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Looking for a new Dslr setup.

B

B239

n00b
Joined
Aug 20, 2008
Messages
51
I just don’t like the build quality of Canon and could careless Canons marketing team. I feel like Canon likes to push out stuff that has not been tested and just push high Megapixel cameras out. I have heard screw things about Cannon’s poor low light performances and Af/s system. Is any of this true? I see NASA also uses Nikon only not Canon.
 
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Sounds like a killer setup to me! If you got the cash, go for it! :D Be sure to pick up a half-dozen or so SB-900's while you're at it. ;)

I'd love to upgrade to D700 sometime for the FF sensor, metal body, and better pro lighting support - not sure when I'll be able to scrape together the cash though - I may have to wait for the D800. :p

Of the lenses you mentioned, all are supposed to be great. Only one I have of those is the 50mm f/1.4, and I'd highly recommend it - especially if you're looking at a FF body. Oh, and you might want to pick up the 16mm fisheye to completely round out this set. :)
 
Many people make a living using Nikon, Canon, Olympus, and Pentax systems, so it really comes down to personal preference. If you like Nikon, I'd go for it, it's a solid brand with a good lens and lighting system. Most of the time, the equipment won't be what's preventing you from getting a good image.

Those are all solid lenses, although some people have complained about the 70-200 on full frame. What kind of pictures do you want to take?
 
Sounds like you've been talking to some die-hard Nikonians :p

Things aren't really as bad as you say, and the differences between the many manufacturers are so minute that only pros and established/advanced consumers can really tell the difference - by then they're pretty firmly engrained in one system or another.

I'd get some more hands-on experience before trash-talking one manufacturer over another. Go to any Canon forum and you'll see people selling off their gear to switch to Nikon, go to any Nikon forum and you'll see just as many people doing the same to switch to Canon. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Nikon's corporate sponsorship of NASA has no bearing on the quality of their gear, or their competitors'.

It looks like you've got some good low-light lenses picked out. Nothing slower than f/2.8. That's great :)
 
B239 said:
I just don’t like the build quality of Canon and could careless Canons marketing team. I feel like Canon likes to push out stuff that has not been tested and just push high Megapixel cameras out. I have heard screw things about Cannon’s poor low light performances and Af/s system. Is any of this true? I see NASA also uses Nikon only not Canon.
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Lol what? Obviously you still have a lot of reading/research ahead of you if that is what you honestly think of Canon. Superior build quality, IQ, and a wider selection of lenses are the way to go.

Regardless, Nikon isn't bad and nice configuration you have there. Good luck with your photography!
 
B239 said:
Well, I did it!
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Dang, dude! You don't waste any time! :D

Where did you manage to find all that gear in stock at the same time??
(or had you already purchased before you even started this thread?)

Care to make a donation to the Buy Paul a D700 fund? I have a D90 I can trade you that will make your 70-200 seem longer! ;) It's a killer deal, if I say so myself.
 
Quite a bank account indeed. I have one recommendation, since you just dropped well over $10K there. If you can, return that original 70-200 VR for the new one (AF-S 70-200 F/2.8G VR II,) which has much better corner performance on the full frame D700. Yeah it's a few more hundred dollars, but with that setup, who's counting? And with that lens, it's worth it. I'd also get the grip, especially for the 24-70 and the 70-200. Not that they're absolutely fine with the D700 without it, but the grip helps balance the camera with these heavy lenses.

Even still though, I think that lens lineup can use some work ;) If you really like to shoot wide and in the absolute dark, pay close attention to the first reviews of the new AF-S 24 1.4, which will be coming out in March. Paired with a D700, you'll be able to shoot in a pitch-black closet. And no set of 2.8 zooms should go without a super-telephoto or two -- perhaps the 200 F/2 or the new 300 2.8 is in order? And while we're at it, there's a eBay auction going on right now for one of the legendary 13mm 5.6s AI-S (manual) lenses. I think it's just past $6,500 right now, which is a bargain considering 400 or so were ever made and thus usually go on auction sites for over what you just paid for your entire setup.

In all seriousness, the D700 is probably the best high-end camera money can buy these days (outside the dual-grip D3s/x and maybe the 1D Mark IV.) I just hope you don't have remorse with that lens lineup -- heavy 2.8 zooms have their place indeed, but unless you have some seriously heavy dutly shooting planned, you may find that 50 1.4 hogging your camera's lens mount. Oh, and as someone who has extensively shot Canon and Nikon, I agree with you regarding build quality -- Nikon is distinctly superior, but then again their prices are distinctly, almost painfully higher.
 
