I should add that when you buy a Nikon Z mirrorless camera, you’re more likely to get regular future firmware updates that will improve the performance of the camera. Perfect examples of this is the 3.01 firmware update for the Nikon Z9 and the 3.40 firmware update for Z6/Z7. Both of which substantially improved the autofocus in certain modes 📸🙏 PS. We have some pretty tough marriage celebrants here in Australia 😂
@@glvclicks2483 around ~2k for an excellent condition one. i see them around a lot on mpb but there’s definitely still a lot around the internet. cheapest i’ve seen is $1,300 for a well used condition
I have had a D610 for 10 years+, now also the happy owner of a second hand D850 + some extra glass. I stumbled across a D3 which I bought too, the handling of the D3 is the best I have ever tried. Both cameras are old and very old, but there is nothing wrong with the results they deliver. Also, the F mount lenses can now be had for little money, that provides the oppotunity to buy more exotic lenses without breaking the bank.
I went through a series of Nikon's and have had my D850 for 3 years now. I understand and accept all your arguments. That said, it would take the earth moving under my feet to get me away from it to any other camera. I have a couple other special use cameras but when I'm out and about you can bet I have my 850 on me. If you see me without me camera it will be because I died on the birding trail and a passerby stole my camera from my dead body.
A pretty nice talk. Many youtubers talk as if the yesteryear photographers and cameras were dumb, and they never made good photographs. This video is refreshing.
I’d still buy the d850. I have one already and would like to get a second for back up. I know mirrorless is the way the future of photography is going but I think DSLRs allow photographers to be more creative than mirrorless. That’s just my opinion.
my backup to my D850 is the D810. also a great camera.. I almost sold it when i went to the D850 and glad I didn't ... i routinely carry both now fitted with different lenses..
Just curious, why do you think DSLRs allow us to be more creative? I still haven't converted over to mirrorless as it's a bit outside my budget at the moment, but once I start seeing more success with my photography I'll probably invest in a mirrorless as well and have both with different lenses during some shoots.
Great channel! I’m from Minnesota, USA and love my D850. We have weather extremes and the D850 performs flawlessly - even at sub-zero temps! I also own a D7000 (I just used yesterday) and having used that for years - along with owning a nice variety of Nikon lenses - made the decision to upgrade to the D850 an easy one. I have no regrets. I’m a nature photographer - birds in flight and landscapes and everything in between - and have fantastic results with the D850. P.S. - I no longer do weddings! 😅
@@kilian9591 You will be taking a significant step up from your present camera body by going to the D850. I have read - and I personally believe - the D850 is the best DSLR out there. True, there is more advanced technology available in mirrorless cameras but I can’t justify the cost. The D850 is a workhorse. It produces incredible results. I’d recommend researching the model to determine if it is the right camera for your needs. I love mine and find it to be an outstanding choice for birds and other wildlife. There are loads of videos available on TH-cam that review the D850 as well as many positive reviews at Nikon’s website. I give the D850 “five stars!”
@Gordon The new mirrorless cameras offer more fps, it's true. But with all the other qualities of the D850 taken into account, including its amazing image quality and resolution and relatively affordable price, that was not a deal breaker for me. It shoots a respectable 7 fps and you can squeeze 9 out of it if you get the battery grip.
Great video, Adrian. I've shot weddings, schools, you name it for over 35 years on Nikon. I've got two "old" D750's from high volume school photography that both have over 400,000 on the clicks count and still going strong on the original shutter. I've got a cupboard full of beautiful fast F mount glass and just love the reliability. Recently I bought a D850 body that had only done 4,800 clicks for $2,500. I use it for all my low light needs and although it might be a bit old school, it will more than do me until bodies with the Z9/8 specs become cheaper to buy.
As a hobbyist, I can't justify the expense of the new z9 or the fresh z8. I only occasionally get paid work for portraits. I have used both the z8 and 9 and I can tell you that both are vastly superior to the 850. The added features like auto focus and focus tracking the increased frame rates the silent shooting make an enormous difference. If my livelihood depended on it I would already be there. However a beginning artist / photographer would do very well to start with a used and proven powerhouse like the 850.
Nikon quality is legendary, I once had an F4 AND several older film cameras, and my D90 is still going strong,even though I mainly use the Fuji now. I would love Nikon to bring out a budget friendly mirrorless with good spec. Thanks as always for sharing.
Thanks very much for watching John. It will be interesting to see the Z8 when it comes out. I will be looking at that camera, but to get it, one of my cameras will have to go. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 📸🙏
July 2023 - Bike ride from UK to South of France to see a mate - like me an old boy but he kept his film cameras, I went digital - and he gave me an F4s to take home! - back into film photography and digital - I am trading in my D700 for the D850 - I can still use all my old and relatively new Nikkor lens on the D850 - looking forward to great photography on a trip to Switzerland later this year.
As a long time D850 shooter I did pick up a refurbished Z7 recently....As a walk around camera the Z7 fits perfectly, that said when I'm out shooting landscapes, seascapes etc it's the D850 all the way. Some reasons are the amount of buttons so I do not need to dive into a menu for certain things...and they are backlit. That is one omission on the Z series (with the exception of the Z9) that I fail to understand. So I do utilize both for different projects. Thank you for these videos.
I would not even think to buy d850 again... It's the best, no heating issue, tough awesome grip. I do fashion and wedding and in India sound really doesn't matter for stills and i don't do video at all.
I mainly use the D850 in studio for product photography and I believe for this usage it would just be a waste of money to buy the Z9.. I rather spend more money in a couple of more optics.. Thank You for your great video 👍🏻😊
Many thanks for watching. Yes totally agree. Z9 would be massive overkill for studio. Same re landscape photography. It's more meant for action/outdoors etc. Have a great weekend. 📸🙏
Well, it's here, the Z8. I won't buy one because I photograph static subjects so no need for all of the wiz-bang. I may end up getting a Z7 as the price is coming down all the time and it's all that I need. I'd love to get an 850...just because...😅 Nice photos BTW
I just bought a D850 (new) because of the huge range of glass I have and the kind of photography I do. Buying a new z8 was a huge temptation. But it is going to cost me a fortune to add the kind of glass I now have. I will be happy with this for at least another 5-6 years and then there might not be any cameras but iPhones with 100MP! Thanks Adrian for the very useful video.
Adrian, I just bought one Nikon D850 it’s an amazing camera. I have owned Nikons for the last 35 years. This has to be the best one I've ever owed. Still looking at a lot of videos trying to get used to it and know how everything works. Thanks so much for your video I will subscribe to your channel.
I bought my D850 in 2022. I’ve used it primarily for macro wildlife and I love it! I also have a Sony A7Riii because it’s lightweight for travel and has great video capability. The image quality of the D850 is way better and I’d certainly buy it again if I needed to.
I agree 100% with your video. I have the Nikon D800, D810 and the D850 and the best by far is the D850. I got the D850 when it first came out and I have had 0 problems with it. One other point is that I like the way it is set up. It is easy to use. Thank you for the video. Ben
The D850 has been the digital camera I've been wanting since 2001. Mine is still going strong after 5 years of use as well. My work leads me more towards medium and large format at the moment so I don't plan on upgrading to another Nikon soon. If I get into more commercial and need the speed then I'll go for the Z9 or the successor.
I am from germany...every photographer here who is a pro buy a sony alpha 7 ii or iii or so....but i love my nikon d850 a lot. The colour, the intense and the dynamic of the pictures is for me the best in the world ... the d850 is a weapon .....its from 2017 but look at the ak47 from the last century but now one of the best in her category
Thanks for the impressions. I've been using the D850 for years as well (my backup is the D500) and I've gone back and forth with the introduction of the Z-series. The Z 7II would be a consideration (same 45mp size) but honestly with all my current gear, the change-over could be an expensive proposition (yes, there's an adapter for the F to Z mount, but really, why wouldn't you use the glass specifically designed for the mount?) Anyway, what it comes down to FOR ME is that I have never used any of my Nikons for video. It's not why I bough the cameras to begin with. There are excellent alternatives for shooting video but that's just not something I do. Rumors of a Z8 may change my mind, but for now both my D850 and D500 are keepers.
I'm going to go "middle of the road" here and say, "It depends". Generally speaking, the specs as a crop sensor DSLR are just as impressive today as they were when the camera was first introduced. If you're not shooting video (as I stated above) then the D500 is a phenomenal piece of equipment. And the lenses available are still some of the best in the the camera world. Admittedly, I don't use my D500 nearly as much any longer. In fact, I'm seriously considering selling it and the collection of DX lenses and purchasing the...Z8. Yes, I'm considering going mirrorless. The key reason is lighter weight and portability. But back to your question...the D500 is an excellent camera in all respects. AND there are some excellent deals to be had.
The elephant in the room is my extensive F-mount lens collection, something not mentioned in the video. Buying a Z8 is not only double the price for the body, it is buying a new lens collection, a big financial outlay. I have a D810, but my D200 (DX) body is finally dying. So I am currently thinking of getting a D850 before they are no more.
Just picked up a second D850 body as I like having a couple of lenses on the go at once. Love these cameras - traded up from a pair of D810 bodies and can really tell the difference. I prefer optical viewfinders and the other 'advantages' of mirrorless don't carry much weight. Big issue for me would be the cost of replacing all my glass - I have managed to collect some beautiful AF-D and AF-S prime and zoom lenses that let me take great photos focal lengths from 16mm up to 500mm. If I was going to spend big money replacing all my kit it would only be to go to medium format - and that's not going to happen any time soon.
