Canon L Lenses vs. Nikon's Best (Build Quality)

My friend swapped his Nikon D700 for my Canon 5DII for a day of shooting. Each of us has quite an array of high-end lenses, and we shot the premium glass (1 Tilt Shift, 3 zooms and 5 primes of each brand).

We really agreed on only two things:

1. The Nikon's auto-focus was noticeably better.

2. The Canon L-lenses (the class) have noticeably better build quality (zoom and focus precision, TS-E movements, fit-and-finish, solidity, etc.) to Nikon's best lenses.

The first point seems widely acknowledged, but I haven't seen the second point mentioned. And it was more obvious than the first.

There's a reason why you see nothing but white lenses on the sidelines of NFL games.

It's quite obvious that the nikon D700 would have a faster AF compared to the aging 5D mk2. It is a widely documented fact that the 5dmk2 doesnt work very well as sports camera. U should compare apples to apples, for eg. d300s to 7D.

Treason.

hawkfan79 wrote in post #11731075
There's a reason why you see nothing but white lenses on the sidelines of NFL games.

<Sarcastically> Isn't that because Canon is a sponsor of the NFL?

hawkfan79 wrote in post #11731075
There's a reason why you see nothing but white lenses on the sidelines of NFL games.

Actually I see more and more Nikon shooters on the sports sidelines...a lot more than say 10 years ago. Sometimes it's even 50-50, where as in the past it was 99% canon. I couldn't really tell much difference between the 70-200 2.8 is II/vr II, but didn't get to try the nikon for more than 5 minutes.

jffielde wrote in post #11731050
My friend swapped his Nikon D700 for my Canon 5DII for a day of shooting. Each of us has quite an array of high-end lenses, and we shot the premium glass (1 Tilt Shift, 3 zooms and 5 primes of each brand).

We really agreed on only two things:

1. The Nikon's auto-focus was noticeably better.

2. The Canon L-lenses (the class) have noticeably better build quality (zoom and focus precision, TS-E movements, fit-and-finish, solidity, etc.) to Nikon's best lenses.

The first point seems widely acknowledged, but I haven't seen the second point mentioned. And it was more obvious than the first.

Well DUH the Nikon was a D700 and the Canon was a 5D2 (sarcasm) which we ALL know is the best autofocusing camera from Canon. How about compare a 1D series or 7D to that D700?

So if Canon lenses are better, how come Nikon cost more?

Competition is good... for consumers.

gasrocks wrote in post #11731476
So if Canon lenses are better, how come Nikon cost more?

They are charging extra to have all lenses black in color.

^^ cuz it's properly calibrated when it comes out of the box.

richardfox wrote in post #11731614
They are charging extra to have all lenses black in color.

hahaha, you are so funny ! (again) .... ;D

hawkfan79 wrote in post #11731075
There's a reason why you see nothing but white lenses on the sidelines of NFL games.

I think you need to seriously take a closer look because that is an absolutely ridiculous statement.

Since the introduction of the D3, Nikon has taken the sports arena by storm. Most major events, you will see a 50/50 mix of Canon/Nikons and its not at all rare to see Nikons outnumber the Canons. The 2008 Olympics was a fine example of this...

5 years ago, it was rare to see a Nikon at a major sporting event...not so much now.

Jeffro250 wrote in post #11731780
I think you need to seriously take a closer look because that is an absolutely ridiculous statement.

Since the introduction of the D3, Nikon has taken the sports arena by storm. Most major events, you will see a 50/50 mix of Canon/Nikons and its not at all rare to see Nikons outnumber the Canons. The 2008 Olympics was a fine example of this...

5 years ago, it was rare to see a Nikon at a major sporting event...not so much now.

The D3 has nothing to do with lenses tho. As I was mentioning earlier, you are comparing the AF capabilities of a D700 vs a 5D2? Really?

themadman wrote in post #11731815
As I was mentioning earlier, you are comparing the AF capabilities of a D700 vs a 5D2? Really?

??? I mentioned neither camera in my post... Which was directed at the ridiculous post about how Canon dominates at sporting event. Nor did I even mention build quality. I was merely correcting a completely ludicrous statement.