b top gun

Visited Alaska the last full week of September, my first time there ever. Landed in Anchorage on the last day of summer; the next morning it was officially autumn. With no one except myself in my row I was able to use my D850 to shoot stills and video during the non stop flight from Chicago. Tucked away in my carry on was the new kid on the block, a Nikon Z8; I was not quite ready to commit to it completely, I was still "trusting" the D850. Ever since Nikon went mirrorless, I had dug in my heels and refused to move in that direction, all the while taking notes on developments. Got an invitation from one of the last photography stores in my area; the invitation was for an evening after hours with a Nikon ambassador and his experiences with the newly released Z8. I had some time one on one with him also after his presentation. I drove home reconsidering my position on mirrorless, the Z8 in particular. I also knew by then that my long anticipated bucket list trip to Alaska was coming into focus. The first two days in Alaska I split the shooting between the D850 and the Z8, both had Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 non VR lenses on them. The third day was the ferry cruise from Valdez to Whittier; from that time forward I used the D850 very sparingly because the Z8 just felt like a lot more fun to use. I used my Nikkor 70-200 mm f/2.8 F mount on the Z8 when I wanted extra reach. I also made one system adjustment on the Z8; turned off Auto ISO in favor of an ISO setting of 200 and left it that way until I got home. IBIS allowed me to shoot off hand, mostly at f/10; details out to the corners was very good with images at 100%, in fact better than when that same lens had been on the D850. What I particularly enjoy about the Z8, I like taking monochrome shots (black & whites); with the Z8 I can set picture control to monochrome and see the prospective image in black and white and adjust exposure accordingly. I have yet to shoot in camera time lapse videos with the Z8; that could be a challenge because of battery life. I have shot in camera time lapse videos with the D850, several videos being over 4 hours in length; at about 70% charged I had enough battery power to complete those time lapse videos with the D850. I am glad I had both Nikons for that trip; it was a good test for me and for the Z8. The detail in some of the images from the ferry ride from Valdez are some of the best shots I have ever taken with any camera; clouds were back lit by the sun, there were shadows on the water from the clouds; in a few instances the sun shining thru the thinner clouds altered the color of the water from blue to a subtle iridescent purple. Those subtle colors are visible on the 8" x 12" proofs I had printed on metallic stock. I have not used the D850 since I returned from Alaska. Being able to use any of my Nikkor lens on either camera body is a nice plus for me since I also have several manual focus Nikkors from my film days and all those lenses work really well on the D850. The only Z mount lens I might have an interest in moving forward is the new 180-600 mm, and only if I decide to start shooting wildlife. This is not to say I did not get any potential wall hangers with the D850...I did...the Chugach Mountains on the first day of autumn and Denali from 50 miles way a few days later. I have not "retired" my D850...yet; besides, it has only 24,001 shutter actuations as of a week ago. I am simply having more fun using the Z8 now that I have one.

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camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am still shooting Nikon with old cameras, the D610 and the D7000. I have several lenses for them including the now discontinued 12-24 f4 that I use with both cameras. I have not neglected my cameras and I use them very often. I do not own a D850 but I know very well it is a quality dSLR.

When it came to mirrorless my choice was Olympus M43 system. Small, light compared to a dSLR camera, fits anywhere and the lenses in general are small and light also except for some of their professional lenses like the excellent Zuiko 40-150 f2.8 Pro. I went with the kit lens, the 40-150 f4-5.6 precisely because it is light and smaller in size which I find very convenient. I can take any of my Olympus cameras in a small bag with three lenses and go anywhere knowing I will have quality images if I do my part. I cannot say the same of the dSLR cameras I have, they are bulky, the lenses big and heavy and to carry the camera and a couple of lenses will wear me out at the end of the day. It was easier when I was younger reason why when I travel I take the Olympus but not always.