Totally agree with you. I think if Money was no object and you did photography for a living maybe I would upgrade, maybe. But really, the out put is what matters. You don't need 30 frames per second, eye auto focus. If you have good skills you don't need that. And low light is so silly. Who really shoots beyond 8,000 ISO and how often? I know for so many years pro have said shoot at the lowest ISO as possible even though their cameras can do 6400 with no issues. Just my 2 cents.
Wow, very great video. Love my D850, buy behind 2020, and first used in summer 2022 in Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and others sites of the USA West Coast. Really very happy with D850. Need more time to make more shots, but the first impression it's woow!!!... Thanks for your great videos and regards from Barcelona (Spain)
Glad you enjoyed the vid Peter. It's a great camera. Was just using it today for a sunset and to shoot some dragonflies in my garden. Always love the colours and image quality. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 🙏📸
I’ve owned the D 850 for about 7 months now, taken it with me for two photo op trips 1 to The Cherokee National Forest in S.E. Tennessee, and the other to Hocking Hills, OH.. It Did Not disappoint and really didn’t exhaust me after 6-8 hour hikes. The Hocking Hills trip started 12-27-2022 about 10 minutes into the icy hike I lost my footing and hit the ground hard, the D850 took the fall like a champ. Guess I’m a proud Nikon D850 owner!. 😎🇬🇧🍣🍻🪂
I have just one example out of many why I'd keep a DSLR such as this camera but here's one. The D850 has an external self timer control instead of diving into some sub-menu to activate it.
He convinced me, I've just purchased D850 and I'm going to use it for next 3-5 years. After that period I will reconsider what's next... thank you, Adrian;)
I have gone through the 3100,7200,750 and 850 and the 850 is a GREAT DSLR body and highly capable of great images…. You can pixel peep with it if you like and it’s absolutely stunning…. You can see the limitations with my other bodies…. And not too hard to learn if you are willing to take the time…. I’ll eventually switch over to mirrorless but I am waiting for the z9 features to come into a lower priced body…. Like what you suggested…. Excellent channel and excellent information. You’re my favourite for sure on TH-cam and Instagram. Thanks so much Adrian ❤. Now to shoot some ducks today and practice some more 😂
I upgraded from an 810 to the 850 last year, and in no small way as a result of your vids, and I am SUPER happy, great advice and critique. But let’s face it, the only difference between a DSLR and a mirror less is the mirror. What has made mirrorless viable in my view (in particular for news and pro shooters) is the elimination of “lag” between viewfinder and capture. My first digital camera took up to a second from shutter release to capture, and that was in 2001, it has taken 20+ years to get to this point ! I think the transition to mirrorless will be like film to digital, nostalgic curators versus techno trailblazers.
Last weekend i was talking to another photographer at a location. he had a Canon r6 and he shot a lot of Burlesque shows professionally . he said when he was given a R6 to try, the eye detect and tracking in low light was a game changer for him, but as i mainly do landscapes with a little motorsport, and no video, the D850 is the best camera on the market for me. the new Z lenses are great, but there is nothing wrong with the F mount lenses either
No plans on buying mirrorless. I have the D850 & D750. So love the 750 still yet enjoy the features of the D850. Both wonderful cameras. Thanks for your videos
Well..I don‘t take videos, I don‘t do wildlife or weddings…I guess the d850 is still my weapon of choice;) Yes its heavy as shit when you are on a 3 days metal festival or doing a long distant hike but man I love this sturdy old bastard. Thx for the content Adrian. Cheers from Germany 🤘🏻
Adrian. Thanks for the review. I have gone over to mirrorless with Sony. I've also got an old well used D810. But my gosh, there's some great Nikon lens specials available that make getting a D850 a tempting proposition.
I have a D5 and a D850, different tools for different jobs. With this pair, there is nothing that I cannot cover photographically. I tried the Z7ii for a bit, and while the image quality was amazing, there was too much that it just couldn't do.
I've shot the D850 for the last 4 years, and have loved it. Over the holidays, I purchased a Z7 ii and have been using it quite a bit. Nikon had some great deals on the D850 here in the states over the last couple of months, but I think the Z line is the future. I like several of the features of the Z7ii (and the weight of the Z9 is why I went with the Z7ii) that you highlight as mirrorless features. I'm hoping that Nikon will release the rumored Z8 soon. If they do, it would likely become my primary body and the Z7ii will become the backup.
Many thanks for watching and sharing your story. Like you, I think we are all waiting with great expectations on the Z8. Hopefully cheaper, lighter, but with some features from the Z9. Enjoy your weekend 📸🙏
I would settle for a solid 10 fps with no viewfinder or shutter lag with a halfway decent buffer, 35-50 shots. Some halfway decent vid, although not my main concern. =$3300 US. Look at th Canon R5 for $3900. It is possible.
Enjoyed the video. I would love a good DSLR and that looks like it would be a great fit. My go to mirrorless is my Nikon Z9.. Nikon D850 is on my wish list 🙏🏾🤞🏾
I have a D850 for the past 5 years and love it. This past month I bought the Z9. The Z9’s autofocus is definitely superior but I am not willing to part with the D850. It is will stay in my arsenal for some time.
The Z system, being new, has pretty expensive glass, however, a lot of F mount lenses have come down in price, as it is now essentially a superseded system. But, if you’re just into stills and do not need all the video hoohar then the D850 maybe just the thing you want or need. I like buying older cameras new because when they are on “special” you can pick them up brand new for about two thirds of the original price. The F mount was the ant’s pants for sixty years. I think it will create, competitive, great images for about the next twenty years. Love the channel. Cheers
I got one a few months back when my long and faithful D5100 kicked the bucket. It could still be salvaged (the shutter mechanism became faulty, everything else is in good order) and I had a lot of memories with it since 2010, so I kept it with me still, of the thousand pictures I have taken with it. D850 is a little bit on the heavy side, but for someone doing it as a hobby, I love it very much. ♥
I have a D850. I used this for dog show photography. I upgraded to the Z8 and love it. This will still by my backup camera and I will be taking Candid's with this camera at the shows.
Señor, usted me ha sacado de la gran duda que tenía. Me dedico a la fotografía social y estoy queriendo cambiar mi equipo. En la actualidad tengo una Nikon D5500 y me encantaría poder adquirir esta gran herramienta para mi trabajo. Soy de Argentina y actualmente la situación económica aquí no es la más favorable, pero con esfuerzo llegaré a mi meta. Le agradezco por el video, me vino como anillo al dedo. Saludos, thank you very much.
I'm a university photography technician, and I bought a secondhand D850 with ~5000 shots on it in January 2023, with no regrets or hesitations. Do with that information what you will.
I forgot you're in Australia, so when I saw those prices at first I was shocked and confused lol. The lack of quality autofocus in video and the noise concerns are good points for me to consider as I want to get into video more, and I enjoy wildlife photography and am considering doing more weddings as I grow my business... also the weight too when it comes to traveling is a concern but at least it'll be more of a workout for me lol. but I pretty much have my heart set on the D850, just need to pull the trigger.
Have had the D90 in 2009, D700 in 2012, D800 in 2015 and D850 in 2017 till now, D850 is the best upgrade I've ever made. The DSLR feel in hand is the most satisfying albeit for its weight. Sometimes I find the S lenses too big for the Z7 II body which I think its ergonomically not as good as DSLR with F mount lenses.
Mate great video like always!! I do own a Nikon D5 and the D850 and am more than happy with the cameras and the results. I don’t see the Z series yet for myself. If you have the right setup, wouldn’t recommend to swap at the momentary situation. Maybe in the future once our DSLR’s become Dinos. Cheers
I bought the D500. Because I couldn’t afford the D850 and I’ve been extremely happy with the results! Now, for the same reason, I’m waiting for the Z9 tech to trickle down! I’ve considered the D850 but would like updated focus options for my birds in flight images, etc. Thanks for your thoughts!
I use LV for landscape photography so I minimize shutter shake. Using LV for weddings is useless in that your focus is NEVER tack sharp accurate as compared to looking through the viewfinder. Plus you have to use a monopod or your arms will fall out of their sockets. Not a forgotten feature but a pretty useless one for weddings.
Hahahahaha - Adrian I do like your humour. . . . .especially with the wedding bit! Having been on multiple sides of that gig though, I've never really noticed the photographer or noisy camera shutter (unless it was me with the camera!). Love the new intro too. Enjoy 2023 - may it be a good one for you.
Great video, Adrian. The church reference brought a smile to my face. I'm terrified thinking about the day my D850 packs up (if ever). I'm sure the top Nikon Z mount cameras are as good or even possibly better than the D850, but it's been such a great friend to me since 2017. I felt the same way about the D700 all those years ago. I'll probably buy a new D850 as back up from the more reputable grey import online retailers within the next 12 months. Just waiting for the body only price to hit around the £1600 mark. The current cheapest I've found is £1829.00.
