Next body move? With Nikkor F-Mount Lenses (Or without them?)

NostraLukas wrote:

A million years ago, I bought a Nikon D700 full-frame and a Nikkor 24mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.4G, and a 70-200mm 2.8G II. The thinking back then was, "get nice glass because you'll always have it, and upgrade the bodies later."

I'm now looking to update and am seriously confused about what to do —apologies for the long post. I want to get it all down. And I'm sure I'm getting some things wrong here.

I'm a serious hobbyist. I like shooting travel, street, and environmental portraiture. I even try to make family stuff artful. I enjoy post using C1 and AF. I like natural light, especially low light. I take my work seriously even tho I'm no pro. I'm a stills guy. Use iPhone for video. Shoot raw.

Since I got the original gear, my family happened, and over the years, I've found myself using my Fuji x100 (first x100s and now x100v) for travel, family stuff, and to have with me all the time. I love the experience of shooting with the x100v, especially the dials, EVF, and general old-school feel. I also like the Fuji Xs as objects. Having a flip screen has helped creatively too.

Are you still using the X100V as much before?  Do you find it somewhat lacking for the type of photography you want to do in the future?

The D700 doesn't get picked up that much. It's heavy. Sometimes what's left of a crop isn't good enough resolution-wise. And the files from the x100v seem richer. I've read the D700s DR is way out of date, and I've (maybe falsely) think that's why when comparing. I haven't used the 24mm and 50mm in a long while.

Yes, the D700 is an older dSLR with the 12 MP sensor.  Any current with APS-C or full frame sensor will outperform the old 12 MP sensor.

When I have used the D700, it has been for action, when I need the reach of the 70-200, and for portraiture (again 70-200). Moving forward, I'll still need something for those times, and I want to do even more portraiture. That's why I'm thinking about the next move.

What to do? I'm prob missing a lot of options, but here's some:

1) Get another FF Nikon with updated tech — The 800s (old 700s?) may be too much camera for me. Still big and heavy. Big $$. But... I can use my lenses, get great low light performance, do action/portraiture, and get better DR.

2) Transition to a Nikon Z. - Buy an adapter and use my F-mount lenses. Get on the mirrorless train because that's where the innovation will be moving forward (putting aside medium format). Maybe there is some level of performance synergy sticking with Nikon? Are the Zs competitive with Sony and Fuji for mirrorless to the extent going the adapter route is worth it (considering the added bulk of an adapter, the mismatch between lens/ sensor, and length shift)?

Renting a Z camera is the least costly option simply to get your toes wet before fully committing to any system.  If you commit to the Z system, the Z 5, Z 6/II are the cheapest full-frame options.

3) Get a Fringer NF-FX adapter and use my lenses on a mirrorless Fuji X, like XT-4. With this option, I get the smaller body and EVF. G lenses should have all functionality with the Fringer. Maybe some focus speed compromise? I'd have to deal with the shift in mm. 70-200 2.8 will get longer but still works for portrait/sports. 50mm could do portraiture (although not the best lens, I'm told). 24 turns into 36mm (right?). Am I sacrificing lens performance using these FF lenses with Fuji sensors? Is this a misfit not worth doing? Am I forcing it too much? Am I clinging to the idea that these lenses are worth keeping to save $$?

4) Sell it all and move to a new system. — Accept that I waited too long. Understand that for people like me, the advent of mirrorless kinda messed up my "keep the lenses forever" approach from long ago. Take the losses selling the Nikkors. Realize FF isn't the only path to quality anymore for people like me. Look into a mirrorless body with updated tech. Start new. Don't overthink it and extend the Fuji X experience I've begun with x100v. Get an excellent new action/portrait lens and X-T4. Use the x100v for wide stuff. Maybe supersize the love for x100v and get an x-pro 3?

I wouldn't discredit the Nikon lenses you have now.  They still deliver outstanding IQ.

5) Don't do anything. Keep the D700. Accept it is good enough bc I'm a hobbyist. Accept the false story I'm telling myself: That I'm missing out on the benefits of new tech (better sensors, better DR, able to crop bigger files). Wait for a solution not yet revealed (e.g., cheaper, smaller Nikon F-mount FF?). The downside would be that my F-mount lenses aren't getting any younger, and the resale market for them will be getting worse and worse (assuming the market heat and Nikon's R&D will be all mirrorless and MF, because that's the future).

The Nikon 50mm f/1.4G is probably not the greatest lenses in the lineup, but the 24 f/1.4G and the 70-200 VR II are still up there.

6) ???????? Something I do not see at all.

I'm not sure what my next move is. I know it is personal, but I'm stuck. And often, you guys sound omniscient. Advice? Thank you.

Whatever you decide, do it slowly to avoid taking a huge financial hit.

Tim C.