Anyone switch brands when going Full Frame?

[nickzou]

Not that I really plan to go full frame any time soon but I was just looking at my options, you know, window shopping. First off, I don't have 8k to spend on a camera, and I don't think I will ever have that kind of money in the forseeable future. So the D3x is out of the question. And after handling it for 10 minutes at the local camera store, I don't think I like the chunkiness of these full frame cameras either. So the Canon 5D Mark ii caught my eye. I know I'll have to build a separate lens collection but I was gonna have to do that anyways since all of my lenses are DX. Does anyone else do this? Is it a bad idea?

 

[KmH]

Then look at the full frame D700.

I use the D300 and the D3. Both have all the buttons/controls in the same place on the camera body, the same menu organization, and the same user's manual layout.

The D300, D700, D3, D3s, and D3x all have virtually the same buttons/controls layouts, the same menu organization, and the same user's manual layout.

It's also very likely new models like the D400, D800, D4 will also have the same buttons/controls layouts, the same menu organization, and the same user's manual layout.

 

[nickzou]

I didn't get to hold the D700. Is it significantly smaller than the D3x? That's what I liked about the 5D mark II. Other than the very reasonable price, I liked that it was basically crop camera sized.

 

[KmH]

The D700 doesn't have a built-in vertical grip like the D3/D3s/D3x do. Visit http://en.nikon.ca/index.page or www.nikonusa.com for more information, photographs and specifications of Nikon's DSLR cameras.

 

[tirediron]

D700 without a grip is very similar in size to the 5D / 5d MkII

 

[Derrel]

The so-called "half height" cameras, like the 5D and Nikon D700, have that smaller form factor advantage that the bigger single-digit bodies from Canon and Nikon lack. In some situations, I think the smaller form factor leads to better results,and less "notice" on the part of people like security guards, ushers/event organizers,etc.

 

[kundalini]

The D700 is virtually the D300 chasis with the D3 guts. Due to that very reason, the D700 had to make a sacrifice. You only get a 95% coverage in the viewfinder. The D300 & D700 can use the same vertical grip. If I'll be shooting a lot of portrait orientated images or using longer, heavier lenses, the grip will go on that body. The D300 / D700 is a wonderful combination for me.


What other investments (lenses, flashes, exclusive accessories) have you made towards your Nikon system?

 

[nickzou]

I have 2 telephoto lenses, 3 prime lenses, all DX, and a flash.

 

[kundalini]

You could use those lenses on a D700, but with certain limitations. With that said, you would be in a similar boat with either Canon or Nikon for FF. If the flash is a SB unit, that's nothing to sneeze at, but a couple or three hundred dollars should be the deciding factor. I would suggest a side-by-side comparison between the two models that fit within your budget, paying particular attention to the ergonomics of each body with respect to external button/setting options and the internal menu navigation. Apparently from some of the stuff I've read in forums and such, Canon may have a slight edge for lens pricing further on into the "pro" series lineup. But Nikkor ain't no slouch for IQ in their lineup either. It really comes down to a personal preference for this or that. Both are fine choices.