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First time poster in this subforum, I hope this belongs here. I first got into photography as a hobby 15 years ago (combined with work in the Navy), and eventually wound up with a reasonable kit. After a long hiatus, I've found myself taking more photos again, and of course with 15 year old gear, stuff breaks, so now I am wondering what to do next. Current gear: Nikon D300 (34k shutter actuations, my main camera) Nikon D70s (40k shutter actuations, not really in use anymore, but it still works) Nikon SB-800 flash (with an assortment of eneloop batteries) Nikkor 18-200 VR (the original with red VR-logo, autofocus has issues) Nikkor 50mm F1.8 AF Sigma 30mm F1.4 Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 I mostly use the D300 with 18-200 for "casual" photography, and the 18-200 now refuses to focus closer than 3ft/1m. It's also binding up a bit when zooming past 130-150 mm, so it's clearly due for a trip to a service center. Getting that lens fixed is probably going to be $150-300, and I'm not sure that's really worth it. The used DSLR market here is pretty good (e.g. D500 for $1k with 16k shutter actuations, D5100 with 18-200VR and 50mm F1.8 AF-S for $300 etc), so I'm not opposed to just do a wholesale upgrade. I don't mind staying in the DX world, and grabbing the D500 mentioned above + a used D5x00 "kit" mainly for the lenses + backup body is something I'm seriously considering. How stupid is that? I mainly shoot a mix of landscape and motorsports, so a D500 for $1k is very, very tempting as a "my last DSLR" upgrade.
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Jun 12, 2022 18:08
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| # ¿ May 3, 2024 07:17 |
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Well, looks like I'm dipping my toes into FX, came across a barely used (1500 shutter actuations) D750 with a Tamron 24-70 F2.8 G2 for $1200, checking it out after work tomorrow. E: I bought the D750. Holy poo poo this thing is good. Wibla fucked around with this message at 16:15 on Jun 23, 2022 |
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Jun 22, 2022 22:37
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Used 24-120 f4 + used 85mm f1.8 or f1.4 depending on the market is what I would go for instead of a 24-70 f2.8.
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Dec 22, 2022 18:24
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Mega Comrade posted:If its for portraits why not get an 85mm prime? The 24-70 f/2.8E is by all accounts an amazing lens, but it's also huge, heavy and expensive. The Tamron is very good for half the price. I have one, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. I still prefer the 24-120 f/4 for day to day use, and for portraits it's not even a contest - 85mm f/1.4 or bust. That said, I ran around with a D300 and an 18-200VR for over 10 years, so 24-70 felt very limiting, and it was too heavy for my taste. The 24-120 is lighter and has longer reach, while being optically good enough. Looking at mpb you can get the Tamron 24-70 G2 and an 85mm f1.8 for less than the 24-70 f/2.8E. Or a 24-120 f/4 + 85mm f/1.4 for less than the 24-70 f/2.8E 
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Dec 23, 2022 19:12
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LiterallyATomato posted:Thank you for the advice! I'll check out those other lenses. What camera body did you buy?
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Dec 23, 2022 20:14
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therattle posted:Alternatively, I could go for the Z5, 24-70/4, and the 85mm 1.8, but that does end up being a lot more expensive (about £400 more than Z50 kit with 85mm), and bigger and heavier (lighter weight simply means I will use the camera more). Z5, 24-50, 85mm maybe?
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Dec 28, 2022 19:51
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therattle posted:I think on a full frame that’s too short a focal range. I looked at the 24-70/4 but it is quite pricy, and looks really heavy. The 16-50 with equivalent FR is much better value, albeit a bit slower, and MUCH lighter. The 16-50 and 24-50 are pretty similar in weight, but I see where you're coming from with 50mm being too short on FX. I went with the 24-120 f4 when I moved from DX to FX  Re: the 85mm, if you're on DSLR and have no plans to move to mirrorless anytime soon, used 85mm f1.4 D's are often reasonably priced.
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Dec 28, 2022 20:39
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There's also this Sony - Nikon Z adapter that lets you use Sony lenses, might be worth looking at for compact Sony system lenses, too.
