Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I currently have a Nikon D80 and a 24-70 2.8. They are really fantastic in terms of taking pictures and the end results are very good but I am having a problem when it is getting really dark that the 2.8 and ISO 1600 cannot get something good. I am targeting a d700 and 70-200 2.8 VRII on 2010 but I guess it is really impossible in my situation (Im broke!). That being said, I am thinking of switching to the darkside (canon) and selling my items. Selling my stuff, I can buy a used 5d mkII and a 24-70 2.8L and save up for a 70-200 2.8L this coming year which is half of the price of the d700 + 70-200 combo.

Want to ask some Nikon people who switched systems if they are satisfied with the switch? I don't mind adapting to a new system as I believe people can adapt to the things that they are in and I know both are great systems. I just want to push more flexibility into my situation. Comments and suggestions are welcome! Thanks!

And I hope this topic won't go to the Nikon and Canon never ending battle hehe.

Cheers,
John

why not find a used d700 somewhere?

Uhh... selling your D80 and 24-70/2.8 will give you enough money for a 5Dm2 and 24/70L? Why don't you just sell your D80 and upgrade to the D700? Wouldn't that be a better move, money-wise?

D80+24-70 f2.8 = 5DmkII + 24-70 f2.8?

Isn't the D700 cheaper than the 5DmkII?

I thought D700 was cheaper than 5d mkII for sure

You can either buy a tripod for long exposure or get a flash, may be cheaper. You may not get the results you're looking for when switching to Canon.

The question is what are you trying to shoot in the dark?
Have you tried shooting in RAW?

Good luck.

Better idea is go for a D700 and a 70-200VR. The original 70-200VR does just fine on the 12MP cameras, it's the D3x that runs into performance issues with the original 70-200VR.

A good interim solution would be to sell your D80 and move to a D90 or D300 which nets you at least a stop better high ISO performance than the D80 and only runs a stop or so behind the D700 in performance.

Note that while you could likely get a used 5D and 24-70L for the price you'd get for your D80 and 24-70G, you aren't into 5DmII territory. The 5DmII body alone, even used, is going to run more than a D80 and 24-70G will net you.

I am aiming for the 5dmkI + 24-70L. If I will be purchasing the D700 used i think it cost like 2k+ and the 70-200 cost like around 1600. But with canon it would only target the 70-200L next year? what do you guys think?

I just may be selling a D700/70-200 VRI in the new year.

I'd stick with the system you've already got. I've switched from Canon to Nikon. Was it worth it, not really. I lost a fair amount of money.

I'd just wait and see what Nikon will come out with. I'm pretty sure it'll be a never ending battle between Nikon and Canon. Nikon comes out with this, then Canon comes out with this. There will always be a lens/body that you will want from the competitor. The only way to have it all is to buy both systems, lol.

I currently own a d90, but I would like to buy a 7d, or a used 5d2, but I'm not going to do that because I'm pretty sure by spring time or even summer. Nikon will have something that rivals one or both of these cameras.

Nothing much is gained by switching systems. The D700 is an awesome camera. A D90 is a good alternative too.

Nothwithstanding that I want to persuade you to go with Pentax that I am familiar with, I would really suggest you to get a fast prime lens like 50mm F1.4 or F1.8. That will give you a whole new world of low light images. If you do not want to spend more money on another lens, try to borrow from another Nikon user here

Daniel

i find these post is very funny. People indicate that they are broke however they keep on finding new way to waste money.

sorr double post

that's a good one!

I think it is a matter of feeding the addiction and avoiding withdrawal symptoms!

Shhhh...we need this type of people to waste their money so that the economy can turn around and keep companies like Nikon or Canon profitable.

Lol. Spending less on equipments I would say and maximizing potential.

I agree completely. Professional, amateur or newbie: It just ain't worth switching systems. I've done that once and it wasn't worth the time or money People who claim that their pictures got better due to systems switch are mostly trying to justify their expensive switch, IMHO.

I shot with BOTH Canon and Nikon for a year and liked them both (D700 + 5D & 5D-II). I recently sold off my Nikon gear as I found that I was shooting fast Primes mostly. However, that's just my personal preference. The Nikon system is just as good, even better in some areas & Canon is better in other areas.

OP: If you really want to switch, I suggest that you want until Sony releases the next version of the A900. Then, you can evaluate all three full frame DSLR systems and come to a conclusion. Cheers.

Since you have a Nikon you MUST switch to Canon. Everybody knows Canon is the best.

Of course once you've switched to Canon you'll want to switch again (as seen on a Toronto bilboard at Queen/Spadina a couple of years ago):


(To johnlugtu) You say you own a D80, a camera that's ancient (in digital photography terms) since it was released back in 2006 (in Dpreview's list of Nikon cameras it's the next model to be discontinued). It can only go up to ISO3200, whereas the latest Nikon can do ISO12800 (102400 with boost).

The two big companies play a tug of war with features trying to outdo the other...once you switch you'll find you want to switch back because the brand you had had a feature or ability the brand you switched to doesn't.

Rather than talking about switching brands, maybe you should look at what you're trying to photograph in the dark...maybe you'll find that no camera can capture it without adding light. That's what flash is for.

So, what are you trying to photograph, and what settings are you using? Imageone already asked you this, but you have yet to respond!