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Archive 2013 · D800 or EOS 6D?

snegron
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · D800 or EOS 6D?

First a disclaimer; this post is not meant to start any type of "Nikon vs. Canon" war or trolling in any way, shape or form. I truly have a legitimate question.

I am in the process of upgrading from DX finally, but I'm not sure which camera to go with; either a D800 or a Canon 6D. I currently own only Nikon gear; two D200's (one of which has less than 20 shutter actuations as I purchased it new a few years ago as a back up but never needed to use it), and two D1X's with buffer upgrades (I need to buy new batteries for them as the 4 batteries I own all reached the end of their lives).

As far as lenses I currently own the following (all Nikon):

-35mm 2.0 AF-D (I love this sharp little lens)
-50mm 1.8 AF-D
-85mm 1.8 AF-D
-180mm 2.8 AF-ED (non D version, but probably the sharpest lens I have ever used)
-300mm 4.0 AF-S
-17-55mm 2.8 AF-S DX
-28-105mm 3.5/4.5 AF-D
-80-200mm 2.8 AF-D
-Manual focus AIS: 24mm 2.8, 35mm 2.0, 50mm 1.4, 50mm 1.8, 105mm 2.5

Other Nikon gear:

-Flashes: Two SB000 speedlights
-Way too many Nikon film bodies (S2 rangefinder, F with standard prism, F with FTN Photomic finder, F2A, F3, F3HP, F100, FM2 chrome body, FM2 black body, N80, plus motor drives for all minus the S2).

Photo imaging software:

-Photoshop CS2 (I know, I should have upgraded when I had the chance; I was/am happy with this old version)

I mostly shoot people and the occasional wedding/sports and travel pics. My only true "pro" workhorse lens is the 17-55mm 2.8 DX. I haven't upgraded since my D200 because of financial issues. Now I'm ready to upgrade, but all I can spend is near the $2,700 range.

My problem is that if I go with the D800 I will have to invest in another "workhorse" lens to replace my 17-55mm 2.8 DX. That would throw me off budget. The Canon 6D comes with the 24-105mm 4.0 L IS for $2,600. All I would need to purchase would be a flash which would be considerably less than a "workhorse" lens. I have read that I can use my old 17-55mm 2.8 DX on the D800 in "DX mode", but that would defeat the purpose of going full frame.

I also have to consider upgrading imaging software as well since I doubt that Camera Raw in CS2 can open D800 or D6 NEF/RAW files. I am running an older system with XP and I really don't want to spend the money upgrading my computer just to open NEF/RAW files. I'm thinking either NX2 (if I go with the D800) or Lightroom 4 (if I go with the D6). I don't want to spend $600 on CS6.

I have considered the D600 and even the D7100, but I have read a few negative reviews on the D600 (oil on the sensor and non pro-grade body). The D7100 is DX and I am trying to go full frame.

So there you have it. I'm not sure what camera to go with due to the reasons I mentioned above. What would you suggest?

Edited on Apr 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM · View previous versions

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:07 AM

talexander
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · D800 or EOS 6D?

The 24-105 f4 has horrible bokeh from personal experience. It tends to be very nervous and does not handle background highlights well (based on when it first came out shortly after I switched to Nikon. I'd consider selling 17-55 and buying the tamron 24-70 vc 2.8. That is my current plan.

I'm using the 24-85 3.4-4.5 as a holdover right now. In tends of the canon id just say if your budget is all L glass and the latest bodies you'll be very happy but canon has always gimped the lower lenses and bodies more then nikon does for their lower end products.

I'd also consider buying used/refurb d800 since so many people seem to be selling due to d4 lust.

Tim

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:13 AM

snegron
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · D800 or EOS 6D?

talexander wrote:
The 24-105 f4 has horrible bokeh from personal experience. It tends to be very nervous and does not handle background highlights well (based on when it first came out shortly after I switched to Nikon. I'd consider selling 17-55 and buying the tamron 24-70 vc 2.8. That is my current plan.

I'm using the 24-85 3.4-4.5 as a holdover right now. In tends of the canon id just say if your budget is all L glass and the latest bodies you'll be very happy but canon has always gimped the lower lenses and bodies more then nikon does for their...Show more →

Thanks Tim! I hadn't really thought about getting a used D800. I have read in several places about the lower end Canon glass lack of quality issue. I have never used a Canon camera other than an old AE1 film body once, so I have no experience with their lenses. Thanks for the heads up on the 24-105. Definitely something I need to research some more.

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:23 AM

m_appeal
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · D800 or EOS 6D?

You can sell the 17-55... The Tamron 24-70 VC had very inconsistent focusing on my D800 and soft corners on the wide end, so I returned it. I really like the 24-120 VR.

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:26 AM

snegron
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · D800 or EOS 6D?

m_appeal wrote:
You can sell the 17-55... The Tamron 24-70 VC had very inconsistent focusing on my D800 and soft corners on the wide end, so I returned it. I really like the 24-120 VR.