Great video Adrian, as usual. I'm loving my D850, though still have lots to learn. Totally agree with your points, especially the range of glass available. I have both Nikon and Sigma (plus two Sigma on the wish list) and have no issue with them. Not ready to switch to mirrorless yet, maybe in a year or two. Would always recommend the D850. Look forward to your next video. The only weddings I do are my own LOL
Thanks for watching David and sharing your story. It will be interesting to see the Z8 when it comes out. I see Sigma now are about to venture into Z mount lenses. As time goes on there should be a better range to choose from on the Z mount. Have a great weekend 📸🙏
For the past 18 months, I have have been doing a lot of landscape photography with my D850. There are two issues that I have with the Z cameras generally, i.e. battery life and sensor cleanliness. Firstly, I like to leave my D850 powered on, perhaps in live view for hours at a time, waiting for the light to change, so I can react instantly. The D850 batteries last for around 3 hours in live view. The Z cameras, except for the Z9 perhaps which has a bigger battery, won't last that long. Secondly, the sensor on the Z cameras, again except for the Z9 which has a blind, is exposed to the elements when you remove the lens. This is very problematic for landscape photographers, when you are in poor weather conditions, e.g. rain, wind, sea spray, etc.. In addition, for landscape photography in particular, the image quality from the Z9 and Z7i/ii is no different to the D850. So, I will still use my current D850 for a long time to come, replacing it if need be with other second hand D850's.
Great video, Adrian! I don't think I would buy a D850 in 2023 but if I owned one, I don't think I would sell it! :) That's kind of where I am with its little brother, the D500.
Thanks for watching Phil. Yes I can see what you mean. That's why I will hang on to the D850. Z8 is around the corner and we'll see what that brings to the table. But if I do buy the Z8, one of my cameras will have to go. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 🙏📸
I have shot more than 50 "day-to-night-to-day" time-lapses on the D850 in freezing weather and in 112 degrees and Adrian is right, it is the best camera I have ever used. You can get "the holy grail" shots using the built-in interval timer and do it on silent-mode which is just fantastic when shooting 1500 frames all night! Great video, Adrian! I'm subscribed.
Listen, let's be for real. Aside from the D850,most of what Nikon released since then was a recalled nightmare in the past 5-7 years. Nikon made the awesome D810 with 1 recall, the D750 with 3 recalls, and at least 17 recalls overall. Nikon NAILED it with the D850 and the only reason I didnt get it was because of my budget for a camera at the time. I got the Pentax k1 mk2,and I', happy with. The fact is,the Canon 5D mk4, Nikon D850,and the Pentax k1mk2 are the TOP three DSLRs, hands down. The Mighty Nikon Z9 is out, yet that's if you have money or NEED to upgrade to another body and lens system. MOSt of us are still taking the same pictures which the Nikon D850 can excel in. You can buy 2-3 D850 bodies, get 3 primes, 3 zooms, and make the same amount of money you can with a Z9. You can get or keep your D850 then get a Z9 and then ALL of your stills and video needs are covered. Point being, it's a waste of time and money to make comparisons with old and new, because it's basically the same stuff. Most of us do not NEED 4k,6k,8k,nor do we have the IT networks and workstation redundancy/storage. Do not get fooled into thinking you NEED to replace a perfectly amazing camera. Before I even touch anything new I would get a D850,and use it for the next 10+ years, without a hitch. No,I am not buying some camera I need to update over and over. I want it great out of the box, which is exactly what I pay for. It's my money, my investment, and there's no logical reason a brand cannot make the camera great when they release it. I need it to work NOW, and no downtime, and that's possible with my FF camera and the Nikon D850..Oh and let's ne sane and say if i hire a shooter at my wedding,I expect him to be seen and heard. It's not THAT loud that I cannot hear the minister or someone ruins weddings. There have been at least a MILLION weddings in this country in history with all sorts of cameral, so it's not logical to say shutter noise is a real issue.
@@adrianalfordphotography You are welcome and they were not points as much as simple truths. The sheer amount of money it takes to properly set up redundancy for storage even for the D850 is expensive. Proper storage is actually 2 workstations, and backup off site, and the servers you can buy or build, plus the storage media needed during shoots, plus those backups. Now add the cost of getting a z9, brand new storage media, new machines, and new glass, and then it's a question of do you make that much money shooting to offset those costs? We havent even touched on software, if we use subscriptions or open source, which i use.
Thank goodness someone else is voicing this opinion. The firmware update nonsense is getting out of control! They want you to pay $2-7k up front for a half baked product that they'll maybe improve down the line. The thing is, modern electronics are slated for planned obsolescence so you'll still have to pay for the next camera in the next couple of years and the cycle goes on.
With all the new Z lenses coming in, that’s more of a plus for this camera as the prices for used lenses compatible for the D850 will come down even more. I really hadn’t thought of this camera as an alternative upgrade but I’m looking at it now. 🤔
Since your video publish date, there has been the new Z8 come out that is the replacement for the D850, however, it's a little pricy for me now so I'm going to wait until it comes down and make my purchase. Great video regarding very important pointsl
ok so I am a long-time Nikon DSLR guy and I am heavily invested in F-mount glass that's too hard to replace both for reasons of $$$ and for the sort of quality on the glass. I have the D810 since 2016 and it's just perfect. I am here watching this video because my thinking process is why should I ever depart from F-mount DSLR and what happens if Nikon discontinues F-mount cameras and my D810 needs replacement in some future, shouldn't I get the D850 before it goes off the market? And, going through the cons, #1 is not applicable to me (I can't care less for silent shooting; I don't shoot weddings and libraries etc), #2 I wish you spoke a bit more about the tech on the Z9: I am not keeping up with the Z at all to avoid the temptation and preserve my $$$, #3 is sort of not applicable to me as well: I have no complaints about the sharpness of my F-mount glass (which includes several Tamron and Samyang lenses) and I am not complaining about the weight, which means #4 is not applicable either: When weight is a problem I shoot with my phone. And #5 is not applicable for me either as I don't shoot video. Thanks a lot for this review.
Thanks for this video. I have been debating whether to upgrade from my D700 to either an 810 or 850. I've been super happy with all my Nikon cameras. Not sure I'm ready for investing in mirrorless, even though it's the wave of the future.
I have a D700 and happy with it and recently upgraded to D850 fantastic but much more complex and far less forgiving of poor technique due to the 45Mp sensor its a learning curve. I passed on the excellent D810
Adrian, as usual your videos are a treat. Not much talk about F glass on the Z9 with the adapter and what the quality and real life results are really like and if worth it. Any suggestions about switching to Z9 and keeping premium F glass?
I love my Nikon d850. I shoot mainly landscapes at sunrise or sunset, some bird photography and a bit of astro. I have also had to use it for the odd portrait or group photo shot. This camera does the lot. Yes it's a bit heavier but the quality of the photo is superb. I've had it for years and I've never needed it serviced or repaired either. I don't use the video so that side of it doesn't bother me. I got mine during a super boxing day sale in store about 4 years ago. I still can't buy it brand new in store that cheap today. It definitely holds its value.
Thank you so much for watching. That's pretty much what I use my D850 for as well. It's such a pleasure to see the images from it. Hope you have a great weekend 🙏📸
Have you used a D780? I am really interested in that camera's video capabilities. From what I gather, it behaves like a Z6 in Live View mode. Any experience with it?
Many thanks for watching. The D780 is like a D750/Z6 hybrid. It has better video autofocus, however it does not eliminate the focusing noise from the F mount lenses. Enjoy your weekend 🙏
thanks very interesting i ve just bought the D850 and sold my D810; This happened when I bought a 300 mn lense which was quite crazy to focus with my old one. i'm 70 and use a harness (Cotton), except for travelling (my second cam is a Fujifilm X100V). the only thing I miss : too noisy and everybody think I am a professional, so i don't use it in Paris. I 'm in hurry to taste the result with my 2 macro lenses
Hi, thanks for your info! I just bought the Z9 and love it. I kept the D850 for a backup. What’s your opinion on selling the D850 and going without a backup and investing in more Z lenses. I shoot corporate headshots and industrial “workers in action” for websites mostly and now getting into more b-roll video (which poses a problem with a big enough gimbal to handle the Z9 - always something.
Thanks for watching. I can only speak for me personally, but I would NEVER go to a client shoot without a backup camera. You just know the second you go to a pro shoot with just one camera, something will go wrong and you'll curse the day you sold the other camera.
I enjoyed your point - to - point focus ( pardun the pun ) . For me , weight is a concern . Your truly on the spot ! otherwise , same deal .... it's a Nikon . I have an F that I love too . Some of my best shots of a Coyote are on an F3 .
Having a quiet shutter is the oooonly factor I've been debating on. I currently use a D750 and while it is not obnoxiously loud, it sometimes can be heard especially in more intimate prelook shoots during a wedding.
Thanks for watching. Yes I love the D750 also. A wonderful camera with such unique colors. Having a silent shutter can be very advantageous in wedding and portrait sessions I agree.
My D850 which I’ve had for two years is amazing if my pictures aren’t right then it’s my fault. If someone is thinking of starting out as a professional photographer then mirrorless has to be a consideration. Thanks for the video it’s a bleak old day here in England.
Many thanks for watching. Photographers have such an amazing choice of cameras to choose from nowadays. I think we take for granted just how spoilt we are. Enjoy your weekend 📸🙏
I was holding out for a DSLR replacement to the 850, but this is of course never going to come. I had then resigned myself to the 780, but this video has made me think again...
Worth it. I love the buffer 50 continuous images before it slows down and battery life is phenomenal. Heartily agree with how loud it is as well as being big. Using the LCD for silent photography can be hard to do. Also did you know the sensor is made by Sony?
