Deciding whether to switch to Nikon

I would suggest you try renting the Nikon first, and go shoot a typical scene, and see if it gives you the results you are looking for.

Personally, I shoot a 60D beside friends who are shooting a variety of Nikons... I don't believe there is any different in the DR out in the real world. In a scene where there is too much contrast, all the the cameras struggle, and we all resort to 'tricks' to get the range we want. The difference in DR is a 1/3 or 1/2 a stop, and usually the scene's range is FAR greater than that amount of difference would help.

Rent or borrow, that's the key!

dustyporch wrote in post #15020059
... I don't believe there is any different in the DR out in the real world. In a scene where there is too much contrast, all the the cameras struggle, and we all resort to 'tricks' to get the range we want. The difference in DR is a 1/3 or 1/2 a stop, and usually the scene's range is FAR greater than that amount of difference would help.

Rent or borrow, that's the key!

Your not going to see it in the field but clearly will see it when recovering detail in shadow area in post. The difference is amazing.
http://www.fredmiranda​.com …dex_controlled-tests.html

gjl711 wrote in post #15020086
Your not going to see it in the field but clearly will see it when recovering detail in shadow area in post. The difference is amazing.
http://www.fredmiranda​.com …dex_controlled-tests.html

Yea, that is one of the biggest draws to me from Canon to this Nikon. If I can come up with a very sharp standard zoom along with the D600 for $3500 or less, I think I may go for it.

But I can't seem to do it. The 24-85 VR seems good but not great. The 24-120 vr appears to be about the same. The Tamron 24-70 may work well on it. The Nikon 24-70 would be optimal, but it's $1800+. So anyone know of a sharp standard zoom for $1400 max?

Yes, the EF 24-105mm f/4 IS

The grass is always greener on the other side. Have you ever shot with a 5D II?

I think the D600 would be tempting to you, but my concern would be your budget ($3500) vs. the lenses you have and the lenses your could afford.

I see you replacing your macro in a pretty much even swap, taking a slight downstep on the wide-angle zoom and losing your telephoto zoom completely. Well....first question you should look into is if the loss of the 70-300 from your kit completely is a problem or not.

Other than that, I'd agree that Nikon right now looks pretty good for landscape photographers. The kicker in any swap consideration is managing the lens transition.

I know how this can be tough to judge. I'm very critical of AF performance and a few years ago when the 5D2 and D700 were announced I thought long and hard about moving to Nikon. This involved more lenses than you are looking at, so for me at the time I was better off to get a used 1D Mark III. But every situation is unique. To me I think the breaking points for you are the loss of the 70-300 and how you deem that 24-85 will stack up against your 15-85.

DavidR wrote in post #15020254
Yes, the EF 24-105mm f/4 IS

The grass is always greener on the other side. Have you ever shot with a 5D II?

The thing is, it's not just full frame that is enticing, it's the dynamic range of the Exmor sensors. The 5d mkii I'm sure I'd get a bit of extra image quality, but I'd have to get rid of lenses to afford it, and then it wouldn't even give me the extra DR and raw headroom that I was after. So 5D mark II doesn't appeal to me. Assuming 6D follows current Canon Full Frame sensors, it does not appeal to me either.

jizzzared wrote in post #15019374
I know this type of thread has been beaten to death, however, I feel like I need to make one for me. Basically, I have a Canon 40d, a 50d, 100L, 70-300L, and 15-85 IS. I really like my cameras and all of my lenses are extremely sharp on them, no issues. I mainly shoot landscapes as well as macros/flowers/insects​.

The question is whether getting either a Nikon D600 (I know it's untested) or D7000 would benefit me with my type of shooting by helping specifically with dynamic range? If I sell all of my gear and added a bit of money, I could have about $3500 to spend. That would get me a D600 + Nikkor 24-85mm + 105mm Nikkor VR Macro (over by a few bucks.) Alternatively, I could get the D7000 + Nikkor 16-85mm + 105mm VR Macro + Nikkor 70-300.

Now I know either Nikon will allow more shadow recovery (and I'm assuming more highlight detail as well) but I wonder if the lenses on those cameras will be as good an overall package as my current package. I have my 70-300L on my 50d and my 15-85 on my 40d on most outings, with the macro available. This way I have the whole focal range of 15-300mm covered with very high quality lenses.

