FF camera brand

[mavericks7913]

After 2 and a half year, I will be graduate. But before I graduate, like in Junior or senior, I should get at least one FF body with one standard zoom lens for work at least. My school is a canon lover and have a lot of canon bodies and lenses and few Nikon bodies and lenses(Only D750). There are few FF camera systems for pro workers: Canon, Nikon, Pentax(Soon), and Sony.

I've been using Canon 5d mark 3 for almost 2years with a lot of canon lenses during the school life. 5d mark2 was still fine except for auto focusing system which reminds me Pentax K-5's auto focusing system. I like the canon color especially for landscape and portrait. But since I was using Pentax a lot, the dynamic range for shadow was too poor to me. Personally, Canon system is standard. Not too good and too bad.

There were only three Nikon bodies: D750. I know that Nikon is well known for AF system. Quick and great. Perhaps the nikon color is not what I like. Since Nikon is using similar or same sensor with Pentax from Sony, the dynamic range for shadow is what I'm looking for. I'm not sure if I;m into Nikon due to their own problems: Selling malfunction camera bodies for several times and their attitude toward customers.

Pentax is what I'm thinking to buy if they release a good one on March. Well, few things that I;m worry about Pentax is that they still have lacking lenses, Poor af system compare to canon and nikon, worst flash system, and etc. Other then that, it's fine and awesome especially for high pixel mode like Hasselblad have.


What brand should I buy for FF camera?

 

[OreoCookie]

What kind of photography do you do? What kind of lenses are you looking into buying in the future?

 

[mavericks7913]

What kind of photography do you do? What kind of lenses are you looking into buying in the future?

Hmmm that's the big question. For now, I'm into portrait(Outdoor, studio, and indoor), landscape, fine art, and macro. When I was in school, I usually use 24-70 and 70-200 zoom lenses only. If I can use Pentax FF, then I can adapt few medium format lenses. I have one macro lens for Pentax.

 

[kenoh]

If you have used a 5D MKIII for 2 years, then surely you like it enough to want to continue with one of those no? Afterall you cant go wrong really with top end Canon/Nikon/Pentax so stick with what you know?

 

[Boulder]

I would probably go for a Sony A7 series and an electronic adapter for Canon (Metabones is a good choice) if you do not need super fast auto focus. Mirrorless has a ton of options if you do not nee autofocus and the adapters are getting better all the time.

 

[JDDavis]

I'm pretty happy with the D750 for landscape. I can't comment on the other uses you intend. The size and weight of the D750 are great for hiking around with. Battery life has been outstanding so far. The AF is top notch (not so critical in landscape though). The dynamic range is pretty impressive and I've yet to have a quality issue with a Nikon body or lens (lucky I guess). I'm actually a fan of Nikon's colors but I like natural colors and don't tend to like to much saturation. I also shoot neutral as possible and then adjust. I think the combo of the NEF RAW (from Nikon) and Capture One Pro produce pretty accurate and nice colors.

Good luck with your search. There are pros and cons to each manufacturer. In the end what's behind and what's in front of the camera matter most!

 

[MCAsan]

SonyA7RII for adapters for lenses from Canon and others.

http://www.dxomark.com/cameras#hideAdvancedOptions=false&viewMode=list&yDataType=rankDxo

 

[fathergll]

What brand should I buy for FF camera?

I think you need to be more specific. What exactly are you using the camera for? the only requirements I see are dynamic range, standard lens and FF.

Which lens doesn't the Pentax system have that you need? I know Pentax just released a new FF zoom Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED.

Short answer is if you are looking for the brand without any holes in its overall system then Nikon probably is going to be your best bet. That doesn't mean you need Nikon or it would even be your best option. You need to give very specific examples of what you are trying to do.

 

[JDDavis]

SonyA7RII for adapters for lenses from Canon and others.

http://www.dxomark.com/cameras#hideAdvancedOptions=false&viewMode=list&yDataType=rankDxo

Do the adapters have any effect on image quality or other parameter like a teleconverter would?

 

[Ray2]

Dynamic range = Nikon as they do a better job with Sony's sensors than Sony. AF = Nikon. Customer service, in 35 years of shooting Nikon, never an issue, though very seldom required so little experience. Lenses, what focal lengths do you need?

