Nikon Shooters - Would you switch to another brand (or have you?)

[Reno]

Been shooting Nikon since early '70's with an FE, never switched to another brand. Currently using D500 and Z6/7, completely happy with the results from all three cameras; other brands may have a few neat "bells and whistles" but in the final analysis, image for image, print for print, I see no edge with the "bells and whistles" in the other brands.

 

[John Woodworth]

I struggle mostly with the limitations of my ability, not with those of the Nikon Z's. Still on a steep learning curve with mirrorless auto focus even after months of intensive shooting. I shoot Sony sometimes, too...Still, not every picture comes out perfect.

 

[Steve]

What’s the release date for the Sony how-to book?

LOL, if it comes, it's a long way off!

 

[Steve]

I wonder Steve, are you planning a review of the Sony A1?

If you are it would certainly help me answer your question.

I wasn't planning on it a first, but the more I use the camera, the more I'm included to do a review. Probably won't be for a couple months, but I think I may do one. There is a lot to love about it and I think it may be my favorite camera of all time - well, so far

 

[DaveR]

I wasn't planning on it a first, but the more I use the camera, the more I'm included to do a review. Probably won't be for a couple months, but I think I may do one. There is a lot to love about it and I think it may be my favorite camera of all time - well, so far

Given the interest it the A1 I think it would be popular and I would very interested to hear your thoughts, especially on the autofocus system and image quality.

 

[gaknott]

Doing this as a hobby and invested in Nikon DSLR bodies and lenses, there would have to be a catastrophic failure at Nikon for me to switch brands. I like shooting with them and the results I get. I do not object to the idea of switching, it would just be a big investment and learning curve.

 

[Steve]

My thought precisely. I love my Nikon gear but I rented an A1 with the 200-600 and it blew me away especially for birds in flight. The 850 is superb but can't capture the sharp focus of moving objects as consistently as the A1. I begged the wife and bought the Sony. Still have the D500 and 850 but the Sony is so dang fun the Nikons are sitting on the shelf.

That's what's happening to me as well. I'm finding the Sonys are a blast to shoot. For me, it's probably just the fun that comes with learning a new piece of tech. I know, most hate that part, but I love digging into a new electronics device and figuring out what I can really do with it.

 

[Deleted member 115]

I wasn't planning on it a first, but the more I use the camera, the more I'm included to do a review. Probably won't be for a couple months, but I think I may do one. There is a lot to love about it and I think it may be my favorite camera of all time - well, so far

Now that is saying something! If you don't mind me asking What was your favorite prior to the A1?


I would probably order one if I hadn't recently bought a 500 phase fresnel. That was a big deal for my hobby needs

 

[jmurthy]

I just bought a new D850 on the current sale to pair with my D500 . The weight/reach ratio is important and I bought it because I have the 300 and 500PF mainly for wildlife. So far testing them on my pups as subjects I am very happy . It seems like at this point, with Nikon and Olympus in my bag, I am rooting for companies that don't have their stuff together. That said, looking at AF on sony A1 is mind blowing. I guess I will wait until A1 II is released for Z9 to be widely available (hopefully). If Z9 is all hype, then I will have to decide whether to stay the course or spring for used A1. A1 II will probably setup the tripod and shoot BIF while you sit next to it and sip tea.

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[Steve]

Now that is saying something! If you don't mind me asking What was your favorite prior to the A1?


I would probably order one if I hadn't recently bought a 500 phase fresnel. That was a big deal for my hobby needs

Probably the D6 (and D5 prior to that) with the a9ii an incredibly close second. However, don't mistake favorite for "best" either. When I was just shooting DSLRs, the D850 was probably the smartest choice, but I liked the D5/6 better. Sort of like the 500PF is my favorite lens, but the 600mm F/4 glass is what I use most of the time.

 

[Deleted member 115]

Probably the D6 (and D5 prior to that) with the a9ii an incredibly close second. However, don't mistake favorite for "best" either. When I was just shooting DSLRs, the D850 was probably the smartest choice, but I liked the D5/6 better. Sort of like the 500PF is my favorite lens, but the 600mm F/4 glass is what I use most of the time.

Thanks I hear what you are saying.
Solely a hobbyist here, so I am happy for now. I love the D850/500pf but really looking forward to something like the A1 or Z9.

