Debating a switch to Sony mirrorless from Nikon DSLR

[Roy]

Hello, as per the title I'm deciding on my next move in equipment, I'm currently "in-between" my big lens, and as I am relatively new and don't have an endless pocket I can only really afford upgrades far apart. My setup was a D500 and an older 500mm prime, but as the big lens has been returned I am debating my choice for the next step. I have wanted to go full frame for a while as although wildlife is my primary objective I want to branch out into landscape/general nature and macro. I was looking at the D850 as this seems to tick all the boxes of a camera I'd need with some specific things that jump out to me, the stacked photo setting for macro and landscapes, and the fact if needed it's DX mode seems to basically be a D500. However I agree it seems mirrorless is the future, and something I want to go into, but to get a Nikon that can handle wildlife properly, they are WAY out of budget. The best I'd be able to switch to is a Z7 which I feel would be a downgrade for wildlife AF and also a step down from the D850.

However I have been debating a switch to Sony for some time, as I've seen their mirrorless camera come leaps and bounds ahead, specifically the A9 which has been famed for it's action photography abilities. The question is whether it's worth the switch due to the fact my funds are limited, my two choices at the moment are;

• Stick with Nikon, replacing my prime with a 300mm f2.8 VR1 and picking up a TC14e for use with the D500 for now. Then having to wait a while to save up for the D850, this could be up to a year as the prime would take my current funds for photography equipment, or..
• Switch to Sony, selling all my current Nikon gear and probably being able to afford a decent used A9, the 200-600mm FE OSS lens and to start the 28-70 kit lens.

Obviously they both have their merits, and both would see me with a very good setup for the future to come. A negative I see of switching would be that Sony has a lot less exotic primes that don't cost and arm and leg etc so I would be very limited in improving that setup, bar the body for quite a while, at least on the wildlife telephoto end. Whereas Nikon has a whole back catalogue of fantastic lenses that will all slowly be coming down in price, however it would also take me longer to switch to FF and even longer to move into Nikons mirrorless side.

Any thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated.

if you dont shoot video then the D850 is still a fantastic camera for so little money and AFS lenses are a bargain now.
I still use a D850 over my Z9 for many occasions ...

 

[O]

Hello, as per the title I'm deciding on my next move in equipment, I'm currently "in-between" my big lens, and as I am relatively new and don't have an endless pocket I can only really afford upgrades far apart. My setup was a D500 and an older 500mm prime, but as the big lens has been returned I am debating my choice for the next step. I have wanted to go full frame for a while as although wildlife is my primary objective I want to branch out into landscape/general nature and macro. I was looking at the D850 as this seems to tick all the boxes of a camera I'd need with some specific things that jump out to me, the stacked photo setting for macro and landscapes, and the fact if needed it's DX mode seems to basically be a D500. However I agree it seems mirrorless is the future, and something I want to go into, but to get a Nikon that can handle wildlife properly, they are WAY out of budget. The best I'd be able to switch to is a Z7 which I feel would be a downgrade for wildlife AF and also a step down from the D850.

However I have been debating a switch to Sony for some time, as I've seen their mirrorless camera come leaps and bounds ahead, specifically the A9 which has been famed for it's action photography abilities. The question is whether it's worth the switch due to the fact my funds are limited, my two choices at the moment are;

• Stick with Nikon, replacing my prime with a 300mm f2.8 VR1 and picking up a TC14e for use with the D500 for now. Then having to wait a while to save up for the D850, this could be up to a year as the prime would take my current funds for photography equipment, or..
• Switch to Sony, selling all my current Nikon gear and probably being able to afford a decent used A9, the 200-600mm FE OSS lens and to start the 28-70 kit lens.

Obviously they both have their merits, and both would see me with a very good setup for the future to come. A negative I see of switching would be that Sony has a lot less exotic primes that don't cost and arm and leg etc so I would be very limited in improving that setup, bar the body for quite a while, at least on the wildlife telephoto end. Whereas Nikon has a whole back catalogue of fantastic lenses that will all slowly be coming down in price, however it would also take me longer to switch to FF and even longer to move into Nikons mirrorless side.

Any thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated.

Date the camera marry the glass as Steve says.

 

[O]

if you dont shoot video then the D850 is still a fantastic camera for so little money and AFS lenses are a bargain now.
I still use a D850 over my Z9 for many occasions ...

Same here, the D850 on the Grip at 9 FPS is even more than enough for a lot of what i need.

 

[O]

Hello, as per the title I'm deciding on my next move in equipment, I'm currently "in-between" my big lens, and as I am relatively new and don't have an endless pocket I can only really afford upgrades far apart. My setup was a D500 and an older 500mm prime, but as the big lens has been returned I am debating my choice for the next step. I have wanted to go full frame for a while as although wildlife is my primary objective I want to branch out into landscape/general nature and macro. I was looking at the D850 as this seems to tick all the boxes of a camera I'd need with some specific things that jump out to me, the stacked photo setting for macro and landscapes, and the fact if needed it's DX mode seems to basically be a D500. However I agree it seems mirrorless is the future, and something I want to go into, but to get a Nikon that can handle wildlife properly, they are WAY out of budget. The best I'd be able to switch to is a Z7 which I feel would be a downgrade for wildlife AF and also a step down from the D850.

