Crazy... go Nikon?

[charlesa]

Call me mad... but cameras are a tool and the eye is all important.

I make the most photographically via my landscape and fine art prints, and I also cover events and photojournalism.

Up till recently I used a 1Ds III and a 24 mm TS-E II for the first and a 1DX with a 70-200 mm and a 400 mm f/2.8 I IS L for the second. Although quite happy with the TS-E II and the 1DX, I am feeling quite a bit let down by the 1Ds III. Files simply are not up to scratch compared to a 1DX.

Now a crazy thought entered my mind... how about going dark, and selling part of the gear to reinvest in a D800E (!!) and the fabled 14-24 mm, since I do most of my work on the landscape side?

The 400 mm f/2.8 has already been sold, at a profit. The fisheye, 135 f/2, 100 mm macro, 50 mm 1.2 might consider selling, keeping the 70-200 mm and the tilt shift.

Does playing both systems make sense? Canon have no higher resolution sensor, and the Nikkor ultrawide is a renowned lens. Now Canon might be considering a higher MP body at some point, but it is still total vaporware.

 

[bycostello]

Call me mad... but cameras are a tool and the eye is all important.

+1

 

[bdunbar79]

Call me mad... but cameras are a tool and the eye is all important.

I make the most photographically via my landscape and fine art prints, and I also cover events and photojournalism.

Up till recently I used a 1Ds III and a 24 mm TS-E II for the first and a 1DX with a 70-200 mm and a 400 mm f/2.8 I IS L for the second. Although quite happy with the TS-E II and the 1DX, I am feeling quite a bit let down by the 1Ds III. Files simply are not up to scratch compared to a 1DX.

Now a crazy thought entered my mind... how about going dark, and selling part of the gear to reinvest in a D800E (!!) and the fabled 14-24 mm, since I do most of my work on the landscape side?

The 400 mm f/2.8 has already been sold, at a profit. The fisheye, 135 f/2, 100 mm macro, 50 mm 1.2 might consider selling, keeping the 70-200 mm and the tilt shift.

Does playing both systems make sense? Canon have no higher resolution sensor, and the Nikkor ultrawide is a renowned lens. Now Canon might be considering a higher MP body at some point, but it is still total vaporware.

I can't think of any reason you couldn't shoot both. Use one system for one set of purposes, and the other system for the other set. Like you said, they are just tools.

 

[goodplanet]

Nobody would call you crazy whoever did the same. I was Canon for 6 years. Liked it. Still like many things about it. But after D800 experience and different picture feel from sensor, I gave up. My eyes and mind was kind of tired of Canon's redish look and beautiful decorations out of their sensor. I found something new with Nikon and experiencing it in a real good way. If Magic Latern was on Nikon camera's (I also do video) I'd hardly look at C again. However I like new crisp look of D800 video as well. To have both systems is a good way to learn both worlds.

 

[sandymandy]

Nikon D800E is made for landscape shooters, isnt it? If you need the high MP why not? nothing crazy.

 

[Rogerone]

I've already switched part of my kit to Nikon - the Nikon D800E. And I may consider switching entirely from Canon to Nikon if they bring out a high spec pro model based on the 36mp sensor. I'm beginning to lose faith in Canon's ability to produce cameras that I want to use, even though I've been a Canon user for the past decade.

Despite the hype, the Canon EOS1 Dx is clearly a sports camera. I suspect that Canon has had a much higher pixel count camera in development, which for some reason, has failed to materialise. The decision to hype the 1Dx as the new flagship body has clearly been a desperate ploy designed to buy time to find a replacement.

In past I would have stuck with Canon though thick and thin, but also because I had invested so much money in Canon glass. However, new high MP cameras are showing up the flaws in old lens designs, so we'll have to replace our lenses with new one anyway if we want to up grade. Therefore, being tied in to a lens range no longer applies.

I do hope Canon get their act together soon. The EOS 1DS Mk III was and still is a superb professional camera body. However, if Nikon bring out the rumoured Dx4 in the Autumn, with fast processors linked to the 36mp sensor, Canon are dead in the water. Everyone will jump ship. And once they have invested in Nikon glass, they're not going to change back again for quite some time, regardless of what Canon does later.

 

[bdunbar79]

I've already switched part of my kit to Nikon - the Nikon D800E. And I may consider switching entirely from Canon to Nikon if they bring out a high spec pro model based on the 36mp sensor. I'm beginning to lose faith in Canon's ability to produce cameras that I want to use, even though I've been a Canon user for the past decade.

Despite the hype, the Canon EOS1 Dx is clearly a sports camera. I suspect that Canon has had a much higher pixel count camera in development, which for some reason, has failed to materialise. The decision to hype the 1Dx as the new flagship body has clearly been a desperate ploy designed to buy time to find a replacement.

In past I would have stuck with Canon though thick and thin, but also because I had invested so much money in Canon glass. However, new high MP cameras are showing up the flaws in old lens designs, so we'll have to replace our lenses with new one anyway if we want to up grade. Therefore, being tied in to a lens range no longer applies.

I do hope Canon get their act together soon. The EOS 1DS Mk III was and still is a superb professional camera body. However, if Nikon bring out the rumoured Dx4 in the Autumn, with fast processors linked to the 36mp sensor, Canon are dead in the water. Everyone will jump ship. And once they have invested in Nikon glass, they're not going to change back again for quite some time, regardless of what Canon does later.

Everyone will jump ship? Wow!

