I bought 2 D850s in 2023; one used Like New and the other brand new. I also own a Z9 that I purchased in June '22. I do most of my shooting with the DSLRs. I also own 3 Nikon F100s, an F5 and a mint F6.
@@deanjelcic9299 I've had my film cameras for years and I've purchased other cameras as I needed them. And yes, I've done well for myself and do have a lot of $ to spend. It's too bad you probably don't. However, that is not my problem so don't make it so.
I own a Nikon Df and love it. As an amateur I mostly shoot portrait and landscape, but in limited quantity. I am 75 and am considering getting a new D850 because it’s discounted now and probably will be discontinued soon. Z series is new and evolving, newer models will come out every so often and it’s too expensive for me to chase after the latest technological marvels. One more preference: long live optical view finder!
Until mirrorless get to some respectable battery life I wont be switching. I literally went to an 8 day trip to Japan last month and didnt even bring a charger for my D800 because I knew it would last me and I still had 30% of juice left in the battery.
I have D850 as my main camera and D7200 as my go-to camera when hike is involved (and surprisingly I use a D7200 almost more than D850 because my landscape photography includes hiking almost always) and not going to change it ... looking through OVF is for me a pure essence of photography .. it fills me with vibes and energy and excitement that EVF will never give me .. I cannot explain that ... I even agree that to have EVF makes photographers' life so much easier (I also have Nikon Z5 and Fujifilm X100F) but as I indicated above, I simply do enjoy a DSLRs very differently compared to MILC cameras ..
Hello, I’ve used Nikon since 1988, after Canon replaced all their cameras and lenses with incompatible new system. (Bad Canon!) I use the D850+ Z9, both are excellent. I tried the Z8, it felt, cheaper quality than the D850 in the hand. Technically fantastic, but not as well built as the D850. I took it back! However my Z9 is the true Nikon build, yes it is a bit more weighty, but I’m 74 now and it is great in the hand. Z lenses are superb in their deliverance of sharp images, but are bland to look at. I use Sigma Art wide angle and short tele, on my Z9, with the Sony e mount. I love the aperture ring! On my Z S type lenses I use the control ring as an aperture ring. Of cause I still use my AF FX lenses on both cameras, and I print 23”x19” without seeing any difference with any of my lens types or camera bodies. We all like new “toys”, but the past quality of Nikon in the real world, is still gorgeous. Love your RUclips . TonyH
Another weakness of the Z8 is a very short battery life. And if you buy the ugly battery grip, you STILL get less power and ironically, the camera then becomes larger than the Z9.
Hmmm..... sell the D850 for ball park £1500 & spend £4000 on a new Z8? For landscape I don't think I'd do it. Also if you are using a Z lens on the Z8 for the comparison, then you're not really comparing D850 vs Z8 image quality. If you also change over to high-end Z glass, then you're talking a whole lot more money on top of your initial £2500 to change camera bodies
Dear Andy, excellent vlog. Very good comparison. It is still difficult to choose between them, expecially when you already have Nikon gear (F-lenses). You also emphasize this aspect in a good way. I agree if one does not have Nikon gear, the Z8 is the way to go. But if one has already Nikon gear (F-lenses) the choice is indeed difficult. Besides the price difference between the cameras make it even more difficult. Please go on this way and make more of these vlogs. 👍👍👍
Since heavily invested in Nikon D lenses, stick with D series camera is a natural way to go from the money standpoint. There are so many variables involved with which way to go. Best to leave it to individual to do their own research and decide which way is the best for them. the image's quality from D & Z should be pretty close, to the eyes of ordinary propel, I don't think they could tell the differences.
Really interesting about a year ago I was faced with this dilemma. I've owned the Nikon D8 50 for a very long time and I love it. I've actually just replaced the body with a new one. In other words. There was a guy that wanted to buy my secondhand one, so I sold him my old camera and got a new d850 because I loved it that much..... However, I borrowed a Friend small Fujifilm camera and you know what happened next don't you? I fell in love with Fuji. The colours are just so beautiful and Fuji files barely need editing and now I own a GFX 50 S mark 2 which is similar to the D850 in some ways, even though it's medium format, there's a lot of similarities between these two cameras similar megapixels similar dynamic range and they operate very similar but I like the Fuji colours more if you are a D8 50 owner and you shoot landscape Photography have a look at the GFX 50 mark 2 or even the GFX 100s because I guarantee you it's a better camera for landscape Photography than the Z8 will ever be. Don't get me wrong as it is a great camera, but it's not a GFX and GFX cameras have come down significantly in the last two years.
