Kit Consolidation: Nikon to Canon
Discussion
Photo and Video used to be a part of my business (Comms Agency) and being a competent amateur began to do more of myself rather than sub it all out. Turns out I'm a pretty decent pro and am getting more and more specific photo and video commissions, not just being part of wider campaigns.
For photos, my gear has been built around Nikon (a D7200 and a D850). Top notch glass and all the gubbins. I adore the D850 as much as you can adore an inanimate object.
For video, I've recently gone the Blackmagic route with a 6K pro (and have similar emotions to this as I do the 850) and looking likely I'll add a second one to the arsenal or possibly an Ursa at some point soon.
Blackmagic uses the Canon Ef mount. Whilst I don't need such an expansive range of glass for video, it seems that I'm missing an opportunity in running two incompatible platforms. At the very least, I have acquired a stupid amount of gear which is a pain particularly where I need to shoot and film on the same job.
So I'm thinking I need to move to Canon for the photo stuff.
Whilst I'm not a brand tart, I really do like what I get from both Nikons. I've been reviewing shots taken on the equivalent Canons and as good as they are, I can't help but think that there's something missing or not quite as good as what comes out of the Nikons. I can't articulate what this is so is entirely possible that it may be purely psychological than physical.
Would greatly appreciate any insights from experience. Am I going to find as much joy with a 5D as I do with the 850? Is the difference all in my head, etc?
For photos, my gear has been built around Nikon (a D7200 and a D850). Top notch glass and all the gubbins. I adore the D850 as much as you can adore an inanimate object.
For video, I've recently gone the Blackmagic route with a 6K pro (and have similar emotions to this as I do the 850) and looking likely I'll add a second one to the arsenal or possibly an Ursa at some point soon.
Blackmagic uses the Canon Ef mount. Whilst I don't need such an expansive range of glass for video, it seems that I'm missing an opportunity in running two incompatible platforms. At the very least, I have acquired a stupid amount of gear which is a pain particularly where I need to shoot and film on the same job.
So I'm thinking I need to move to Canon for the photo stuff.
Whilst I'm not a brand tart, I really do like what I get from both Nikons. I've been reviewing shots taken on the equivalent Canons and as good as they are, I can't help but think that there's something missing or not quite as good as what comes out of the Nikons. I can't articulate what this is so is entirely possible that it may be purely psychological than physical.
Would greatly appreciate any insights from experience. Am I going to find as much joy with a 5D as I do with the 850? Is the difference all in my head, etc?
What are you shooting? And is it Canon EF mount lenses you need?
I shot with Canon for well over 10 years, then switched to Fuji, I thought it would be difficult to switch over, but it was easy. What was difficult was when someone handed be a 5D (the same as my last Canon camera) 6 months after I switched - it felt totally alien...
I shot with Canon for well over 10 years, then switched to Fuji, I thought it would be difficult to switch over, but it was easy. What was difficult was when someone handed be a 5D (the same as my last Canon camera) 6 months after I switched - it felt totally alien...
As someone else who also needs to consolidate, having way too much equipment including Nikon and Canon systems and lenses, amongst others, you can have my 2 pence worth…
At the end of the day they are just tools and it comes down to personal preference. In the past I have tested different cameras with different RAW software and whilst they may be a differences between sensors and how they render a certain colour, by the time it ends up in print or on the web, I certainly couldn’t tell what camera it was shot on. So maybe the magic you perceive with Nikon is more psychological?
I’ve been on Leica forums where members wax lyrical about the quality of Leica glass and using terms like ‘micro contrast’ and it’s a bit like reading hifi reviews, where sound is a difficult thing to describe in words, so they seem to invent phrases to justify why something costs 10x more than something else, or maybe to justify their purchase to themselves, or others.
There are differences. I believe Nikon uses Sony sensors and they have a bit better dynamic range in lab tests Sony and Canon have slightly better AF, but in the real world?
