Z6 II versus D850

[Richard Dutton]

which do you need: 45 mpx or 24 mpx?

Do you need to crop hard in post ? or use a 45mpx camera in DX mode .

What are you phiotographing ? Do you need a fast AF-C system for sports / wildlife etc or is a general purpose camera with some good AI capabilities OK?

You may get a good used Z7 fir your budget - if you want to go down the MILC route with a high mpx camera

Here, in the UK, you can get a “as new” Z7 for the same price as an excellent low clicks D850.- about £1580

 

[Last Mango]

i guess the question is why get a D850 vs Z6ii, for the 45MP, the AF, the body? Personally, I don’t see the point in buying F mount bodies given mirrorless is the way of the future…i would consider used Z7 with used 24-70 kit lens and ftz adapter to get you started, unless you really need the improved AF of the Z6ii, regardless, buy used and will allow u to sell without losing much if you decide to go another direction or want to upgrade.

good luck

 

[capanikon]

Personally, I don’t see the point in buying F mount bodies given mirrorless is the way of the future…

Yeah but otoh look at the Z forum ... people are unhappy with the prices of Z glass.

People are unhappy they can't autofocus with cheap F mount glass coz the FTZ doesn't work with old AF lenses.

 

[Cameranoobie]

Personally, I don’t see the point in buying F mount bodies given mirrorless is the way of the future…

Yeah but otoh look at the Z forum ... people are unhappy with the prices of Z glass.

 

[ericbowles]

Personally, I don’t see the point in buying F mount bodies given mirrorless is the way of the future…

Yeah but otoh look at the Z forum ... people are unhappy with the prices of Z glass.

People are unhappy they can't autofocus with cheap F mount glass coz the FTZ doesn't work with old AF lenses.

Budget is a challenge for some people. But the older screw drive lenses are nearly 20 year old designs and have minimal value in most cases. The pricing on the Z lenses has been remarkably good with any consideration of inflation and competitor products. You can build a very good kit at a range of price points and all are optically very good to excellent.

You're right - there are some very good options on great glass for F-mount. The prior generation 500mm f/4 G and 600 f/4 G lenses are selling for 1/3 of their original cost - and optically are terrific.

 

[capanikon]

Personally, I don’t see the point in buying F mount bodies given mirrorless is the way of the future…

Yeah but otoh look at the Z forum ... people are unhappy with the prices of Z glass.

Links? I thought the die hard Nikonians wanted the prices of Z lenses to increase

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4697299

Comments from that page like " there's no way I'll pay that" etc.

The Z cameras are "too big" and "too heavy" (compared to what? Your iPhone? Ha.)

I don't understand some of the photogs these days and their obsession with small size and crazy light weight.

I can only assume they expect their cameras to be the same size as their iPhone.

If you suggest M43 or Nikon 1 ... "those aren't any good." Only FX sensors are good! But it has to be small and light. And cheap. They want the impossible; the contradictory.

--
irc.libera.chat #photogeeks

 

[ghostfox_1]

Personally, I don’t see the point in buying F mount bodies given mirrorless is the way of the future…

Yeah but otoh look at the Z forum ... people are unhappy with the prices of Z glass.

People are unhappy they can't autofocus with cheap F mount glass coz the FTZ doesn't work with old AF lenses.

Budget is a challenge for some people.

Yeah, but if budget is a problem, I don't see them buying brand new camera bodies either.

But the older screw drive lenses are nearly 20 year old designs and have minimal value in most cases.

At this point, people who won't ever give them up (and bodies that can drive them) thankfully aren't nikons target consumer.

The pricing on the Z lenses has been remarkably good with any consideration of inflation and competitor products. You can build a very good kit at a range of price points and all are optically very good to excellent.

Agreed.

You're right - there are some very good options on great glass for F-mount. The prior generation 500mm f/4 G and 600 f/4 G lenses are selling for 1/3 of their original cost - and optically are terrific.

And are heavy and bulky, especially compared to the newer stuff. But everything comes at a cost.

 

[skyrunr]

I wanted to point out that shooting into the sun with a DSLR is bad for your eyes. This is not the case for the EVF. This was a big deal to me. Just keep your lens cap on if you set the camera down in the sun. It can damage the sensor or melt the frame. I don't recall this being an issue with DSLR's, but it may have to do with the shallow mount.

 

[Rick620]

I'm thinking of upgrading from a D610 to a newer Nikon camera. I also have a Sony A6500.