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Dec 28, 2022 22:30
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Shaocaholica posted:Big score today on craigslist. D5600 with AF-P 18-55mm and AF-P 70-300G for $50. 'Autofocus is broken' Was that the FX 70-300 AF-P too?  I have one, it's amazing.
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Mar 11, 2023 19:43
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I got a very reasonable priced FTZ headed my way soon  I wonder how well my old DX lenses work on the Z30...
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Mar 20, 2023 08:11
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I upgraded from a D300 to a D750, then spent a lot on lenses* it's worth it! D750+24-120 is my new walkaround kit, and you can find both cheap on the used market. Then I bought a used Z30 and have a cheap FTZ headed my way so I can use my old DX optics on it. Was that worth it? Probably not, but it's a fun, small camera! *24-70 f/2.8 came with the D750, then 24-120, 70-300 AF-P, 85mm f/1.4 - all of them were good buys on the used market, thankfully.
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Mar 21, 2023 06:37
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Don't discount older D primes, they can be quite good. And often cheap.
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Mar 21, 2023 07:15
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So that Z6II EVF isn't half bad... Ugh. GAS is the worst.
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Mar 24, 2023 17:14
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vote_no posted:Not half bad, but still EVF bad? I also have been thinking about a Z6II but coming from a D800 I don’t know if I can deal with the EVF; every one I’ve tried has been terrible. It did NOT deal well with the indoor lighting at the shop, lots of flickering, so I'd have to test it in proper daylight to really know... but for the things I want to use a Z-camera for right now, I have a Z30 and I have an FTZ in a few days so I think I'll hold off for now anyway.
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Mar 24, 2023 21:34
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Got the FTZ adapter today. Z30 with a 30+ year old tokina looks goofy, but works fine (sans AF). My Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 G2 does not work, it needs a fw update. I was prepared for that, though. Biggest surprise was my old Sigma 30mm f/1.4. I never got along with it on my D70s and D300 due to focus issues, but it works great on the Z30, probably because of how the focus system works in the mirrorless cameras. Never mind the weight 
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Mar 27, 2023 21:44
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SMERSH Mouth posted:All I was able to ever do to my Tamron 45/1.8 with the TAP-in Console was gently caress up my focus. Eventually I realized it was as good as it could get a 0/0/0 adjustment, but it just doesn’t focus that fast in 3D tracking with my D810. Everything? Also other lenses? Might be worth getting it calibrated by Nikon. I'll have to look at finding/borrowing a Tamron tap if I get a Z6II or Z7II, it's not worth the weight on my Z30
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Mar 28, 2023 05:29
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I have a D750 and a Z30. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a D750 for someone on a budget, it is a bargain buy on the used market. Good low light performance (both high ISO and focus performance is very decent), and the ergonomics are good. The buffer on the D750 is not bottomless, so I've switched to jpeg only for BIF photos, but that's a personal preference. There's also a healthy second-hand market for F-mount lenses, a lot of the older AF-D primes are excellent (but won't focus on the FTZ if you switch to Z later, be aware of this), and are often quite cheap. E.g.: I snagged an 85mm f/1.4D for $350 last fall. D750 + 70-300 AF-P, cropped a bit: 
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Apr 9, 2023 15:27
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Z14-30 f/4, check out mpb for used FTZ and AF-P 70-300 (make sure you get the FX version). The 50 f/1.4G is also pretty good, and heaps cheaper than the Z version. I wouldn't buy a Sony. And the Zfc is a clear downgrade from the Z5, imo.
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May 19, 2023 07:02
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Seems like a good time to look into a used Z6II
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May 26, 2023 07:58
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My 70-300 AF-P fucks around a bit on my D750, focus stops working randomly at 300mm, sometimes recover if I go back to 70mm. Works fine on my Z30, so I'll have to try to clean the contacts first I guess. Been eyeing the 80-400 AF-S for light-weight birding though... 
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Jun 1, 2023 20:29
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On the used market, they're about the same price here. I'm not buying any of those lenses new, particularly not the 80-400.
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Jun 3, 2023 05:12
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Can now reproduce the 70-300 focus error on my Z30 too, especially at 300mm. If I zoom out a little bit, it starts working again. Sigh.
