Nikon Camera Base Suggestions

[Birds are cool]

I would like to upgrade my Nikon camera base sometime this month. (before my summer vacation to NY) I am currently looking at used Nikon d800 and d750 on Ebay. How much does the difference in MP matter? I currently used a N d3400, and that is 24 MP. Nikon d750 is the same. Nikon d800 is 36 MP. Does anyone have any camera model suggestions, or have a nice Nikon base that they want to sell? 

Thanks!

[Quiscalus quiscula]

When are you going to NY? 

[Birds are cool]

6 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said:

When are you going to NY? 

Sometime in July. I'll DM you if you want to try to meet up somewhere and go birding.

[Charlie Spencer]

I think the term is 'camera body', not 'base'.

You probably know this but sensor size is important.  Which ones have the larger sensor?

Which ones will your existing lenses fit?

I'm sure others will chime in. @IKLland 

[Birds are cool]

7 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said:

I think the term is 'camera body', not 'base'.

You probably know this but sensor size is important.  Which ones have the larger sensor?

Which ones will your existing lenses fit?

I'm sure others will chime in. @IKLland 

Most, if not all Nikon D models will fit my lenses. 

[lonestranger]

12 hours ago, Birds are cool said:

How much does the difference in MP matter?

That is a hard question to answer. If both are the same sized full frame sensors, the one with more MP will allow for bigger images and more room for cropping simply because of having more pixels to start with. The sensor with fewer MP will have more dynamic range because of the pixels being bigger. Based on a very quick review of the two cameras you're considering, I think I would go with the D750 myself, among other things, it has the newer processor, and it has the faster frames per second rating. 

[Quiscalus quiscula]

12 hours ago, Birds are cool said:

Sometime in July. I'll DM you if you want to try to meet up somewhere and go birding.

Yeah, if there's a possibility that would be great!

[Birds are cool]

23 minutes ago, lonestranger said:

That is a hard question to answer. If both are the same sized full frame sensors, the one with more MP will allow for bigger images and more room for cropping simply because of having more pixels to start with. The sensor with fewer MP will have more dynamic range because of the pixels being bigger. Based on a very quick review of the two cameras you're considering, I think I would go with the D750 myself, among other things, it has the newer processor, and it has the faster frames per second rating. 

I have also heard great reviews about the d500. Do you have any idea if it is better than the D750? Thanks!

[lonestranger]

14 minutes ago, Birds are cool said:

I have also heard great reviews about the d500. Do you have any idea if it is better than the D750? Thanks!

After a very quick look, I think I'd sacrifice a few MP and opt for the D500. It sounds like it's newer and better than the others, but that's just going by a quick comparison of a few numbers and not considering price differences.

I should point out that my only Nikon camera is the P&S P900, I have no experience with their DSLRs.

Edited May 11 by lonestranger

[IKLland]

Ok, so the D800 is an good camera. HOWEVER, it is a full frame camera, meaning that your 500(?)mm lens will be producing you 500mm images. Your current camera is called a crop sensor camera(or APS-C camera). This means that if you’re shooting at 500mm, the focal length is multiplied by 1.5. That means that if you’re shooting at 500mm, you’re basically shooting at 750mm. Personally(especially since you have a 500mm vs a 600mm), and since you seem to enjoy photographing all birds, even the very small ones, I would go for a camera with a crop sensor. The d800 is NOT that. However, a full frame camera will always have better image quality than a crop sensor camera, that’s just a fact. So keep that in mind. 
 

If I were you, I would try to get a D500. It’s a crop sensor, probably Nikons best Crop sensor camera. It may be worth looking at the mirrorless cameras from Nikon, but I don’t believe they have a mirrorless camera that is good enough for bird photography below $5,000. 
 

So personally I would go with the D500, but if you want the best overall image quality, go with the D800. Just note that if you go with the D800, you’ll be losing some zoom. 

Edited May 11 by IKLland

[IKLland]

Also, the Nikon D850 is their best DSLR camera, but it’s also a full frame and a bit more expensive. If it’s in your price range used, I would go with that over the D800, but then you’d need to decide between that and the D500 based on the crop sensor vs full frame. 

[Birds are cool]

19 minutes ago, IKLland said:

Also, the Nikon D850 is their best DSLR camera, but it’s also a full frame and a bit more expensive. If it’s in your price range used, I would go with that over the D800, but then you’d need to decide between that and the D500 based on the crop sensor vs full frame. 

