year now), I've used it 95% of the time, mostly for the crop advantage on far shots and the high ISO is also amazing. It lacks the U1 & U2 settings of the other two cameras which I do miss, and I find the menu easiest to use on the D750, however, once set up, I make very few changes on any of them.
I assume you are shooting in Raw? That would be a big help in PP for adjustments.

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

Thanks.

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

Yes, I always shoot in RAW. And use Lightroom for any post production. But I have yet to upgrade from
Lightroom 6, so if I do go to the D850, I will need to go the LR subscription route because I don’t think my current version supports the D850.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

D850 without question.

Haydon

You might want to check the following link.

https://www.productexpert.com/best-low-light-camera/
https://www.theolive.com/reviews/best-low-light-cameras/

Remember, people are going to patronize their own purchases.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I was trying to be objective, particularly if someone has not "optimized" their existing camera. I don't believe that any will dispute that the D850 has more capabilities than a D7200, but to what extent will they be appreciated unless its capabilities are exploited. How much of an improvement will be noticed? Is it worth $3500? All personal stuff...some just want to have a great tool in their arsenal.

Haydon

Dave, if anything I agree with your choice. Your opinion was well rounded. If the OP is hooked on FF I think the best value is a D750 for low light.

Many endorse their own purchases that may not be optimized for the intended use of the OP. I'm sure a 200 F2 isn't on the table :)

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

Haydon, thanks for those 2 links-very interesting. The D750 might be a good alternative. There is a camera store in Milwaukee selling the D750 (body only)for about $950. I do like my 7200, but need that low light option.

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

Oops, misread that. The price is $1400, and includes a multi battery power pack pack.

Haydon

If you can wait it out I wouldn't be surprised if you see some Black Friday deals on the D750 this year. They always have something at that time of year up until Christmas.