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 📸

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

Another Long Island photographer.
Lake Grove, near the Smithhaven mall.

Another Long Island photographer here!

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 📸

It is a terrific eyecup. Funny how something so small is so important, well at least to me.
It is the connection between my face and my Z9, and it is a big part of the experience.
I am surprised that Nikon doesn’t offer one, like the DK-19, which I use on my D850.
The flat thing that comes with the Z8, Z9 and now the ZF, is not what I would call an eyecup!!!

I also want to put in a good word for Mr. Zemlin.
I truly love the ergonomics of my Z9,
although, I did not like the eyecup at all.
Hoodman makes an alternative cup, but it is not round, it has an elongated side, to shield light coming in from the side, and has to be rotated when you switch the camera from landscape to portrait.
Thank goodness for the internet, 3d printing and resourceful creators!
The Zemlin Eyecup is wonderful!!
It’s completely round and very well made.
It is a perfect replacement on the z8 and Z9, (and possibly, the zf).
An eyecup is such a small thing,
but it makes a big difference to me!!!
A big thank you to him for finding a need and making quality products to fill them.

I have a m2 pro, so I am curious about your suggestion that Sonoma will improve its performance.
How do you know this??
Thanks for the info.
📸 Regards, Randy 📸

As previously mentioned by others, camera sales are on the rise.
I guess that means that users are appreciating the new technology and features that are now available.
I don’t believe the manufacturers have trained any of us. When I make a new purchase, I do so, because the new item will enhance my photography. Offer a new feature that lets me get a photo that I couldn’t before, I want it.
If that’s training, then ok!!

Anyway, ask my ex-wife,
I can’t be trained!!!

While I admire your using your using the Nikon F body, for all those years, you missed out on all the innovation that came along with each new body.
Different metering systems, built in motors, auto focus, ttl flash, and so many others.
I like to use the newest and the best. There is no way that I can use every function of my camera, but regarding the ones that I do use, I want the fastest focus, the most accurate exposure, high frame rates, etc.
there is no question that the F camera can still do what it did, back then, today, but…
As for me, give me the newest tech and let me loose.
I shot 1600 pictures in a half an hour, during my last shoot, I was the exclusive photographer for the shinnecock Indian nation, opening ceremonies. Sorry, but I can’t worry about my kit not keeping up with me.
Obviously, we have different use cases. I have clients who expect me to use whatever gear, that will give them the images they require. I expect the same from my gear.
Ymmv
IMHO
📸 Regards, Randy 📸

Very cool!

To me, I do think of my film cameras in the past tense. For 32 years, I ran thousands and thousands of rolls of film through them.
I enjoyed using each and every one.
Every few years, Nikon introduced a new camera, with new features. And I bought them.
In 2002, Nikon introduced a new camera, and I bought it. The d100, with its amazing 6 megapixels!!
For a few years prior, I had already switched to scanning my film, with a high end Nikon film scanner. So, I was very ready to capture my images digitally, to avoid all the expense of film and processing.
The way I look at, these were my tools, I used them, enjoyed them, but to me… they are no longer useful to me.
I really don’t see any reason or advantage to putting a roll of film, in any one of them.
My Z9 and D850, D810, and a large collection of trinity lenses, in both F and Z mounts, plus all my big, wide, and macro glass, allows me to take advantage of amazing technology, autofocus with subject and eye detection, VR in the lens, IBIS in the body, etc. wireless flash control, and so much more. Additionally, I use a pair of one terabyte cards, so I don’t ever have to worry about “running out of film”.
I bet, that, like me, a lot of people have their old plug-in corded hand drill, saws, etc.
I would also be willing to bet, that they don’t use them, because the advantages of cordless tools are many.
So, while I don’t have any problem with anyone using a 50 year old camera, with 36 exposure rolls of film, I will continue to admire the film cameras in my collection, and enjoy the memories they bring back to me.
When I want to be creative, and take fine art photos, or satisfy a client’s requests,shoot an event, capture a wedding and all the guests, or shoot musicians doing what they do, in really low and changing lighting, I am happy and definitely blessed, to be able to make use of the best technology that 50 years ago, wasn’t even a dream.
As mentioned, I see no advantage to film,
having been there and done that,
but I respect that you do.
And that is the best point,
we still have choices.
I don’t care what someone uses to capture the moment, I am just happy that they are making the memory.
When I am shooting a wedding, I am very aware of our mortality, and I will always make sure that I get extra coverage of the grandparents, and older guests, for that reason.
Having an unlimited supply of digital media, lets me do that with no additional expense. I am free to shoot as much as I want, without the bean counters laughing at me. My use case involves me taking around ten thousand photos a week, averaged out. Film is just not practical.

