Hello. I have been dreaming for the last two years about getting a new camera body to go with the Nikkor 500 f5.6 PF. I have been using it on a D500, but often find the field of view a bit narrow and thought maybe an FX model would suit it better. I admit, I am bit of a Goldilocks, because I often enjoy any of the Nikon bodies I've had, but I've bumbled around trying to find something "just-right". I regret I sold my D800 body a couple of years ago and have wanted to replace it. Of Course, the D850 seems the most obvious choice, but it is 4 years old now, and I have more choices. One day I think D850, then the next I think Z6ii or Z7ii. I can't decide. I don't want to get a D850 now in case they announce a D880 next week. Oh, dear. I also was a little bothered by big files with the D800, so I'm wondering whether the Z6ii might be just right. I will keep my D500 paired with a naked Nikkor 300 f4 PF and hang it over my shoulder for close fleeting bird encounters. I'm thinking the Z6ii might be better than the D850, or Z7ii on dull winter days with the 500PF. I hope everybody isn't as confused as I am now...If you have advice, I'd be happy to hear it, please.
Trying to predict Nikon releases (and even direction at times) is like trying to predict the lottery numbers !
Now more than ever it's best to plan for only what is on the market or confirmed in development.
Case in point, the long rumoured 61MP Z8 was the logical next step, but has now gone quiet and may never make an appearance, or be leapfrogged ....
Nikon had a huge opportunity over the last few years to put the market to the DSLR sword and build on its lead. The D6 was safe rather than ambitious, and the expected D500S (or D550, D580 whatever you want to call it) , and the D880 filtering down, never materialised. Put this down to resource constraints, business restructuring, and a 1 in a 100 pandemic throwing external factors and market conditions into prominence.
Nikon has had to tread water furiously just to stay in the ballpark with a resurgent Canon, and an ever expanding Sony (whose mirrorless head start, AF lead, and more open mount, have been tough work for competitors ....) . Resources have been pumped into mirrorless lenses, and a few sweet spot bodies, and updates.
It looks like the Z9 will be something of an 'all cameras to all people' type 'flagship' - a la' the Canon R5, and Sony a1.
Realistically, it's your only choice of an upgrade in the foreseeable future. Anything else just seems wishful thinking along the lines of so many people who have passed away waiting for a Canon 7D III to materialise ! 😁
Chosun 🙆♀️
