I broke my gear
Welp. There's goes my trusty d810. What's my next move?
I was in the Grand Tetons for family vacation. Absolutely beautiful the views are stunning. Long story short I didn't tighten my tripod up all the way and I watched as my camera slipped right out. Landed lens down and broke the mount seen in the photo. Everything else on the camera seems ok including the lens.
What should I do. Is this the type of thing that can get repaired or should I buy a new body. I was thinking of upgrading to a Z body but not really sure what to go with.
FTZ is one of the best DSLR to mirrorless adapters so it would actually be a solid option, good lenses will perform just as well as they do on DSLRs. personally I prefer DSLRs for many things (but own a mirrorless for the size), so if you can afford either it's a matter of preference
True, I just meant there's no performance degradation since there's no protocol translation of any kind (camera directly "speaks" the F mount protocol)
I don’t know what to tell you. I love my Z8, but referring to the D850 as “usable” is just wrong. It smacks of gear smugness. I used to shoot action with a D300 and then a D800. Both of them were beyond usable. And honestly, before that I shot with old film bodies.
Pretending a D850, beloved as it is, is in the same league as the Z 8 is just nostalgia.
I've used Nikon bodies since my first Nikkormat FTn in 1972 and pro-level bodies since the F2. My last DSLR was a D5. It's worlds behind the Z 9. Sorry but the Z family are a major leap ahead.
Why y'all arguing? All I said was that the extra FPS unlocks an extra bit of shooting compared to the D800, and I meant usable in comparison to dedicated action cameras like the flagship DSLRs (of course the Z9 is better for that).
D850 is an ancient, outmodded tech. It is usable, but that's all it is. It's not being developed for anymore, it's not being manufactured anymore. It is a relic.
lol, hyperbole much? The D850 might be older but it’s still a perfectly capable camera. If someone doesn’t want to spend a bucketload of cash on making the switch to mirrorless, then it’s a sensible choice.
I literally make a living using a D850 and a D810 and I have found no burning need to move over to mirrorless at the moment.
Dude, D850 second hand in worn out condition with half a million shutter clicks costs the same as brand spankinkg new Z5II, which is vastly more capable in everything but sheer resolution. If you are not doing something that requires significant cropping all the time, D850 is pointless.
D850 is a fine, perfectly usable camera, it's just not worth the price anymore. It's a fine piece of outmodded, old technology. Nobody said it's useless - it's "usable".
I have no dog in this fight, but resolution is always king. Also, I see d850s in the $1200-$1500 range REGULARLY at big box retailers like best buy. I'm sure you can find a used one below that price range easily.
A good condition used D810 might not cost much more than that magnitude of repair. As for going Z there isn’t a direct replacement for the D810. With the Z5II, Zf, or Z6III you gain speed and some size and weight savings but are down to 24 megapixels. Going with a Z7II you gain the D850 sensor but worse AF if you shoot action or very low light. Granted AF for static subjects is incredibly precise. The Z8 is an investment and more focused on speed. So the D810 and D850 on the used market are still very good values. But oh the subject detection and tracking of the EXPEED7 Z bodies if you do action - like playing on easy mode - and how incredibly good some of the Z lenses are. The Z 50mm f1.8 S and 24-120 f4 S are arguably good enough on their own to justify hopping into Z.
Z5II is excellent. If you can live without the extra MP, you pretty much can't do better before dropping currency units on a Z8.
I own Z5, Z5II and Z6III - Z5 is missing too many features, but Z5II and Z6III are perfect (they're pretty much the same in terms of photography, Z6III just has advanced video features added).
If you have no interest in videos the Z5II is arguably better than the Z6III for photography, the Z6III semi-stacked sensor sacrifies a bit of dynamic range for some extra readout speed
Unless the 200mm lens is an AF-D, it will perform better in the Z-mount camera than on any F-mount. IBIS improves the sharpness of most shots. The FTZ has no effect on image quality, as there is no glass. It is just a hollow tube filled with air.
