If you're think about upgrading to the D780...

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
So Nikon announced the D780 today. I've been shooting with the D750 since it came out and from what I'm seeing there's not a lot here that makes me say, "Wow, I need to upgrade to that!!", that wouldn't have already seen me spend the same kind of money on a Z6/7. Even in their promo materials they're almost flat out admitting that this is a camera for people who are so used to a DSLR that they just can't bring themselves to go mirrorless.

I love the guys at Photography Life and here they do a great D750 vs D780 comparison, with a nice chart that shows specs side-by-side with highlighted boxes where differences are significant. As I read them, most of the D780's advantages are available in a switch to the Z's.

What gets me is that even as Nikon makes some welcome improvements, like a dedicated ISO button at the top and an AF-ON back focusing button on the back, with those additions they've once again moved many other buttons around so that if you're moving from one to the other you have to rewire your brain each time.

I am by no means knocking the camera, but it's definitely not something I'm interested in trading up to when I could have gotten a Z7 for the same money last week (I passed on that too). I just don't see it as an $800 improvement on the old tech for anyone but the DSLR die hards (and maybe some folks shooting video), and I don't know how many of them there truly are that justify it?
 

Danno

Senior Member
I am by no means knocking the camera, but it's definitely not something I'm interested in trading up to when I could have gotten a Z7 for the same money last week (I passed on that too). I just don't see it as an $800 improvement on the old tech for anyone but the DSLR die hards (and maybe some folks shooting video), and I don't know how many of them there truly are that justify it?

I do not want to knock the camera either. I looked at the table this morning from Photography Life and I think it looks like more of an update than an upgrade. They added some features that are nice from the Z6 but they are things that you would not pursue unless you are interested specifically in those enhancements. They added Snap Bridge, improved Video, and Focus Shift Shooting, (focus stacking); all of those options come from the Z6. But they did not increase the focus points or shutter speed.

I am sure it will be a great camera if you need to replace your 750 and just do not want to go to mirrorless.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Interesting article. Thanks. :)

Below is info from the article on differences between the battery life (D750 on the left and D780 on the right). Some of the later D750 units came with the upgraded battery which allows for longer life. So I wonder if the battery life of the D750 would be the same when using the same battery as the D780. Or did Nikon upgrade something else in the D780 which also factors into a longer battery life?

BatteryEN-EL15 Lithium-ion BatteryEN-EL15b Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life1230 shots (CIPA)2260 shots (CIPA)

Based on the upgraded Continuous Shooting Speed in Live View, they would need to provide a longer battery life for 12 FPS of silent shooting. Live View depletes battery power as it is.

Like you, there aren't enough differences for me to want to upgrade.
 

Danno

Senior Member
Just found this video on the "Ricci Talks" Channel. Ricci does a good job on his videos. Not sure if he works for Nikon or what, but he seems to be one of the first to get a chance to check out. There is a spoiler. I was surprised when Ricci pointed it out.


https://youtu.be/glUz63fu5Q8
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Interesting article. Thanks. :)

Below is info from the article on differences between the battery life (D750 on the left and D780 on the right). Some of the later D750 units came with the upgraded battery which allows for longer life. So I wonder if the battery life of the D750 would be the same when using the same battery as the D780. Or did Nikon upgrade something else in the D780 which also factors into a longer battery life?

BatteryEN-EL15 Lithium-ion BatteryEN-EL15b Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life1230 shots (CIPA)2260 shots (CIPA)

Based on the upgraded Continuous Shooting Speed in Live View, they would need to provide a longer battery life for 12 FPS of silent shooting. Live View depletes battery power as it is.

Like you, there aren't enough differences for me to want to upgrade.

Nikon introduced a new version of the same battery that lasts a lot longer. It's why they had to replace a boatload of batteries when the D500 chewed up the old versions. No guarantee, but I suspect the new batteries in the D750 would give similar or better performance in terms of number of shots.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
I used to be on the incremental upgrade bandwagon also, too expensive and not really satisfying 2 months later. Current models have so much I'll never even use, so it has to be "different" to entice me. I'm a very picky shooter so battery life of 1000 vs 2000 just isn't relevant to me. I've shoot cameras capable of 60 fps and yet my setting was always 8 fps on continuous high.

I'm sure this is great for pros whom have 200,000+ clicks on their existing bodies. Not to start anything but my recent experience in selling gear is lenses are not holding their value the way they used to. If there is any truth to the f mount fading in market I'd stick to the best lenses which will hold their value down the road. I'd have to be really committed to get "into" a new DSLR now unless I had the lenses already and can live with very low resale value even when practically new.

For fun, go to the BH used department under "sell your gear" and look up your stuff, it's shocking. Yes you can get more selling privately but unless you are in a huge market good luck moving it.
 

keithylton

New member
As far as the batteries having a longer charge on the D780, its not what you all think. It’s quite simple why Nikon tells you that the D780 has a longer battery life. The battery specs are based on shutter clicks WITH the flash set at 1/2 power. Its an average of the SC and Flash used together... most of the time hence the 1/2 power stat.

Have you figured it out yet?

Drum roll....D780 is hotshoe only, no pop up flash.

😉
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

Gee! Maybe Nikon tested the battery life with a flash mounted and set to 1/2 Power to keep the rating honest. Do ya think? :confused:
 
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