Another (sort of) which should I buy thread.

Rarely have I ever posted a "which should I buy" thread, but this time around I would really appreciate input from folks who own the equipment I am thinking of buying.

The question is, should I get a Nikon 16-35mm f4.0 AF-S ED VR, or should I get a Canon 6dmk2?

Yes, you read correctly; a Nikon Lens or a Canon body.

I currently own both Nikon and Canon cameras and lenses. Specifically:

Canon gear:

- Canon 7dmk2 body
- 17-55mm f2.8 EF-S
- 16-35mm f4.0 L
- 70-200mm f2.8 L (non IS)
- 28mm f1.8 USM
- 50mm f1.8
- 10-18mm EF-S
- 430 EX2 Speedlight
- Canon T6 with 2 kit lenses
- Canon T3i with 2 kit lenses

Nikon gear:

- Nikon D750 body
- 24mm f2.8 AF-D
- 35mm f2.0 AF-D
- 50mm f1.8 AF-D
- 180mm f2.8 AF-ED
- 300mm f4 AF-S
- 80-200mm f2.8 AF-ED (non IS)
- Three (3) D200 bodies
- Three (3) 28-105 AF-D lenses
- Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 AF-S DX
- Two (2) SB800 speedlights
- 24mm f2.8 AiS (m/f lens)
- 35mm f2.0 AiS (m/f lens)
- 50mm f1.8 AiS (m/f lens)
- 50mm f1.4 AiS (m/f lens)
- 105mm f2.5 AiS (m/f lens)
- several Nikon film bodies
(S2 Rangefinder, F, F2A, F3HP, F100, FM2N, F5, etc.)

Also own m4/3 cameras (Lumix G3, GX85, plus 5 lenses- purchased with the purpose of using them as light travel cameras)

So, I need either a full frame body for my Canon lenses or a decent zoom for my full frame Nikon.

Shooting I do varies. I shoot some sports, portraits, a wedding every now and then, travel pics, some nature shots.

My budget is $1,200 and I prefer to buy new gear. I know that the best option would be to get a used Canon 5Dmk3 or a used Nikon 17-35mm f2.8, but I want to buy new. I have purchased many used cameras and lenses in the past both from reputable shops and private purchases. I have had roughly a 70% success rate with used equipment. I would rather buy either the Nikon lens new or the Canon body new.

Thanks!

p.s. I like using both Nikon and Canon equipment, so I don't want to sell one system to exclusively use the other.

It should really come down to which is more important to you on a FF: 300mm or 70-200mm zoom. 300mm is great but a pretty specialized focal length where as a 70-200mm f2.8 is a very versatile tool. If you want a FF 70-200mm, buy the 6D. If you don't feel it's necessary for you to have that, then go for the Nikon lens. Otherwise both setups are fairly similar.

I forgot to add; I also have a Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AF-ED!

So, basically what I need is either the 16-35 for the Nikon full frame D750 or a Canon 6dmk2 for my Canon full frame lenses.

snegron wrote in post #18970256
I forgot to add; I also have a Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 AF-ED!

So, basically what I need is either the 16-35 for the Nikon full frame D750 or a Canon 6dmk2 for my Canon full frame lenses.

In that case I'm really not sure. If you buy the 6D you'll have a complete Canon setup, and if you buy the 16-35mm for Nikon you'll have a complete Nikon setup. Neither option seems like a huge benefit to the other option. That being said, I'll say get the 6Dii. You'll get a FF 16-35mm that way and you'll unlock usable live-view AF which is something you're lacking on the D750.

Thanks again!

One of the reasons it has been difficult for me to decide between the two options is due to the AF point selection function of the 6dmk2. Unlike the 7dmk2 (or the D750), selecting a focal point with the 6dmk2 is similar to that of the T3i, T6 bodies; you need to use two fingers. With the 7dmk2 and the D750 you select the focal point with just your thumb using a toggle button. This makes a difference when shooting off center images. Also, I have read that the focal points in the 6dmk2 are bunched toward the center of the frame. This would be a major issue for me when shooting portraits as I try to fill the frame and focus on the subject's eyes (in vertical, or portrait orientation the subject's eyes are near the top of the image).

I have only used my T3i and T6 (which I assume have the same type of focal point selection as the 6dmk2) for travel and daily shooting, never for portraits. So, I don't know how well I would be able to focus on a subject's eyes while capturing a portrait.

snegron wrote in post #18970265
Thanks again!
Unlike the 7dmk2 (or the D750), selecting a focal point with the 6dmk2 is similar to that of the T3i, T6 bodies; you need to use two fingers. With the 7dmk2 and the D750 you select the focal point with just your thumb using a toggle button. This makes a difference when shooting off center images. Also, I have read that the focal points in the 6dmk2 are bunched toward the center of the frame.

If it's anything like the original 6D you can set the directional pad on the back to select AF points making it a one-handed thing. My 6D original can do this in the custom functions settings so I don't see why the 6Dii wouldn't be able to. As for the AF points being bunched up in the center, yeah that's the case. From what I've heard the last point on each side is right on the third so you can still do rule of thirds decently.

I'll definitely do some research on that. If that's the case, then I'll definitely go for the 6dmk2. Thanks!

snegron wrote in post #18970293
I'll definitely do some research on that. If that's the case, then I'll definitely go for the 6dmk2. Thanks!

Slightly different suggestion:

What about an EOS RP with EF adapter?

Slightly better resolution than the 6D, about the same price, works with all EF lenses this way, and allows you to see what mirrorless is about.

HTH, kind regards, Wim

Last night I went to BestBuy and handled both the 6dmk2 and the EOS RP. The winner, hands down, was the 6dmk2!

The grip design of the RP was too small, buttons too cluttered and close together. The camera felt too small/thin/uncomfortab​le in my hands. While it seemed to perform well, the control layout was so compact and cluttered that it would take me weeks to get used to it. It reminded me too much of my tiny Lumix GX85 mirrorless m4/3 camera.

The 6dmk2 felt nearly perfect (it was not as tall as the cameras I'm used to, so my pinky finger hangs out a bit). The design of the 6dmk2 looked and felt solid without being too heavy (like my larger 7dmk2).

Also, I played around with the AF point selection and discovered I could change points easily using the rear, round directional button as with my Nikon bodies. That alone is what sold me on the 6dmk2!

The articulating screen was a big plus, and I liked the cool touch screen feature as an alternative for selecting AF points.

One accessory I'd like to get would be a battery grip so that my pinky finger has something to hold on to. Not a dealbreaker for me though.

Another thing I liked about the 6dmk2 was the fact that it didn't have a pop up flash!! Imo, that made the body feel more solid, less plasticky than my other cameras with pop up flash (Canon 7dmk2, Nikon D750, Nikon D200, etc).

I know mirrorless is the future for all camera manufacturers, but for now I'll stick with an optical dslr. They simply look nicer, sleeker and more visually pleasing than the boxey, squarish mirrorless bodies available today. Again, just my personal opinion.