Ok, so having tried out the 5Dmk2 and being a little let down with the autofocus ( don't get me wrong, I think it is a hell of a camera ) I decided maybe I should give Nikon a try now that they have an affordable full frame D700.
Here is my problem. I am fully vested in Canon right now and don't want to take a huge loss and have no idea what the pricing is for good Nikon glass. The thing that attracts me most to Nikon is the superior auto focus and from what I hear more reliable flash system.
I have heard that the Canon glass is supposedly better than Nikon which is another hesitation I have because I do love my fast primes, so if anyone could give me an opinion in looking at my current gear lineup what I would be able to get as a Nikon alternative I would greatly appreciate it.
Here is what I have:
2x 5d's with grips and about 12 batteries
Canon 85 1.2L version 1
Canon 35 1.4L
Canon 50 1.8
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS
Canon 17-40 f/4L
Tamron 28-75 2.8
Sigma 70-200 2.8
Sigma 1.4x TC
2x Canon 580EX flashes
My most used lenses are the 85L and 35L and I absolutely love them. Are there Nikon versions that are equally as good?
Based on used prices right now I could get around $8k for my Canon gear, what could I get in Nikon gear for that amount? I would Like to get 2 D700's eventually but could live with a D700 and D300.
I switched, but I'm a zoom shooter. You've got amazing glass, so I suggest you wait until after PMA in March to see what new body Canon comes out with that may address your autofocus needs.
Yeah I was thinking of waiting to see what they come up with, but the reason I am considering the switch now is because I have 2 months before my next wedding in March, so if I am going to do it now is the perfect time so I can get used to the different system.
I love the 5D but at times hate the auto focus, I do mainly weddings and low light reception dancing shots can be very frustrating with the 5D. I do think the 5D2 is a great camera I just wish they would have improved the auto focus.
mourningshadow wrote:
My most used lenses are the 85L and 35L and I absolutely love them. Are there Nikon versions that are equally as good?
-Aaron
That's the kicker. Nikon does not make a f/1.2 autofocus lens. Their 85mm f/1.4 is a beauty, the closest they make to the 35L is the now discontinued 28mm f/1.4 AF, they run around $3K on ebay. Nikon does not have a wide angle fast prime solution at this time other than the 35mm f/2, which is less than exciting IMHO.
The D700's ISO performance does make shooting with an f/2.8 zoom on the wide end very viable though.
stop wasting money by switching and you may probably switch back why not using both system for a change. If I am you I would sell the sigma 70-200 and tc since it is overlap also sell 1 of the 5D and 1 flash. then get the D700 and nikon 85 f1.4 to try out if that is what you want then, sure sell the 85 f1.2 to buy whatever else you like
The D700 suffers some of the same problems as the 5D in the AF department, so I would highly recommend you try one out before you make the switch. The D700's AF is more flexible and "better" in a lot of conditions, but in one key aspect - the reliability of the off-center AF points in a wide variety of contrast situations - it's just as bad. The problem is that Nikon grouped the 15 cross-type AF points in a 3x5 array in the center of the AF spread. So if you're not using one of those points and the contrast you're focusing on is going the "wrong" way, you're hosed - just like you would be with a 5D.
Nikon needs to fix this issue before they can genuinely claim they're running with the big boys, imo.
FWIW, this is coming from a guy who just made the switch himself - most recently from a 1D Mark III (which I loved) and a 40D (which I hated).
I have used the 5D for 2 years, and did a lost of testing of a friend's D700, and IMHO the D700 is *much* better in the AF department, including the off-center (even if it is true that the cross types are clustered in the center), and tracking. In fact I am currently debating whether to get a 5D2 or a D700 with a couple of Nikkors (14-24 ad 24-70/2.8). I will probably wait to see if Nikon releases a D700x and if Canon release the long-awaited 3D before making any move.
Sam Bennett wrote:
The D700 suffers some of the same problems as the 5D in the AF department, so I would highly recommend you try one out before you make the switch. The D700's AF is more flexible and "better" in a lot of conditions, but in one key aspect - the reliability of the off-center AF points in a wide variety of contrast situations - it's just as bad. The problem is that Nikon grouped the 15 cross-type AF points in a 3x5 array in the center of the AF spread. So if you're not using one of those points and the contrast you're focusing on is going the "wrong" way, you're hosed - just like you would be with a 5D.
Nikon needs to fix this issue before they can genuinely claim they're running with the big boys, imo.
