DSLR or mirrorless? I apologize in advance if this has been covered ad nausea. I currently have: Nikon D7100 and D810 bodies Nikkor 8-15, 12-24, 24-70, 70-200mm Tamaron 150-600mm I...

Chris Mannerino Loc: San Diego

I apologize in advance if this has been covered ad nausea.

I currently have:
Nikon D7100 and D810 bodies
Nikkor 8-15, 12-24, 24-70, 70-200mm
Tamaron 150-600mm

I shoot mostly landscapes.

I have truly found a passion with photography. I am a lot more than a hobbiest, but not trying to stake a living at photography. I would appreciate your advice if I should buy the D850, or suck it up an go mirrorless? Maybe wait a year or two and see how it progresses? Sony seems to be the over all favorite for mirrorless, but Nikon can adapt my current lenses.

Thoughts?

Thank you,

Chris

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Sell your current bodies. Test drive both Nikon and Sony mirrorless by renting them. Then buy what lights your fire. Keep your current lenses to use with adapters. But by all means go mirrorless!

Dixie Native Loc: Leicester, NC

azted wrote:

Sell your current bodies. Test drive both Nikon and Sony mirrorless by renting them. Then buy what lights your fire. Keep your current lenses to use with adapters. But by all means go mirrorless!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Chris Mannerino wrote:

I apologize in advance if this has been covered ad... (show quote)

Base your decision on what fits your goals. Each brand and camera platform has distinct advantages and weaknesses for certain tasks. With four sensor sizes (medium format, “full frame,” APS-C, and Micro 4/3), you have a lot to decide.

I once used Canon and Nikon dSLRs. Now I use Lumix mirrorless gear. But Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus also make great mirrorless cameras. Canon and Nikon are playing catch-up in mirrorless. Their next-gen bodies will be much more refined.

The D850 is well-refined — if you need a high res dSLR. Do your due diligence...

HardwareGuy

If you aren't set on the sensor size format yet, consider one of the fine mirrorless micro 4/3 models from Lumix or Olympus.
I sold my Nikon D7100 and my lens collection and got the Lumix G9 late last year. It's lighter, more compact, takes outstanding quality images and it's just a blast to use.

Chris Mannerino Loc: San Diego

azted wrote:

Sell your current bodies. Test drive both Nikon and Sony mirrorless by renting them. Then buy what lights your fire. Keep your current lenses to use with adapters. But by all means go mirrorless!

Great advice! I have a shop near me that rents them.

Chris Mannerino Loc: San Diego

HardwareGuy wrote:

If you aren't set on the sensor size format yet, consider one of the fine mirrorless micro 4/3 models from Lumix or Olympus.
I sold my Nikon D7100 and my lens collection and got the Lumix G9 late last year. It's lighter, more compact, takes outstanding quality images and it's just a blast to use.

I mostly shoot full frame landscapes.

Joe Blow

Chris Mannerino wrote:

I mostly shoot full frame landscapes.

Then stick to a full frame camera. There is nothing wrong with a Nikon 810, it's a great camera.

My personal preference is to stick with DSLR, mostly due to the optical viewfinder. If the electronic viewfinder doesn't bother you then your decision becomes a lot harder.

The weight difference is minimal but might be noticeable using smaller lenses. Carrying extra batteries might also mitigate that weight difference. Having to also add a converter to adapt the lenses would also add weight.

If it was me, I would keep the camera and invest in a new lens or two and maybe a camera bag or tripod. A new camera won't take better photos, but a new lens can.

Good luck.

selena18

I think you are already used to with your DSLR camera so size and weight are not only considering things for buying mirrorless camera for you. If you consider image stabilization, battery life as well as lenses and accessories DSLR will be the right things for you. But in video quality and shooting speed, mirrorless cameras are quite a better than DSLR. So, both are great for different reasons. Just figure out which one will be the best fitted for your needs.

Chris Mannerino Loc: San Diego

Joe Blow wrote:

Then stick to a full frame camera. There is nothin... (show quote)

Thank you Joe,

I think that you should win the award for best answer ever! I appreciate your honesty, and agree with the new lens approach. I am looking at a 300 prime.

I don't want to keep up with the Jones. but I am my own worst critic. I want the sharpest image, and I understand that mirrorless is the wave of the future. I am contempt with what I have. I am not sure of making a jumping up, or wait and see how things develop (yes, pun intended)/

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Chris Mannerino wrote:

I apologize in advance if this has been covered ad... (show quote)

I suggest you rent a couple mirrorless kits and try them out. Then you will know for yourself which you prefer.

You say you mostly shoot landscapes? Looking into medium frame might make more sense than a horizontal move in 35mm format. Who said you had to stick with digital? There are some great sued medium fame film camera kits available for less than the current mirrorless cameras.

Dean37 Loc: Fresno, CA

I am not convinced that either one is better than the other. Many pro photographers can take the simplest camera and take photos that rival their efforts with the high end gear. The camera is only a light tight box that keeps the electronic sensor (or film) from receiving light other than what comes through the lens. The lens is what determines the light that gets to the electronic sensor (or film), and how it is focused.

Joe Blows recommendation about getting a new lens seems to be the right idea. In any case the lens should provide what you are looking for, for now.

I am sure you have been bitten by the GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) as most of us have been. Other than improving your technique (who am I to talk), the lens does as much or more to improve your photos.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

I also have a D7100 and D810 along with a D200. The D810 is a fabulous camera and does a lot more than I have a need for. I'd go along with purchasing another lens to aid in taking better photographic landscapes. Master the equipment you already have rather than buying a newer body as it will not improve your photo techniques for a better photograph. Go out and enjoy your photography.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Sorry, duplicate.

Chris Mannerino Loc: San Diego

JD750 wrote:

I suggest you rent a couple mirrorless kits and try them out. Then you will know for yourself which you prefer.

You say you mostly shoot landscapes? Looking into medium frame might make more sense than a horizontal move in 35mm format. Who said you had to stick with digital? There are some great sued medium fame film camera kits available for less than the current mirrorless cameras.

Thank you, I enjoy the full frame so that I can crop down accordingly. I am weighing on whether to make the leap, or wait it out. Great idea on renting first.