Compared to the 850, you would most probably hate the 5D models, but then again they are getting very long in the tooth. The 5D mk iv was very good, but no tilt screen. Mirrorless R and RF mount is the future. R6, or If you need 45mp, the R5 is the obvious one to look at for stills. For not much more you could go for the R5C which comes with a free 8k cinema camera, a true hybrid, with two operating systems, with some small compromises on both sides. But you would most probably like your BMP6k image more with a bit more dynamic range. I believe Jared Polin, the guy with the big hair has recently switched to Canon R3 from Sony and before that Nikon. The answer is to buy everything…. and then just use your phone…
The EF mount is great because you can adapt other lenses to it. I have an a adapter for Nikon, but only use an 85 PC-E with manual aperture ring. You can get adapters for with levers to adjust aperture on G lenses. I have had no problem with adaptors, but they are another link in the chain and the logic of swopping Nikon glass for Canon with the native mount on the 6K makes a lot of sense. Plenty of S/H EF around too and the L glass is much of a muchness with the top Nikon glass.
I’d try and rent an R body with an EF adapter, they work flawlessly with EF glass (don’t get one with RF glass as you cannot use that with EF mount). Or see if you can find someone local with a 5D mk iv to play with if you want to go old school. Some food for thought…
At the end of the day they are just tools and it comes down to personal preference. In the past I have tested different cameras with different RAW software and whilst they may be a differences between sensors and how they render a certain colour, by the time it ends up in print or on the web, I certainly couldn’t tell what camera it was shot on. So maybe the magic you perceive with Nikon is more psychological?
I’ve been on Leica forums where members wax lyrical about the quality of Leica glass and using terms like ‘micro contrast’ and it’s a bit like reading hifi reviews, where sound is a difficult thing to describe in words, so they seem to invent phrases to justify why something costs 10x more than something else, or maybe to justify their purchase to themselves, or others.
There are differences. I believe Nikon uses Sony sensors and they have a bit better dynamic range in lab tests Sony and Canon have slightly better AF, but in the real world?
Compared to the 850, you would most probably hate the 5D models, but then again they are getting very long in the tooth. The 5D mk iv was very good, but no tilt screen. Mirrorless R and RF mount is the future. R6, or If you need 45mp, the R5 is the obvious one to look at for stills. For not much more you could go for the R5C which comes with a free 8k cinema camera, a true hybrid, with two operating systems, with some small compromises on both sides. But you would most probably like your BMP6k image more with a bit more dynamic range. I believe Jared Polin, the guy with the big hair has recently switched to Canon R3 from Sony and before that Nikon. The answer is to buy everything…. and then just use your phone…
The EF mount is great because you can adapt other lenses to it. I have an a adapter for Nikon, but only use an 85 PC-E with manual aperture ring. You can get adapters for with levers to adjust aperture on G lenses. I have had no problem with adaptors, but they are another link in the chain and the logic of swopping Nikon glass for Canon with the native mount on the 6K makes a lot of sense. Plenty of S/H EF around too and the L glass is much of a muchness with the top Nikon glass.
I’d try and rent an R body with an EF adapter, they work flawlessly with EF glass (don’t get one with RF glass as you cannot use that with EF mount). Or see if you can find someone local with a 5D mk iv to play with if you want to go old school. Some food for thought…
Cheers for the replies, lads.
Craikeybaby said:
What are you shooting?
Easier to list what I don’t shoot which is Weddings and Studio Pack Shots.Simpo Two said:
Can you get an adapter to fit Nikon lenses?
You can. Reviews are mixed and tend to sway from the very bad to the very good often on the same one. Given their relative cheapness, I may well get one and see for myself.Bacardi said:
Loads of good stuff as always......…
Thanks for this. A lot of it, actually all of it resonates with me. Think I need to go borrow and play! Craikeybaby said:
Do Canon do free kit loans for DSLRs? Or is that only to lure people into their mirrorless system?
Yes they do: https://www.4fill-testdrive.comIt seems to be the same company that runs the Fuji loan service.
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