zacksoccer

Looking for advise from all the Hogs. Current equipment base is a Nikon D750 and Nikon D500. Lots of lens ranges to accompany. As I age, I find it harder and harder to shoot BIF for long periods of time with longer lenses. I have used a gimble but am not totally happy with that solution. Am now thinking of changing to a Nikon D850 or a Nikon Z series (probably a Z8). Is there a significant weight tradeoff by going mirrorless and am I trading other benefits by moving from DSLR to Mirrorless format. I know that is the future direction (Nikon just discontinued the D500) but wonder if the 850 will give me more benefits than the Z series. Am not doing any video work, just still imagery.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You have two premium DSLRs, easily expected to deliver superior results for the foreseeable future (aka the next decade+). Full-frame equipment will remain the largest and heaviest, even if newer & lighter weight lenses are developed for the slightly smaller full-frame cameras that don't contain mirrors. BTW, there isn't even a rumor yet for a Z8 model. The D850 gives Nikon's best / final results from a DSLR, primarily a 45MP sensor. The Z7II is nearly exactly the same camera, and sensor size, within a mirrorless package. None of these various GAS ideas are really going to improve your overall results nor address usage issues related to long-term shooting with heavy and large equipment.

zacksoccer

I appreciate your kind and quick response...I will stay the course for now...

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

There is no question that the manufacturers have decided that future equipment will be built to the mirrorless design. There is also no question that there are some benefits provided by that design. My personal belief is that benefits claimed in the area of weight and size have been exaggerated.

Your two DSLRs have different user interfaces. I don't know if that is a big deal for you or not. The Z6 and Z7 have interfaces like your D750. The Z9 interface is like your D500, as is that of the D850. Shooting the D850 is exactly like shooting the D500, but the camera is a little heavier and slightly larger.

I have just started exploring IR photography using a converted D90 that I just purchased. If this develops into a serious pursuit for me, I'll be looking toward a Z8 conversion, provided that it is ever actually introduced and that it has the professional interface of the D500 and D850. The mirrorless design offers very concrete operational benefits in achieving focus while still using the viewfinder when doing IR photography.

No one can or should tell you what camera to buy to meet your specific needs. You will need to investigate for yourself whether any particular camera will address your shooting challenges.

BebuLamar

If you are going to shoot BIF with long lenses going for the Z isn't going to save you much weight.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I agree with all of the above assessments. The real weight in your rig is the long lens, not the body. Remember, to the weight of the Z body you need to add the weight of an FTZ adapter, until a good variety of long Z lenses is available.

For me, the game-changer was the 500 f5.6 PF lens, a sharp very lightweight prime that is much easier to handhold than most of Nikon’s long lenses. Paired with a D500, it is wonderful combo for BIF. If you don’t have this, I suggest it will offer more « bang for the buck » than a new body.

ELNikkor

You need to set requirements before thinking about equipment. Possibilities would be: light-weight, good animal eye-acquisition and following, lenses with long reach, body with IBIS. It could be that your requirements are not yet available, but may be later this or next year. I would think that your current D500 with a PF 500 5.6 will be as close as you can come to some of these parameters, while you wait and see what might be coming down the pipe. (My D750 continues to meet my needs, but BIF is not one of my interests at this time.)

BebuLamar

Going to the Z does give you many advantages except reducing weight.

Bayou

The best way to go (significantly) lighter is to go bridge. The Sony RX10 MkIV is the clear winner there.

The other way is to go Micro 4/3, but that format may have a limited future. Only Olympus and Panasonic offer M4/3.

Nobody makes adequate birding lenses in the DX format, so you're still stuck with huge FX lenses there, though you do get 50% more "reach" which would allow you to use lighter, shorter lenses. I assume you've tried a mid range tele (300 to 400mm) on your D500?

zacksoccer

Domo.

zacksoccer

Yes. And keep coming back to the Sigma 150-600. Thank you.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Simple answer, no, not for shooting BIF with a good telephoto lens. I shoot the Sony a9 with the 200-600 mm Sony, so no weight advantage for using a decent telephoto for BIF.
1. You could purchase a Nikon 500 mm 5.6 PF lens, it is light and very easy to hand hold.
2. There is no Z8 in the future, no Nikon announcement, no Nikon Rumors to solidly support that.
3. The D850 paired with the Nikon 500 PF is a dynamite combination and will serve you well for BIF, and if you ever go Nikon mirrorless in the future, just get an adapter and put that 500 PF on your fictitious Z8.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Excellent advice. Clear, concise, and to the point. I frequently shoot BIF, have the D500 500mm PF combo and think it's absolutely perfect for my usual subjects. You will be retaining the benefits of a crop sensor.

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

Weight will not be a factor going mirrorless. This big difference for me is in focusing at apertures 2.8 or wider, and the eye-focus capability. Your percentage of sharp images will definitely increase. If your main subjects are still objects, I wouldn’t bother with the upgrade.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

DSLRs are not dead, I just wouldn't expect any new models from anyone, but your current cameras will serve you well for some time. Something everybody seems to forget is the advantages for lens design available with Nikon's new mirrorless system and the Z mount. This will allow the future development of better, lighter and faster lenses, but there will be a cost for that to the user. I await my new 400 f2.8 with the built-in TC as it should be about 2 pounds lighter than my current one as well as giving me a 560mm f4 with the flick of a lever. Since my current 400 is my most used lens (checked in Lr) as I am a sports shooter, I am excited for this new lens. On the other side, it will cost me 14k. That and two Z9 bodies is a chunk of change! Best of luck to you.