True - valid, relevant. Shooting Z 8, myself, I still think the D850 is great indeed. Absolutely fabulous. Lens selection for the D includes the screwdriver Nikon F-mount AF lenses, but it can never mount Z lenses properly. The other way around, I can use about all G and E F-mount lenses on the Z with the FTZ. It's really a pity that Nikon never made a screwdriver version of the FTZ. That said, yes, the Z 8 increases the hit rate and it puts a smile on my face. If you do landscape, architecture, product, a pre-owned Z 7ii would be fabulous too. An overlooked feature of the IBIS in the Z 8/9 is that the sensor has a lot more rows/columns outside the effective image area. A few additional rows got introduced into the Bayer cameras as a way to no longer need a separate edge-deBayerisation algorithm. Adding a lot more, Nikon enabled to move the image crop around the sensor and i that way stabilize in the sensor plane in software. This then happens in the processing pipeline to the memory card and that adds no IBIS latency.
@---us7qf you can't have enough dslrs my friend. Otherwise get a D810 also as back up. They sell for 600-800 euro or so depending on the condition and shuttercount.
I bought a D850 in Dec 2024, couple of weeks ago, bought another a few days ago..I completely bypassed the Z7ii, Z6ii & Sony A7Riii because I only use liveview & need high level weatherproofing for Landscapes. 45mp & using my F mount glass for affordable prices. Sigma Art 28mm, 40mm, 24-105mm, 70-200mm sport - high resolution lenses
I love my d850 however I like the fact that I can shop all those beautiful F mount lenses and the price is fabulous . Love the feel of the d850 it is truly a professional
Two words. Optical viewfinder. Dslrs, slr cameras and true rangefinders are the way. I have a ZF for when I need, but when I don’t want to stare at a screen, optical viewfinders are the best.
@@ZWadePhoto the Leica sl2/sl3 is as close as it gets and it’s still a screen. They’re getting better but an optical viewfinder is always going to be less intense on your eyes.
Its worth pointing out the D850 was released in 2017. The Z8 in 2023. If we take the same time line and compare older nikons, its not uncommon to see notable technological leaps in that time. But there is the additional factor, in that the last mirrored camera Nikon released? was the D6, in 2020. There has been no investment or production of new mirrored cameras for 4 years, and if we are honest? 7 years+ In a more interesting world we may have seen these technologies being carried over into the mirrored counterparts where suitable. But theres no intention as a manufacturer to do so. Now that most of the early adoption bugs seem to have been zapped, the systems matured as well as parts to go with it? I switched over this month. Hate some aspects, love others. Still getting to grips with the scope of use in my hands. But, if not acting as a professional needing to progress? The entire eco system, price and accessability in second hand markets will be great for people just doing stills.
I think it wont be too long until your camera is a fully concious A.I. that you only have to point in the general direction of what you want to photoograph. Then show you a fully post processed photo on your smart glasses.
I have both and still use both for Aurora Photography. The D850 does not change the focus when the lens is on manual focus when you turn the camera off like the Z8 does. The Z8 lasts longer at low temperatures than the D850, only if you turn the monitor off, but I need it on to monitor the camera. The D850 will tell you when it is going to fail at low temperatures, but the Z8 hasn't failed yet. I tested the Z8 and the Z6 II at -43C taking photos every 20 seconds for 1.5 hours and both worked flawlessly, the D850 would have failed after about 30 to 40 minutes. It has to do with the lubricants in the shutter. I still have a lot of F mount glass for Aurora so I am keeping my D850 and my D810A. I use 2 to 4 cameras when shooting the Aurora and I like to have spares.
I had the D850,loved it. I now have the Z8 love it....Z lenses are sharper. The Z8 has less battery longevity, i have 3 batteries for it. Focus tracking on Z8 is amazing.