Enjoyed this video. Quite a few good points, which doesn't help my decision weather to buy or not to buy a D850. 🤣🤣 Will continue to tune into your channel.
I wish I could have kept mine as a backup body, but I traded it in for a discount on the Z9 (along with my even older D800). The main reasons to swap are 2 that you mentioned: tech and Z lenses. Z glass is far superior to most native lenses, with some rare exceptions that haven't gotten an upgrade yet (but you can still mount F lenses on Z mounts), and the tech is just so good: - IBIS (an absolute game changer for a lot of styles of photography) - no more Back/Front focus problems on lenses (which was totally fixable but a pain) - almost unlimited battery life - super quick AF with eye detection and even more coverage The D850 is still absolutely fantastic and will let you do just about anything, but the additional comfort of the Z system (probably even just with the Z7 II) is totally worth it if you can afford it
Thanks for watching. I understand your point of view. Most people can't afford a Z9, so they are sticking with the D850 for now. Glad to hear you're enjoying the new camera.
@@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO The Z9 can easily last 3-10k photos on a single battery charge (depending on screen usage and gps settings), which is more than the D850 ever did with the EN-EL18 in the battery grip. The Z5 lasts way more than EN-EL15b battery DSLRs (there's not a real entry level full frame camera in the DSLR world). I have yet to see a use case where Mirrorless' batteries last a comparable amount of time to the respective DSLR version. Video could be one (as codecs have improved in resolution at all) but I don't do that and if you mainly shoot video you're not gonna use a D850 anyway
I shot the D780 the other day. Now I'm back on the fence about which FF to purchase. I really like the non-pro body on the D780 for my style of action photography. I can't justify the mirrorless at this time.
I must Admit It Is A Bit Noisy, And The Silent Shooting Seems A Little Hit And Miss, For My Liking, But What A Great Camera For Wildlife. D850 And The D500 Are A Great Team For Wildlife Photography. I Use Them Both. Will I Keep The D850? Absolutely, Love It. 🇬🇧 Enjoying Your Channel Adrian. Brilliant Very Helpful And Informative.
Hi Adrian, it is interesting how important the silent mode got for me over the past years - and this for landscapes to get rid of shakes :) I think this got even a must criterion for me, meanwhile. But as long as the camera fulfills what the particular photographer needs, it is the right camera for him. Not everyone has the highest requirements. Sometimes it is even better to buy an older camera for less money, which doesn't consider features you don't need, but anyway is able to take photos with brilliant image quality. Thanks for the video and enjoy your weekend, Christian
Thanks for watching Christian. You can shoot silently with the D850 when it is in live view using the back LCD screen and I use that for when I'm doing landscape and long exposures. Totally agree, re needing a camera to suit your needs. A lot of people don't need video, they just do stills. I was just out this afternoon with the D850 shooting a long exposure sunset shot. Had one of those burner sunsets and just had to go get it. Have a great weekend buddy, cheers 🙏📸
i just got the D850 and I know Nikon is coming out with a new camera. But im not paying 5K or more for a camera. So D850 was the better choice. And well all the lenses I already own. Wasn't about to invest in more. I upgraded from the D750.
Just stumbled upon your video in my recommended videos. Very good points made. I personally gave some thought to a Z9 last fall but was turned off by the wait time at that time. Also having a fair amount of higher end F glass I wasn't quite ready to part ways even with the adaptability of the F to Z lens mount. Had previously used a D500 for a few years and despite its many fine points I was looking for something more. Came upon a D6 with very low shutter count. Purchased it followed this spring with a low shutter count D850. Could not be happier. Even with the Z8 now available I'm completely content with my equipment.
Greetings from Canada I am an enthusiast and I love my D850 and I still like to use it even though I also own a Z7 along with F mount and Z mount lenses , I don't do weddings usually and like you were saying it has a lot of great qualities as does the Z7, they are so nice to use and some things like these I love to collect. I have owned several cameras both cheap and more expensive including 5 Nikons but the only camera I ever had to send in for service was my D850 and it let me down at about the worst possible time on a trip of a lifetime for me but like I said I still love it and use it.
It is fitting that the D850, and the D6 in a more limited circle, came out at the tail end of SLR photography which had quite an extraordinary run. It's the closing of an era and the dawn of another.
Love the wedding church bit, very funny and true. Is it Worth it to buy a D850? Yes, understanding that the industry is going mirrorless whether you like it or not. Keep in mind, quality cameras never go out of style, next time you are out at a famous tourist sight look and you will find some one using film of some sort of “antiquated equipment” in fact, my wife and I were in Italy a few years ago and there was a photographer with a 4X4 large format taking a photo of the Siena cathedral.
Thanks for watching Leo. Just mentioning Sienna brings back memories of me on a scooter cruising around the streets there. One of the best times of my life was cruising around most of Italy on a scooter. Thanks for watching and commenting cheers 🍻 👍🙏
Given the issues with AF on the z6 Ii and z7II i am inclined to look at the D850 as a companion to my D500 as i want to get back into Landscape photography. Can you let me know what type of filter you are using in your video. thanks for the information great video.
A D500 and D850 combo would be awesome. Nowadays I use a range of filters from different brands. Freewell, Haida and Kase magnetic filters are all very good.
I don't really have a horse in this Nikon race, but I think from purely a landscape photography point of view, I think the D850 would still be a fantastic buy. It's been a wonderful servant for you, the images you included here were spectacular, and those shortcomings are minimal. But I guess if you were photographing wildlife or, God forbid, weddings, there might be better choices. Really great look at this camera Adrian! Hope you are doing well down there!
Thanks for watching Paul. Will be interesting to see what Nikon give us "Nikites" this year. I dare say the Z8 will compete with the A7RV, but I bet Canon will then launch "Magnum" aka either the R1 or R5II which will probably trounce both. Either way, I foresee a lot of cash being spent on new cameras across all brands this year. Have a great week mate, take care 🙏📸
Still happy with my D750 giving me the results I'm looking for, but I 'may' change in 2024 possibly. I just can't see spending the $ they want for the mirrorless, where the image quality can be replicated with the older digital cameras. I'm one that's in no hurry to upgrade at the moment!
I have used my D850 since 2019 and love it. I've recently considered upgrading to mirrorless but after doing some research, I may wait a year before taking another look at the z8 .
I should add that when you buy a Nikon Z mirrorless camera, you’re more likely to get regular future firmware updates that will improve the performance of the camera. Perfect examples of this is the 3.01 firmware update for the Nikon Z9 and the 3.40 firmware update for Z6/Z7. Both of which substantially improved the autofocus in certain modes 📸🙏
PS. We have some pretty tough marriage celebrants here in Australia 😂
I was on the fence about buying the D850 so I rented one for 3 days. That's all it took. I purchased it the next day. No regrets.
Many thanks for watching. Hope you get many years of enjoyment out of your D850. 📸🙏
It's such a great camera
I am not a professional photographer, I've just bought a second hand D850, I am very satisfied with it.
Thanks for watching 🙏
Second Price... please ?
@@glvclicks2483 around ~2k for an excellent condition one. i see them around a lot on mpb but there’s definitely still a lot around the internet. cheapest i’ve seen is $1,300 for a well used condition
Smart move....best bang for the buck....!!
Overkill
I have had a D610 for 10 years+, now also the happy owner of a second hand D850 + some extra glass. I stumbled across a D3 which I bought too, the handling of the D3 is the best I have ever tried. Both cameras are old and very old, but there is nothing wrong with the results they deliver. Also, the F mount lenses can now be had for little money, that provides the oppotunity to buy more exotic lenses without breaking the bank.
I went through a series of Nikon's and have had my D850 for 3 years now. I understand and accept all your arguments. That said, it would take the earth moving under my feet to get me away from it to any other camera. I have a couple other special use cameras but when I'm out and about you can bet I have my 850 on me.
If you see me without me camera it will be because I died on the birding trail and a passerby stole my camera from my dead body.
Thanks for watching. That's funny re the birding trail. What did Charlton Heston say, "... from my cold dead hands!" 😂
A pretty nice talk.
Many youtubers talk as if the yesteryear photographers and cameras were dumb, and they never made good photographs.
This video is refreshing.
I've just bought a brand new D850..... . So I can continue to enjoy my old SLR-lenses and speedlights!
@@ivindholta4081 Same, mine should arrive tomorrow. I’ve had one before (and had to sell because of finances) so I know exactly what to expect.
I’d still buy the d850. I have one already and would like to get a second for back up. I know mirrorless is the way the future of photography is going but I think DSLRs allow photographers to be more creative than mirrorless. That’s just my opinion.
Many thanks for watching and sharing your story. Have a great weekend 📸🙏
@@adrianalfordphotography I love watching your videos! Been learning a lot 😊
my backup to my D850 is the D810. also a great camera.. I almost sold it when i went to the D850 and glad I didn't ... i routinely carry both now fitted with different lenses..
Just curious, why do you think DSLRs allow us to be more creative? I still haven't converted over to mirrorless as it's a bit outside my budget at the moment, but once I start seeing more success with my photography I'll probably invest in a mirrorless as well and have both with different lenses during some shoots.
I have shot professionally with the D850 for years now. Couldn’t imagine needing anything more for what I use it for. Total workhorse.
