Upgrading from a 400D - Thinking of leaving Canon.

[Rixy]

I'm looking at upgrading my ageing 400D.

Something more pro in size and build would be preferable, with better IQ and ISO performace. However, I'm not sure where to go and I'm not sure if I should depart from the Canon brand entirely.

Over the years I have invested in the below Canon items:

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Canon 50mm 1.8
580EX II flash
Extension tubes

I keep looking at Nikon's offerings and it appears they offer larger and more professional bodies for the money, specifically the D7000 is catching my eye now that the price has fallen. The D7000 seems to win in every department over anything that Canon has to offer in this price range, apart from continuous shooting ability. With some features that are pro level (100% viewfinder and dual SD card slots). When it comes to image quality and ISO performance it looks like it's quite ahead of the likes of the 60D and 7D.

I'm not clued up with Nikon's range of lenses or if it is even worth me jumping to Nikon. How do Nikon lenses compare to Canon L lenses?

I have mixed feelings about leaving Canon, but I suppose with my above list I haven't invested too much in the Canon system.

Budget is around £600 for the body.

Am I mad or missing something, being out of touch with what is available. From what I can see Canon have missed out with producing a semi pro camera within this price bracket.

 

[Martyn...]

Welcome to TP


The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence

The bodies and lenses from Nikon and Canon are much of a muchness, the biggest influence will be the person behind the viewfinder, not many people reach the absolute limit of their kit's ability.

It all comes down to personal opinion of how the camera feels in the hand, how easy the controls are to find and use.

Best bet would be to go to your nearest camera shop and pick up a Canon and a Nikon in the same sort of price range and see what you think.

 

[Teshi]

I'm looking at upgrading my ageing 400D.

Something more pro in size and build would be preferable, with better IQ and ISO performace. However, I'm not sure where to go and I'm not sure if I should depart from the Canon brand entirely.

Over the years I have invested in the below Canon items:

Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Canon 50mm 1.8
580EX II flash
Extension tubes

I keep looking at Nikon's offerings and it appears they offer larger and more professional bodies for the money, specifically the D7000 is catching my eye now that the price has fallen. The D7000 seems to win in every department over anything that Canon has to offer in this price range, apart from continuous shooting ability. With some features that are pro level (100% viewfinder and dual SD card slots). When it comes to image quality and ISO performance it looks like it's quite ahead of the likes of the 60D and 7D.

I'm not clued up with Nikon's range of lenses or if it is even worth me jumping to Nikon. How do Nikon lenses compare to Canon L lenses?

I have mixed feelings about leaving Canon, but I suppose with my above list I haven't invested too much in the Canon system.

Budget is around £600 for the body.

Am I mad or missing something, being out of touch with what is available. From what I can see Canon have missed out with producing a semi pro camera within this price bracket.

Having all the biggest numbers and features is not what I would say is enough for me to move. After I hit my limit with my 400D, I did the same. Glad I didnt and got myself is a 5D instead.

I wouldnt knock 2nd hand bodies from various camera shops around London/online since they tend to have a good affordable price for something which may be out of reach new.

Personally blazing AF and FPS were never my thing so the 5D ticked my box. If I was to do it again, it would have to be a 5D or 5D II again. Either way, photos are photos.

 

[StewartR]

I'm not clued up with Nikon's range of lenses or if it is even worth me jumping to Nikon. How do Nikon lenses compare to Canon L lenses?

It depends what you want. The best Nikon lenses and the best Canon lenses are all very good. But they don't both cover the full range of possibilities to the same extent. Whichever system you buy into, there are swings and roundabouts.

Example: If you're into landscapes on a full-frame body, the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 G ED is an awesome wide zoom and Canon really don't have anything that touches it.

Example: If you're into architecture, the Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 L and TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L II are extremely good tilt shift lenses. Nikon's 24mm isn't as good and they don't make a 17mm.

Example: If you're into extreme macro, the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x is unique. Totally bonkers, but unique.

Example: If you're into wildlife, birds, etc. and want a good telephoto lens in the ~£1,000 range rather than the £4,000+ range, then Canon's offerings are much better than Nikon's

But if you want something like a mid-range f/2.8 zoom, a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom and the odd prime, then there's probably little to choose between them.

 

[Rixy]

Thanks for the welcome and the advice.

Welcome to TP


The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence

The bodies and lenses from Nikon and Canon are much of a muchness, the biggest influence will be the person behind the viewfinder, not many people reach the absolute limit of their kit's ability.

It all comes down to personal opinion of how the camera feels in the hand, how easy the controls are to find and use.

Best bet would be to go to your nearest camera shop and pick up a Canon and a Nikon in the same sort of price range and see what you think.

I will head down to a nearby camera shop and see how I get on with them. I may even find that I get on better with Nikon as to be honest the 400D has always felt a little tedious to work with, but then again it is a small body.

Having all the biggest numbers and features is not what I would say is enough for me to move. After I hit my limit with my 400D, I did the same. Glad I didnt and got myself is a 5D instead.

I wouldnt knock 2nd hand bodies from various camera shops around London/online since they tend to have a good affordable price for something which may be out of reach new.

Personally blazing AF and FPS were never my thing so the 5D ticked my box. If I was to do it again, it would have to be a 5D or 5D II again. Either way, photos are photos.

The 5D and 5D II are very nice cameras but above my budget.

I'm a little frustrated at Canon I have to say, as I can't see anything that falls in to the semi pro category around the £600 mark. I have been very much put off by the 7D from what I have read, I don't think I would be happy with it.

I'm starting to think you are right Teshi about investing in a second hand Canon body and use the money saved to invest in some better glass.

What second hand Canon bodies should I be looking at when I am after good AF, good ISO sensitivity and a solid and large construction?

I feel like I'm going around in circles a little bit with my thoughts on what to do.

It depends what you want. The best Nikon lenses and the best Canon lenses are all very good. But they don't both cover the full range of possibilities to the same extent. Whichever system you buy into, there are swings and roundabouts.

Example: If you're into landscapes on a full-frame body, the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 G ED is an awesome wide zoom and Canon really don't have anything that touches it.

Example: If you're into architecture, the Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 L and TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L II are extremely good tilt shift lenses. Nikon's 24mm isn't as good and they don't make a 17mm.

Example: If you're into extreme macro, the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x is unique. Totally bonkers, but unique.

Example: If you're into wildlife, birds, etc. and want a good telephoto lens in the ~£1,000 range rather than the £4,000+ range, then Canon's offerings are much better than Nikon's

But if you want something like a mid-range f/2.8 zoom, a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom and the odd prime, then there's probably little to choose between them.

Thanks for that StewartR. It's interesting to see the gaps that both Canon and Nikon have in their lens range. I can't see myself spashing out thousands on a single lens, so I am thinking that the middle ground area is where I shall be staying in.