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

[tbone1004]

I agree with you on most of what you said in the same paragraph, which is surprising, but I disagree with you here VERY much. The wait isn't a year or two; it is a few months, and specifically for the "rumored" Z7iii with its very high resolution and reasonable prices, as alleged. I would wait until Q1 of 26 for certain. If nothing, I'd go for the current version of the Z8 at that time.

No one is doubting that the D850 is a great camera, among the best during its time, but the benefits of the mirrorless system (including Z lenses) are not open to doubt. The modern system is going forward and bringing better products, where the D850, although great during its time, is just not going anywhere. Why buy a product that is a few years not in production, EoL, and isn't going to be updated, while current technology is going into a new direction? Just doesn't make any sense technically and economically.

BTW, there is also the anticipated Z90.

I'm waiting on Z9ii to release which should time with the Olympics. I don't think the Z7iii is going to do anything better than the Z8 other than taking a grip better *the Z8 grip is an abomination*.
NikonRumors and Reddit haven't had anything about the Z7iii that is substantial and if were were this close I think we'd see something about it by now no?
Similar with the Z90, they've only got 6 DX lenses out and they're all basically kit lenses. Since the FF's can toggle to DX mode and instantly fill the EVF there isn't the advantage for shooting big glass like there was with the D500 and since we don't have a mirror to mess with there is no speed advantage for FPS so I would be genuinely shocked if they released a pro level APS-C body.

Could be wrong, but I think a near 20yr tech advancement coming from the D90 into the modern mirrorless world with a Z5ii, Z6iii, or Z8 is going to be a big enough change and frankly over the next couple of years I think the only major improvements we're going to get are in AF and that isn't a huge issue underwater vs. shooting birds and sports

 

[gassed]

No one is doubting that the D850 is a great camera, among the best during its time, but the benefits of the mirrorless system (including Z lenses) are not open to doubt. The modern system is going forward and bringing better products, where the D850, although great during its time, is just not going anywhere. Why buy a product that is a few years not in production, EoL, and isn't going to be updated, while current technology is going into a new direction? Just doesn't make any sense technically and economically.

I think I am liking the 850 because I have the glass and ports already. It shares the same sensor as the Z8 and better battery life. So image quality shoudl be the same.
As far as end of life, in my eyes that just says, discounted. I have three D90 bodies as I knew the housing woudl outlive the camera. The last one I bought was $200! I am not into the next new thing every year or so. I feel the next housing maybe the last or near it (I'll be 70 in 15 years!) Seems the D850 body and housing are going down in price.

You mentioned the Z lenses as a benefit. I honestly dont know. Are they better than the Nikon 10.5 fisheye, 60mm mcaro and 105 macro? Or just on par?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I would add the Nikon 8-15 and/or the Sigma 15mm fisheye lenses.

 

[tbone1004]

I think I am liking the 850 because I have the glass and ports already. It shares the same sensor as the Z8 and better battery life. So image quality shoudl be the same.
As far as end of life, in my eyes that just says, discounted. I have three D90 bodies as I knew the housing woudl outlive the camera. The last one I bought was $200! I am not into the next new thing every year or so. I feel the next housing maybe the last or near it (I'll be 70 in 15 years!) Seems the D850 body and housing are going down in price.

You mentioned the Z lenses as a benefit. I honestly dont know. Are they better than the Nikon 10.5 fisheye, 60mm mcaro and 105 macro? Or just on par?

IQ between the D850 and the Z8 will be effectively the same, just keeper rates and video that will be notably better on the Z8. Battery life will be similar if you're shooting from the screen, it's only from the viewfinder that the D850 has notably better battery life. If you do a lot of land shooting though the AF will blow your mind on the Z8.

The D850 body and housings are going down in price because they're obsolete, obsolete doesn't mean bad though, just a technology that has seen the end of its time.

Nikon hasn't fully replaced all of the lenses yet. The only one of those three they have replaced so far is the 105 Macro and the Z variant is astoundingly good, not sure which variant of the F mount you are using but the newest Z is truly wild.
They do have the 50mm which is non-S and the 60mm is really good so probably best to just use the FTZ with that guy if you go down the Z route.

The 10.5 fisheye will likely never be replaced as it does not appear that Nikon is investing in DX lenses. They archived the 8-15 fisheye which is curious and the 16mm won't AF on the Z bodies so I imagine they have to release a professional Z fisheye in the near future though as they stopped with the Roadmap no one knows.

