Starting on Nikon?

szymon

szymon

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Simon
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Hi,

I've been a Canon shooter since the film days (indeed I think I still have a couple of EOS cameras lying around). I've had multiple Canon DSLRs over the years, and currently have a 50D, which I'm happy with - it's now paired permanently with a lightweight Canon EF-200L f/2.8 (and a TC when more length is needed), and that is how the camera is going to stay.

I am planning, however, on getting a second body - and I will be selling my existing lenses other than the 200L. I have the EF-S 17-55 IS USM f/2.8, and a Canon fit Samyang wide angle lens. I love them both, but I plan to move to Full Frame with the second body, so even if I stay with Canon neither of them will fit. This means that I am effectively starting from scratch. The only possible minor bonus of staying with Canon FF is that if I wanted to I could put the 200L on the Full Frame body - but I can't see that happening. So, if I wanted to, this would be a good time for me to move to Nikon.

The trouble is, I know nothing about Nikon :-) and I'm getting really lost when reading about their range. Is there a "beginners guide" to the Nikon SLR camera system and lenses? Can you folks recommend a camera and lens combination?

If I stay with Canon, what I will most likely buy is:

- Canon 5D mk 2: £8-900 used, good low ISO, full frame, does video (not a major factor but something I might want to experiment with).
- Canon 17-40 f/4L: £350-400 used, sharp wide-angle lens
- Canon 24-105 f/4L: £400-450 used, good general purpose lens

So - for similar money and similar quality second hand, what would I look for in the Nikon stable? What's the Nikon equivalent of "L" glass? Is there a "newbie guide" which explains all of this?

Many thanks,

-simon
 
If you are keeping one Canon lens and body I'd buy a canon backup. Why buy something that won't work with all your kit?
 
boyfalldown said:
If you are keeping one Canon lens and body I'd buy a canon backup. Why buy something that won't work with all your kit?
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Because it's not the end of the world for me if I have to wait to replace something. I'm not a pro - I shoot for me :-). And I've always felt that there must be something I'm missing on the Nikon side of the fence!

This isn't a backup - it's a second camera. I will carry both when I go out shooting - one with the long lens, the other with short. I don't want to have to change lenses any more!
 
szymon said:
Because it's not the end of the world for me if I have to wait to replace something. I'm not a pro - I shoot for me :-). And I've always felt that there must be something I'm missing on the Nikon side of the fence!

This isn't a backup - it's a second camera. I will carry both when I go out shooting - one with the long lens, the other with short. I don't want to have to change lenses any more!
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you sounds set in buying a Nikon 2nd camera - in which case you just cut your options down for no gain. But its hard to see what will make you realise this
 
boyfalldown said:
you sounds set in buying a Nikon 2nd camera - in which case you just cut your options down for no gain. But its hard to see what will make you realise this
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Actually I'm not *set* on it. I'm just realising that this is one of the few opportunities I might have of doing so if I choose to.

Right now, I know what I would buy if I stick with Canon. I'd like to know my options on the Nikon side too. That way I can actually make a decision. I might decide to stick with Canon, but I might not.

Surely there must be some Nikon shooters here who could help explain their side of things :-)
 
szymon said:
...
If I stay with Canon, what I will most likely buy is:

- Canon 5D mk 2: £8-900 used, good low ISO, full frame, does video (not a major factor but something I might want to experiment with).
- Canon 17-40 f/4L: £350-400 used, sharp wide-angle lens
- Canon 24-105 f/4L: £400-450 used, good general purpose lens

So - for similar money and similar quality second hand, what would I look for in the Nikon stable? What's the Nikon equivalent of "L" glass? Is there a "newbie guide" which explains all of this?

Many thanks,

-simon
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Well I won't go into the why's and whatnot of changing systems ;) ... but
sometimes a change is as good as a rest :)

Buying used you would be looking at a D700 - 12MP, brick outhouse build and excellent low light/high iso as well as af system - but no video iirc. You may pick up the newer D600 for not much more than £1K now though, which does have video and is a 24MP sensor ...

Lens wise the direct comparisons are the 16-35mm VR f4 and the 24-120mm VR f4 - both "Pro" level lenses as in they have the gold ring of confidence ;) - Nikon's pro lenses have gold rings on, as Canon's have red iirc. imo/e the 16-35mm VR is a better lens that the canon 17-40 fwiw (note I said imo ;)) - but even used the nikon's are likely to cost a bit more. Nikon's consumer grade lenses tend to be very good too so these would be worth considering.
 
Go for it. All systems will give you great results. Lots of people use 2 systems and I m one of them. Nikon and Sony (used to have a Fuji that used a Nikon mount) and I enjoy it. As you said, you are not a pro and you are doing it for you.
 
Thanks Paul, will take a look at the D700 and D600.

Why wouldn't you go into the why's and whynot's of changing systems? That's exactly what I need at the mo :-)
 
Was toying with doing this myself. Nikon has an appeal i guess. Some nice lenses/price
 
szymon said:
...
Why wouldn't you go into the why's and whynot's of changing systems? That's exactly what I need at the mo :-)
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Different people put different values on having equipment that can be used across the board.

You have the differences in the way the cameras work, e.g. menu systems, focus systems, metering systems, let alone the physical controls - and then there is the way each make renders images albeit less of an issue shooting raw.

If you have two bodies one Canon, one Nikon and then have a basic lens set for each, you will end up doubling outlay - and have less redundancy (not so much an issue for a hobbyist like me, but could be for a pro). By having two bodies from the same manufacturer the savings in lenses could pay for a holiday or some training or such like ...

