I am looking for help with a decision that ultimately only I can make but would be interested to know what other people would do.
I am a keen amateur, with an interest in landscape and wildlife photography. I am very happy with my landscape setup but it is with wildlife where I feel my equipment may need updating.
Landscape equipment:
Nikon D810 Nikon 16-35mm f4G Nikon 50mm f1.8G Nikon 70-200mm f4G
Wildlife equipment (as move plus)
Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6
The combination of D810 and 80-400mm has served me well on a safari in Africa and on a trip to the Galapagos Islands, where the animals are fairly close, but I have noticed that at the long end the images are not tack sharp and my hit rate could be better. With birds in flight and animals at a distance it is not up to the job. In Scotland where I live, otters and deer keep there distance and may be 'out of reach' with my present equipment. I accept that my personal photographic and bushcraft skills are an important factor as well.
I have the new Nikon 500mm PF on back order but am unlikely to receive it for a number of months.
My question related to my camera body and whether this needs to be changed or complimented with a more wildlife orientated body. My options are:
Keep my present D810 Keep the D810 and compliment it with a D500 (new or used) Sell my D810 and buy a D850
Pros and Cons:
Options 2 and 3 would cost the same while option 1 is clearly cheaper.
Options 2 and 3 include a much improved auto-focus systems in the D500 and D850 for wildlife photography, compared to my present D810.
Option 2 gives me 2 cameras with complimentary benefits, (D810 - landscape and D500 - wildlife)
Option 3 gives me one camera that could potentially do everything !
I should also say that I would not want to upgrade the D850 (if that is my option) with a battery grip and that the f4, 500m and 600mm Nikon lenses are completely out of my price range.
Which option would you go for 1,2 or 3 or perhaps I am missing something and there is a better option.
Thanks for your help.
Michael