What's you job? Is your photography so skilled that you can take advantage of very small spec differences? Seems like a big step if you have an investment in Canon lenses for minor spec differences that will very likely never make a difference in the final "published" media.

Suggest going to photography specific questions rather than an Apple forum. See what experienced pro's have to say.

In our home is one of 3 prints of a rather well regarded and prize winning shot that appeared as the centerfold in an architectural book. It was taken with a 12mp Nikon D80. The relationship between camera specs and end results is minor, at best. Irrelevant being a more appropriate term.

 

[MCAsan]

Do the adapters have any effect on image quality or other parameter like a teleconverter would?

Depends on the adapter. They convert from on physical mounting to another and pass on the signaling for focusing. Go to Youtube and search for Jason Lanier Photography. Jason left Nikon and went Sony, the same as Gary Fong, Matt Kloskowski, Trey Ratcliff, and many other famous photographers. In one of his videos Jason talks about using his A7RII with an adaptor and a full range of Canon lenses.

BTW, I can't think of any photographers who left Sony and went Nikon or Canon.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Depends on the adapter. They convert from on physical mounting to another and pass on the signaling for focusing. Go to Youtube and search for Jason Lanier Photography. Jason left Nikon and went Sony, the same as Gary Fong, Matt Kloskowski, Trey Ratcliff, and many other famous photographers. In one of his videos Jason talks about using his A7RII with an adaptor and a full range of Canon lenses.

BTW, I can't think of any photographers who left Sony and went Nikon or Canon.

Although of course you never know the true motivation behind a move, especially for famous (sponsored) photographers.
Not belittling Sony. I think they are doing a great job. I just believe everything is not always as it seems for endorsements.
Like @Ray2 says. The difference between gear and ability is wider than most people think.

 

[fathergll]

In one of his videos Jason talks about using his A7RII with an adaptor and a full range of Canon lenses.

I did see that actually a few days ago. I think he specially said the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II performed really well on the A7RII.

BTW, I can't think of any photographers who left Sony and went Nikon or Canon.

Well to be fair that wouldn't make much sense since Sony is a recent entry into the pro photography market. I'm sure their are pros who tried the Sony system and didn't like it enough. Either way Sony is in an awesome position. Not only are they gaining a lot of ground with their own cameras but they supply their sensors to the other companies(Nikon, Pentax, Phase One, Hassleblade..etc.

 

[simonsi]

The difference between gear and ability is wider than most people think.

The old adage in motorsport used to be "a fast driver in a slow car will beat a slow driver in a fast car", same holds true in most fields inc photography.

I suspect most high-end pro's could turn out work almost indistinguishable from their current work on low-end equipment, but that low end kit wouldn't last long under pro workloads...

 

[Apple fanboy]

The old adage in motorsport used to be "a fast driver in a slow car will beat a slow driver in a fast car", same holds true in most fields inc photography.

I suspect most high-end pro's could turn out work almost indistinguishable from their current work on low-end equipment, but that low end kit wouldn't last long under pro workloads...

I have pro kit and turn out mediocre stuff all the time!

 

[simonsi]

I have pro kit and turn out mediocre stuff all the time!

LOL - yes I am disappointed the D5/D500 don't have a "Good Composition" setting that you can crank up as desired/needed

 

[mofunk]

@OP I would not read into much of the reviews about Nikon owners not being happy. Remember there are a lot of users that were happy or those that didn't post comments on the web. What you should start with is a budget. Since we are talking current FF SLR, you would probably need a computer to handle the files and memory cards that are 32GB or higher. On my D90 I would come close to filling up a 2GB card. When I backed up my images to a disc I could have at least 3-4 events on one DVDr (jpeg + RAW). Now with my D750 I can only back up about 1-2 events to a DVDr. Yes I do own an external drive but I also backup to disc. Oh down the road I will be purchasing another external drive.

With that said, you should start with a BUDGET. Then look at which system fits your needs. I've invested Nikon lens but when I went FF I knew I needed fast glass that shoots f/4 or f/2.8 and lower. Since I shoot a lot of low light and without a flash I looked at the 24-70mm f/2.8 to pair with my FF camera. After picking the lenses I wanted I waited until Nikon came out with a camera that fit my needs. I thought about the D610 but imo it wasn't a huge jump from my D90 which shoots video minus the full frame feature. Remember any camera you choose will TAKE PHOTOS . I didn't get the D610 because video wasn't full 1080p and needed more bells. So the D750 came out and it has full 1080p and lots of AF points which is good for action. The tilt screen was definitely a nice add on because I shoot I lot of overhead shots.

