The upgrade path

[GodSpeaks]

Thus, I'm interested to hear from anyone who has taken the step and swapped top of the range FX or DX SLR to mirrorless. How did you overcome the differences, did you go from DX to FX or did you forego features from your DSLR/s to go mirrorless?

For me, the DSLR to mirrorless was a no brainer. As you stated, the cost to make that switch was high, so, that being the case you should take a look at what EVERY manufacturer has to offer. This is NOT the time to say you must stay within your current ecosystem.

For me, a Nikon user since the 70s, I left Nikon and switched to Fuji GFX. Fuji had what I wanted, while Nikon was not delivering what I wanted even in DSLRs, never mind mirrorless.

So my advice to you is, look outside the Nikon ecosystem to see if someone other than Nikon is delivering what you want in a body and also in lenses.

Personally, I am not a big fan of using adapters, ergo I buy modern lenses with native mounts for my GFX. I have only one non-GFX lens I use with an adapter and that is because I rarely use the lens, which made it difficult to justify the cost of the native mount lens.

 

[Tim Bury]

It is quite evident that Nikon's Z mount cameras and lenses are a noticeable improvement over the last of the DSLRs. It is also true that the path from flagship DSLR/s with high end lenses to flagship mirrorless with high end lenses is financially steep.

The need to go from flagship DSLR to flagship mirrorless has been questioned, rightly, but there are features in the D5 an D6 that aren't available in most of the lower priced models. To ensure that one keeps those features naturally draws users to consider the Z9. It can take a considerable time to find out whether a specific camera has a particular feature.

A particularly difficult upgrade would be from D500 with grip to an equivalent DX Z body, simply, there isn't a DX Z with a grip option.

Thus, I'm interested to hear from anyone who has taken the step and swapped top of the range FX or DX SLR to mirrorless. How did you overcome the differences, did you go from DX to FX or did you forego features from your DSLR/s to go mirrorless?

I'm waiting for the Z9 II, or whatever the next flagship model happens to be, before taking more than an academic interest in the Z series so please, no advice on what you think I might want. Having used all the flagship cameras from the F4 (the F6 doesn't count in my book) to the D5 any move to mirrorless will involve a flagship body or two.

Well, I switched the D500 to a Z8 and confess, I wish I had done so earlier. There is nothing I have missed from the D500. Even the 1.5 crop is not an issue as Z8 can give this too.

Indeed I still have the D500 as a spare but I haven’t used it since the Z8 came along. I bought the Z8 because its price had dropped to where I felt comfortable with it!

Ssme here, only sold D500. Z8 has been a perfect replacement for me. DX crop or crop the FF 45mp image work fine for my needs.

 

[chambeshi]

OK, let me supply some more information. My wife uses a pair of D500s with grips so, for her, a grip option is non-negotiable. The D500 grip uses the ENEL18 series batteries. I have three D5s which use the same battery. Only one battery charger to consider. My requirements include an integral grip, no option other than the Z9 particularly as we have many EN-EL18 batteries.

If I upgrade my cameras, my wife gets upgraded cameras, again non-negotiable. Given that Nikon has removed the optional grips from the DX cameras the number of options has fallen. If we are to have a common battery the options are further reduced because Nikon also removed the multi=power grips.

Taking into account the above, I'm probably looking at, if we should decide to upgrade, four Z9 bodies, three FTZ adaptors and a 24-120 f/4. I'm sure that even the most affluent members would think twice about doing that in one bite. In fact I wouldn't buy a Z9 for myself without buying my wife one at the same time. Even at the best current used prices two Z9 bodies would cost around £6,000. No DSLR bodies would be sold at this point, they wouls probably all go to, part, fund a second pair of Z9s.

It should be obvious that embarking on such an upgrade is not something done lightly.

No, I won't consider the Z6 III or Z8, without the grips they are too small. There is also the accessories to consider, remote releases in particular which are only compatible with the Z8 or Z9, not forgetting 15 EN-EL18s.

Thus, with a potential, currently, to spend £12,000 on bodies alone I expect rather a large return. An incremental path is, slightly, more viable but just buying two Z9 bodies is still £6,000. You will by now have gathered that I have decided on the Z9 as much for what it doesn't have as for what it does. No fully articulated screen for example.

The Z9 screen is vast advantages to any DSLR, and it's more versatile than the Z7 IME

The decision is that the Z9 is the only body under consideration but the cramped rear panel coul still be a problem.

I've never noticed, and I shoot a D6 (previously a D5) alongside my Z9's.

So, I'll repeat my question, how did you get over any deficiencies or missing features between DSLR and mirrorless. The current cost, by the way, means that this upgrade might never happen or might be significantly delayed.

The answer is fairly obvious, with a minor Compromise. Buy a pair of Used Z9's with a FTZ each. You can still use existing XQD and CFExpress B cards obviously. But be prepared that each format used different readers if you update CFExpress cards.

Trade in at least one D5 and a D500

The Z9 can run on older versions of the ENEL18. In any case, each camera should come with the designated battery charger, the MH33 and at least one ENEL18d. I've never used my MH26a again since getting my first Z9 over 3 years ago with the USB C charger. The MH33 charges earlier batteries starting with the ENEL18b; so only the old D4 era ENEL18 and the following ENEL18a version don't charge.

A pair of FTZ adapters will get you both up and about with F-mount glass.

I also prefer gripped ILCs after my first experience with a gripped D500 in 2016, followed by a D850 (late 2017).

 

[GeoffRG]

Thus, I'm interested to hear from anyone who has taken the step and swapped top of the range FX or DX SLR to mirrorless. How did you overcome the differences, did you go from DX to FX or did you forego features from your DSLR/s to go mirrorless?

For me, the DSLR to mirrorless was a no brainer. As you stated, the cost to make that switch was high, so, that being the case you should take a look at what EVERY manufacturer has to offer. This is NOT the time to say you must stay within your current ecosystem.

For me, a Nikon user since the 70s, I left Nikon and switched to Fuji GFX. Fuji had what I wanted, while Nikon was not delivering what I wanted even in DSLRs, never mind mirrorless.

So my advice to you is, look outside the Nikon ecosystem to see if someone other than Nikon is delivering what you want in a body and also in lenses.

Personally, I am not a big fan of using adapters, ergo I buy modern lenses with native mounts for my GFX. I have only one non-GFX lens I use with an adapter and that is because I rarely use the lens, which made it difficult to justify the cost of the native mount lens.

I have said elsewhere that only two mirrorless cameras are of any interest, possibly three now, the Nikon Z9 and the Canon R3 or R1. All the others are far too small.

 

[Bruno Zarokian]

Out of curiosity, what are your current favourite / most used lenses? Do you feel more limited in terms of image quality or ability to capture action?

 

[GeoffRG]

Out of curiosity, what are your current favourite / most used lenses? Do you feel more limited in terms of image quality or ability to capture action?

I frequently use 24-70 and 70-200 + TC17, 200-500 and 14-24 as appropriate. The 24-120 gets used when I go out with the 200-500 as it's more convenient than the 24-70 under those circumstances.

I don't feel limited, I'm exploring what other people are doing/have done but. In case you hadn't realised I have no intention to spend even the cost of a used Z9 at the moment. One of my intentions is to remind people that, although they may be massively impressed with mirrorless, it isn't always going to be the right answer.

Contrary to what some posters believe, I'm not looking for recommendations. I know what I would like but it never does any harm to gather opinions on alternatives, even though most of them are physically too small for me. In short, tell me how you got to where you are and what, if any, problems/difficulties you encountered.