A lot of discussions here are based around trying to decide whether a new camera purchase is a reasonable and good expenditure or not. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that approach, especially when it seeks to help us make sure that we are using our resources in a responsible manner. Of course, there is an argument to be made that for those of us who are hobbyists or even enthusiasts, none of our expenditures are ever "required." They do not determine whether we have a place to live or food to eat, which are certainly more basic requirements of (and for) life.

As an engineer, though, the most fascinating question in my mind is always the one that asks whether some specific purchase or move is a reasonable "upgrade." The answers are generally even more fascinating than the question, and it is remarkable how many times the discussion will evolve (devolve?) into an argument that completely redirects the energy of the discussion. Sometimes it is pertinent to the original question; many times it is not. What follows is built around engineering decision-making and personal experience. There are a lot of "I's" to remind you of that. Thought about editing them out, but thought that would weaken the story, so left them in.

As an example (but please do not derail this discussion into trying to redirect my solution to answering the question..it's done and I'm happy and opinions no longer matter) there is a currently open around whether a particular new camera model represents a significant "upgrade" over the model it replaced. I couldn't contribute details to that discussion, but could state truthfully that a couple of years ago I faced the same decision around wanting to bu a new camera even though it hadn't been too long since I had bought the model it "replaced." In my case, I decided that there was no way the new camera could be considered as an upgrade to the one that I already had, but that it did make sense as a second body to shoot alongside it. There was at least one response that, without using the words, indicated that if I could not see that the one camera was clearly an upgrade over the other one, there was clearly something wrong with my mental processes.

My point here is that when a camera or lens is being judged around whether it is an upgrade or not, it is critically important to consider where you are coming from as well as where you are going. (It is, of course, also important to try to keep in mind what capabilities you actually need or want, not just what might be available.) As an example using Nikon cameras, I doubt that very many people would deny that a move from a D3100 to a D850 is an upgrade. Going from that D3100 to a D810 would probably be considered an upgrade by most. But going from a D810 to a D850 is more like an upDATE. It might be considered a minor upgrade by some users. We could probably have quite a discussion around moving from a D750 to a D850. My answer there is simply that if that change is not an upgrade to you, then you should just keep your D750. Be assured, though, that there are some of us who clearly see that move as a clear upgrade. The same is true between a D750 and a D780.

So...while I am not a supporter of "opinion as truth," I do believe that situations are different. I am suggesting that there is benefit here in saying "Why" when we give counsel. (As an example, you will never sway me on a camera purchase by ballyhooing video capabilities, but I understand if they are important to you. Built-in flash is also a non-thing with me.) I went from a D300 and D300s to a D810. I guarantee you that was an upgrade and an update and probably two or three other things for which the words aren't coming to mind right now. But when I added a D850, even recognizing its added capabilities, it was really just adding a second body. The real, realizable capabilities of those two cameras are remarkably similar, and I still love and prefer the sound of the D810's shutter and mirror mechanism.

Does all of this matter? Probably not as much to anyone else as it seems to matter to me. But maybe it will help someone along the way.

A lot of discussions here are based around trying to decide whether a new camera purchase is a reasonable and good expenditure or not. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that approach, especially when it seeks to help us make sure that we are using our resources in a responsible manner. Of course, there is an argument to be made that for those of us who are hobbyists or even enthusiasts, none of our expenditures are ever "required." They do not determine whether we have a place to live or food to eat, which are certainly more basic requirements of (and for) life.

As an engineer, though, the most fascinating question in my mind is always the one that asks whether some specific purchase or move is a reasonable "upgrade." The answers are generally even more fascinating than the question, and it is remarkable how many times the discussion will evolve (devolve?) into an argument that completely redirects the energy of the discussion. Sometimes it is pertinent to the original question; many times it is not. What follows is built around engineering decision-making and personal experience. There are a lot of "I's" to remind you of that. Thought about editing them out, but thought that would weaken the story, so left them in.

As an example (but please do not derail this discussion into trying to redirect my solution to answering the question..it's done and I'm happy and opinions no longer matter) there is a currently open around whether a particular new camera model represents a significant "upgrade" over the model it replaced. I couldn't contribute details to that discussion, but could state truthfully that a couple of years ago I faced the same decision around wanting to bu a new camera even though it hadn't been too long since I had bought the model it "replaced." In my case, I decided that there was no way the new camera could be considered as an upgrade to the one that I already had, but that it did make sense as a second body to shoot alongside it. There was at least one response that, without using the words, indicated that if I could not see that the one camera was clearly an upgrade over the other one, there was clearly something wrong with my mental processes.

My point here is that when a camera or lens is being judged around whether it is an upgrade or not, it is critically important to consider where you are coming from as well as where you are going. (It is, of course, also important to try to keep in mind what capabilities you actually need or want, not just what might be available.) As an example using Nikon cameras, I doubt that very many people would deny that a move from a D3100 to a D850 is an upgrade. Going from that D3100 to a D810 would probably be considered an upgrade by most. But going from a D810 to a D850 is more like an upDATE. It might be considered a minor upgrade by some users. We could probably have quite a discussion around moving from a D750 to a D850. My answer there is simply that if that change is not an upgrade to you, then you should just keep your D750. Be assured, though, that there are some of us who clearly see that move as a clear upgrade. The same is true between a D750 and a D780.

So...while I am not a supporter of "opinion as truth," I do believe that situations are different. I am suggesting that there is benefit here in saying "Why" when we give counsel. (As an example, you will never sway me on a camera purchase by ballyhooing video capabilities, but I understand if they are important to you. Built-in flash is also a non-thing with me.) I went from a D300 and D300s to a D810. I guarantee you that was an upgrade and an update and probably two or three other things for which the words aren't coming to mind right now. But when I added a D850, even recognizing its added capabilities, it was really just adding a second body. The real, realizable capabilities of those two cameras are remarkably similar, and I still love and prefer the sound of the D810's shutter and mirror mechanism.

Does all of this matter? Probably not as much to anyone else as it seems to matter to me. But maybe it will help someone along the way.