Price-wise, I can get a new Z6 II for about the same price as a used D850 (with a shutter count of about 100k). I have a number of F-mount lens I'll use, so I only need the body.

Any suggestions and advice much appreciated. I'm primarily concerned with image quality. For around $2000, what camera do you suggest is best to get? Or should I move over to the Sony a7 series?

What is it that’s making you thinking of ‘upgrading’ from a DSLR? What does ML do/have that a DSLR doesn’t?

once you can honestly answer that to yourself, then that will guide your purchase choice.

Personally, I cannot see the sense in buying a ML body to only use F mount glass on - yes, budget would no doubt mean a gradual transition to Z mount, not immediate, but IMO you need to have in mind set of ML lenses to work towards. It has taken me 4 years to go all-in on Z! I came from 750/850 with no regrets whatsoever- I dislike having two systems (even from the same manufacturer) but that’s just me. YMMV.

If I really was intent on only using F mount lenses then I’d aim for an 850, unless there is another factor that we don’t know about?

If you decide on a Z body then my recommendation would be a z6 (not a II, unless the 2nd card slot is really, really important!) and add the S 24-70 f4 ‘kit’ which are plentiful and inexpensive - the IQ is unbelievable and will show you just how good a native Z lens is. You won’t look back!

 

[Phil1]

I shoot with a small team in environments where silence is essential. The electronic shutter of the mirrorless cameras is a huge advantage here, as my colleagues with D810s etc have found. This may not be important to you of course.

Phil

 

[Cameranoobie]

Personally, I don’t see the point in buying F mount bodies given mirrorless is the way of the future…

Yeah but otoh look at the Z forum ... people are unhappy with the prices of Z glass.

Links? I thought the die hard Nikonians wanted the prices of Z lenses to increase

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4697299

Comments from that page like " there's no way I'll pay that" etc.

The Z cameras are "too big" and "too heavy" (compared to what? Your iPhone? Ha.)

I don't understand some of the photogs these days and their obsession with small size and crazy light weight.

I can only assume they expect their cameras to be the same size as their iPhone.

If you suggest M43 or Nikon 1 ... "those aren't any good." Only FX sensors are good! But it has to be small and light. And cheap. They want the impossible; the contradictory.

I'll check it out thanks. Sadly it's all about status symbol. I'm part of a photography group on Facebook that has a lot of pros but also a lot of beginners. They all go out and buy a high end body like R5 or R3 or A9 or A1 because they want to be seen with high end gear. And if they were to use anything less they would be embarrassed. "Im not happy with my photos, I need better photos so I'm going to upgrade my Sony A9 to A9II." Plus I'll look and feel cooler! Yes they don't know the basics of the exposure triangle or how to compose properly

 

[PLShutterbug]

I wanted to point out that shooting into the sun with a DSLR is bad for your eyes. This is not the case for the EVF. This was a big deal to me. Just keep your lens cap on if you set the camera down in the sun. It can damage the sensor or melt the frame. I don't recall this being an issue with DSLR's, but it may have to do with the shallow mount.

I think it has more to do with the mirror that sits in the optical path and directs the light to the OVF. With no mirror, that focused image of the sun at 10x magnification will shine either in the sensor or the immediate surround. That cannot happen with a mirror in the way.

 

[Alex YAA]

Smiled a little after reading your question. )
Despite its age, the D850 still ranks among some of the best cameras for picture quality of ALL brands. In particular, it is slightly better than the 7Z2 and better than the Z9 - in THIS parameter.. ;-)
Another thing is that the new Z system is much more convenient for video, the new mount allows you to create previously impossible lenses, and in general, in our time, SLR cameras are already a dying breed ...
So choose which of these you need and is more important.

 

[Ruby Rod]

Over the decades I accumulated many Nikkor F-mount manual focus primes. They were good and I had a lot of sentimental attachment to them, having saved hard-earned pennies to buy them mostly new, starting back in high school.

Now, the bar was low, because I went from a D200 to a Z6 with the 24-70 kit lens and FTZ adapter. My thought was I'd use the F-mount lenses and avoid the expense of additional Z-mount lenses. Budget is always a serious consideration here.

What happened was that the Z-mount lens was so good that I never used F-mount glass in any range that the zoom could cover. It was just pointless. Old Nikkors were good in their day, for film, but mostly can't compete on the Z6 and certainly can't compete on a Z7. (caveat- yes, there are some that can)

I quickly changed my priorities and started saving those pennies for the 105 MC and 14-30 f/4 Z lens. Someday I may get one or two more, but those do what I need right now.

