Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

I switched from my D850, to the Z9, and the only Z mount lens I bought was the 24-120 f4 S.
As a wedding, event and live music ‘tog, I find that focal range is perfect for me.
The new 24-120 on the Z9, is better overall, than the previous 24-120 f4, F mount, on the D850.
I see a big improvement in my work, with the Z9. I use the ftz2 for my f mount trinity glass, specialty glass and big lenses. The ibis in the full frame Z bodies m akes all these lenses stabilized, whether they have VR or not. If they do have vr, they get the benefit from both systems.
I do indeed see a big difference in IQ, between the two bodies, the Z9 has made a big improvement.
Another advantage, is the absolute elimination of shutter sounds, and the mirror slap, making it easier to be discreet and have sharper images.
I can shoot without alerting or distracting my subjects, if so desired.
I gave the D850/grip to my son in law, because I knew that I would probably never use it again. It had become a third spare body. I kept the d810 with the grip, (because I didn’t need two 46mp bodies), just to be able to use my older D lenses, and I will eventually replace them with z glass, and add another Z9 body.
Since I got the Z9, I think I have used the d810 for only 3 photos.
Be aware, that there is a big learning curve, whenever you switch to a different type of camera.
I found that the Z9 took me a few extra days to “make it mine”, but after that, it has been a pleasure to work with.
If the money is available, and you are serious about your photography, I can recommend a Z8 or Z9, without any hesitation.
FTR: I waited until the Z8 was introduced, before I decided that the Z9 was the better camera for me. I never shoot without a grip, and having the grip inbuilt, makes for a better balanced body.
Also, the battery life is phenomenal. I can shoot 1600 shots, and still have 30-40% of the battery life left. The Z8 can’t use these more powerful batteries.
I never worried about battery life with the en-el18 batteries in the D850 grip.
And although I heard all the hype about bad battery life in the Z9, I don’t worry at all with the Z9 and a single en-el18d battery. Since I can use the same en-el18 batteries from my other gripped cameras, I have plenty of fire power available, and never had a need to use them. The newest battery, the en-el 18D does have a higher mah rating, so they do provide more shots per charge. But the older ones are just fine.
Ymmv
Imho
📸 Regards, Randy 📸

BandeauRouge Loc: usa

I once did the math, and i believe it came out to be z8 is 4,000. z9 is 5,500.

D850 brand new per Nikon website, 2800.

850 gives you 7 fps but z8 gives you 20 raw fps... interesting but not exactly worth the cost.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Not true! there is no way what I see in the mirror is me now...MUST be the future

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

cmceagle

I enjoy the comments and offer a perspective from my experience with Canon. You get an increasing percentage of good shots with increasing experience and knowledge of your camera systems. I used a 7DMkII for six years and had great muscle memory using the button driven camera.. Switching to the R7 mirrorless presented a completely different menu/touch screen managed system. I’m still on the learning curve with the R7 and how to compensate for the differences, some negative, using the camera for BIF. My point though is that after using the R7 for six months, I went back to the DLSR and had forgotten how to quickly use the button controls. While I don’t know the differences between the Nikon DLSR and mirrorless camera controls, I suspect that you will not be able to go back without a loss of proficiency.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Problem is, you can't make the switch by just buying a camera. To gain the performance you list requires at the very least a very large CF Express Type B that you probably were not using in your D850. That plus a lens adaptor will be close to $750. It would not surprise me to learn that F mount lenses (or at least some of them) will not support full 20 fps shooting. They were never designed to work at that rate, and even if they do "work," they may not last very long doing so. Prices for a native lens vary, but all are more expensive than their F mount equivalents.. some by a lot. I need a battery grip. The grip for the Z 8 is a design that I don't prefer (not quick and easy to install and remove) and represents another substantial expenditure. I buy my cameras locally, so sales tax is added to each item.

So no, I do not believe that one can start shooting a Z 8 for $4000.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I happily used a D3S and D800E for many years but would never switch back to a DSLR after purchasing my Z7ii. The Z lenses are superb and the ability to see a preview of my shot prior to pressing the shutter button was worth the price of admission all by itself.

