No camera for a while....

[Peter McCullough]

Hi all;

Going to have no camera for a couple of weeks as I'm presently changing my complete camera system over from Canon to Nikon, I've virtually all my Canon kit now sold and only today placed a hefty deposit on an 'as new' used Nikon D800 body with only 400 shutter clicks.

Hope to receive the D800 around end of September, so very excited about this along with my Carl Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZF lens purchase, the beast of a lens arrives this Friday.

Exciting times ahead, a whole new learning curve....! Watch this space....

 

[Kev Pugh]

Ooooh Jealous but happy to see another convert from the dark side coming over to the darker side welcome to Nikolodialand!!

 

[Lee Webb]

Can I ask why you moved from Canon to Nikon? I did the same 5 years ago, but if I were shooting Canon currently I'd probably stay there. I must be honest, the thought of changing back has crossed my mind more than once this last month.

 

[Peter McCullough]

Hi Lee;

Was shooting with a 5D Mk1 body for nearly two years with GREAT results, then sold this body to buy a mint/used/low shutter count 5D Mk2 body.
After owning the 5D Mk2 body for 2/3 weeks I couldn't get the thing to focus right, even through the viewfinder the focus was so different compared to the hassle free 5D Mk1, strange I know....

I tried adjusting everything as far as I could but virtually all my images where so soft and I had bad focus issues, very disappointing alright as I had built myself up as the 5D Mk2 was going to be my landscape camera for years to come.

Think I just got fed up with the whole thing, so the chap I bought it from offered me a full refund (very kind), I accepted his kind offer and started head scratching about where to turn to next camera wise........(???), the 5D Mk3 for me was too much money to be honest, so I've decided to go down the Nikon D800 route now.

Yes I agree, a bit of hassle selling everything and starting again, but I'm nearly there now.

 

[Lee Webb]

Good for you Peter, I know it's not an easy decision to make but if your camera wasn't performing properly than a fresh start might be just what you needed. My reasons for switching were similar, I was just starting my wedding photography business and had the 1DIIN and a 40D. The 40D went wrong 4 times and was actually replaced three times and I had just had enough. The 1D was poor above 400 ISO and then the D3 appeared on the scene and offered everything I wanted.
Let me say its also refreshing to hear someone say something different than "I want more megapixels" !!
The D800 is truly great for landscape photography. I own one and don't use it too much, for my work I prefer the speed of the D4 and don't require 36mp images (only for group photos at weddings) but having owned it for 17 months now, the dynamic range still impresses me even now.
I really hope you get on well with it. Make sure you use some decent glass, other than that the camera is very forgiving. If you want the best possible results, the Sigma 35mm is currently the highest resolving lens that you can get short of the super telephoto lenses.
All the best

 

[Hamish Gill]

Peter, Whilst you wait why dont you buy a nikon film camera to keep you ticking over. They can be had for next to nothing!

 

[Pete Askew]

Not that is a good idea Hamish. Exiting times indeed Peter.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I picked up a Nikon for the first time the other week - met someone shooting with one at the races, and he passed it over

I couldn't work out how to drive it - it was like switching from left top right hand drive!

Best of luck with the change - super cameras, and the film camera idea is a good 'un

 

[Dave Moss]

I felt the same after swapping to Canon for a camera club night the other week I find with the Nikon everything is where you would expect it and was easy to learn where as the canon was all over the place might have been different though if I had gone to the Canon cold shot it for a few months then tried a Nikon I suppose the best people to answer this are Dan and Darren who are both Nikon converts

 

[Dave Young]

Good luck to you Pete. Was there a reason why you just simply buy another 5D2?

Ive enjoyed following your images with your 5D and wish you luck with your new Nikon. I was once a Nikon guy, but soon saw the light and flipped over to Canon

 

[Peter McCullough]

Hi Dave;

Hmmm suppose the reason why I never bought another 5D/2 was I was worried I'd have the same 'focus issue' problems, so a totally new thought process kicked in.

A bit like ending a marriage and starting all over again.......haha.

 

[Peter McCullough]

Good idea Hamish;

I may look at the likes of a Nikon FM body, I had one a long time ago and loved the simplicity of it, a great tool it was (and still is I'm sure....).

Could/would my Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZF (Nikon mount) lens fit and be useable on the Nikon FM body I wonder ?

What kind of money would a decent condition Nikon FM sell for nowadays Hamish ?

 

[Dave Young]

A bit like ending a marriage and starting all over again.......haha.

Haha… that's one way to look at, especially if you've lost a bit of confidence in the brand.

Good luck with the swap over, I'll look forward to seeing your pics with the new kit.