RH-1

Ever since we returned from the solar eclipse trip I've not been able to find my d810. I miss it, but understand nikon is slightly reducing prices on the d850 and d5 (shudder). Anyone have comments on that choice? Aside from the massive price diff? Also does this pricing change say newer models are around the bend?

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I believe a D6 would be likely before a D860... I watched a YouTube video by Froknowsphoto, Jared polin yesterday comparing the Z6, Z7, 850 and D5 and discussing each. It is interesting and you might find it so.

RH-1

Thanks. What little I've read about the Z's hasn't been impressive. I'll check out that video.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

My take away was that mirrorless is the future but today it really depends on what gear you have, what you want to shoot; action/sports vs landscape/low action and how important video capability is to you. I thought the video did a decent job of laying this out for a Nikon shooter at least.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

The D5 FX was considered a premier wildlife camera with a frame rate of 12fps and a high end ISO of 102,400, but only at 20.8mp. An excellent, much lower cost replacement is the D500 DX at 20.9mp, 10fps, a high end ISO of 51,200 and you get a 1.5x crop factor, which is very helpful for wildlife photography. The D5 is not even in the same class as the D850 FX at 45.7mp, ISO range of 64-25,600, and 9fps (with a power grip). Many laud the D850 as the best dslr Nikon has ever made. You get both a D850 (around $3k) and a D500 (around $1.5k) for less than the price of a D5 (around $6k). The D850 and D500 are twinsies, i.e., the controls and menus are virtually identical.

RH-1

Thanks guys. I've found several comparative YouTube videos and I think I'll abandon the d5, in favor of the d850 if I still cant find my d810. I do still have the solar filter. In its case it's a decent paperweight.

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

Both the D850 and D5 share the SAME secondary and separate focusing systems. I shoot birds in flight and wildlife, for me it is about getting close, when I cannot, the MP count of the D850 is the game changer, over twice what the D5 carries. Also be aware the D5 has the AA filter, the D850 does not.
I owned both, sold the D5 because for me, wildlife photography with the D850 gave me more than a fighting change to get well defined images if cropping was necessary.
If I was a football or track and field guy I might have kept the D5. It shoots a faster fps than the D850, but only 3 fps difference. Not enough for me to keep the D5. I got it with a very low shutter count and did not loose money selling it, bought the Nikon 500 5.6 with the money with change left over.

wetreed

You should go with the D500. It’s really a great camera and Nikon has recently dropped the price. The D500 will everything you will ever want from a camera.

A. T.

I totally agree; I have both the D500 and the D850 and I can tell you that in my opinion, they are the best that Nikon has made to date. You get the speed and crop factor in the D500 and the amazing 46mp D850 which will absolutely blow your mind when you see the photos. Both DSLRs are not light weight cameras by any stretch of the imagination and the button configuration is identical on both cameras.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I own both camera bodies and use both heavily. My first choice for sports action is the D5, which is the reason for my purchase. For most other assignments I usually go to the D850. Both cameras are fully capable and share most of their controls, as does the D500, which I also own. If I wasn't a sports action shooter I would most likely have dual D850s. For my work other than sports, I found the D810 more than sufficient but it was severely lacking for sports work IMHO. Best of luck.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I am heavily invested in Nikon with 4 bodies and over a dozen lenses so I am kind of stuck, but I am hearing fantastic things about the Sony a7R4, which is supposed to be out in September. I just might be tempted to sell my gear and go in a different direction.

RH-1

Thanks, all. As I said above, I'm pretty much convinced-- d850. And also convinced that d810 might now being used by someone else. When I do buy the d850 I'll let people know, since that'll be shortly before Nikon announces the next in line in planned obsolescence.

russraman Loc: New York City

I recently stepped-up from a D810 to the D850, and boy I'm glad I did. Go with the D850 for the best all around DSLR camera experience you can currently get, and spend some of the money you saved on some really good Nikkor FX glass.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

How do you save money by spending money... me thinks it is just how much you want to spend and on what...😎

Klaud

I am a surgeon and have been digital for years. I would never go back. The ability to "see" the results instantly is invaluable for framing and magnification. I always get the shot I need and I can easily post process and sort on the computer since I shoot in raw. I'm sure there is something that film can do in some special circumstances that digital cannot but I don't know what it is. The ability to shoot video at the flip of a switch is great for grandchildren etc. The speed, both FPS and ASA, is amazing. You can practically shoot in the dark. Battery life with the optional battery pack is tremendous and it uses the XQD cards and gives 9 FPS . It is a little heavy in that configuration but not unmanageable. The video is 4K but only at 30 FPS. Hardly too shabby, better than your phone and at least as good as consumer video cameras. Tremendously valuable for vacations because you don't need to bring two bodies for that "once in a lifetime" video opportunity. Obviously the lens options are orders of magnitude greater than video cameras or your phone. The F5 and F6 may be slightly more rugged but i don't plan on having my camera run over by a tank or changing lenses in a sandstorm in Afganistan.