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Maestro_1
2
Mar 29, 2018
Would buying a used D500 with low shutter count make sense, given that I shoot sport, landscapes and ocassionally portraits? Or would saving up/buying cheaper/switching manufacturers be a better option? (I currently own 3 Nikon lenses so going Nikon would be the best idea)
lastzero
254
Mar 29, 2018
Maestro_1Usually it's better to stay within a system so it's not a bad choice. However, it depends on how much the lens are as well. If it's super cheap, you might not lose much to switch if you consider it.
Assuming you do a lot of sport, a D500 will do very well since it's AF is similar to the D5. Landscape and portraits would benefit more from higher MP, like the d850 but 24MP isn't bad. If you don't need more than 24MP, than it would be a good setup.
I believe the D500 is the best AF on a crop body unless the 7dII or a6900 comes out.
One thing to add is that one card slot is SD and the other one is XQD I believe so do be mindful to get a card for that other slot since it has faster writeout which matters for sport.
Maestro_1
2
Mar 29, 2018
lastzeroYou're right on staying within a system, but I was thinking switching to mirrorless, so you can adapt lenses. But I'm aware they lose some features or performance when doing so?
qfusion
0
Mar 29, 2018
Maestro_1My understanding is that one of the biggest things you lose when using an adapter is that your autofocus may not be as responsive. So if you intend on doing fast action shots like sports, I would suggest renting a camera with an adapter and trying it out before diving in.
lastzero
254
Mar 29, 2018
Maestro_1Disclaimer: I use Sony so what I know of adapters is limited to Sony.
For Nikon there is no good AF adapter and most of all the lens are manually focused. For G lens there is no aperture control but there is a level so you can get an adapter and manually open it to the desired F-stop. Newer lens have only electronic aperture so you're either shooting wide open or fully stopped down.
Optically the lens work the same and if the body as IBIS, you can set it as such. For zooms, you will have to change this often so do keep that in mind. I've manually focused before and had no problems with birds but do keep in mind that you have to be fast enough to react and for teles, will be an even greater challenge.
Attached below is my 400mm prime with 2x TC. She's super heavy but still optically very good (1980s). The bird is a humming bird about to take off and the shimmer is from the sun in between the branches.
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One other note the only truly oriented sports body is the A9 which plays ball with the 1dX2 and D5.
thinkscotty
16
Mar 29, 2018
Maestro_1Stay with Nikon. Unless you just really really want a mirrorless camera, Nikon's DSLRs are at least as-good and possibly better than competitors. Nikon's D500 has absolutely perfect autofocus, from my time shooting a friend's camera. Better than my own Nikon D750, which was already darn good. IQ is also excellent. But so is everyone's these days. ANyways, yeah, I don't see any need to change systems.
lastzero
254
Mar 29, 2018
thinkscottyNo one has a competitor to crop body with godly AF yet. Hoping for Sony and Canon to pickup so we have something out of the major three.
Eagle07
12
Mar 29, 2018
Maestro_1Depends on What 3 lenses you have, you can also adapt lenses to other brands... http://briansmith.com/nikon-lens-adapters-sony-e-mount-cameras/ Sony has the handsdown best autofocus on the market with the A9, the A7iii gets its sensor.
Maestro_1
2
Mar 29, 2018
Eagle07I don't have really expensive lenses, but they are FF. The adaptability was my reason for considering switching, but the adapters are not perfect and will impede AF performance which is detrimental to sports photography.
Dr.McCoy
345
Mar 29, 2018
Maestro_1I'm seconding the rental recommendation. I think it's worthwhile to check and make sure you don't get a ton of rolling shutter with the A7 series. I don't think any of them have global shutters (the A9 might though) so if you plan on shooting continuous/no blackout that could pose a problem. Also, IIRC, adapted lenses don't work as well with the EVF (but I've never tested it).
RayF
22210
Mar 30, 2018
Maestro_1First--No one ever got fired for buying Nikon!
Here's the deal: a lot of very good photographs were taken with much lesser cameras (D90s for instance--in their day). The D500 vs D850 is really an apples to oranges comparison, as is Sport to Landscape--each has it's own pros and cons for those applications--so far, the D850 is the closest to a one size fits all, but they cost an arm and a leg and need the best lenses you can through at them.
So--first thing you must decide, is whether to go with a crop or full-frame sensor.
My vote is for full-frame. You might look for a D810 or even a D800e--check the refurb prices on Nikon's site--they are practically giving D810s away compared to their release price. Also check 610s (if you can find them).
Final note: If you're not into into post processing, forget the full-frames, not worth the money vs what you'll end up with (PP is half the game, maybe 3/4s).
And btw, if those lenses aren't really good lenses ($$$) sell 'em--they won't do much good on a high-end body.
I have the D800e and D850 and love 'em both. Several of my shots posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rayfriedman/
ac12
11
May 10, 2018
Maestro_1You need to tell us WHAT lenses you have. In some cases using FX lens on DX does not work as well as people may think. Example a 70-200 on a DX body does not work as well as on a FX body when shooting on the sidelines of a football or soccer field. This is because a 70-200 on a DX body will have the field of view of a 105-300 on a FX body. The short end is too long when the players get closer to you.
What kind of sports do you shoot, and from what distance? Shooting football from the sidelines is different than from the bleachers.
How much do you shoot sports vs whatever else you shoot? IOW how important is the D500 DX vs say a D850 or 750 FX ?
slandau2002
14
Sep 2, 2018
thinkscottyI agree. the only camera that beats a nikon is a hasselblad, and they are in the $10’s of thousands. However, with the new nikon Z mirrorless, I am confident nikon has now captured that category as well!
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