Replacing old with...old? D-90 to D850.

[MaxBottomtime]

I need to change my opinion...somewhat. I found this video about the Z8. There are a couple of photos I do like, plus a few blown out ones I don't. It sounds like the autofocus is the best reason to upgrade from the D850. Is it worth the $8,000+ for the camera, housing, ports, and lens adapter? Not unless I win the lottery.

 

[davehicks]

I need to change my opinion...somewhat. I found this video about the Z8. There are a couple of photos I do like, plus a few blown out ones I don't. It sounds like the autofocus is the best reason to upgrade from the D850. Is it worth the $8,000+ for the camera, housing, ports, and lens adapter? Not unless I win the lottery.

It's not about the image quality. You can get great images from most modern cameras. Certainly, between the D850 and Z8, I'd say they are very equivalent.

I did upgrade to a Z8 system, but not because I won the lottery. Sort of the opposite. I broke my leg! About a month before a big dive trip to Raja Ampat. I got an insurance payout and refund on business class airfare and decided that since I wouldn't be diving for 3-4 months, I would put that money into a new camera and housing.

There are a lot of advantages to the Z8 (and similar mirrorless cameras) beyond image quality. Focus modes are much more advanced with subject recognition options for eyeballs, birds in flight, faces, etc. Autofocus speeds are faster and more accurate underwater, especially with Z-mount lenses. And Nauticam's WWL wet mount optics are designed for mirrorless. And these things are amazing, very flexible and excellent quality.

But the biggest advantage of all for underwater shooting is the EVF. You look through the EVF just as you would with an optical viewfinder. But it's a very fast, realtime display. You can set it to "enhance" the scene which basically means you can see in the dark. A dim scene is now far clearer. Or you can set it to mirror camera settings so your real time live view is what the final image is going to look like. Green water is green or black depending on the shutter setting for example. And once you take the shot, the preview is in your eye instantly. You don't need to move the camera or your head to see the LCD screen. If you are using strobes, snoots, and have a delicate, skittish macro subject in your sights you don't need to reposition or disturb the subject by moving everything just to review. This final advantage to me is the killer feature.

 

[BoltSnap]

A dim scene is now far clearer. Or you can set it to mirror camera settings so your real time live view is what the final image is going to look like.

Does that account for the strobes use?

 

[davehicks]

Does that account for the strobes use?

No, of course not. But strobes don't impact ambient light or natural light. I mostly use the enhance setting, but have the camera control set to quickly change over.

 

[BoltSnap]

No, of course not. But strobes don't impact ambient light or natural light. I mostly use the enhance setting, but have the camera control set to quickly change over.

So you use it to see what the background that isn't lit by the strobes would look like, and your subject/foreground will be lit by the strobes.

 

[cetacean]

@gassed

Lot of opinions in this thread... not sure how many have any experience with the cameras you're considering, but there are some decent points being put forward.

I also shot with the D90 for years, then moved to the D500, then the D850, then most recently to the Z-8. There were reasons for each of these "upgrades..." and bluntly, I still shoot the D850 over the Z-8 (in particular situations) but the Z-8 is both significantly faster in subject tracking and slightly easier to shoot (giving very similar results).

As an aside: for those claiming the D850 is a "better" camera, and that the Z8 can't take similar images, all I can say is... "get a horse..."

Try shooting with the Z8, it's easily a better camera for macro, and it's more flexible for w/a.

The one situation I continue to shoot my D850 is on blackwater dives (with the Nikon 60mm lens). This combination (for blackwater) is literally unbeatable - incredibly fast AF, etc. It is better than the Z8 and the 60mm (leveraging the FTZ adapter). I'm leaving for Anilao in a few weeks, and I'll take both rigs...

Having said this, the Z8 with the Z version of the Nikon 105 lens is signifcantly better than the older 105 on the D850 (AF speed and IQ). I continue to shoot with the older WACP on the Z8, as well as the newer WACP-C when I want something more compact.

 

[gassed]

Really appreciate all the feedback. When it comes down to it, price will make a difference. I've only sold a couple of photos/files so this will remain a hobby at best.
From what I have read and researched if I were to buy today it would be the D850 setup. Price would be the factor.

• If I stay Nauticam, I already have the ports and glass.
• The 850 housing (if I bought new) is cheaper than the Z and the camera is cheaper. The 2 items together seem to be about $3500 premium for the Z. And that is not including new glass.

I'd like to be in the tax bracket that allowed for udgrades to the best, every few years AND dive trips for two..... She gets mad when I try to claim her as carry on. We still cant discuss the time I trie to check her.......
And to be honest, though I still see great images come out of the D90, it sounds like even a Canon R100 would offer better autofocus, dynamic range, etc. In other words, pretty much anything would be an upgrade. The D850 is overkill (and obsolete) but sounds like it would remain a solid tool for many years to come.
For now I will wait. I need strobes anyway so they are coming soon. If I find a great deal on an 850 setup I will probabaly grab it. If not I will watch and see what happens in the next year or so.
Again, thanks for all the great feedback, solid points and first person impressions.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

You just missed a deal.

For Sale Thread 'Nikon D850 Nauticam Setup'

Sep 7, 2025

Asking $6000 or best offer, buyer pays shipping costs (preferably in the USA)

Preferably want to try to sell as a set before splitting up. Perfect for anyone who wants to elevate their photography game. Everything is in great condition, all lenses are clean. Ports have normal wear and tear as well as housing. Never flooded. New backscatter fiber optic connecters were just added.

Nikon D850 Camera with strap, 2 batters, 3 chargers, extra glass screen protector, Shutter Count is 34,297

---Nauticam D850 Housing + Backscatter Airlock Vacuum & Pump, with Protective Bag

Nikon 105mm Lens...

• lwang06
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Classifieds: Photography

 

[gassed]

Damn, that was fast. Already gone! Thanks for he lead.

 

[Christian]

I just made the move from D200 and 300 to a z6iii in a Nauticam. Seeing the actual impact in the EVF when you change parameters is a pretty awesome feature. As @davehicks I also have ”thrown away” bulky dome ports now and gone for wet optics (compact wwl). I’m testing it out in Indonesia and it seem like a big reason to go to (stay with in OP:s case) Nauticam inmo. So you will need new Z-lenses too. If you want to go a budget route—get a 2:nd hand top dslr with housing. Many are making the switch so shouldn’t be too hard finding complete sets on offer at bargain $. If money is not the big issue, get a z and a nauticam and don’t look back.