Picking a new system

bdw7t8 · Dec 20, 2011

Hello,

Like I said in my introduction I'm just starting to get back into photography after something of a sabbatical. Let's just say it's been awhile. In retrospect it hasn't been all that long, but when I started devoting time to other things was about when DSLR's were beginning to make some headway in the market, but were still a long ways away from film, capability wise. As I wasn't shooting much, I decided to keep to film for anything serious and use a digital point and shoot (which takes surprisingly good photos in manual mode) for everything else. My last cameras were (I still have them, but they don't see much use these days) Canon F1's. Anyway, now that I'm getting back into photography I'm looking to purchase a new DSLR, but I'm having a little difficulty deciding which way to go. My collection of FD mount lenses are now pretty useless and so I have no reason to stay with Canon, though that's the way I'm leaning. Right now I'm thinking I'll go with a used Canon 5D. It looks like I can get a good one for about $900 which should leave me plenty of budget for lenses. I'm even considering fitting it with an adapter and using Nikon glass. The Sony Alpha system looks good too, but I have some serious reservations. I like Sony products, but I don't really know how dedicated Sony is to it's DSLR range. And, while the bodies are certainly competitive price-wise, I don't want to drop $3,000 on a system that disapears in five years or is relegated to entry level products. It's kind of frustrating. I've been reading spec sheets and tech reviews for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, and even Sigma. Sigh.

Big Mike · Dec 20, 2011

Welcome to the forum.

What type of shooting do you expect to do? That might help with the decision.

I wonder how much a used Nikon D700 would go for? The D700 is full frame, like the 5D, but is more of a well rounded camera as it has good auto focus and shoots at a decent clip. The 5D is great for image quality, but it's more of a 'studio' camera. Nikon lenses (even used ones) may be a bit of a premium these days, so you might want to price out your lens wish list as well.

I would think that Sony is in it for the long run but Photography certainly isn't their bread and butter. They do have some enticing specs & prices...but I can't think of anyone, off the top of my head, who uses Pro level Sony gear. Common wisdom (whether right or wrong) says to stick with either Canon or Nikon.

Patrice · Dec 20, 2011

Right now my suggestion to an experienced photographer wanting into digital would be a D700, a 50 mm lens, a iTTL capable flash, a 77 mm good cpl with step-up ring, sensor cleaning stuff and a couple of memory cards ...... assuming you already have a tripod, camera bag, lens cleaning stuff.

Careful planing and a dedicated saving plan will get you a very nice set of lenses over the next couple of years. The D700 is due for an upgrade or replacement at some point, but that won't be cheap. The D700, one of Nikon's best, will be a very capable body for as long as you'll own it.

bdw7t8 · Jan 1, 2012

Sorry I've been away for so long, didn't mean to leave the thread hanging. Anyway, I went camera groping the other day, and it didn't go so well. I had nearly decided to buy a Nikon d7000, but, luckily I went to check them out in person before I ordered anything. The body just didn't fit me right. It was uncomfortably small, and I don't have very large hands either. That was supremely disappointing. Back to square one.

Derrel · Jan 1, 2012

bdw7t8 said:
Sorry I've been away for so long, didn't mean to leave the thread hanging. Anyway, I went camera groping the other day, and it didn't go so well. I had nearly decided to buy a Nikon d7000, but, luckily I went to check them out in person before I ordered anything. The body just didn't fit me right. It was uncomfortably small, and I don't have very large hands either. That was supremely disappointing. Back to square one.

The D7000 is small. The D700 is not small.

MLeeK · Jan 1, 2012

If it feels to small and everything else is right: just add a battery grip.

cgipson1 · Jan 1, 2012

bdw7t8 said:
Sorry I've been away for so long, didn't mean to leave the thread hanging. Anyway, I went camera groping the other day, and it didn't go so well. I had nearly decided to buy a Nikon d7000, but, luckily I went to check them out in person before I ordered anything. The body just didn't fit me right. It was uncomfortably small, and I don't have very large hands either. That was supremely disappointing. Back to square one.

I have fairly large hands.. and the D7000 is a bit small.. until I added the battery grip. Much better feel! Just a suggestion!

bratkinson · Jan 2, 2012

I did much the same as you...put away my Canon film equipment for about 15 years (changed circumstances) and then made do with point & shoot Canon digitals for a number of years. At least with full manual shooting I got some respectable, but certainly not professional results. I'm nothing but an amateur anyway. But playing with the point and shoots gave me some valuable experience, especially in much of the new 'fun & games' (and surprises) possible in the world of digital.

Knowing what I know now, I should have kept my film equipment rather than selling it soon after I got my first point and shoot. Instead, I was happy to get about $400 for 7-8 Canon FDs and a Vivitar zoom in 2003 or so. Nowadays, the prices Canon bodies and FD lenses fetch is a crime.

If I still had my film equipment when I switched to a DSLR, I may have started with a good body such as a 5D Mark II is today, perhaps 1 very usable zoom such as an EF 24-70 f2.8 L, and an FD to EF converter. Then use the next couple of months as a learning curve. Get experience with using a DSLR with an EF lens, and see how usable your FD lenses still are (or arent)even with the necessity of manual everything, just like it used to be with film. As time and money permit, or frustration with the FDs, buy suitable replacement EF lenses.

My $0.02 worth

bdw7t8 · Jan 18, 2012

Well I did it. I turned coat and went over to the Nikonians. I had been wanting to a full frame DSLR, but the only ones I could find within my budget were original Canon 5D's and I'm just not that impressed with them. So, I decided to save some coin and found a basically unused D300 for $700. I figure Nikon might be a better long term investment (something inside me keeps saying "Canon changed mounts on you once, they'll do it again"). It's kind of like an ex-girlfriend who cheated on you, but wants to get back together. She might not do it again, but there's still that little voice... Anyway, since eventually I'm wanting an FX body, I decided Nikon would suit my needs better. Now I just need to find some good lenses that aren't DX specific. I'm thinking maybe the Nikon 35mm f2.0 for a regular, and maybe a zoom of some variety.

greybeard · Jan 18, 2012

I'm a lot like you, use to be into it big with film, just getting started back with a DSLR. From what I have seen, used and read, you have to decide on formats. Full frame, or crop frame. Full frame 36x24mm which is the same as 135 film seems to be the professionals choice. The Canon 5D's, Nikon D700, Sony a900 are the 3 that are sort of in the Pro/Serious amateur price range. (imho). They range in resolution from 12 to 24 MP, some shoot pretty fast while others are pretty pedestrian, some are better in low light and some are higher resolution. Some are more suited to portrait/wedding/landscape and others are more for sports photography. You just have to read, look, feel and decide. Crop frame bodies and lenses are less expensive than Full Frame. Examples of crop framed cameras that I think some professionals and serious amateurs would be: Nikon D300, D7000, Canon 7D, Sony a77, and the Pentax K-5. There are probably more that others can tell you about. There is a lot of discussion over whether or not there is a huge difference in quality between the 2 formats. The bodies are smaller and the build quality is not as robust as the full frame models but, they are less than 1/2 the price of the full frame models. They can use full frame lenses but they give everything a 1.5 X magnification. The crop frame lenses do not work very well with the full frame bodies as they do not have the coverage for the bigger sensor.

I feel the same way you do about Sony, will they still be in the DSLR business 5 years from now? And, the same could be said about Pentax. I'm flipping back and forth between the Nikon d7000 and the Canon 5d. These 2 cameras are really apples and oranges and I'm still having a hard time deciding which direction I want to go. Another thing to consider is Nikon and Canon are both ready to release new models. Might be a good idea to wait a few months and see what comes out.