Canon to Nikon. Thoughts of going out of my comfort zone

From my profile, you can tell Ive been a member since 2010. Not very long at all, and when I bought my first camera (7D) I didn't have a preference in brand. I since have upgraded to a 6d, went through plenty of glass and than sold it all. The selling part was in part due to having two kids, working over nights (my choice) and a new home. I sold it at the time when I would recoup more of the investment, than hanging on to it. When I know I wasn't going to shooting much.

That said, life has balanced out and work is a normal 7am-3pm. While I still have all the soft goods, the hard goods need to be had. I was thinking of picking up a Nikon D750 instead of a 6D this time, but have reservation. While looking at the layout of the nikon, it looks foreign. It looks all off to me just by looking at at. I know its a great shooter, but It seems off. Uncomfortable. Without having a current investment in canon or nikon at the moment, I was was going to make the jump, now is the time to do it? I had no gripes about canon in the 5 years I used it. But dollar for dollar, maybe the D750 is a better buy than the 6D?

thoughts?

The D750 to me far exceeds the 6D in my opinion. If you don't have $$$ already invested in any specific brand, i'd say get the Nikon, and not just because I AM NIKON. On the other hand, if you're like me, as long as you don't think it will be comfortable your hands etc then just don't get it.

I had the same feeling before when considering the D700 or 5D MK2. I knew the 5D had video which woukd be a huge plus, however, being a Nikon shooter for so long, I knew a Canon would just seem out of wack in my hands.

Practicality - Nikon D750
Comfortability - Canon 6D/5D MK2

Note: I have never shot with the 6D so my comments couldn't be as detailed as I would like.

I went through exactly the same thing, but stuck with Canon as the Nikon felt too wierd. But, at the moment, IQ/sensor wise, the Nikons are better, no argument. But, if you're not in a hurry, wait a bit longer, both the 5D and the 6D are being upgraded soon, so wait to see what the real world reviews are like, if they're on a level playing field, I'd go Canon for the familiarity and the lenses, if the Canon is better, well, that's a no brainer.

I recently picked up a D610 and the 50 1.8G and I came from years with Canon. I also shot with the A7 cameras for a while...first, no doubt, the Nikon is weird as hell to me...it totally turns me off in every way. I'm struggling there. But, it takes better pictures, without a doubt. So, I'm going to stick it out, try to get used to it. What happened for me was I'd keep flipping from Sony to Canon, back and forth; whenever I had the Sony I begrudged the pricey lenses, but when I had the Canon I complained about the crappy PP ability...to me, the Nikon solves all that, barring some discomfort

In some ways, you can't go wrong either way. Other ways, it depends on how much you are willing to learn and fight thru the head-desk times of figuring out settings.

In what ways is the 6D falling down on you? Is most of your photography already pushing the edge of what that sensor can do or can you improve on technique and get more from the camera?

When I first jumped into above a rebel series, I bought the model going out instead of the newest, and learned a ton on that camera first.. until it was the sensor actually holding me back, and not just a 'want newer camera'.

Now, I have learned more, and can do more, and not only have the want but the need.. and it isn't always the sensor holding me back... I got a 7D2 and am so amazed at what that camera can do, and also understand what I have to do on my part to get the best from the camera. That camera is my workhorse.. I have a 5D2, but I pull them out depending on what my needs are, and I know now that the AF on the 5D2 is holding me back.. but getting a 5D3 isn't going to get me where I need to be sensor wise either, and I'm waiting for the 5DXX so I can have the best of everything.

The other thing that stops me from jumping is the improvements Canon is making in their new lenses, in particular the copy to copy variation that they are tightening up way beyond anyone else in the game.

Some people want and need and thrive on 'new' and jumping also jump starts their photography interest, and that is totally worth something. If you don't use what you buy, it doesn't matter, whether it is a camera you can't understand and feels 'off' or the current one that sits because you hate it.

So, long way around asking yourself

1. where are you at now?
2. do you get the most out of your camera now?
3. what do you expect to get out of a new camera?
4. what are your future goals?

JMHO, YMMV

To answer your above questions:

1: right now im getting back into the hobby from a 18 month break.

2: The 6D I did have I was happy with. But 18 months later, things have changed.

3: Image qulity. great in low light. more focus points.

4: Ultimatly shooting weddings as a #2 is my short term goal.

Ill be honest, going with Canon again, will allow me to use pick up where I left off. But I know how I was before with the Red Ring bug. At one point I actually thought I had to much glass and had conflicks about what I wanted to use more. So I used them all.

