New Z5 or repair D750 shutter?

[Ramon Vaquero]

I've been using a D750 as my second camera for 5 years now. The shutter mechanism turned broken a few days ago, Nikon service charges a good amount of money for replacing it, so I'm thinking of replacing the D750 for a more reliable camera in this sense- no shutter problems and decent AF-

As I feel (Nikon) mirrorless are not still a full mature devices comparing them to their DSLRs, I don't want to spend a lot of money in a new secondary body.

Do you think is it worth to repair my 5-year D750, or should I happily go mirrorless?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

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https://www.ramonvaquero.com/en/

 

[Kirnbichler]

On the one hand, going mirrorless would offer you new possibilities, for instance, manual focussing is much easier with an EVF than with an OVF, due to both the ability to zoom in and to use "focus peaking". Yes, you could do so in Liveview on a DSLR's back display, but then you'd get mediocre AF performace, as there's no PDAF in liveview, not with a DSLR as old as the D750 at least.

On the other hand, as long as you don't get new lenses, you'd have to live with the inconvenience of the FTZ adapter (no AF on "screw drive" lenses, chunky design with the tripod mount extending beyond the camera's bottom plate), and … well, F-mount lenses are usually less good than their Z mount counterparts, due to their older design.



if possible - go to a "brick & mortar" dealer and check the camera yourself. Look through the EVF, test the AF, just compare.

In what price range does the suggested repair fall? Maybe you'll be better off with a used D750 body,

 

[Nikonparrothead]

In the US, the repair would be about half of the last “on sale” price of the D750 (and the resale value of that repaired camera may only be $100 or so more than a née Z5 — I’m thinking wholesale value on the D750).

I own both cameras and I’m using the Z5 significantly more.

i’d vote for the Z5.

 

[Kirnbichler]

You sure that the resale price of a used D750 would be above the price for a new Z5?
Besides a recent (and I think spurious) price hitch, both cameras cost roughly the same. As in new, with full warranty. Both about 1100€ (that's in Europe, Germany, to be precise, thus including the mandatory two years warranty, and 19% sales tax.

 

[Ramon Vaquero]

On the one hand, going mirrorless would offer you new possibilities, for instance, manual focussing is much easier with an EVF than with an OVF, due to both the ability to zoom in and to use "focus peaking". Yes, you could do so in Liveview on a DSLR's back display, but then you'd get mediocre AF performace, as there's no PDAF in liveview, not with a DSLR as old as the D750 at least.

On the other hand, as long as you don't get new lenses, you'd have to live with the inconvenience of the FTZ adapter (no AF on "screw drive" lenses, chunky design with the tripod mount extending beyond the camera's bottom plate), and … well, F-mount lenses are usually less good than their Z mount counterparts, due to their older design.

if possible - go to a "brick & mortar" dealer and check the camera yourself. Look through the EVF, test the AF, just compare.

In what price range does the suggested repair fall? Maybe you'll be better off with a used D750 body,

Thank you for your advise.

The price of the repaired shutter is about 700 euros, I think it's a lot compared to the D750 current value-but it is less than a new Z5 body for sure-

On the other hand, I don't even consider pick a used D750 given the well known shutter problem with this model- you don't know if you get a copy with that issue.

 

[Ramon Vaquero]

In the US, the repair would be about half of the last “on sale” price of the D750 (and the resale value of that repaired camera may only be $100 or so more than a née Z5 — I’m thinking wholesale value on the D750).

I own both cameras and I’m using the Z5 significantly more.

i’d vote for the Z5.

Thank you for your vote I tend to agree...

Do you find shooting for quite a few hours the Z5 as solid and reliable as the D750? (changing battery when needed of course)

 

[JasonTheBirder]

Well, the Z5 will probably cost you more, since once you get it you will want to get those amazing Z primes Assuming you don't already own a Z of course.

 

[z2122]

On the one hand, going mirrorless would offer you new possibilities, for instance, manual focussing is much easier with an EVF than with an OVF, due to both the ability to zoom in and to use "focus peaking". Yes, you could do so in Liveview on a DSLR's back display, but then you'd get mediocre AF performace, as there's no PDAF in liveview, not with a DSLR as old as the D750 at least.

On the other hand, as long as you don't get new lenses, you'd have to live with the inconvenience of the FTZ adapter (no AF on "screw drive" lenses, chunky design with the tripod mount extending beyond the camera's bottom plate), and … well, F-mount lenses are usually less good than their Z mount counterparts, due to their older design.

if possible - go to a "brick & mortar" dealer and check the camera yourself. Look through the EVF, test the AF, just compare.

In what price range does the suggested repair fall? Maybe you'll be better off with a used D750 body,

Thank you for your advise.