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Jun 5, 2023 22:22
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I got a discworld-esque mental image of a small imp sitting inside the camera Looks like I'm pulling the trigger on a Z7II today.
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Jun 7, 2023 06:50
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That's what credit cards are for, no? 
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Jun 8, 2023 09:59
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Mega Comrade posted:Photography is only as expensive as you make it. I told my mom about my D750 -> Z7II upgrade plans and said that after that I would be set for a long time, she just laughed
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Jun 10, 2023 11:42
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Brrrmph posted:Or try owning a boat. Lord. Can confirm 
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Jun 10, 2023 14:30
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Bad form to double post, but oh well... Gear Acquisition Syndrome took charge today and I came home with a Z7II + battery grip + 24-70 f/4 S + 64GB XQD for about $2300 Now I have a Nikon problem...  (D70s and D300 not pictured )The Z7II works really well with the 70-300 AF-P, easily as good as with the D750, but there are some oddities with focus tracking. The 24-70 f/4 S is optically really good and a very handy, compact walkaround lens. I guess the 24-120 is even better as such, but with 45 megapixels I have more room to crop, too... Manual focusing the 85mm f/1.4D is stupid easy and on-sensor VR is definitely a welcome change.
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Jun 12, 2023 21:22
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Woah, that 180-600 will be very popular.
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Jun 22, 2023 07:03
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I have the same issue with a 24-70 f2.8 G2, only it errors out... So yes, you need to get it updated. Some camera shops can do it for a nominal fee, as well.
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Jul 19, 2023 10:08
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Ah, that sucks 
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Jul 20, 2023 00:48
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I want to get an L-bracket and wrist strap for my Z7II, I guess it's time to shell out some more money to feed the GAS monster My tripod is also a 15 year old alu piece of poo poo, that's going to cost a bit to upgrade, must have a proper ball head with a quick release that works with the L-bracket. RIP wallet?
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Jul 20, 2023 23:47
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huhu posted:I’m now the proud owner of the Nikon Z 100-400. I was going to recommend this, or a 70-300 AF-P + FTZ
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Jul 21, 2023 19:01
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The Zfc is more or less a Z50 refresh with "old styling". I'm not sure a Zf is what's really needed - the Z6II and Z7II are aging and the competition has better/newer cameras out already, but a new sensor sounds interesting.
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Aug 10, 2023 22:40
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FBS posted:I want to spend a few hundred bucks on a "normal" lens for the D500 so I can try more subjects that aren't small and far away. Third party lenses have been mentioned. I'd also recommend checking out used lenses. The 16-85 is also not bad and I've seen them go rather cheap.
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Aug 18, 2023 07:47
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 Looks a lot like they copied most of the Z30 backplate?
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Aug 19, 2023 10:25
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I prefer the D-pad on my Z7II  Need to unlearn some bad habits from D750 / D300...
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Aug 21, 2023 09:52
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Mismatched card slots aren't a lot better, though.
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Aug 21, 2023 13:20
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There's a Sony E to nikon Z adapter out there that works pretty well... Oh and it's f/4
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Aug 25, 2023 07:40
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This bodes well for Z6 III Also trying to sell my D750 and some people are absolute jackasses trying to lowball with imaginary competing offers and poo poo. Like what the gently caress. At this point I might just keep it (it's mint, works fine), and just use it with my old 85mm f/1.4D and my vintage Tokina AT-X 80-200 f/2.8... not like I need the $750 or so I was looking to get for it anyway.
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Sep 20, 2023 20:04
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| # ¿ May 3, 2024 07:17 |
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Some photo gear has dropped off a cliff, but the D750 still sell around that here, somehow. KEH and MPB are also up around $700-800+ depending on condition. This camera has basically no wear and less than 15k shutter count, so Got a guy "thinking about it" at 7500 NOK right now, so we'll see? The Z7 II that I bought in June was pretty cheap, I landed at 25k NOK ($2300ish) for the camera, battery grip and a 24-70 f/4 S lens, which is a steal, but that camera is well used with >150k shutter count and it looks like it has been to war 
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Sep 20, 2023 20:41
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