 

[dasm]

I bought my first Nikon (Nikon FG) when I came to Edmonton, Canada as a graduate student in the mid-80's. Later, I switched to digital starting with Nikon D40, then D90, and briefly D600. As a frequent traveller, I started to focus on cutting down my camera gear and that is why I was attracted to mirrorless system. In December 2014, after a lot of checking out, I decided to go on with Fuji because the choice was between Fuji, Sony, Olympus, and Panasonic. I purchased Fuji XT1 and since then I have ben using Fuji; I switched to XT2 to XT3 and ultimately to XT4. I have ben quite happy with Fuji over all but lately, as my attention is going toward bird photography, I have been thinking about Nikon Z system. I still have almost all of my Nikon F lenses (18-200; 10-24; 70-300; 105 macro). I will be getting the Nikon Z6 ii with 24-70mm kit lens next week. This will be my first FULL FRAME system and I am looking forward to that. As I was thinking of getting back to Nikon, many of Steve's Youtube videos were very helpful in making my decision which prompted me to join this forum yesterday and I have been enjoying some wonderful posts. Thanks everybody.

 

[AKRaven]

When you, Steve, and Mark Smith switched to Sony and extolled the virtues of their mirrorless cameras, I definitely started thinking about it. I also had two Canon shooter friends that went Sony. Mirrorless sure seems to be the future and Nikon is definitely behind in that department. Nikon has also made some mistakes like producing a fine product such as the 500 PF and then not having enough to supply the demand. I am getting on in years and don't want to wait too long for upgrades to come on the market.


That being said, I'm willing to give Nikon one last chance with the Z9. If it performs like all the hype that it was given at it's announcement, I'll have to check it out. They just better have some Z glass ready for wildlife shooters like me. I don't want to have to sell all my Nikon gear and get into a new system. My old brain isn't smart enough to learn the new menus!

 

[Deleted member 115]

So a Z9 with an adapter for the 500PF will theoretically be pretty dang good?

 

[Steve]

When you, Steve, and Mark Smith switched to Sony and extolled the virtues of their mirrorless cameras, I definitely started thinking about it. I also had two Canon shooter friends that went Sony. Mirrorless sure seems to be the future and Nikon is definitely behind in that department. Nikon has also made some mistakes like producing a fine product such as the 500 PF and then not having enough to supply the demand. I am getting on in years and don't want to wait too long for upgrades to come on the market.


That being said, I'm willing to give Nikon one last chance with the Z9. If it performs like all the hype that it was given at it's announcement, I'll have to check it out. They just better have some Z glass ready for wildlife shooters like me. I don't want to have to sell all my Nikon gear and get into a new system. My old brain isn't smart enough to learn the new menus!

It seems a lot of people are in the same position - waiting to see what the Z9 is. All I know if Nikon really needs to knock that one out of the park or I think they'll lose a lot of people.

 

[Steve]

So a Z9 with an adapter for the 500PF will theoretically be pretty dang good?

No way to know. Right now, the Z cameras and the FTZ aren't as fast as the F mount cameras with the same lens. Hopefully that changes with the Z9.

 

[dasm]

No way to know. Right now, the Z cameras and the FTZ aren't as fast as the F mount cameras with the same lens. Hopefully that changes with the Z9.

Hi Steve: Would you then suggest to those of us who are thinking of getting back to Nikon with its current Z-system cameras (Z6 or Z7) to wait till Z9 is released? I'm interested in your and others' thought especially from the point of view of wildlife/bird photography. Thanks!

 

[Udall1973]

Nothing special about this shot but it was so EASY with the Sony as were the other 30 frames all in focus that the A1 grabbed. I have a new dilemma, which ones to keep! Nice problem. Sony A1 with the 200-600mm @ f6.3 1/2000 sec. ISO 400 cropped in LR.

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[SLNS]

I think you need to turn off the "Nikon" filter.

Crap! You're right. It must be something that's automatically applied after years of looking for Nikon stuff, because I didn't set it myself. Sorry to everybody if I created any undue Nikon stress! I feel like a heel

 

[Craig McGowan]

I would consider switching to Sony. I currently have Nikon D850 and D750 cameras and an assortment of Nikon lens. I think at some point i will switch to a mirrorless system, probably when my D850 eventually dies (hopefully not anytime soon).

I sense that Sony pursue product improvement and customer satisfaction at a higher level than Nikon. Just looking at firmware updates alone, it appears Sony often 'value add' in an update whereas, Nikon in my experience fix the most serious of firmware issue but not a lot more. Sony offer a wide range of lenses and continually releasing new lenses. So depending upon where the market is at the time of my D850's demise, I think I will migrate across to Sony.

 

[MadMikeOne]

Nope. And I have no intentions to switching to mirrorless. I am happy with my D500, but I REALLY want the 500 PF !

I'm with you on not switching to mirrorless - at least for now. The 500 f5.6 PF has been living on my D500 for over a year now. Love that combo for my bird photography!

