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There is quite a debate about this generally.
The consensus I see is that the D850 is excellent for IQ, no question but for birds in flight the it seems to be D500 wins on several counts.
There are big costs involved with D850 ownership, huge files with the consequent issues of offloading, storing and processing them, an iPad or even a Mac Book Pro won't cut it, by all accounts. The D850 also has a much greater initial cost £1800 v £3500, almost half and haggling with the D500 might produce an even better price I doubt one could haggle much off a D850, given they are often out of stock. Processing the D850 files will require an up to date version of whatever software is chosen.
As a 'hobby want' item, as opposed to a 'professional need' tool it becomes expensive, which for most needs is overkill.
At the Nikon Roadshow I visited last week even Nikon stated that the D500 was considered superior for BIF, while exhorting the virtues of the D850. One interesting feature of the D850 is the silent electronic shutter which at 30 frames a second I understand is very useful in all sorts of situations, should be possible to capture the defining moment with that, maybe some sporting events like cricket?
I understand the images in this thread are taken with a D500 and AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E VR.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1346257/39
They would do me and most hobbyists, even most nitpicking pixel peepers.
I think it comes down to personal preferences and how much cash one wants to sink into a hobby. Another factor is how enthusiastic one is to hide for hours 'out there in the marshes' to grab the shot of a lifetime.
This thread which is actually a lens thread but touches on real world experiences of competent photographers with the D500 and D850.
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,7118.50.html
You raise a number of issues here, Robert.
Leaving aside cost of the body there is the cost of the lens to consider.
From what I've read elsewhere, there are a limited number of lenses that TRULY capitalise on the resolving capabilities of the D850. No surprise they are all the top end lenses and have 4figures in the price.
Dropping down to the second quality tier of lenses will give, for most people, almost indiscernible lesser quality ....which has prompted some reviewers to say "get a D810 and save some cash, if you aren't going to use the top 10-12 best quality lenses." Or get a D500 and save more!
In fact there is a strong arguement that for wildlife, where you never seem to be able to fill the frame with the subject, having perfect lenses right to the edges or when using a DX body with Fx lens, absolute quality may be unnecessary.
When you refer to those getting perfectly acceptable results from a 300mm E f4 lens (which is actually a good new lens worthy of the 850 anyway) I would make an observation.
The shooting of those images was engineered. By that I mean the photographer didn't just turn up to a spot and capture those images on the fly. Natural foliage, twigs and shrubbery are far too invasive to allow such clarity of scene. I know this from bitter experience. To get such perfectly executed shots, especially with a mere 300mm attached, the landing location and photography 'set', for the bird has to be controlled by prior gardening and pre organised flight path.
Nothing wrong with that I would add, if your desire is to capture a perfect example of the critter, with no distracting background, foreground or sides!
I was reading that a local RSPB reserve has set up a photographers hide ( actually a wicker screen with holes) so that photographers shutter noise doesn't annoy the birdwatchers in the hides, AND they have 'positioned branches strategically close to feeding areas to make photography of birds easier'. Again....nothing wrong with that....you still have to stand or sit for hours for that moment!
But I have to say that although I will get out and do my share of shooting in the great outdoors soon, while it's subzero, the wildlife in the garden, from an armchair has a strong pull. I KNOW the images won't be as good through double glazed windows, and will have to put up with ungardened photosets. So there's little point in buying an D850 and £5k worth of glass while such lassitude prevails...I will make do with the Fuji for now.
Here what I mean about pre gardening.....if I had only known it was going to perch on that branch!
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Last edited on Mon Feb 26th, 2018 10:37 by Eric
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Eric