Thanks Nev, interesting to hear your thoughts on the Fuji. I know a number of landscape photographers that made that switch to Fuji for colour and resolution.Thanks for watching and have a good Xmas.
I'm a long time shooter of both Nikon F and Z mounts and Fiji X system, personally the color comparisons are Very minor when processing RAW data but I lean more towards Nikon for a slight edge on how it captures the Truest color renditions in the landscape scenes. Now if you're talking about Jpeg colors, well that is a gigantic can of worms that can be debated for ages.
@@andylockphotography I have since switched to a Fujifilm GFX camera and also an xT5 and there's no way I'm going back to Nikon. The GFX is phenomenal for landscape photography
Have the D850, Z8 and Z9. The 850 is still a great camera I don’t use it as much any more but still use it. If someone was deciding between buying a 850 or Z8 , buy the Z8 more advanced features. If you have a D850, buy the Z8 and buy the Z8 as a second body, they work well together. Add Z lenes as you go along, the FTZ adaptor works very well with most F mount glass. Would recommend buying the 24-120z with theZ8. Fantastic lens. Enjoy
I don't think mount size has an effect on your light gathering ability, exposures on a given sensor are the same across the board. From what I understand, the Z mount size allows for loads of optic design opportunities, and early on rumors had it that perhaps Nikon is looking to the future in case they want to go to crop medium format [I,e; fuji GFX, Hasselblad X, Pentax 645] which will be a bit tight like the Sony E mount is on their FF sensors... As far as this comparison, for a long day of shooting I would prefer my D850 being that the is only a 3 oz. difference in weight however the Battery life is my deciding factor. Just make sure with the D850 you chose your lenses well when comparing to the Z system.
Thanks for the info update on the lens diameter increasing light to sensor - I got that information directly off the Nikon website so good to know and possibly I misinterpreted it.They word it 'The Nikon Z mount, with its 55mm throat diameter, is the widest mount available for full-frame cameras, gathering more light for the sensor'. Thanks for watching.
@@andylockphotography I noticed over the years Nikon [and other Japanese manufacturers] post descriptions that kind of gets lost or misconstrued in translation. The fact is that just like any sensor box no matter what size and what size sensor, units of light are constant. For example; the same light hitting a sensor in an F mount (FX or DX) mirror box is the same amount of light hitting a Z mount sensor (FX or DX) all at the same exposure settings, neither has a "light gathering" advantage... it's simple physics.
For landscape there cannot be any image quality difference. The big difference is weight because you have also to compare equivalent Z and F lenses of each system added to body weights. between Z8 + Z 24-70 2.8 and D850 + AFS 24-70VR 2.8 there is near 500g weight difference, what's huge. 14-24 2.8 adds 350g more 70-200 2.8 weights are quite identical An equipment with one body and the holly trinity lenses shows a weight difference of around 900g When hiking to shoot landscapes this difference is like nothing for a younger well trained photographer but can be significant for and older not in best shape one. But I didn't say that D850 is for young photographers and Z8 for daddies 😂
Now I'm going to give you a tip, when the lens weighs more than the camera body, Nikon usually incorporates a tripod ring into the lens, use it before your camera body starts to have play and you have no idea what happened to your camera.