Totally agree. Thanks for watching 🙏
Great channel! I’m from Minnesota, USA and love my D850. We have weather extremes and the D850 performs flawlessly - even at sub-zero temps! I also own a D7000 (I just used yesterday) and having used that for years - along with owning a nice variety of Nikon lenses - made the decision to upgrade to the D850 an easy one. I have no regrets. I’m a nature photographer - birds in flight and landscapes and everything in between - and have fantastic results with the D850. P.S. - I no longer do weddings! 😅
Thanks for watching and commenting. Grea to hear your D850 story. Enjoy your weekend 📸🙏
What do you think about upgrading my old D7100 with a D850 for exactly the purpose you mentioned (birds)?
@@kilian9591 You will be taking a significant step up from your present camera body by going to the D850. I have read - and I personally believe - the D850 is the best DSLR out there. True, there is more advanced technology available in mirrorless cameras but I can’t justify the cost. The D850 is a workhorse. It produces incredible results. I’d recommend researching the model to determine if it is the right camera for your needs. I love mine and find it to be an outstanding choice for birds and other wildlife. There are loads of videos available on TH-cam that review the D850 as well as many positive reviews at Nikon’s website. I give the D850 “five stars!”
@@kilian9591 If you can afford a D850, do it. The difference is not subtle. (I just bought a D850 this year after shooting with a D7200.)
@Gordon The new mirrorless cameras offer more fps, it's true. But with all the other qualities of the D850 taken into account, including its amazing image quality and resolution and relatively affordable price, that was not a deal breaker for me. It shoots a respectable 7 fps and you can squeeze 9 out of it if you get the battery grip.
I bought a new D850 a couple months ago. In large part to shoot with my old manual focus Nikon AIS glass. Super super happy with this
Great video, Adrian. I've shot weddings, schools, you name it for over 35 years on Nikon. I've got two "old" D750's from high volume school photography that both have over 400,000 on the clicks count and still going strong on the original shutter. I've got a cupboard full of beautiful fast F mount glass and just love the reliability. Recently I bought a D850 body that had only done 4,800 clicks for $2,500. I use it for all my low light needs and although it might be a bit old school, it will more than do me until bodies with the Z9/8 specs become cheaper to buy.
As a hobbyist, I can't justify the expense of the new z9 or the fresh z8. I only occasionally get paid work for portraits. I have used both the z8 and 9 and I can tell you that both are vastly superior to the 850. The added features like auto focus and focus tracking the increased frame rates the silent shooting make an enormous difference. If my livelihood depended on it I would already be there. However a beginning artist / photographer would do very well to start with a used and proven powerhouse like the 850.
Nikon quality is legendary, I once had an F4 AND several older film cameras, and my D90 is still going strong,even though I mainly use the Fuji now. I would love Nikon to bring out a budget friendly mirrorless with good spec. Thanks as always for sharing.
Thanks very much for watching John. It will be interesting to see the Z8 when it comes out. I will be looking at that camera, but to get it, one of my cameras will have to go. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 📸🙏
July 2023 - Bike ride from UK to South of France to see a mate - like me an old boy but he kept his film cameras, I went digital - and he gave me an F4s to take home! - back into film photography and digital - I am trading in my D700 for the D850 - I can still use all my old and relatively new Nikkor lens on the D850 - looking forward to great photography on a trip to Switzerland later this year.
As a long time D850 shooter I did pick up a refurbished Z7 recently....As a walk around camera the Z7 fits perfectly, that said when I'm out shooting landscapes, seascapes etc it's the D850 all the way. Some reasons are the amount of buttons so I do not need to dive into a menu for certain things...and they are backlit. That is one omission on the Z series (with the exception of the Z9) that I fail to understand. So I do utilize both for different projects. Thank you for these videos.
Many thanks for watching and sharing your story Tony. Be interesting to see the Z8 when/if it eventuates. Have a great weekend 📸🙏
I would not even think to buy d850 again... It's the best, no heating issue, tough awesome grip. I do fashion and wedding and in India sound really doesn't matter for stills and i don't do video at all.
I mainly use the D850 in studio for product photography and I believe for this usage it would just be a waste of money to buy the Z9.. I rather spend more money in a couple of more optics.. Thank You for your great video 👍🏻😊
Many thanks for watching. Yes totally agree. Z9 would be massive overkill for studio. Same re landscape photography. It's more meant for action/outdoors etc. Have a great weekend. 📸🙏
Well, it's here, the Z8. I won't buy one because I photograph static subjects so no need for all of the wiz-bang.
I may end up getting a Z7 as the price is coming down all the time and it's all that I need.
I'd love to get an 850...just because...😅
Nice photos BTW
I have nikon d850, LAST YEAR on march, 2022 I purchased, this is a great and best camera
I just bought a D850 (new) because of the huge range of glass I have and the kind of photography I do. Buying a new z8 was a huge temptation. But it is going to cost me a fortune to add the kind of glass I now have. I will be happy with this for at least another 5-6 years and then there might not be any cameras but iPhones with 100MP! Thanks Adrian for the very useful video.
Adrian, I just bought one Nikon D850 it’s an amazing camera. I have owned Nikons for the last 35 years. This has to be the best one I've ever owed. Still looking at a lot of videos trying to get used to it and know how everything works. Thanks so much for your video I will subscribe to your channel.
I have a lot of D850 videos on my channel. Feel free to check them out, cheers for watching 🙏📸
I bought my D850 in 2022. I’ve used it primarily for macro wildlife and I love it! I also have a Sony A7Riii because it’s lightweight for travel and has great video capability. The image quality of the D850 is way better and I’d certainly buy it again if I needed to.
I agree 100% with your video. I have the Nikon D800, D810 and the D850 and the best by far is the D850. I got the D850 when it first came out and I have had 0 problems with it. One other point is that I like the way it is set up. It is easy to use. Thank you for the video. Ben
Thank you for watching Ben.
The D850 has been the digital camera I've been wanting since 2001. Mine is still going strong after 5 years of use as well. My work leads me more towards medium and large format at the moment so I don't plan on upgrading to another Nikon soon. If I get into more commercial and need the speed then I'll go for the Z9 or the successor.
I am from germany...every photographer here who is a pro buy a sony alpha 7 ii or iii or so....but i love my nikon d850 a lot. The colour, the intense and the dynamic of the pictures is for me the best in the world ... the d850 is a weapon .....its from 2017 but look at the ak47 from the last century but now one of the best in her category
Thanks for the impressions. I've been using the D850 for years as well (my backup is the D500) and I've gone back and forth with the introduction of the Z-series. The Z 7II would be a consideration (same 45mp size) but honestly with all my current gear, the change-over could be an expensive proposition (yes, there's an adapter for the F to Z mount, but really, why wouldn't you use the glass specifically designed for the mount?) Anyway, what it comes down to FOR ME is that I have never used any of my Nikons for video. It's not why I bough the cameras to begin with. There are excellent alternatives for shooting video but that's just not something I do. Rumors of a Z8 may change my mind, but for now both my D850 and D500 are keepers.
Would you recommend to buy D500 nowdays?
I'm going to go "middle of the road" here and say, "It depends". Generally speaking, the specs as a crop sensor DSLR are just as impressive today as they were when the camera was first introduced. If you're not shooting video (as I stated above) then the D500 is a phenomenal piece of equipment. And the lenses available are still some of the best in the the camera world. Admittedly, I don't use my D500 nearly as much any longer. In fact, I'm seriously considering selling it and the collection of DX lenses and purchasing the...Z8. Yes, I'm considering going mirrorless. The key reason is lighter weight and portability. But back to your question...the D500 is an excellent camera in all respects. AND there are some excellent deals to be had.
The elephant in the room is my extensive F-mount lens collection, something not mentioned in the video. Buying a Z8 is not only double the price for the body, it is buying a new lens collection, a big financial outlay. I have a D810, but my D200 (DX) body is finally dying. So I am currently thinking of getting a D850 before they are no more.
Its now 2024 and im hoping to purchase the D850 soon. I need a big brother for my 7200. Thanks for the review.
Just picked up a second D850 body as I like having a couple of lenses on the go at once. Love these cameras - traded up from a pair of D810 bodies and can really tell the difference. I prefer optical viewfinders and the other 'advantages' of mirrorless don't carry much weight. Big issue for me would be the cost of replacing all my glass - I have managed to collect some beautiful AF-D and AF-S prime and zoom lenses that let me take great photos focal lengths from 16mm up to 500mm. If I was going to spend big money replacing all my kit it would only be to go to medium format - and that's not going to happen any time soon.
Totally agree with you. I think if Money was no object and you did photography for a living maybe I would upgrade, maybe. But really, the out put is what matters. You don't need 30 frames per second, eye auto focus. If you have good skills you don't need that. And low light is so silly. Who really shoots beyond 8,000 ISO and how often? I know for so many years pro have said shoot at the lowest ISO as possible even though their cameras can do 6400 with no issues. Just my 2 cents.
Wow, very great video. Love my D850, buy behind 2020, and first used in summer 2022 in Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and others sites of the USA West Coast. Really very happy with D850. Need more time to make more shots, but the first impression it's woow!!!... Thanks for your great videos and regards from Barcelona (Spain)
Thank you for watching and commenting. Glad to hear your experience with the D850. Hope you have a great weekend 🙏📸
The D850 is still a workhorse and super versatile even today. Nice summary of pros & cons mate. That ending omg😁😁😁😄😃😂🤣😅🤪
Glad you enjoyed the vid Peter. It's a great camera. Was just using it today for a sunset and to shoot some dragonflies in my garden. Always love the colours and image quality. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 🙏📸
I love my D850 and it’s accompanying me this weekend on an owl prowl in some cold Canadian winter weather.