FWIW, this is coming from a guy who just made the switch himself - most recently from a 1D Mark III (which I loved) and a 40D (which I hated)....Show more →
Aaron, I pm'd you my phone number. I made the switch the over the past few months and had a similar investment in Canon glass. I would be happy to share my thoughts on making the switch.
I switched some time ago, I was using a
5D + 12-24 EX Sigma + 24 TSE + 35L +MPE65 + 85L + 90TSE+135L+180L+200L+2x580 EX, so at least some common points.
I actually use a D700 + 14-24 + 24-70 + 105VR + 135DC + 200 Micro + SB900, i will buy a 45 PCE in march
Some comments below
mourningshadow wrote:
Ok, so having tried out the 5Dmk2 and being a little let down with the autofocus ( don't get me wrong, I think it is a hell of a camera ) I decided maybe I should give Nikon a try now that they have an affordable full frame D700.
Here is my problem. I am fully vested in Canon right now and don't want to take a huge loss and have no idea what the pricing is for good Nikon glass. The thing that attracts me most to Nikon is the superior auto focus and from what I hear more reliable flash system.
I have heard that the Canon glass is supposedly better than Nikon which is another hesitation I have because I do love my fast primes, so if anyone could give me an opinion in looking at my current gear lineup what I would be able to get as a Nikon alternative I would greatly appreciate it. ...Show more →
Not true, some Canon glass is better, Nikon is better in other parts
Here is what I have:
2x 5d's with grips and about 12 batteries
Canon 85 1.2L version 1
The 85/1.4 is very close (I havn't bought it, I like 135mm FL on FF better)
Canon 35 1.4L
There is a MF 35/1.4 Nikon, but I'm simply using the AF-s 24-70 at the moment, a very good lens (better then the 24-70L and the 24-105 L that I had two years ago)
Canon 50 1.8
Nikon 50 mm/1.8 or Nikon 50mm/1.4
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS
Nikon70-200 VR
Canon 17-40 f/4L
Look for a second hand 17-35 AFs/2.8. While the 14-24 is a marvellous lens, it's not a 'reporters lens' like the 17-40L
Tamron 28-75 2.8
Sigma 70-200 2.8
Do you need two 70-200 2.8? Get a 135 DC instead
Sigma 1.4x TC
2x Canon 580EX flashes
2 x SB900. very good flash, with color autodetected color-filter
My most used lenses are the 85L and 35L and I absolutely love them. Are there Nikon versions that are equally as good?
My situation was quite alike. (35L and 135L). I have a replacement for the 135L (but not as good), didn't find a real replacement for the 35L. Nikon 85mm/1.4 is a very nice lens
Based on used prices right now I could get around $8k for my Canon gear, what could I get in Nikon gear for that amount? I would Like to get 2 D700's eventually but could live with a D700 and D300.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
-Aaron
I think switching would cost you too much. For 8000$, you really won't get very far...
2x 5d's with grips and about 12 batteries
Canon 85 1.2L version 1
Canon 35 1.4L
Canon 50 1.8
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS
Canon 17-40 f/4L
Tamron 28-75 2.8
Sigma 70-200 2.8
Sigma 1.4x TC
2x Canon 580EX flashes
My most used lenses are the 85L and 35L and I absolutely love them. Are there Nikon versions that are equally as good?
I recently switched the other way (D700 to 5D Mark II), primarily because of the lenses. Of all the Canon lenses you list, the only one where Nikon currently offers a comparable lens of equal quality is the 50mm f1.8
If the glass is important to you, I would recommend sticking with Canon.
i use the 85 f/1.4 and 35 f/2 on a D700. the optical quality is fine on these lenses (probably not as crisp wide open as the canon counterparts), but both are screw type lenses, so AF will not be blazingly fast like the USM on your 35L. i would rent them and try them out first. a nikon 35 1.4 AFS would be fantastic (if they made one).
on the plus side, if you do a lot of off camera lighting, you will love commander mode with the pop up flash
Doesn't sigma make a 35 1.4 that gets good reviews in a nikon mount? This might be something to look into for those that find the 35/2 to slow.
And as has been mentioned before in the 50dvs50af-s threads. Don't expect af-s to give you any significant focusing speed differences in the shorter focal lengths on a body with a big screw drive motor, ala D300/700/D3/2 ect. It will be quieter but not noticeably faster. Where Af-s picks up speed is in the longer focal lengths that have a longer focus throw.
molson wrote:
I recently switched the other way (D700 to 5D Mark II), primarily because of the lenses. Of all the Canon lenses you list, the only one where Nikon currently offers a comparable lens of equal quality is the 50mm f1.8
If the glass is important to you, I would recommend sticking with Canon.
