Nikon D600 vs Canon 5D Mark-ii – Which one to buy?

I have all Canon gear already. It doesn't make sense to sell it all and buy Nikon gear, when a few years from now maybe Canon will have more impressive bodies. Seems like a waste of time and money switching systems when who knows what the future holds. And even if Canon gear is a little less impressive (I don't know, they both seem good to me...) it's not like the gear will hold you back from taking good pics.

I bought a 5DMKII last week and have been shooting with it. Very impressed! You can even get them used for as low as $1500 now...

I am going to stick with Canon regardless of what bodies come out. I have money invested in glass and love the ergonomics. When I hold a Nikon it feels like a brick and I don't get the cruddy interface. Bodies change rapidly, and my 7D still takes amazing pictures, even though it's approaching 3 years old of a design.

If you are open to switching systems, or don't have a current dedication to Canon, the D600 is the better camera. That being said you could wait for the Canon response and see what options that laves you.

AlanU wrote in post #14986941
I'd go for a D600 and shoot portraits with an 85mm f/1.2....oh ...............nikon fails since they dont have one :P

Seriously I'd go for a d800 if I was jumping in the nikon camp.

I wouldn't go with D800, I prefer 5D3 actually (better AF and 22 MP is enough, no need 36 MP unless you are making a massive bilboard ad). don't get me wrong I love Nikon always have, but shot the weeding on the weekends with 5D3 (hired) and 5D2, 5D3 is a freaken beast. The AF just locks in under low light

5D2 AF couldn't lock in few times, picked up 5D3, it just locked in no matter how dark it was.

But for some reason I found Nikkor lenses are sharper than Canon e.g. 24-70 (mid range)

mrgooch wrote in post #14986667
Basically you are either a Canon lover or a Nikon lover.

Even though I have a lot of Canon equipment, I would call myself a photography lover, just happen to use Canon.

My bigger question is the AF system..

IQ wise the 5DII is still a stunner of a camera, No question about it..

But the 5DIIs achilles heel was the AF system..

Lets say a 7D user was looking at either going and selling off all their Canon stuff to grab a D600 or switching to the 5DII

What would be the better choice? Will the 5DII's AF system tick them off coming from the likes of the 7D?

Ok yes, Im referring to myself, and yes I had a 30D, But the 5DII is supposedly a little better than the 30D... I do shoot SOME actiony stuff sometimes but a lot of what ive shot lately is more static, So i dunno... So I figured I'd ask for advice...

I figure if i sold my 7D, 15-85 and 35mm f/2 I'd easily have the cash to grab a 5DII right now, I figure no matter what I got, the fact its full frame would matter more when it comes to the IQ differences over my 7D

elrey2375 wrote in post #14987116
This is called following, not innovating. The problem with waiting is that these projects are in the pipe for a lot longer than a couple of months. They aren't really responding, they have an idea what Nikon will do and they plan around that but if what Nikon releases is somehow different than what they though it would be, it's not like Canon can put on a full stop and start designing a response that gets released in a few months.

When someone looks at a really nice shot, the first thing they don't say, is are you using a camera built by a company that's leading or following? I usually hear that's fantastic or that sucks.

I personally don't care when canon releases a camera, just that they release a camera I want to buy.

Numenorean wrote in post #14986841
Bingo.

Or you don't like the ergonomics and layout of the Nikons. Which I don't.

This is me all the way. I started with Nikon, a D50/D40x,etc and as soon as I picked up a Canon I fell in love...didnt hurt that that Canon was a 1D but still, EVERY Canon FEELS right in MY hands..everyone is different..
I HATE the feel, build, layout, everything about NIkon...Canon is just seamless and fits perfectly.
but honestly...If Canon doesnt step up their game like Nikon has, I may just have to jump ships..

I am not saying Canon is perfect by any means, they arent! period.
But, unless they give up on the insane price increases and small offerings for certain levels in the industry, I can see Nikon starting to take even more of Canon's sales. and the D600 is definitely the start of it.

If I was starting out and not invested in one brand, or a fan of one, or used to the layout/ergos of one, I would not think twice, I would have (pre)ordered a D600 by now!

KenjiS wrote in post #14988148
My bigger question is the AF system..

IQ wise the 5DII is still a stunner of a camera, No question about it..

But the 5DIIs achilles heel was the AF system..

