Elissa.allen21

Hello! I'm new to this forum and am currently looking for a portrait photography camera (preferably a nikon).
I'm thinking about buying a nikon d7500, nikon d850 (not in the price range I'd like but possibly) or a nikon z6. I dont understand the difference much between mirror or mirrorless cameras.. still learning everything.

If theres a different nikon or any tips you'd like to suggest for me, I'm open to opinions and suggestions. Thank you 😊

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

I am not a portrait guy, but it is my understanding that the full frame sensor of the D850 is superior for that type of photography. I know that the D750 is a stellar camera that would work GREAT for portrait photography, and it is currently on sale at most reputable dealers!!! I'd start by looking in that direction.

Best of luck

Elissa.allen21

Thank you for your suggestion 😁 I will definitely look into the d750! The d850 does look amazing! I wish i could just try it out for a little while lol!!

Thank you again!

Alan Wolslegel Loc: Thurston County, Washington

I agree. I’m not a portrait guy either but I love my D750 and with the current sale I believe it is a great value as well as a great tool. It has way more potential than I do 😁

Brokenland

No matter what camera you decide on getting (assuming it's a Nikon) resort to also purchasing a Nikon 85mm f/1.8G strictly use for portraits.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

You can try it out. Rent a camera/lens from lensrentals.com. If you like it you can actually purchase the rental from them if you wish.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

If you get the z6 what you see in the viewfinder will accurately reflect what your photo will look like as to the light and white balance (color). Also, the z6, being mirrorless, is the future technology.

leftj Loc: Texas

You can. You can rent it.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

If you are just starting and doing portraits, the Z6 will do you well. It sets you up for the future. Any shortcomings of this particular model do not affect portraits significantly (except the lack of eye auto focus but that is true for any choice within Nikon) I recommend to anyone just entering the inter-changeable lens market to go mirrorless at this point. While the lens choice may not be there right now, it will be there by the time you are ready to expand you glass.

rond-photography Loc: Connecticut

You can try it out - go to LensRentals.com and rent it (and other cameras on your short list) to see which works for you.
A lot cheaper than buying and wishing you had gotten a different camera!

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

You can rent one. LensRentals, LensPro toGo, Borrow Lenses

ELNikkor

As others have suggested, you might try renting the bodies along with a good portrait lens, (85-105 prime). A lot of wedding and portrait photographers have made their living with the D750, and it is now more reasonably priced than ever. There's nothing like holding and shooting for a few hours with each camera, though, to help you make such a major decision.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I am not a fan of someone on a budget, especially someone new to ILC photography, renting a camera and lens. The cost of rental will lower what is left for the purchase. Also the time it takes for a new user to evaluate a purchase is lengthy. An experienced photographer can evaluate in a day or two. A new shooter will need a week or two.

However, B&H, Adorama and other retailers have very good return policies. You could narrow down your selection to the most likely, order it, use to for several weeks and return if not satisfied. There are limitations, like underwater cameras that have been submerged are pretty much not returnable except for defects, or user damaged items, etc... But that should not be an issue for your use.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The D750 would be a good choice.
We have a local rental place here in Kansas City but they are so popular with wedding photographers, it's hard to get one, so I haven’t been able to try one out. The 850 looks like a great camera, but so much resolution! No one wants the see their pores. It does have the option to shoot smaller raw files though.
I have handled the new mirrorless Z6 and am amazed. Probably my next purchase. I shoot most of my portraits with the 70-200 2.8. More versatile than using primes, but I do have an 85 and 105.
Camera and lenses covered.

The one thing people often skip: What kind of lighting do you have? Are you wanting to shoot inside or outdoors? Studio or on location? If the light quality sucks, no camera or lens (or post-processing) is going to fix it.

A pop-open 6-in-one reflector can go a long way to help with modifying lighting. They are indispensable. Use one to help fill in shadows or soften direct light.

I have Bowens monolights but they are no longer available. You could buy used at pretty good prices. Paul Buff makes some good ones right in the USA. Alien Bee is a budget priced line. Also Honey Badger looks like a knock off of the Alien Bee with some improvements, like Bowens accessory mount and LED modeling light.
Personally, I like my Godox lights more and more every time I use them. The battery powered AD 200 is amazing and compact- great for location shoots. The AD 600 is more powerful (also battery powered). All have built-in radio control/triggering.
I love not having to deal with power cords or looking for outlets.

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

For portraits, any of your choices will work quite well. If you are really splitting hairs, the D850 being full frame would have a noise and sharpness advantage over the D7500, and the D7500 would have an AF point coverage advantage over the D850 (which is not insignificant when doing portraits). The Z6 is both full frame and has better AF point coverage than either of the others and in general has better focus accuracy than either of the others, so it would be my pick -- for portraits.

If you also think you might want to do high action photography like action sports, then the dSLRs (D7500, D850) might be the better choices as the Z6 isn't quite as good at fast focus prediction/tracking.

They're all good cameras, so you can't go wrong.