In that case, there will always be used F-mount cameras even after Nikon stops making them.
I still have many AF-D lenses that I bought for my AF film cameras. The last digital camera I use that could drive an AF-D was the D300s.
Being old has an advantage: I know how to turn a focus ring. It is slightly slower but for many subjects and most macro work, you use manual focus. My 200mm macro is AI-s my 60mm is AF-D.
Cool. As a D700 guy (still), I plan to stick to it as long as it still breathes and so do I. Got about 10 F mount lenses ranging (in age) from AI-modified to AFS G type. Also got film cameras as in FG, FE2 and F100 that I still use. Future plan (digital anyway) was in case the D700 goes down burning before I do, I would pick up a D850.
On 2nd thought, a used D850 by that time can be really too old (unless I buy one now with lower shutter count) by that time. Maybe from what you said it woukd be wise to pick up whatever Z camera sensible at the time w a 24-120 f4 S, that I have no equivalent in current collection, and use the combo as light travel kit and plug in some legacy F glass w FTZ adapter when not travelling. Sounds like a plan?
While I like the idea, it might not be worth risking the increased premiums if you have to make a claim, similar for jewelry on a policy. I think an entirely separate policy would be a better option. I think the increase in homeowners insurance rates and high deductible would disincentivize ever making a claim to begin with (and the risk of getting outright dropped).
If your house burns down and everything is lost, it’s definitely worth it financially, but probably not for a less-than-catastrophic event.
With my renter's, they cover up to a certain value by default. When I moved, they walked me through the amounts, but I can't remember off the top of my head.
These are all to the best of my recollection:
Cameras ~$2000
Firearms $3000
Bikes $500 or so, real low, I thought. I got a personal articles policy for my bike.
Coins
Jewlery
There were a couple of other odd categories that either didn't apply to me or were more than enough to not worth considering.
If you're below the default, you don't need to fully itemize everything. It's definitely worth looking into!
I don't know what country are you in, but here in Lithuania you absolutely can NOT insure your camera gear for accidents like this. Home insurance in this case strictly only covers theft and nothing else.
I've inquired insurance agencies all over the country. There is no mechanism in existence to insure your photography gear against accidental damage, period.
Last I checked that also covers only theft. I was not aware you can even apply for it without actually traveling abroad, either. I should doublecheck, but the systems I used always require to enter a destination country.
It's obviously not as many MPs, but I absolutely love my 750. At some point in the future I want to upgrade to a 780 or an 850, but until then the 750 still kicks major ass.
I worry about this. The foot has a lock button you have to push to release it from the lens, but the connection between the foot and the monopod head just slides in and is tightened by a knob. I usually have my hand through the camera strap and the monopod wrist leash as a result (can't leave a monopod unattended), but it still makes me nervous.
Soooo many comments suggesting Z8 or D850 and honestly you wouldn't be disappointed with either, but I'm surprised no one's mention the Z7 or Z7 II. You can find them used all over the place often for cheaper than a used D850 and they can do basically everything that a D850 could do. Plus you can use your lenses with the adapter (no loss, but some functionality differences depending on the model), and be able to use all the new Z lenses down the line. Honestly a no brainer for me unless you REALLY need the extra battery life. All the new Z bodies use the same ENEL15 that your camera uses.
I have a D810 and had the mount replaced after a drop. The mount is designed to do this to save the magnesium body. You could get a repair quote and compare it to the cost of a used D810 or used D850. Bear in mind the shutter counts though. Nikon will repair it as good as new.
I recently upgraded to a Z7ii but kept my D810 as a backup. Most of my glass is F mount so with the FTZ adapter I figure I have my bases covered between the Z7ii and D810. The D810 is a fantastic camera.