Now mirrorless is what sells and it is my understanding that Nikon and Canon are no longer into the manufacturing of dSLR cameras and lenses. Indeed mirrorless is very convenient and as you use more and more your Z8 you will eventually put your D850 aside or sell it.
Very soon the second hand market will be overloaded with dSLR cameras and lenses and as to be expected the prices will fall while the prices for mirrorless could get higher. Offer and demand I guess.

In my case I will continue to use my dSLR bodies with the lenses I own.

DL Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl and Island Park, Idaho

If your 850 is feeling neglected I would be willing to use it for a few years.
😁

PaulW128 Loc: Long Island, NY

[quote=b top gun]Visited Alaska the last full week of September, my first time there ever.

Very interesting post. As someone who will probably never be able to afford a D850 or Z8, your experience is nevertheless enjoyable to read.

These days, you either own both dslr AND mirrorless; have decided that mirrorless is way better than any dslr; or have decided that you're getting perfectly good results from your dslr and have no desire/need to go mirrorless.
The bottom line is that they are all great choices!

I own a z50 with the 16-50 and 50-250 kit lenses along with a recently acquired Viltrox 56mm f1.4. For my purposes, it's fine BUT I still feel that pang of missing my D7500. I'm retired with a fixed income so owning both really isn't feasible but what I'm really still drawn to is the D700!! I've never owned a ff camera, all my previous cameras were crop sensor Nikons; D70, D90, D7000, D7100 and finally the D7500 but over the years I've read how there was always something special about the D700; excellent build, something special/magical about its sensor, you really don't need anything bigger than 12mp anyway, etc. This is a camera that I can afford and it's calling me all the time!!

So, am I nuts to even consider a camera from 2008? I find myself constantly changing my mind too; that's a silly idea, even the entry lever z50 runs rings around it OR it would be kinda cool to own a D700 after all the time I've wanted one and I can easily find a really nice lens to use with it.

So, I'm asking the esteemed members of this forum: am I crazy? Truth be told- I'm looking for valid reasons to present to my wife so she doesn't throw me out of the house!

Apologies to the OP for me taking his post in a different direct, it wasn't my original plan!

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

No you’re not crazy, one great benefit of the D700 is the opportunity to use so many F-mount FF lenses. VR isn’t generally necessary because of high ISO bringing up shutter speed, and they’re getting cheap.
They are also perhaps the most rugged camera I have used, and in 45 years of using every camera, that’s saying something., one of mine survived a drop of 4’ onto a highway, broke the lens hood, and that was all!
I have a D850 that did not survive a similar feat, but $340 got her back up and running, I will say that the D850 has truly spoiled me. I shoot med jpegs so the downsizing in camera adds a bit of noise reduction and 27mpx is still plenty.
I also have Oly 4/3, just a brace of first generation Em5’s, great for travel, and fun with different glass such as Voightlander Lanthars, Laowa’s etc not to mention a couple of earlier 4/3’s lenses.
Anyway, get a D700 and have some fun, your photography will improve, they are a joy to use, the AF-D lenses work wonderfully on her as well as the AIS, and the AF-S lenses too of course.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Interesting account. I shoot with the D850 and the D500...with the D500 being my favorite by a small margin. I came "this close" to buying a Z8 a couple of months ago, until the reality of the full cost of acquiring a meaningful system set in. There may come a time when that happens, but not now.

There was an interesting comment above about the market for used mirror box camera equipment. From what I can tell, it is a two-part market. I was fortunate last month to by a well-used but very nice D500 and 16-80mm zoom on this site for a very atteactive price. They are intended as a gift. But when I visited my local camera stores to look for a different lens to include, all I found was overpriced "oddball" choices for sale. All of their mirror box new product appeared to have been either sold or returned to Nikon.

For retailers, at least in my market, the switch to mirrorless is done. The transition period is over. The big downside is that the overall number of choices of what to buy is much reduced. My stores offer two choices... Nikon and Canon...and their display space is shared with the used equipment, which was formerly in a separate area. What used to be camera and accessory selling space has been replaced by wide aisles and open areas. I have always shopped locally first, but most of the incentive for doing that has been removed.

