I'm a professional wedding, commercial and landscape photographer and I have just swapped wholesale from Canon to Nikon. That sounds like the start of a dirty confession, but I'll explain my reasons why.
I've spent the last two years shooting with a pair of 5D3's and more recently, a 6D and before that 5D2's and before that it was 5D Mark 1's. I had a complete collection of L series lenses (15mm fisheye, 16-35II, 24-70II, 70-200II, 85 1.2 II, 24-35-50mm sigma ART's, 600EXRT's-Basically a wedding, commercial or landscape photographers standard setup).
I've just swapped all the above for the equivalent Nikon kit (14-24, 85 1.4G being the only real differences) and bought myself a pair of Nikon D810's and a D750 for faster moments. I shot my first wedding on them last weekend and it has to be said that it's probably the best thing I've ever done.
The difference in image quality, dynamic range (I know that's a dirty phrase around here sometimes, but it makes a difference) and high ISO performance is amazing. The Nikons leave the Canons in the dust. I'm not just saying it because of the fairly major investment I've had to put into it either. I loved my Canon kit and have shot over 500,000 images on it reliably and without hassle over the last two years alone and didn't plan on making the swap. But then a friend of mine showed me the files he was getting from the D810 and I was blown away.
The files coming out of the D810 are superior in every important way, their lenses are so similar in performance that it's not worth arguing about and the autofocus (especially the 3D tracking) is leagues ahead compared to that of the 5D3’s, simple as that. And THIS is why Canon needs to catch up. I have no doubt that the 5D4 will be an amazing camera when it appears, but Nikon/Sony have raised the image quality bar to such a high standard that Canon really needs to beat it, or else there will surely be more working professionals like me making the jump, whether it be to the big N or to Fuji, Sony or A.N. Other mirrorless/mirrored brand (although I'm yet to meet anyone shooting weddings on Sony). I have to agree with CR Guy when he says that if there isn't a bit of a leap in performance then Canon's sales will start to suffer.
Compare the specs of the 6D to the D750 and try not to be impressed. These are meant to be cameras in a similar price bracket and are marketed towards similar demographic groups, but the D750 is just a thing of wonder. Smaller, lighter, flipping screen, MUCH better image quality, a better AF system than even the D4S, more comfortable to hold than the 6D and it only carries a fractional price difference over the 6D. And the D810 is just in a completely different league to the 5D3.
Halfway through the wedding last weekend I wondered if I'd made the right decision, as looking at the back of the camera it didn't look too different to what I'd been getting, but once I'd got the cards onto the computer it's was obvious just how much better the Nikons are. I'm not trying to say that everybody should jump ship if the 5D4 is a bit of a dud or if it comes out looking like Canon has ignored the wants and needs of its professional user base, as it's a massive leap to make-trust me, I was so comfortable using my Canons that I didn't need to look at the settings, my fingers just knew where to go to change stuff, and trying to learn a new system in a few days before a wedding was REALLY hard work. But the pictures that these camera allow me to produce now are better (not MASSIVELY, but noticeably) and Canon has to react to that, if nothing else.
Feel free to criticise my decision as I'm sure a lot of the hardcore CR forum members will do, but it's only my opinion and personal quest to get the best image quality possible within my own financial means and I'm very glad I've made the jump indeed. What do I miss? Smaller file sizes (storage is cheap), some of the lenses, (just because I like the look they give-85mm 1.2 being a case in point-hurry up Sigma!) and the 600EXRT system which will hopefully be replicated by Nikon with their SB5000, due out soon, if not, I can do the same with the pocket wizards I also purchased...
So there you have it, an over-long cautionary message to Canon that you're not indestructible and people will make the move if you rest on your laurels for too long.
Signed,
A former Canon Fanboy
