Canon 5D Mark II vs. Nikon Switch

Ok this is for serious, subjective, non-biased replies...

I love my 5D Mark II, since I first started pushing the shutter on it over a year and six months ago, I've loved it. I get amazing pictures most of the time, and have gotten great responses from many of my friends on my photography.

So I'm not hating on Canon or my camera, but lately (past 3 months or so), I've been really starting to get picky with my photography tastes, my own and others. Seems I'm starting to realize what I like and don't like, what is camera and what is post processing etc. I know that the 5D Mark II is up there with quality, and the camera of choice for many pros, but I'm starting to notice a lot of Nikon users in the same photo styles that I'm into.

So what Nikon is the rival to the 5D Mark II? The D700?
What does the Nikon D3s rival in the Canon world?

I'm starting to mold my photography into a children/family based lifestyle photography, and feel I need some quick bursts, full frame, good mps etc...basically the goodness I'm getting out of the 5D Mark II but maybe a bit faster?

Are these higher up Nikons revled in the camera world as portrait cameras?
Where as Canon is well known for its sports/action stuff?
Or is that just stereotypes?

Should I consider an upgrade to my Canon body vs. a switch/upgrade to a Nikon body?

I know this is a sin to discuss on a Canon board, which is why I'm looking for subjective replies. I was sold on Canon the day I held one vs. the Nikon, and haven't had a second thought. But now maybe I am? I've seen plenty on this board to not have these issues in my head, but what's getting me is whats coming from my camera. Maybe I need to relearn it, or start back over in Photography 101, or something. I just feel some of the stuff coming from my camera lately isn't up to my expectations.

Has my pickiness with what I think is good/bad photography blinded me and what I'm doing and creating? Am I being too hard on myself? Have some of you gone through this phase and questioned your gear?

Maybe its time I bought some L primes and found some good stuff coming from the 5D Mark II? I have two L zooms, maybe I need to prime up?

EDIT: Since posting this, the following replies have help me come to the conclusion I don't need to switch, thanks to all who have given great inputs.

D3 = 1ds series

Rent an L prime or two and see what you think after that.

Theus wrote in post #11072415
Rent an L prime or two and see what you think after that.

Oh I have. The 85L and 35L have both been with me before.
The 85L was hard to use, takes a learning curve, so I got some really good and really bad shots from it. The 35 was easier and I think it would be my next L purchase.

I think I'd more like to borrow/rent a Nikon to get this crappy feeling out of my system and get back to not cheating on my Canon gear...lol.

About 2 weeks ago, I put all my Nikon stuff up for sale, and came back to Canon.
I had a D3 and D3s, and I tried out a Mark IV.
IMO, that's the rival to the D3s, in terms of high ISO, low noise. I shot pics at 5000, 8000...even 10,000. While they got noisier as the ISO got higher, they weren't that bad, and with some NR in LR3, were actually very clean. But between 5000-6400...very, very good noise control.
here's some from this past Thursday...(WB a bit off, but these are at 5000 ISO0

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=942406

In the end, I returned the MKIV, and decided to go with a 7D/5D Mark II combo. While the Mark IV, is the *best* sports camera I've used (and yes, that includes the Nikons, D300, D700, D3 and D3s) Others may have differing opinions. But Mark IV IQ is very good too, for portraiture. A great, versatile...but very expensive camera. Since I'm backing off of sports shooting, I decided it was more than I needed, and would rather go the 2 body combo.

IMHO, the 5D (with L glass) delivers higher resolution files than the Nikons. Higher ISOs...I think are pretty close, even with the D3s...but D3s uses more agressive NR, and there is some loss of detail and resolution.

My suggestion if you want to shoot sports, go with a 7D and keep the 5D, for portraits landscapes..or just get a Mark IV...which is 1.3 crop and a really fine camera. In my case, I simply decided I'd rather have 2 cameras.

Jeff

The D700 is Nikon's direct competitor to the 5DII

The D3s is Nikon's direct competitor to the 1D Mark IV

The D3x is Nikon's direct competitor to the 1Ds Mark III

Some people get confused because the 1D4 and the D3s have slightly different formats, but this does not change that they are the direct competitors (same price range, similar fdeatures, same target market).