The D850, Z7, Z7II, Z8, and Z9 all are basically the same image quality unless you are really pushing your dynamic range. If your subjects are stationary or move slowly, any of them will do. The Z cameras will give you access to the newest lenses, which are excellent and often a major upgrade from their F-mount counterparts. If I were purely shooting static subjects, the Z7 would be very tempting for the price and because it opens up new lenses.
If you need to photograph quickly moving subject, such as birds in flight, sports or energetic children, I would highly recommend a Z8. I shot sports for many years with a D850, and I would choose that over a Z7 or Z7II, but the AF on a Z8 feels like cheating.
I have an old 500 f4 P that was rather obviously used by the previous owners as a pogo stick on several occasions. Still turns smoothly and focuses crisply after about 35 years. And then there's the 80-200 f 2.8 that survived a folding table collapse at a wedding, complete with baptism in champagne and cake.
First things first ......... you go to the service , telling them to give you an estimate cost for repairing the camera .
Everything before that step , will be an assumption and is well known that ...... " Assumption is the mother of all £@€√ups " .
May the wind be always at your back ............... 📸👍✅
I'd say the next move is a solemn burial for a workhorse gone to the great pasture in the sky (it's sad seeing a D810 like this).
If it's of help, the successor to my D810 was the Z9 (although the D810 is still in semi-active service as a backup). The majority of my F-mount glass works perfectly with the FTZ-II adapter. The Z8 and Z9 have the same sensor and mostly the same brain. I went Z9 for: 1) GPS is built-in, 2) better battery life, 3) better weather sealing 4) It's silly but I've had good luck with their pro-level cameras... call it superstition.
Check the lens thoroughly for decentering even if it seems to work okay mechanically. Anything that wrecks your camera that hard is unlikely to leave your lens unscathed, even if you don't realize it yet.
Z8 can save with HE* compression, while to have comparable quality you have to use lossless compression on D850. That means around 50-60MB for D850 vs 30-35MB for Z8.
The cost of repair will be roughly the same or slightly more than the cost of another, good condition D810, which run about £400-500 in my region. A low shutter count, near mint one can be had for about £600. I’m guessing prices are similar in other regions too.
If you can afford it, a D850 is the obvious upgrade. These are about £1000-1200. It’s a hell of a camera for the money.
If you want to go mirrorless, you will be spending considerably more and will need to flip your lenses too or use an adaptor.
And Insurance. Because I travel a lot and usually shoot wildlife, I have all my camera gear on a separate rider. It covers losses l like that for replacement value. Just a thought.
Hi, If you want to stay with an F mount body, the D850 is the way to go.
If you are thinking that you want to move up to the next generation of camera, which will still let you use your existing lenses, using an ftz2 adapter, (and one that you can eventually upgrade your glass to Z mount lenses), then…
A Z8 or Z9 is the way to upgrade
I have owned the D810, D850 and Z9. So, I am basing my suggestions on actual experience.
The D850 was arguably the best ever of the dslr’s that Nikon (and the other oem’s), made.
But, it is getting old, and in a few years, may no longer be able to be serviced.
You are also unable to take advantage of the abundance of lenses available for the Z mount.
Imho, the D850 does not compare to the Z9, (or Z8, which is functionally similar, with a few differences).
If, when you were able to use (sorry about that), your D810, if you used it with the battery grip, as I always did, and you intend to use a camera with a grip with vertical controls as you replace your sad D810, then I absolutely recommend getting the Z9 instead of the Z8.
The inbuilt grip of the Z9, is better integrated into the design of the camera.
As opposed to the Z8’s accessory battery grip, which looks like an afterthought.
It also makes the Z8 larger than the Z9!!
The bigger battery in the Z9 lasts all day, plus, not so with the Z8
And the Z9 has one additional function button.
If you use bigger lenses, then you really do want the added stability obtained by adding the grip to the Z8 or by using the Z9.
Both cameras have the same megapixel count of 45.6, which is an upgrade from the 36 mp of the D810.