However I have been debating a switch to Sony for some time, as I've seen their mirrorless camera come leaps and bounds ahead, specifically the A9 which has been famed for it's action photography abilities. The question is whether it's worth the switch due to the fact my funds are limited, my two choices at the moment are;

• Stick with Nikon, replacing my prime with a 300mm f2.8 VR1 and picking up a TC14e for use with the D500 for now. Then having to wait a while to save up for the D850, this could be up to a year as the prime would take my current funds for photography equipment, or..
• Switch to Sony, selling all my current Nikon gear and probably being able to afford a decent used A9, the 200-600mm FE OSS lens and to start the 28-70 kit lens.

Obviously they both have their merits, and both would see me with a very good setup for the future to come. A negative I see of switching would be that Sony has a lot less exotic primes that don't cost and arm and leg etc so I would be very limited in improving that setup, bar the body for quite a while, at least on the wildlife telephoto end. Whereas Nikon has a whole back catalogue of fantastic lenses that will all slowly be coming down in price, however it would also take me longer to switch to FF and even longer to move into Nikons mirrorless side.

Any thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated.

The A9 200-600 is an excellent combo...........that suits your budget especially used.

 

[O]

Hello, as per the title I'm deciding on my next move in equipment, I'm currently "in-between" my big lens, and as I am relatively new and don't have an endless pocket I can only really afford upgrades far apart. My setup was a D500 and an older 500mm prime, but as the big lens has been returned I am debating my choice for the next step. I have wanted to go full frame for a while as although wildlife is my primary objective I want to branch out into landscape/general nature and macro. I was looking at the D850 as this seems to tick all the boxes of a camera I'd need with some specific things that jump out to me, the stacked photo setting for macro and landscapes, and the fact if needed it's DX mode seems to basically be a D500. However I agree it seems mirrorless is the future, and something I want to go into, but to get a Nikon that can handle wildlife properly, they are WAY out of budget. The best I'd be able to switch to is a Z7 which I feel would be a downgrade for wildlife AF and also a step down from the D850.

However I have been debating a switch to Sony for some time, as I've seen their mirrorless camera come leaps and bounds ahead, specifically the A9 which has been famed for it's action photography abilities. The question is whether it's worth the switch due to the fact my funds are limited, my two choices at the moment are;

• Stick with Nikon, replacing my prime with a 300mm f2.8 VR1 and picking up a TC14e for use with the D500 for now. Then having to wait a while to save up for the D850, this could be up to a year as the prime would take my current funds for photography equipment, or..
• Switch to Sony, selling all my current Nikon gear and probably being able to afford a decent used A9, the 200-600mm FE OSS lens and to start the 28-70 kit lens.

Obviously they both have their merits, and both would see me with a very good setup for the future to come. A negative I see of switching would be that Sony has a lot less exotic primes that don't cost and arm and leg etc so I would be very limited in improving that setup, bar the body for quite a while, at least on the wildlife telephoto end. Whereas Nikon has a whole back catalogue of fantastic lenses that will all slowly be coming down in price, however it would also take me longer to switch to FF and even longer to move into Nikons mirrorless side.

Any thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated.

After reading more of your OP, there is a simple answer and hands down

D850 is the best all round camera that with a grip at 9 fps is almost on par with the D500 for speed but has far more options.
I have the D850 Griped and the Z9, and honestly i find the D850 doesn't disappoint in any way, used D850 with 4000k actuation $1700 USD excluding grip.
Only an opinion

 

[Calson]

For macro my first choice is a D850 with the 200mm f/4 lens and the Nikon RC1 mini wireless speedlights. As good in most respects are the Canon macro lens and flash options. With Sony is like going back 20 years in time in terms of shooting macro.

On a limited budget you will get the most for your money by purchasing used bodies and lenses. Fredmiranda is a great place to shop. A used Sony 200-600mm lens sells is being offered for $1465 as compared to a B&H price of $2071 with sales tax and so you can save $600.

 

[O]

For macro my first choice is a D850 with the 200mm f/4 lens and the Nikon RC1 mini wireless speedlights. As good in most respects are the Canon macro lens and flash options. With Sony is like going back 20 years in time in terms of shooting macro.

On a limited budget you will get the most for your money by purchasing used bodies and lenses. Fredmiranda is a great place to shop. A used Sony 200-600mm lens sells is being offered for $1465 as compared to a B&H price of $2071 with sales tax and so you can save $600.

Absolutely agree The D850 with a 200 F4 is simply deadly good, in fact the 200F4 is still i feel the best macro lens ever, any brand any focal range.
I have not used the Z105 F2.8, i have read and heard of mixed reports good and different, some still needing to be clarified, eventually i will need to rent one first.
D850 units used with low actuation's are becoming very attractive.

Only an opinion

 

[Tom Reynolds]

Macro? OM-1 90mm f/3.5 is probably the new king for an AF combo. You get decent working distance even at 2;1 supermacro and you can add a 1.4 or 2.0 TC without reducing the working distance.