If format sizes strictly set up what competes with what, the Nikon has never had anything to compete with the 1D line and before the D3 was announced they had no competitor to the 1D or 1Ds lines at all.

IMO you should forget about all these camera stereotypes. Nikon and Canon both make great cameras that can be used to shoot both sports and portraits. The 5D2 is great for IQ, but if you need a higher frame rate then a simple way to get there is to move from the 5D2 to a 1D Mark IV. The 1D Mark IV is a 'sports camera' in some people's minds. The reality is that the 1D Mark IV is good for most everything.

Remember the D700 is only 12mp. For some types of shots that is going to be fine but I know I would rather have a 7d than a d700. I am a detail freak and noise really doesn't bother me (or any of the non-pixel peeping people who like my photos).

Right now I am happy with my 5d2.

I'd go with a 1Ds mkII rather than switch. The thing I don't get is the "I'm starting to notice a lot of Nikon users in the same photo styles that I'm into." ?

What photo style has to do with brand name ?

wask_ wrote in post #11074003
I'd go with a 1Ds mkII rather than switch. The thing I don't get is the "I'm starting to notice a lot of Nikon users in the same photo styles that I'm into." ?

What photo style has to do with brand name ?

Yeah that was worded badly. I just meant a lot photographers in my area, that I've been following, who are shooting the same styles/subjects (children and families), are using Nikons. Not that I believe its tied that photography, just rather more of a coincidence I suppose.

I know that Canon/Nikon are the two best out there and with either brand you're getting quality gear. Like I said, this is probably just a phase, a "grass is always greener on the other side" thing I'm going through.

magwai wrote in post #11073927
Remember the D700 is only 12mp. For some types of shots that is going to be fine but I know I would rather have a 7d than a d700. I am a detail freak and noise really doesn't bother me (or any of the non-pixel peeping people who like my photos).

Right now I am happy with my 5d2.

Yeah, if I did go Nikon, I think I'd have to set up into a D3s or so. Full frame, high ISO, FPS all being big features there.

Oh and the reason FPS have become important to me, is based on how I've been watching some of these local photographers who've let me tag along and watch some of their sessions work. I do shoot in continuous mode, myself, but it seems these Nikon's with the faster FPS seem to "catch" more of those moments I'm trying to catch.

I think I might just need to tweak some of my settings on the Canon and my FPS is probably good enough for what I'm trying to capture. I need to look more into some of the autofocus modes, and metering modes and learn what to use when.

I don't think you're only one ready for the 5dIII that is basically a 5dII with the 7d AF system. I think it's coming, but as with anything there's no "facts" to back that up, just my speculation.

Why don't you just get a second body like a 50d or a 7d that will give you the speed your looking for. Both are good cameras. Or wait for the 5dII successor.

merlin2375 wrote in post #11074205
I don't think you're only one ready for the 5dIII that is basically a 5dII with the 7d AF system. I think it's coming, but as with anything there's no "facts" to back that up, just my speculation.

Why don't you just get a second body like a 50d or a 7d that will give you the speed your looking for. Both are good cameras. Or wait for the 5dII successor.

That is under consideration. But I'm not sure I can justify a 2nd body yet, so far it hasn't really hurt me that bad not having 10 FPS etc...I just wonder, like I said before, after seeing how some of these photogs capture the kids candid moments, if I'd do better with a faster FPS?

Which of the 1D series cameras is FF?

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #11072359
Are these higher up Nikons revled in the camera world as portrait cameras?
Where as Canon is well known for its sports/action stuff?
Or is that just stereotypes?

(bad) stereotypes....

Yep, it made me laugh because a friend had gone into a local camera store here and the retail sales person told him that Canon was more of your "sports" users, and Nikon was more of your "portrait" users...

I know thats not true, but had to ask about the stereotyping.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #11074213
Which of the 1D series cameras is FF?

All the 1Ds cameras are FF.