Canon to Nikon advice

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Matt
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95% sure I am going to make the switch from Canon to Nikon but would appreciate some advice on how to go about it. So, here’s the background:

At the moment I mostly shoot indoor/low light portraits of my wife, our son, his cousins and family events/occasions. My most used lenses are the 50 f/1.8 and the 70-200 f/4L on 500d.

I would like to go full frame at some point but, do I take two birds with one stone and go full frame now (D700?) or go for a crop body (D300?) and get some decent glass before going full frame?

I should probably add that I will be taking up landscape photography at some point this year to satisfy a long time itch ( I love walking and live on doorstep of the lake district) so will probably want a wide-ish lens available.

Budget will be £2500. For the initial change over.

I'm in no hurry to make the swap, I want to make sure i have a plan before making the plunge, and where better to ask advice than a forum full of people in the know!

Matt
 
First question I'd ask is what are you not getting from your current Canon kit or subsequent body / lens upgrade that Nikon will give you? What are your reasons for wanting to switch?
 
Hi Matt for £2500 you can easily go full frame D700 route if you dont mind buying quality used

D700 £12-1300
Prime = 50mm f/1.8 £80 new
Wideangle = Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 = £250 (CURRENTLY ONE FOR SALE ON HERE FOR £225)
Mid range zoom = Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 = £250 (Can be had cheaper)
Longer zoom several options = Nikon 70-300mm VR f/4.5-5.6 = £260-300, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 £300-£450 depending on model and for an extra £80 add a Sigma 1.4x extender, Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D £400-£600 depending on model

It all adds up to under your budget, all the glass mention are top quality lenses and none are to be considered a second best option but be careful with the Sigme 70-200mm as some later models have QC issues, try before buying the Sigma.

If youre prudent in buying your lenses you could actually swing a brand new D700
 
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I think the question is, why are you looking to change?

Whats wrong with your Canon kit?
 
Hi Ray, thanks for your interest.
I guess I'm just not happy with the quality of low light/high iso images on the current body. To the point where I have threatened to give in out of frustration. This is where my wife stepped in and
suggested a change so i started looking at upgrade options, looking at the Nikon range and doing some research.

Since then Im convinced that the low light ability and highly regarded focusing system are something I'd like to try out for myself.

I havnt tied myself into Canon with any great amount of kit so why not give it a go?
 
I use the 500d and u haven't encountered much of a noise problem. In any event, the higher quality canons will deal with noise better so why not try upgrading within canon? 5d mkii perhaps?

To me, given you have invested in canon glass, it makes more sense to take a look at upgrading within canon before moving to Nikon.
 
Speaking as a Nikon user don't change just for changes sake.

Investigate other options in the Canon line up first.

If you still feel you need to change then the D700 will give you the high ISO low noise you seek.

If you want a good portrait lens on your budget then the Nikon 28-70 (it was the lens in that range before the 24-70 came out f2.8 will give you remarkable quality for around £600.

This still leaves funds for a flash and a 50mm f1.4.
Possibly a siggy 70-200 2.8 as well.
 
Switching systems needn't cost money, ive had over 10k invested in Canon gear and made the switch back and forth to Nikon twice without losing a single penny in either direction.
 
Switch from Olympus to Nikon not to long back,no regreats.

I would go for full frame the D700,then see what lens you can afford after that.

I would aim for the 24-70mm Nikon F 2.8 & maybe an 50mm F1.4 to start with :)
 
Nothing wrong with Canon whatsover, you just happened to have all the wrong tools for the job.

You need f/2.8 zooms for indoors, or faster primes, 50/1.8 is not very good, and 500D is certainly not up to that sort of job. Look at 1-series for example.
 
You got the glass, buy a 5D II and you are done? The D700 is supposed to be absolutely amazing on high ISO but the 5D II is not far behind and certainly better than your 500D. If you want to try a Nikon body hire it don't swap cause it will lose money swapping.
 
vrapan said:
You got the glass, buy a 5D II and you are done? The D700 is supposed to be absolutely amazing on high ISO but the 5D II is not far behind and certainly better than your 500D. If you want to try a Nikon body hire it don't swap cause it will lose money swapping.
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+1 re buying a 5D mkII. Get. Quality used one and have loads left over for some lovely glass to complement your already lovely 70-200.
 