Clearly the market is changing in ways that reach far beyond camera technology.

b top gun

I still have a D7100 and still use it. When I want a little more reach I mount the 70-200 on it. I back up both the D850 and Z8 with the D7100 on occasion. I do not own a lot of lenses; what I have all work well on any of my three Nikon bodies. I've had very little need for an ultra wide angle lens; my preferred personal starting point is 28mm. Have used the 24-70 f/2.8 on the D7100 multiple times; all depends upon the application including video.

I am not in a position financially to afford Z mount lenses for my Z8. So far the lenses I have used on the Z8 with the adapter have given me very satisfactory results. A couple of my Alaska shots are being considered for a triptych presentation; it could be up to 40" x 60". I like having all that data to use especially when I want to do a pretty good crop.

My local store has a lot of Sony gear and other options besides Nikon and Canon.

photoman43

I am glad you like your Z8.

I also shoot with the D850 and a Z9, with Z mount and F mount lenses. I usually prefer the Z9 as I can see exactly what will be recorded by the camera before I push the shutter button.

I suggest you do some additional testing on Auto ISO. I use it 99.9% of the time on both the Z9 and the D850. Depending on what I am shooting, I may be in Aperture Priority with Auto ISO set. Or I may be in Manual priority with Auto ISO set. My shooting usually requires that I focus my attention on the needed aperture and shutter speeds. I let ISO float. With high quality lenses, I usually set aperture to the widest setting or one stop smaller unless I need more depth of field.

More about Manual with Auto ISO here: This applies to some Nikon cameras and may not be exactly the same with other brands like Sony or Canon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFLxYMLsv8I

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I too am are the threshold of selling my D850. Hard decision. I have a pair of Z9 and a slew of f mount lenses. After using my Z9, then picking up my trusted D850, it was an odd experience. The D850 is such a great camera, but LOUD. The functionally of the Z is different, and better. I think my hesitation is based more on my love for my cameras, than letting go of replaced technology.

When I got my Z9, I sold both of my D6. Was really nervous about that. I am now happy that I feel my decision was right to do so.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Just be prepared. The market for top-line cameras isn't large, and there is a flood of supply. At least two of the brick and mortar stores in my market have taken very large numbers of these cameras in trade from their established customers. One of my stores has allocated a large number of perfectly functional traded-in cameras to their repair department as parts donors. Reliable information indicates that at least one big store in Austin is no longer accepting mirror box cameras in any manner.

A visit to a local store here will reveal that the new market switch to mirrorless was completed some time ago...just like vinyl LPs disappeared 35 years ago. Most of these stores do not have space or finances to maintain huge inventory. They really have no need to do so...right now, they can sell all they can stand withput even having anythin actually in stock.

I am old enough to have learned to be not only satisfied but also happy with what I am fortunate enough to have (at least most of the time). It is fun, but also quite sad, to watch the world clamor for the latest iPhone or camera or miracle deodorant.

I am happy that many here are interested and able to pursue "new" things. But it is very sad to think that they will never be truly satisfied with them.

PaulW128 Loc: Long Island, NY

Very well said Larry

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

Bottom feeders like myself are blessed right now, picked up my D850 last year from a local pro for $1k, it’s a hobby for me, a passionate one, but I’m fine with DSLR’s. I’ve also got MFT so mirrorless isn’t something I’m afraid of.
It does remind me of the onslaught of CDs during the 80-90’s. That’s when I got into vinyl, Linn TTs and high end cartridges were selling for Pennie’s on the dollar, mint fine records were cheap, funny thing is I sold almost all the analog stuff a couple of years ago for $$$, all things have their season. Mirrorless eats batteries at least that’s my experience and it seems my DSLRs always are ready to go, my Oly MFT not so much.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The easiest way to make money as a photographer is to sell your equipment.

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

Touche’