Hbuk66 Loc: Oswego, NY

I would get the Sony a7RII, because it produces photos that do not need any post processing...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Mirrorless is the future .....and Sony leads the way .

..

al13

Ted d Loc: Green Valley, AZ.

Look at the nikon Z6 and Z7 b4 U decide

BrianFlaherty Loc: Wilseyville, CA

I love you guys. . ALL of you! And, this morning's "digest" was another example of why!

Let me count several of the ways I "love" you:

1) You did yourselves proud in ANSWERING the question posed by a new guy!
2) You also did yourselves proud in providing information for a "Not so new guy". . .Me!
3) And, gave me some things I should look up; and, "refresh" MY own knowledge. . .

On the "topic question" . . .allow me to throw in a comment or two relative to my own "Experiences in Photography" that may be helpful to our new guy:

My son was born in 1962; and, I "needed" a camera to take "baby pictures," etc. . .My brother-in-law had a Rollei TLR; and, he showed me some really nice photos of his family (the sole reason for his "picture-taking"). Poor as the proverbial "Church Mouse," I bought a Rollei "knock-off". . a Yashica Mat . . .served my purpose quite nicely,

In 1968, I decided I wanted another camera ("She" had gotten the Yashica in the divorce). I asked a friend, a "professional" photographer for advice. . And, he came through with words I've never forgotten. . ."Figure out what you're gonna use the camera for; and, buy the BEST!" . . .He also gave me his reasons: "If you buy a "cheapo" camera and find that you really don't care much for taking pictures, you're gonna kick yourself for wasting money on something you're gonna toss in the trash! If you've bought a GOOD camera you can probably sell it and get even on what you've spent. On the other hand, if you find that you REALLY like photography, you can keep what you've bought and begin adding to your "system". . .And, feel pretty good about being "so smart!". . .And, having the "foresight" that you didn't waste your initial investment!"

With Ken's words in my mind, I went to a first-rate camera shop in Chicago, and, with my "Student Loan Money" I bought a Nikon F; and, a Nikkor 85mm 1.4; and, a used Porsche. . .Which gave me some pretty good pictures; and, even more pleasure . . In 1982, I changed professions, and became a litigation consultant and "forensic" expert on Defective Construction and Personal Injury cases; and, had to provide photographic "evidence" of my findings to judges and juries in court. Over the years, I had added a F-3 (to supplement the "F"); kept the 85mm; and, added a Nikkor 24mm and Sigma 28-300 for longer shots (On a trip to England in 1973, I found I "needed" two camera bodies so I wouldn't have to change lenses <smile>)

When digital came out, I "fought" the "Lure of GAS" as long as possible. . .and, finally bought a D90 in 2008. It had the same "feel" as the 35mm Nikons I had been using for 40+ years; and, it was a pretty good camera for the "pleasure" photography I was doing since my retirement in 2001. A few years ago, I was offered a D7000 and a D7100 for "such a deal" I could not pass it by. .And, now, I am shooting with that "old" D90; the "old" F3 (when I want to shoot film); the D7000 and D7100. . .I still have that "old" Nikkor 85mm f1.4 (purchased in 1968) and, the Sigma 28-300mm; and, have added a Tamron 28-300mm; a Nikkor 500mm; and, a Sigma 16-35mm. . .All lenses fit all the cameras. . .And, I have a nice LowePro "big" backpack (If I want take "everything'); and, pair of LowePro holsters on a Home Depot tool belt, for "walkabout" with one or two camera bodies.

And, I've never had remorse about buying anything <smile>! And, surprisingly, did not require a 2nd mortgage on the house!

Whoops! I think I rambled a bit. . .

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I would go with a crop sensor model. You get more reach for the telephoto range and lighter lenses and bodies. Plus a bit cheaper.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

They make a lot of great cameras today. I would not rush into it, as others have said. I personally would recommend you invest some time and go to a camera store and pick up and handle different brands and models of cameras. I had a friend who just bought, on line (because he knew what he wanted) and found he is now uncomfortable with it because his hand is too big and hits buttons un intentionally.