Great tip. If you watch any of my other videos you will see I normally do mount from the lens on my 70 -200 lens. This trip I didn't have the release plate with me - just the L bracket. But great tip and thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing this video... I still own a Nikon D5 and a Nikon D850, I think that I'll regret departing from these great cameras. I did sell my Nikon D4 and D4s because I quit sports photography and moved to birding and model photography. If I would go for a mirrorless camera it would definitely be a Nikon Z9. I love big and clunky but....more importantly is that the battery for the Z8 isn't as good as the one used in the Z9. The vertical battery grip for the Z8 is not as well designed as on the older DSLR cameras. I have a grip for the D850 with a BL-5 so I can use an EN-EL 18 with my D850. I would consider a Z8 for model photography if the battery grip would hold the EN-EL 18 batteries...... My plan is to wait patiently for some time and see what new models arrive and look for a used Z9 as I hardly ever buy new cameras or lenses except the D850 and a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 I bought new.
The biggest advantage of the D850 is that you can compose and focus at the same time - the OVF has still more "resolution" than the EVF. Don't use the diopter, however, but make sure that your glasses are up to date and fully correct your eyesight.
?🙂. Everyone is different, I have no problems focusing and composing at the same time on the Z8 or Z9. Only difference from my 850 is the EVF can be set brighter than what you see on the 850s OVF. Is the 850 ovf more detailed than the Z8 or Z9 ? A little, but the Z8 and Z9 EVF are very close to a OVF, I have never had a problem. 🙂 when using the 850 and one of the Z’s together it’s noticeable that 850 through the OVF is darker, on the Z8 and Z9 you can adjust EVF brightness.
@@brianglock3099 For me, the higher OVF resolution means that I don't need to zoom in. With the Z7 EVF, which is not as bright as the Z8/Z9 EVF, but otherwise similar, the maximum acuity is constrained by the EVF resolution and thus the location of maximum acuity is not as readily apparent as with the OVF - provided that you are using good glasses in the correct way in order to perceive that maximum acuity with your eyes.
My D4s rocks...11 fps....put it on automatic and let her rip...900 bucks for a 6000$ camera last winter....soon I'll pick up an D850 for 1200 bucks.... Save your money for glass. (Remember National Geographic used a D700 for covers....)
In the age of EXPEED 7 Cameras like the ZF,Z8,Z9..... people who choose the D850 over the Z8 are either sourgraping or just flat out in denial. DSLRs are essentially crippled cameras where you have to master certain techniques in order to increase your keeper rates. Wheras with Expeed 7 mirrorless, you can literally ask your 12 year old son who loves TikTok to take photos at your own party while not having to worry about whether he nailed that shot or not, all you have to do is ask him to frame it properly, lol....you CAN'T do that with a DSLR! I owned a bunch of Nikon DSLRs in the past including the D4s and the D850... currently own two ZFs...time to move on guys, itwas like when we thought NOKIAs and Blackberrie phones were the absolute pinnacle in smartphone technology then the iPhone came along.... Mirrorless lets you take off some of that load in your brain (like proper focusing techniques) and just concentrate on proper framing and composition.
You need to speak louder (not scream) or get the microphone closer. I have to set all my volume up and stop all action in my house in order to hear you. But when your annoying loud music starts playing I have to lower the volume again. Terrible, NO LIKE
I bought 2 D850s in 2023; one used Like New and the other brand new. I also own a Z9 that I purchased in June '22. I do most of my shooting with the DSLRs. I also own 3 Nikon F100s, an F5 and a mint F6.
You got quite a bit of money to spend 🤣
@@deanjelcic9299 I've had my film cameras for years and I've purchased other cameras as I needed them. And yes, I've done well for myself and do have a lot of $ to spend. It's too bad you probably don't. However, that is not my problem so don't make it so.
@@paulconnors2078
Next up
A Leica 🤗🤗🤗
I own a Nikon Df and love it. As an amateur I mostly shoot portrait and landscape, but in limited quantity. I am 75 and am considering getting a new D850 because it’s discounted now and probably will be discontinued soon. Z series is new and evolving, newer models will come out every so often and it’s too expensive for me to chase after the latest technological marvels. One more preference: long live optical view finder!
I love my D850. I've photographed with the Z8 and just recently the Z7ii and the D850 is still so far my favourite camera. Thanks for watching.
Until mirrorless get to some respectable battery life I wont be switching. I literally went to an 8 day trip to Japan last month and didnt even bring a charger for my D800 because I knew it would last me and I still had 30% of juice left in the battery.