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madFive said:
Dang, dude! You don't waste any time! :D

Where did you manage to find all that gear in stock at the same time??
(or had you already purchased before you even started this thread?)

Care to make a donation to the Buy Paul a D700 fund? I have a D90 I can trade you that will make your 70-200 seem longer! ;) It's a killer deal, if I say so myself.
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Well, is crazy. Your first DSLR and you already got all the right gears.... Then, you get the gear police telling you your gear is too much for your talent......:p Happy shooting...
 
Markyip1 said:
Quite a bank account indeed. I have one recommendation, since you just dropped well over $10K there. If you can, return that original 70-200 VR for the new one (AF-S 70-200 F/2.8G VR II,) which has much better corner performance on the full frame D700. Yeah it's a few more hundred dollars, but with that setup, who's counting? And with that lens, it's worth it. I'd also get the grip, especially for the 24-70 and the 70-200. Not that they're absolutely fine with the D700 without it, but the grip helps balance the camera with these heavy lenses.

Even still though, I think that lens lineup can use some work ;) If you really like to shoot wide and in the absolute dark, pay close attention to the first reviews of the new AF-S 24 1.4, which will be coming out in March. Paired with a D700, you'll be able to shoot in a pitch-black closet. And no set of 2.8 zooms should go without a super-telephoto or two -- perhaps the 200 F/2 or the new 300 2.8 is in order? And while we're at it, there's a eBay auction going on right now for one of the legendary 13mm 5.6s AI-S (manual) lenses. I think it's just past $6,500 right now, which is a bargain considering 400 or so were ever made and thus usually go on auction sites for over what you just paid for your entire setup.

In all seriousness, the D700 is probably the best high-end camera money can buy these days (outside the dual-grip D3s/x and maybe the 1D Mark IV.) I just hope you don't have remorse with that lens lineup -- heavy 2.8 zooms have their place indeed, but unless you have some seriously heavy dutly shooting planned, you may find that 50 1.4 hogging your camera's lens mount. Oh, and as someone who has extensively shot Canon and Nikon, I agree with you regarding build quality -- Nikon is distinctly superior, but then again their prices are distinctly, almost painfully higher.
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spoken like a true Nikonian :cool:

nice gear there, B239. definitely exchange the 70-200 for the newer version. not much of a deal breaker for the DX cameras, but since you've already made a jump to FX, then it's well worth it.

all you need now is a Gitzo tripod, RRS head, brackets, umbrellas, clamps, sc-29 cord (su -800 will do, too, or a pocket wizards) peli case, backpacks, think tank stuff, etc... you didn't think you were done with this purchase, did you? ;) btw. i strongly suggest calling your insurance agent and insuring all your gear right away.

i hope you know what you're doing with all this gear. good luck, and happy shooting!
 
This is a pretty cool setup.

I used to have a D700 but sold it for 5D2 since I needed more resolution and the camera was too slow for other uses so it was kind of like the odd man out.

I agree about getting newer 70-200.

Now let's see some photos. :)
 
Now you need a 200-400F4, 400f2.8VR and exotic and you are done =)

Think you are missing a Fish too.

I'd add a D300S for the times when you want a little more reach.

And get two Sun Snipers or R straps. Wear em bandolier style.

Get a couple RRS L brackets, and a super light tripod and a super heavy duty one. And a Full Wimberly.

Edit, woops, missed em in the pile! Or you could, you know, actually add a flash to that pile. With your budget 'd get 3 SB900s...
 
I'm jealous... VERY nice!
I am still rocking an 18-55 kit and 50mm f/1.8 lens on my D60.

And just pulled the trigger on a remote, Bower battery grip, extra EN-EL9a and 3 8GB memory cards. I'm also saving my pennies for a nice and fast zoom lens.

I, however, would like to gun after something FF though. I hate the crop sensor of my D60.
 
LOL! Somebody won the lottery!

Ditch that D700 (or keep it as backup) and get a D3S.

Kadath is right you also need the 200-400 f4 VR

RRS is definitely your next stop.

They make their own tripods now.

Don't forget to get the foot for the 70-200

That 200-400 is heavy, not really handholdable. Need a monopod and a head. The head needs some kind of clamp. I prefer the knob type. Don't forget the foot

Hmmm - what else -oh yeah, flash brackets. You'll need both the B85 and the B87. Might as well get one as a portrait package - you'll need the MPR
 
^why B85 and B87? I own the latter, and never have i found myself needing the smaller B85. if anything, an additional clamp for the second strobe for micro photography is more than desired.

also, it seems B239 got a mounting plate for his 70-200. i suggest getting a replacement foot instead. with the plate, you won't be able to use the B85/B87.

as far as tripods... i'm biased towards Gitzo.
 
