jshowyin
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 p.2 #9 · Starting from scratch with Nikon | |
Hello All,
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post and share your accumulated wisdom. Much appreciated and it has given me some things to ponder and new avenues to explore.
Just to clarify a couple of things:
* I still have a lot to learn re: photography, but I have been shooting for a couple of years with Canon, starting an EOS 300 (film SLR), I think it was, and a 50E (models could have diff names here Stateside, but that's what they were called in Australia) and with a 1D MkI / XSi combo at the end. So while I accept there will be a learning curve with the controls of a Nikon DSLR, I am not at the 'learn basic photography 101' stage. Also no real desire to go back to film.
* re: Nikon 24-70mm - I know this by all accounts is a fantastic lens, however, I am mainly looking for a zoom to be a walk around lens for when photography is not the main purpose of being out and about. When I have the opportunity to be more purposeful with my photography, eg. meet up with friends with the intention of taking their portraits, then I would prefer to go with a pair of nice fast primes. On a related note, I used to use the Canon 28-70L on my 1D and 1D MkII bodies. Loved the combo, but after about 1.5 years of carting it around everywhere decided to get a second lighter/smaller body for travel and family outings. Ended up with a XSi with a Canon 50/1.4 mounted on the front. Weighed about 1/3 of the weight of the 1D/28-70L rig, could fit in a much smaller bag, ended up taking it way more places and ended up with an even greater number of pics of my two young daughters. So, while I am sure that a D700/24-70 combo can and would produce great results, for my needs I am fairly certain I will pick up the Tamron 28-75 - lighter weight, decent to excellent IQ and much cheaper, giving me more money to invest in my primes.
* While not light compared to some of the other bodies available in the Canon and Nikon ranges, the weight of the D700 will not be a burden (used to shooting with the 1D). My intention is to use the D700 as my sole camera body.
* I have considered the D300 and haven't ruled it out completely at this stage. However, I don't really shoot anything requiring a lot of reach, so the 1.5x is not really a factor. High ISO performance is one of the key things that draws me to the D700.
* If I do make the move to Nikon, one of the other main factors will be the 51-pt AF. So the Nikon DX cameras, other than the D300, have no real appeal.
* I agree with the suggestions that investment should be made primarily in good glass. Would I be way off base suggesting from the little I know that much of Nikon's best glass can be found in their zooms and wide angle stuff? (neither of which holds great interest for me. Maybe I should just stick with Canon 
* I am not jumping on the D700 bandwagon purely to have the latest and greatest DSLR, although I will concede that for many people's uses it may very well be the latter. I have always bought used in the past and will buy my gear based on what is available that lets me take the pictures I want to take. If I was in my current situation 1-2 years from now and the D700's successor was the current model, buying a used D700 would almost be a no brainer. Alternatively, if the Canon 5D had better AF performance I would have already purchased a used one of them and I wouldn't be typing this now (5D MkII holds no real appeal for me as the AF is no better and I have no real need for the extra MP of the original MkI). My gear journey thus far has been as follows:
- about 5 years ago bought a whole Canon 10D kit from a guy who was giving up photography - 10D, 420EX, Sigma fish, Bigma (50-500), Canon 20-35, Canon 50/1.4, plus a couple of bags, accessories, monopod and a tripod. Turned around and sold what I didn't need. Came out about $1500 in front, while keeping the 10D, 50mm and flash.
- after about 1.5 years got a great deal on a used 1D MkII. Purchased it and sold the 10D.
- Got a chance to try the 1D MkI and realised that 4MP were plenty, when the files were as gorgeous as the ones coming out of that sensor. Sold my MkII, bought a MkI and pocketed about $1250 to put into lenses down the track.
- along the way owned quite a few different lenses, settling on the following lineup - Canon 50/1.4 and 85/1.8, Sigma 150 Macro, 580EX, 28-70/2.8L.
- got a chance to play with a Canon 5D for an extended period of time - bought it for a friend back home in Australia when the Aussie dollar was really strong. Got to use it for 4 months before heading home for a visit and reluctantly delivering it to him.
- bought a XSi last year as a walk around camera. Ended up selling the 28-70L to fund another hobby (a guitar).
- break-in at our house in May 09 and here I am.
* Will probably hold off on investing in a flash unit for now to save a few dollars to put into lenses.
Didn't mean for this post to get so lengthy. Thanks again for all your input.
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DX is fine, but not in this case at the mentioned price tag and FL coverage.