b top gun

Have worked my way from a Nikon D70s, to a D80, then a D300 and finally a D7100 before jumping into the very deep end and getting a D850, my first and only FX digital. Have had it for almost two years now, lots to learn about it, part of the challenge I accepted. The only downside is the darn weight of the camera; after a while it eventually gets to be more than I want to carry; three full days and nights at Disneyland in June of 2019 convinced me of that. That is when I started considering something between my D7100 and D850; something preferably FX. Have been thinking about a Z6, now a Z6 II; the snag, I have several older Nikkor manual focus primes from film days; they do OK on the D7100; they do even better on the D850. I enjoy putting one of those primes on either body and going photo op hunting for the day and getting creative. Those primes also do pretty well with taking video. Does anyone know whether those old primes might be compatible with a Z body with that FTX adapter? The other snag, would have to get a Z mount lens, so that gets the investment into any Z system into the questionable to doubtful range. Second option is a D780, the main challenge there....PRICE! I am intrigued by its video capabilities as hyped by Nikon; I especially want in camera time lapse, have enjoyed doing some of those with my D850; D7100 cannot do in camera time lapse video. Third option would be a D750, either a very good preowned or new; the price differential between a new D750 and the D780 is significant enough to make me seriously consider a D750 even though it is older technology. I shoot primarily 'scapes, land and sea; rarely do wildlife or people events or sports. Also do low light and some night shooting. My FX lenses are Nikon 24-70 and 70-200; have used both on both the D7100 and D850. At present the 70-200 is on the D7100. Suggestions???

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you have Nikon's greatest and possibly final DSLR in the D850, what is it you're trying to accomplish with another camera?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

All your AF lenses will mount but not work.
All your old F lenses will mount with various levels of operability.

BebuLamar

YES! Go for it! You have changed enough cameras so why not now? All your lenses would work with the "Zed" although some not fully but don't worry you will buy all the "Zed" lenses soon enough.

b top gun

The downside of the D850 for me is its weight. There are situations when that is not a challenge; others when it is THE challenge. I want the proverbial cake and eat it as well; I want performance and I want light weight.

BebuLamar

The "Zed" body while lighter than the D850 but when you add the lenses and adapter or even if you use Z lenses the weight difference is small. Shouldn't switch due to weight issue.

Eric Bornstein Loc: Toronto Canada

To b top gun
The Z6 is a great camera. I have been moving my Nikon gear for years. D60, D200, D300S, D500 and now the Z6. The kit lens of 24-70 is a constant aperture of f/4. Any Nikon lenses that will work using the adapter. However autofocus will not work, requiring manual focus if the lens does not have its own motor. Here is what I did: I traded in all of my lenses, except an f/4 70-200 lens (has a motor). Kept my D500. The store would not take it as it got damaged in a Black Rapid failure. I then acquired the Z lens 14-30. The Z lenses are fabulous : sharpness, low light photography and night photography. The Z system is much less heavy to transport than the upper end DSLR. I wish that I could upgrade to the Z6 II but personally am not yet ready for the additional cost. Good luck in your decision. No matter what, the retailers want to move their products and will concede to discounts. If you go the Z6 route, ask the vendor to update to the latest firmware. It’s a great camera. Good luck

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You probably want to look instead at a Z50 for the benefits of smaller and lighter in Nikon mirrorless, dumping all the cropped DSLR bodies.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I went from the D7100 to the D780 and am delighted with it but I do recognize that if weight is your reason for the purchase, the Z cameras are lighter. If price is your concern, the new Z II cameras are going to possibly drive the original Z series prices down soon. Give it a little time as you consider the purchase and things may improve for you.

b top gun

Whatever system will work better shooting the Oregon Pacific coast and/or the Columbia River gorge during a winter storm or Lake Superior when the "gales of November" come crashing!!! The question is...how weather resistant is the "Zed" system?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Bill_de Loc: US

Good idea, but I would wait to see if Nikon is going to support the 'Z' 'DX' system with it's own lenses. If you will need to use the full frame lenses you might as well go with a full frame body.

The 2 lenses that were made for the Z50 aren't bad if you don't mind F/6.3 at the long end.

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Most people do NOT mind f6.3 at the long end to save weight.
Especially if the IS is decent.

therwol Loc: USA

There are limitations with any Nikon F lens that doesn't have a motor for focusing. The screw drive lenses (often called the D lenses) will not autofocus with the FTZ adapter. The manual focus lenses do not communicate at all with the camera and would be much harder to use than on the D850 where at least the diaphragm connects to the camera and you can program EXIF data into the camera.

The new lenses made specifically for the Z cameras are said to surpass the F mounted lenses in IQ. The more recent F mounted lenses may be "good enough", but older lenses have limitations.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm

Eric Bornstein Loc: Toronto Canada

The Z50 is an entry level camera and may not have the technology that you experienced with the D850. I’m surprised that Nikon produced the 24-250 (or 200) much of the focal lengths between 24 and 70 have been covered. Obviously trying to woo the customer that wants a ‘walk around lens’ with Ample focal lengths.