Nicholas J DeSciose

850

BebuLamar

A new camera meant a lot more to me than a used one. A just released camera doesn't mean much to me. So I would buy the D850 at the $2500 when it's on sales recently but not at $3300 when it just released nor I would buy a used one.

willy6419

The 850 is a great tool, but it requires very good technic

Love mine but I had to up my game for Tac sharp results

francwoods

So I've read the various tech specs, reviews, and marketing info regarding the target audience for both cameras. I know some have been pushing mirrorless as an option, but I'm not one to jump into the new tech until it gets into several generations. I come from the tech world with 40+ years as SW engineer and tech management, now retired, and really enjoy both the creative and technical aspect of photography.
I've been leaning to the 850 for it's focus on landscape and architecture photography and ability to make large prints. I know I'll need to invest in FF lenses but my bigger concern is what I might need for post-processing and storage.
So, before I get to specific questions here is some other tech info:
I've been using HP Spectra x360 Convertible 15" laptop (i7-7500U CPU @ 2.70GHz, 2.90 GHz with 16GB of memory and 512 SSD). I also have an BenQ SW271 monitor, a 4TB external drive for main photo storage and an 8TB external as backup. I also use Backblaze and Amazon for cloud backup. My workflow uses DxO Photolab 4 and Affinity Photo (I'm not a fan of subscription software!!).
Questions:
Is this enough horsepower to handle the larger 850 raw files?
Do I need to invest in more local storage capacity?
What do I need to read the XQD storage card? (my laptop has a builtin SD card reader)

Thanks all for participating in the discussion. It does help!
https://www.francwoods.com
(all shots with D7200 except Cabo 2021 where I used an Olympus TG-6)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Th XQD cards are for the fast burst speeds of sports and wildlife, not really applicable for landscape. But in an D850, you're buying that feature whether you use it or not, another $80 for a 64GB card. And then either a card reader or USB cable.

Your computer equipment will handle 45MP files.

How large to you want to print? You're already at 24MP. You're already capable of printing an uncropped 24MP image to 30x20in at 200ppi.

Your 45MP image still only gets you to 28x18in at 300ppi or 41x28in at 200ppi.

therwol Loc: USA

Only 1 of the 4 lenses mentioned by the OP is a full frame lens. The advantage of going full frame is going to be mostly lost unless new lenses are purchased. I would imagine, but I'm not sure, that the Tamron 150-600 might function well on a full frame mirrorless camera.

therwol Loc: USA

I have a Nikon D810 and a bag full of lenses. I have no problem with this setup. On the other hand, I think it's fair to discuss the future of such cameras with the OP who may or may not be aware that they're going away, and their lenses (Nikon anyway) are going away as well. If I were starting over, I'd look to the future and mirrorless. I'm too invested in what I have. If I were much younger with the income I had in the past, I might consider starting over, but it isn't something I want to do in retirement.

Bill_de Loc: US

Similar to ...

I have a difficult time understanding why so many here seem so mentally and emotionally incapable of understanding that some of us just really don't care about the PhotoShop subscription.



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larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I agree with Paul that you have plenty of horsepower. I am using an older Dell laptop (e6320) with an I5 several generations older than yours for field editing, but I rarely use PhotoShop. I do have updated BIOS that supports 16GB of RAM (it is a DDR3 machine, and was originally capped at 8 GB), and it works fine with LightRoom, even building some pretty hefty panoramas. The other thing I have done is replace my spinning drives with SSDs (now a Samsung 2 TB EVO 870. I was going to go to a PRO drive this last time, but the main thing it adds is more read/write cycle life, and I figured that this would be my last update before buying a new computer, so chose not to pay 2X the price. I have Samsung's drive management software installed, and it should identify and map around any failed/failing sectors. The RAM expansion did make a big difference. There are a few of the advanced functions in Photoshop that are grayed out, like some of the "warp" functions, but I never do those anyway. I think my upgrade for both the RAM and SSD cost about $325 at Micro Center. (I'm resisting a new computer for as long as possible, because just about all of the new models seem not to be field-upgradeable, and I enjoy playing around inside my machines.)

As far as the card reader goes, I'd suggest waiting until you get closer to getting your camera. The reason is that firmware updates have made the D850 now compatible with CFExpress cards (same form factor, but two channels instead of one) also. The cards that are available in your area will determine what card reader you will need to buy, because they are made for one or the other of the card formats (updated cameras can use them interchangeably), at least as of today. And depending on how you use your camera, the XQD/CFE card can be smaller than the SD card or even completely optional for you.

baron_silverton Loc: Los Angeles, CA

If you are into macro photography, the mirrorless is really much better - the focus peaking really shines in Macro photography.

That said, the difference between the D780 and D850 are distinct and it makes the choice obvious depending what you are interested in doing.

If you are strictly a photographer and you need more than 24MP which most people do not - then the D850 is the choice.

But if you do not need more than 24MP then the D780 has the advantage of being a Z6 in Live Mode - meaning you get the focus peaking and eye detect af and subject tracking and many of the other advantages of mirrorless on your back screen - most of which you do not get on the D850 (although it may have focus peaking - I don't remember).

Either way, the D780 will be a MUCH more competent video camera as well - if you care at all about that or think you will ever get into it.

Since one of your lenses is the 18-400 Tamron lens and is a DX lens you will likely be getting new lenses anyway.

This begs the question why you would not just get a Z6 (you don't need a Z6II for what you shoot - landscape and Macro will be great with a normal Z6)

The Z6 is really cheap now - you can get it with an FTZ adaptor for cheap when you buy the camera so you could still use your F mount lenses but since you will be buying some new lenses anyway get some Z lenses as they are among the best out there now. The Z6 was going for $1399 new recently - that discount may have just ended but you can get into it for at least $500 less than a D780 if not more.

If you do feel you need the MP - the Z7 (first gen) would also work for you and I think you can get this for less than a D850 - or around the same price.

Everyone that goes to mirrorless after a month (if not sooner) of using mirrorless doesn't want to go back - it is the future and it is a better shooting experience.

Good luck.

lensmaster Loc: Chicago

CHEVY OR FORD. 850 or 780.
Both get you where you want go. Both offer basic or high end capabilities.
Is PRICE a factor?
Is WEIGHT a factor?
Is QUALITY OF IMAGE/BIT DEPTH a factor?
Is POST PROCESSING IMAGE QUALITY a factor?
Is Commercial Work a factor, or are you just shooting snapshots and vacation photos?

What do you do with your final images? Display/Sell/Show/show your friends and then just save them somewhere?

There are so many variables and personal choice questions in this that a blanket response is meaningless.

User ID

It’s really ALL about the gear, thaz why the flock keeps parroting that it’s not. Blatantly obvious excessive denial is waaaaaay more revealing than straight out confession.

BebuLamar

I dunno but the ones that said it's not about the gears tend to own the best gears. I wonder....

dick ranez

Consider a D600/610 if you want full frame fast - unless you save much quicker than I do. Your DX lens is not optimal but can be used. If you're thinking long term a Z5 (low budget) or a Z6/Z6ii is a "better" choice. Don't forget you'll need the adapter to use either lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you passed another photographer on the boat during your next cruise, what model will they need to be holding to impress you? There is the answer.