Hello all,

I have been using Canon for the last 6 years, quite new really. Have owned and used many different bodies and lenses (L or otherwise). My latest full frame was the classic 5D and of course was a great camera, but I often find focus can be slow (regardless of lens), and the shutter is slow as well.

I still have 40D and a couple of L lenses, but for the full frame, after reading many reviews, am interested to try the Nikon.

Anyway, I am thinking of buying D700. I also thinking of the 24-70 f2.8 lens. The Canon 24-70L is a really nice lens but is really heavy for me (I am a very petit person), and so I ended up selling it. Is the Nikon 24-70 just the same?

I am also thinking of starting of with the 50mm f1.4. I have been trying all canon 50mm with my 5D without much of satisfaction, and thus looking forward to try the Nikon combo.

Any comment will be appreciated.

/ansye

The Nikon 24-70 is a heavy lens. It is about 930 grams or so, which is almost twice the weight of the 85/1.4.

Both 24-70 lenses are about the same weight, the IQ of the Nikon is a little better.
The 50/1.4 versions of Nikon and Canon are about the same.
I don't know about the 50/1.8
There's no (AF) 50/1.2 in Nikons line-up, the Canon is quite good IMHO.

The IQ of the D700 is a little better than the 5D, everything else is way better on the D700.
Nikon's CLS (creative lightning system) is something else to look forward to.

This has been my experience coming from a 5D and 24-70L to the D700 and 24-70G, you'll get more speed and the IQ of the 24-70G is a step above the Canon in my case. It's also a heavy lens, longer and thinner. I don't see any difference in camera IQ at the lower ISO's I normally work at, a lot of people buy the D700 for it's high ISO capabilities...also be aware the interface and ergonomics are different I'm still turning dials the wrong direction and I'm not sure it will ever be intuitive. I made the change as I shoot stock and need a do it all type camera body which is what the D700 is (IMHO).Do try to rent before buying and carry the combo around for a few hours.

If you are looking for a nice 50mm, don't forget to look at the Sigma 50mm 1.4.
Amazing little lens. And not just from a price / performance ratio aspect. Many people rate it higher than either the Canon or Nikon 50mm 1.4

The D700 is a wonderful camera and is much better than the 5D / 5D II in my opinion. As for lenses, Nikon's zoom lenses are great and the primes are sweet too. The 50 1.8 is a great little lens for the price. The metering and flash systems with Nikon are much better than Canon's, which is a major reason why I switched to Nikon. Renting is a great option to see if you like the Nikon setup.

thedruid wrote:
I'm still turning dials the wrong direction and I'm not sure it will ever be intuitive..

There are custom functions that can reverse most of these things for you....

When compared to the variable-aperture lenses usually sold to consumers, the 24-70 is very heavy. When compared to other fixed-aperture f/2.8 pro lenses, it's either very reasonable or even rather light. Try one out in a camera store, there's no real way to know whether you will or will not like the feel/weight/balance of the lens until you hold it.

thedruid wrote:
also be aware the interface and ergonomics are different I'm still turning dials the wrong direction and I'm not sure it will ever be intuitive

I went from Canon to Nikon. Yes, it is confusing in the beginning when the lens unmounts the other way and all the wheels and EV scales are the other way around, but after a few weeks I was just fine. It is now the other way around, if I get my hands on a Canon body everything seems backwards.

I had the same stuff as you and to appease my friend (long time Nikon user), I bought the D700, 14-24, 24-70 and 80-200 afs. Couldn't be happier and ~INDEED focus is much better (esp. important for sports and kids).... You wont regret it! Built is also better, with weathersealing and a generally better feel. Prepare for some study time as the manual is an inch thick....

Thank you all for the replies. It is great to learn from people who have gone through the same dilemma.
The 14-24 and 24-70 are not cheap though. I suppose I need to do some saving for all of these great lenses.

Excited for the prospect of exciting photos adventure again.

Regards,
ansye

I didn't see anyone mention that we regularly see Canon owners buying NIkon lenses and using them with an adapter. The main reason I've heard for switching Canon--> Nikon is to get Nikon's flash system. If flash isn't a big deal for you, not sure if you'll benefit. Nikon has some superb lenses (mentioned above,) but also has some gaping holes in lens line up (no pro f4 VR lenses for starters.) As always, I advise looking at photo gear as a SYSTEM, not pieces.


Kent in SD

PS--
I too consider the Sigma 50mm f1.4
the best one available for Nikon.

When the EOS1 MK2 came out there were plenty of long time Nikon users that switched to Canon..... ah...... I switched from Nikon D1 & D2H to the EOS1D and have all L glass... (1) 16-35L 2.8, (2) 24-70 2.8L, (2) 70-200L 2.8L IS, 300 2.8L IS and a 400 2.8L IS. In my opinion Canon L glass has been superior to Nikon's offerings for a very long time. I have an EOS1D, an EOS1D MK3, a 30D and an EOS1Ds MK3. I really think Nikon was playing catch up in the lens area as well.... but with the latest offerings from Nikon in pro glass, they have at least a couple lens that are as good as Canon's L glass. I recently shot a friends D3x with a 400 2.8 vr mounted and was thoroughly impressed.......
greg in IA

I don't find the 24-70 to be overly heavy. Obviously if you got a 50 or 35 prime you'd have much less weight but the Nikon 24-70 balances and fits nicely in my hands and seems light as I shoot a lot with a 70-200 which is significantly heavier.

bwield wrote:
If you are looking for a nice 50mm, don't forget to look at the Sigma 50mm 1.4.
Amazing little lens. And not just from a price / performance ratio aspect. Many people rate it higher than either the Canon or Nikon 50mm 1.4


+1 - I love my little 50

I have enjoyed my switch from canon 5d to nikon d700 over a year ago now.

For me the d700 is simply a better camera, and apart from tryng to twist the lenses the wrong way - even now - I have had zero problems. Nikon AF seems better.

Downside is the smaller range of lenses - so check the lenses you would switch to to ensure you'll be happy afterwards. Don't rely on rumours of news lenes - only deal with lenses in stor now! I speak as someone really missing a 35mm f1.4 equivalent.

The nikon 50mm f1.4G is a great lens. Only had it for a few weeks but the images a top notch, the bokeh is good, and the only downside is the AF isn't as bullet fast as other AFS lenses. But it is not slow - unless you shoot sports, or something similar.

I should add that i too thought the 24-70 f2.8 nikkor - which I still own in canon - was too heavy and big for my usage. I wanted a convenient zoom for travelling and events, and went for the 24-85 f2.8-4. It is not as good as the more expensive lens, but I found it not far off, and of course it fit my requirements for a well-built, fast aperture, but smaller, lighter lens.

Diglloyd rates the Nikon/Sigma/Zeiss 50 f1.4 pretty much a draw which says to me buy the Nikon
Tim

It seems that the lens is a factor of concern or at least to think about.
I did mention that I still have my Canon 40D with 70-200 Lf4, and 17-55, but I want a FF with prime 50mm, and maybe 85 and 135, and the 12-24 sounds amazing. I have been trying all canon 50mm (including 3 copies of 50L, sigma and canon 1.4/1.8) but there is something that missing I thought.

Anyway, I like a lot to see Nikon pictures, thus I will try Nikon for the FF.

Again, thank you all for your comments.