Thanks! Ironically, of all the lenses I have I would like to keep the 17-55 to use with my D200's ( love that heavy beast of a lens!). My plan would be to keep at least one of my D200's to use as a back up. Also, as far as weddings, I have thought about using the D6 for formals/ceremony shots and then using the D200 for the faster paced action shots at the reception.

I hadn't thought about other brand lenses as the only non-Nikon lens I used was a an old Sigma ( I think it was a 100-300, can't remember), and it was soft. I have heard mixed reviews about Tokina and Tamron. I will do some research into them as an alternative though (especially if I go with a 6D because I doubt I can afford any L series lenses for the time being). Thanks!

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:39 AM

form
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · D800 or EOS 6D?

I'm still trying to sell my D800. Had it since August of last year, got used for about 5 weddings then put away again. Unfortunately the blasted $200 rebates going on practically since I bought mine (but not at the time that I bought mine, of course) also push down used prices too...

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:39 AM

Grantland
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · D800 or EOS 6D?

how about . . .

sell your D200 ($300) & 17-55mm ($750) and 80-200mm 2.8 AF-D ($550) starting budget $2700 = $4300

D700 = $1200
24-70 f/2.8 AF-S = $1300
70-200 f/2.8 VRII = $1800

D700 is a great body.

Grant

Edited on Apr 13, 2013 at 11:48 AM · View previous versions

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:45 AM

m_appeal
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · D800 or EOS 6D?

snegron wrote:
Thanks! Ironically, of all the lenses I have I would like to keep the 17-55 to use with my D200's ( love that heavy beast of a lens!). My plan would be to keep at least one of my D200's to use as a back up. Also, as far as weddings, I have thought about using the D6 for formals/ceremony shots and then using the D200 for the faster paced action shots at the reception.

I hadn't thought about other brand lenses as the only non-Nikon lens I used was a an old Sigma ( I think it was a...Show more →

You may have better luck if you try another sample of the Tamron 24-70 VC. Mine was sharp at f2.8, for portraits but the focusing/corner sharpness was a let down. Sample variation is always an issue be it with third party lenses or with Nikon lately.

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:46 AM

hdavid
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · D800 or EOS 6D?

My 2 cents....

Step 1. Unload all of your DX equipment.
Step 2. Pick either the D600, or the D800 if you can. Ignore the nay-sayers of Oil on the sensor with the D600. Learn how to clean a sensor and prepared to do it once - and then seldom there-after.
Step 3. Pick up the 24-70mm F2.8 after unloading all of the lenses that get covered with this focal range. (35 and 28-105) Yes, your arm muscles will get exercise but you retain excellent sharpness.
Step 4. Pick up Lightroom when on sale.
Step 5. Enjoy.

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:50 AM

playerofwar
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · D800 or EOS 6D?

You will probably need to upgrade the ram in your pc with either.
But here, I don't see any reason to switch... 6D is like a D600, but with worse autofocus. You will really miss the sensors in the Nikons and also the pro-body feel of the D200. D800 has amazing autofocus and sensor. Body feels great in my hands and you can still use all your lenses! Like mentioned above: buy a D800 with Tamron 24-70 2.8 vc and sell the 17-55. A switch would give you nothing but trouble and it would be a downgrade from a D800. I have used the D800e for multiple events and realy realy like it. It's a very versitile camera and will do sports and tracking a lot better than a 6D. I have used both, but the 6D is just an amateur camera and not a workhorse like a D800, 5D3, D200, ...

Apr 13, 2013 at 11:56 AM

snegron
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · D800 or EOS 6D?

Grantland wrote:
how about . . .

sell your D200 ($300) & 17-55mm ($750) and 80-200mm 2.8 AF-D ($550) starting budget $2700 = $4300

D700 = $1200
24-70 f/2.8 AF-S = $1300
70-200 f/2.8 VRII = $1800

D700 is a great body.

Grant

Thanks Grant! I have never really sold any of my equipment in the past other than a D70 and that Sigma lens I mentioned earlier (both sales were in person to people I knew). I always have two main fears about selling equipment;

- I will most likely regret selling a camera or lens the moment I sell it as I'm sure I will need it!
- The only time I tried selling an old camera body on line I got a really bad vibe that the buyer was going to pull a fast one on me through PayPal.

I have heard that the 70-200 is a fantastic lens. I haven't been too unlucky with my 80-200 though other than having to send it to Nikon to repair the AF/MF button.

As far as the D700 goes, that is definitely a possibility. The only reason I have been considering a D800 is because the D700 is no longer available new.

Apr 13, 2013 at 12:01 PM

Grantland
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · D800 or EOS 6D?

i picked up a used D700 and have a D800. I love the D700.

good glass is want I always recommend. the 24-70 & 70-200 VRII will keep you set for many years.

don't hesitate thinking about used. i buy 90% of my stuff used. never a problem.

