Canon 7D w/ 17-85 IS,70-300 IS,60 macro OR Nikon D300s w/ 24-85 VR,70-300 VR,60 macro

[timarp000]

CANON

Canon 7D w/ EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS (Combo) - $1606
EF 17-85 f/4-5.6 - $525
EF 60mm f/2.8 macro - $409
Sandisk Extreme 60MB/s Compact Flash - $85
Canon Gadget Bag 2400 - $32
Manfrotto 190XDB - $112
Manfrotto 496RC2 - $70

TOTAL : $2839


NIKON

Nikon D300s w/ 24-85 VR & 70-300 VR - $2583
Nikon 60mm f/2.8 macro - $540
Sandisk Extreme 60MB/s Compact Flash - $85
Nikon Deluxe 5874 Camera Bag - $30
Manfrotto 190XDB - $112
Manfrotto 496RC2 - $70

TOTAL : $3429





As you can see nikon is more more expensive. My budget is $3000. IF the D300s kit is worth the extra $$$ i will go for it... Also 2 of the Canon lenses, standard zoom and macro are EF-S which means they can't work on Full Frame DSLRs if i want to upgrage the dslr in the future.

 

[Dao]

What are you planning to shoot?

 

[timarp000]

What are you planning to shoot?

I shoot wildlife, landscape and macro photographs.

 

[fjrabon]

the Nikon glass you are listing is in a higher class than the canon glass you are listing.

 

[fjrabon]

and as far as bodies go, the 7D and D300 are almost a dead heat, with the 7D WAY better for video, but the D300 having substantially better autofocus.

 

[timarp000]

the Nikon glass you are listing is in a higher class than the canon glass you are listing.

Can you suggest some glass(similar to nikon. 1 standard, 1 telephoto and a macro) for the canon to compare with the higher end nikon glass that iv'e chosen or simply put together $3500 canon kit with the 7D?

 

[fjrabon]

I'd honestly probably go third party for the Canon standard zoom. I don't think Canon makes a good "upper mid level" standard zoom. They have a bunch of average ones, but no really good ones in the mid range. Even their top of the line standard zooms are outrageously expensive, and bested by cheaper nikons.

I think I liked this Tamron a lot, but I cant exactly remember: Amazon.com: Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

I don't use standard zooms on Canon a whole lot (almost exclusively 70-200 and 17-40), so perhaps someone with more experience will comment as well.

 

[timarp000]

For $3500

Canon 7D w/ EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS (Combo) - $1606
Canon EF 24-104 f/4 L - $1050
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro(non-L) - $550
Sandisk Extreme 60MB/s Compact Flash - $85
Canon Gadget Bag 2400 - $32
Manfrotto 190XDB - $112
Manfrotto 496RC2 - $70

TOTAL : $3403


There are some disadvantages here, the 100mm macro doesnt have IS (Image Stabilization) which is a disadvantage when i shoot macro handheld which is what is do most of the time.
I dont know if the 70-300mm and 100mm macro have internal focusing which is a neat feature on the nikon lenses that i've chosen.

I also saw a review on the D300s and it look like the control are more easy to access than the 7d where you have to hold a button and rotate a wheel and stuff. Like i you want to change shooting mode on D300s you rotate a wheel buy on the 7d you must hold the drive button and do something. Dont you think the more strait-forward controls on the D300s would be better if i have to change the settings often?

 

[Dao]

When you shoot macro photos such as insect type photos, most likely you need artificial lighting with smaller aperture. IS help especially when focus manually, but you maybe able to get by without it when you shoot it with 1/200 or 1/250 shutter speed.

The EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens is a internal focusing lens while the 70-300mm is not. The front element of the 70-300mm IS lens rotate when focus which may be annoying if used with CPL.

 

[Dao]

If you are very serious about macro photos, Canon offer a 5:1 ratio macro lens. Of course, that is for experience macro shooter but down the road you have that option with a Canon body.

Other then that, both Canon or Nikon system are quite similar. Also for landscape photos, I like to have a lens that cover focal length below 24mm on cropped body.

