Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

You are making a HUGE assumption here!! And an unsupportable one!!! If the photog is using a tripod, then you MAY be able to defend that!!

MichaelMcGrath Loc: Ireland

I worked years ago for the main city studio here in Kilkenny, Ireland, where Oliver, the best professional of his day in Ireland, could get a clean clear handheld shot at one fifteenth of a sec with a Hasselblad, though of course he took all paid shots on tripod.

VR or IS is not required, definitely not at one five hundredth of a second or more.

My best lenses are primes, I hardly use any zooms since I retired as a photojournalist - though I do treasure the Canon 28/2.8 IS. I also use the tack sharp Canon EF 70-200/4 L IS and the Nikon Nikkor 24-85 VR, the latter not as sharp as the Canon.

Bill_de Loc: US

So, not relevant to this thread



---

b top gun

When I made the progression from D300/D7100 to a D850, I got books by both Thom and Busch as well as using the full printed manual that came with the D850. When I got my D850 I had only a couple of DX lenses, so I borrowed a couple of FX lenses and started with them and the DX on the D850...it was a learning experience until I was able to afford my own FX lenses. I also played with some Nikkor legacy glass, manual focus primes made in Japan that I used on my Nikon film camera, on my D850. Now I have a Z8 and use Nikkor FX glass on it as well as on the D850 and D7100; I like being able to use the 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8s on any of my Nikon bodies. I still like mounting the old manual focus glass on any body and take it out for the day to see what I can capture. I embrace the challenge of learning new gear by actually taking it out and using it. I almost bought a D810 just after the D850 was released; am glad I got the D850 instead. When I go on a Nikon holiday now I have both the D850 and Z8 with; typically one will have the 24 - 70, the other the 70-200 depending what I think will be my subjects for the day.

Amaize

There was a suggestion to look to back button focus. You may find that a good way to start as it makes focusing fairly simple while letting you pay attention to settings, composition and such.

photoman43

The Houston Camera Club is still in existence. So is the Houston Innerloop Photo Club. Houston Photochrome Club shut down about two years ago. There is a club in Kingwood too.

photostephen

A few previous replies mention Steve Perry (backcountrygallery.com).

I purchased a few of his books shorting after I purchased my D850.
Those books were an EXCELLENT investment. I learned how to properly use my D850, and am now very comfortable with this camera.

I recently purchased a Nikon Zfc, and immediately purchased Steve Perry's book for the Mirrorless Camera. Also an excellent investment.

andiamo236

Have had my D850 since introduction. Great and durable camera. Yes, it is heavy.

I have the following FX lenses:

60mm f2.8, 105 f2.8, 14-24 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, 28-300 f3.5-5.6, 200-500 f5.6

I get tired hand holding the D850 and 200-500 f5.6. But I just remembered I am almost 80.

Saxguy Loc: Plano, TX

I upgraded from a D750 to the 850 a few years back. Love the camera. Lots of youtube videos out there to watch. if you have not used back button focus, that is what will take you to a new level of photography. Set the camera up for this and see a new world open up on your shots. Great camera for landscape work. Once you start using this feature, you will never go back. Take you about 30 seconds to realize what you have now stepped up to for framing shots and creativity.

Bill_de Loc: US

---

I am only in my 70's, so don't know as much as you.

But, I know when I am only shooting targets at a distance, the 200-500 gets set aside in favor of the 500mm, 5.6e. It is much lighter and easier to hand hold.

---

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

BebuLamar

Yeah, If I get a long lens it would be a fixed lens and not a zoom. It seems to me when I need long focal length it's simply as long as I can get it. There is no need to zoom back.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Congratulations on your purchase. Got mine about 2 years ago and love it. As far as the buttons are concerned I find them easier to change settings versus using a menu. I have David Busch's book as well as Darrell Youngs's. The best thing you can do is practice, practice, practice. No interest in mirrorless at least for now. The Z8 has the same resolution as the D850. True there other improvements but I have too much invested in glass to switch. I could get the FTZ adapter that adds to the hassle of changing to me. Now if I had $12,000 - $15,000 around maybe,

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Not to argue, but a counterpoint from my use when my camera location is fixed then I use the zoom (200-500) to frame the shot.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

in my experience the 28-300 is not good enough. I used it for a week and then bought the 24 to 70 f 2.8 fl vr at 2.35 lb and the 70 to 200 f 2.8 fl vr at 3.15 lb but I spent nearly 5 times the money for the better glass