Upgrade to D850 or Purchase New lens

[florotory]

I am debating on possible either upgrading my camera body from the D810 to D850, The D850 was the one I originally wanted when it released but as I'm sure we all remember it was on backorder and tough to get, so I bought the D810 which I do love, but always wanted the D850.

Is it worth the upgrade or should I stick with my D810 and possibly get a new lens for sharper images. I primarily shoot Wildlife and Automotive stuff. I go back to Yellowstone in about a month so I'd like to buy before then so I can get used to the camera or lens.

lens I am possibly looking at is the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

Here is my current Equipment.
Cameras:
D810
D3400 (backup camera)

Lenses:
Nikon 14-24mm
Nikon 24-70mm 2.8G
Nikon 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 G
Nikon 50mm 1.8G
Nikon 35mm DX
Sigma 150-600mm

Thank you

 

[Rickbb]

Never had the 810, but the 850 is a very good camera. It's like the old F2 in film cameras. The one all Nikon fans wanted back in the day.

Here is a link to a comparison of the specs, other sites have them too but want me to disable my Ad blockers, sorry not happening.

Nikon D850 vs D810: Features compared

Is the Nikon D850 significantly different from the previous D810? We take a closer look.

www.digitalcameraworld.com

 

[greybeard]

I'm in the same boat as Rickbb. I've never shot a D810 but own and shoot a D850. I would say that the D810 will hang with the D850 until the light gets really low where the D850 looks to be about 1 stop better. The D850 also has a better focusing system and can shoot up to 9 fps with the battery grip and big battery. For landscapes I doubt if you will see much difference but, wildlife and fast action the D850 will probably be a noticeable improvement.

 

[florotory]

Never had the 810, but the 850 is a very good camera. It's like the old F2 in film cameras. The one all Nikon fans wanted back in the day.

Here is a link to a comparison of the specs, other sites have them too but want me to disable my Ad blockers, sorry not happening.

Nikon D850 vs D810: Features compared

Is the Nikon D850 significantly different from the previous D810? We take a closer look.

www.digitalcameraworld.com

I'm in the same boat as Rickbb. I've never shot a D810 but own and shoot a D850. I would say that the D810 will hang with the D850 until the light gets really low where the D850 looks to be about 1 stop better. The D850 also has a better focusing system and can shoot up to 9 fps with the battery grip and big battery. For landscapes I doubt if you will see much difference but, wildlife and fast action the D850 will probably be a noticeable improvement.

Any thoughts on the comparison of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens VS my Sigma 150-600mm? Im happy with the sigma I have and have gotten some nice shots with it but trying to up my game a bit and do it with the best bang for my buck. Thanks again for the input

that's where my Delima comes in. the D810 has treated me well. The D850 is a beast of a camera but also I know Lenses make a world of difference and both are about the same price (used lens price)

 

[Conrad1947]

I am debating on possible either upgrading my camera body from the D810 to D850, The D850 was the one I originally wanted when it released but as I'm sure we all remember it was on backorder and tough to get, so I bought the D810 which I do love, but always wanted the D850.

Is it worth the upgrade or should I stick with my D810 and possibly get a new lens for sharper images. I primarily shoot Wildlife and Automotive stuff. I go back to Yellowstone in about a month so I'd like to buy before then so I can get used to the camera or lens.

lens I am possibly looking at is the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

Here is my current Equipment.
Cameras:
D810
D3400 (backup camera)

Lenses:
Nikon 14-24mm
Nikon 24-70mm 2.8G
Nikon 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 G
Nikon 50mm 1.8G
Nikon 35mm DX
Sigma 150-600mm

Thank you

I would go for the lens, especially that 500 mm prime lens. That would likely make more difference in your images than a newer camera. Also, lens hold their value much better than cameras.
If you want an 850, in a couple of years it''s be replaced by the newest iteration, and you can buy an 850 for reduced prices.
I always buy the best lens I can afford, and upgrade bodies as models drop in price. One exception was my purchase of the Canon R6 MK II, b because it's image stabilization and auto focus was a huge improvement over my my existing cameras.

 

[florotory]

Thank yall for the input on Camera vs Lens. I decided to go with the D850. with some of the extra features Ive been wanting for a while and my current lens setup is pretty strong I can wait till spring to pickup the new lens. Thank you again

 

[XSYLUS]

One thing thing to consider is if you need a built-in flash because the D850 doesn't have it. I've found using the built-in flash with a simple diffuser has proven to be useful to me especially since I don't always lug around my external flash.

 

[Ronaldalli]

I am debating on possible either upgrading my camera body from the D810 to D850, The D850 was the one I originally wanted when it released but as I'm sure we all remember it was on backorder and tough to get, so I bought the D810 which I do love, but always wanted the D850.

Is it worth the upgrade or should I stick with my D810 and possibly get a new lens for sharper images. I primarily shoot Wildlife and Automotive stuff. I go back to Yellowstone in about a month so I'd like to buy before then so I can get used to the camera or lens.

lens I am possibly looking at is the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

Here is my current Equipment.
Cameras:
D810
D3400 (backup camera)

Lenses:
Nikon 14-24mm
Nikon 24-70mm 2.8G
Nikon 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 G
Nikon 50mm 1.8G
Nikon 35mm DX
Sigma 150-600mm

Thank you

It sounds like you have a fantastic setup already with the D810 and an impressive collection of lenses! The D850 is indeed a remarkable upgrade with its improved resolution, better autofocus, and overall enhanced performance—especially for wildlife photography where those features can make a big difference.

