D700 or 5D Dilemma!

gman

gman

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Been mulling this over for quite a while and although I was originally set on a Canon 5D Mk I, I've now been having a closer look at the D700 and could use some advice here! Style of photography will be studio/portrait and possibly events.

In my mind I've got it summarised like this:


Canon 5D

  • Cheaper (although 2nd hand isn't much cheaper than a new D700 now! :eek:)
  • A good quality full frame camera, especially for it's age
  • Good ISO performance (doesn't seem far off the D700 in the tests I've seen)
  • Older technology
  • I can use my Speedlite 430EX II with it
  • I've got no Canon lenses so will have to spend extra on decent lenses
  • Will need to buy a grip for it


Nikon D700

  • Not really all that expensive compared to the 5D
  • Better ISO performance
  • Faster FPS
  • Has DX crop mode so I could use my Nikon 17-55mm F2.8 lens with it which will save me having to spend a lot on a pro grade Canon lens (still good despite being a cropped sensor lens)
  • I'll have to get a new flashgun (but can sell my speedlite :))
  • Will need to buy a grip for it
  • gf's uncle has stacks of pro lenses for his D3's that I could probably borrow/inherit! hehe



Although price isn't a major factor but still important, I'm thinking it makes more sense to spend a little more and go new and get a proper warranty. The 5D MkII is too similar to the D700 as I can see but is a lot more expensive. So I think I'm leaning towards the D700 but are there any points I've missed which could make a difference?
 
I'd forget the cameras, and look at the lenses.

Its all very well comparing camera specs. but does the system you buy into have the lenses you want?

I always say worry about the glass... not the body.
 
I think the last point of your D700 list is a big one!
Let's face it, the body is the cheapest bit, it's the lenses that add up.
 
Firstly if I were you I would try to get a feel of them both. Although I now have a 5DMk2 and changed from a D3 (via a 5D) if the D700 had been around I would not have changed from Nikon to Canon and if it was not for what I have invested in lenses I may well have swapped back as I personally prefer the feel of Nikon's having used them for years.

My thoughts would be that if you have a supply of lenses available to borrow then I would go that way. You will not lose too much on your Canon flash and will be able to replace it with the money saved on buying a new standard zoom.

But, if you have the chance, try them both first!
 
I have been going through ths dilema recently, the bottom line was if I didn't have so much money invested in Canon glass I would have changed to a D700.
Reasons
The 5D is a great camera but is lacking in a few areas, it has an abismal LCD display that even with tweaking is so unlike the shot that I only bother shooting by histogram now, the D700 LCD is really crisp, not as high ISO capability, but upto it's ISO limit the 5D has very little noise issues, but the biggest issue for me is the 5D's dreadfull AF system which in all honestly if you want to mainly use centre spot focus isn't a problem, but it's outer AF points are pretty much a waste of time in all but perfect light.
All that said the 5D is still a great camera once you get use to it's few little gripes, but the deciding factor in me not switching was that the equivelent Nikon glass to replace what I have was going to cost a small fortune and certainly more than I would get if I sold all my L glass, another thing was Nikon don't make anything like the MP-E65 lens, so the only option there is either reverse mounts or raynox add on lenses, I was also finding it very hard to find a replacement for the 100-400 L, without going to Sigma who I don't like the quality of.
Bottom line if I was in your shoe's I would go get the D700 especially if you have the use of good Nikon glass, but that's just imo.
 
What would be your primary use for the camera, is probably the best thing to ask?

Having used both the 5D and D700 extensively i would say aside from the cost D700 would take my side.

- Faster FPS
- Much better build quality and weather sealing
- Better iso performance (the 5D's Hi setting is 3200 where as the D700 is 25,000) with less noise at 3200
- considerably better autofocus espicially in low light conditions as well as 51 auto focus points on the D700.

With the offer of at least borrowing pro Nikon lenses this seems like a no brainer!
 
Thanks for the replies all. I do agree that glass is more important but putting that aside I was looking at my current situation etc. Originally I was in a position in that I was going to have to invest in new glass either way but then figured as I'm spending £180 to get the 17-55mm recalibrated and then would probably sell it for £650 then it's only £470 from that sale :( Being a good lens then I could use it on the D700. Fair enough, I won't get the 17mm native wide but it's food for thought I guess! I can't rely on the gf's uncle loaning lenses as he's immensely busy. I prefer to be self sufficient but it's still a factor that's there!

Decent 5D's are fetching over £800 at the moment and that's without a grip!!!! Why are they going for so much compared to other cameras? I was also looking at the 1Ds MkII but the older style batteries put me off.

Forgot about the weather sealing, that could be important, cheers russbates. I did mention what I'd be using it for so that's probably important for outdoor stuff.

I get the feeling that Canon are increasing their prices more than Nikon which is really putting me off. I don't really know Nikon lenses all that well so looks like this is a whole new game for me to learn :)

Right, looks like the speedlite is going up for sale! lol :)


Cheers :thumbs:
 
Nikon have just announced another round of price increases coming shortly so sooner rather than later might be a good idea.
 
puddleduck said:
I'd forget the cameras, and look at the lenses.

