* I Originally posted this in the Canon forum, but this seems like a better place for it *
Does anyone here run a hybrid kit consisting of both Nikon and Canon gear?
I have a 1DMKIII and a 1DsMKII right now. I'm considering selling the 1DsMKII and getting a Nikon D3. The screen and controls on the 1DsMKII are just such a hindrance, and there aren't really a lot of other reasonably priced full frame options out there for Canon users.
I've ruled out the 5DMKII because of it's focusing system.
The 1DsMKIII is way too expensive right now, and probably won't drop any time soon.
The 1D X will be too expensive when it's even available.
The D800 should drop the price of the D3 somewhat (maybe to $2,500 'ish).
So I was thinking about a D3 with the 14-24mm and 70-200mm VR, and the 1DMKIII with the 50L and 135L.
As long as you're able to seamlessly switch between cameras, then go for it. If using two different systems causes you to start missing moments because you were fumbling with buttons, I'd stay away from it.
masaookano wrote:
As long as you're able to seamlessly switch between cameras, then go for it. If using two different systems causes you to start missing moments because you were fumbling with buttons, I'd stay away from it.
- Masao
I'm a Canon user, but I have owned a D700 in the past, so that shouldn't be an issue. I'd probably fumble with the D3 controls less than I do with my 1DsMKII
I run a 5Dc + 35L (and 20mm) beside a D3 and either 85 or 70-200.
The D3 is an amazing camera. The only reason I am not shooting all Nikon is because I LOVE the files I get from my 5D and just cannot give it up.
My wife prefers the D3 to the D700.
I have to say that EVERYTHING about Nikon is better except for the magic that comes out of the 5Dc and 35L IMO.
I have NO problem going between both. Function between cameras is exactly the same between systems.
I LOVED my 1ds2 but have to say that the D3 smokes it in every way.
Also the Nikon zooms are stupid good.
I have been shooting my D3 A LOT more lately. I am forcing myself to shoot it with the 35 f2 because eventually I will have to retire the 5Dc or else move it to just engagement sessions. More than likely I will be moving to all Nikon very soon. I will be keeping the 5Dc and 35L but will most likely only use it on certain occasions.
If I were you I would stick with one system for the long end and one system for the wide end.
With the D3 you will NEVER take the 70-200 off it. The 135L is amazing and I used to shoot it exclusively but now with an amazing 70-200 I have no need for it. 99% of the time people could care less about f2 and f2.8 and when you can shoot to 12800 iso comfortably you do not need f2.
Either go Nikon on the wide end or Canon. Then do the opposite on the long end. If not you will be like all over the place always wondering which camera to grab. It will slow you down. I am never slowed down because I have Canon on the wide end and Nikon on the long end. Only have one option to choose from so I am quick to switch and never get stuck wondering if maybe the 135L would have been a better choice than the 70-200.
Since you appear to be fairly price conscious, and you apparently excluded the 5D2 due to focusing, not body size or lack of the 2nd card slot, may I ask why not consider the D700 instead of the D3?
As to the dual system... I've never tried shooting Nikon and Canon interchangeably so I can't comment on that but I did shoot 5D Mark I and Mark II and the fact that many fuctions were on different buttons resulted in my inability to develop any kind of muscle memory and made the cameras much more of a "thing" between me and what I wanted to accomplish.
lisy78 wrote:
Since you appear to be fairly price conscious, and you apparently excluded the 5D2 due to focusing, not body size or lack of the 2nd card slot, may I ask why not consider the D700 instead of the D3?
I forgot to mention that I prefer a full size body. They just fit my hands better.
Just re-read your op. You would keep the 1D3 rather than the 1Ds2 ... so you'd have a 1.3 crop body.
Considering the loss of (shallow) DOF due to the crop, and the subsequent change of functional FL (ok FOV) I don't necessarily see the advantage of having the two systems vs getting an 85G for a Nikon setup. I'm not convinced that in real-world usage for client work (not personal measurebation) the 50L on a 1.3 crop has any DOF advantage over an excellent 85 1.4
Let alone the fact that with the one system solution there are built in backup benefits, processing consistency benefits etc.
Bottom line ... Doug is an aberration... and Lightroom corrects that
I have never found buttons being in different spots a problem. You get used to it and can develop a muscle memory for each.
Think of golf. You essentially have to have different muscle memory for 14 different clubs.
2 cameras is no big deal for me. As long as the aperture and shutter dials work the same I am good to go.
hardlyboring wrote:
I have never found buttons being in different spots a problem. You get used to it and can develop a muscle memory for each.
Think of golf. You essentially have to have different muscle memory for 14 different clubs.
2 cameras is no big deal for me. As long as the aperture and shutter dials work the same I am good to go.
I'll admit that the fact that the 5D2 and the 5D feel virtually identical is probably part of the problem. I suppose if I were going from a 5D to a D3 the camera would feel different enough that I'd KNOW which camera I was using by feel... when switching betweent the 5D and the 5D2 a big part of the problem was that half the time I had no idea which camera I was holding... so I'd get screwed by Canon's INSANE decision to change the functionality of identically placed buttons.
lisy78 wrote:
Just re-read your op. You would keep the 1D3 rather than the 1Ds2 ... so you'd have a 1.3 crop body.
