Help me think through a possible switch

Home · Register · Search · Software · Hosting · Software · Join Upload & Sell

FM Forum Rules
Nikon SLRs, primes, and zooms lenses reviews

FM Forums \| Nikon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell
1 2 end

bipock
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #1 · Help me think through a possible switch

I've thought about this before but not quit to the level I am right now, so I am curious to get your thoughts.

I've shot Canon since I started photography 7 years ago. Had alot of nicer bodies and glass always been pleased. However, with Canon's recent extreme price hikes, some of the gear I want/need has become too rich for my blood. As I was thinking of picking a 500 f4 II today, I decided to compare prices to Nikon. Boy was I shocked a $2k difference. Initially, my thought was I could buy the Nikon 500 and d7000 for less than the Canon lens, sell my MarkIV and come out way ahead. Problem there is I don't care to run a dual system.

My current kit is this:

5d3, 1d4, 24-105, 70-200 2.8 II, 400 5.6 and 580EXII. The 400 is new and can be returned.

So, I started pricing and came up with the following comparable Nikon kit:

d600, d7000, 24-85, 70-200 2.8 II, 200-400, possibly a 500 and a sb-910. Not sure I really need the 500 as the crop of the d700 is slight more than my current 400 and I could always throw a TC on there and be longer.

I do alot of wildlife and waterfowl with some family work mixed in. Sale of my equipment plus cash on hand would bring me dead even with the Nikon switch, even better if I choose to forego the 500.

I realize I am giving up some between the d7000 and the MkIV, but I think everything else is pretty equal.

Your thoughts?

Feb 20, 2013 at 03:53 AM

rick_reno
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #2 · Help me think through a possible switch

I had 5d2, 7d & 1dmk4 and a bunch of L glass. I switched to the D800, kept my 7d for speed and so far it has worked out very well. It was hard giving up the 1dmk4, I still believe it is the best body Canon has ever produced.

Feb 20, 2013 at 04:19 AM

sb in ak
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · Help me think through a possible switch

I also had a 5D2 and sold it to buy into a D800 system. I miss the Canon system in some respects (the 5D2 fit my hands perfectly and I miss some of the lenses). However, the D800 IQ is pretty hard to beat.

I tried a D600 briefly and found it to be somewhat handicapped. The body felt too plasticy to me and hated the live view implementation. I returned it and bought into a refurb D800 for $350 more. Much happier.

Haven't tried the 24-85. I hear it's OK but not up to the 24-105L. The more comparable lens would be the 24-120. Normally, I think this lens is overpriced but it's sitting around $1k right now with the rebates.

To be honest, I'm finding Nikkor lenses to be just as pricey as Canon, at least in the focal lengths I'm interested in. I wouldn't have switched for the lens selections. I mostly switched for the massive dynamic range improvement and MPs for landscape shooting. If the 5D3 competed there I would have stayed with Canon as I think the 5D3 is an otherwise awesome camera and it seems like Canon has better quality control and customer service at the moment.

Feb 20, 2013 at 05:23 AM

playerofwar
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · Help me think through a possible switch

D800 with grip is better than both D600 and D7000 together; IQ in dx-mode is even better than D7000.

Feb 20, 2013 at 05:35 AM

PeaktoPeek
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · Help me think through a possible switch

I can't imagine going from a 5D3 and 1D IV to a D600 and D7000 -- especially for wildlife. I have a D600 and I love it, but I also shoot landscapes and portraits. I came from a 5D, and if you were coming from a 5D II and 7D it might be a more even trade, but you are really downgrading your AF otherwise. The idea of the D800 is a much better option, since the massive amount of crop-ability makes up for a lot -- and the AF seems to be able to handle BIF. I would look maybe at swapping out the D600 in your plan for a D800 and holding off on the 500mm lens.

Feb 20, 2013 at 05:55 AM

James R
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #6 · Help me think through a possible switch

I would have to second the D800 over the D7000, but prefer the D4--however, money is tight these days. The D800 gives you the ability to heavily crop an image, so, maybe you can get by with a 300 2.8 VR and a couple TCs, add a 24-70 and 70-200 and you are set for awhile.

Feb 20, 2013 at 05:57 AM

Dustin Gent
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · Help me think through a possible switch

sb in ak wrote:
I also had a 5D2 and sold it to buy into a D800 system. I miss the Canon system in some respects (the 5D2 fit my hands perfectly and I miss some of the lenses). However, the D800 IQ is pretty hard to beat.

I tried a D600 briefly and found it to be somewhat handicapped. The body felt too plasticy to me and hated the live view implementation. I returned it and bought into a refurb D800 for $350 more. Much happier.

Haven't tried the 24-85. I hear it's OK but not up to the 24-105L. The more comparable lens would be the 24-120. Normally, I think this lens is overpriced but it's sitting around $1k right now with the rebates.

To be honest, I'm finding Nikkor lenses to be just as pricey as Canon, at least in the focal lengths I'm interested in. I wouldn't have switched for the lens selections. I mostly switched for the massive dynamic range improvement and MPs for landscape shooting. If the 5D3 competed there I would have stayed with Canon as I think the 5D3 is an otherwise awesome camera and it seems like Canon has better quality control and customer service at the moment.

