Nikon D700 or Canon 5D mkII?

[tml]

I am trying to decide. I had a 5D mkII before and was happy with the quality of the photos, but not the auto focus and the build quality as compared to my 1Ds mkII. I had a chance to handle the Nikon at HCE and was impressed by its auto focus and build quality. I would appreciate users' opinions, especially, those who have had experience with both. Lenses will not be an issue since I do not have too many right now and am willing to buy what I feel is good value. Thank you, Tri.

[danchez]

I haven't used a canon, but I love my D700. I can't imagine shooting with anything else.

[mdparthum]

My brief experience with a friend's D700 was very positive. I liked the weight and feel in my hand. I am a Nikon user so it just seemed like a nice improvement from the D300s which I have. If I had the money I would definitely upgrade to the D700. I also have used the Canon 5D II and find it a nice camera as well, but the camera didn't have the same feel to me as the D700 or 5D.

[ngoduyviet]

You are probably more comfortable with the D700 if you don't like the focus on the 5DII.

[timbertoes]

Back in D200 daze, I made the decison one evening to click on BH Photos D200, versus the Canon 20d.

Why? Because many years ago, I always wanted Nikon.

But that decison was also tempered by having seen the 2 cameras in a store and working the menus, and looking through the viewfinder (then, the Canon was like a dark tunnel) And Err 99 seemed to the Canon's trademark at that time.

fast forward past a D300 to a D700

The D700 blows my socks off. It has yet to dissapoint me. I found I did not miss the 1.5 crop, so I sold my prefectly good D300.
I definatly like the wider angle of view with D700's FF sensor.

Lenses. We all would like to own every lens.. Both makers have more than enough lenses to choose from, and for the most part, have not felt like I gave anything up in the Lenses.

Nikon has the ability to Fine tune Auto focus for lenses too, which I have found quite valuable. Seems buying used lenses sometimes you get someones cast-off front/back focus lens, and that is then fixed by the AF fine tune ! Canon might have that too, I dont know.

Both makes are so equally good, it almost comes down to a "feeling" of ownership. lol.
And you may find this a little hmmmm... funny, but I also like hanging out with the crowd at nikoncafe forums.

[tml]

Thanks, guys. At this moment, I am leaning towards the Nikon. I was hoping for a D800 with 1080 video, but that did not come true at Photokina. Tri

[tertius]

The D700 replacement will probably be out in March or April 2011.

[jstevensphoto]

I've been using a D700 for a year now and love it. I've never owned a Canon slr so cannot compare, but from what I've read, it all comes down to the feel of the body in your hand. My D700 actually got blown off a patio table onto a concrete patio when I had a small umbrella attached to the flash bracket and the camera sustained no damage. It's a very well-built camera. Nikon will probably come out with the newest version, (D800, D700x, etc.) but I will stick with what I have. Good luck.

[tml]

I went for the Nikon. I was impressed with the handling and autofocus. Now, I have to decide on a lens collection. I may start with an 85 mm f/1.4D AF IF for portrait work. I read about it, looked at a lot of photos, and was very impressed by its rendering, sharpness and bokeh wide opened! Tri

[groovyone]

A900. You can add the 85/1.4 Zeiss and the 135/1.8 Zeiss lenses. Bummer, just saw this was posted while I was out of town. I am too late! heheh

[crazeazn]

be sure to put good glass in front! no point buying an awesome cam and skimping on glass.

[jstevensphoto]

Nikon just came out with some interesting new lens models. I want to look at the 85 f1.4.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by tml

I went for the Nikon. I was impressed with the handling and autofocus. Now, I have to decide on a lens collection. I may start with an 85 mm f/1.4D AF IF for portrait work. I read about it, looked at a lot of photos, and was very impressed by its rendering, sharpness and bokeh wide opened! Tri

I don't have the 85, but I do have the 70-200vr which i tend to use for portraits because it just has this "look" that no other nikon lens I've tried yet seems to have. It's a biggie though. A combo that's a far cry from your leica.

And if you want wide, the 14-24 is a freakin amazing lens. That one is my moneymaker.

[tml]

Originally Posted by d2creative

I don't have the 85, but I do have the 70-200vr which i tend to use for portraits because it just has this "look" that no other nikon lens I've tried yet seems to have. It's a biggie though. A combo that's a far cry from your leica.

And if you want wide, the 14-24 is a freakin amazing lens. That one is my moneymaker.

I had both the Canon 24-70L and the 70-200L. They are just too cumbersome. I am going to get a 35 f/1.4, 85 f/1.4 and, later on, a 135 f/2DC. I still prefer fast primes. The cost of those 3 lens is about the same as a 24-70 and 70-200 combo without the bulk. Tri

[pbyd]

Tri,
I have the Nikon 105 f/2DC lens and it is the best portrait lens I have ever used, the length works well on the D3, but I would like it to be a little longer sometimes.
Wayne
Photography by Design