Moving from Nikon D7200 to something smaller / simpler to use advice

[amd111]

Hi All,

Happy New Year!!!

I apologize if this is the wrong forum for my question.

I bought D7200 almost 9yrs ago. It still works great and I've used it for my kids sports (mainly hockey), bdays, holidays and other occasions. However too be honest I've been using mostly my phone (best camera is the camera you have on you) due to convenience. Also my wife due to the size D7200, its weight and how complex it can be, she refused to use it. The D7200 offers so many great options and too be honest it is overwhelming sometimes even for me. My kids are older now, however I still use it once in a while for my son's competitive hockey.

I'm seriously thinking about selling everything I got (all in excellent condition) and move to something smaller and simpler. I'm thinking about APS-C mirrorless camera, that will offer improved AF over D7200 and will be easier to use. I'm thinking about Sony A6700 and Canon R7. My needs, light, easy to use (so my wife would have no issues to use it), good low light performance, good AF for hockey shots, video 4k 60 (but I don't think I would use it much). I'm thinking about buying either with walk around lens i.e. 18-135 and something with a longer reach for hockey. Your thoughts?

Also I'm looking into selling my gear locally (Canada), how much should I be listing it:

Nikon D7200 - 25,200 shutter count (150k shutter rated lifespan)
- Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED + B+W F-PRO UV Haze filter
- NIkon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8G + B+W XS-PRO Nano UV Haze filter
- Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 35mm 1:1.8G B+W F-PRO UV Haze filter
- Nikon ED AF NIKKOR 80-200mm 1:2.8 D (pump style) with storage box
- Nikon SB-720 Speedlight flash
- Charger with 2 batteries
- two - 64gb Sandisk Extreme PRO 64GB 95mb/s Cards
- Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack (Black)

 

[Craig Gillette]

Hi All,

Happy New Year!!!

I apologize if this is the wrong forum for my question.

I bought D7200 almost 9yrs ago. It still works great and I've used it for my kids sports (mainly hockey), bdays, holidays and other occasions. However too be honest I've been using mostly my phone (best camera is the camera you have on you) due to convenience. Also my wife due to the size D7200, its weight and how complex it can be, she refused to use it. The D7200 offers so many great options and too be honest it is overwhelming sometimes even for me. My kids are older now, however I still use it once in a while for my son's competitive hockey.

I like my D7200 but have stopped using it after adding Sony mirror-less and and getting a comparable kit of lenses.

I'm seriously thinking about selling everything I got (all in excellent condition) and move to something smaller and simpler. I'm thinking about APS-C mirrorless camera, that will offer improved AF over D7200 and will be easier to use. I'm thinking about Sony A6700 and Canon R7. My needs, light, easy to use (so my wife would have no issues to use it), good low light performance, good AF for hockey shots, video 4k 60 (but I don't think I would use it much). I'm thinking about buying either with walk around lens i.e. 18-135 and something with a longer reach for hockey. Your thoughts?

I added Sony aps-c mirror-less before Nikon started getting serious about mirror-less. I wouldn't write off the Nikon mirror-less. Perhaps the better bet if thinking about adapting some of your current lenses?

After 2 earlier bodies and adding ff, I've added an A6700 now. I like it a lot. I haven't really tried sports with it. That's about the one spot i haven't filled in from my dslr kit. My kids are a lot of years past sports now. I have the Sony 18-135. I found my copy of the Nikon 18-140 was a bad performer but think that was that lens. (On the A6700, the 18-135 would be better than the D7200 and 18-140 (assuming a decent 18-140) because of tech advances, etc. I like the 18-135/18-140 focal length range but wouldn't expect either to excel at hockey.

I don't know much about the Canons. I was impressed by what Nikon was doing in aps-c mirror-less as they started, but haven't really followed them so not sure the "sports/action" focus system versus Sony for either.

Sony (and Fuji) have been at mirror-less longer than Canon and Nikon and have a broader line, especially in aps-c. I think Sony is ahead on the focus system side except possibly at the higher end bodies.

I'd think any of the cameras could be put in a simple "Auto" mode but my wife has not shown any interest in trying my cameras. She and my daughters shared a nice digicam years ago but phone is it for her now.

