Need some advice for new camera please

gman

gman

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Graham
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I've been in a dilemma for quite some time now about buying a new camera (or two) and although I've been researching a fair amount I'm still undecided.

I've had my eye on the 5D Mark I for quite some time with the full frame being of interest as well as much better ISO performance over my current cameras and currently being at a doable price, however, I'm being tempted towards the D700 also. The 5D Mark II isn't an option as I don't need the extra megapixels and it's price is too high for what it is in my opinion with the D700 offering better ISO performance anyway at a better price.

I've got quite a few weddings to do soon for friends etc and also going to be doing a lot of baby photos for my partner's business so the low light and full frame is important. The problem I'm finding is my mix of kit with most of the lenses being for cropped sensors. The flash gun could be taken across to the Canon 5D, however, the Nikon 70-300mm could be taken across to the D700.

I'm wondering if I'm best to sell the whole lot and start afresh and get specifically what I need for the job or just sell some of the stuff and try to integrate stuff across? If I went for the 5D I could probably push and get two bodies whereas the D700 I could probably only go for one body which may be a bit risky? lol

Not sure how much I could get for all my kit but any advice on all this especially what camera bodies would be best suited for the above type of work (mainly the latter) would be appreciated.


Cheers
Graham
 
I'd probably wait on deciding about bodies until you're clear on what lenses you need to do the job with first. At least two of your 400D lenses are cropped anyway so they won't be much use on the full frame camera.

The two body idea is a good one. I kept my 400D and bought the 5dmkII. Given that the ISO quality on the D700 and 5DmkII is so close I opted for the later because of my desire to more to short movies and its full HD recording abilities, oh and I got £550 off the price. I sold all my crop lenses to fund the move but I also knew exactly what lens I wanted first for the camera. I'm assuming you'll be looking at something like the 85mm f1.8 or 1.2L if you've got the money for portrait stuff? The 50mm 1.4 would be good also, although I've heard people have a lot of focusing issues with that(?). I don't know much about the D700 apart from the reviews and comparisons I read pitting it against the 5dmk2.

Good luck dude!
 
I suppose it depends on your budget really, the difference between a D700 and a 5D MK I is a fair chunk of money and tbh, the 70-300 VR you have, whilst it is a decent consumer-grade lens, would have all it's deficiencies magnified many times by a body like the D700.

If it was me I'd be selling the lot and starting from scratch, with which ever system you feel offers the best features for your proposed use.

Fortunately (for you anyway) the 15-55 Nikon now retails at £1000 new, so you might get most of the cost of a 5D MKI body from that alone!
 
This may be a stupid question but what is the Canon 1D MkII classed as, full frame or cropped? I noticed it's 1.3 but will all my lenses work on it?
 
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