 

[Demodave]

Well, I'll have to change my vote to have already changed. Sold Nikon kit and have picked up a Sony A9II, Sony A1. 200-600 and 600 prime. After shooting for a solid week in FL with both mirrorless system's, the Sony won out. My Nikon 600 g was just too heavy. The Sony is sharper and a ton lighter.

 

[ShaneB]

I love the look of Nikon images and the processing flexibility offered by the files when I screw up, so no, I'm not shifting.
Oh, and there's also the tiny, weeny thing of my investment in glass ....

 

[robertbeal]

Why change when I have found the system that works for me and have accumulated s lot of f Mount glass the grass is always greener over the septic tank my father used to always tell me

 

[O]

I shoot birds and BIF primarily, but also do flowers, butterflies, some landscapes if there's a particularly stunning view. If I weren't retired and were earning the income I had, I would probably switch because the AF on the new Canon's (R5/R6) is just phenomenal and ditto for the Sony A1. I have friends who have both and who shoot what I do and they're able to leave me in the dust--I get very good shots with my D500/500 PF combo, but they're getting the shots I miss. I'm amazed to see a guy I know who has an R6 with the 800/f11 and he'll shoot a bird pretty far away, but his focus square is right on the head--and if he's fairly close, it's on the eye. It makes me weep sometimes when I'm struggling to get my D500 to pick up focus and he's nailing the eye. And there are a couple of Sony A1 users now that get similar shots. So, yeah, if I could, I would. But, I can't, so I'm learning to live with my Nikon's capabilities and maybe--just maybe--Nikon will come out with a mirrorless that at least equals the Canon's and the Sony's one of these days.

I agree with what your experiencing, I am seeing the same thing amongst some club members. Some members feel they are being left behind and cant afford to keep buying the latest and greatest and they are becoming despondent., I mean some members recently jumped into the Z6 Z7 with in 3 months the series II was released.........others bought the D5 then sold it to buy the D6, they are already selling the D6 in less than 6 months given what's taking place........with the pending Z9.
Sony don't even go there.

I ask what about photography and enjoying yourself ?

There are always people that are going to take better photos' than myself, I just don't let it effect me or pressure me into feeling left behind.

I went to a recent wild life photographer of the year exhibition here at the Maritime Museum and there were amazing wild life photos from all around the world...just amazing, there were all sorts of awards, the 600mm F4 and big bang cameras had some lovely shots, most were D4s 1DX, they were technically excellent, detailed, great colour, eyes tack sharp, however the wow shots with many awards came from more humble owners using older or mid level gear even a D300s 150-500 Sigma, D7100, D3s, D4s Z7, D5200 D5500 even some with kit lenses, with some of the higher end gear owners several of them used camera traps at night to get rare wild life shots.

What stood out was the crowds seemed totally oblivious of the specified gear used to take the shots, it seemed the crowds were drawn to the photograph itself often taken with older gear. Ignorance can sometimes be bliss.

I mean a tack sharp well tweaked shot of a bird with the eye in focus and sitting on a twig taken with $20K rig is a great record or documentary shot but nothing else and dime a dozen.

Some people spend a fortune on high end gear to get brilliant shots and then often just look at them on a phone, I pad or computer.

I recall in this forum someone rightly pointed out that the gear game with the big three is all about leap frogging one over the other with new models and that's brilliant as it brings new technology and innovation ..........the issue with that is for many cost depreciation and often obsolescence.

A camera system is capital intensive and for those with deep pockets they can follow the latest........others cant.

There will always be newer models be it cameras cars Tvs.........we cant all keep up with the pace of change, identifying what's real is important.

So the answer is, forget the pier pressure of the camera manufactures trying to grow sales globally with innovation or upgrades every 3 to 6 months...........myself I am letting it all settle for a year or two, staying with an all-round D850 for now, enjoy what I am doing, hire the exotic stuff on the occasion I really need it........let me tell you its cheaper at the moment till the dust settles. Note there are some brilliant buys of brilliant gear used, and may I say here in Oz that used market is drying up fast, people are not buying much new or used..........period, many owners of good gear are hanging on and don't want to invest just now or if at all..

The prices of the new exotic lenses is just getting silly, the camera industry is going for margin not volume, if Rolls Royce want to stimulate sales they just raise the price $100,000 on a refresh model and the buyers update quickly.

I have mentioned in an earlier reply what I like about Nikon, if I did change it would be to Canon, but the leap frogging is not over yet by a long long way, wait till 2022 and see what happens.

I am keen on the Fuji 100mp medium format system, I am waiting for their 200mp sensor to be released that will put real distance between 35mm and MF, amazing for landscapes and sea scapes.

For 35mm which is getting less interesting for me as time goes on, its Nikon for now, Canon if they get their file quality as good as Nikon.

Only an opinion OZ down under