Given that you primarily shoot wildlife and automotive, if you feel the D810 is meeting your needs, it might be worth considering investing in that AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens. It’s a fantastic choice for wildlife photography and will give you some extra reach and sharpness, which is crucial for capturing distant subjects. The lens’ lightweight design also makes it easier to handle for long shoots, which can be a game changer in the field.

However, if you’re looking for a more significant upgrade and feel like the D850 could really enhance your work, it could definitely be worth the investment, especially with Yellowstone coming up! The additional features might just elevate your photography to a new level.

Good luck with your decision, and enjoy your trip to Yellowstone—can’t wait to see the amazing shots you’ll capture!


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[florotory]

Got back from Yellowstone. Ended up getting both the D850 and the 500mm F4 so adjusting to what settings the combo likes was interesting but fun. Here is one shot i took. Posted a few more in the photo gallery. Still have more to post but need to figure out how to make smaller file so they wont be too large to upload

 

[NancyMoranG]

That's an ad to buy your set up..Amazing photo!!

 

[Don Fischer]

I'm in the same boat as Rickbb. I've never shot a D810 but own and shoot a D850. I would say that the D810 will hang with the D850 until the light gets really low where the D850 looks to be about 1 stop better. The D850 also has a better focusing system and can shoot up to 9 fps with the battery grip and big battery. For landscapes I doubt if you will see much difference but, wildlife and fast action the D850 will probably be a noticeable improvement.

My own though on this is if the D850 only gives you one more stop, your better off with the camera your thinking of upgrading from and either get a flash or come back tomorrow morning and shoot the shot.

A better focusing system? How much better can your eye's actually see? And shooting up to 9 feet per second. I think that possibility is way over played. Took one of those shots at a cow walking across a stream years ago with my F5. got about tens shots, sounded like a machine gun going off and got about ten shots of a cow taking about a half step. You want something that shoots that fast, get a digital video camera! For long shots with heavy lens, I think a tri pod is pretty much required, one more thing to pack with you. On the other hand if you want to shoot scenery my understanding is you need a wider lens. Lot lighter but I guessing your still gonna need that tripod to keep your own wiggles out of it! Wildd life is again different. Need a much longer lens, usually a good blind and your camera on a tripod in the blind. I've shoot a lot of decent deer photo's over the years and most mine came from walking around town finding them doing what ever it is they do. Bucks in rel were easy then, the doe ready for breeding is keeping the buck there pretty good and a simple zoom up to maybe 400 mm would be all you'd need. Ya might even get lucky with that lens in a blind. Different types of shooting require different adjustments from the shooter.

 

[21limited]

Nikon D850- 14.8 DR. Nikon D810- 14.8 DR according to DxO. I’m not sure where the 1 stop more DR comes from. But, you should be able to fake one stop when needed.

This sequences shot with manual focus at 8 fps and 13.8 DxO DR
Nuthatch series 1-DS by Norm Head, on Flickr

Nuthatch series 2-DS by Norm Head, on Flickr

Nuthatch series 3-DS by Norm Head, on Flickr

Nuthatch series 4-DS by Norm Head, on Flickr

Nuthatch series 5-DS by Norm Head, on Flickr

Nuthatch series 6-DS by Norm Head, on Flickr

Nuthatch series 7-DS by Norm Head, on Flickr

just to demonstrate what 8 FPS will get you. With all due respect, I have this one sequence in the 10 years I’ve shot 8 FPS, so it’s not like I’d miss it, for this kind of image, but of course, whether or not one would like that capability is a personal choice.

However, I do have other shots taken using burst mode where the best frames were chosen out of the same burst, taken with a max of 8 FPS. Taken from the same burst.
Panning, early in the burst.
2023-11-05-AP-Heron-Beaver-Pond-6 by Norm Head, on Flickr

Later in the same burst
2023-11-05-AP-Heron-Crossing-Hwy-60-DS.heic by Norm Head, on Flickr

There are times when you take a burst and every frame is different. But as above, my target, max burst if I could have any burst I wanted on any camera I wanted, would probably be 10 fps, but using 8 FPS I’m not buying a camera for 10 FPS, however my K-1 is 6 FPS and I would never buy another 6 FPS camera for wildlife.

I find a tripod is better, the top 7 frame were shot using a tripod. A ball head with shake reduction turned on, just tight enough to provide some steadiness but not seriously impede tracking, the directly above two are just following the BiF, no tripod.

Also no tripod.
2013-12-26-Snowy-owl by Norm Head, on Flickr

Once I get over 500mm lens or over, always a tripod, just because I can no longer hold that big a lens steady enough.

My set up for humming birds
Hummingbird-set-up by Norm Head, on Flickr

I would go for the lens, especially that 500 mm prime lens.

Yep, thats a 300 2.8 with 1.7x TV for 510 ƒ4.5, wouldn’t be without it. ON APS-c, 700mm. So even though it’s 2.8 prime, I also have 420 with a 1.4 and 510 with a 1.7, or on my K-1 600 with a 2x, although the IQ suffers with the 2x, enough so I can only use it with the K-1, not with the smaller pixels on the K-3.

Same set up, a fox in my back yard.
2013-04-14-Red-Fox-4 by Norm Head, on Flickr

If you don’t have 500 an at most ƒ4.5, that’s why you need it.
By the way, my K-1 is similar to your D810, and I have no plans to upgrade it. Looking at comparative images, there are very few test images where circumstances have a subject where the D850 is noticeably better than the D810. If you don’t need the extra MP (and really who does) or the 9 FPS then it’s probably not worth it. I have acouple buddies who traded in thier 810s for D850s. You won’t be able to tell from their images which camera they used for what.