Making the switch....the opposite that you would expect today

I have shot Nikon for two years. This time in 2006 I switched from Canon to Nikon because my dad shot nikon and I thought it would be good for us to share lenses. Currently I own the following:
D300
D200
17-55/2.8 DX
70-200 VR
300/2.8

I shoot mainly sports, so I am looking into getting a pro body. I used to own a D2Hs, but with only 4MP I sold it for the D300. The D3 is VERY tempting, however it is just too expensive. Also, the FX means that I would need a TC/longer glass to get the same range or use the crop mode which gives me 5MP. Also, I would need to sell the 17-55 for the 24-70 which would run me almost $1k the way 17-55s are selling today. A used 300 2.8 IS will be more than what I can get for my 300(old model) so I will have to give some money there, but it is a great lens. A used Mark III or Mark IIN is looking really good for me right now. Lots of people are practically giving away good canon gear in order to switch to the amazing D3. Am I crazy?

[QUOTE=Snipps;5712472]​I have shot Nikon for two years. This time in 2006 I switched from Canon to Nikon because my dad shot nikon and I thought it would be good for us to share lenses. Currently I own the following:
D300
D200
17-55/2.8 DX
70-200 VR
300/2.8

I shoot mainly sports, so I am looking into getting a pro body. I used to own a D2Hs, but with only 4MP I sold it for the D300. The D3 is VERY tempting, however it is just too expensive. Also, the FX means that I would need a TC/longer glass to get the same range or use the crop mode which gives me 5MP. Also, I would need to sell the 17-55 for the 24-70 which would run me almost $1k the way 17-55s are selling today. A used 300 2.8 IS will be more than what I can get for my 300(old model) so I will have to give some money there, but it is a great lens. A used Mark III or Mark IIN is looking really good for me right now. Lots of people are practically giving away good canon gear in order to switch to the amazing D3. Am I crazy?[/quote]

i don't think so. a FF sports camera has absolutely zero attraction for me for the reasons you state.

i have the 1d mark III and i think it's the perfect camera. unlike when i was using the 5d this camera does not need a back-up for other applications.

it does it all.

take advantage of some of those gear whores who are chasing the latest and greatest. and if you time it just right you can double up on 'em when they come back to canon .

ed rader

Ya I am really considering this. A Mark III without AF issues is looking good for me right now. I'll pick up a used M3 for about ~$3500, used 17-40,used 70-200 non-is and used 300 2.8 IS. I am fire-selling random things that I do not use in order to afford this stuff because it will end up being a little more than what I own in Nikon gear. Time to look for good deals on used glass!

why not the d2xs? it's a bit older but yet still very capable with 12mp

It seems like a great option, but over ISO 640 the files are way to noisy. Also it only does 5FPS with 12MP, and then 8FPS with 5MP and I need speed.

Personally if I were in your place I would go for the D3. I love my Canon gear but you need to think of the other costs involved in making the switch. I made the switch almost 4 years ago and moved from a D1x/D2h to a 1DMkII. Take a look at how much you can get for your gear and deduct that from the cost of the new Canon gear and I will bet that you will be close to the cost of a D3.

You have 2 of Nikon's best lenses in your arsenal. I had both. The 300 2.8 is every bit as sharp and fast as Canon's and IMHO the 70-200VR is better than the 70-200 IS and it takes a 1.4x TC much better than the Canon which in comparison stinks. Finally if you get to the point where you shoot indoor sports and you need a super fast tele then the Nikon 200 F2 VR is $2K less than the Canon. If you "run the numbers" I will bet that you will be within a $1000.00 of the cost of D3. Unless you decide to go with a 1DMkIII then you will need extra batteries on the Canon. If you do go with the 1DMkIII then you are almost at the cost of the D3.

One non-$ related thing you need to think about is the learning curve. Everything, and I do mean everything, will be the exact opposite of what you are used to. From the way the lenses mount to the way the CF cards are inserted are completely backwards from what you are used to. Also the Menu system and settings on the Canon are completely foreign to Nikon users. Many settings on the Canon require 2 hands where they can be done with one on the Nikon.

Also remember that you are on a Canon forum so you will probably get lots more "make the switch" suggestions than "stay where you are". Not because the Canon folks here hate Nikon but because Canon is what they know. If you post on a mostly Nikon forum you will get an opposite response.

Michael

My 70-200 IS and kenko TC work beautifully together, zero issues in IQ or AF. I was confused about that statement.

I agree with the learning curve, but really, how long does that take, maybe a week? Some people longer, some shorter.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #5714128
My 70-200 IS and kenko TC work beautifully together, zero issues in IQ or AF. I was confused about that statement.

I agree with the learning curve, but really, how long does that take, maybe a week? Some people longer, some shorter.

My 70-200 IS suffers more in IQ and AF speed when I add the Canon 1.4x TC than any other lens in my bag. I have found it adequate at best and frustrating at worst. Its not the lens because everything works beautifully without the TC. I have tried a friend's 70-200 IS with the same results. The 1.4x barely effects my 300 F4 IS and isn't noticeable on the 200 2.8.

Maybe its the Kenko. I have heard good things about them.

Oh no. The learning curve is much longer than a week. You can learn the commands in a week or so but if you have been shooting Nikon for long enough that every move is second nature you will have to retrain yourself. Its almost like being right handed and having to learn to do everything with your left. Lenses mount backward is annoying and you can get over that quickly. For me the worst thing was the CF cards. The Canon inserts with the label facing in, towards the LCD, The Nikons insert facing out. If you are in a hurry you can end up forcing the card and bending pins.

Snipps wrote in post #5712745
It seems like a great option, but over ISO 640 the files are way to noisy. Also it only does 5FPS with 12MP, and then 8FPS with 5MP and I need speed.

The difference between 8 and 5 FPS is nothing. If youre not getting the shot, dont rely on a motor drive to pick up YOUR slack. Youve got another vote from me saying to go for the D3. I dont think its better than a MkIII but its much better than a MkII/MkIIN and Nikon is what you know.

I love Canon, am thrilled with my whole kit but my brother is a Nikon shooter and has the D3 with a wonderful set of lenses, two of which are in the ones you have. He's so in love with it that his D2something stays back home. He's emailed me photos shot at 2,500 ISO and 3,200 ISO and they are amazing. The quick focus has really impressed him as well. I wouldn't change if I were you, get the D3 and find some way to pay for it. Starting over costs huge in the long run.

There will still be plenty of us Canon shooters to buy their stuff so it won't hurt them for me to be saying this.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #5714128
My 70-200 IS and kenko TC work beautifully together, zero issues in IQ or AF. I was confused about that statement.

I agree with the learning curve, but really, how long does that take, maybe a week? Some people longer, some shorter.

i found that the canon TC AFs slower but i also don't have that problem with the kenko.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #5715751
i found that the canon TC AFs slower but i also don't have that problem with the kenko.

ed rader

It must have something to do with what is being reported back to the body from the Canon vs the Kenko?

You've analyzed your choice and reached a potentially sound verdict.

Assuming your analysis is correct, your deduction in getting top of the line equipment at bargain basement prices is sound.

You'll get a better Canon system, cheaper and just as good as the D3 ~ to get the extra benefits from the D3 you'd really need to buy a new 300mm ƒ2.8 AFS [/VR?] Nikkor anyway.

Snipps wrote in post #5712472
A used Mark III or Mark IIN is looking really good for me right now. Lots of people are practically giving away good canon gear in order to switch to the amazing D3. Am I crazy?

I wouldn't switch from nikon to canon at this point.

At least wait for the 5D MKII and see if it's something that would work for you.