considering the D700...

pnmd wrote in post #8615132
high praise for D700 and you own both. What about AF comparison in low light for typical still people shots?

Keep in mind that the more accurate cross type AF points are all clustered in the middle columns. This is still a much better arrangement than the 5DMKII, but to say that it "smokes" the AF on the 1DMKIII, as someone has, is quite silly. Remember, the 19 points on the 1DMKIII (and 1DsMKIII) are all cross types and it does great in low light.

That said, I agree that the AF on the 5DMKII lags behind the D3/D700/1 series bodies from both companies. If my choice was between the D700 and 5DMKII, not considering lenses, I would probably pick the D700, because as much as I like the 21MP on the 5DMKII, the D700 is the more versatile option.

nicksan wrote in post #8617944
What did it give you?

it gave me sealing, AF that doesn't suck (but I didn't have an issue with the 5Dii AF honestly, the D700 is just better), FPS and "cleaner" files (no banding at high ISOs and no noise at base).

nicksan wrote in post #8617974
Keep in mind that the more accurate cross type AF points are all clustered in the middle columns. This is still a much better arrangement than the 5DMKII, but to say that it "smokes" the AF on the 1DMKIII, as someone has, is quite silly. Remember, the 19 points on the 1DMKIII (and 1DsMKIII) are all cross types and it does great in low light.

I've never used a 1Diii, so I can't compare the D3 to the 1Diii to the D700. But the D700 in 11 point AF mode has only 3 cross types (top, center and bottom, the center column basically). The next 2 columns left and right, each with 3 points are NEXT TO cross types. If you use the dynamic AF mode (second option on the switch) it uses helper points and regardless of the # chosen (9 21 or 51) they get to use the cross types right next door. I've noticed those points work better than the way left or way right point, but not quite as well as the center column. I'm still learning the system, and to be fair I'm using a sigma 24mm 1.8, so that's not helping (more light but it uses the body's AF motor). But the center 3 of the 11 are WICKED, the next 6 (3 of 3 on either side) are definitely better than a 5Dii or 50D, and the way outer 2 points can have issues as their helper points are not cross type either.

Oh, and the points that are not cross types and don't have cross type helpers? They like horizontal lines in a landscape shot, just for the record (learned that last night).

nicksan wrote in post #8617944
What did it give you?

Very fast and accurate AF, but the big winner for me was a fast full frame. The 1.3 crop was really starting to get on my nerve. Some people love that 1.3, some hate it, and I'm one of those that really doesn't like it. Now instead of having to carry a 17-40, 24-70, and 70-200 to cover most of my shooting I can just carry a 24-70 and 70-200.

Thalagyrt wrote in post #8618259
Very fast and accurate AF, but the big winner for me was a fast full frame. The 1.3 crop was really starting to get on my nerve. Some people love that 1.3, some hate it, and I'm one of those that really doesn't like it. Now instead of having to carry a 17-40, 24-70, and 70-200 to cover most of my shooting I can just carry a 24-70 and 70-200.

The 1DMKIII has very fast and accurate AF as well, but I suppose some just won't get over the problems it was plagued with in the beginning and fixed since earlier this year. I for one have never encountered any issues with mine.

The D700 is definitely a nice option, that's for sure, and if it works for you, that's great.

I am one of those people who don't feel the 1.3x CF is a disadvantage. In fact it gives me the best of both worlds. I find that my 24-105L is still wide enough for most things I shoot.

I am guessing, for a lot of folks, once the novelty wears off, the grass becomes greener on the other side again...

^ it could, but damn it's pretty green over here right now.

my thing is I owned a 1Dii. I wanted it for it's FPS but rarely used it (the FPS). I switched to FF and fell in love with the size of the 5D and the sensor. The D700 is really a 1Dii packed into a smaller shell with FF and 12mp which is perfect for me on paper. Had canon made it I'd be done for sure. The lens issues are the only question in my head right now and it's really just the missing 24L for me, EVERYTHING else either has a match or something better FOR ME. I'll have to see how annoying the siggy gets if at all and if they make a new 1.4 wide.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8618160
it gave me sealing, AF that doesn't suck (but I didn't have an issue with the 5Dii AF honestly, the D700 is just better), FPS and "cleaner" files (no banding at high ISOs and no noise at base).
.

Ben, are you a politician? "Af that doesn't suck", but "I didn't have an issue with the 5Dmk2 AF"??? LOL
Just pokin' fun at you, I wouldn't mind shooting with the D700....But...I'm very pleased with my 5D2.

