Nikon D700 vs Canon 5D Mark 2

P

PHOTOSTUDENT

Suspended / Banned
Messages
7
Name
Nathan
Edit My Images
No
I have read countless reviews on both cameras pointing out their flaws and strengths between one another but i cant seem to make a decision as to which to choose. I thought i would see what everyone elses oppinion would be.
 
I'm pretty sure there are already some threads on this very question.

*waiting to see if this will go the way I think it will* :0)
 
The probable answer is few people would be in a position to make much of a comparison, as few are unlikely to be running both Nikon and Canon systems extensively. Buying a camera is also about what glass you are using it with and what circumstances you are using it in. Clearly both cameras are capable of pro quality results, the Nikon leaning towards excellent low light capability and probably better autofocus, the Canon having more megapixels and I'd suggest, quieter.
 
Both are amazing cameras and are capable of producing incredible images. The d700 has better af the 5d mkii has more pixels, one is Nikon the other canon. Which ever you choose you won't be disappointed.

Oh and a search might get you a wealth of contradictory arguments, fanboy giberish etc
 
Nikon_Nick said:
I'm pretty sure there are already some threads on this very question.

*waiting to see if this will go the way I think it will* :0)
Click to expand...

:thinking: As in if you use Canon you will recommend that & the same for Nikon :shrug:

To the OP, try either camera for comfort and how you'll feel with the controls... Have you any mates that have either setup :shrug:
 
well i usually use my university's Canon 5D which is a fairly simple setup to get used to but a friend has been using the Nikon and says its fantastic so I think the best thing i can do is just to go with what im more comfortable with. I do love a Nikon camera but im very used to the 5D now
 
Work out your needs. Do you print big? Then get the Canon. Do you not? Then get the cheapest of the two and worry about the quality of your lenses. Do you need full frame at all? There are cheaper options to either of those if you go down the crop sensor route.

If you already own lenses or accessories from one make however, it makes sense to stick to that make to keep from having to re-invest in everything again.
 
If you plan to photograph things that move about quickly or are in low light with high ISO or both, I would go for the D700. If you do landscape or studio work at low ISO I would probably go for the D700.

Having said that I used D700's in lots of different situations and have never found them lacking for anything. Students generally spend too much time obsessing about equipment and not enough time on research and photography.
 
Last edited:
ah5168 said:
Students generally spend too much time obsessing about equipment and not enough time on research and photography.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't limit that to students if I were you. That's also what a great many people do regardless of their status.
 
Pookeyhead said:
I wouldn't limit that to students if I were you. That's also what a great many people do regardless of their status.
Click to expand...

Exactly - I do it...so what?

Just because I know about equipment and like to read about the technical side of photography doesn't mean I can't take a good photo.

I wonder why people always say things like that like it's a bad thing? Surely it's only bad if one obsesses and thinks the equipment will give them the skills...
 
PHOTOSTUDENT said:
well i usually use my university's Canon 5D which is a fairly simple setup to get used to but a friend has been using the Nikon and says its fantastic so I think the best thing i can do is just to go with what im more comfortable with. I do love a Nikon camera but im very used to the 5D now
Click to expand...

If you have been using the Canon 5D and are comfortable with it, know your way around it etc, then I would be inclined to recommend the 5Dmk2 on this basis alone.

As others have said, you can't really go wrong either way from a performance point of view.

The only reason I ended up on the Canon route was that I couldn't personally get away with the ergonomics of the D60 and I chose the 350D instead. There was nothing objectively wrong with the D60, I just found the 350D more intuitive.
 
Phil Young said:
Exactly - I do it...so what?

Just because I know about equipment and like to read about the technical side of photography doesn't mean I can't take a good photo.

I wonder why people always say things like that like it's a bad thing? Surely it's only bad if one obsesses and thinks the equipment will give them the skills...
Click to expand...


It's bad if you are giving feedback on their Photography and saying it would improve if they bought a more expensive camera, or only giving technical critique, yes. I don't think you're doing that though are you? If not, then my comment wasn't aimed at you.
 
Pookeyhead said:
It's bad if you are giving feedback on their Photography and saying it would improve if they bought a more expensive camera, or only giving technical critique, yes. I don't think you're doing that though are you? If not, then my comment wasn't aimed at you.
Click to expand...

No, I don't.

Point I make is, it's too much of a general statement to say something like "don't be a gearhead get out there and shoot" etc. Some people just really enjoy the technical aspect.

I know you weren't the originator of the statement.
 
Phil Young said:
No, I don't.

Point I make is, it's too much of a general statement to say something like "don't be a gearhead get out there and shoot" etc. Some people just really enjoy the technical aspect.

I know you weren't the originator of the statement.
Click to expand...

Fair enough... I know you know that BTW :)

There's always a balance though. I love gear too. Love talking about it as much as using it, but I'd never, ever criticise someone's equipment unless there was a bloody good reason or unless it was an academic debate about lens X vs. Lens Y. I've had students shoot knowing full well they needed a A2 print at the end, and still chose to shoot on a D300 when we have a room full of D3Xs and D800s available to them... but that's different.
 
Given you are a student and I assume will be limited in budget, why not look around to see what is the best deal you can get before deciding on a system rather than deciding on a system then looking for a deal? You never know, the bargain of the century may be out there to be had.
 
both are great cameras with pros and cons for each of them. The reality of it is that one is not better than the other.
 
If you're a student you might want to base it around access to lenses. If you can borrow Canon gear from your Uni the 5D might be the best option. If your mates have Nikon gear then a D700 is great.

Pros and cons for both. Personally I think the D700 is, pound for pound, the best DSLR I've ever used.
 
5d Images look better they just have a tone and quality about them, d700 works better as a camera under less desirable conditions.
 
camera is only as good as the glass in front of it. so look at Nikkor and Canon lenses, although they are both very similar, but do work out a package and see if what you want is within your budget.

eg.
I wanted the 24-105mm f4 IS for video, whereas closest Nikon offering is 24-120mm f4 VR which doesn't get as good reviews.
the Nikkor 16-35 f4 VR is something I drool over, but slightly too expensive for something that's not walk-about. 17-40mm f4's price is more acceptable, so had to settle with this.




also, work out which of your friend is more willing to lend you their gear.

I first bought D3100 to start photography, thinking I could borrow from a friend who owns D300s. turns out after a lot of hinting, it's not going to happen. Totally understandable, I also won't lend anyone my 24-105, but still quite frustrating. I switched to Canon so I could use my lenses with my parent's Canon 300 film SLR. also I can get the 135 f2 if I asked another friend nicely.
 
decigallen said:
That's a very subjective thing. I personally think the D700 produces better skin tone.
Click to expand...

I don't think many would agree with that. It is subjective yes but most people do seem to prefer the colour and tone in generk from the 5d sensor.
 
Having owned both, these are my thoughts......the D700 is everything the 5dmkii should have been but with slightly less mp, everything else's it does better..

The big but for me and why I went to a 5dmkii was that I just could not get used to the user interface, I much prefer the layout of the Canon..

To sum up they are both great cameras and both will produce fantastic results, the D700 for me is a slightly better overall camera though....if you can get used to the buttons and menus etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top