I struggle to get the best out of what Ive got, if I were to have Canon gear as well I'd constantly be having to remember which body I'm using and adapting all the time, I'm not sure I could do that effectively.
 
Here's my take on using two systems. I won't talk about compatibility because you've made it clear that's not a big deal for you.

When I wanted to buy my first DSLR, I went down to Jessops and handled the entry-level Canon and Nikon models. The controls, ergonomics, menu layouts etc on the Canon felt totally intuitive to me - as if I'd designed it myself. The Nikon was bizarrely unintuitive. But I know people who made exactly the same comparison and reached the opposite conclusion.

The systems are quite different, and although over the years I've tried to get used to Nikons, they still feel "wrong" to me. And everything - lens cap, zoom ring, focus ring - rotates in the "wrong" direction. (Some people would say the "right" direction.)

I'm sure I could learn to get on better with Nikons. But I worry that I would lose the ability to use Canons without having to think about it. When I'm out and about, I don't have to think about which way to rotate the ring to zoom in. I don't have to think about how to switch the camera into high speed continuous shooting. If I did have to stop and think about it, there would be times when I'd take too long and would miss the shot. That wouldn't be good.

Just a thought.
 
Stewart - I hear and understand. I have the same fear. But...how will I ever know if I don't try it? Once I get a 5D...it's unlikely that I ever will try Nikon!

Maybe I should try renting a Nikon setup for a while...
 
If you've got a Nikon itch then it's best to scratch it rather than think what if.
 
I've always preferred Nikon ergonomics.
If I was in your position I would go with Nikon and see if you like it.
If you really really like it you could sell your Canon and go full Nikon with a cheap DX body ;)

Riz :)
 
Raincloud said:
Can't you borrow a Nikon from a mate etc to try?
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Unfortunately I don't know many photographers, and those I do know are all Canon shooters. I honestly don't know a single Nikon shooter!

Rizvan said:
I've always preferred Nikon ergonomics.
If I was in your position I would go with Nikon and see if you like it.
If you really really like it you could sell your Canon and go full Nikon with a cheap DX body ;)

Riz :)
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Ahh, but is there an equivalent to the light-weight EF 200mm f/2.8L? :-)
 
If its an itch, then I'd definitely look at second hand, D700 for me, video be hanged.

Lens wise the two that most closely match your requirements have been mentioned above, otherwise, just see what you can find in the classifieds, or just buy a single lens? 14-24 (one in the classifieds for £915) or 24-70 f2.8??? Pretty much guaranteed to get the same money back if you sell.

I shoot a Nikon D90 and have borrowed a friends Canon 7D, personally I prefer the nikon ergonomics but as everyone else says to each their own, and I've never found a camera that for me handles as well as my old OM1 unfortunately.

Nick
 
"Video be hanged" is all well and good, but I've been playing with MagicLantern and a wide angle lens (Samyang Fisheye) on my 50D, and it's kind of fun. So I'd like whichever FF body I get to be able to do it!

I'm based in North West London.
 
szymon said:
"Video be hanged" is all well and good, but I've been playing with MagicLantern and a wide angle lens (Samyang Fisheye) on my 50D, and it's kind of fun. So I'd like whichever FF body I get to be able to do it!

I'm based in North West London.
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Had you been local to me, you could have tried out my Nikon - as for video, well the D600 definitely does video but I have no idea how good nor have I tried it.
 
szymon said:
Ahh, but is there an equivalent to the light-weight EF 200mm f/2.8L? :-)
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PaulButler said:
Yep there is, the 180mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor IF-ED
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Well, it's equivalent in the sense that it has a comparable focal length, same maximum aperture, and comparable weight. But if you're used to a lens with fast and silent autofocus, with full-time manual focus available, then you might find it hard to like.
 
I had the same dilemma, I have a Canon 7D but although the button layout and menu system works well for me I have never been entirely happy with the high ISO performance, so I bought a second hand Nikon D7000 to compare. My idea was that I would see which I prefered and would sell the other.
Now there is where I encounter another dilemma, for me there is no clear winner and both systems have their benefits and weaknesses (personal preference) the only trouble is that they are in different areas and I need to decide which to keep, but I want both.
It wasn,t as clear cut, for me, as I had hoped. I thought the decision would be easy but it is anything but....
 
Try a Sony if you want a different experience, evf makes a huge difference once you learn it, which is quick
 
I think you had better rent or borrow the set up. Its a big investment, so better choose one you like.

But I'd also add the d800 to the mix as I think it has wider focal points; the d600 is like the d7k, all grouped in the middle.

I can't comment on the crisper lenses, but the 50mm f1.4d I have is good (but I am on a d300). Depends more on the range you want; again borrow it first as most lenses will do what you want, but aren't cheap.
 
As an owner of 70+ cameras from about twenty manufacturers, I don't see a problem with owning cameras from two manufacturers!


Steve.
 
PaulButler said:
Yep there is, the 180mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor IF-ED
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StewartR said:
Well, it's equivalent in the sense that it has a comparable focal length, same maximum aperture, and comparable weight. But if you're used to a lens with fast and silent autofocus, with full-time manual focus available, then you might find it hard to like.
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Yep, I should have pointed out that th AF is the old screw drive - still it is fast focussing on any of the FX bodies as they all have screw drives. And I agree switching between AF and MF is a PITA.
 
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