Compared to the D800, the D600 obviously doesn't feel as solid. Compared to a 5D2, I would say the D600 is better. I have not owned either, but have used both.

I just picked up a 24-85mm 3.5-4.5 NON VR this week for my trip to Yosemite in a few days. I am pretty confident it will come pretty close to the 24-105L, in terms of IQ. I hope I am right

Feb 20, 2013 at 06:02 AM

honorerdieu
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · Help me think through a possible switch

bipock wrote:
I've thought about this before but not quit to the level I am right now, so I am curious to get your thoughts.

I've shot Canon since I started photography 7 years ago. Had alot of nicer bodies and glass always been pleased. However, with Canon's recent extreme price hikes, some of the gear I want/need has become too rich for my blood. As I was thinking of picking a 500 f4 II today, I decided to compare prices to Nikon. Boy was I shocked a $2k difference. Initially, my thought was I could buy the Nikon 500 and d7000 for less than the Canon lens, sell my MarkIV and come out way ahead. Problem there is I don't care to run a dual system.

My current kit is this:

5d3, 1d4, 24-105, 70-200 2.8 II, 400 5.6 and 580EXII. The 400 is new and can be returned.

So, I started pricing and came up with the following comparable Nikon kit:

d600, d7000, 24-85, 70-200 2.8 II, 200-400, possibly a 500 and a sb-910. Not sure I really need the 500 as the crop of the d700 is slight more than my current 400 and I could always throw a TC on there and be longer.

I do alot of wildlife and waterfowl with some family work mixed in. Sale of my equipment plus cash on hand would bring me dead even with the Nikon switch, even better if I choose to forego the 500.

I realize I am giving up some between the d7000 and the MkIV, but I think everything else is pretty equal.

Your thoughts?

My thoughts after reading your post is to encourage you to do some further research and get ahold of the D600 and D7000, if you haven't yet done so already. Like you, I started out with Canon and shot for nearly 9 years with the system before making the switch nearly 3 years ago. So, I am pretty familiar with the 5D3 and 1DMK4 bodies and I think they are both great. I also used to have the 400 f/5.6 L and I know that is a razor sharp lens. And being that the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 II is comparable to Nikon's version, I know lens is extremely sharp as well.

In your shoes, I would probably be very hesitant in making the switch unless it was for the D800 or D3s/D4--depending on how big you plan to print your images. But that hesitation is based on the limited info you provided in your original post. Is there something that Nikon offers that your current setup with Canon is lacking?

Feb 20, 2013 at 06:36 AM

ScottSchupbach
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #9 · Help me think through a possible switch

honorerdieu wrote:
bipock wrote:
I've thought about this before but not quit to the level I am right now, so I am curious to get your thoughts.

I've shot Canon since I started photography 7 years ago. Had alot of nicer bodies and glass always been pleased. However, with Canon's recent extreme price hikes, some of the gear I want/need has become too rich for my blood. As I was thinking of picking a 500 f4 II today, I decided to compare prices to Nikon. Boy was I shocked a $2k difference. Initially, my thought was I could buy the Nikon 500 and d7000 for less than the Canon lens, sell my MarkIV and come out way ahead. Problem there is I don't care to run a dual system.

My current kit is this:

5d3, 1d4, 24-105, 70-200 2.8 II, 400 5.6 and 580EXII. The 400 is new and can be returned.

So, I started pricing and came up with the following comparable Nikon kit:

d600, d7000, 24-85, 70-200 2.8 II, 200-400, possibly a 500 and a sb-910. Not sure I really need the 500 as the crop of the d700 is slight more than my current 400 and I could always throw a TC on there and be longer.

I do alot of wildlife and waterfowl with some family work mixed in. Sale of my equipment plus cash on hand would bring me dead even with the Nikon switch, even better if I choose to forego the 500.

I realize I am giving up some between the d7000 and the MkIV, but I think everything else is pretty equal.

Your thoughts?

My thoughts after reading your post is to encourage you to do some further research and get ahold of the D600 and D7000, if you haven't yet done so already. Like you, I started out with Canon and shot for nearly 9 years with the system before making the switch nearly 3 years ago. So, I am pretty familiar with the 5D3 and 1DMK4 bodies and I think they are both great. I also used to have the 400 f/5.6 L and I know that is a razor sharp lens. And being that the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 II is comparable to Nikon's version, I know lens is extremely sharp as well.

In your shoes, I would probably be very hesitant in making the switch unless it was for the D800 or D3s/D4--depending on how big you plan to print your images. But that hesitation is based on the limited info you provided in your original post. Is there something that Nikon offers that your current setup with Canon is lacking?

+1, I couldn't have said it better.
That new Canon 500/4 IS II is enough of a reason alone to stay in the Canon camp, even if it is $1500.00 more then the Nikon 500/4.