Off topic/........Hey Nick, with the 1Dmk3 being "fixed".....I find myself thinking about it a lot, do I dare go for a 3rd? I loved the handling and I'd love to shoot my kids fall sports with one..

let's put it this way. I used a 5Dii for 9 months and never bitched about it's AF. I used the center point 95% of the time. It was good enough for me and VERY accurate. The D700 is noticeably better. But it's like giving a deaf person a dolby HT setup after having mono and being happy with it.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8618837
let's put it this way. I used a 5Dii for 9 months and never bitched about it's AF. I used the center point 95% of the time. It was good enough for me and VERY accurate. The D700 is noticeably better. But it's like giving a deaf person a dolby HT setup after having mono and being happy with it.

LOL

thatkatmat wrote in post #8618804
Ben, are you a politician? "Af that doesn't suck", but "I didn't have an issue with the 5Dmk2 AF"??? LOL
Just pokin' fun at you, I wouldn't mind shooting with the D700....But...I'm very pleased with my 5D2.

Off topic/........Hey Nick, with the 1Dmk3 being "fixed".....I find myself thinking about it a lot, do I dare go for a 3rd? I loved the handling and I'd love to shoot my kids fall sports with one..

Matt, if you are the type that loves torture, and I am guessing you are (), then why not? (Then again, I don't want you blaming my behind for a 3rd clunker MKIII:lol

So far I'm loving 5DII. I also considered D700. but cost of lens I wanted would have put me way over what I wanted to spend.

On other hand, I am excited by introduction of 7D technology - for that price point. If they can put all those goodies into 7D, I can only imagine what they will do for the "1DsIV", "1DIV", or "5DIII"

pnmd wrote in post #8615097
I've decided my first lens will be a 50mm.
DPreview said this: "The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G comes into its own on its native FX format. Sharpness is notably even right across the image even at F1.4, with the corners better than any other full-frame 50mm we've tested."

Ben, is there a reason you went with the Sigma 50mm?

I bought the 50mmF/1.4D lens for 340 bucks. It has the manual aperture ring.
The G`s are gelded without the aperture ring...

The AF comparison between the D700 and 5DMKII is no comparison.
Hands down the D700`s AF system mops the floor with the 5DMKII..

I have no problems switching between systems and have grown to prefer the Nikon external button setup.
The mirror blackout times are another No comparison. The Nikon is much faster. 8FPS really sounds good, but I`m waiting to get the grip and battery, the 5 FPS is pretty good compared to the 5DMKII`s 3.9 FPS.
Build quality is excellent. I`m using mostly the 70-200mmF2.8VR lens. Haven't use the 70-200 on the Canon since I picked up the Nikon.
The Nikon has become the goto camera. I like my 5DMKII a lot, but the Nikon just plain works better IMO.

for those of you thinking of switching to nikon (trators), you should switch then you guys can sell me your 5D MII for half price!!! again.........switch to nikon right now and sell me your 5D MII for half price

nicksan wrote in post #8618473
The 1DMKIII has very fast and accurate AF as well, but I suppose some just won't get over the problems it was plagued with in the beginning and fixed since earlier this year. I for one have never encountered any issues with mine.

The D700 is definitely a nice option, that's for sure, and if it works for you, that's great.

I am one of those people who don't feel the 1.3x CF is a disadvantage. In fact it gives me the best of both worlds. I find that my 24-105L is still wide enough for most things I shoot.

I am guessing, for a lot of folks, once the novelty wears off, the grass becomes greener on the other side again...

You should note that I shoot a D3 not a D700.

Thing is, where I shoot the NBA games from, I found that I could almost perfectly frame dunks at 70mm on the 1.3, but I was always cutting feet off, so I had to switch out to a wider lens on the off chance that I'd get a dunk. I've played with a D3 + 70-200 before making the switch, and found that I could perfectly frame a dunk with a 70-200 at 70. That was what made the deal for me. Not having to waste time switching out to a 24-70 or something else just to get 45-55mm or so when they come down to my side of the court is immensely helpful.

I'm sure if I shot football or baseball I'd find the 1.3 crop to be an advantage, but I don't, so that point is pretty much moot. For what I shoot, and where I shoot it from, it's a disadvantage.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8617263
Peter,
I'm pretty sure the AF point number was 11 though? Or are you talking about the number of helper points in dynamic mode? Basically, the number of points you can actually SELECT is either 51 or 11. But you can have 9 21 or 51 (or 51 in 3D mode) "help" the point you picked.

I still use single point or dynamic modes right now though... I've never been able to trust a canon's auto point selection, so it'll take time to learn if I can trust Nikons....

Ben, you're right, the video was talking about the helper points. It'll nice to be able select 51 or 11 AF points on a FF camera. Is the viewfinder bigger on the D700?

drdiesel1 wrote in post #8618960
I bought the 50mmF/1.4D lens for 340 bucks. It has the manual aperture ring.
The G`s are gelded without the aperture ring...

thx. I'll look into the 50mm/1.4D. Looks like you're loving your D700.

Anyone use the new Sigma 24-70/2.8 ($899)? It appears to be a good walkaround lens.