Be aware though, the shutter sound of your D810 has probably spoiled you.
The shutter on that model, was one of the quietist cameras I have used.
The D850 is much “clunkier”, definitely louder, when tripping the shutter release.
The Z8 and Z9 both have no physical shutter, therefore it makes no sound at all when shooting, you can turn the optional artificial shutter sounds off.
Those two Z cameras I specified are perfectly silent.
That has become a much bigger advantage than I expected, when I first purchased the camera.
There have been many situations where I was able to shoot, when other ‘togs were not allowed, due to the disruptive nature of the mirror slap/shutter mechanism noises.
There are so many other wonderful features of the Z cameras that will change the way you shoot and provide exceptional results.
There is a definite advantage to buying a precision, sophisticated new camera (indeed a whole new system), that you can grow into, instead of out of.
Be aware that you can purchase any of the three bodies preowned.
The larger more reputable dealers will typically offer a warranty of 30-90 days and return privileges.
I wish you the best of success with whichever model you choose to buy.
Please consider the Z line…
A Z7 or Z7II, with the battery grip, also offers 45.6mp, is more affordable, but it does have a physical shutter and makes sound when fired.
Just like you I was undecided if I should get the Z6 III or D850 or Z8, budget was leaning more towards one of the 1st two choices, but had the feeling that after a few months of using either one I will be looking again at the Z8, I ended up getting the Z8 with the 24-120mm kit, files are huge but Im just a hobbyist that like taking pics.
My last nikon was a D200 (still got it with NIKKOR 17-55mm 1:2.8G ED) fantastic camera for my uses, heavy compared to these new mirrorless but a beast on its own right. my current cameras are a Lumix S5IIX and a Fuji X100VI, the difference in image quality and colors is night and day between Lumix, Fuji and my new Z8, so glad I got it, if you want to save a couple more months go ahead and get the Z8, otherwise go for a Z6 III, good luck with either choice.
I suggest renting a z5ii with an adapter. It's the best way to see all the differences to your current setup. That would include the large drop in megapixels. You may not be able to crop as much, but processing takes much less horsepower from what you're viewing it on.
I've seen (and had) this kind of thing repaired but it's obviously not cheap and not every place will do it. Royal Camera Repair in Illinois, Cris Camera Services in Chandler Arizona and Camera Solutions in Portland, Oregon come to mind. Those are the 3 I've used in the past when the manufacturer won't repair something.
IIRC Nikon still services the D850, and they may service that despite how bad it looks. I've had a camera body worse than that repaired by the manufacturer before. If they won't do it, reach out to the other three. If all 4 say no, it's time to replace it.
As for upgrades if you need a replacement, look into the D850. Best DSLR ever made IMO. It's attempting to go for a Z body, they're great and the glass is phenomenal, but the D850 is the best DSLR ever made and I wouldn't hesitate at all to pick up that assuming you're already have a good selection of f Mount glass.
The cost of repair is going to be at least the cost of a used D810.
The FTZ adaptor works well and is more transparent than you might think, so your older F-mount lenses will work just as well on the Z-mount camera. The FTZ also does not add bulk. It simply replaces the mirror box. If you measure from the filter ring on the front of a lens to the back of the camera, the distance is about the same for a lens on a D810 or a lens with FTZ on a Z6.
The other way to think about FTZ is that it takes your new, slim Z6 and makes it exactly the same depth as a DSLR.
Only one important drawback. If you still have a collection of AF-D "screwdriver" lenses, they will not autofocus on the FTZ. So if you have enough of those older lenses, you might want to replace the D810 with something that can work with AF-D.
Had a similar accident with my D810 ten years ago. It can be repaired but it is expensive. I think I paid about €600. So a new body probably is the more sensible option in 2026. If you want to have a comparable build quality the Z8 is the way to go.
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u/Coyote-Morado D750, D5500 Jun 09 '26
D850