When the Nikon D850 debuted in 2017, I believed it would always be just beyond my financial reach, given its initial price of about $4000/£3500. Fortunately, after receiving a cash advance for a new book and benefiting from one of Nikon’s seasonal promotions, I was finally able to purchase a D850.
Nikon D850 Overview:
- 45.7MP full-frame sensor
- Nikon F mount
- Outstanding image quality
- Classic pentaprism viewfinder
- Durable, weather-sealed build
- Compatible with a vast selection of Nikkor lenses
- Impressive autofocus capabilities
I acquired my Nikon D850 in the fall of 2022, at a time when it was evident that mirrorless systems and the new Z-mount could soon render the F series DSLRs obsolete. So, why did I choose the D850 instead of opting for newer technology? The answer is a bit nuanced.
Throughout my 30-year professional journey, I’ve primarily used Nikon gear, starting with the F3 film SLR, which I still frequently use. During this time, I’ve built up a significant collection of lenses and accessories tailored for specific purposes, ranging from macro lenses and bellows to telephoto and fisheye lenses. This collection represents a considerable investment that I’m reluctant to abandon without compelling justification.
Considering this, any future purchases needed to ensure that my existing equipment would remain viable. When the first Z-mount cameras were launched, I was intrigued enough to travel two hours to Carmarthen Cameras to see them in person. I hoped to incorporate a Z body into my kit, especially with the FTZ adaptor’s availability – until I discovered that the adaptor only supported lenses with internal autofocus motors, leaving my original “screw-drive” autofocus lenses compatible only in manual mode.
This setback was disappointing, but what ultimately influenced my decision was the experience with the electronic viewfinder. After years of using an optical viewfinder, the digital version felt more like a video game than a traditional camera, failing to engage me as expected. It was disheartening to realize I was relying on software developers’ choices for my viewing experience instead of experiencing the light directly and interpreting it myself.
Nikon D850 – Design and Usability
One of the advantages of a well-established product line, like Nikon’s DSLR family, is that most significant changes have already been made. Each new model tends to introduce incremental improvements rather than radical shifts. The Nikon D850 is no exception; it builds on the foundation laid by the popular Nikon D800 released five years earlier in 2012, along with the subsequent D810.
Upon first handling the D850, its stature as a robust camera becomes immediately apparent. The materials used are durable, the craftsmanship is top-notch, and the controls are intuitive, falling naturally under your fingers. Weighing in at 1149g with a battery and a 50mm f/1.8 D lens, it’s solid but not cumbersome. The camera features a strong alloy chassis that conveys the impression of a tool designed for reliability in demanding environments. Additionally, it includes integral weather and dust sealing.
The Nikon D850’s viewfinder is large and bright, fitting for a full-frame DSLR. It uses a classic pentaprism design and features a Type B BriteView fixed matte viewing screen. This screen displays autofocus points and allows you to select a framing grid, which is particularly beneficial for technical photography such as architecture and document reproduction. The viewfinder also provides real-time information, like exposure settings and focus confirmation, along with a “flash ready” indicator. In full-frame FX mode, it offers 100% coverage both horizontally and vertically, instilling confidence when framing at the edges of the scene. A viewfinder shutter prevents stray light from affecting the meter during tripod use or while in Live View.
The camera employs an electronically controlled focal plane shutter with vertically running curtains, capable of shutter speeds from 1/8000th of a second to 30 seconds, plus “B” and “T” modes for extended exposures. Additionally, it includes an electronic front-curtain shutter that can function in various “quiet” shutter modes and in Live View, helping to minimize vibration blur. Nikon claims the shutter is rated for 200,000 actuations.
Protecting the camera’s core is an impressive 45.7MP sensor that measures 35.9 x 23.9mm. This backlit CMOS sensor lacks an optical low-pass filter, resulting in superb output quality of up to 8256 x 5504 pixels. ISO sensitivity ranges from 64 to 25,600, with extended settings available above and below this range. The lower ISO range is particularly remarkable, although some of the higher settings also yield pleasing results once you learn to trust them. Through-the-lens (TTL) metering is handled by a 180,000-pixel RGB sensor that includes the standard Nikon 3D color matrix, center-weighted, and spot modes, plus a highlight-weighted mode for accurately measuring exposure in specialized situations, like capturing a performer in spotlight on a dark stage.
