I'm back.... and loving it

Hey everyone,

I just want to make it clear that I'm not saying Nikon sucks and I'm not playing into the brand wars. That's not my intent. I'm simply saying that MY experience with Nikon over 15 months or so was not pleasant and I couldn't see continuing down that road.

breal101 wrote in post #7763831
Welcome back Robert! Enjoy.

Thank you. I am soooo happy I can hardly contain myself.

timnosenzo wrote in post #7763863
Welcome back, 5D MKII is a great camera.

Hi Tim,

I read just about every review I could find on the 5D Mk II before buying. I also consulted with real world shooters of both 5D and 5D Mk II and it's hard to ignore the community of 5D shooters that rave about the camera and the images they produce.

TMR Design wrote in post #7763889
Hi Bob,

There was a brief time that I thought everything was ok and then I discovered that from day to day I wasn't getting consistent results. When I first got the 24-70mm lens that was just after Nikon had supposedly fixed my camera. Things seemed fine and I was ready to move forward but it was not consistent. Also, if you look back at posts of mine prior to that on NikonCafe, you'll find many posts questioning sharpness, asking questions about AF and sharpness and expressing a great deal of dissatisfaction in what I was seeing.

After I made the post that you linked to I had a shoot with a paying client that was a disaster and I had to spend huge numbers of hours salvaging images that were not just unsharp but were clearly suffering from AF issues and I had to struggle to find acceptable images. My keeper rate went down and I was do distraught and pi*sed off.

Generally, when I posted to the Cafe with positive comments or showed images, that was because I had a good day. The problem is that there were more bad than good days and I can't work that way, whether it's for paying clients or just shooting ducks and geese in the park.

Thanks Robert. If I had that kind of frustration (Canon or Nikon) it would drive me to switch too. So far so good for me ... but it's only been 4 months.

What's important is that you're happy!

Welcome back! I got my 5DII 2 months ago and couldn't be happier. I just shot the YouTube Symphony last week with the 5DII and 70-200 2.8 IS. I didn't know it was allowed at Carnegie Hall for the event, so that's all I had for tele. Oh, it was a treat. Even my least amount of gear did an amazing job with no flash allowed. I had very little noise while others struggled. I'm glad you have decided to come back Canon. Not to say the other is crap, just that I am loving the gear I do have.

TMR Design wrote in post #7763811
I'm not making a direct comparison between IQ. I'm simply stating that it's a night and day thing and from what I saw after shooting a D700 a few times, I believe the IQ to be better on the 5D. Again, an individual thing. I'm also looking at sharpness and for what it's worth, since the first day I got my D300 I had been saying that I didn't think the D300 was producing images as sharp as the 30D. Take it for what it's worth.

I'm not here to 'dis' any brand or model. My point is really that we, as photographers must use the gear that helps us produce the best quality images and in my case I also want the 'fun factor' to be there. It wasn't there with Nikon for me. It is there with the Canon 5D Mk II.

That's what I've heard (5D superior IQ). And that's why I'm interested. I also have to say I am starting to prefer Canon's ergonomics--simpler menus, big wheel, simpler buttons. The xxD/xD bodies are masterpieces of elegant simplicity, for DSLRs. Sounds like I'm hooked, eh? Too bad my dad and brother both shoot Nikon.

Thing is... I have yet to hold a 5D body. When I do I'll make my decision. If I fall in love, there you go. I love the idea of a D700 but holding it in the store was intimidating--it's super heavy. The 5D is quite a bit smaller/lighter. In fact if I'm not mistaken the D700 is heavier than the 1D3.

By the way, I had no idea that was you on NikonCafe! I saw your posts all the time! My username there is A.O.M.E. and I'm a noob there as well. I hate the name (would rather have this name), but am too lazy to ask a mod to change it.

I am not a 5D salesperson, but I can tell you that once you've actually used a 5DII on a regular basis, you'll see that it's very intuitive. The buttons are well thought out, and the camera body is substantial, but not overpowering.

Welcome back. Didn't you learn anything from those old westerns? Good guys always wear white.

foxesamu wrote in post #7763979
Thing is... I have yet to hold a 5D body. When I do I'll make my decision.

The difference in size / ergonomics of the 5D and the XXD is minimal imo, the 5D is ever so slightly bigger. I have a 40D & 5D and also had a 5D MKII and I really never noticed the difference even with grips on both.

now a rebel vs one is a complete difference

tekkie wrote in post #7764115
The difference in size / ergonomics of the 5D and the XXD is minimal imo, the 5D is ever so slightly bigger. I have a 40D & 5D and also had a 5D MKII and I really never noticed the difference even with grips on both.

now a rebel vs one is a complete difference

That's what I thought. My friend has a 40D and another friend has a 50D, they are a pleasure to hold. Sorry for this mini-hijack I'm causing, LOL. TMR, I'm happy you've found gear you can count on.

Welcome back and by the way I like some of your shots!!!!!

SuzyView wrote in post #7763972
Welcome back! I got my 5DII 2 months ago and couldn't be happier. I just shot the YouTube Symphony last week with the 5DII and 70-200 2.8 IS. I didn't know it was allowed at Carnegie Hall for the event, so that's all I had for tele. Oh, it was a treat. Even my least amount of gear did an amazing job with no flash allowed. I had very little noise while others struggled. I'm glad you have decided to come back Canon. Not to say the other is crap, just that I am loving the gear I do have.

Thanks Suzie,

I bet that was a fun event to shoot. What ISO were you shooting?

foxesamu wrote in post #7763979
That's what I've heard (5D superior IQ). And that's why I'm interested. I also have to say I am starting to prefer Canon's ergonomics--simpler menus, big wheel, simpler buttons. The xxD/xD bodies are masterpieces of elegant simplicity, for DSLRs. Sounds like I'm hooked, eh? Too bad my dad and brother both shoot Nikon.

Thing is... I have yet to hold a 5D body. When I do I'll make my decision. If I fall in love, there you go. I love the idea of a D700 but holding it in the store was intimidating--it's super heavy. The 5D is quite a bit smaller/lighter. In fact if I'm not mistaken the D700 is heavier than the 1D3.

By the way, I had no idea that was you on NikonCafe! I saw your posts all the time! My username there is A.O.M.E. and I'm a noob there as well. I hate the name (would rather have this name), but am too lazy to ask a mod to change it.

For me the ergonomics, menus, button placement and the depth of the right hand grip are much better. The lines and contour on the Canon's feel better in my hand. I have a fairly small hand and I always felt that I was adjusting to the Nikon but never really got there.

I joined Nikon Cafe right after buying the D300 and I've been a contributor mostly in the lens lust forum. I enjoy it there but it can get a bit 'click' ish and at times I don't particularly care for the way that some members are elevated to some weird celebrity status simply because they shoot their fast glass wide open. I won't mention names but some of it is godawful and I have no idea why everyone goes ga-ga over it.

asysin2leads wrote in post #7764074
Welcome back. Didn't you learn anything from those old westerns? Good guys always wear white.

Thanks Kevin. Honestly, I think I'm in the minority on the white lens issue. Personally I wish that Canon lenses were all black with the same finish as the 135mm f/2 L. The black lenses were the thing I liked the most about Nikon... lolololol

Photo-by-Leal wrote in post #7764162
Welcome back and by the way I like some of your shots!!!!!

Thank you, and thank you.