Nikon D850, because I have it and not money for Z8. But, D850 still for me, good battery life and fit to hand like glove.
Battery life does make a big difference. Thanks for watching.
The high ISO is great... Even Jpeg files!
I have D850 as my main camera and D7200 as my go-to camera when hike is involved (and surprisingly I use a D7200 almost more than D850 because my landscape photography includes hiking almost always) and not going to change it ... looking through OVF is for me a pure essence of photography .. it fills me with vibes and energy and excitement that EVF will never give me .. I cannot explain that ... I even agree that to have EVF makes photographers' life so much easier (I also have Nikon Z5 and Fujifilm X100F) but as I indicated above, I simply do enjoy a DSLRs very differently compared to MILC cameras ..
Hello, I’ve used Nikon since 1988, after Canon replaced all their cameras and lenses with incompatible new system. (Bad Canon!) I use the D850+ Z9, both are excellent. I tried the Z8, it felt, cheaper quality than the D850 in the hand. Technically fantastic, but not as well built as the D850. I took it back! However my Z9 is the true Nikon build, yes it is a bit more weighty, but I’m 74 now and it is great in the hand. Z lenses are superb in their deliverance of sharp images, but are bland to look at. I use Sigma Art wide angle and short tele, on my Z9, with the Sony e mount. I love the aperture ring! On my Z S type lenses I use the control ring as an aperture ring. Of cause I still use my AF FX lenses on both cameras, and I print 23”x19” without seeing any difference with any of my lens types or camera bodies. We all like new “toys”, but the past quality of Nikon in the real world, is still gorgeous. Love your RUclips . TonyH
Thanks Tony
Another weakness of the Z8 is a very short battery life. And if you buy the ugly battery grip, you STILL get less power and ironically, the camera then becomes larger than the Z9.
D850 for Me. I'm kind of old school though. I still have a d800e and a pair of d7100's that I use regularly in addition to the 850.
I have a good friend who is a commercial photographer and he shot on a couple of D800s for years and only recently switched.
Hmmm..... sell the D850 for ball park £1500 & spend £4000 on a new Z8? For landscape I don't think I'd do it. Also if you are using a Z lens on the Z8 for the comparison, then you're not really comparing D850 vs Z8 image quality. If you also change over to high-end Z glass, then you're talking a whole lot more money on top of your initial £2500 to change camera bodies
Worth every penny, I have D800, D810, D850 and Z9. And wow!!! I don't use the "D" cameras at all anymore.
@@lennarthsundberg4109 sell them to us cheap! :P
For landscape, definitely the D850 is more than enough!!.
Dear Andy, excellent vlog. Very good comparison. It is still difficult to choose between them, expecially when you already have Nikon gear (F-lenses). You also emphasize this aspect in a good way. I agree if one does not have Nikon gear, the Z8 is the way to go. But if one has already Nikon gear (F-lenses) the choice is indeed difficult. Besides the price difference between the cameras make it even more difficult.
Please go on this way and make more of these vlogs. 👍👍👍
Thanks for the kind feedback and thanks for watching.
Since heavily invested in Nikon D lenses, stick with D series camera is a natural way to go from the money standpoint. There are so many variables involved with which way to go. Best to leave it to individual to do their own research and decide which way is the best for them. the image's quality from D & Z should be pretty close, to the eyes of ordinary propel, I don't think they could tell the differences.
If you want any kind of video go with the Z9.
But if you only want photos, the Nikon d850 is perfect.
Really interesting about a year ago I was faced with this dilemma. I've owned the Nikon D8 50 for a very long time and I love it. I've actually just replaced the body with a new one. In other words. There was a guy that wanted to buy my secondhand one, so I sold him my old camera and got a new d850 because I loved it that much..... However, I borrowed a Friend small Fujifilm camera and you know what happened next don't you? I fell in love with Fuji. The colours are just so beautiful and Fuji files barely need editing and now I own a GFX 50 S mark 2 which is similar to the D850 in some ways, even though it's medium format, there's a lot of similarities between these two cameras similar megapixels similar dynamic range and they operate very similar but I like the Fuji colours more if you are a D8 50 owner and you shoot landscape Photography have a look at the GFX 50 mark 2 or even the GFX 100s because I guarantee you it's a better camera for landscape Photography than the Z8 will ever be. Don't get me wrong as it is a great camera, but it's not a GFX and GFX cameras have come down significantly in the last two years.