It was painful, but I sold all my F-mount lenses save for a couple, like a 300 mm ED IF Ais, because I rarely shoot long and could never justify long Z glass.

IMO, if you're going to upgrade, go 100% Z-mount glass as soon as you can, because you'll likely lose your desire to shoot the F-mount stuff.

--
Ruby
(If you can't see my posts it's because I often say things that get them deleted!)

 

[stratman1976]

Hi,

I have both cameras and both give excellent IQ results. And I use them both professionally. D850 for shoots and Z6ii for interviews (video + stills).

What matters is what kind of photography you do. If you don't need 45 MP I'd go with the Z6ii. Or go with a Z7, you have the resolution, but you can use mRAW or sRAW if you don't need full res, it works perfectly.

I have my eye on the Z7ii (or maybe a Z8), but I find them too expensive at the moment and I want two card slots, so no Z7 or Z6 for me.

What really attracts me in the Z-series is the lenses, especially the 24-70/2.8s. I rented it and loved it.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[PHXAZCRAIG]

I kept shooting my D850 all through the Z series cameras as, with the exception mostly of video, they were steps back from the D850, until the Z9.

D850 is a truly great DSLR, super good all-arounder. In many ways it is a step up from a Z6ii - but that also depends on what you shoot.

I'm shooting a Z9 now, with mostly Z lenses, but it took the Z9 for me to see what I wanted to jump ship from the D850.

 

[stratman1976]

I kept shooting my D850 all through the Z series cameras as, with the exception mostly of video, they were steps back from the D850, until the Z9.

D850 is a truly great DSLR, super good all-arounder. In many ways it is a step up from a Z6ii - but that also depends on what you shoot.

I'm shooting a Z9 now, with mostly Z lenses, but it took the Z9 for me to see what I wanted to jump ship from the D850.

The same goes for me, but the Z9 is overkill, in terms of price mostly, but also size, so I hope there’s a Z8 coming soon. Otherwise I’ll keep the D850 and add the Z6ii. Love that one, I use one for work, but unfortunately don’t own it.

 

[ericbowles]

I wanted to point out that shooting into the sun with a DSLR is bad for your eyes. This is not the case for the EVF. This was a big deal to me. Just keep your lens cap on if you set the camera down in the sun. It can damage the sensor or melt the frame. I don't recall this being an issue with DSLR's, but it may have to do with the shallow mount.

This was definitely a problem with DSLR cameras. I know someone who had a shutter melted by the sun directly hitting a long lens for too long.

Watch the number of melted shutters associated with the eclipses in October 2023 and April 2024.

 

[capanikon]

I hope there’s a Z8 coming soon.

Thom wrote about the Z 8 today: https://bythom.com/newsviews/today-tomorrow-someday.html

 

[sirhawkeye64]

I'm thinking of upgrading from a D610 to a newer Nikon camera. I also have a Sony A6500.

Price-wise, I can get a new Z6 II for about the same price as a used D850 (with a shutter count of about 100k). I have a number of F-mount lens I'll use, so I only need the body.

Any suggestions and advice much appreciated. I'm primarily concerned with image quality. For around $2000, what camera do you suggest is best to get? Or should I move over to the Sony a7 series?

The two real questions here are how much do you want to spend and do you plan to shoot wildlife or sports? The first question only you can answer, but for the second one, I can say that unless you're shooting wildlife or sports, the Z6 II more than capable for everything else. The biggest advantage of the D850 is resolution (which you could get in a Z7 II minus the AF performance). But unless you're shooting those subjects, it's hard to justify a D850 these days. That's not to say the Z6 II can't do things, but it may just require more effort on your part in those genres. The D850 is able to track a bit better though and it's AF is a bit more snappy and sticky from what I've seen (the Z system can be a bit unpredictable at times, and slow especially if you lose focus while tracking).

There aren't going to be anymore F-mount lenses (although on the flip side, since the mount is "obsolete" in a way, this might make finding new and used lenses cheaper as many people have or will move to the Z mount at some point if they've made the jump to ML).

The other thing is that the D850 support will probably end this year as that camera is about 5-6 years old now and Nikon usually only gives their cameras about 5 years of "mainstream" support (firmware updates, performance updates, etc). The Z II's have about another 3 years of support to go, even if a successor is announced, or a Z8 comes out.

I would maybe get the Z6 II for now if you feel the need to get something "now", because a Z8 may come out this year, which supposedly should be a D850 replacement (and also a rival to cameras like the R5 and A7R IV/V).

--
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