B85 fits better on the 70-200 and 200 f4 (yes, I have both).

I also have CF gitzo but would have bought the RRS one had it been available at the time
 
RRS and Gitzo go for about the same, so aside from having a full RRS lineup, what's the reason?

btw, what do you use with your bracket? an sc-28/29 or the su-800? i ask, because i'm on a fence if i should invest in the wireless option. i rarely use more then one strobe, and the cable doesn't bother me much... i guess in a way i answered my own question (spend the $250 elsewhere), but what's your take on it?
 
It is similar in construction to the Gitzo Systematic tripods but the metal parts are CNC machined instead of cast. Also, the platform is held in place with a locking ring instead of just friction.

I have both the SC28 and SC29. The 28 is all you'll ever need. I bought the 29 before I knew better. I do use the wireless often, but I use the SB900 as master.
 
Whoa, I was looking at the time stamps. The guy asked advices regarding a D700 setup, and came back 6 hours later with all the gear he had in mind. How did you make your wife approve for all that gratuitous spending. It doesn't get more in the face than that :p

I am waiting for the next thread where you will announce that you are jumping the ship to Canon.
 
I would never buy a Canon just look at the Firmware problems they had how many times has that happend to Nikon? What about the 5D Mark II Af problem? They tryed to fix with the firmware?

(Nikon) Super ED glass is more resilient to rapid temperature changes (thermal shock) and not as susceptible to cracking as the crystal structure of fluorite."

If its good for NASA its good for me. I don't care about Canon high MP game. Try using a Canon in low light = your Fed.
 
B239 said:
I would never buy a Canon just look at the Firmware problems they had how many times has that happend to Nikon? What about the 5D Mark II Af problem? They tryed to fix with the firmware?

(Nikon) Super ED glass is more resilient to rapid temperature changes (thermal shock) and not as susceptible to cracking as the crystal structure of fluorite."

If its good for NASA its good for me. I don't care about Canon high MP game. Try using a Canon in low light = your Fed.
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Wow... you're still going on about this? :rolleyes:

Have you updated your new D700 to the latest firmware? It fixes some memory card reading issues, noise reduction problems, and several live-view glitches.... Every responsible consumer electronics company supports their products after launch. Firmware updates are a good thing.

Canon fluorite glass and the trademark white lenses are why a lot of people switch to Canon from other systems, you're not going to find a lot of support for that argument. The optical characteristics speak for themselves.

As far as Nikon being a corporate sponsor for NASA, that means absolutely nothing other than NASA getting some T-shirts and discounted gear.
 
And when was the last time you had enough vibrations (like in a shuttle) that you'd be worried about your lens breaking? At that point, if I was shooting and had that concern, I'd be more worried about my life.

Either way, nice setup. I shoot with a Canon 40D and will agree with the comments on Canon has a MUCH LARGER range of lenses to go with, and generally are less expensive then the Nikon counterparts, but Nikon is just dominating in the low light low noise area. Canon is doing well in the HD recording (it's a freaking still camera) features.

Either way, they both will do outstanding jobs with the most photographers, it's really whichever way you want to lean. Some day, people could and probably will lean towards Canon again as being top dog. And then back to Nikon.. One things for sure, buying Olympus or Sony is a waste for serious people. They're great for entry to mid range DSLR and have loads of great features and packages, but if you start really putting money into photography, you're pretty much going to have to go with either Nikon or Canon.
 
ShepsCrook said:
Canon has a MUCH LARGER range of lenses to go with
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Actually, in pure numbers, if you look at both the Canon website, and the Nikon website, the latter offers 6 more lenses to choose from (60 vs. 66). ;) To be fair, for a really long time Canon's only advantage was the fast primes, IMO, but it seems Nikon is catching up. At this moment, both of them offer just about the same (granted, Nikon's line up is somewhat more expensive). The only winners are we, the consumers.
Either way, they both will do outstanding jobs with the most photographers, it's really whichever way you want to lean. Some day, people could and probably will lean towards Canon again as being top dog. And then back to Nikon.. One things for sure, buying Olympus or Sony is a waste for serious people. They're great for entry to mid range DSLR and have loads of great features and packages, but if you start really putting money into photography, you're pretty much going to have to go with either Nikon or Canon.
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I know of a few Pentax users who wouldn't agree with this statement ;)

i kid, i kid :D
 
I have shot on Pentax 35mm film (moms old camera) a Nikon D40 I think it was and my Own Canon gear. All were fine and good camera's. I do not really like the UI of the Nikon and had other Canon gear I wanted to keep using so I stick by them.

Cant go wrong with either, just make sure you know what you getting into in either camp.
 
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