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Z9 or not Z9?
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Jul 3, 2022 08:22:48   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
I have a not-so-hypothetical question for this knowledgeable and opinionated group. I primarily shoot birds and sometimes other wildlife, using a D500 and 500 PF. I get good and sometimes great results, and the usual share of unfocused images. With about $6,000 in hand, would you A) purchase a Nikon z9 OR B) take a trip to a spectacular birding location (e.g., Costa Rica). While the ideal answer is « both, » that is not an option for this discussion.

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Jul 3, 2022 08:37:08   #
ksmmike
 
I don't own a Z9, so not sure I can give the best response. I do however use Nikon and did shoot birds with a D850. I would assume the Z9 an upgrade from the D850 for BIF. I would have to consider are there enough subjects to shoot in my local area or driving distance, or do I really need to travel to get good images?

I too get tired of shooting in my local area, but a camera lasts for years. Do you sell your images or do you take them for personal joy? Meaning, can you pay for the trip eventually with selling images from the new location? Or if you get 10 good images is that worth a new camera to you?

Personally, I think I would side with a new camera but then again, I dont know how much of an upgrade the Z9 is over the D500 for BIF. It's really a personal choice. I love to travel and take photos, but that's 2 weeks out of the year at best. Do I have the best camera for home for the other 50 weeks?

Also, if you get the Z9 you will want the new glass. The investment won't won't be limited to the Z9.

Mike

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Jul 3, 2022 08:41:36   #
chemsaf Loc: San Diego
 
I visited Tinlandia in CR in the late 90s. CR is well worth the effort and money. I would stick with the D500 (which I use) and go visit CR.

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Jul 3, 2022 08:43:56   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
ksmmike wrote:
I don't own a Z9, so not sure I can give the best response. I do however use Nikon and did shoot birds with a D850. I would assume the Z9 an upgrade from the D850 for BIF. I would have to consider are there enough subjects to shoot in my local area or driving distance, or do I really need to travel to get good images?

I too get tired of shooting in my local area, but a camera lasts for years. Do you sell your images or do you take them for personal joy? Meaning, can you pay for the trip eventually with selling images from the new location? Or if you get 10 good images is that worth a new camera to you?

Personally, I think I would side with a new camera but then again, I dont know how much of an upgrade the Z9 is over the D500 for BIF. It's really a personal choice. I love to travel and take photos, but that's 2 weeks out of the year at best. Do I have the best camera for home for the other 50 weeks?

Also, if you get the Z9 you will want the new glass. The investment won't won't be limited to the Z9.

Mike
I don't own a Z9, so not sure I can give the best ... (show quote)



Thanks for the comments. To add some detail to the question, I shoot strictly for pleasure, and do not generate revenue from my photography.

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Jul 3, 2022 08:47:28   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
ClarkJohnson wrote:
I have a not-so-hypothetical question for this knowledgeable and opinionated group. I primarily shoot birds and sometimes other wildlife, using a D500 and 500 PF. I get good and sometimes great results, and the usual share of unfocused images. With about $6,000 in hand, would you A) purchase a Nikon z9 OR B) take a trip to a spectacular birding location (e.g., Costa Rica). While the ideal answer is « both, » that is not an option for this discussion.


Have you thought about getting a Sony RX10m4 AND going to Costa Rica and enjoying the trip ?? Use 1.3X CIZ to get to 780mm equi. FOV if needed to equal the 750mm of the 500/500 PF.

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Jul 3, 2022 08:48:40   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
ClarkJohnson wrote:
I have a not-so-hypothetical question for this knowledgeable and opinionated group. I primarily shoot birds and sometimes other wildlife, using a D500 and 500 PF. I get good and sometimes great results, and the usual share of unfocused images. With about $6,000 in hand, would you A) purchase a Nikon z9 OR B) take a trip to a spectacular birding location (e.g., Costa Rica). While the ideal answer is « both, » that is not an option for this discussion.


From what I read and a friend who has purchased a Z7... The Z9 has video capabilities the Z7 does not. The rest is identical. Since he does not shoot videos...

Now if you have the $$$ are drooling and may start shooting video, it is a good choice, onerous but good.

As to the trip, this is your life.

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Jul 3, 2022 08:54:43   #
BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh
 
I have a Z9 and it's a great camera but the way you've phrased the question I would have the choice of sitting at home looking at a great camera or being in a great location taking great pictures (which can be done with the old gear). Go take pictures.

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Jul 3, 2022 09:00:04   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
ClarkJohnson wrote:
I have a not-so-hypothetical question for this knowledgeable and opinionated group. I primarily shoot birds and sometimes other wildlife, using a D500 and 500 PF. I get good and sometimes great results, and the usual share of unfocused images. With about $6,000 in hand, would you A) purchase a Nikon z9 OR B) take a trip to a spectacular birding location (e.g., Costa Rica). While the ideal answer is « both, » that is not an option for this discussion.


The Z9 has essentially the same control layout as your D500. Sensor density is almost exactly the same, so you will end up with just about the same images you are getting with your D500, just with more space around the edges. No new lenses will be required, unless you maybe have some old lenses that are weak in the corners.

If timing and reaction time are among your weaknesses, the faster shooting rate might help you. The extra stop or so of sensitivity might be a benefit occasionally. But you are coming from a strong place, so my guess is that most improvement you see will be either pretty incremental or mostly imagined. Perhaps a little bit psychological. I vote for the trip.

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Jul 3, 2022 09:03:36   #
whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.
 
I would guess that someone who could afford an almost $6k camera plus new quality lenses could probably afford the trip as well. Having said that, I would go for the trip if I already had excellent camera gear. Just my opinion.

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Jul 3, 2022 09:07:28   #
SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY
 
…this is a no brainer…you already have a camera…go travel and experience Costa Rica…

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Jul 3, 2022 09:09:21   #
keeth Loc: Maryland
 
I would invest in an adventure as well. That new camera smell fades fast. $6000 is a heck of a lot of money. If not a vacation spend some money on photography education. If your images are worth selling, print and frame some out and try selling them. Invest in yourself before buying more gear. Just my opinion.

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Jul 3, 2022 09:40:25   #
BebuLamar
 
I can't tell you how you should do. I can only tell you what I would do. I would trade any trip for a piece of gear. I do not value trip at all.

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Jul 3, 2022 09:46:41   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Have you ever held / used a pro-body with an integrated grip? These are large and heavy cameras, even in the smaller mirrorless package. Will it fit your everyday shooting style, beyond birds? Will you feel comfortable lugging around a $6000 in all situations? If it can't / won't be your primary camera, what good is spending the $6000?

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Jul 3, 2022 10:08:41   #
ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA
 
I have a D850 (not yet sold) and purchased a Z9 earlier this year. While the Z9 is superior in many ways I would choose the trip if that was my choice.

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Jul 3, 2022 10:42:56   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
I'm gonna keep my D850. For $6000.00 dollars I can take a whole lot of short trips and have many photographic adventures. I don't see the benefit of a one-time trip for that amount of money. That's just me.

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