Going with Nikon, theres a learning curve. Maybe there sensors are better now, but Canon glass is well, Canon glass. Something about that red ring. But thats slso bad, because I could get back to basics learning Nikon and not worrying about the L glass.

When looking at other wedding photographers in your area.. do you think "WOW if I just had the same camera they had, I could get that spectacular shot like they did?!?!"

Or "Wow, that picture you can tell that sensor is outstanding!!!"

If the end goal is to do weddings, then I'm confused why switching systems will make a better photographer for weddings. I'm not sure why 6D or a 5DIII is not a good choice for a wedding camera, and why a nikon camera will do better. Yes, there is a 'saving of the shot by lifting the shadows +5 and all that.. but in the end.. do you want the camera to save your butt or your own skills?

Go play with the better nikon wedding camera for a bit in the store and see if that really is going to make your photography better. Or rent some gear. Nikon is certainly a good system, and well loved by many.

It could be that nikon will just click with you and you'll be happier, but right now, seems like we may be looking for a solution to a problem that may or may not exist. JMHO.

L glass was a problem?? There are some very new and very good non L canon glass as well, the 50 stm for example. and Nikon doesn't have glass problems? I'm confused about the problem? Love L glass, but there is a problem loving L glass???

I set out to get the right set of lenses for me, and how I shoot, and decided on what I needed vs what I could afford. My set doesn't have an L glass over $900. I think the 24-70 vII would be my splurge if I did weddings full time, but I don't, so the 24-105mmL is my midrange.

I switched Canon to Nikon for weddings maybe 5 years ago, two D700s. Yes they're different to operate, yes it will take some time to get used to them, but once you do they're awesome. Very solid, great focus systems, great images. My only regret is not doing it sooner. My D700s are still going strong, I won't replace them until they break most likely.

Getting use to a different camera is no more difficult than getting use to a new car. All the fundamentals are the same but access may be different.

If you can just stretch get a 5dmk3. This way you have familiarity with a system with rock solid fast AF and very good low ISO capabilities.

6d and D750 have a max sync of 1/4000. If that's ok with you then either bodies are capable. The D750 would probably be better overall in the fast AF department and low light performance.

Since your starting from scratch again I'd go with Nikon. Try something new and jump in!!! I cannot and will not take a loss for all of the new Canon gear I've purchased over the years. I'm very pleased in the output I want out of my gear. I am however curious in Nikon for the low light performance.

Had a D800e. Completely counter-intuitive to me. I just couldn't get on with the seemingly random distribution of controls across Nikon bodies.

Have you thought about renting the Nikon for a while to see whether the different layout is something you'd be able to overcome?

To me they seem a bit odd as well, and I know it's partly because I've always used Canons but the first time I used a Canon, everything seemed logical. When I'm handed a Nikon, they confuse me. However, there are others who feel the same but in reverse; that Nikons makes sense and everything is in its place. Fundamentally, it's all the same controls - and many users here have made the switch; especially with frequent use, you would get used to it.

I am a rookie here so my response may not be that valuable, but, I have had to sell al my gear in the past as well. Back then I had a 5diii and a couple of L lenses. 24-105 and 70-200 2.8 is. I got some good cash back then for it but went straight to other things. Basically I loved the feel and intuitiveness of the 5diii. It just worked well. Few years to now I have bought a Nikon d700 and have a 50mm. Honestly I really like it a lot. Its a great camera and I can see why it is held in such high regard. To me the controls are in all the right places except for the front control dial. Prefer where Canon puts that one. But I am able to customize most of the buttons so that control function was changed. The only thing I can say that I miss the most about Canon are the L lenses. They are so good.

All in all, making the switch was good for me. The d750 I think will beat the 6d in all aspects besides maybe low light capability and will definately be better than the markii. But if you are on a budget then the 6d would be a good choice and spend the rest on a good lens. Just my 0.02.

Owain Shaw wrote in post #17966790
Have you thought about renting the Nikon for a while to see whether the different layout is something you'd be able to overcome?

To me they seem a bit odd as well, and I know it's partly because I've always used Canons but the first time I used a Canon, everything seemed logical. When I'm handed a Nikon, they confuse me. However, there are others who feel the same but in reverse; that Nikons makes sense and everything is in its place. Fundamentally, it's all the same controls - and many users here have made the switch; especially with frequent use, you would get used to it.

I think anyone can adapt, but it does take time. A week's rental isn't enough time to adapt. I ran both systems side by side for a while so my weddings weren't compromised.

Some people can adapt while others can't or won't until forced to. I think much of it has to do with experience shooting multiple systems. It's pretty common with any technology.