Lets say a 7D user was looking at either going and selling off all their Canon stuff to grab a D600 or switching to the 5DII

What would be the better choice? Will the 5DII's AF system tick them off coming from the likes of the 7D?

Ok yes, Im referring to myself, and yes I had a 30D, But the 5DII is supposedly a little better than the 30D... I do shoot SOME actiony stuff sometimes but a lot of what ive shot lately is more static, So i dunno... So I figured I'd ask for advice...

I figure if i sold my 7D, 15-85 and 35mm f/2 I'd easily have the cash to grab a 5DII right now, I figure no matter what I got, the fact its full frame would matter more when it comes to the IQ differences over my 7D

Why sell your 35/2??

The AF system is not THAT bad on the 5D2...it is NOT a sports/action camera...
But, for an event, like a wedding reception, the 5D2 just GETS focus even in pitch black rooms...I dont know how..my 1DIV isnt that accurate in low light situations..

If you shoot 90% static/portraits/lands​capes/events(weddings, not sporting events lol)/etc...the 5D2 is VERY, VERY hard to beat.

that is IF you buy used as the prices new are too close to the new D600 and it has way too many advanced features over the 5D2..
But, at ~$1300-1500 the 5D2 is THE FF camera to have, imho..
if you need better AF for sports, get a 1DsII..though the ISO performance is horrible compared to the 5D2..
Or get the 1DsIII for ~$2200-2300(which is insane imho...BRILLIANT camera for that amount of $) for the absolute baddest FF body(for the $) with 21Mp and 45pt AF system..and a decent burst and buffer too (something the 1DsII does NOT have..at all..)

Just imho..

good luck with your decision...I personally think you cant go wrong either way, but I would get a 5D2 and an L lens instead of the latest and greatest offerings...
that is just me.
I finally got my dream machine, the Mark IV, after YEARS of wishing and wanting...1Dx and 5D3 drove the price down enough for me to snag one at a great deal (<$3k!)...

My next FF body, a 5Dc at ~$500!!

aximrocks wrote in post #14986743
why would one want a 4 year old 5D2?!

People still use the original 5D with great results

tupper wrote in post #14988285
People still use the original 5D with great results

Because they are photographers not measurebators.

h14nha wrote in post #14986698
Haha your quick off the mark with that one.......... We need to see more of the Nikon in action yet but Canon need to respond fast I think.........

Canon also "needed" to respond to the D800 series.

It did - with the outperforming focus system of the 5DIII - that works.

RishabhSood wrote in post #14986639
The next big question is, whether one should go for a canon 5d mk2 or a nikon D600. Both have almost similar price tags, but the Nikon D600 is packed with more features.

Read more here : Nikon D600 vs Canon 5D Mark-ii – Which one to buy?

Which one would you buy?

If you do not have too many canon lenses, I would definately look into the d600 but only after the reviews.

Keep in mind that Nikon's service center has a pretty bad rep. Also their QC has been pretty bad - AF issues in the D800.

The AF in the Mark 2 is really bad in anything except broad daylight.

HyperCams wrote in post #14988281
Why sell your 35/2??

Have the 28 f/1.8 which works better for what i use it for

I'd love a 1-series but this thing goes in my bag and gets taken everywhere, 7D is big enough most of the time lol

These days like, 90% of what im shooting is flowers, macro, food stuff in low light.. that kinda thing.. The occasional bird and that as well.. But pretty much everything im shooting these days doesnt move so i can deal with slower AF, so long as its -accurate-

I have both the 5D2 and the 5D3 and the IQ difference is not a BIG difference. definately better but not HUGE.. the 5D2 will definatley still make those who upgrade to full frame from any other 1.6 crop would make most happy. Now, having shot numerous weddings and events with both cameras, the 5D definatly outperformed the 5D2 in every way. therefore, I will work on a 2nd 5D3 body.

My point is, that while you are looking to compare the 5D2 and the New D600, find out what you primarily do with the camera and go with what suits you best. if you heavily invested into Canon Glass wait a bit. and see how canon responds to the D600. can someone say Canon 6D?

If you buy cameras based on "SPECS" alone you will be in for a long ride. an example would be to compare a D800 and a 5Dmk3. while the D800 would definatly outpoint the 5D3 in IQ (not by far) the 5D3 just out performs the D800. JMO