After shooting for over 20 years, and going from Canon to Nikon and then Canon again, and now Canon and Sony, I thought for sure for the 100th anniversary Nikon would do something radical with the D850, yet, really nothing that that makes me want to jump out anywhere.
The D810e was a close one that I almost took a plunge, but not good timing for me. I love both systems, and love Canon service more, but after a while you want some excuse to get excited again. Sadly, its just not there from Nikon...
The D850 is the ultimate DSLR, the end of a line. It is miles ahead of anything Canon has to offer and combines the best AF there is (the 3D AF mode is pretty much magical), excellent resolution, great speed, the best viewfinder, great usability (tilt screen),.... but I do agree with you that it isn't exciting.
This being said, I'll add one to my line up and will take great images with it until something with better abilities shows up.
As a system, in combination with lenses such as the 19mm T/S, 28mm f1.4, 105mm f1.4, 70-200 f2.8E,... and the only pro spec 24-70 f2.8 that is both stabilized and rugged. it is really hard to beat. Not only do these lenses deliver best in class detail and overall technical excellence, the images captured with these have a look that is to die for.
Now, the real question is... what is exciting. I thought the GFX and X1D would excite me... played with both. Nice camera but I didn't feel anything special. My H6D-100c offer amazing image quality, but can I honnestly say it excites me? No...
A Sony a9r perhaps may, but I never felt any vibe using the a7rII, although I admit it is a great technological achievement.
Is the D850 reponsible for our lack of excitement, or is it just that we have grown out of photographic equipment?
I am still excited by photography, sweet light, a magic moment. But by cameras? Not sure I'll still be.
Cheers,
Bernard