Hmm since you seem to be doing alot of low light, family work, why not invest in something like a 5D MKII and perhaps some fast prime lenses to go with it ?

You have the 70-200 F4 which is useful, but a stop slower than the F2.8 cousin, good glass, for portrait work, well you have the likes of the 85mm F1.2 L or the 50mm F1.2 L

Cheers,

Andrew
 
Another vote for a 5D MkII plus some additional lenses to compliment the nice ones you already have.
 
Seems like either way you're going to be selling all your kit.

So I don't think it makes any difference which brand you buy. Just find a camera and lenses that suit your requirements, buy it, then sell your old kit.

your choice on which Nikon is a no brainer if you want the high indoor ISO.... Got to be D700.
 
I think nikon d700 2nd hand and 28-70 lens/85mm 1.4d for portrait and/or 18-35mm lens for lanscape.I have made the switch from nikon d300 to nikon d700 recently and i have no regrets.
 
Wow, thanks for all the advice and ideas so far, really appreciate it.

So far then I have established that it is going to be a move to full frame for definite, its just a question of deciding which system.

What is swaying my decision towards D700 as opposed to the 5d is the AF system. I'm thinking about when the little ones have stated running around, what is the 5d's 9 AF points like in this situation compared with the d700's 51 AF points?

Thanks again for all the input.
 
I think that at the moment the D700 looks alot better camera, good also for a long term choice.

Compared to Nikon the Canon looks kinda old, and the 5DmkIII (if it happens) is going to be expensive.
 
D7000 16mp low light demon.D300 complete no,no.D700 will give one stop more on the iso over the d7000.Never go full frame with Nikon unless you are desperate for the extra stop or two the full fame can give, mp count is to low.
My experience comes from using a D3s and a D7000.The D7000 is a fantastic camera.See what Ken Rockwell has to say. Most of these boxing shots were taken at 6400 iso with a D7000. http://iwantpics.co.uk/09-12-11 City Hall Hull.html D300 is an old camera now.:cool:
 
Hi, I am new in photography. And may I know *** the different between full frame and crop?? :-) thanks
 
kestral said:
D7000 16mp low light demon.D300 complete no,no.D700 will give one stop more on the iso over the d7000.Never go full frame with Nikon unless you are desperate for the extra stop or two the full fame can give, mp count is to low.
My experience comes from using a D3s and a D7000.The D7000 is a fantastic camera.See what Ken Rockwell has to say.
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What a load of old [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] you spout and if you take seriously what uncle Kens says about the D7000 seriously then theres no hope left in this world, never go full frame Nikon my backside. :cuckoo: and for your information i used to get A3 prints from an old 4mp Canon 1D and my current 12mp photos are often seen on the back of buses and one has even been used at 36ft x9ft

And the first time you drop your plastic D7000 you'll wish you had a D700
 
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Gary Coyle said:
What a load of old [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] you spout and if you take seriously what uncle Kens says about the D7000 seriously then theres no hope left in this world, never go full frame Nikon my backside. :cuckoo: and for your information i used to get A3 prints from an old 4mp Canon 1D and my current 12mp photos are often seen on the back of buses and one has even been used at 36ft x9ft

And the first time you drop your plastic D7000 you'll wish you had a D700
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This. I mean the D7000 is great (my main body for the moment), but the D700 is just in a different league.

And Uncle Ken will also tell you that megapixels don't matter.
 
kestral said:
D7000 16mp low light demon.D300 complete no,no.D700 will give one stop more on the iso over the d7000.Never go full frame with Nikon unless you are desperate for the extra stop or two the full fame can give, mp count is to low.
My experience comes from using a D3s and a D7000.The D7000 is a fantastic camera.See what Ken Rockwell has to say. Most of these boxing shots were taken at 6400 iso with a D7000. http://iwantpics.co.uk/09-12-11%20City%20Hall%20Hull.html D300 is an old camera now.:cool:
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I appreciate your point regarding the lower mp count but all due respect, it's only 4mp difference.
I do like a quality framed print as much as the next person but my house just isn't big enough to print, frame and hang them all, especially not poster size.
 
