Would you make the switch?

Antithesis · Apr 23, 2008

That's a bummer, but I don't think it'll be too much of a concern. I wonder what Canon was thinking releasing a $3500 camera body without weathersealing.

So... I think I may have come to a decision. I went and fiddled with a 5D and a 40D this afternoon, and I must say... I liked both of them. The controls are a little weird, coming from a Nikon, but it took a few seconds to figure it out. The person behind the counter couldn't seem to figure out how to adjust the ap. in full manual, but I found the switch. The on switch seems to be in a kind of weird spot, but the shutter release was pretty nifty. Also, the absolute enormity of the viewfinder on the 5D was probably it's strongest selling point.

I think I'm going to get the 5D and a 24-70 2.8L, and a 20D as a backup which will primarily have the 70-200 4L on it. I still have atleast a couple weeks to sleep on it, I may decide that the d300 is more appealing. But right now, I may be a convert. I really like the idea of having a full frame camera and a DX format camera. They both have their strong points, and I will be able to reap the benefits of both. Plus, I can get mostly full-frame lenses, and when DX/APS format is a thing of the past, it won't be any skin off my back.

JIP · Apr 23, 2008

I think you did the right thing only you can figure out what you want. Asking on a forum like this is just fishing for yet another silly N vs. C discussion.

Seefutlung · Apr 23, 2008

I use both a 5D and a 20D. Up to 8x10, you won't see much if any dif between the 5D and 20D image. After 8x10 the IQ of 5D starts pulling away. While processing at 100% crop ... one can easily see and determine a 5D image from a 20D image.

Gary

keith204 · Apr 23, 2008

Antithesis said:
That's a bummer, but I don't think it'll be too much of a concern. I wonder what Canon was thinking releasing a $3500 camera body without weathersealing.

So... I think I may have come to a decision. I went and fiddled with a 5D and a 40D this afternoon, and I must say... I liked both of them. The controls are a little weird, coming from a Nikon, but it took a few seconds to figure it out. The person behind the counter couldn't seem to figure out how to adjust the ap. in full manual, but I found the switch. The on switch seems to be in a kind of weird spot, but the shutter release was pretty nifty. Also, the absolute enormity of the viewfinder on the 5D was probably it's strongest selling point.

I think I'm going to get the 5D and a 24-70 2.8L, and a 20D as a backup which will primarily have the 70-200 4L on it. I still have atleast a couple weeks to sleep on it, I may decide that the d300 is more appealing. But right now, I may be a convert. I really like the idea of having a full frame camera and a DX format camera. They both have their strong points, and I will be able to reap the benefits of both. Plus, I can get mostly full-frame lenses, and when DX/APS format is a thing of the past, it won't be any skin off my back.

I think that would be a cool combo...really, really so.

The 20D is just currently an incredible value, since it's a couple generations older. I got a used one for about $475 and that's a steal for such a great camera (relatively speaking).

JDHoward · Apr 23, 2008

keith204 said:
The 20D is just currently an incredible value, since it's a couple generations older. I got a used one for about $475 and that's a steal for such a great camera (relatively speaking).

I agree. A former roommate of mine took his 20D to Iraq with him and took some amazing photos. It's one of the main reasons why I got the 20D, besides the price. I got mine for $543 with shipping on eBay and it came with three batteries, a USB CF card reader and a 4GB CF card. I've had it for only two weeks and I couldn't be happier.

Here are some samples of the pictures my roommate took in Iraq:
http://jdhoward.info/iraq

keith204 · Apr 23, 2008

JDHoward said:
I agree. A former roommate of mine took his 20D to Iraq with him and took some amazing photos. It's one of the main reasons why I got the 20D, besides the price. I got mine for $543 with shipping on eBay and it came with three batteries, a USB CF card reader and a 4GB CF card. I've had it for only two weeks and I couldn't be happier.

Here are some samples of the pictures my roommate took in Iraq:
http://jdhoward.info/iraq

Yeah. I have the 40D and 20D. The thing I hate most about the 20D is the screen. When I am shooting with both, I always feel like I'm getting better results from the 40D, but that's just because the screen is better. Once I put the photos on the computer, there's no difference (maybe a little, but I can't notice it)

Having the 40D has convinced me to not bother with a 5D yet. Especially with the 17-55 f/2.8 IS being cheaper than the 24-70 f/2.8, (and the obvious IS that it has) and the comparable IQ between the lenses.

Antithesis · Apr 24, 2008

keith204 said:
Yeah. I have the 40D and 20D. The thing I hate most about the 20D is the screen. When I am shooting with both, I always feel like I'm getting better results from the 40D, but that's just because the screen is better. Once I put the photos on the computer, there's no difference (maybe a little, but I can't notice it)

Having the 40D has convinced me to not bother with a 5D yet. Especially with the 17-55 f/2.8 IS being cheaper than the 24-70 f/2.8, (and the obvious IS that it has) and the comparable IQ between the lenses.