Don't discount the lower bodies vs. the Z8, check Nauticams site to see if you can reuse the ports. You're coming from 12mp so even the jump to 24mp with a Z5ii will be a bonkers improvement.

 

[BoltSnap]

I'm waiting on Z9ii to release which should time with the Olympics.

It may be a great camera for other types of photography, but I don't think it will be relevant to UW photography based on what I read. You buy it and let us know

I don't think the Z7iii is going to do anything better than the Z8 other than taking a grip better *the Z8 grip is an abomination*.

I am speaking strictly from a UW photography perspective. The Z7iii is rumored to have 61-66 MP. It will meet all the needs of UW and outdoor photographers with exceptional resolution.

NikonRumors and Reddit haven't had anything about the Z7iii that is substantial and if were were this close I think we'd see something about it by now no?

I am keeping track of all rumors because I am very interested in the Z7iii with its exceptional resolution. It should be released, if it is going to be, by Q4 25 or Q1 26. Just in time for me to have enough funds to buy it along with the housing, lenses, and other accessories.

Similar with the Z90, they've only got 6 DX lenses out and they're all basically kit lenses. Since the FF's can toggle to DX mode and instantly fill the EVF there isn't the advantage for shooting big glass like there was with the D500 and since we don't have a mirror to mess with there is no speed advantage for FPS so I would be genuinely shocked if they released a pro level APS-C body.

They will, and the Z90 will have higher resolution, supposedly 33MP, and will use all Z lenses. The crop factor is significant for wildlife and underwater photography, with excellent video specs. Assuming it will be priced appropriately, of course.


I just need to be extremely patient and wait to see what actually comes out in the next six or so months (maybe sooner).

 

[BoltSnap]

The D850 body and housings are going down in price because they're obsolete, obsolete doesn't mean bad though, just a technology that has seen the end of its time.

This is getting scary. I agree with you 100%. The D850 has no relevance today except for "discounts." I don't like to buy dead-end EoL/S technology products even when I can get them at a huge discount. No way.

IQ between the D850 and the Z8 will be effectively the same, just keeper rates and video that will be notably better on the Z8. Battery life will be similar if you're shooting from the screen, it's only from the viewfinder that the D850 has notably better battery life.

The Z8ii will address the battery issues as well as all other "issues" with the current Z8. I imagine the Z8ii will come out in 26'.

Nikon hasn't fully replaced all of the lenses yet. The only one of those three they have replaced so far is the 105 Macro and the Z variant is astoundingly good, not sure which variant of the F mount you are using but the newest Z is truly wild.
They do have the 50mm which is non-S and the 60mm is really good so probably best to just use the FTZ with that guy if you go down the Z route.

Agree again. Are you the same @tbone1004 I know????

 

[davehicks]

The Z8ii will address the battery issues as well as all other "issues" with the current Z8. I imagine the Z8ii will come out in 26'.

I have no complaints about the Z8 battery life. I can easily do three dives taking up 1000 images without getting close to the bottom of a battery. I use the EVF exclusively. This was discussed a lot when the Z8 was first released and it's been a non-issue. I rarely even hear anyone bring this up as a problem anymore.

 

[BoltSnap]

I have no complaints about the Z8 battery life. I can easily do three dives taking up 1000 images without getting close to the bottom of a battery. I use the EVF exclusively. This was discussed a lot when the Z8 was first released and it's been a non-issue. I rarely even hear anyone bring this up as a problem anymore.

I think that the complaint comes from the video people. I don't know for sure, but that's what I vaguely remember.

 

[davehicks]

I think that the complaint comes from the video people. I don't know for sure, but that's what I vaguely remember.

You can't make a big enough battery in a handheld camera for extensive video. They are always going to want some external power. Which is totally possible with the Z8 in a housing.

 

[Nemrod]

Not getting into mirrorless vs dslr. I remember making the mistake of saying mirrorless would obsolete dslr and I got an ear full on the old Wet Pixel. Back like a decade or more ago. Mirrorless cameras eat batteries. But, at least for Nauticam, there is a M16 port accessory that allows external charging using even a cell phone booster battery or power supply via USB-C. So, during surface interval just pop it on charge, dive all day and all night if needed. And, I suppose a submersible external power bank could be rigged up.