Thanks for watching. Enjoy the weekend with the owls, sounds fun. 🙏
I’ve owned the D 850 for about 7 months now, taken it with me for two photo op trips 1 to The Cherokee National Forest in S.E. Tennessee, and the other to Hocking Hills, OH.. It Did Not disappoint and really didn’t exhaust me after 6-8 hour hikes. The Hocking Hills trip started 12-27-2022 about 10 minutes into the icy hike I lost my footing and hit the ground hard, the D850 took the fall like a champ. Guess I’m a proud Nikon D850 owner!. 😎🇬🇧🍣🍻🪂
Glad to hear you're ok after that fall. Equally glad your D850 lives on to fight another day. Thank you for watching and commenting 🙏
I have just one example out of many why I'd keep a DSLR such as this camera but here's one. The D850 has an external self timer control instead of diving into some sub-menu to activate it.
He convinced me, I've just purchased D850 and I'm going to use it for next 3-5 years. After that period I will reconsider what's next... thank you, Adrian;)
I have gone through the 3100,7200,750 and 850 and the 850 is a GREAT DSLR body and highly capable of great images…. You can pixel peep with it if you like and it’s absolutely stunning…. You can see the limitations with my other bodies…. And not too hard to learn if you are willing to take the time…. I’ll eventually switch over to mirrorless but I am waiting for the z9 features to come into a lower priced body…. Like what you suggested…. Excellent channel and excellent information. You’re my favourite for sure on TH-cam and Instagram. Thanks so much Adrian ❤. Now to shoot some ducks today and practice some more 😂
Many thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts 🙏
I upgraded from an 810 to the 850 last year, and in no small way as a result of your vids, and I am SUPER happy, great advice and critique. But let’s face it, the only difference between a DSLR and a mirror less is the mirror. What has made mirrorless viable in my view (in particular for news and pro shooters) is the elimination of “lag” between viewfinder and capture. My first digital camera took up to a second from shutter release to capture, and that was in 2001, it has taken 20+ years to get to this point ! I think the transition to mirrorless will be like film to digital, nostalgic curators versus techno trailblazers.
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. Glad you got some joy from the D850. Have a great weekend 📸🙏
I owned a Z7ll I didn't really think I was a trailblazer
Last weekend i was talking to another photographer at a location. he had a Canon r6 and he shot a lot of Burlesque shows professionally . he said when he was given a R6 to try, the eye detect and tracking in low light was a game changer for him, but as i mainly do landscapes with a little motorsport, and no video, the D850 is the best camera on the market for me. the new Z lenses are great, but there is nothing wrong with the F mount lenses either
810 dump to me kkk
I have a D850 and it is a dream come true! AND low light performance is incredible.
No plans on buying mirrorless. I have the D850 & D750. So love the 750 still yet enjoy the features of the D850. Both wonderful cameras.
Thanks for your videos
Yes I have the D750 also. Wonderful cameras. Thank you for watching and commenting 📸🙏
Well..I don‘t take videos, I don‘t do wildlife or weddings…I guess the d850 is still my weapon of choice;) Yes its heavy as shit when you are on a 3 days metal festival or doing a long distant hike but man I love this sturdy old bastard. Thx for the content Adrian. Cheers from Germany 🤘🏻
Spot on! My thoughts exactly. It can be heavy but man the images from this camera are insanely good. Cheers 🙏
Adrian. Thanks for the review. I have gone over to mirrorless with Sony. I've also got an old well used D810. But my gosh, there's some great Nikon lens specials available that make getting a D850 a tempting proposition.
I have a D5 and a D850, different tools for different jobs. With this pair, there is nothing that I cannot cover photographically. I tried the Z7ii for a bit, and while the image quality was amazing, there was too much that it just couldn't do.
Can you elaborate what Z7ii can't Currently thinking. Thanks.
@@motojc The continuous focusing just wasn't there. While it's great for portraits, it just didn't cut it shooting action.
I've just brought the d850 mainly because I have several f mount lenses and recently got the sigma 150-600 contemporary
Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated.
I've shot the D850 for the last 4 years, and have loved it. Over the holidays, I purchased a Z7 ii and have been using it quite a bit. Nikon had some great deals on the D850 here in the states over the last couple of months, but I think the Z line is the future. I like several of the features of the Z7ii (and the weight of the Z9 is why I went with the Z7ii) that you highlight as mirrorless features. I'm hoping that Nikon will release the rumored Z8 soon. If they do, it would likely become my primary body and the Z7ii will become the backup.
Many thanks for watching and sharing your story. Like you, I think we are all waiting with great expectations on the Z8. Hopefully cheaper, lighter, but with some features from the Z9. Enjoy your weekend 📸🙏
I would settle for a solid 10 fps with no viewfinder or shutter lag with a halfway decent buffer, 35-50 shots. Some halfway decent vid, although not my main concern. =$3300 US. Look at th Canon R5 for $3900. It is possible.
Enjoyed the video. I would love a good DSLR and that looks like it would be a great fit. My go to mirrorless is my Nikon Z9.. Nikon D850 is on my wish list 🙏🏾🤞🏾
I have a D850 for the past 5 years and love it. This past month I bought the Z9. The Z9’s autofocus is definitely superior but I am not willing to part with the D850. It is will stay in my arsenal for some time.
The Z system, being new, has pretty expensive glass, however, a lot of F mount lenses have come down in price, as it is now essentially a superseded system. But, if you’re just into stills and do not need all the video hoohar then the D850 maybe just the thing you want or need. I like buying older cameras new because when they are on “special” you can pick them up brand new for about two thirds of the original price. The F mount was the ant’s pants for sixty years. I think it will create, competitive, great images for about the next twenty years. Love the channel. Cheers
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. Much appreciated. Enjoy your weekend Brian 🙏📸
Loved the Video and all the comments and will be off to buy my 3rd SLR tomorrow and it will be the D850 too.
The D850 is not a SLR, it is a DSLR 😃
I got one a few months back when my long and faithful D5100 kicked the bucket. It could still be salvaged (the shutter mechanism became faulty, everything else is in good order) and I had a lot of memories with it since 2010, so I kept it with me still, of the thousand pictures I have taken with it.
D850 is a little bit on the heavy side, but for someone doing it as a hobby, I love it very much. ♥
I have a D850. I used this for dog show photography. I upgraded to the Z8 and love it. This will still by my backup camera and I will be taking Candid's with this camera at the shows.
Señor, usted me ha sacado de la gran duda que tenía. Me dedico a la fotografía social y estoy queriendo cambiar mi equipo. En la actualidad tengo una Nikon D5500 y me encantaría poder adquirir esta gran herramienta para mi trabajo. Soy de Argentina y actualmente la situación económica aquí no es la más favorable, pero con esfuerzo llegaré a mi meta. Le agradezco por el video, me vino como anillo al dedo. Saludos, thank you very much.
I'm a university photography technician, and I bought a secondhand D850 with ~5000 shots on it in January 2023, with no regrets or hesitations. Do with that information what you will.
Thanks for watching
thanks for the review. I am more on the photo side than video one . So your advice helps alot . I will look for a used D850 as upgrade for my D750
I forgot you're in Australia, so when I saw those prices at first I was shocked and confused lol. The lack of quality autofocus in video and the noise concerns are good points for me to consider as I want to get into video more, and I enjoy wildlife photography and am considering doing more weddings as I grow my business... also the weight too when it comes to traveling is a concern but at least it'll be more of a workout for me lol. but I pretty much have my heart set on the D850, just need to pull the trigger.
Have Nikon D800 from the day it come out. So yes, Nikon D850 it would be nice.
I use Hasselblad lens as well with Kinon adapter.
Thanks for watching.
Have had the D90 in 2009, D700 in 2012, D800 in 2015 and D850 in 2017 till now, D850 is the best upgrade I've ever made. The DSLR feel in hand is the most satisfying albeit for its weight. Sometimes I find the S lenses too big for the Z7 II body which I think its ergonomically not as good as DSLR with F mount lenses.
Probably why they made the Z8 with the same bigger size body as the older DSLRs because frankly the Z5/6/7 are too small for many people's hands
Mate great video like always!! I do own a Nikon D5 and the D850 and am more than happy with the cameras and the results. I don’t see the Z series yet for myself. If you have the right setup, wouldn’t recommend to swap at the momentary situation. Maybe in the future once our DSLR’s become Dinos. Cheers
I bought the D500. Because I couldn’t afford the D850 and I’ve been extremely happy with the results! Now, for the same reason, I’m waiting for the Z9 tech to trickle down! I’ve considered the D850 but would like updated focus options for my birds in flight images, etc. Thanks for your thoughts!
Thanks for watching 🙏
Using LV when shooting weddings etc. inside churches and other places where I want to be "invisible" - a forgotten feature - ROCK's :-)
I use LV for landscape photography so I minimize shutter shake. Using LV for weddings is useless in that your focus is NEVER tack sharp accurate as compared to looking through the viewfinder. Plus you have to use a monopod or your arms will fall out of their sockets. Not a forgotten feature but a pretty useless one for weddings.