Also, all development is now focused on Nikon's mirrorless lineup of cameras.

A. T.

GREAT response.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Why?
Bruce.

mrozzoo Loc: Illinois

my side of the story..... I have been a retired full-time photographer for 45+ years... I too said "no mirrorless"... I'm done. long live DSLRs.

Having owned most DSLRs that were made...My last DSLRs were 3-D500s body the trinity of lenses and 2-D850s.

I decided to downsize even though I still do side gigs and pleasure shoots. So I sold my D500s and my 200-500mm lens. I did replace the 200-500 with a 500mm pf. Again long live DSLRs.

Then becoming more interested and hearing others' stories.... I told myself if I sold my D850/w grip I'd purchase a Z8, Which was sold fast, and purchased the Z8 and FTZII plus a used like new 24-120mm Z lens. I'll keep the last D850 for backup.

I Fell in love with it and brought my interest and life back into my photography... 3D focus, eye tracking, pre-capture fast, quiet.... all the above and more.

Then Nikon had a recall.... hummmmm... when I purchased my Niko D810 back in its day, it too had a recall... and that camera is still working perfectly for my friend who owns it now. So the recall didn't bother me as much as a brief setback. 9 days.

My FTZ adapter was on backorder... when I got the call to pick it up. I was waiting in line and behind another photographer... his main camera just went down. He was there to purchase a Nikon D850.

I said I had one that I was considering selling. We chatted and three hours later... SOLD. Now first time in my career I only own one camera body. What happens when I send in my Z8 for the recall repair? So... my brains and cash dribbled out. I purchased a Z6II w/50mm 1.8 as my backup. So when I recoup... the 180-600mm may be next if I sell the 500mm PF.

And yes I'm happier.... just to be able to look into the viewfinder to see your image in the bright sun is reason enough.

There is a learning curve for sure.... but it's like getting a new computer to set up or a new car the figure out.

EXCITING TIMES.

Remember... "the clock stops for no one"

do what you want and can, ASAP... tick tick tick...

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

I'm sure I missed probably several others.[/quote]

Thank you for this useful summary. And yes, I'll hang onto my D850.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Is there an actual quality difference in the photos taken by a quality DSLR versus a mirrorless or is it all about one technology versus another? Assume the photographer is of the highest quality.

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

850 gives you 7 fps but z8 gives you 20 raw fps... interesting but not exactly worth the cost.[/quote]

That is just one of the many advantages of the Z9 over the D850.

Trust that there are so many others

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

Regarding going back to a dslr,
after using a mirrorless camera, I had the same experience. I had stopped using my D850 and D810, when I got the Z9.
A few days ago, I picked up the D810, which I used for years, and is now just a second body, I kept it to use the few D lenses, that I still have, but it seemed so foreign to me.
All the buttons were in the wrong place!
And, I couldn’t see all the same information in the viewfinder.
There is such a big generational difference, and I personally think that it is a huge improvement to the user experience.
The ability to remap almost every button, is time saving and has allowed me to grab images that I couldn’t before.
Since I don’t plan on going backwards, eventually I will sell the D810 (I gave the D850 to my son in law) and get another Z9.
FTR: I was one of the holdouts.
I “was sure” that the new camera would not make that much of a difference.
I was very wrong.

I wish I had purchased the Z9 earlier, but I waited until the Z8 was released, and made the decision that the 9 was much better suited to my needs than the 8.
Ymmv
IMHO
📸 Regards, Randy 📸

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The mirrorless if the latest versions do out perform DSLRs.
I went from a DSLR to mirrorless and even my wife who is usually happy with cell phone shots commented how much better the new mirrorless is and greater looking depth in the photos.
Of course I don't buy the latest cameras every moment a new one comes out but any DSLR older than 5-6 years old (Date of introduction, not purchase date) will be outclassed by Mirrorless cameras introduced in the past 1-2 years.
Technology has moved on that much.