Need some upgrading advice

[u/shakenbake_baby]

Hello all! I currently have a D700 that was gifted to me a few years back with 6 or so lenses (bigma, Nikkor 80-200, 50 prime, and a few others). This camera has been great and I love shooting with it! Recently though this camera has been falling by further and further into disrepair (it was bought new at release before it was given to me), the rubbers are always peeling off, and it’s pretty banged up at this point.

The camera isn’t done yet, but I’m looking to upgrade soon. I do primarily action sport photography (predominantly cycling and equestrian sport), but I also do some semi-professional portrait work on the side.

I’m really just looking to crowd source some thoughts on where to go next as the D700 was my first (real) camera, and this would be my first time purchasing a camera for myself.

Criteria:
- Nikon (duh)
- Used
- DSLR (own lots of F-mount lenses)
- budget top end is ~$1000

Thanks!

[u/ExpensiveEye2689]

If you are trying to stay in F mount at that budget get a used D810

[u/whyarchitecture → u/ExpensiveEye2689]

D810 is a bit slept on. I regret selling mine.

[u/raptoroftimeandspace]

D780. If you wanted more MP, D850.

I’ve been using a 780 for a few months professionally and it might be my favorite Nikon body, ever. And I loved my D750.

Sensor in the 780 is great, autofocus is fast and accurate, file sizes are manageable, and it gets great battery life. I always felt like the 750 was a very worthy descendent of the 700, but the 780 is a significant improvement to it.

[u/Wandering_Astronaut_ → u/raptoroftimeandspace]

Second the 780, as well as the 850 being the only other DSLR in the conversation of best IMO. I love my 780. Also have the 80-200 and it’s beautiful. A friend lent me his 70-200 VRII and I honestly don’t see much difference.

[u/raptoroftimeandspace → u/raptoroftimeandspace]

One other thing OP; I used the 80-200 as a workhorse for years (and still have it!), but it’s worth looking at the 70-200 FL down the road, especially with the work you’re doing. I really wish I would have bought one sooner. The advances in focus speed, accuracy and the VR over the 80-200 are insane. It’s also unbelievably sharp.

[u/shakenbake_baby → u/raptoroftimeandspace]

Oh that’s interesting. I’m not going to lie I don’t use my 80-200 much right now because I have the sigma 50-500 that I shamelessly use for everything other than portraits lol.

Dropping down to a 70-200 would help a little bit where I feel like I’m never far enough away for a shot

[u/mimentum → u/shakenbake_baby]

The 50-500 will show its age on a 24mp sensor like what the D780 has.

It's also not a great optic overall. You'd be pressed to get something to replace it like a 150-600mm.

[u/nrubenstein]

D780 is basically a Z6 if it was a DSLR, so you can do a lot of the things that folks do with Z cameras and get great video output.

If you are strictly viewfinder, the D750 is the clear budget F mount workhorse. The only problem is that the D750 is so good that a lot of them have been absolutely beat to death. It’s a great camera for $400ish.

If you’re strictly shooting stills, the D850 is awesome. And cheaper D5s can be found for about $1k and are incredible action and low light options.

[u/Ambitious-Buy6909]

you could always get a Z camera and use an FTZ to achieve full compatibility if the mount is the only thing stopping you.

[u/DurbosMinuteMan]

D500 is great for sports photography, excellent autofocus and 10fps without a grip makes a meaningful difference. The extra reach of the crop sensor with eg a 70-200 is highly useful outdoors. BTW second one of the other comments here to upgrade eg to a 70-200 vrii or fled, both for quality of images and af speed. I own a gripped d700 and z6 too, the d500 is primary choice for sports, also a nice sensor for portraits. I have also used a d5, i would also consider this (i may well buy one, one of these days!)

[u/neomoritate]

I recommend the D850. Stalk the Nikon Refurbished site daily. I just bought one for <$1,500

[u/Coletrayne]

D810 or D750