Hahahahaha - Adrian I do like your humour. . . . .especially with the wedding bit! Having been on multiple sides of that gig though, I've never really noticed the photographer or noisy camera shutter (unless it was me with the camera!). Love the new intro too. Enjoy 2023 - may it be a good one for you.
Glad you enjoyed it Denise. Hope you and the family have a fantastic 2023. We have some pretty tough marriage celebrants here in Queensland 😂🙏
@@adrianalfordphotography haha - they breed em tough up there. . .
Great video, Adrian. The church reference brought a smile to my face. I'm terrified thinking about the day my D850 packs up (if ever). I'm sure the top Nikon Z mount cameras are as good or even possibly better than the D850, but it's been such a great friend to me since 2017. I felt the same way about the D700 all those years ago. I'll probably buy a new D850 as back up from the more reputable grey import online retailers within the next 12 months. Just waiting for the body only price to hit around the £1600 mark. The current cheapest I've found is £1829.00.
Thanks for watching Dave. All the best with your next camera purchase. Be interesting to see the Z8 when it comes out soon 📸🙏
Great video Adrian, as usual. I'm loving my D850, though still have lots to learn. Totally agree with your points, especially the range of glass available. I have both Nikon and Sigma (plus two Sigma on the wish list) and have no issue with them. Not ready to switch to mirrorless yet, maybe in a year or two. Would always recommend the D850. Look forward to your next video. The only weddings I do are my own LOL
Thanks for watching David and sharing your story. It will be interesting to see the Z8 when it comes out. I see Sigma now are about to venture into Z mount lenses. As time goes on there should be a better range to choose from on the Z mount. Have a great weekend 📸🙏
For the past 18 months, I have have been doing a lot of landscape photography with my D850. There are two issues that I have with the Z cameras generally, i.e. battery life and sensor cleanliness. Firstly, I like to leave my D850 powered on, perhaps in live view for hours at a time, waiting for the light to change, so I can react instantly. The D850 batteries last for around 3 hours in live view. The Z cameras, except for the Z9 perhaps which has a bigger battery, won't last that long. Secondly, the sensor on the Z cameras, again except for the Z9 which has a blind, is exposed to the elements when you remove the lens. This is very problematic for landscape photographers, when you are in poor weather conditions, e.g. rain, wind, sea spray, etc.. In addition, for landscape photography in particular, the image quality from the Z9 and Z7i/ii is no different to the D850. So, I will still use my current D850 for a long time to come, replacing it if need be with other second hand D850's.
Thanks for watching
Great video, Adrian! I don't think I would buy a D850 in 2023 but if I owned one, I don't think I would sell it! :) That's kind of where I am with its little brother, the D500.
Thanks for watching Phil. Yes I can see what you mean. That's why I will hang on to the D850. Z8 is around the corner and we'll see what that brings to the table. But if I do buy the Z8, one of my cameras will have to go. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 🙏📸
I have shot more than 50 "day-to-night-to-day" time-lapses on the D850 in freezing weather and in 112 degrees and Adrian is right, it is the best camera I have ever used. You can get "the holy grail" shots using the built-in interval timer and do it on silent-mode which is just fantastic when shooting 1500 frames all night! Great video, Adrian! I'm subscribed.
Listen, let's be for real. Aside from the D850,most of what Nikon released since then was a recalled nightmare in the past 5-7 years. Nikon made the awesome D810 with 1 recall, the D750 with 3 recalls, and at least 17 recalls overall. Nikon NAILED it with the D850 and the only reason I didnt get it was because of my budget for a camera at the time. I got the Pentax k1 mk2,and I', happy with. The fact is,the Canon 5D mk4, Nikon D850,and the Pentax k1mk2 are the TOP three DSLRs, hands down. The Mighty Nikon Z9 is out, yet that's if you have money or NEED to upgrade to another body and lens system. MOSt of us are still taking the same pictures which the Nikon D850 can excel in. You can buy 2-3 D850 bodies, get 3 primes, 3 zooms, and make the same amount of money you can with a Z9. You can get or keep your D850 then get a Z9 and then ALL of your stills and video needs are covered. Point being, it's a waste of time and money to make comparisons with old and new, because it's basically the same stuff. Most of us do not NEED 4k,6k,8k,nor do we have the IT networks and workstation redundancy/storage. Do not get fooled into thinking you NEED to replace a perfectly amazing camera. Before I even touch anything new I would get a D850,and use it for the next 10+ years, without a hitch. No,I am not buying some camera I need to update over and over. I want it great out of the box, which is exactly what I pay for. It's my money, my investment, and there's no logical reason a brand cannot make the camera great when they release it. I need it to work NOW, and no downtime, and that's possible with my FF camera and the Nikon D850..Oh and let's ne sane and say if i hire a shooter at my wedding,I expect him to be seen and heard. It's not THAT loud that I cannot hear the minister or someone ruins weddings. There have been at least a MILLION weddings in this country in history with all sorts of cameral, so it's not logical to say shutter noise is a real issue.
Thanks very much for watching. You made some very valuable point. Like you said, Nikon nailed it when they created the D850. Enjoy your weekend 📸🙏
@@adrianalfordphotography You are welcome and they were not points as much as simple truths. The sheer amount of money it takes to properly set up redundancy for storage even for the D850 is expensive. Proper storage is actually 2 workstations, and backup off site, and the servers you can buy or build, plus the storage media needed during shoots, plus those backups. Now add the cost of getting a z9, brand new storage media, new machines, and new glass, and then it's a question of do you make that much money shooting to offset those costs? We havent even touched on software, if we use subscriptions or open source, which i use.
Thank goodness someone else is voicing this opinion. The firmware update nonsense is getting out of control! They want you to pay $2-7k up front for a half baked product that they'll maybe improve down the line. The thing is, modern electronics are slated for planned obsolescence so you'll still have to pay for the next camera in the next couple of years and the cycle goes on.
With all the new Z lenses coming in, that’s more of a plus for this camera as the prices for used lenses compatible for the D850 will come down even more. I really hadn’t thought of this camera as an alternative upgrade but I’m looking at it now. 🤔
@@satejonetsu its a SCAM..exactly
Since your video publish date, there has been the new Z8 come out that is the replacement for the D850, however, it's a little pricy for me now so I'm going to wait until it comes down and make my purchase. Great video regarding very important pointsl
ok so I am a long-time Nikon DSLR guy and I am heavily invested in F-mount glass that's too hard to replace both for reasons of $$$ and for the sort of quality on the glass. I have the D810 since 2016 and it's just perfect. I am here watching this video because my thinking process is why should I ever depart from F-mount DSLR and what happens if Nikon discontinues F-mount cameras and my D810 needs replacement in some future, shouldn't I get the D850 before it goes off the market? And, going through the cons, #1 is not applicable to me (I can't care less for silent shooting; I don't shoot weddings and libraries etc), #2 I wish you spoke a bit more about the tech on the Z9: I am not keeping up with the Z at all to avoid the temptation and preserve my $$$, #3 is sort of not applicable to me as well: I have no complaints about the sharpness of my F-mount glass (which includes several Tamron and Samyang lenses) and I am not complaining about the weight, which means #4 is not applicable either: When weight is a problem I shoot with my phone. And #5 is not applicable for me either as I don't shoot video. Thanks a lot for this review.
Thanks for this video. I have been debating whether to upgrade from my D700 to either an 810 or 850. I've been super happy with all my Nikon cameras. Not sure I'm ready for investing in mirrorless, even though it's the wave of the future.
Many thanks for watching.
I have a D700 and happy with it and recently upgraded to D850 fantastic but much more complex and far less forgiving of poor technique due to the 45Mp sensor its a learning curve. I passed on the excellent D810
Adrian, as usual your videos are a treat. Not much talk about F glass on the Z9 with the adapter and what the quality and real life results are really like and if worth it. Any suggestions about switching to Z9 and keeping premium F glass?
I won’t be switching to a Z9. I will see what the Z8 brings to the table. D850 stays put for me.
I love my Nikon d850. I shoot mainly landscapes at sunrise or sunset, some bird photography and a bit of astro. I have also had to use it for the odd portrait or group photo shot. This camera does the lot.
Yes it's a bit heavier but the quality of the photo is superb. I've had it for years and I've never needed it serviced or repaired either. I don't use the video so that side of it doesn't bother me.
I got mine during a super boxing day sale in store about 4 years ago. I still can't buy it brand new in store that cheap today. It definitely holds its value.
Thank you so much for watching. That's pretty much what I use my D850 for as well. It's such a pleasure to see the images from it. Hope you have a great weekend 🙏📸
Have you used a D780? I am really interested in that camera's video capabilities. From what I gather, it behaves like a Z6 in Live View mode. Any experience with it?
Many thanks for watching. The D780 is like a D750/Z6 hybrid. It has better video autofocus, however it does not eliminate the focusing noise from the F mount lenses. Enjoy your weekend 🙏
thanks very interesting i ve just bought the D850 and sold my D810; This happened when I bought a 300 mn lense which was quite crazy to focus with my old one. i'm 70 and use a harness (Cotton), except for travelling (my second cam is a Fujifilm X100V). the only thing I miss : too noisy and everybody think I am a professional, so i don't use it in Paris. I 'm in hurry to taste the result with my 2 macro lenses
Great pros/cons. A lot to think about from somebody close to buying a d850 or z8
Hi, thanks for your info! I just bought the Z9 and love it. I kept the D850 for a backup. What’s your opinion on selling the D850 and going without a backup and investing in more Z lenses. I shoot corporate headshots and industrial “workers in action” for websites mostly and now getting into more b-roll video (which poses a problem with a big enough gimbal to handle the Z9 - always something.