Yeah, I'll probably just use the screen for histograms, and if it proves that much of an issue, just shoot in RAW and put the effort in to nailing the exposure. I'm seeing a whole lot of 20D's around here on CL for $500 or so, and I'm sure if I haggled I could get one for under $450. They have them on KEH for about $500 as well. It will probably see about 20% of the use that the 5D is going to see, so reliability won't be quite the issue. I'm going to buy the 5D new, probably from one of the ebay powersellers because you can get the body alone for about $1900.

I'd prefer to not get any EF-S lenses for future compatibility issues. I think one of the main reasons I'm going over to Canon is for the L lenses. The 24-70L can be had from KEH for ~$950 in EX condition, and with their return policy, I don't have to worry about getting a poor copy.

I think one of the things that's making me lean towards the 5D versus the D300 was ken rockwells noise comparison (blasphemy!), it was relatively controlled and showed that the 5D was able to control noise better with less deterioration from NR.

Antithesis · Apr 24, 2008

One more question for the 20D owners: does the 20D handle noise pretty well? Is it usable past ISO 800? It will be pretty much a direct replacement for my D80, which is useless past 800, and even pretty bad above 400.

keith204 · Apr 24, 2008

Antithesis said:
One more question for the 20D owners: does the 20D handle noise pretty well? Is it usable past ISO 800? It will be pretty much a direct replacement for my D80, which is useless past 800, and even pretty bad above 400.

For me, I do low-light sports things, so my 20D hardly sees anything below 1600ISO. Noise really isn't an issue there. At 3200 it does get significantly worse, but I am not afraid to use it if I have to.

Seefutlung · Apr 24, 2008

keith204 said:
For me, I do low-light sports things, so my 20D hardly sees anything below 1600ISO. Noise really isn't an issue there. At 3200 it does get significantly worse, but I am not afraid to use it if I have to.

I also shoot a ton of low-light sports with the 20D. Noise definately is there, not nearly as bad as with non-CMOS sensor Nikon cameras, but nonetheless it is present and for me an issue, (obiviously a subjective issue).

The most important consideration for noise control at elevated ISO's is proper metering. A properly metered ISO 1600 image will have less noise than an underexposed ISO 800 image.

Gary

Vaporous · Apr 24, 2008

You should seriously consider the D3 if your really that serious about this. D3 will blow the 5D out of the water but its also quite expensive. I'm also a stickler about noise levels and was thinking of upgrading and even switching to Canon but after some research I've kinda got my heart set on sticking with Nikon and getting the D3 and keeping my lens'. I also shoot with a D80.

usayit · Apr 24, 2008

* Yes.. Nikon D3 has amazing ISO performance.. I remember the same thing being said about the 5D just a few years ago. The person who posted that you'll forever be flip-flopping in the technological rat-race is right on.
* A non-pro trying to Deciding to whether or not to switch systems is like trying to decide whether or not to piss up wind or down wind. Doing either will result in relief.... only one is a smart decision.
* I can think of 100 different ways to waste money in the pursuit of increasing enjoyment in photography.

If you are a professional and your paycheck relies on you remaining competitive, then go ahead.. switch on. With that said... I've seen a few photographers (backed by $$$ from the company they work for) switch from Canon to Nikon. Photographers FINALLY realize that the 21mpix count in the 1dsMarkIII is way more than they "need" for their assignments. As such, it is easier to sell the high ISO performance (with a small sensor) of the Nikon than the high mpix count of the Canon equivalent.

Antithesis · Apr 24, 2008

I'm not sure if I was clear, but these will be used for professional use. I've got a few things lined up and will hopefully be shooting events for a local agency. So yes, they will be making me money, and this decision is not really going to make or break me, but might make my life easier. In both the short term (jobs over the summer), and the long term in the sense that I will be satisfied with the system as a whole.

It's very obvious that both systems are pretty equal in terms of performance with very minor strong points for each. For the short term, there are some things that seem more attractive to me directly for the work I will be doing over the summer. For example, lugging around a lightweight 70-200 f4L on a body over my shoulder versus a 70-200 VR. Also, being able to carry just CF cards rather than CF and SD is another plus.

Nikon is still a definite viable option, but I think I'll probably move down to a D70 as a backup to keep media formats similar.

Fally · Apr 26, 2008

My question is, what Nikon gear will you be getting rid of?

Fally
aka Scott

Antithesis · Apr 29, 2008

Fally said:
My question is, what Nikon gear will you be getting rid of?

Fally
aka Scott

I'm down to a D80 and a 50 F1.8 at the moment, which may be going here pretty soon.

Someone is looking at my car right now, once it sells I'm making my big purchase