I Made the Toughest Decision

ORourkeK · Dec 31, 2018

I have upgraded and downgraded a couple times over the last five years and I have been down to a D5300 and a 50 mm prime lens for some time now. Well, my second son is a year old now and we are starting to be more active as a family again so we have been filming and taking pictures a lot more recently. The D5300 is a great camera, but for about a year now I have been itching to step up to a full frame. My price point was around $1500 for a body, and this was (sort of dramatic, but not really?) the toughest decision to make. Do I stay Nikon and go with the some what older D750 or do I jump ship and go 6D Mark II? I spent about an hour at the store contemplating. I don't own expensive Nikon glass, so that wasn't really holding me back. The biggest item I didn't want to replace is the SB-700. Paying $300+ for another flash doesn't excite me very much. But, after spending time taking video's and pictures, I decided to go with the 6D Mark II, a 40 mm prime lens, and a Tamron 24-70. The D750 has more AF points, but the AF on the canon felt so much smoother and it is remarkably quite. Only time will tell if I made a good choice, but, I am extremely excited and glad to be back on the forum.

- Sláinte!

pixmedic · Dec 31, 2018

its always some bit of debate when people switch brands...easier though if your not heavily invested.
most people tend to pour over camera/lens specs, MFT charts, AF points, ISO performance, color rendering....stuff like that.
realistically speaking however, i doubt there is much (if any) significant differences in end products between any camera or lens made by different companies that are in a comparable bracket. (obviously you cant compare kit lenses to pro models) given that most camera differences are only discernible on charts and graphs and NOT by real world findings on the actually pictures taken, i would say that unless you want, or NEED, a specific feature of a specific camera, ergonomics and a general "feel" for the camera should play a more important role in your purchase than specs listed on the side of the box. Granted, this all assumes you are comparing apples to apples, and NOT entry level cameras to actual pro models...

in other words, if its the camera that felt the best when you tried it, you made the right choice.

ORourkeK · Dec 31, 2018

The public outcry about how "bad" this camera is kind of scares me. But most of those posts or videos I see are reviews when the camera was still $2000 and not $1200. So maybe that is why. All I can say is, the difference between the D5300 and the 6D Mark II is huge. The two things that I would say I am "upset" about is that the wheel is on the back of the camera instead of the front right where my right pointer finger could adjust it like the Nikon's have and the fact that they don't allow 4k video or 120 fps.

ac12 · Dec 31, 2018

Just give it some time to get used to the Canon and you will be just fine.
Any time we change systems, the muscle memory has to be retrained.

Enjoy the new toy. I'm jealous.

Dao · Jan 1, 2019

To be honest, you will be fine whether you choose 6D II or D750 (or D610). In some ways, Nikon camera is better while Canon shines in other area. But for me, it is always me is the limitation.

I have a Canon 7D and just upgraded to 6D II and I do not see a huge difference as far as my photos goes. Of course, my 50mm and 85mm lenses are not as tight as before and the noise handling is better. However, most of the photos are about the same.

Personally, I do not think DSLR camera upgrade will affect a lot on photos (at least for me). Learn and try other techniques have more impacts on my photos. Learn how to light a subject (with artificial lights, reflectors, diffuser or combination of them) made a big difference. Of course lens play an important part and knowledge is the king of all.

Back then when saw this photo (Anatre e Oche di Racconigi by Juza | JuzaPhoto) and notice it was shot with a Canon Rebel XT (or 350D which released on 2005), a 8 mega pixel entry level camera, I know I have a lot of works to do.

