drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

I have a collection of Nikon DX lenses for my D7100 but also a handful of FX lenses for it and for my F6 which is a truly great film SLR. I recently bought a Z6 with the f/4 24/70mm Z mount zoom when they were on sale. Nikon discounted the ZTF adapter from $249 to a very reasonable $99 if bought with the Z6. The zoom is an excellent lens especially for a “kit” lens. So far I’ve tried my F mount 85mm f/1.8 with excellent results and easy operation. I’d say to the OP that any of your modern Nikkors should be fine. I haven’t tried any of my “non-cpu”
(AKA Ai) lenses with it.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

I'm confused about the objective here. Market winner, technically best or suitable for one's photographic needs? I think the fastest way you can drain your savings (other than being scammed) is chasing technology.

Najataagihe

We are not marginalized.

We just ignore those who are not happy and want us to be unhappy, too.


My cameras work for what I do.

I don't give a rat's tail about someone else's opinion, unless they are a paying customer.


And, it is fun to watch the technobois run around in circles concerning themselves with irrelevant minutia.

I don't CARE that a Brand X is microscopically "superior" to my cameras, as my cameras do what I want them to do.


Whether or not Nikon survives is irrelevant, as my gear is bought and working.

When they stop working, EVERY camera maker's wares will be better and I will choose from what is available, then.


It may be Canon, it may be Hyundai or it may be John Deere.

The ONLY criteria will be, "Does it do what I want it to do?" and "Does it give me the best cost/worth ratio?".


A LOT of today's Wunderkameras and Wunderlenses do not meet those two criteria.

It doesn't mean they are not wonderful.


But, why buy a Bentley, when what you need is a pickup truck?

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

The best camera is the one that one can comfortably afford. The best collection of lenses are most often out of one's financial reach.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I would caution you against placing too much weight on any advice received on any forum around which camera to buy. You will have noticed the broad range of responses that you have received, many of which are in direct conflict with many others. That should indicate to you that certainly not all of them can be true, and the difficulty is in knowing which ones, if any of them, to believe.

I have been doing photography for 60 years, and have been an engineer for 45 years. One truth I have learned is that it is folly to make important decisions based on what one thinks might happen in the future. Most of the time, making a decision based on what works well for someone else has or does is also dangerous. (Look at the airline companies that have tried to become successful by copying pieces of the Southwest Airlines model.) And...no matter what anyone here says, camera equipment to support a hobby IS NOT an investment. It is an expense, and should be made with no expectation of getting anything back for it down the road.

My position (which is certainly no more trustworthy to you than that of anyone else) is that the new mirrorless camera systems are pretty nice, competent systems. Given that their main purpose for the manufacturers is to simplify manufacturing processes and reduce costs, they are really pretty decent products. Many people here swear by them and believe very deeply that they offer important new features to drastically improve their photography. I do not find that to be true for me. I find them OK, but not worshipfully impressive. That may be because of what and how I shoot, but for me, there is no reason to dump what I have and switch. If I were still using my D200 and a kit lens or two, that wouldn't be the case, but that's not where I am. Switching to mirrorless would provide me with a couple of incremental improvements, but at the cost of giving up many things that are better.

My suggestion is that you read carefully about any camera or system that you are thinking about buying in to. Visit a store and try out the one you are considering and several others as well. $6-10k is a lot of money to spend "sight unseen." Weigh what it can do against what you need and want and against what other options (including the D7500 that you have now) can do. Make your choice based on that. Remember that very few people buy a new car then go around talking about all of its weaknesses and shortcomings. That's also pretty much true about cameras or any other significant purchase.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Nikon’s Z7II and Z6II both are probably a little faster focusing than your D7500. The Z9 should be a game changer, but Nikon is already making some excellent mirrorless cameras.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you were serious in worrying about Nikon's demise, why don't all your signature lines all include every incremental and insignificant update? They should include both the D7100 and the D7200 and then the lower pixel D7500 and then the D500 so you could have less pixels but a 2nd slot.

And then 24MPs of full-frame glory with the D780 on top of the same 24MP of the D750, on top of the 24MP of the D610, just without the oil spots of the D600. And when Nikon comes out with 24MP without a mirror, you need both the Z6 and the already Z6II. And all that was just some of the 24MP options, skipping the 24MP options of the D5xxx and D3xxx duplicates, as well as all the higher resolution duplicates.

You've got to put your money where your mouth is as in making purchase actions in support of Nikon that are far more important than words and thoughts and well wishes. Filling your shopping cart is so much more effective to keeping Nikon afloat as compared to posting to UHH about how the world should be.

Bill_de Loc: US

Probably a little faster! That clears things up really well.

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SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Outside of the new flagship A1 there’s not much of a gulf between Sony and Nikon mirrorless. The Z9 should put Nikon right there with Sony. They had a big head start but both Nikon and Canon are catching up quickly.

User ID

The things that make the real differences are nowhere to be found in the full spec sheets nor in most hands-on “reviews”.

Rockwell often points out some of them but basically you wind up discovering them after the return period expires.

forensics7 Loc: Davidson, NC

I have the Nikon Z6 with some Nikon lens I use with the FTZ adaptor and a couple of Z lens. I am very happy with the FPS and shoot lots of bird photos and action sports photos with it. Not thinking of the Z9 yet since I haven't had this one long. I think someone replied to you to stick with what you have and be happy with it unless you have a ton of money or need to switch to Sony. I think some people have to be happy with what you have even though I might love the best or most expensive Nikon D6 I don't have a need for the best and most expensive.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Was going to say the same thing Bill, but you beat me too it. Jerry is one of those who constantly shows his complete lack of knowledge of the facts because he constantly quotes other sources that are often also incorrect. (Sorry Jerry, but you do this a lot. I suggest you gather your own facts, at the MFR web sites, BEFORE you make statements that are not correct. While you admit to not owning ANY Nikon mirrorless, you have provided abundant comments you portray as facts while lacking knowledge of same!)

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Both of which work flawlessly on my Nikon Z6 with FTZ adaptor!

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

All mirror-less cameras from all three have auto focus problems on low contrast shoots with Nikon being the worst. I found this true for both macro and wildlife photography. http://rayhennessy.com/blog/2021/06/07/nikon-z6ii-for-wildlife-photography-follow-up-thoughts

gouldopfl

One issue I have with the Sony is their menu system. It is just inferior compared to the Canon menu system, even a couple of generations back. The new Canon R3 will have a newer updated menu system. I believe the Canon R5 and R6 also have a better menu system than the Canon R.