 

[jaomul]

I don't think the d300s has a better af than the 7d, but I have only briefly uses a d300s, it has more af points but anyway.

To OP, if you select a 7d or d300, starting with a 24mm lens is very narrow to have as your widest lens, especially as you say you like landscape. I suggest either camera, with a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (not stabilized) and the 70-300 of your choice (as it happens the tamron 70-300 vc is well recommended and cheaper than canon or nikons similar spec version). Either brand or third party macros at approx 100mm focal lengths are all well reviewed. IS on a macro is not all it seems. They can give 4 stops when used as a normal lens but when shooting macro they give less stops shake reduction. For macro you will likely be on a tripod anyway so a regular non stabilised 100mm macro may suit.

 

[timarp000]

"Other then that, both Canon or Nikon system are quite similar. Also for landscape photos, I like to have a lens that cover focal length below 24mm on cropped body."

Can suggest one? i dont seem to find one. there are 18-55's but those are only DX lenses and EF-S lenses which mean they wont work on full frames if i upgrade in the future. Canon have a 14mm prime but its $2400!

 

[Derrel]

the Nikon glass you are listing is in a higher class than the canon glass you are listing.

I HAVE to agree, 110%...the Nikon lenses are better-grade lenses. I would go for the D7000 over the D300s, actually...in my opinion, the D300s has become obsoleted by a newer camera...at THIS DATE, buying a D300s as a new camera is foolish...the D7000 has a better sensor, a higher MP count, and better overall total image quality by a pretty fair margin...the D300s is an OLD camera, in d-slr terms. The Nikkor 60mm macro is a TOP-grade, Full-frame capable macro lens,m suitable for use on up to 36MP bodies...the smallish 70-300 VR Nikkor is surprisingly good as well. THe new 24-85 VR is designed for a full-frame camera...on a crop-frame its focal length range is somewhat shifted away from the wide-angle end.

If you want a D300s, buy it USED, not new!!!!

 

[timarp000]

the Nikon glass you are listing is in a higher class than the canon glass you are listing.

I HAVE to agree, 110%...the Nikon lenses are better-grade lenses. I would go for the D7000 over the D300s, actually...in my opinion, the D300s has become obsoleted by a newer camera...at THIS DATE, buying a D300s as a new camera is foolish...the D7000 has a better sensor, a higher MP count, and better overall total image quality by a pretty fair margin...the D300s is an OLD camera, in d-slr terms. The Nikkor 60mm macro is a TOP-grade, Full-frame capable macro lens,m suitable for use on up to 36MP bodies...the smallish 70-300 VR Nikkor is surprisingly good as well. THe new 24-85 VR is designed for a full-frame camera...on a crop-frame its focal length range is somewhat shifted away from the wide-angle end.

If you want a D300s, buy it USED, not new!!!!

I agree that the D300s is obsoleted... The D7000 doesnt have better weather sealing and the D300s' AF system is better. Hopefully a D400 would come out soon!
The reason that i'm choosing full frame lenses is if i decide to upgrade to a full frame camera in the future. 24mm on a DX body is not very wide, but i'll have to manage for a while as the nikon 14-24mm is $2000 and the 14mm prime is $1900. as you can see, way out of my price range. even the DX wide angles are pricey. 10-24mm is $900 and 12-24mm is $1200. I could buy the 16-85mm which would give me a wide angle lens too. but its DX and wont work on FX. also a 85mm that lens is f/5.6. the one ive chosen is only f/4.5 at 85mm

 

[BXPhoto]

3,000 - how I would go

5d mark II -1500.00 used - since you don't shoot sports AF is mute

17-40L - 650.00 used
70-200 f4L IS - 1000.00 used

Sure a hair over budget but will out perform those setups in IQ. Especially the d300's low resolution.

Or a 7d - CLP certified is 1050.00
10-20 sigma - 350.00 used
17-50 tamron - 350.00 used
70-200 sigma f/2.8 OS - 1200.00 new

Or a d300s with the same above lenses.