So I will say you made a good choice because you said "I am extremely excited and glad to be back on the forum"

n614cd · Jan 1, 2019

ORourkeK said:
I have upgraded and downgraded a couple times over the last five years and I have been down to a D5300 and a 50 mm prime lens for some time now. Well, my second son is a year old now and we are starting to be more active as a family again so we have been filming and taking pictures a lot more recently. The D5300 is a great camera, but for about a year now I have been itching to step up to a full frame. My price point was around $1500 for a body, and this was (sort of dramatic, but not really?) the toughest decision to make. Do I stay Nikon and go with the some what older D750 or do I jump ship and go 6D Mark II? I spent about an hour at the store contemplating. I don't own expensive Nikon glass, so that wasn't really holding me back. The biggest item I didn't want to replace is the SB-700. Paying $300+ for another flash doesn't excite me very much. But, after spending time taking video's and pictures, I decided to go with the 6D Mark II, a 40 mm prime lens, and a Tamron 24-70. The D750 has more AF points, but the AF on the canon felt so much smoother and it is remarkably quite. Only time will tell if I made a good choice, but, I am extremely excited and glad to be back on the forum.

- Sláinte!

Santé,

Why get a prime lens in the middle of the zoom?

Tim

Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk

ORourkeK · Jan 2, 2019

The Tamron wasn't in stock so they had to order it. Since I am new to the world of Canon I needed something to get me through the day, and at $129 I couldn't complain. After using the 40mm a bit for videos I am going to hang on to it. I love how small it is. I am actually trying to decide if I want to cancel my order for the 24-70 and go with the 70-200.

ac12 · Jan 2, 2019

ORourkeK said:
The Tamron wasn't in stock so they had to order it. Since I am new to the world of Canon I needed something to get me through the day, and at $129 I couldn't complain. After using the 40mm a bit for videos I am going to hang on to it. I love how small it is. I am actually trying to decide if I want to cancel my order for the 24-70 and go with the 70-200.

The 40 is a decent prime, but it won't replace a 24-70/2.8. The zoom has so much more flexibility as a GP lens. I view primes as companions to zooms, not replacements. But then I'm a zoomie from way back.

ORourkeK · Jan 2, 2019

I definitely love having the range, but my thought process is this. I won't be able to pick up the 70-200 for a while if I keep the 24-70. But if I cancel the order for the 24-70, I can pick up the 24mm prime with the 70-200 and then I should be set for a bit. Still not sure what I will end up doing since I definitely shoot in the lower range more. I will make my choice by 5 p.m. EST (when I leave work and head to the store). Will keep everyone posted.

ac12 · Jan 2, 2019

I suggest you think end system, and work towards that.
Because if you get the 24 now, then later get the 24-70, the 24 becomes duplicate and not needed.
However, given limited finances (which most of us have), you can't get everything at once, and may need a "stop gap" lens. Just be aware and careful when you get a stop gap lens.
If you shoot in the lower ranges, the 24-70 sounds like a better 1st lens, then get the 70-200 later this year.

ORourkeK · Jan 3, 2019

I ended up going with the 70-200. You are right that getting the 24-70 later would make both the 24 and 40 prime a "duplicate", but I actually prefer prime lenses when I am out shooting videos due to the size difference. So I will end up keeping both of the primes even when I end up getting the 24-70.

Edit: Next I have to decide what speedlight to get. Hopefully it doesn't get me landed on the couch XD. I walked into the local camera shop yesterday and walked out with 5 things I didn't know I "needed".

ORourkeK · Jan 6, 2019

Update#2: I went to return the 24-70 and my wife asks "why don't you just keep it?". *Shrugs* *Feels like its a trap* I reply with a weak "OK? Really?" as I look around the room waiting for a piano to fall on my head. Jokes aside, my wife is the best and is too good to me.

ac12 · Jan 6, 2019

ORourkeK said:
Update#2: I went to return the 24-70 and my wife asks "why don't you just keep it?". *Shrugs* *Feels like its a trap* I reply with a weak "OK? Really?" as I look around the room waiting for a piano to fall on my head. Jokes aside, my wife is the best and is too good to me.

Valentines is around the corner.
You better get her something shiny and sparkely.

ORourkeK · Jan 6, 2019

Her jewelry box sits untouched every day so I will have to get a bit more creative. But you are spot on. Valentine's day just got a lot harder this year.