Back in 2011 I took sone very good macro shots underwater with a D-300/105mm and a +10 diopter but the technology has moved on.

Tom

 

[Doug Herr]

... Unfortunately I am on a relatively tight budget for the moment, as my partner lost her job a short while ago.

Wait until your finances stabilize. If you purchase now you'll be buying less than you will be able to afford once she gets a new job.

 

[sinetwo]

When you talked about lenses, you should keep in mind that with Sony, you have a ton of high quality lenses available from Tamron and Sigma at a very good price point. With Nikon, not so much (I think they have only allowed one or two third party autofocus lenses for the Z-mount).

For wildlife, this isn't quite the story. There are no reasonably priced fast telephotos on Sony. First or third party.

But on Nikon, even their older glass adapted are absolutely killer, and at a much lower price point than anything Sony comparable

 

[O]

I predominantly shoot wildlife, a broad mix of things from hides, through woodlands etc. I enjoy hiking so preferably lighter is better, hence my previous answer possibly looking at the 200-500 and at 5.6 it could work through broken sunlight in the woodlands.

But I am looking to hopefully get better with landscape and want to get into macro. Hence why I'd love to get a full frame with possibly more MP to try these better.

There is a lot of valuable advice in post form very experienced people.

You have 50 different colored pens on a counter in front of you to choose one, making a choice or decision can take a little longer, sometimes even not at all.
or
You have two colored pens in front of you on the counter to choose one, you likely make a decision or choice will often be much easier, so you can be happy and use it well immediately, NOTE, you can always buy another color pen later, in the mean time your writing that novel and loving it LOL.

Whats on the table..............

Limited budget.....................exactly whats the budget total ?
Hiking ......................................how often and far and what do you mostly shoot on this hikes.
Wild life ...................................what % of what you do is it equate to and whats missing in what you have currently
Macro .......................................what type, plants, insects, frogs, snakes, etc
Landscape ...............................sea, land, city, natural, abstract, day, night, long exposure, stacking etc
General photography......... Travel walk around family weddings portrait
Weight....................................... what can you handle, what cant you handle
Tripod........................................how often do you use it 20, 50, 80% of the time
Mono pod...............................how often do you use it 20, 50, 80% of the time
Size .............................................lens camera bag how important is it.
New items.................................limited options due to cost affordability
Used items...............................affordable, huge variety of choices
DSLR...........................................affordable, huge variety of choices
Mirror less................................are you willing to invest further into mirror less glass and does it remotely fit your total budget ?
Compromise............................what are you willing to comprise on, size weight, range, speed
You can buy quality used gear, experience it for a while, if you like sell it, buy something else, you have that option at all times.

You cant get everything in one set up easily, there are compromises........a Z8 or 9 would be great...........
Whats missing with what you have got..............
Are you concerned about not going mirror less, if you are............................ DON'T be worried.

I run a 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 FL, 200-500, these cover 14mm to 500mm, i have a 1.4TC III that works brilliantly, then i have a 300 2.8 VR II, 85mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4 D, 100 F2 Ziess macro, D850, Z9, 50mm 1.8Z. Z Adapter to run DSLR lenses, exotic glass i rent only as needed, i do everything with the tools i have and no one can tell me which lens which camera was used unless i use 3 D tracking at 30 fps which is not that often.

For Macro a 105 F2.8 or 200 F4 is king especially on the D850
For everything else, the D850 with or without a grip, is so universal and just does everything, BIF sports action landscapes you name it.
The Z9 does sports action faster and has better 3 D tracking, if in fact you even need it, the Z9 is the doorway to using Z glass, if i need to.........

From a budget perspective i would use a Second hand D850, 200-500 (so cheap stellar quality) used 105 2.8 macro, that doubles up as another lens, even for landscape, it suites the D850 for stacking brilliantly.
The compromise is the above might be a little big or heavy or it may not, but certainly affordable.

For landscapes the super cheap options, 14-24, 24-70, 16-35, the 16-35 is very sharp in the centre, excellent for landscapes an a all round lens, these lenses are dirt cheap.

My 300 2.8 VR II i use it at F2.8 breath taking, the 70-200 FL i have is breathtaking just different but also just stunning at F2.8.

Nikon's best ever 2 DSLR lenses is the 70-200 FL and 105 1.4.............
Nikon's bets ever all round DSLR is the D850

Not a bad foundation to build on....good luck

Only an opinion

 

[Calson]

I would add the Canon R5 to your decision matrix. Currently it is the best mirrorless camera for video and Canon has a very wide range of lenses and speedlights (include ones for macro shooting).

 

[Steve W]

This one is mirrorless

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Nimi]

I would add the Canon R5 to your decision matrix. Currently it is the best mirrorless camera for video and Canon has a very wide range of lenses and speedlights (include ones for macro shooting).

What makes it better than the Z9, even before considering that you can't use it for very long shoots in warm weather? It's a great camera, possibly the best non-flagship mirrorless, but not for heavy video use.

 

[O]

This one is mirrorless
View attachment 62567

The ultimate time light and speed machine, love it

 

[Steve W]

The ultimate time light and speed machine, love it

I laugh at your battery problems....lol