Thanks Nev, interesting to hear your thoughts on the Fuji. I know a number of landscape photographers that made that switch to Fuji for colour and resolution.Thanks for watching and have a good Xmas.
I'm a long time shooter of both Nikon F and Z mounts and Fiji X system, personally the color comparisons are Very minor when processing RAW data but I lean more towards Nikon for a slight edge on how it captures the Truest color renditions in the landscape scenes. Now if you're talking about Jpeg colors, well that is a gigantic can of worms that can be debated for ages.
@@andylockphotography I have since switched to a Fujifilm GFX camera and also an xT5 and there's no way I'm going back to Nikon. The GFX is phenomenal for landscape photography
Have the D850, Z8 and Z9. The 850 is still a great camera I don’t use it as much any more but still use it. If someone was deciding between buying a 850 or Z8 , buy the Z8 more advanced features. If you have a D850, buy the Z8 and buy the Z8 as a second body, they work well together. Add Z lenes as you go along, the FTZ adaptor works very well with most F mount glass. Would recommend buying the 24-120z with theZ8. Fantastic lens.
Enjoy
I don't think mount size has an effect on your light gathering ability, exposures on a given sensor are the same across the board. From what I understand, the Z mount size allows for loads of optic design opportunities, and early on rumors had it that perhaps Nikon is looking to the future in case they want to go to crop medium format [I,e; fuji GFX, Hasselblad X, Pentax 645] which will be a bit tight like the Sony E mount is on their FF sensors... As far as this comparison, for a long day of shooting I would prefer my D850 being that the is only a 3 oz. difference in weight however the Battery life is my deciding factor. Just make sure with the D850 you chose your lenses well when comparing to the Z system.
Thanks for the info update on the lens diameter increasing light to sensor - I got that information directly off the Nikon website so good to know and possibly I misinterpreted it.They word it 'The Nikon Z mount, with its 55mm throat diameter, is the widest mount available for full-frame cameras, gathering more light for the sensor'. Thanks for watching.
@@andylockphotography I noticed over the years Nikon [and other Japanese manufacturers] post descriptions that kind of gets lost or misconstrued in translation. The fact is that just like any sensor box no matter what size and what size sensor, units of light are constant. For example; the same light hitting a sensor in an F mount (FX or DX) mirror box is the same amount of light hitting a Z mount sensor (FX or DX) all at the same exposure settings, neither has a "light gathering" advantage... it's simple physics.
I am facing the dilemma of whether replace my D850 with either the Z8 or perhaps wait until the Z6iii is released.
Keep me posted - I'd be interested to know which way you end up going and why
Or get at least the ZF, you'll be blown away by how much better It is.
I just sold my Z6ii and own a D850, waiting for the specs Z6iii
For landscape there cannot be any image quality difference.
The big difference is weight because you have also to compare equivalent Z and F lenses of each system added to body weights.
between Z8 + Z 24-70 2.8 and D850 + AFS 24-70VR 2.8 there is near 500g weight difference, what's huge.
14-24 2.8 adds 350g more
70-200 2.8 weights are quite identical
An equipment with one body and the holly trinity lenses shows a weight difference of around 900g
When hiking to shoot landscapes this difference is like nothing for a younger well trained photographer but can be significant for and older not in best shape one.
But I didn't say that D850 is for young photographers and Z8 for daddies 😂
Hasselblad is the way to go for landscape every day of the year.
Now I'm going to give you a tip, when the lens weighs more than the camera body, Nikon usually incorporates a tripod ring into the lens, use it before your camera body starts to have play and you have no idea what happened to your camera.
Great tip. If you watch any of my other videos you will see I normally do mount from the lens on my 70 -200 lens. This trip I didn't have the release plate with me - just the L bracket. But great tip and thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing this video...