Also I'm looking into selling my gear locally (Canada), how much should I be listing it:

Nikon D7200 - 25,200 shutter count (150k shutter rated lifespan)
- Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED + B+W F-PRO UV Haze filter
- NIkon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8G + B+W XS-PRO Nano UV Haze filter
- Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 35mm 1:1.8G B+W F-PRO UV Haze filter
- Nikon ED AF NIKKOR 80-200mm 1:2.8 D (pump style) with storage box
- Nikon SB-720 Speedlight flash
- Charger with 2 batteries
- two - 64gb Sandisk Extreme PRO 64GB 95mb/s Cards
- Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack (Black)

No idea. Maybe look at local used prices if you can find them. Selling to a used dealer will take a hit because they'll buy low to sell at higher retail used prices.

 

[MJ_Photo38]

I'm seriously thinking about selling everything I got (all in excellent condition) and move to something smaller and simpler. I'm thinking about APS-C mirrorless camera, that will offer improved AF over D7200 and will be easier to use. I'm thinking about Sony A6700 and Canon R7. My needs, light, easy to use (so my wife would have no issues to use it), good low light performance, good AF for hockey shots, video 4k 60 (but I don't think I would use it much). I'm thinking about buying either with walk around lens i.e. 18-135 and something with a longer reach for hockey. Your thoughts?

the description of your needs are telling me that what you want isn't a Canon EOS R7. It's a Canon EOS R8. That would bring you 40fps shooting, very good low light performance (compared to the R7 and A6700) and 4K60 video without a crop.

It's also a smaller body than the R7. You loose IBIS, so make sure you get lenses that have IS if you go that route.

The A6700 is also good, but more limited for burst rates (limited to 11fps, which is still enough in my opinion) compared to both the R7 and R8 without really being much cheaper ($1400 for the 6700, $1500 for both the R8 and R7). You do however have "better" video specs with up to 4K120p recording.

Now with that being said, you have decent gear for your nikon kit right now. Nikon has some pretty decent APS-C cameras like the Z50 and Zfc that would allow you to use most of your lenses (except the 80-200 AF-D)

Also I'm looking into selling my gear locally (Canada), how much should I be listing it:

Nikon D7200 - 25,200 shutter count (150k shutter rated lifespan)
- Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED + B+W F-PRO UV Haze filter
- NIkon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8G + B+W XS-PRO Nano UV Haze filter
- Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 35mm 1:1.8G B+W F-PRO UV Haze filter
- Nikon ED AF NIKKOR 80-200mm 1:2.8 D (pump style) with storage box
- Nikon SB-720 Speedlight flash
- Charger with 2 batteries
- two - 64gb Sandisk Extreme PRO 64GB 95mb/s Cards
- Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack (Black)

I don't know Canadian prices, but I can give you the prices they go for in France (where I live) and you can maybe go from there:
D7200 : around 350€, around 400€ in pristine condition

80-200 f/2.8 push/pull : around 200€ regardless of condition

50mm f/1.8G : between 100 and 130€

35mm f/1.8G DX : under 100€, maybe around 80€

SB-720 : I don't know that flash, but the SB-700 is around 100€ if it's in working order

Charger and batteries : included with the D7200

64GB SD cards : I'd suggest to include one with the D7200. Making a pack with charger + batteries + SD cards is a faster way for you to sell all at once, since it's a complete package for anyone coming into photography. That saves them time, and you as well. Each card should cost around 10€.

Lowepro bag : maybe around 80€ used. Have never really looked at this model.

Now if you allow me for a personal recommendation to save you some money. I don't know your precise requirements, or if you have requirements that you have without a real use for them (typically the 4K60 recording?)

My advice would be to actually keep most of your gear, and only sell the things that you wouldn't be able to carry into mirrorless Nikon. What that means is that the D7200 goes, and the 80-200 f/2.8 goes as well (since it doesn't have access to autofocus with the FTZ adapter). I by chance you end up getting a Nikon full frame Z camera like a Z5 or Z6, keep your spare D7200 batteries as they are all using the same battery format (EN-EL15). If you go for Nikon APS-C or any other brand, battery will be different so you can bundle them with the D7200.

