DSLR opinions (I can't even believe I'm broaching the subject here)

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Luke

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Luke
I've developed a taste for high IQ images. I thought m43 was the best compromise between size and IQ, but I'm changing my mind and saying that APS-C is now my best compromise. I may need to work out a bit to carry the bigger lenses, but I like the images enough to do it. I own a couple cameras that dazzle with their IQ, but they are both fixed lens cameras. I recently sold off my X-Pro. As much as I love the form factor, it's still not my ideal system camera. I would like a lens with longer reach than 200mm and I'd like a longer macro than the Fuji.

I think it's time I go over to the dark side and try a Canikon:eek:. The Nikon D7000 looks to me to be about the sweet spot (for me) concerning price and feature trade-offs. Can any of you DSLR users share some wisdom about the potential purchase? I like that it will AF an AF lens past or present and that is a big draw for me so I can go looking for sweet older ones on the cheap. I remember when I first got into photography, the images I was seeing from the D90 always impressed me and the D7000 is the successor to that. So I don't think I really need the newest one (there's always a newer one, isn't there). I'd rather save a few hundred to put towards some glass.
 
Remember whatever camera body you choose now, that bodies come and go, your real investment is the glass. Unless you don't like a particular lens and decide to sell it or donate it to a friend, chances are you will keep your lenses and move from body to body as time goes on. So when you choose, choose for the best lens options that will suit your needs.

Since you currently have Nikon on the mind..

Here is info on using older Nikon lenses on newer Nikon digitals. That is something you can't do with Canon unless you buy an FD to EOS adapter.

And be sure to check out Zeiss glass too, it's amazing. Beyond that I don't know a lot about Nikon other than I used to have an old film One Touch ;)

Also if you aren't truly set on manufacturer.. go handle Canon and Nikon side by side with similar or same lenses. That was what I did. I ended up preferring the Canon glass so bought Canon.
 
Also adding that whether you choose Nikon or Canon, you can use Zeiss, Sigma, Tamron and a few other mfgs. for compatible glass. Also remember when buying lenses, buying a 100mm macro made for a full frame camera, when used on an APS-C body, you will be getting a 160mm frame for Canon, 150mm for Nikon, thus you get even closer. A crop sensor is a plus in Macro.
 
Why not try Pentax? The K5-II is noticeably smaller than the D7000 and has better IQ. Unlike Canon and Nikon, Pentax has a very good lineup of APS-C lenses - both primes and zooms.

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I don't know all that much about specific DSLRs or, particularly, the lenses available for them. But I think if I was going to take on the hassle of the size and weight of a DSLR system, I'd go all the way up to full frame. You can replicate most of the IQ of APS DSLRs with mirrorless if you don't need to shoot fast action and need fast AF tracking. But with full frame, there's the RX1 and the rumor of a new full frame mirrorless ILC from Sony, but a lot fewer options, at least for the near future. So I'd be looking at a D600 (or D800 if i could swing it) or something similar from Canon, and associated glass.

I just wouldn't see taking all of that on for the relatively small gains in very few areas you could get with APS.

-Ray
 
Here is info on using older Nikon lenses on newer Nikon digitals. That is something you can't do with Canon unless you buy an FD to EOS adapter.

This is true, however you can use legacy manual focus glass from Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Leica (R mount) and M42 on Canon cameras with adapters. Nikon can only mount Nikon from what I understand.

I shoot Canon, but admittedly have never tried Nikon. I got into the system initially for the fast, relatively inexpensive, high quality primes, but now Nikon has a good selection of those as well. I don't think you can go wrong either way and agree that it would probably be beneficial to try them both side by side to see which you prefer.
 
I agree with Ray 100%. I'd be in the full frame camp as well if I was going to fixate on ultimate IQ.

I've used a Canon 7D with mid-level lenses, and an E-M5 with similarly priced glass. E-M5 was the IQ winner for me (unless we're talking sports/action/birds in flight sort of stuff). I think the D7000 and 7D are considered to be in the same ballpark.
 