The D850 is a little out of my price range, I think the d500 is my best bet. Thank you to everyone that helped me out.

[IKLland]

Just now, Birds are cool said:

The D850 is a little out of my price range, I think the d500 is my best bet. Thank you to everyone that helped me out.

Make sure you watch some videos on how to set up the autofocus. It’s an amazing camera!!

[Birds are cool]

5 hours ago, IKLland said:

Also, the Nikon D850 is their best DSLR camera, but it’s also a full frame and a bit more expensive. If it’s in your price range used, I would go with that over the D800, but then you’d need to decide between that and the D500 based on the crop sensor vs full frame. 

I found a D850, but it seems a little shady. Seller does not have any reviews, and the camera is being sold for really cheap. What do you'll think? Thanks!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195754900487?hash=item2d93e6bc07:g:fiEAAOSwf2NkW1QP&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwGtZ0JegVQN9y5ti4krrpWuWp29osyp3QG9hjlt%2FQSHBhVgzwqF%2BbBHFUNYTgHOeFTJ3mbqTnIpQFtLwDqiARixav0kbVNoIFEO5HzqGbN8QafMOznAiO1%2FLikz9K6pymLskTF5%2FKLrKYclQIFFUOIysaFnWvmiSAiyDA2DtIe0HwmJTjtfRAt4c%2Fnc7z2xWPngNt7CR%2FxUsOrIHw9nKJkTqp3rMw%2BrJ7tfSIZXzAZHflZ05feRQhuqUO3LAQNi0kg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6TolMiBYg#RETURNS_SECTION_MODULE

 

[IKLland]

3 minutes ago, Birds are cool said:

I found a D850, but it seems a little shady. Seller does not have any reviews, and the camera is being sold for really cheap. What do you'll think? Thanks!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195754900487?hash=item2d93e6bc07:g:fiEAAOSwf2NkW1QP&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwGtZ0JegVQN9y5ti4krrpWuWp29osyp3QG9hjlt%2FQSHBhVgzwqF%2BbBHFUNYTgHOeFTJ3mbqTnIpQFtLwDqiARixav0kbVNoIFEO5HzqGbN8QafMOznAiO1%2FLikz9K6pymLskTF5%2FKLrKYclQIFFUOIysaFnWvmiSAiyDA2DtIe0HwmJTjtfRAt4c%2Fnc7z2xWPngNt7CR%2FxUsOrIHw9nKJkTqp3rMw%2BrJ7tfSIZXzAZHflZ05feRQhuqUO3LAQNi0kg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6TolMiBYg#RETURNS_SECTION_MODULE

 

I wouldn’t do it, unless you really want that camera. Be aware that you’ll be shooting at 500mm with that camera, vs 750 with the D500(see my post about that above) . That’s a significant difference. 

[Birds are cool]

1 minute ago, IKLland said:

I wouldn’t do it, unless you really want that camera. Be aware that you’ll be shooting at 500mm with that camera, vs 750 with the D500(see my post about that above) . That’s a significant difference. 

Yeah, I know.

[lonestranger]

I'm in favor of buying used gear from a reputable retailer, or a local, in person exchange where you get to see and try the equipment before handing over any money. Buying anything online from an unknown vendor is a gamble I wouldn't bet that much money on. Have you explored local online marketplaces? 

As for the full frame vs crop sensor discussion, I have mixed feelings on that. I also have, and still use both full frame and crop body cameras which is why I have mixed feelings. My full frame cameras, Canon's R6 and the 5Diii, definitely produce better images than my crop body 7Dii, providing I don't have to crop the image too much for the end results. While I almost always use the R6 nowadays, previous to that there were a few occasions when I wish I had the crop body handy just for the added reach when I was using the full frame.

If you're always/mostly shooting at max zoom and then cropping heavily while processing the image, you may want to consider a crop body. If you're not cropping heavily, a full frame body should produce the better images. My experience tells me that there's very little difference between images cropped in a crop body camera and images cropped on a computer from full frame cameras down to same framing of the crop body camera. It's not until I have to crop a full frame image well beyond the crop body crop that I notice a significant difference in image quality. The higher dynamic range of the full frame sensor also means that overexposure and underexposure are easier to control.

Like ALL camera gear purchases, you have to decide which trade offs you're willing to make because NONE of the options are the perfect choice. ☹

[lonestranger]

1 hour ago, lonestranger said:

The higher dynamic range of the full frame sensor also means that overexposure and underexposure are easier to control.