Autofocus is facilitated by a Multi-CAM 20K sensor module that utilizes TTL phase detection and allows fine-tuning for autofocus lenses. There are a total of 153 focus points, which include 99 cross-type sensors and a few that operate down to f/8 – a valuable feature for users of telephoto lenses with limited maximum apertures. Notably, the D850 does not feature an autofocus illuminator, which speaks volumes about Nikon’s confidence in the system’s performance in low-light conditions. Based on my testing, if you can see it, the D850 can definitely focus on it.
The D850 is equipped with two memory card slots – one for SD cards and another for XQD. The UHS-II compliant SD slot supports SDHC and SDXC cards, and Nikon’s support site lists tested cards of various sizes. Personally, I’ve always relied on Sandisk Extreme 128GB cards, which have consistently performed without issues. The XQD slot has an interesting history, reflecting the significance of design choices. At the time of the D850’s development, XQD was touted as the future of memory cards due to its vastly superior data transfer speeds compared to SD technology.
Unfortunately, the XQD standard’s popularity waned quickly, with many manufacturers opting for the similar but not directly compatible CFexpress Type B cards. Fortunately for D850 users, Nikon successfully adapted the D850 to support CFexpress cards through firmware updates.
To enhance your D850’s performance, ensure it has firmware version C: 1.20 or later. This allows the use of recommended CF Express cards, which significantly improve speed. Updating firmware is generally straightforward, provided you follow the instructions carefully and stay attentive.
One of the standout features of the D850 is its classic Nikon F lens mount, which allows compatibility with an extensive array of lenses—more than 300 types of Nikkor lenses that have developed since the introduction of the original Nikon F SLR. This mount works with both manual and autofocus lenses, including non-CPU AI (aperture indexing) types. It supports mechanical autofocus systems and internal lens motor autofocus for enhanced compatibility.
Manual lenses can take advantage of electronic rangefinder indicators in the viewfinder. Nikkor non-CPU lenses can be added to the D850’s menu, enabling effective metering and accurate aperture display in the EXIF data. I often utilize this feature with various Nikkor prime lenses, appreciating their optical and build quality—qualities I find hard to match or replace at a reasonable price. There are a few “special case” F-series lenses that aren’t compatible: some older fisheyes that interfere with the mirror, F3AF autofocus lenses, and a handful of older perspective control lenses. It’s best to avoid pre-AI lenses unless you’re quite knowledgeable about their use.
The D850 is powered by a single EN-EL15 series battery, a common type used across Nikon’s product line, including the Z series. This battery can be the original EL15 or versions EL15a/b/c. The latest “c” type is rated at 2280 mAh, and I consistently achieve around 2000 shots per charge in everyday scenarios. You can expect fewer shots with the original version. For those needing more power, adding the MB-D18 battery pack is a great option; it also includes an extra shutter release for portrait orientation. Additionally, you can obtain an AC mains adapter for tethered studio sessions.
For flash photography, the D850 supports Nikon’s i-TTL system and features an ISO hot-shoe equipped with dedicated Nikon contacts on the prism housing. Unlike the D800, the D850 does not include a built-in “pop-up” flash. Although this enhances the durability of the area around the pentaprism, I found the D800’s flash useful for fill light in shadowy settings. To fill that gap, I now use a compact SB-400 external flash; while it has limited power and flexibility, it integrates well with the D850’s exposure system for calculating fill flash.
The D800’s flash was particularly valuable for its Commander Mode, which allowed wireless control of external Nikon flash units. The D850 offers various options to achieve similar functionality, with most users likely having their own preferred solutions. Studio flash systems can also be utilized because the D850 is equipped with a standard coaxial (PC) flash terminal, compatible with trigger voltages up to 250 volts, accommodating almost all studio strobes — except perhaps the oldest models. As always, double-checking compatibility or consulting an expert is prudent, as excessive voltage can damage the camera significantly.
Nikon D850 – Connectivity and Controls
The D850 boasts excellent connectivity options, featuring both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as standard, mainly for use with the Snapbridge app. This allows limited control of the camera via Android or iOS devices, enabling you to take pictures, download images, sync the camera’s clock with your phone, and incorporate location data into image EXIF. My experiences with Snapbridge have been mixed, but the latest Android version seems quite reliable, which works well for me.