D850 today, 01-20-2025 is $1999.00 US. Got the r,ail today from Nikon. Great deal if you’re on a budget. I would still need to spring for memory cards coming from a D810. I would spring for a Z8 if I know it would yield a 85% hit rate or higher. Otherwise would rather just go with the D850 & a used promo condition 25-70 lens. Plus a 600 F4 eventually. Nikon also had the the Z600 F4 TC on sale for $13- something k. About $1500 off. Considering Canon &Sony’s 600 f4 is $13k- $14k, that’s a pretty good deal & don’t think you will see any cheaper unless refurbished.
It's still disappointing to me that we don't have open aperture focus as an option on mirrorless cameras. If you read the fine print on that -6.5/9 EV focus spec, it is pretty meaningless.: "In photo mode, AF-S, focus position center, ISO 100, f/1.2 lens, 20°C/68°F." What is not stated clearly here is that not only does that require a f1.2 lens, but your taking aperture has to be set to f1.2. If you have to stop down for DOF, or are using a lens that is natively f2.8, then the AF is at parity with the 850. By adding a $60 blister pack flash from best buy, the DSLR has a growing advantage. The assist lights for mirrorless cameras are all blinding, visible spectrum area lights, and are not helpful if you have a fat lens installed or use a hood.
The problem is that Nikon hates DSLR users. In all those years, why is there hardly a firmware update for both d850 and d780 while Nikon is still selling both cameras at a significant price? They could for instance have improved face and eye detection when using the screen, such as include dog and cat faces, but they refuse so they can make money from the cameras when people want a DSLR, while earn heavily when people go for the z system and buy all the new gear. Mirrorless is the way forward, as DSLR will disappear, and the hit rate for sharp pictures and better videos is larger. But Nikon should have shown respect for all its customers. If I go mirrorless, I may leave Nikon for that reason: it is only about the money, not for the respect for people who want to use their equipment. But, I'm only an amateur, so Nikon will certainly not mind as many more will buy the Z50 II.
@@pleclere that’s dramatic. The D850 is very unique in that it never really needed an update for bugs. Meaning they nailed it. What features do you want added to the D850 because they aren’t nearly as expandable as mirrorless via firmware.
@ZWadePhoto as I mentioned, the face and eye detection could have been improved (at least dog and cat recognition) so it would be better for video. I understand DSLR will never be at the same level of mirrorless, but at least certain improvements could have happened as done with other cameras. It is not only about fixing bugs, or the Nikon z9, and other z system cameras would have been a disaster during their release, while they still receive updates to get even better.
The Dynamic is range way superior in the D850 and nearly every FF mirrorless on the market. D850's OVF will outlast the Z8's EVF and when it starts to flicker good luck getting a fix for it .Never sell your D850 .
Yes current flagship mirrorless tech will always in Specs on an 8 y/o DSLR but the D850 will always win in handling. build and ergonomics. But the deciding factor will be the IQ and there is no difference that any blind tests can detect.
@@ZWadePhoto too clinically sharp and 2D for me, I went back to older low element glass and those images has Wayyyy more interestingness than my modern mirrorless. Now for "work" yes, that is a different story.
True - valid, relevant. Shooting Z 8, myself, I still think the D850 is great indeed. Absolutely fabulous.
Lens selection for the D includes the screwdriver Nikon F-mount AF lenses, but it can never mount Z lenses properly. The other way around, I can use about all G and E F-mount lenses on the Z with the FTZ. It's really a pity that Nikon never made a screwdriver version of the FTZ.
That said, yes, the Z 8 increases the hit rate and it puts a smile on my face. If you do landscape, architecture, product, a pre-owned Z 7ii would be fabulous too.
An overlooked feature of the IBIS in the Z 8/9 is that the sensor has a lot more rows/columns outside the effective image area. A few additional rows got introduced into the Bayer cameras as a way to no longer need a separate edge-deBayerisation algorithm. Adding a lot more, Nikon enabled to move the image crop around the sensor and i that way stabilize in the sensor plane in software. This then happens in the processing pipeline to the memory card and that adds no IBIS latency.