Have fun

Kuzano

In my opinion, and reading your last paragraph very carefully, that paragraph precludes Full Frame. Almost all your desires there point to the reach and lens prices of crop sensor. I'd be careful on taking on the huge costs of long lenses for Full Frame, not to mention the weight of hours of hiking and transport of the whole kit.

The only two reasons for full frame are printing large without cropping and low light shooting. If those two characteristics of your photography are not paramount, go crop sensor. the birds, and wildlife point toward needing more reach than you will get from FF, with quite spendy lenses to achieve those points. I suggest you price out a very complete birding or wildlife kit, plus landscape requirements.

The price will be in second mortgage territory for many. I put no value in what teachers say about anyone persons particular needs. After all, they would love to spend your money for you.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I wouldn't let a bunch of strangers from UHH help you decide. This is something you'll have to decide for yourself. Since you are going to classes, I'm sure you see all kinds of cameras there. Ask about the cameras that the other students bring in. See if there's something there that you can see, feel and try in class and ask questions like what they like or don't like about their camera.

Kuzano

In my opinion, and reading your last paragraph very carefully, that paragraph precludes Full Frame. Almost all your desires there point to the reach and lens prices of crop sensor. I'd be careful on taking on the huge costs of long lenses for Full Frame, not to mention the weight of hours of hiking and transport of the whole kit.

The only two reasons for full frame are printing large without cropping and low light shooting. If those two characteristics of your photography are not paramount, go crop sensor. the birds, and wildlife point toward needing more reach than you will get from FF, with quite spendy lenses to achieve those points. I suggest you price out a very complete birding or wildlife kit, plus landscape requirements.

The price will be in second mortgage territory for many. I put no value in what teachers say about anyone persons particular needs. After all, they would love to spend your money for you.

danersmiff

Nikon Just announced their new Z6 and Z7 mirrorless today.
Hang on, and throw those in the mix before you buy... (just Saying)

Z7 should be available September 27th. The Z6 will be November.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi, I shoot Nikon. I have a full-frame D800 (just about worn out) and a crop format D500 and have owned a few others. I shoot all kinds of subjects, not people too often at this point (prefer subjects that don't talk back! although I plan to start street-shooting) I just ordered the new Nikon mirrorless FF. While any camera can work well for you, some situations are best for differing cameras. When I shoot wildlife I use the D500, which I dearly love; when I shoot landscapes I like the FF D800 for the wider, more expansive shot. Street scenes I'd use the D500, probably for portraits, too, if I did those. Having said all that, the weight of equipment can be an issue at times, as in hiking, so my current gear can be fairly heavy for that and hoping the mirrorless will be lighter and more useful for hiking or long meadow photography walks. It's all variable, which is typical of photography. You need to decide what the most use will be and what your budget is and buy something that works for you personally. Whatever you get will work out as you will figure out what to do when and how to make it work. In a few years you'll most likely want something that you consider "better" so keep that in mind, too. If you get into sports and/or wildlife lenses will become a big issue, too. Enjoy the journey.

trainspotter Loc: Oregon

"Remember, too, when 99% of people look at your work, they won't give a flying rat fink what camera you used!" .....Dilly....Dilly!

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

Excellent advice

Trustforce Loc: Chicago, Illinois

i'm surprised that no one in this thread suggested what to me seems an obvious alternative. Nikon today finally introduced the new Z mount mirrorless cameras, and the Z6 would seem to be a perfect fit for your needs. Full frame with 24 mp sensor, this is the D750 update everyone has been waiting for, but in a lightweight mirrorless construction. Demand for this (and its big brother the Z7) is sure to be high, and given the bottleneck of production, who knows how quickly you could get it. Nikon is bundling the body with a 24-70 f/4 zoom for an additional $600, and since you don't have an investment in F mount lenses, using the lighter Z mount lens makes sense. If I were you, I'd put a pre-order in now, and this will get you in the queue for the Z6, still giving you time to think about the alternatives.

I love my D850, but it is a heavy beast, and has a steep learning curve. I migrated from DX to get a lot more features and control and I have no regrets.