As far as Nikon goes do nothing right now...you said you are not in a hurry so wait a few months and see what new cameras are out and what that does to second hand D700 prices. Firstly the D700 and D300s have officially been discontinued in Japan (not sure if that's the case here yet) so it is assumed a new model is imminent. There is talk that the D800 is going to be a higher MP full frame body so will not have the low light prowess of the D700 but that's all speculation. Nikon's new pro body the D4 is due to hit the shelves next month but is apparently on back order...this will mean there will be a lot of D3's and D3's hitting the used market. My guess is that in a few months the D3s will be available second hand for under £2.5k which will push
D700's down to £1000 mark.

I currently have a D7000 and am looking to go full frame myself...I photograph very similar subjects to you! And yes they do move quickly! Good luck.

You could use that time to be opportunistic in the classifieds on here for some nice glass.
 
Beardy said:
As far as Nikon goes do nothing right now...you said you are not in a hurry so wait a few months and see what new cameras are out and what that does to second hand D700 prices. Firstly the D700 and D300s have officially been discontinued in Japan (not sure if that's the case here yet) so it is assumed a new model is imminent. There is talk that the D800 is going to be a higher MP full frame body so will not have the low light prowess of the D700 but that's all speculation. Nikon's new pro body the D4 is due to hit the shelves next month but is apparently on back order...this will mean there will be a lot of D3's and D3's hitting the used market. My guess is that in a few months the D3s will be available second hand for under £2.5k which will push
D700's down to £1000 mark.

I currently have a D7000 and am looking to go full frame myself...I photograph very similar subjects to you! And yes they do move quickly! Good luck.

You could use that time to be opportunistic in the classifieds on here for some nice glass.
Click to expand...

Interesting thoughts regarding s/hand prices.

Can't access the classifieds yet as I don't have enough posts which is a bit frustrating.
 
Gary Coyle said:
What a load of old [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] you spout and if you take seriously what uncle Kens says about the D7000 seriously then theres no hope left in this world, never go full frame Nikon my backside. :cuckoo: and for your information i used to get A3 prints from an old 4mp Canon 1D and my current 12mp photos are often seen on the back of buses and one has even been used at 36ft x9ft

And the first time you drop your plastic D7000 you'll wish you had a D700
Click to expand...

You put that so much better than I could Gary :D

I have seen some great stuff from a 4mp D2H ;)
 
Bell said:
Interesting thoughts regarding s/hand prices.

Can't access the classifieds yet as I don't have enough posts which is a bit frustrating.
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Try MPB they have a banner ad at the top of the pages here ... somewhere ... they have a good stock of used kit :thumbs:

It's all over priced tat in the classifieds anyway ... you are not missing anything ... honestly :D
 
Thanks Martyn, I'll have a look.
 
Bell said:
Interesting thoughts regarding s/hand prices.

Can't access the classifieds yet as I don't have enough posts which is a bit frustrating.
Click to expand...

You could also e a look at Ffordes , they have a good selection of used kit. A lot of people seem to think the D700 will hold it's value second hand but I just don't see it...certainly won 't be going up in price!
 
kestral said:
D7000 16mp low light demon.D300 complete no,no.D700 will give one stop more on the iso over the d7000.Never go full frame with Nikon unless you are desperate for the extra stop or two the full fame can give, mp count is to low.
My experience comes from using a D3s and a D7000.The D7000 is a fantastic camera.See what Ken Rockwell has to say. Most of these boxing shots were taken at 6400 iso with a D7000. http://iwantpics.co.uk/09-12-11%20City%20Hall%20Hull.html D300 is an old camera now.:cool:
Click to expand...

Nearly fell off my wooden leg when I read this !!!!!
 
Bell said:
So far then I have established that it is going to be a move to full frame for definite, its just a question of deciding which system.

What is swaying my decision towards D700 as opposed to the 5d is the AF system. I'm thinking about when the little ones have stated running around, what is the 5d's 9 AF points like in this situation compared with the d700's 51 AF points?

Thanks again for all the input.
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Dont worry about the D700's AF system, its bang on, its not quite D3S but i shoot my chosen sport at the highest possible leven including recent internationals and as a second body with a Nikon 70-200mm attached i cant complain, its been good enough to get me published in the 2 RL trades every week, local, regional and National papers so dont listen to the guffaw spouted by a couple of numpties who either dont own one or dont know how to use one.

Ive owned a 5DII and its AF is as far removed from the D700's as is possible, 3FPS as well on the 5DII compared to 8FPS with the D700 and grip
 
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@ Gary - Thats very interesting to hear and may sway me.