Apr 13, 2013 at 12:05 PM

snegron
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · D800 or EOS 6D?

playerofwar wrote:
You will probably need to upgrade the ram in your pc with either.
But here, I don't see any reason to switch... 6D is like a D600, but with worse autofocus. You will really miss the sensors in the Nikons and also the pro-body feel of the D200. D800 has amazing autofocus and sensor. Body feels great in my hands and you can still use all your lenses! Like mentioned above: buy a D800 with Tamron 24-70 2.8 vc and sell the 17-55. A switch would give you nothing but trouble and it would be a downgrade from a D800....Show more →

Thanks! I was thinking about going with an external hard drive with CS2 for saving cached images during workflow. Currently I don't need to do that because the NEF files of my D200 aren't really that large.

I really need to look into the Tamron 24-70 as several folks have mentioned it as a primary choice. Thanks!

Apr 13, 2013 at 12:08 PM

snegron
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · D800 or EOS 6D?

hdavid wrote:
My 2 cents....

Step 1. Unload all of your DX equipment.
Step 2. Pick either the D600, or the D800 if you can. Ignore the nay-sayers of Oil on the sensor with the D600. Learn how to clean a sensor and prepared to do it once - and then seldom there-after.
Step 3. Pick up the 24-70mm F2.8 after unloading all of the lenses that get covered with this focal range. (35 and 28-105) Yes, your arm muscles will get exercise but you retain excellent sharpness.
Step 4. Pick up Lightroom when on sale.
Step 5. Enjoy.

Logic tells me that you are 100% correct in that I should unload all my DX equipment. However, I would like to keep at least one of my D200's and that 17-55 as I absolutely love that camera/lens combo!

I currently clean the sensors on my D200 and D1X, so no problems there. My nagging gripe is that there should be no reason for oil to be on the sensor on a brand new camera. Cleaning oil from a sensor sounds like a nightmare, I have no problems wet-cleaning smudges or dust particles, but oil is another story. I haven't read too much into the D600, so I'm not sure if the oil problem is an ongoing issue or if it is just a one time inconvenience.

Apr 13, 2013 at 12:18 PM

snegron
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · D800 or EOS 6D?

Grantland wrote:
i picked up a used D700 and have a D800. I love the D700.

good glass is want I always recommend. the 24-70 & 70-200 VRII will keep you set for many years.

don't hesitate thinking about used. i buy 90% of my stuff used. never a problem.

Thanks again! I agree, good glass is the best investment when it comes to equipment purchases. If I go with the D800 I will probably stick to using the primes I have until I can afford to purchase the 24-70 or equivalent. While an expensive decision, the D800 seems to be the better choice.

Apr 13, 2013 at 12:24 PM

m_appeal
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · D800 or EOS 6D?

Nikon 24-70 f2.8 is a great lens, but very heavy to lug around. I actually like f1.8 -f1.4primes + f4 lenses better than the f2.8 lenses with the D800.

Apr 13, 2013 at 12:35 PM

rffffffff
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · D800 or EOS 6D?

A few thoughts... Dont worry about loving the D200 with 17-55. You will love the D800 so much more your old lust will die quickly. I would recommened a D800 highly, but I would also think long and hard about a D700...

the reason for this is simply your computer. Unless you plan on upgrading, its TERRIBLY slow to deal with D800 files on an old computer. I have a E7500 processor and 8gb of ram, and store my files on a relatively fast 4 drive raid 10 array, while photoshop is on a very fast SSD. Opening D800 files is like pulling teeth! I went back and processed some D7000 files the other day and I was blown away by the speed! I NEED a new computer if I am going to process files efficiently, and its something that the D700 wont do to you. You'll save a lot of hard drive space and computing requirments, and that camera is great, really great. I love my D800 a lot, but its costing me a lot more than I thought as I look at hard drives and computer parts. If the resolution isnt important, the D700 is awesome too.

Apr 13, 2013 at 01:07 PM

snegron
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · D800 or EOS 6D?

rffffffff wrote:
A few thoughts... Dont worry about loving the D200 with 17-55. You will love the D800 so much more your old lust will die quickly. I would recommened a D800 highly, but I would also think long and hard about a D700...

the reason for this is simply your computer. Unless you plan on upgrading, its TERRIBLY slow to deal with D800 files on an old computer. I have a E7500 processor and 8gb of ram, and store my files on a relatively fast 4 drive raid 10 array, while photoshop is on a very fast SSD. Opening D800 files is...Show more →

Thanks! I posted this same query on the Canon forum and interestingly many there also recommended I look into the D700. One of my biggest concerns is the older PC and image processing system I currently have. I'm not ready to upgrade to a Windows 7 system nor do really want to spend the $600 for CS6. So, I truly appreciate your feedback. I will definitely look into the D700. Thanks!

Apr 14, 2013 at 08:15 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · D800 or EOS 6D?

Not to sway you or anything, but here is a shot with the D700 + Samyang 14mm combo

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sl4Vrh7AJUE/UWDERbiRT5I/AAAAAAAAHw4/LLRi-Q-GcSA/s800/Hobbit-FallsRedux.jpg

Apr 14, 2013 at 08:32 PM

snegron
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · D800 or EOS 6D?

Wow! That is an amazing shot Dustin! Thanks for sharing! The dynamic range is incredible! I'm certain I would never be able to capture that type of image with my current D200 setup.

Looks like I will be looking more closely into a D700!

Apr 14, 2013 at 09:40 PM

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