Considering the loss of (shallow) DOF due to the crop, and the subsequent change of functional FL (ok FOV) I don't necessarily see the advantage of having the two systems vs getting an 85G for a Nikon setup. I'm not convinced that in real-world usage for client work (not personal measurebation) the 50L on a 1.3 crop has any DOF advantage over an excellent 85 1.4
Let alone the fact that with the one system solution there are built in backup benefits, processing consistency benefits etc.
Bottom line ... Doug is an aberration... and Lightroom corrects that ...Show more →
I just love my 1D3 + 50L & 135L combos so much that there's no way I'll ever part with them. Right now they're the only things in my kit that I'm totally confident in.
Every time I pick up the 1DsII, I feel a little apprehension. Better to concentrate on what you're shooting, instead of what you're shooting with.
Not feeling totally confident in your equipment is a bad feeling when you're in the heat of battle.
No. When I am on the job the last thing I want is hindrances from my tools. Not to mention maintaining multiple systems. What about OCF work? Meh. Don't need that kind of challenge.
Ghost wrote:
No. When I am on the job the last thing I want is hindrances from my tools. Not to mention maintaining multiple systems. What about OCF work? Meh. Don't need that kind of challenge.
I'm trying to avoid the hindrances of the 1Ds2, and the spotty focusing of my 70-200 f2.8L IS, and the softness of my 16-35L
The D3 is better than the 1Ds2, in probably every way.
Nikon has a better 70-200 (according to some).
The Nikon 14-24 is probably the best UWA on the market.
I don't do a lot of OCF, but when I do, I just fire with a cheap RF-602.
I considered it: D700 for weddings and location fashion work and 5DmkII for studio, to get 20MP+ for nikon until meant a D3X which is silly money and nikon's 135mm is ancient. Common sense prevailed and I've hung on for the D800.
Zack Arias used to use both systems until recently.
Currently running a mix of 5D2, 7D and D700. I don't have any problems switching between them. My son is less familiar with Nikon so it takes an extra moment or two but that will go with time.
I have never had flash problems...then again I used to use NIkon flashes anyway for my OCF stuff. Does not matter what system you use for OCF really. The 1ds2 was great but the D3 is really in another league. The NIkon zooms also beat the Canon zooms even the Mk2 ones.
Not sure about the 24-70 mk2 yet because no one has seen it.
I can tell you if you go Nikon on the wide end the 14-24 is freakishly amazing.
For a couple months last season I was running a 5D2/D700 combo while switching to Nikon. Like most folks here have said, actually switching between the two bodies wasn't that big of a deal. Muscle memory will eventually kick in and help you out. I've also customized all my Nikons so that the dials go the same way as the Canons - otherwise your shutter speed and aperture dials are backwards and reversed.
The biggest issue in the field for me was switching lenses. Over a year later and shooting all Nikon and I still occasionally find myself trying to put the lenses on Canon-style. Stupid Nikon, come on! Lefty loosey, righty tighty!
Anyways, my biggest issue came in processing the files. The files process way differently, and even now I have issues matching up Canon and Nikon files in post perfectly. Clearly it can be done, but it slowed me down a bit.
mikethevilla wrote:
For a couple months last season I was running a 5D2/D700 combo while switching to Nikon. Like most folks here have said, actually switching between the two bodies wasn't that big of a deal. Muscle memory will eventually kick in and help you out. I've also customized all my Nikons so that the dials go the same way as the Canons - otherwise your shutter speed and aperture dials are backwards and reversed.
The biggest issue in the field for me was switching lenses. Over a year later and shooting all Nikon and I still occasionally find myself trying to put the lenses on Canon-style. Stupid Nikon, come on! Lefty loosey, righty tighty!
Anyways, my biggest issue came in processing the files. The files process way differently, and even now I have issues matching up Canon and Nikon files in post perfectly. Clearly it can be done, but it slowed me down a bit....Show more →
Yes everything here are things I did not mention. Dials on Nikon are backward unless changed via CF.
Also processing is a pain sometimes. Canon files are stupid easy to process...Nikon files need to be untwisted, etc. etc. Your Canon presets WILL NOT WORK on your Canon files. One nice thing about the Nikon files is that they take sharpening REALLY well and they also can be recovered without "going magenta" like Canon. I can pound the Nikon files WAY more than the Canon files but overall they take slightly longer to process.
lisy78 wrote:
when switching between the 5D and the 5D2 a big part of the problem was that half the time I had no idea which camera I was holding... so I'd get screwed by Canon's INSANE decision to change the functionality of identically placed buttons
I've shot Canon and Nikon simultaneously as well as shot with two Canon bodies at once, having to deal with the "insane" decision you mention. I have found that working with the Canon/Nikon setup was actually EASIER than working with the Older Canon + Newer Canon setup because I was able to configure the Nikon controls to match the Canon controls.
