Nikon d810 in 2023?

[Fons Baerken]

From my experience the  z7_2 is sharper, although not by much, depending the lenses, the z glass is sharper point, than the d850.
The ergonomics of the z's are not completely to my liking, my personal opinion. There are more differences...

[Ilkka Nissilä]

I will agree with those who recommend a Nikon D850 instead...

I have a Nikon D850 and a Nikon D800. I had frequent issues with gray subjects with Color Moiré with the D800 in spite of the D800's AA filter. The higher 46MP v. 36MP of the D850 over the D800 completely solved that problem for me. The color moiré from time to time showed up even at modest ISO(s).

The D810 has a composite mirror box. I've seen and I'm pretty sure I posted with permission photos of a broken D810 here where the camera side bayonet stayed with the lens. As I recall there were not even brass inserts in the the D810 mirror box.

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The nice thing about the D810 is that it's quite a bit quieter than the D800 let alone D850. I wish I hadn't sold my D810 but I didn't expect the D850 to be so much worse in terms of sound. The difference in sound between the D810 and D850 the difference between nobody noticing you're there taking pictures and people starting to look at you and mimicing the shutter sound and making jokes about it. Alas, a good way to market Z cameras when the D810 is not available new any more. I now have to use the Z6 II for those situations where I don't want the sound to be a distraction and it's in fact so quiet that people look at me and ask when am I going to take the picture when I've taken several already. But I have to take several pictures with the Z6 II because it throws my timing off, and this is very frustrating. So yes to the D810, in terms of sound and timing accurately it's my favorite of the series.

[Dogman]

The only concern I would have for the D810 in question is the number of miles on the odometer.  Two hundred thousand is a lot of wear, even for a Nikon shutter.  I know some Nikon shutters can go a million clicks and keep working but it's always a gamble and I would prefer to stack the deck in my own favor and look at something with a lower shutter count.

I like the D810 a lot.  I don't use mine much because I'm more into the gnarly pseudo-film soft/sharp B&W look that comes from lower pixel counts and a run through Silver Efex in post processing.  D810 is more medium format studio look to my eyes.  It is quieter than my other Nikons, something to consider.  The price is great so if you're willing to gamble it seems like a great deal.  Keep us informed.

[longzoom]

Given that you list a Z6 on your profile why not add a Z7 or Z7II? What features of the D850 do you require the Z7 doesn't offer?

Z7, FTZ, 70-300 AF-P, 5.6, working crop.2021-04-18 018 by 2021-04-18 018-3 by longzoom, on Flickrm/]longzoom[/url], on Flickr.

[longzoom]

On the upper image/crop - at 300mm. Focus - spot-on, to mm-in-mm. Not bad for this affordable lens. Now - Z7, 24 - 70 S, wide open, 1/20, ISO 3200. Crop. Available light. (Family event, sorry). LZ                       2021-06-19 036 by 2021-06-19 036-2 by longzoom, on Flickrlongzoom/]longzoom[/url], on Flickr

[golunvolo]

So far I have cancelled the d810 and will have tomorrow a d850 on loan to try. Listening to all your experiences here sounded like the best approach. I will upload some comments and images here if anything interesting comes my way.

  Thank you all again

[golunvolo]

A better question is whether or not to include onions in the Spanish omelette 

  That is not even a question. Some people put onions on a gently cooked spanish omelette...and some people don't know what they are doing at all   

[Fons Baerken]

Actually noone has mentioned or shared experience with a d780?!

[Hugh_3170]

The nearest thing to an F-Mount Z6? 

Actually noone has mentioned or shared experience with a d780?!

[golunvolo]

After spending some very happy moments playing with the D850, I have an image that the camera attributes of resolution and specially great dynamic range, helped capturing.  Guarding the flowers, beware of the monster lurking in the shadows.

   Crop to taste and opening the shadows to something akin to what my brain remembers of the scene.

  D850, 24-70 2.8 vr

[Hugh_3170]

I am off-topic Paco, but it is a fun image when viewed full screen where the monster reveals him/herself! 

After spending some very happy moments playing with the D850, I have an image that the camera attributes of resolution and specially great dynamic range, helped capturing.  Guarding the flowers, beware of the monster lurking in the shadows.

   Crop to taste and opening the shadows to something akin to what my brain remembers of the scene.

  D850, 24-70 2.8 vr

[John Geerts]

This monster is a good example of the D850's strength 

[golunvolo]

This monster is a good example of the D850's strength 

I think so too 
 Now to the big question: D850 vs Z9, IQ wise?

I am off-topic Paco, but it is a fun image when viewed full screen where the monster reveals him/herself! 

You are right on topic. That the monster can be revealed is the point here. Fun little beauty, dangerous monster 

[John Geerts]

I think so too 
 Now to the big question: D850 vs Z9, IQ wise?

You are right on topic. That the monster can be revealed is the point here. Fun little beauty, dangerous monster 

IQ wise  (Image quality)  the D850 wins.  The Z9 has some other advantages regarding Auto focus (reliability) and Focus zoom. Size and Weight are an extra advantage with the D850.  But they are both superb cameras of course. 

[Hugh_3170]

Agreed - definitely.

My hunch about the D850, is that it may well be the last of the top end advanced amateur F-mount DSLRs from Nikon and as such will be sought after by those with significant collections of F-mount lenses that want to use such lenses natively without adapters.

That the monster can be revealed is the point here.
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