Not dumping my D850 for move to mirrorless regardless of how the Z8 is priced. But with the tech advancements we might see with a hypothetical future Z9 II or Z8 II, I might at that point consider supplementing my DSLR's with a MLC body.
It needs to be under 3K GBP. Otherwise the competition is too good. I think nikon will price it nicely. The Z9 is much cheaper than any 1 digit body ever was so it looks likely...
I'll jump in at anything less than 3750 USD. I won't be "dumping" the D850; I still have a very clear and definite preference for the OVF experience in the studio, and given the D850 is essentially perfect in that use case for me, I'm good. However I'm hoping, really hoping, that the Z8 can be at least "very good" in the studio/modelling light environment as the Z7 is just really weak at the same and I'd like to use a Z body as a B cam so I can use more of the wonderful S line lenses I have for it in the studio. For landscape, I'm already all mirrorless for weight/size (in the backpack) reasons, along with access to some of the nice S line glass. Thus I seriously doubt I'll ever totally give up a DSLR; there are IMO some things it still does better, but at the same time, I'm no longer investing in F mount glass.
I too will not be dumping dslrs. I will definitely be keeping my d810 (wonderful sensor), d200 (do not care what anyone says I love this little camera and it's beautiful output) and d700 (need i say more) even when i add the Z8. I will probably loose the 850 because the d810 is so similar for what I use it for. I like having a little collection of some of the greats especially when i still have lots of great glass for f mount. I learned years ago (the hard way) to stop dumping stuff to buy the latest and greatest every time because I ended up buying them back years later.
Whether or not I switch to mirrorless depends upon the new camera's specifications. No Z intrigues me so far. Neither does the D850, for that matter. I'm probably doomed to just continuing to enjoy the versatility of my F cameras and F mount lenses, and adapted Leica R lenses.
Lovely collection right there! I would ask what would intriege you? Just out of interest. BTW that d850 is probably the best 35mm camera ever built for still images...
My D850 is still fantastic. Just picked up a D5 too. They both produce fabulous images. Still have no interest in ML. I’ll follow the Z8 launch but I can’t imagine it will have enough features to tempt me.
I've been so smugly satisfied with the type of equipment I've been using for so long that I don't want to even speculate on what might move me to switch. One thing is for sure, though - I'd have to be able to use my present lenses.
As for the D850, I have the use of one most any time and agree with your assessment - if I could only have one digital camera, that would be the one!
I would consider a Z8 (assuming it is in fact a mini Z9) at $3K. Yes, I'm being cheap, but I only want Z mount so that I can use adapted EF and E mount lenses in addition to my current Sigmas. IBIS is nice too. Silent could be useful at times.
But a D850 to go with my D5 at a low price because of the Z8 release will most likely be my future.
AnotherMike, I know you already have the Sigma 40mm Art. Notwithstanding your comment about investing in F mount glass, would you buy the Sigma 40mm Art if you didn't already own one?
@philgoble I use the 40 art exclusively for studio work with the D850; in that role, haven't found anything better in F mount. So yea, if I didn't own one, I'd be getting one, particularly at some of the crazy sale prices for it.
Now, if I had a Z9 or Z8 (assuming the Z8 can AF in the studio as I expect the Z9 does - note I have not shot the Z9), and I was looking for a studio lens, honestly I'd probably get the 24-70/2.8S instead. It's not at it's best at 40mm at distance (the 24-70/2.8S is strongest at distance at 35 and 50mm), but at studio distance, it's seriously beyond impressive in the central part of the frame at a lot of focal lengths, so that would be my "Z lens" choice. So that leaves non-studio work. I'd probably get the 24-70/2.8S for most everything else I'd shoot outside except for landscape I'd get the 35/2 Voigtlander Apo Lanthar - the reference for distance landscape work at 35mm or near it. So I guess I'm saying if I was strictly Z mount, the 40 art might not be in the collection. But it's a hell of a lens - I just don't like adapters at all to be honest. Maybe you rent one to see your feelings about it's size/weight on an adapter first though. Point being - in F mount land, it had no competition. In Z mount land, it does in some specific use cases here and there, so it's different calculus as to whether one gets it.