The price of the repaired shutter is about 700 euros, I think it's a lot compared to the D750 current value-but it is less than a new Z5 body for sure-

On the other hand, I don't even consider pick a used D750 given the well known shutter problem with this model- you don't know if you get a copy with that issue.

 

[Ramon Vaquero]

Thank you for your comments. I much prefer reliability over saving money.

 

[karlreed]

The Nikon recall site https://nikon.tfaforms.net/215 seems still to b e working. I had my shutter replaced under recall by the Nikon warranty agent in Melbourne no charge.

They did mot update my camera's record, so it still shows as "recalled".

I do have the jobsheet and invoice to show its been fixed, but, my camera still comes up as recalled.

Which country are you in? Some European countries have rather strong consumer rights.

 

[Ramon Vaquero]

The Nikon recall site https://nikon.tfaforms.net/215 seems still to b e working. I had my shutter replaced under recall by the Nikon warranty agent in Melbourne no charge.

They did mot update my camera's record, so it still shows as "recalled".

I do have the jobsheet and invoice to show its been fixed, but, my camera still comes up as recalled.

Which country are you in? Some European countries have rather strong consumer rights.

Mine was already replaced once under the Nikon recall shutter issue, so this would be my second replacement...what makes me think there's no much reliability with a second repair...

 

[Nikonparrothead]

Never said that I’m figuring on the D750 repair costing $400 from previous shutter repair and at best a wholesale offer on the D750 (with a new shutter) at $600.

That’s the cost comparison I was making. I bought my Z5 when Nikon dropped the price to @$1,000 and wouldn’t buy one again until they put it on sale again.

 

[Nikonparrothead]

I’ve found battery life on the Z5 to be just fine. I think I may have needed to swap out the battery one on a prolonged day of use. The D750, I use the two battery grip so there’s no fair comparison there.

 

[Nikonparrothead]

How many shutter actuations before it failed? Despite the use by pros, the D750 was based on the consumer grade D600 model line (a larger version of the D7000 DX line). D3 and up and the D700 and D800 series have always been built to more robust standards.

 

[Ramon Vaquero]

How many shutter actuations before it failed? Despite the use by pros, the D750 was based on the consumer grade D600 model line (a larger version of the D7000 DX line). D3 and up and the D700 and D800 series have always been built to more robust standards.

About 132.000, and that's keeping in mind that is the second shutter-the camera shutter counting does not get back to zero when it's replaced. So it failed again way too soon.

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https://www.ramonvaquero.com/en/

 

[Ramon Vaquero]

I’ve found battery life on the Z5 to be just fine. I think I may have needed to swap out the battery one on a prolonged day of use. The D750, I use the two battery grip so there’s no fair comparison there.

That sounds good to me. What about AF performance, do you feel the Z5 equals or outperform the D750 in that sense, even in low light scenes?

 

[Nikonparrothead]

Well I haven’t used them in identical scenes, so I’d be guessing.

Where the Z5 (and all mirroriess bodies) excel is the width of focus area. Since the focus points are basically everywhere, it ends the need to focus then recompose (in my use on eyes for portraits).

 

[rich_cx139]

Sounds like you have had an unusually bad experience with your D750 and 700 euros sounds a ridiculous amount for repair.

Have you tried escalating the issue with Nikon - in view of the known recalls on the Nikon. The shutter should not have failed with such a low count.

Basically, if you can get it repaired for free or something reasonable like 250 euros then you have a saleable body to keep or trade in as you wish.

Its probably too early to guess reliability of the Zs

 

[Ramon Vaquero]

Sounds like you have had an unusually bad experience with your D750 and 700 euros sounds a ridiculous amount for repair.

Have you tried escalating the issue with Nikon - in view of the known recalls on the Nikon. The shutter should not have failed with such a low count.

Basically, if you can get it repaired for free or something reasonable like 250 euros then you have a saleable body to keep or trade in as you wish.

Its probably too early to guess reliability of the Zs

Yes, I will be reaching them tomorrow to accept or reject their repair budget, so I guess we can talk.

My fear is as you say that Z's could be still in an early stage to be as reliable as long term known DSLRs...but on the other hand my D750 proved to be be far from reliable, besides being a great all around camera...

 

[karlreed]

The Nikon recall site https://nikon.tfaforms.net/215 seems still to b e working. I had my shutter replaced under recall by the Nikon warranty agent in Melbourne no charge.

They did mot update my camera's record, so it still shows as "recalled".

I do have the jobsheet and invoice to show its been fixed, but, my camera still comes up as recalled.

Which country are you in? Some European countries have rather strong consumer rights.

Mine was already replaced once under the Nikon recall shutter issue, so this would be my second replacement...what makes me think there's no much reliability with a second repair...

I am a modest camera user.. how many clicks has your camera done?

Regards