This is exactly the thread I've been looking for as I'm finding myself in the same boat.

What I want
- full frame
- more usable iso than a 40d
- shutter sync of 1/250th
- Good low light AF performance
- Fast AF for running kids
- Dual card slots for security

Lenses to be used
- 100mm macro IS f2.8 (I own canons non L version)
- 24-70 f2.8 (I own canons L version)
- 70-200 f2.8 IS
- 85mm 1.4

If changing to Nikon I would also need a nikon backup camera as I'd rather not carry 2 systems around with me.
I have a Canon 430ex
I have triggers and receivers for lights that are canon specific.

It seems to be a case of buying a 1dx or jumping over to Nikon D700 (depending on how each camera feels in my hands).

It will be interesting to see if the D800 is announced next week as predicted.

Am I mad to consider the change also?
I really hope its not an expensive green grass scenario.
 
Gary Coyle said:
What a load of old [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] you spout and if you take seriously what uncle Kens says about the D7000 seriously then theres no hope left in this world, never go full frame Nikon my backside. :cuckoo: and for your information i used to get A3 prints from an old 4mp Canon 1D and my current 12mp photos are often seen on the back of buses and one has even been used at 36ft x9ft

And the first time you drop your plastic D7000 you'll wish you had a D700
Click to expand...

Thanks for you comments.You are entitled to your own opinion all the best take care.:love:
 
Ive been looking at this thread now ...Ive got a D90 and the iso at 3200 is proper pants never mind 6400...1600 is poo so the limit is 800..
Im also looking at full frame..either the canon 5d mkii or the nikon D700.
For me the D700 wins as its a little btter at focusing in low light and also a better iso quality..the 5dmkii isnt far behind the D700 tho as the higher MP makes up for it and if you use photoshop there is no difference.

I hired both out and found the D700 lacking in depth in pictures whereas the 5d had a lot of nice colours,more true to life but again photoshop took care of the D700 photos..
Im waiting on the D800 now as both the canon and nikon are coming offline now. so we will see what happens...and going ff ,i dont want to go back to DX..the quality is so much better. Even tho the D90 is a quality camera.
 
Ok, so I've been doing some homework on used lenses (thanks for all the suggestions) and have come up with two possible options that I think will suit what I'm after.

Option 1.
£1400 should get me a quality used D700

£900 Nikon 24-70 2.8 (general portrait + gives me wide-ish starting point for landscapes)

Leaves me with £200, add this to the £500 which i can save by May and I could find myself a nice used 70-200 2.8 VR

Option 2.
£1400 should get me a quality used D700

£900 for 50 1.4g and 16-35 f4 VR (gives me the faster speed with 1.4 and wider landscape lens)

Again, get the 70-200 2.8 VR in May.

Any opinions? Am i being a bit optimistic with the prices?

P.S I'd like to reassure you that I have full permission from the wife so no one will get hurt during this upgrade process. :)
 
i have the d700 and the d300 and its a great combo, my next upgrade will be the d300 to the d400(hopefully) as the d700 is just an awsome camera, people keep saying only 12 mps but it means nothing when you take an image identical witth the d700 and the 5dmk2 and crop the same bit and upscale the d700 to match the 5dmmk2, you will just go wow theres nothing in it, the d700 beats the 5dmk2 in every way apart from the mps which is nothing.
dont discount the 50afd 1.8 its a great little lens and can be had for £80/100.
 
Little bit optimistic getting a 70-200mm VR for £700 but you will probably pick up the D700 £1-200 cheaper than £1400 so add that to the 70-200mm pot and youre there
Bell said:
Ok, so I've been doing some homework on used lenses (thanks for all the suggestions) and have come up with two possible options that I think will suit what I'm after.

Option 1.
£1400 should get me a quality used D700

£900 Nikon 24-70 2.8 (general portrait + gives me wide-ish starting point for landscapes)

Leaves me with £200, add this to the £500 which i can save by May and I could find myself a nice used 70-200 2.8 VR

Option 2.
£1400 should get me a quality used D700

£900 for 50 1.4g and 16-35 f4 VR (gives me the faster speed with 1.4 and wider landscape lens)

Again, get the 70-200 2.8 VR in May.

Any opinions? Am i being a bit optimistic with the prices?

P.S I'd like to reassure you that I have full permission from the wife so no one will get hurt during this upgrade process. :)
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