Thanks for watching. I can only speak for me personally, but I would NEVER go to a client shoot without a backup camera. You just know the second you go to a pro shoot with just one camera, something will go wrong and you'll curse the day you sold the other camera.
I bought a Z6 it was ok. But traded it for the D7500.
That’s a beauty. Then I upgraded to the D850 and I love it
I enjoyed your point - to - point focus ( pardun the pun ) . For me , weight is a concern . Your truly on the spot ! otherwise , same deal .... it's a Nikon . I have an F that I love too . Some of my best shots of a Coyote are on an F3 .
Having a quiet shutter is the oooonly factor I've been debating on.
I currently use a D750 and while it is not obnoxiously loud, it sometimes can be heard especially in more intimate prelook shoots during a wedding.
Thanks for watching. Yes I love the D750 also. A wonderful camera with such unique colors. Having a silent shutter can be very advantageous in wedding and portrait sessions I agree.
Great video. I love D850 but will upgrade soon as I shoot lots of video.
My D850 which I’ve had for two years is amazing if my pictures aren’t right then it’s my fault. If someone is thinking of starting out as a professional photographer then mirrorless has to be a consideration. Thanks for the video it’s a bleak old day here in England.
Many thanks for watching. Photographers have such an amazing choice of cameras to choose from nowadays. I think we take for granted just how spoilt we are. Enjoy your weekend 📸🙏
I was holding out for a DSLR replacement to the 850, but this is of course never going to come. I had then resigned myself to the 780, but this video has made me think again...
Many thanks for watching 📸🙏
Worth it. I love the buffer 50 continuous images before it slows down and battery life is phenomenal. Heartily agree with how loud it is as well as being big. Using the LCD for silent photography can be hard to do. Also did you know the sensor is made by Sony?
Enjoyed this video. Quite a few good points, which doesn't help my decision weather to buy or not to buy a D850. 🤣🤣
Will continue to tune into your channel.
Thanks for watching. Appreciate your support of the channel. 🙏
I wish I could have kept mine as a backup body, but I traded it in for a discount on the Z9 (along with my even older D800). The main reasons to swap are 2 that you mentioned: tech and Z lenses. Z glass is far superior to most native lenses, with some rare exceptions that haven't gotten an upgrade yet (but you can still mount F lenses on Z mounts), and the tech is just so good:
- IBIS (an absolute game changer for a lot of styles of photography)
- no more Back/Front focus problems on lenses (which was totally fixable but a pain)
- almost unlimited battery life
- super quick AF with eye detection and even more coverage
The D850 is still absolutely fantastic and will let you do just about anything, but the additional comfort of the Z system (probably even just with the Z7 II) is totally worth it if you can afford it
Thanks for watching. I understand your point of view. Most people can't afford a Z9, so they are sticking with the D850 for now. Glad to hear you're enjoying the new camera.
You stated "almost unlimited battery life when talking about Mirrorless cameras, which isn't true at all.
@@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO The Z9 can easily last 3-10k photos on a single battery charge (depending on screen usage and gps settings), which is more than the D850 ever did with the EN-EL18 in the battery grip. The Z5 lasts way more than EN-EL15b battery DSLRs (there's not a real entry level full frame camera in the DSLR world).
I have yet to see a use case where Mirrorless' batteries last a comparable amount of time to the respective DSLR version. Video could be one (as codecs have improved in resolution at all) but I don't do that and if you mainly shoot video you're not gonna use a D850 anyway
@@Comalv The battery life of the Z9 is exceptional for a Nikon Mirrorless, no other Nikon Mirrorless has the same battery life.
I shot the D780 the other day. Now I'm back on the fence about which FF to purchase. I really like the non-pro body on the D780 for my style of action photography. I can't justify the mirrorless at this time.
Adrian, I own D850 and pretty happy with it!
Thank you for watching
I must Admit It Is A Bit Noisy, And The Silent Shooting Seems A Little Hit And Miss, For My Liking, But What A Great Camera For Wildlife.
D850 And The D500 Are A Great Team For Wildlife Photography. I Use Them Both. Will I Keep The D850? Absolutely, Love It. 🇬🇧
Enjoying Your Channel Adrian. Brilliant Very Helpful And Informative.
Totally agree with the LV being hit and miss. Thanks for watching and sharing your D850 experience. Cheers 📸🙏
Hi Adrian, it is interesting how important the silent mode got for me over the past years - and this for landscapes to get rid of shakes :) I think this got even a must criterion for me, meanwhile. But as long as the camera fulfills what the particular photographer needs, it is the right camera for him. Not everyone has the highest requirements. Sometimes it is even better to buy an older camera for less money, which doesn't consider features you don't need, but anyway is able to take photos with brilliant image quality.
Thanks for the video and enjoy your weekend,
Christian
Thanks for watching Christian. You can shoot silently with the D850 when it is in live view using the back LCD screen and I use that for when I'm doing landscape and long exposures. Totally agree, re needing a camera to suit your needs. A lot of people don't need video, they just do stills. I was just out this afternoon with the D850 shooting a long exposure sunset shot. Had one of those burner sunsets and just had to go get it. Have a great weekend buddy, cheers 🙏📸
i just got the D850 and I know Nikon is coming out with a new camera. But im not paying 5K or more for a camera. So D850 was the better choice. And well all the lenses I already own. Wasn't about to invest in more. I upgraded from the D750.
Salut. feellow! love it! very superb view,
Thanks for visiting 🙏
Just stumbled upon your video in my recommended videos. Very good points made. I personally gave some thought to a Z9 last fall but was turned off by the wait time at that time. Also having a fair amount of higher end F glass I wasn't quite ready to part ways even with the adaptability of the F to Z lens mount. Had previously used a D500 for a few years and despite its many fine points I was looking for something more. Came upon a D6 with very low shutter count. Purchased it followed this spring with a low shutter count D850. Could not be happier. Even with the Z8 now available I'm completely content with my equipment.
Greetings from Canada I am an enthusiast and I love my D850 and I still like to use it even though I also own a Z7 along with F mount and Z mount lenses , I don't do weddings usually and like you were saying it has a lot of great qualities as does the Z7, they are so nice to use and some things like these I love to collect.
I have owned several cameras both cheap and more expensive including 5 Nikons but the only camera I ever had to send in for service was my D850 and it let me down at about the worst possible time on a trip of a lifetime for me but like I said I still love it and use it.
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. Glad to hear you're enjoying your cameras. Hope you have a great weekend 🙏📸
It is fitting that the D850, and the D6 in a more limited circle, came out at the tail end of SLR photography which had quite an extraordinary run. It's the closing of an era and the dawn of another.
Thanks for watching 🙏
Love the wedding church bit, very funny and true. Is it Worth it to buy a D850? Yes, understanding that the industry is going mirrorless whether you like it or not. Keep in mind, quality cameras never go out of style, next time you are out at a famous tourist sight look and you will find some one using film of some sort of “antiquated equipment” in fact, my wife and I were in Italy a few years ago and there was a photographer with a 4X4 large format taking a photo of the Siena cathedral.
Thanks for watching Leo. Just mentioning Sienna brings back memories of me on a scooter cruising around the streets there. One of the best times of my life was cruising around most of Italy on a scooter. Thanks for watching and commenting cheers 🍻 👍🙏
Looking to move from the d750 to 850 more for features and yes larger sensor benefits. Good video, Thankyou.
Given the issues with AF on the z6 Ii and z7II i am inclined to look at the D850 as a companion to my D500 as i want to get back into Landscape photography. Can you let me know what type of filter you are using in your video. thanks for the information great video.
A D500 and D850 combo would be awesome. Nowadays I use a range of filters from different brands. Freewell, Haida and Kase magnetic filters are all very good.
@@adrianalfordphotography Thanks for the information appreciate that !
I don't really have a horse in this Nikon race, but I think from purely a landscape photography point of view, I think the D850 would still be a fantastic buy. It's been a wonderful servant for you, the images you included here were spectacular, and those shortcomings are minimal. But I guess if you were photographing wildlife or, God forbid, weddings, there might be better choices. Really great look at this camera Adrian! Hope you are doing well down there!
Thanks for watching Paul. Will be interesting to see what Nikon give us "Nikites" this year. I dare say the Z8 will compete with the A7RV, but I bet Canon will then launch "Magnum" aka either the R1 or R5II which will probably trounce both. Either way, I foresee a lot of cash being spent on new cameras across all brands this year. Have a great week mate, take care 🙏📸
Still happy with my D750 giving me the results I'm looking for, but I 'may' change in 2024 possibly. I just can't see spending the $ they want for the mirrorless, where the image quality can be replicated with the older digital cameras. I'm one that's in no hurry to upgrade at the moment!
Would you upgrade from a 750 to an 850?
great review
Thank you for watching 🙏
I have used my D850 since 2019 and love it. I've recently considered upgrading to mirrorless but after doing some research, I may wait a year before taking another look at the z8 .
Hello sir, Very good tips..Thank Q sooo much