I don't know all that much about specific DSLRs or, particularly, the lenses available for them. But I think if I was going to take on the hassle of the size and weight of a DSLR system, I'd go all the way up to full frame. You can replicate most of the IQ of APS DSLRs with mirrorless if you don't need to shoot fast action and need fast AF tracking. But with full frame, there's the RX1 and the rumor of a new full frame mirrorless ILC from Sony, but a lot fewer options, at least for the near future. So I'd be looking at a D600 (or D800 if i could swing it) or something similar from Canon, and associated glass.

I just wouldn't see taking all of that on for the relatively small gains in very few areas you could get with APS.

-Ray

+1 something like a D600 or 6D would be the way I'd go. Heck, the 5D while a good bit long in the tooth can still pump out some seriously high quality images (for about $500 used) if you can live with max 1600 ISO (3200 is an expansion) and no video.
 
Well, I'm a Pentaxian so I am naturally going to tout Pentax as a good option. K5-II is OK, but I dont think its markedly better than the K-5, which naturally would be cheaper (I've tried selling mine, and can't even get a decent price for the body and two lenses, so right now I am keeping it). Another thing is that Ricoh has just refreshed the DA primes and they are looking real nice :)

I thought you had a Pentax K-r or similar at some point?
 
I had two D7000's and they were excellent. I wouldn't get them for the IQ though but for the lenses. The IQ really was indistinguishable from my E-M5. They are a great camera with great handling as well. Nikon did a great job of making a great still camera before they got "video happy" and they simply don't do it as well as Panasonic and Canon.
 
Fast AF is part of the reason. I've never had a camera that I could shoot action with. And I find it strange that those who suggest that m43 is good enough are the same ones telling me to go full frame. And I had a great Pentax set-up for awhile. But Jesus, Mary and Joseph the great lenses are expensive.
 
I still use my D700 a lot. I just don't like to carry it around too much (weight). I have a lot of MF Nikkor lenses including a sweet 55mm f1.2.
Probably be looking at a D600 or D800 if I ever upgrade.
 
So top notch image quality and AF suitable for action/sports/tracking !

If it wasn't for that last bit I'd say keep your powder dry, winter is not too far away for you...short days, long nights, difficult weather and as you know all too well...shooting time can be seriously diminished...shoot what you have over the winter and save your pennies, in the meantime keep an eye on what those the engineers at Sony have in store for us with their compact/NEX FF system .....those guys are at the top of their game at the moment and have been putting out some seriously good gear, compound that with a very healthy relationship with Carl Zeiss....could be a winner.

Not sure if the new NEX FF will answer your action/sports grade AF needs, but I have no doubt it will deliver IQ in truckloads.....I won't be spending another penny on lenses or camera bodies until I see what Sony does here.
 
Fast AF is part of the reason. I've never had a camera that I could shoot action with. And I find it strange that those who suggest that m43 is good enough are the same ones telling me to go full frame. And I had a great Pentax set-up for awhile. But Jesus, Mary and Joseph the great lenses are expensive.

I suggested full frame but not necessarily that m43 is good enough. Although I think m43 and APS are pretty close, but with a much bigger gap to full frame. So I think the logic holds that if APS is good enough, m43 basically is too. And I thought you said that great IQ was a big part of it. But if its not and you're OK with APS, and if fast action IS a priority, then APS is surely a more affordable way to go.

-Ray
 
Fast AF is part of the reason. I've never had a camera that I could shoot action with. And I find it strange that those who suggest that m43 is good enough are the same ones telling me to go full frame. And I had a great Pentax set-up for awhile. But Jesus, Mary and Joseph the great lenses are expensive.

They arent *that* expensive... not when you consider the quality. However, if you want longer than 300mm, you'll need to go third party, and a Bigma, for example, will cost you everything and then some. I got to wondering about the Canon 6D as well, for you. The body is fairly lightweight (remember, you have to cart this stuff about and even though you're a young sprat, you'll get tired of it soon enough). Canon L lenses though yikes. Nikon lenses arent cheap, either. Not the good ones.

What kind of action do you want to shoot? Not all lenses and cameras will be suitable for all kinds of action...
 
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