VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

I have shot with the D7100, 7200, and now own a D500. All are great cameras in their own right. The D7200 is a very nice wildlife and distant / moving object camera, but the D500 truly puts it to shame. If you want huge buffer size for RAW shots, and lightning fast AF, get the D500. From an image IQ perspective, there was little difference IMO. But, with the increased frame / buffer rates, you can capture more of what the subject is doing and get shots that you would otherwise miss. Many will point to the fact that the D500 is only 20MP. That is fine for the size prints I make... you should consider that in your decision though. I highly recommend the D500.

I have also shot with both the D610 and the D810. I sold my D610 to buy the D810. Honestly, there is no comparison. The IQ on the 810 is much better (colors are awesome), better / faster AF, nicer ergonomics, much better in low light (esp for Milky Way photography), and it feels like a solid piece of equipment (which it is). However, the buffer is non-existent LOL and it is slowwwwww, but for landscape photography, where it takes things literally eons to move, it is a fantastic camera. Would I recommend it for birds and airplanes... only if they are static displays ;)

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I have a Nikon 610. I keep it cuz I wont burden anyone else with it. It doesnt like to start on cold or damp mornings. The battery has caught fire three times and the black finish is coming off all over my hands. The horizon usually is off of level. But then what can you really expect for just $1200 anywho ?

Carl1024 Loc: Kaneohe, HI 96744

do you have someone w/camera knowledge 2 look @ it & see why this is happening?

therwol Loc: USA

Nikon still lists this relic on their web site for $1599.95, though I've seen it on sale for less in the past. This is incredible to me. Did they make a million of them before people found out it's garbage and they're still trying to get rid of them?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Inferior equipment is for inferior photographers.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

The D610 as a complete unit compared to models after it certainly would be at a disadvantage.
For the most part, IE frames per second, buffer and write speed, it would be somewhere in the middle of the pack. Its main Achilles' heel is focus. It is slow in finding focus and the sensors are bunched in the center, as if a low end APSC focus sensor was thrown into a full-frame camera.

But the D610 has a secret. It has the 6th* best sensor (according to DXO Mark) among all the APSC & Full-frame digital cameras.

So it has the potential to create better photos than many other or even newer cameras, if the photographer use it properly and within its designed parameters.

The D610 is like a rusty sleeper car. Sure it may not look good or expensive, but in many races it will take the cake.

https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/

(Download)

therwol Loc: USA

I do understand the sarcasm here, but it doesn't necessarily apply when you're talking about a camera that is a piece of junk. There are some pretty damning assessments of this camera (D610) in this thread by people who have owned and used it. It has dismal autofocus, can't focus in low light and had mechanical issues. One person even mentioned batteries exploding. You could be the best photographer in the world, but you could also be struggling to get this camera to do what you want it to do while the person next to you is happily taking great pictures with their iPhone. The best option for a person on a budget who can't buy the latest and greatest would be to look at Nikon's next generation of cameras, D750 or D8xx, excluding the D850 for cost reasons. The number of Nikon lenses already owned pretty much rules out switching brands.

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$1200 on Amazon. For brand new thaz about right. But theres no good reason to buy it brand new. Used is barely half that $$ and you get a very basic FX Nikon if anyone still uses such gear. Acoarst you can get a a7II for about the same $$ .....

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you can't be successful with a Nikon D610, you probably can't be a successful photographer with any camera ... Alas, who will believe such a clear and true assessment? Even when the same applies to the OP's D7200?

therwol Loc: USA

Seriously, I believe that about the D7200. It's an awesome DX DSLR. The D610 limits you because of the lame autofocus. Why spend money on that? There are some reliable people posting here that have told their stories. I don't think there is anything wrong with suggesting that someone look beyond the D610 if they want an FX DSLR on a budget.

Let's say you're a great driver and love getting away on long trips to go camping. Let's say you get the itch to buy a refurbished VW van from the 60s. It looks cool and turns heads. You load it up with camping gear and 4 adults. Do you think you're going to get over the Rockies in the thing. If your goal is to get over the Rockies, then you don't buy a tool that's not adequate for the task.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I already replied to the OP they'll rue the day of deciding to give up the DX 1.5x crop factor. You are reading and understanding my posts, right?

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Great analogy.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I do understand. Seems like the only reasonable step — based on ny primary needs — would be a D500. Or just stick with what I’ve got.

therwol Loc: USA

Yes. You and I agree that the OP should stick with the D7200 for the crop factor when taking pictures of objects at great distance. You made another statement. "If you can't be successful with a Nikon D610, you probably can't be a successful photographer with any camera ..." I disagree. If you want or need an FX camera and want to take pictures of sports, night photos or BIF, you're going to fail with the D610 because of the lame autofocus and poor low light capability, but you might not have failed with a better camera, almost anything Nikon after the D610. For example, the D750 is one of the best all around FX DSLRs ever made. Hardware can make or break you under certain circumstances. Your skills can't always compensate for hardware's shortcomings.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Yep, the UHH mantra: Success is the photographer. Failure is the equipment.