I have no problem when someone pulls out an old drill, chucks a drill bit, locks it in with the chuck key, then plugs it in (that order is important), and drills the one little hole that they needed!!!
As for me,
I am very happy with
my cordless tools.
YMMV
IMHO
📸 Regards, Randy 📸

I am an old man,
but I like the new stuff!!

So very true

Here are a few more of Diane Arbus. Last summer, if you visited New York’s famous Central Park, you would have seen a bronze statue of her, and of course she is holding her Speedlight Center “Mighty Light”.
The cover of her book has another different photo, of her again with her favorite camera and flash unit!!

Agreed.
BUT…
each one of those paperweights invoke deep memories in me.
I can remember when I bought my first nikkormat with a 50mm f1.4, after working all summer to save enough money. I was all of 12 years old, and that camera is on display on the bottom row, in the middle.
My name is engraved on the bottom of the camera, because my dad’s company, which had the patent and was the sole manufacturer of the ring light, “Lester a Dine” (check it out in Wikipedia), they sold cameras to doctors and dentists, to document procedures and trauma.
I was able to purchase my Nikkormat camera, as a salesman’s sample. Nikon had a program for salespeople, where they could order one camera a year, because the company realized that if the salesman used Nikon kit, they would be more apt to push Nikon kit. And it definitely makes them more familiar with the products. That one time yearly purchase would be sold for 50% off the list price. But, because Nikon, really, Erenriech Photo Optical company, in garden city, Long Island. who was the importer at the time, was afraid that the camera would be flipped and the seller would make a little extra money, and they really wanted the buyer to use it, they required the salesperson’s name be engraved on the baseplate of the camera.
I never liked the font they used, kind of old Roman, but I was most likely the only 12 year old with a personalized Nikkormat FTn!!

That Hasselblad and I have shot over 100 weddings, plus numerous events, bar mitzvahs, etc.

The Nikon F, F2, F3, F4, and F5 on display also each have special places in my heart.
Another story, when I was 13, in 1971, my late father, took me to “Atlantic Camera” in lindenhurst, Long Island. because the Nikon representative, Raul Menendez, yes, I remember his name, was showing the F2 for the first time on Long Island.
And I was particularly impressed,
because my dad and Raul knew each other, because of his company’s relationship with Nikon, and I was rewarded at that demonstration, by ordering the F2, before we left there,
that day!!!

Yup, all paperweights,
I am proud to say that each one is still capable of doing the exact same thing they did 50 years ago. (Go find software, or batteries or memory cards, for my Z9, 50 years from now, yeah, good luck with that!)
They all work, and I will grab a different camera once or twice a week, and “shoot with it”, (play with it, and reminisce with them), without film. I am able to appreciate the precision construction that has enabled them to still function, and as long as they continue to make film, they can turn out the same amazing results that I relished, way back when. I have many fond memories of developing my film, making my prints, and bringing them into school, because I was always the photo editor of the school newspaper and yearbook, from junior high, until I graduated.
And I always had a camera with me, every day, at school.
As an aside, when I was 12, after homework was done, I would assemble all the components, and solder high voltage flash circuits, and capacitors, of the professional flash units (speedlight center, mighty light flashes) and ring lights, that dad’s company sold to pro ‘togs, and doctors, dentists, forensic specialists, etc. with parts that dad would bring home for me to build.
It was the money from that work, which enabled me to buy the first camera.

So…
One day,
my son will inherit the collection, and he will be on a site like this asking, “my dad left this for me, is it worth anything??”

Actually, just kidding, he knows all the stories, and has an appreciation for the aesthetics and functionality of the various units.
Trust me, that each body has stories.

Did you notice the little Olympus trip 35??
That was the camera my dad let me use from age 10-12.
And on and on!!!

The cover photo of a book about Diane Arbus, has her holding one of the flash units, that I might have made!!
And, she got this flash, when she borrowed it from “Weegee” a documentary photographer, who was famous for his answer to the question: how do you get such great news photos??
He said:
“f8 and be there”
For the record, as she says in the book, she never gave it back to him!!

I still have a few of these, some are on display, along with an early ring light, in my collection. And it still works. I made the one shown when I was 12 and used it with a high voltage battery, all through school. We used guide numbers, and the inverse square law of light to figure out our exposures!!!
Yes sir,
AMAZING PAPERWEIGHTS!!!!

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