I still own a Nikon D5 and a Nikon D850, I think that I'll regret departing from these great cameras. I did sell my Nikon D4 and D4s because I quit sports photography and moved to birding and model photography.
If I would go for a mirrorless camera it would definitely be a Nikon Z9.
I love big and clunky but....more importantly is that the battery for the Z8 isn't as good as the one used in the Z9.
The vertical battery grip for the Z8 is not as well designed as on the older DSLR cameras. I have a grip for the D850 with a BL-5 so I can use an EN-EL 18 with my D850.
I would consider a Z8 for model photography if the battery grip would hold the EN-EL 18 batteries......
My plan is to wait patiently for some time and see what new models arrive and look for a used Z9 as I hardly ever buy new cameras or lenses except the D850 and a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 I bought new.
May I ask what tripod you are using? It looks light & capable.
Hi no problem it's the Sunwayfoto T3650CM Carbon Fibre Tripod. I have some affiliate links in the descriptions on my last 2 videos.
The biggest advantage of the D850 is that you can compose and focus at the same time - the OVF has still more "resolution" than the EVF. Don't use the diopter, however, but make sure that your glasses are up to date and fully correct your eyesight.
?🙂. Everyone is different, I have no problems focusing and composing at the same time on the Z8 or Z9. Only difference from my 850 is the EVF can be set brighter than what you see on the 850s OVF. Is the 850 ovf more detailed than the Z8 or Z9 ? A little, but the Z8 and Z9 EVF are very close to a OVF, I have never had a problem. 🙂 when using the 850 and one of the Z’s together it’s noticeable that 850 through the OVF is darker, on the Z8 and Z9 you can adjust EVF brightness.
@@brianglock3099 For me, the higher OVF resolution means that I don't need to zoom in. With the Z7 EVF, which is not as bright as the Z8/Z9 EVF, but otherwise similar, the maximum acuity is constrained by the EVF resolution and thus the location of maximum acuity is not as readily apparent as with the OVF - provided that you are using good glasses in the correct way in order to perceive that maximum acuity with your eyes.
My D4s rocks...11 fps....put it on automatic and let her rip...900 bucks for a 6000$ camera last winter....soon I'll pick up an D850 for 1200 bucks....
Save your money for glass. (Remember National Geographic used a D700 for covers....)
If your camera is the latest, but your photography skills are still twenty years old, I suggest you don't change your camera anymore😂
In the age of EXPEED 7 Cameras like the ZF,Z8,Z9..... people who choose the D850 over the Z8 are either sourgraping or just flat out in denial. DSLRs are essentially crippled cameras where you have to master certain techniques in order to increase your keeper rates.
Wheras with Expeed 7 mirrorless, you can literally ask your 12 year old son who loves TikTok to take photos at your own party while not having to worry about whether he nailed that shot or not, all you have to do is ask him to frame it properly, lol....you CAN'T do that with a DSLR! I owned a bunch of Nikon DSLRs in the past including the D4s and the D850... currently own two ZFs...time to move on guys, itwas like when we thought NOKIAs and Blackberrie phones were the absolute pinnacle in smartphone technology then the iPhone came along.... Mirrorless lets you take off some of that load in your brain (like proper focusing techniques) and just concentrate on proper framing and composition.
I love my D4....i think i will be in denial for a longgg time....🙃
Denial of what ? Knowledge of photography techniques.
I would gladly use old film cameras if I could lay my hands on one.
You need to speak louder (not scream) or get the microphone closer. I have to set all my volume up and stop all action in my house in order to hear you. But when your annoying loud music starts playing I have to lower the volume again. Terrible, NO LIKE
Sorry you didn't enjoy the vlog but I appreciate your constructive feedback.
😊 the dialog level is fine fine here. Music though is louder than dialouge 😊😊😊
Z8 or go home >> choosing a DSLR is like choosing a Model T Ford instead of a 2024 Sedan
....or an old '66 camper 😀
Your Z8 is doing nothing image wise that the 850 hasn't already been doing since 2017 .
I’ll pick the 55 corvette over the 2024 mercedes.
Speak like that I see you are no photographer.