Additionally, I like the Canon ergonomics a lot (it's why I got the 50d, same layout as 40d.) So, in your opinion, is the potential additional dynamic range and shadow recovery worth it for a landscape/nature photographer given the hassle of changing systems and getting potentially lower quality lenses (Ie Canon 70-300L is superior to any Nikon 70-300?)
If it were YOU deciding, which option would you pick?

1) 40d+50d+100L+70-300L+15-85IS
2) D7000+Nikkor 16-85VR+ Nikkor 100mm macro VR+ nikkor 70-300
3) D600 + Nikkor 24-85mm + 100 Macro VR

I understand that this is a very individual thing, but given my interests, which setup makes the most sense? Thanks a lot.

Try joining a local camera club where there are different camera owners and monthly photoshoots where everyone is photographing the same subject. You can borrow gear to compare. And people post their pics to a local server or photo host. In my experience the Canon pics have the better image quality. Sure, those full frame models may look a little better with full frame owners, better lens , etc. but inevitably you will realize why "DXO" scores are a joke .... no joke !!!

Of course, you notice it's mostly the Nikon owners responding to this post !!!

JeffreyG wrote in post #15020273
I think the D600 would be tempting to you, but my concern would be your budget ($3500) vs. the lenses you have and the lenses your could afford.

I see you replacing your macro in a pretty much even swap, taking a slight downstep on the wide-angle zoom and losing your telephoto zoom completely. Well....first question you should look into is if the loss of the 70-300 from your kit completely is a problem or not.

Other than that, I'd agree that Nikon right now looks pretty good for landscape photographers. The kicker in any swap consideration is managing the lens transition.

I know how this can be tough to judge. I'm very critical of AF performance and a few years ago when the 5D2 and D700 were announced I thought long and hard about moving to Nikon. This involved more lenses than you are looking at, so for me at the time I was better off to get a used 1D Mark III. But every situation is unique. To me I think the breaking points for you are the loss of the 70-300 and how you deem that 24-85 will stack up against your 15-85.

You're right on the money with everything you posted. I think I could live without the 70-300L, given that I use the 15-85 and macro more. The problem is, I don't think the 24-85VR matches up great with the D600. It seems to be a bit soft on the edges and not consistent throughout the range, so, like you, I too think my 15-85 is better.

So that basically leaves me with the option of the 24-70mm, which would meet my needs, except with regards to cost. It would appear that my options are to either pony up for the 24-70 or stick with what I have.

watt100 wrote in post #15020326
Try joining a local camera club where there are different camera owners and monthly photoshoots where everyone is photographing the same subject. You can borrow gear to compare. And people post their pics to a local server or photo host. In my experience the Canon pics have the better image quality. Sure, those full frame models may look a little better with full frame owners, better lens , etc. but inevitably you will realize why "DXO" scores are a joke .... no joke !!!

Of course, you notice it's mostly the Nikon owners responding to this post !!!

That's a great idea, I haven't had experience with recent Nikon FX cameras, so I should check them out first. Unless I am able to process the photos, though, I won't know the true extent of what is possible. The link to the Fred Miranda review, though, is clearly no lie, showing the superiority of the Exmor sensor when it comes to recovering shadows.

When you say Canon pics have the better image quality, what do you mean? It's a little vague. Are you saying the new Nikon FX cameras don't have noticeably superior DR in practice?

Additionally, I don't know what gear the people responding have. I would assume the majority have or have used Canon, though, being that this is a Canon forum.

jizzzared wrote in post #15020361
That's a great idea, I haven't had experience with recent Nikon FX cameras, so I should check them out first. Unless I am able to process the photos, though, I won't know the true extent of what is possible. The link to the Fred Miranda review, though, is clearly no lie, showing the superiority of the Exmor sensor when it comes to recovering shadows.

When you say Canon pics have the better image quality, what do you mean? It's a little vague. Are you saying the new Nikon FX cameras don't have noticeably superior DR in practice?

Additionally, I don't know what gear the people responding have. I would assume the majority have or have used Canon, though, being that this is a Canon forum.

yes, definitely take look at local camera clubs, sometimes a local media (newspaper) will sponsor monthly camera photoshoots or check out meetup.com, etc. It's a eye opener! many people will gladly let you use their lens and cameras (bring extra CF and SD memory cards) I don't know about superior "DR" but the pics from Canon crop models looked better than Nikon and other crop models when photographing the same scene. Those with full frame models were better in low light but the lens made a significant difference. Really, comparing pics with different cameras is why I still shoot with an XSi /450D !
Call me crazy