Camera Labs

I can't decide on which camera to buy, the canon 5d mk2 or the Nikon D700. Which is the best for an non professional photographer to go for? I want a full frame camera.

Hi macjim,

I'll ask some questions which may help improve any answers:

1. Budget?
2. Uses?
3. How do 1/ and 2/ impact on your lens budget?

As I'm sure you're aware the D800 is now out. The 5D Mark III announcement is expected in the next few days if the rumours are to be believed.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Budget ok for both cameras.
General use. Street photography and any other work. Not sports or professional work.
D800 and 5D mk 3 would be very much out of my budget

PS. I come from an Olympus OM-1n background and miss the simplicity of that camera era - 50mm lens and 35mm film. I've used aps-c cameras in the form if the Nikon D90 but I had problems with camera. Had a faulty which couldn't be figured out by the tech boys.
I still have an aps-c camera - a Sony nex-5n and really like it - but I just want to get a full framed camera again. Call me old fashioned but I'm not into 4/3 - m4/3 cameras.

Hi macjim,

I'm not going to be of much help to you, I'm afraid, having just sold my 5D2. I loved the IQ but in the end I'm prepared to sacrifice a little of that in order to end up with something smaller, both body and lenses.

Street photography is an art form I only read about but I'm a little surprised that you want a full frame DSLR for it. I thought part of the trick was to remain in the background with an inconspicuous camera which is also quiet. But enough of my ramblings - I'll hand the baton on to someone with enough knowledge to actually answer your question...

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Bob, even so. I'd appreciate your opinion.
I've just seen a bit of rumour news that the 5D Mk 3 might be announced this week and, it's supposed to be not much more in cost, body only, than I'm thinking about spending. The D800 is just overkill to me with its 30+ Mg's...

Hi macjim,

Don't forget that even if the 5D3 were announced on Friday there's a fighting chance that it won't appear in the shops for months and when it does appear it's unlikely to be discounted for some time after that.

Having been a "full framer" until very recently I certainly understand the virtues in terms of IQ but having the biggest and best sensor in the world is less than half the hardware battle IMHO. If you are shooting Street in low light then maybe fast glass is even more important. And then there's the noise of a large DSLR not to mention the way such cameras are hard to miss.

I'm just a Mod here (not a reviewer or even a very good photographer) but, playing devil's advocate, have a look at the video linked to in my post here or even the video here. For the latter you need to click on the picture near the top of the page and wait a few seconds for the intro to finish before you get into the meat of the video.

I'm not suggesting that either camera is right (or wrong) for you but maybe the videos will help your decision along...

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.