Metal prints are awesome. I have several. I feel the colors pop better, and they are obviously more durable than prints or canvas. Finally, all the focus goes on the image. No distracting frame.
The Z9 is not better than the D5 or the D6 at high ISOs.
I own 3 of the 4 cameras you are asking about...the D500, D850, and D6. By far, the D6 is the winner in low light by a wide margin. I shoot my son's basketball games in some really poor light, requiring me to shoot at ISO 25,600 to maintain shutter speeds of 1/1000 or greater. My D500 does such a poor job that I don't find the images compelling at all. I bought the D6 exactly for the purpose of shooting in low light, and it's extremely capable. I don't find my D850 very capable over at ISO setting of 6,400 or greater.
Great question, Elliott. I enjoy post processing, or as my wife would call it, "Working on my pictures." I have found (as has anyone who has ever done post processing), that it is a skill, which arguable, requires as much talent as taking the image itself. Why do I enjoy it? I see my photography as much more art than photo journalism. Therefore...I'm allowed to take a very strong image from my camera, and bring it to its best look in Photoshop. I can crop where I want, work with levels, remove distracting or unwanted aspects of the image, etc. And what is left is something that I created from scratch. It's not like the old days where I had to send my images to a lab and they're going to screw them up because their chemistry is off. I control all that now, and that control, from taking the frame, through post processing, to how I want to display the image, is all me. That is very rewarding, especially when people view my work and comment on it.
I don’t notice any difference in using mine except with the D850 I can change between FX and DX. Obviously you can’t with the D500.
Buy all my gear and I'll be glad to flip!
I think you're right about why "mirrorless isn't for everyone." I have a Nikon D6, D850, and D500. I have every lens I will ever need. My images are awesome in most cases, and if they aren't, it's almost always because of the guy behind the camera, not the gear. Why do I need to flip everything to mirrorless at a SIGNIFICANT cost? I'm blessed to have the gear I have, and have the opportunity to use it!
I've been 11 times and never had a problem with my Nikons.
Good answer. Often, money is better spent on better glass. Also, I have a D500, a D850, and a D6. My D6 is better in low light than either of my other cameras, and has a faster shutter speed. But my D850 is still my favorite of the three. Incredible images.
I’ve seen plenty of photographers fail who had great equipment.