Canon or Nikon

[snips86x]

I currently own a Canon 7D and I'm not overly impressed with the image quality. I've got a mate who has a Nikon and found it better than the Canon 7D he had previously. I'm looking to possibly replace my Canon with the Nikon D300s, but I'm worried about the impact the change in sensor size would have. I'm an enthusiast and the picture qualitiesty is my number 1. Can you help please? Not sure what to do.

 

[snips86x]

I think its multiple things to be honest. I don't find it 100% sharp on multiple lenses as well as the white balance is never perfect. I can take sharp images, but I'm not happy with the outcome. There is always the margin where its not correct using AF or manual.

 

[snips86x]

D700. Call off the search. This is pretty much the perfect affordable full frame DSLR. Yes it only has 12mp, but the file dimensions will only be around 30% smaller than the 7D, yet will knock the spots off the 7D in terms of IQ.
Auto focus etc. also performs better on the D700.

This is what I was looking for, you have really answered my questions here! Maybe it is the AA which I can see causing the image quality problem, not sure, but really like the D300s.

EDIT: I see what you mean, the D7000 looks like a great camera at a superb price. Need to think about selling my 7D if I'm to change over.

Personally I never expect a perfect white balance straight out of the camera and always tweak it a little later in Lightroom. Generally it's not too far off but I'm too lazy to use the selective WB settings at the moment so I leave it on auto lol

You had the 7d for long? Has it always been a bit hit/miss with sharpness? Any firmware updates for the 7d?

I've had it for about 1.5/2 years now and yes, it's hit and miss. I can see the imperfections and it really bugs me. Firmware has been updated.

what are the lenses? and have you checked for front/back focus?
also i take from the wb issue its jpegs your shooting ?

I've got a 17-40mm L, 100m Macro. The 17-40 is causing more of a problem, but even with the 100mm macro, i'm not satisfied. I maybe too picky over it, but the IQ is what really impresses me.

I dont shoot JPEG, only RAW.

 

[snips86x]

Lots of thinking to do!

 

[snips86x]

any samples of the photos your not happy with ??? you told us what camera you have but didn't mention what lens your using

I don't have samples of images which I dont like, most get deleted, Maybe I'm too picky. There are some here which I'm not happy with, but I tend to only upload the ones I like

http://mp-nw-photography.deviantart.com/gallery/

 

[snips86x]

I chose the D7000 over the 7D when I was looking for a new camera to replace my old Canon. I think its a better overall package and slightly smaller and lighter to boot (if you care about that). On the other hand the Nikon lens range isn't quite as good as the Canon range in some areas (although it looks like you aren't using those areas at the moment).

And a warning An Exception is a bit obsessed with full frame, while in reality both have their benefits, up to you which one you choose, the general IQ will be dictated far more by the lenses you use than whether you go full frame or DX... Unless ot course you regularly need very high ISOs. And obviously if you see thinking of full frame then Canon do a nice selection, from the 6D to 5D2 and 5d3, may be worth sticking with Canon as you already have the equipment.

I must say, I really like the look of the D7000. Just need to get my 7D cleaned before selling it. I understand you need good glass/optics to get good shots, shame the money is the problem. Do you know if the FX lens range is compatible with the DX mounts?

 

[snips86x]

Yes FX lenses are compatible with DX. Equally you can use DX on FX in crop mode.

That's good! I was worried the lens range would be limited. I dont know much about Nikon to be fair!

 

[snips86x]

What focal lengths are you considering. Having looked through your images it doesn't look like you do many portraits, so maybe maybe shallow depth of field isn't a priority, however I see you have taken a few at night/lowlight, so maybe a fast prime might be useful.

I do Landscape, Macro & Birds of Prey.

I would, for Canon, use something like a Canon 70-200mm L non-is , 17-40mm L (or a tokina 11-16) and a 100mm Macro. I'd also keep the 1.4x converter to hand if needed.

Not a portrait kind of photographer, although I do make an exception for my wife & son.

 

[snips86x]

On the other hand if I had the 7D before hand I'm not sure it would really be worth swapping, depends on how much you think you will benefit though. The AA was one of the reasons I veered towards the D7000.



Ah, you didn't mention BoP before, although you currently don't appear to have a long lens for it(?). The longer affordable end is where Nikon lose out IMO, they lack some affordable options, like a VR version of the 300 f/4, no equivalent to the 400 f/4.6 and have only just released a 70-200 VR (which filled that hole, mostly at least). There is also nothing like the 70-300L (although the 70-300 VR is ok...ish). Depends what lens you want though as Sigma and Tamron still do the same range on both.

The 100mm macro is easy enough to get and there are plenty of options to replace the 17-40. You will struggle with something to replace the 70-200L though (assuming it's an f/4), the 70-200 VR isn't out yet and will come in at over £1k i'm assuming, with no chance of buying used, not quite the same as £350 for the non IS 70-200 f/4.

I actually sold the 70-200 as I didn't use it much. I'm planning on getting it again for my trip to South Africa, but have a lot to think about now. I may just replace the 17-40 for something else and get the 7D body cleaned and see how it goes. I think it's a perfect camera, but I'm not sure what is letting it down, or making me think to replace it. More practice maybe........

 

[snips86x]

Yep. The 7D noise handling is what put me off of it entirely. I've said it before but Canon need to up their game with their crop sensor bodies. With the price point of the 7D it really should give higher IQ.

I can see why people would put it down for this, but when not used with high ISO (if avoidable) the picture quality is really good, especially when paired with something like 70-200mm L lens. I've had results I'm very very impressed with.