 

[RS2021]

My eyes and mind was kind of tired of Canon's redish look and beautiful decorations out of their sensor. I found something new with Nikon and experiencing it in a real good way. If Magic Latern was on Nikon camera's (I also do video) I'd hardly look at C again.

Does this mean we can look forward to you not lurking here in the awful Canon land? Please, can you do that for us poor blighted Canon folk? :

 

[Canon-F1]

Call me mad... but cameras are a tool and the eye is all important.

I make the most photographically via my landscape and fine art prints, and I also cover events and photojournalism.

Up till recently I used a 1Ds III and a 24 mm TS-E II for the first and a 1DX with a 70-200 mm and a 400 mm f/2.8 I IS L for the second. Although quite happy with the TS-E II and the 1DX, I am feeling quite a bit let down by the 1Ds III. Files simply are not up to scratch compared to a 1DX.

Now a crazy thought entered my mind... how about going dark, and selling part of the gear to reinvest in a D800E (!!) and the fabled 14-24 mm, since I do most of my work on the landscape side?

The 400 mm f/2.8 has already been sold, at a profit. The fisheye, 135 f/2, 100 mm macro, 50 mm 1.2 might consider selling, keeping the 70-200 mm and the tilt shift.

Does playing both systems make sense? Canon have no higher resolution sensor, and the Nikkor ultrawide is a renowned lens. Now Canon might be considering a higher MP body at some point, but it is still total vaporware.

reading your first sentence and then the rest of your stuff.... it crossed my mind if you are a bit schizophrenic?

 

[Canon-F1]

can a mod please check the IP´s of all these one-post-posters poping up here lately?

it kind of struck me that there are so many new users here who have nothing to tell beside how great nikon is. :

i smell a troll....

 

[pknight]

Everyone will jump ship? Wow!

I count three people here who have switched or gone with dual systems. I think Canon has sold at least 6 cameras, so no more than 50% have switched.

 

[goodplanet]

what exactly can I try to do for you mister? 8)

Does this mean we can look forward to you not lurking here in the awful Canon land? Please, can you do that for us poor blighted Canon folk? :

 

[heptagon]

can a mod please check the IP´s of all these one-post-posters poping up here lately?

it kind of struck me that there are so many new users here who have nothing to tell beside how great nikon is. :

i smell a troll....

It's just how awesome Nikon cameras are. Face it: There are situations (Landscape, Studio) where Canon can't compete anymore and Nikon has taken the lead. If only the lenses would be compatible or Nikon would produce a camera with EF mount...

 

[goodplanet]

Now that's where I see the problem with many folks on canon or nikon side. If someone says something good about Nikon on Canon forum, then, suddenly "trolls are starting to appear from the woods" and smell of sarcasm follows. don't let bias rule you. be simple. CR is posting new Nikon releases too - does this mean there's something fishy here?

can a mod please check the IP´s of all these one-post-posters poping up here lately?

it kind of struck me that there are so many new users here who have nothing to tell beside how great nikon is. :

i smell a troll....

 

[Sporgon]

If you make the most from landscape photography I say WOW indeed. That must be the hardest area in photography to actually make money.

Many of our most (financially ) successful pictures at B-P are taken on an old 13mp camera. Just to think what we'd have made if they'd been shot on a 36mp :'(

 

[Don Haines]

No camera maker is constantly the best..... The newest technology usually wins....

For example, look at APS-C..... When the current sensor came out, it was the best thing out there.... Four years have passed and now it is inferior to the Nikon, Sony, and even the latest 4/3 sensors beat it...when they release a new sensor, it will probably be the best one out there.... Until the next time someone releases a new sensor.

All of these sensors are good and the differences are not night and day, it's a bit better at this and a bit worse at that. A quality lens or two will probably make more difference to most people.

 

[sanj]

You could rent the Nikon gear. Shoot tests where you properly expose both cameras. If you like Nikon result you could use both or switch entirely.
I personally know people who have done the switch.

I will stick to Canon as using the 1dx makes me miss fewer shots (fast focus and 12fps). And that alone is important.

I would love to see a proper comparison between the two cameras done at 100 iso while properly exposing landscapes...

Btw, you NOT crazy or anything like that. Anyone who feels you are, needs to examine themselves.

If you ever make a comparison test, please inbox me. I want to see!!

 

[Don Haines]

If you make the most from landscape photography I say WOW indeed. That must be the hardest area in photography to actually make money.

Many of our most (financially ) successful pictures at B-P are taken on an old 13mp camera. Just to think what we'd have made if they'd been shot on a 36mp :'(

The best landscape picture I have ever taken was with a 2.1 megapixel Olympus point and shoot. Time, place, light, and season trumps gear!

 

[MrFotoFool]

If your specialty is landscape and you want high MP, it seems to me that medium format would be the most logical choice. The Leica S2 looks particularly appealing (based solely on form of body - I have not used it or any other medium format myself).

Keeping both (Canon and Nikon) I do not think makes sense - go with one or the other. For one thing, Nikon lenses mount and focus in the opposite direction of Canon (and all other brands). Would confuse me (but perhaps not you) to have to switch back and forth.

 

[distant.star]

.
Your logic appears sound. Damn shame people in business have to face such perplexing choices. As good as camera/lens makers are you'd think they'd see this and create specialty equipment to hold their customers.

I think you're looking at a business decision. If you go with Nikon for one part of your business, will it generate more revenue? It seems like it may be more personally satisfying for you, but if it doesn't add more to the bottom line, why are you really doing it?

Either way I'm sure you'll do fine -- and have fun and satisfying photographic experiences.