Its all very well comparing camera specs. but does the system you buy into have the lenses you want?

I always say worry about the glass... not the body.
Click to expand...
I agree 100%, and I think it's worth stressing.....

Whilst Canon and Nikon both make some seriously good lenses, they don't make the same set of lenses. Think about what kind of lenses you want, and then check to see what the manufacturers actually offer. You might be surprised how much diffeence there is.
 
StewartR said:
Whilst Canon and Nikon both make some seriously good lenses, they don't make the same set of lenses.
Click to expand...

I think nikon seriously need to rethink their lens line up.

Theres a hell of a lot more choice in canon's line up.

70-200 f4 and 100-400 f4.5-5.6 would be a good start.
 
jerry12953 said:
Agreed, the LCD is virtually useless...
Click to expand...


Sure, it's not great for colour or brightness values but it does do everything that you really need. You can take a shot and review the histogram in full RGB, check for focus, see the full frame to check composition and it's more than good enough to spot any harsh flash shadows that might have otherwise surprised you.

We've all been too spoiled I reckon. There's not a trapeze artist anywhere with a safety net that big. :lol:
 
Hmmm, I'm having the same problem at the moment, I have been thinking about upgrading from a 30D fr a little while so today I toddled off down to Henry's (Jessops for Canada, basically!) and asked if I could handle the 5dmkII and a D700.

Now, despite the fact I already have some Canon gear (no L spec lenses, mind) I much preferred the handling of the Nikon, which took me by surprise. I've always had Canon SLR's since I was using film and expected to feel at home with the 5D in my hand, in the end the guy in the shop almost had t wrestle the D700 away from me.

The only thing that stopped me there and then was the fact that I already have Canon stuff and would have to start again. The cost is good too, because I'm living in Canada but being paid in UK pounds it works out nicely - it would have been $3900ish for the D700 with 24-120 F3.5-5.6. At the current exchange rate that's about £2300.

I have no reason to switch at all beyond the way the camera felt in my hand, which feels entirely too whimsical a reason. But if so, why can't I stop thinking about doing it...would I be mad too? Argh!!
 
IMHO, to really get the best out of the 5D or Mk II, is to use 'L' glass and nothing else.

Sigma QC is iffy and has been for a while and any optical flaw in lenses will surely show up in a decent full frame body
 
markta said:
IMHO, to really get the best out of the 5D or Mk II, is to use 'L' glass and nothing else.

Sigma QC is iffy and has been for a while and any optical flaw in lenses will surely show up in a decent full frame body
Click to expand...

This is such a myth.
There are plenty of fantastic lenses out there that aren't L glass, the 50mm f/1.8 and the Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 to name a few (and both can be purchased for under £100).

As for the Sigma QC issue, again, a myth.
It used to be, about 2 years ago, but they've well and truly resolved that now.
I remember a couple of bad copies of the 10-20 were around with soft left edges, but they were the only bad Sigma lenses I have ever seen or even heard of.
 
Just bear in mind that when you use your 17-55 On the d700 it becomes a 5mp camera, not a 12.

Didn't know if you knew that already but it's not mentioned anywhere else on this thread :D:D
 
gman said:
Thanks for the replies all. I do agree that glass is more important but putting that aside I was looking at my current situation etc. Originally I was in a position in that I was going to have to invest in new glass either way but then figured as I'm spending £180 to get the 17-55mm recalibrated and then would probably sell it for £650 then it's only £470 from that sale :( Being a good lens then I could use it on the D700. Fair enough, I won't get the 17mm native wide but it's food for thought I guess! I can't rely on the gf's uncle loaning lenses as he's immensely busy. I prefer to be self sufficient but it's still a factor that's there!

Decent 5D's are fetching over £800 at the moment and that's without a grip!!!! Why are they going for so much compared to other cameras? I was also looking at the 1Ds MkII but the older style batteries put me off.

Forgot about the weather sealing, that could be important, cheers russbates. I did mention what I'd be using it for so that's probably important for outdoor stuff.

I get the feeling that Canon are increasing their prices more than Nikon which is really putting me off. I don't really know Nikon lenses all that well so looks like this is a whole new game for me to learn :)

Right, looks like the speedlite is going up for sale! lol :)


Cheers :thumbs:
Click to expand...
£180 for calibration,wow.
 
barneyrubble said:
Just bear in mind that when you use your 17-55 On the d700 it becomes a 5mp camera, not a 12.

Didn't know if you knew that already but it's not mentioned anywhere else on this thread :D:D
Click to expand...

Sorry I am pretty new to this...I have a Panasonic FZ30 Hybrid...but am sell up most of my astro stuff to buy about £1800-2000...ish worth of new camera gear.......HELP

Where does this 5MP thing come into it...I was thinking about Sony, Canon, Nikon...so when is 10MP really 5MP...should I go for A full frame chip...again...HELP

STEVIER
 
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