Thanks for watching my friend!
Plus 50 points for the D850 because I have three of them😅
Three?
Wow, I am getting mine brand new from the Europe Nikon website in a few weeks. I only need/want 1.
@---us7qf you can't have enough dslrs my friend. Otherwise get a D810 also as back up. They sell for 600-800 euro or so depending on the condition and shuttercount.
I bought a D850 in Dec 2024, couple of weeks ago, bought another a few days ago..I completely bypassed the Z7ii, Z6ii & Sony A7Riii because I only use liveview & need high level weatherproofing for Landscapes. 45mp & using my F mount glass for affordable prices.
Sigma Art 28mm, 40mm, 24-105mm, 70-200mm sport - high resolution lenses
Hahaha fair
Sold my D850 for the Z8. No going back! The Z8 is amazing!
Welcome to the future!
I love my d850 however I like the fact that I can shop all those beautiful F mount lenses and the price is fabulous . Love the feel of the d850 it is truly a professional
Lens shopping is the most fun
Agreed on all points.
Newbies should avoid DSLR’s just based on common sense.
@@johnfromconnecticut 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Two words. Optical viewfinder. Dslrs, slr cameras and true rangefinders are the way. I have a ZF for when I need, but when I don’t want to stare at a screen, optical viewfinders are the best.
The Z8 and Z9 are pretty close to real. As close as I’ve seen in EVFs
@@ZWadePhoto the Leica sl2/sl3 is as close as it gets and it’s still a screen. They’re getting better but an optical viewfinder is always going to be less intense on your eyes.
Its worth pointing out the D850 was released in 2017. The Z8 in 2023.
If we take the same time line and compare older nikons, its not uncommon to see notable technological leaps in that time.
But there is the additional factor, in that the last mirrored camera Nikon released? was the D6, in 2020.
There has been no investment or production of new mirrored cameras for 4 years, and if we are honest? 7 years+
In a more interesting world we may have seen these technologies being carried over into the mirrored counterparts where suitable. But theres no intention as a manufacturer to do so.
Now that most of the early adoption bugs seem to have been zapped, the systems matured as well as parts to go with it?
I switched over this month.
Hate some aspects, love others.
Still getting to grips with the scope of use in my hands.
But, if not acting as a professional needing to progress? The entire eco system, price and accessability in second hand markets will be great for people just doing stills.
Good luck with the adjustment Anthony
I think it wont be too long until your camera is a fully concious A.I. that you only have to point in the general direction of what you want to photoograph. Then show you a fully post processed photo on your smart glasses.
Oh man, at that point I’m turning all those features off unless I’m getting paid lol
I have both and still use both for Aurora Photography. The D850 does not change the focus when the lens is on manual focus when you turn the camera off like the Z8 does. The Z8 lasts longer at low temperatures than the D850, only if you turn the monitor off, but I need it on to monitor the camera. The D850 will tell you when it is going to fail at low temperatures, but the Z8 hasn't failed yet. I tested the Z8 and the Z6 II at -43C taking photos every 20 seconds for 1.5 hours and both worked flawlessly, the D850 would have failed after about 30 to 40 minutes. It has to do with the lubricants in the shutter. I still have a lot of F mount glass for Aurora so I am keeping my D850 and my D810A. I use 2 to 4 cameras when shooting the Aurora and I like to have spares.
Good info my dude!
I had the D850,loved it.
I now have the Z8 love it....Z lenses are sharper.
The Z8 has less battery longevity, i have 3 batteries for it.
Focus tracking on Z8 is amazing.
Meh.
Thanks for watching my friend!
D850 today, 01-20-2025 is $1999.00 US. Got the r,ail today from Nikon. Great deal if you’re on a budget. I would still need to spring for memory cards coming from a D810. I would spring for a Z8 if I know it would yield a 85% hit rate or higher. Otherwise would rather just go with the D850 & a used promo condition 25-70 lens. Plus a 600 F4 eventually. Nikon also had the the Z600 F4 TC on sale for $13- something k. About $1500 off. Considering Canon &Sony’s 600 f4 is $13k- $14k, that’s a pretty good deal & don’t think you will see any cheaper unless refurbished.