Then, get an APS-C mirrorless Nikon camera, that will allow you to continue using the 35, 50, 18-105 through the FTZ (I recommend FTZ II for the smaller size) and the SB-720 flash. Their image quality is on par (to me) with the other APS-C camera you mentionned (A6700, R7) when it comes to low light and high ISO. That 21MP sensor is extremely ISO invariant and has pretty good dynamic range. To me it still delivers modern performance.

You have a few cameras to choose from : Z50, Z30 and Zfc. They all have the exact same specifications: same sensor, same processor, same AF, same video. What changes is the body style.

Both the Z30 and Z50 have a large deep grip and PSAM controls. The Z50 is also weather sealed.
Both the Z50 and Zfc have the same viewfinder (which is decent). The Zfc has vintage controls and no grip (I highly recommend that you get a hand extension grip if you go with that camera).

Both the Z30 and Zfc have a fully articulated screen, which is more prectical for video while the Z50 only has a tilt up and down screen (with selfie mode).

When it comes to actual performance, it does pretty detailed 4K30 video, and 1080p up to 120fps (in my experience, if that's just family footage that isn't destined to be turned into commercial work, 1080p video is generally more than enough for slow motion footage. Just my opinion though). It also has pretty accurate face / eye detect autofocus, as well as up to 11fps shooting which is more than enough for casual sports in my opinion (I made do for years with only 8fps shooting for local football (soccer) teams). That list applies to the 3 models.

You can also get some good telephoto lenses on that system, like the DX 55-250 which is pretty cheap and sharp and would be a hell of a lot smaller and lighter than your D7200 + 80-200, or go for an F-mount tele lens like a Sigma 100-400 f/5.-6.3 which is a really good value for sports.

That's also the occasion to get some really good compact lenses to go with the camera for travel and other things, like the DX 24mm f/1.7 on Z mount, or the excellent 16-50 kit lens which is very sharp and basically pancake size lens.

In your shoes, that's definitely what I would do to get efficient with my gear and money. I would also probably keep at least one SD card and the camera bag.

For your usecase, where you intend on using pretty long lenses for sports photography, I would go for either the Z50 or Z30 for their larger grip, depending if you prefer to use the viewfinder a lot or not.

You mentionned that you wife refused to use the D7200 because of size, weight and complexity, maybe the Zfc would be a simpler option for her, with the retro dials being very visible indications for exposure. Getting the Zfc would also allow you to have a smaller camera for let's say travel photogoraphy. With a small lens it's a nice camera to carry around your neck (it looks like a film camera too so you attract less attention generally).

All of that is for you to decide ! Whatever the camera you end up going with, just know that there is no bad camera on the market nowadays, and whatever camera you choose will most likely end up able to fill your needs !

Good luck !

 

[pyang88]

Since you're already a Nikon shooter, I would consider Nikon Z50 + FTZ adapter, which will (1) allow you to continue using most of your existing lenses, if you so wish, and you can gradually switch over to the mirrorless lenses based on your needs, and (2) have the least learning curve since the menus and controls will feel very familiar, but in a simpler/smaller/lighter package as you were hoping for.

That said, Canon R7 and Sony A6700 do seem to have better AF capabilities than Nikon Z50, based on what I've read. If you need absolute best performance for sports in an APS-C body, perhaps it'll be worth the trouble of switching systems.

Good luck!

 

[amd111]

Thanks so much everyone for all your great feedback. I will ask more specific questions about D7200 to Z50 upgrade path on Nikon forum.

 

[cutterpup]

The Nikon D7200 has been my main cameras for many years. I added a Z50 with the 16-55 (I think) lens and an FTZ adapter. To me, at least, the Z50 is a nice, easy to use lightweight camera. I will eventually get the longer zoom that is made for the DX Z cameras.

That said I have used the Z50 and FTZ on all my lenses that work with that combo. My two favorites are the Sigma 100-400 and the Tamron 90 macro.

Z50 w/FTZ and Sigma 100-400