Feb 20, 2013 at 01:22 PM

Two23
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · Help me think through a possible switch

I would sit tight for a few more months. Nikon is overdue for releasing an updated D7000, and a D300 for that matter. Either would be the best camera available for wildlife. The main thing Nikon has over Canon is a great iTTL flash system. The main negative about Nikon is their repair service has gotten way out of line expensive and the service has earned a reputation for being sucky.

Kent in SD

Feb 20, 2013 at 01:48 PM

bipock
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #11 · Help me think through a possible switch

Thanks for the input guys. I am going to go hold the d7000/d600/d800 today, maybe a d4 ($6k for a body is a little crazy to me).

While most of the lenses are the similar in quality and pricing, the longer lenses I need for wildlife aren't. There is significant savings over Canon here. Additionally, also make note that in considering this switch, I am filling a gap from 200 to 400 AND adding 500 - something I don't have to do but definately, in my mind, makes the switch worthy.

Also the 5 year warranty is an added bonus, especially when we are talking about higher end lenses.

Feb 20, 2013 at 01:51 PM

Two23
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · Help me think through a possible switch

bipock wrote:
Thanks for the input guys. I am going to go hold the d7000/d600/d800 today, maybe a d4 ($6k for a body is a little crazy to me).

.

There is no way I'd buy a $6,000 camera unless I was going to earn big money with it. They lose value SO fast, it's money better put into my retirement/travel fund. As for D7000 & D600, I'm betting you'll not see any difference in image quality between the two, and they are basically the same body. I'd just buy two D7000 (actually wait for D7100) and put that $1,000 you save towards a better lens or tripod. That would make a bigger difference than the very slight (if any) difference between the camera bodies. With cameras, you quickly lose money so my strategy has been to put more into lenses and flash. They hold value much better.

Kent in SD

Feb 20, 2013 at 02:20 PM

bipock
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #13 · Help me think through a possible switch

Well, I spent the last 1 1/2 hours looking at the D800, D600 and D7000. Very impressed by each. However, you guys would really have to convince me to go d800 over 600. I don't do alot of higher ISO (3200 is about my limit) and the FPS is HIGHER on the D600 than the D800. While ther is an apparent build quality difference, the specs for the 600 and 5D3 are extremely close. Personally, I see no need to go D800.

As a side note, I also had the opportunity to hook a Nikon 400 2.8 to both the D600 and D7000. AF was very impressive and truly continuous as I went MFD to infinity and back to MFD. Never once missed a beat.

The 70-200 f4 is a sweet little piece too.

Now the internal debate begins.

Kent in SD - I agree on the D4. Can't justify the cost vs. benefit in the extra coin. But I do love a FF camera so I can't walk away from the D600.

Feb 20, 2013 at 03:37 PM

VinnieJ
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #14 · Help me think through a possible switch

bipock wrote:
Well, I spent the last 1 1/2 hours looking at the D800, D600 and D7000. Very impressed by each. However, you guys would really have to convince me to go d800 over 600. I don't do alot of higher ISO (3200 is about my limit) and the FPS is HIGHER on the D600 than the D800. While ther is an apparent build quality difference, the specs for the 600 and 5D3 are extremely close. Personally, I see no need to go D800.

If you use a battery grip + some AA batteries and use the D800 in crop mode (15MP) you will achieve 6FPS as well.

I'm not trying to convince you to get the D600 over the D800, just wanted to add an extra point.

Feb 20, 2013 at 03:56 PM

matt4626
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #15 · Help me think through a possible switch

The yen/dollar exchange rate is making both Nikon and Canon a little crazy these days...it will calm down = lower prices....IMHO...

Feb 20, 2013 at 03:56 PM

bipock
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #16 · Help me think through a possible switch

VinnieJ wrote:
If you use a battery grip + some AA batteries and use the D800 in crop mode (15MP) you will achieve 6FPS as well.

I'm not trying to convince you to get the D600 over the D800, just wanted to add an extra point.

Fair enough. I was not aware of that.

Feb 20, 2013 at 04:06 PM

Dustin Gent
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #17 · Help me think through a possible switch

My buddy shot with a D7000 (I am actually selling it for him) for several years. He used a Tokina 11-16 for most of the time, but then bought a 16-35 in September. He now has a D600 and he said it is quite a step up, in terms of IQ, over the D7000. The bodies are pretty similar.

Feb 20, 2013 at 04:07 PM

Two23
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #18 · Help me think through a possible switch

I think you now have your answer. The just announced d7100 is perfect for what you want. Not only is it lower priced than a D600, it looks like it's at least two notches better too! Better autofocus, more resoultion, faster frames per second, better better better!

Kent in SD

Feb 21, 2013 at 05:25 AM

KibblesNbitz
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #19 · Help me think through a possible switch

Yeah, your timing is perfect on the newly announced D7100 (as of tonight)

Feb 21, 2013 at 06:03 AM

James R
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #20 · Help me think through a possible switch

You need to buy the camera that fits you. For me, the file size of the D800 can be a computing issue and a blessing when it comes to cropping. Make sure you don't have oil issues with the D600. That seemed to piss-off many buyers.

Good luck.

Feb 21, 2013 at 06:04 AM

1 2 end
FM Forums \| Nikon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end