Thanks for watching Thomas!
Good stuff Z !!
Thanks buddy!
Quite reasonable review.
Thanks buddy!
I'm just a Nikon DSLR lifer, the EVF is like a virtual reality peephole.
The Z8 and Z9 are extremely close to reality. I hardly notice the difference
It's still disappointing to me that we don't have open aperture focus as an option on mirrorless cameras. If you read the fine print on that -6.5/9 EV focus spec, it is pretty meaningless.:
"In photo mode, AF-S, focus position center, ISO 100, f/1.2 lens, 20°C/68°F."
What is not stated clearly here is that not only does that require a f1.2 lens, but your taking aperture has to be set to f1.2. If you have to stop down for DOF, or are using a lens that is natively f2.8, then the AF is at parity with the 850. By adding a $60 blister pack flash from best buy, the DSLR has a growing advantage. The assist lights for mirrorless cameras are all blinding, visible spectrum area lights, and are not helpful if you have a fat lens installed or use a hood.
@@OriginalWatchcow *cue static electricity sound and stare with a confused look*
Flash autoAF assist is still disabled on most flash when you go mirrorless - very annoying .. 🦘
Z mount over F mount another point for the Z8.
Shots fired!
2.3 x video crop!
✌️
Good vs Evil
😈 angel 👼
I still love my D500. I always prefer the feels in hand and overall quality.
🙌🙌🙌
d850 was the best dslr. but….but…I will never buy again a 2 typee memory card camera.
Right on right on 🤙🤙
The problem is that Nikon hates DSLR users. In all those years, why is there hardly a firmware update for both d850 and d780 while Nikon is still selling both cameras at a significant price? They could for instance have improved face and eye detection when using the screen, such as include dog and cat faces, but they refuse so they can make money from the cameras when people want a DSLR, while earn heavily when people go for the z system and buy all the new gear.
Mirrorless is the way forward, as DSLR will disappear, and the hit rate for sharp pictures and better videos is larger. But Nikon should have shown respect for all its customers. If I go mirrorless, I may leave Nikon for that reason: it is only about the money, not for the respect for people who want to use their equipment. But, I'm only an amateur, so Nikon will certainly not mind as many more will buy the Z50 II.
@@pleclere that’s dramatic.
The D850 is very unique in that it never really needed an update for bugs. Meaning they nailed it.
What features do you want added to the D850 because they aren’t nearly as expandable as mirrorless via firmware.
@ZWadePhoto as I mentioned, the face and eye detection could have been improved (at least dog and cat recognition) so it would be better for video. I understand DSLR will never be at the same level of mirrorless, but at least certain improvements could have happened as done with other cameras. It is not only about fixing bugs, or the Nikon z9, and other z system cameras would have been a disaster during their release, while they still receive updates to get even better.
The Dynamic is range way superior in the D850 and nearly every FF mirrorless on the market. D850's OVF will outlast the Z8's EVF and when it starts to flicker good luck getting a fix for it .Never sell your D850 .
No need for a fix when you upgrade every 5 years💅 you have a D850 and that's OKAY.
☝️
Yes current flagship mirrorless tech will always in Specs on an 8 y/o DSLR but the D850 will always win in handling. build and ergonomics. But the deciding factor will be the IQ and there is no difference that any blind tests can detect.
But the glass 🙌
@@ZWadePhoto too clinically sharp and 2D for me, I went back to older low element glass and those images has Wayyyy more interestingness than my modern mirrorless. Now for "work" yes, that is a different story.
Love both cameras but in different ways.
Prefer the button layout on the D850.
BTW Xerces defeated Leonidas dead...🦘
But not on the first day😄
☝️☝️☝️☝️ lol