Full frame sensors also have a higher noise threshold, meaning you can take advantage of higher ISO settings with faster shutter speeds before introducing any noticeable noise in the photo.

[Birds are cool]

I have been looking for a D500 for the past month. I have not found any that are within my price range. I have been doing some more research, and would like some opinions.

The Nikon d7500. @Birding Boy, you use a D7500. Do you like it, and what are the downsides to using it?

The Nikon d850. @IKLland, the Nikon d500 and 7500 both are DX formats. They are 20.7 megapixel cameras. The D850 is a 45.7 MP camera. With the huge amount of MP I could afford to crop basically so that the pictures I take are the same quality and close up to the bird?

The Nikon d810. 36.2 MP size. FX format. Much cheaper than the other options.

Opinions and thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

[Birding Boy]

14 minutes ago, Birds are cool said:

I have been looking for a D500 for the past month. I have not found any that are within my price range. I have been doing some more research, and would like some opinions.

The Nikon d7500. @Birding Boy, you use a D7500. Do you like it, and what are the downsides to using it?

The Nikon d850. @IKLland, the Nikon d500 and 7500 both are DX formats. They are 20.7 megapixel cameras. The D850 is a 45.7 MP camera. With the huge amount of MP I could afford to crop basically so that the pictures I take are the same quality and close up to the bird?

The Nikon d810. 36.2 MP size. FX format. Much cheaper than the other options.

Opinions and thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

I like the D7500, and it's a good camera for the cost imo. It suits my needs and can get some pretty sharp photos. I'm afraid I can't really give a great review however - it's the only DSLR camera I've ever had! @The Bird Nuts also use this the 7500 iirc, they might have some better input for you. 

[IKLland]

39 minutes ago, Birds are cool said:

I have been looking for a D500 for the past month. I have not found any that are within my price range. I have been doing some more research, and would like some opinions.

The Nikon d7500. @Birding Boy, you use a D7500. Do you like it, and what are the downsides to using it?

The Nikon d850. @IKLland, the Nikon d500 and 7500 both are DX formats. They are 20.7 megapixel cameras. The D850 is a 45.7 MP camera. With the huge amount of MP I could afford to crop basically so that the pictures I take are the same quality and close up to the bird?

The Nikon d810. 36.2 MP size. FX format. Much cheaper than the other options.

Opinions and thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

I’ve never used a Nikon camera, but I know that the more you crop, the worse image quality becomes. I’ve never looked into videos and besides on the D850, but I think you’d be happy with it. Just note that you’ll have less reach/zoom, and although you’ll be able to crop further than the dx cameras, the image quality may be a little worse at heavy crops. BUT, the autofocus and  image quality without huge crops will be class leading for a DSLR. I would do it if you’re willing to sacrifice a little bit of reach. It’s your decision tho. 

[The Bird Nuts]

On 5/22/2023 at 5:29 PM, Birding Boy said:

I like the D7500, and it's a good camera for the cost imo. It suits my needs and can get some pretty sharp photos. I'm afraid I can't really give a great review however - it's the only DSLR camera I've ever had! @The Bird Nuts also use this the 7500 iirc, they might have some better input for you. 

Yeah, so I can tell you some downsides to the D7500.  What bothers me the most is the lack of focus points and really only the middle focus point is sharp and useful to me.  And going from the D3400 to the D7500 made me really miss the 4 extra megapixels the D3400 had.  I can't crop as much, but that is the sacrifice I make to have a faster, quieter camera with more very useful features.

[Birds are cool]

13 hours ago, The Bird Nuts said:

Yeah, so I can tell you some downsides to the D7500.  What bothers me the most is the lack of focus points and really only the middle focus point is sharp and useful to me.  And going from the D3400 to the D7500 made me really miss the 4 extra megapixels the D3400 had.  I can't crop as much, but that is the sacrifice I make to have a faster, quieter camera with more very useful features.

Thanks! I found a D500 for a reasonable price, and think I will go with that.

[Tanager 101]

On 5/25/2023 at 9:46 AM, Birds are cool said:

Thanks! I found a D500 for a reasonable price, and think I will go with that.

Nice! I hope it works out well for you! I can't wait to see the photos you produce with that!

[Birds are cool]

2 hours ago, Tanager 101 said:

Nice! I hope it works out well for you! I can't wait to see the photos you produce with that!

Thanks! Somebody bid super high on it right before it ended, so I didn't get it. Everything else is way out of my price range, so I am probably going to go with the cheaper d7500. It still will be a big upgrade from the 3400!