Needing a backup for my Nikon rig

[Peeb]

Currently shooting a z-series mirrorless nikon with several adapted f-series lenses (50mm 1.8g, 85mm 1.8g, 70-200 4g, 200-500 5.6g). My backup unfortunately is a D5300 that focuses about like you would expect, and I'm missing a lot of shots. I don't shoot a lot of birds in flight, but I shoot wildlife in general.

If money were no object, I'd trade all my g glass for z glass and get a z-series crop sensor camera as a backup, but money IS an object, so there's that. So, I'm thinking that for around $1,250 to $1,500 USD, I could either get a well-used D850 and use the g series glass natively and still have MP avaiable to shoot in crop mode, OR I could get a brand-stinkin' new Z50ii with the latest tech and be obsolete-proof for a bit, but I would need to adapt the older glass and lose high resolution.

What would you do with that budget and those needs?

 

[10acres]

Probably not the MP’s you’re looking for, but what about the D500?

 

[Peeb]

Probably not the MP’s you’re looking for, but what about the D500?

Yeah, I am actually impressed with that camera too, but I'm a little tempted by the high-rez option on the D850 for printing big and/or for digitalizing film negatives on a copy stand.

Still, that D500 is a legend and a beast for a reason- tempting!

 

[10acres]

I’m looking to get a D500 soon.

 

[4rum]

Sorry if this is intruding but ... I have a D500. I MUCH prefer the D7500. Same crop sensor, a lot lighter and has onboard flash, which I use to POP things like hummingbirds at dusk. May not have quite the build quality, but seems plenty rugged for my needs. I also hike.

 

[Peeb]

Sorry if this is intruding but ... I have a D500. I MUCH prefer the D7500. Same crop sensor, a lot lighter and has onboard flash, which I use to POP things like hummingbirds at dusk. May not have quite the build quality, but seems plenty rugged for my needs. I also hike.

Had a D7200 that I regret trading. Getting another would probably do me fine as well. Suspect (but don't know) that the AF on the D500 would be much better, tho. How does the AF compare between the D7500 and the D500?

 

[cgw]

For the money in 2025, the D7200 is a stone-cold bargain. Seems to me one of those Nikons--film or digital--that hit a widely-appreciated features/performance sweet spot. Coupled with the Micro-Nikkor 40/2.8, it does a nice job on a copy stand. It's kept me shooting 120 b&w.

 

[4rum]

Had a D7200 that I regret trading. Getting another would probably do me fine as well. Suspect (but don't know) that the AF on the D500 would be much better, tho. How does the AF compare between the D7500 and the D500?

I would need to swap out lenses. I have a Nikkor, 18-300mm on the D500, a Tamron 16-300mm on the D7500. I also have a D7200, bought used, with a very low shutter count. I like the D7200 a lot. I use it almost exclusively for inside school shoots of my grands. The lens on the D500 is getting old, but the camera is a powerhouse and is still pretty fast to focus. Sorry I can't give better info.