It includes a fast USB 3.0 Micro type B connector and a Type C HDMI port for video enthusiasts, offering options for external recording. Audio input and output use the standard 3.5mm sockets, with the microphone input providing plug-in power for external mics.
Additionally, the D850 contains a standard 10-pin Nikon remote terminal socket on the front panel, providing options for remote releases, synchronization with other cameras, and connecting a GPS device. For those occasionally facing issues with wireless connectivity—likely most users—this is a fantastic feature. Unfortunately, Nikon’s NX Tether utility for advanced remote control isn’t compatible with the D850, despite recognizing a USB connection. It would be beneficial for Nikon to address this, as the D850 is a premium camera and improving software compatibility requires minimal effort.
The rear screen is adjustable, known as the “tilting monitor”, which I have mixed feelings about. While it eases shooting at varying heights—especially for video—it also increases the risk of accidental damage. The manual offers ample warnings about this feature. That said, the rear screen serves as the command center for many captivating D850 functionalities. The tilting monitor features touch sensitivity, allowing pinch, stretch, and swipe actions; you can also configure it for touch-based menu interactions, albeit with some caution.
Alongside standard Live View features and enhanced support for shooting videos—though this feature is outside the review’s focus—the tilt monitor includes a functionality I initially thought was superfluous but have come to rely on. This system enables scanning film transparencies and negatives efficiently, producing high-quality images with vibrant colors and excellent detail. The color information from film negatives is accurately represented, and the background orange hue is eliminated, with the results on various film types impressively rendered. Even the notoriously difficult Kodachrome 64 transparencies are captured beautifully, maintaining strong color fidelity. Black and white film scans are equally well-handled.
To utilize this feature, you’ll need a macro lens capable of achieving a 1:1 ratio and a film/slide holder. My standard equipment consists of a set of PB-6 bellows with a compatible slide holder, a Micro Nikkor 55mm f2.8 lens, and an LED light source. The resulting quality rivals dedicated film scanners, with the additional benefit of speed—perfect for those with extensive film libraries to digitize.
Nikon D850 – In the Field
Having used the Nikon D850 as my go-to camera for over two years, I am well-equipped to share my insights regarding its practicality. As a freelance photographer, I often switch between various cameras based on the assignment. I opted for the D850 to replace my previous primary tool, a D800, which, despite functioning well, was approaching ten years old.
The D850 has impressed me as a versatile all-rounder. It delivers outstanding results with minimal effort, particularly useful for quick news gathering. However, when one takes the time to carefully compose a scene, as with medium or large format photography, the results are equally rewarding.
When using a well-set camera, the outcomes can be truly remarkable. This is especially true for landscapes, where working at a low ISO with a stable tripod and the appropriate lens yields incredible image details.
My work often involves event photography, such as capturing speakers during conferences and taking the iconic formal photos that participants love as a keepsake of their involvement. The image quality of the D850 is so high that I have to inform groups of 200 people to take off their name badges if they prefer not to be recognized in the photos. This level of detail is quite impressive.
Recently, the heightened solar activity allowed me to explore another feature of the D850: its low-light performance. By increasing the ISO to 4000 and using a wide-angle lens, I successfully photographed the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) over my home in west Wales. The dark sky was advantageous, and I was quite pleased with how well both the aurora’s colors and the starry sky were captured. Notably, when shooting in low light, the LCD top screen lights up when the camera is in use, and most buttons on the back panel also illuminate—showcasing thoughtful design considerations from the creators.
Nikon D850 – Conclusion
The Nikon D850 represents the peak of ongoing technological advancements that began with the Nikon F SLR in 1959. Amazingly, most lenses and accessories developed for the F and D camera series since then still function seamlessly, contributing to a sturdy photographic system.
In my opinion, the D850 is Nikon’s most versatile and productive DSLR to date. With some care and technique, it can create images of astonishing quality. If you aren’t quite ready to transition to a mirrorless camera yet, the D850 offers an excellent pathway to continue enjoying and expanding your Nikon experience. Furthermore, the process of viewing the actual scene through the mirror, pentaprism, and viewfinder helps maintain a tangible connection to the world you are aiming to capture.
* John Gilbey is a writer and photographer based in west Wales.
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