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.

 

[Peeb]

OK, found a Nikon D7500 locally for only 450.00 USD that I'm going to look at. It's weather sealed and has a better processor and focusing. Less than 40,000 clicks on it.

It's got the same sensor as the D500, but the D500 is clearly superior in many ways. However, I'd need to pay 750.00 vs 450.00 to have the flagship nikon crop body, and it's just being used as a backup anyway, so I'm going to look it over this weekend and see.

BTW, the Z50ii body is on sale at walmart now for only 814.00, which is a deal. I still look at the D850 as the dream cam, but in March of 2025, it still $1,200 or more, and I MIGHT save a ton by just plunking down 450.00 to get a temporary improvement, and wait a couple of years for the D850 prices to relax. Will update next week.

Lots of interesting choices.

 

[greybeard]

I'm in the same position, I have both a Z5 and a Z50. with some Z lenses and a bunch of F mounts. I pickup a used D850 last year and started shooting it. Now I seldom shoot the Zs because the D850 is such a great camera. It focuses better than either of my Z cameras and while I realize that the new Expeed 7 Z cameras have a much improved focusing system, I have all the features I need with the D850. The D850 is just more satisfying for me. (jmho)

 

[Peeb]

I'm in the same position, I have both a Z5 and a Z50. with some Z lenses and a bunch of F mounts. I pickup a used D850 last year and started shooting it. Now I seldom shoot the Zs because the D850 is such a great camera. It focuses better than either of my Z cameras and while I realize that the new Expeed 7 Z cameras have a much improved focusing system, I have all the features I need with the D850. The D850 is just more satisfying for me. (jmho)

Yes- that was the appeal and lure of the D850 was strong for me but I can get the D7500 for about 1/3 of the price, so I think I'll just do that ...For now...
But the D850 is rightly called one of the greatest DSLR cameras ever made.
It would make my f-mount lenses sing: 50 1.8G; 85 1.8G; 70-200 f/4; 200-500 f/5.6.

Still, for the moment I can get the same resolution in the D7500 as the D850 in crop mode and be well ahead of the imaging I'm currently getting on my D5300 backup. Sample images to follow if I seal the deal this weekend.

 

[Peeb]

Actually found a factory-refurb D7500 from Nikon for $499, which I'll post about upon arrival and test drive.

 

[Peeb]

The D7500 came in, and seems to check out. I'm looking forward to using. Here are a few test shots with a 40mm macro lens, and a 70-200:

 

[JoeW]

So, you're looking for a second Nikon body as backup. I highly recommend the D500 for its AF and FPS capability. For shooting wildlife, you'll love it. The D850 is a better camera but it will cost you more and I'm not sure the extra pixels will provide that much value for you.

If you're looking at mirrorless, consider the Z6-ii or Zf. Both would be good for shooting wildlife. The Zf would have better tracking and AF for moving objects. the Z6-ii will be a couple of hundred cheaper and I believe slightly more FPS capability.

 

[Golem]

So, you're looking for a second Nikon body as backup. I highly recommend the ......................

If you read the thread youll see that he had already found a back up body a few days ago and has even posted some initial test results.