Just look at what you want in a camera and go from there. I think everyone here will give you solid advice. But really no one here shoots exactly like you. btw D750 fits nicely in between everything and focuses fast in low light. Canon has a nice line that shoots better video. However Nikon has more lenses to choose from. Good luck

 

[OreoCookie]

Hmmm that's the big question. For now, I'm into portrait(Outdoor, studio, and indoor), landscape, fine art, and macro. When I was in school, I usually use 24-70 and 70-200 zoom lenses only. If I can use Pentax FF, then I can adapt few medium format lenses. I have one macro lens for Pentax.

That's a bit all over the place. And it isn't even clear to me you need a camera will full frame sensor. Cameras will full frame sensors have disadvantages other than just being more expensive, too, and IMHO you should consider getting a smaller, cheaper body with more lenses and then figure out what it is that you want to do. Keep in mind that quality lenses retain their value really well, so even if you have to sell some of your gear in the end, you won't lose much money.

If people like your pictures, I will guarantee you that none of them will ask “Oh, was that taken with a Canon 5Ds?” If the picture is good, nobody will care.

Personally, I think the much more important choice than full frame vs. APS-C is whether you want a dslr or a mirrorless camera. A lot of people are switching away from dslrs to mirrorless cameras (e. g. to Sony or Fuji), and I would seriously consider a mirrorless if I were you. In addition to my Nikon D7000 + lenses + flashes + toys, I own a Fuji X100s, and I rarely if ever use my dslr anymore. The Fuji is much lighter than my Nikon whose IQ is on par. Fuji offers various X-mount cameras (from dslr-style to point-and-shoot-style to rangefinder-style) and has a pretty good lens line-up that covers your needs. Sony is the only game in town if you are interested in a full frame mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses (I'm ignoring Leicas). While no mirrorless camera that I have used can keep up with the AF of a dslr, for many aspects they are way more than good enough and beat older dslr AF systems (my Fuji's AF system is faster than that of the 5D Mark II). I always recommend people to get the camera that feels comfortable in their hands if they are not sure. (Personally, that excludes Canons and Sonys, I don't like how they handle, but that's just me.)

Even if you decide to get a dslr, the brand doesn't matter much. So what if Nikon's have a 10 % sharpness advantage in certain benchmarks? Again, (almost) nobody will care, it's about the pictures.

 

[kenoh]

Hmmm that's the big question. For now, I'm into portrait(Outdoor, studio, and indoor), landscape, fine art, and macro. When I was in school, I usually use 24-70 and 70-200 zoom lenses only. If I can use Pentax FF, then I can adapt few medium format lenses. I have one macro lens for Pentax.

On this criteria, any of the full frame options talked about so far, be it Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax or even Leica can meet your needs for a general purpose camera setup. 24-70 and 70-200 zooms are available from all of the vendors so there is no real wrong answer here. Again, I would suggest that if you have been shooting Canon for 2 years already then maybe go with what you know.

I moved from Canon to Sony years ago and havent looked back - but I am rubbish and just a hobbyist you seem to be a bit more serious about it than I am. I really enjoy my A7 series with both native and legacy MF adapted lenses. I tend to shoot primes rather than zooms and I am also lucky enough to shoot Leica RF glass too so my Sony setup is tiny and typically I can go out shooting with a couple batteries and cards plus a 3 lens setup in my jacket pockets. This for me matches my preferred way. I can also go out with a Kata backpack carrying my A7 series camera with 70-200 G zoom, 55mm prime, tripod on the back OR (Jobi gorrilapod inside) PLUS rangefinder with 50 and 28mm lenses... and no one knows I am carrying some serious firepower.

 

[shaunp]

Like others have said, what are you going to photo, what projects do you have in mind? If you are used to Canon and there isn't a major reason to move, then stick with the 5D III. If you need a specific focal length or lens that only available with one manufacturer then that should help you choose. If you like Canon but there isn't quite enough dynamic range in the 5D III then look at the 1DX. If you need more resolution look at the 5Ds or 5Dsr and if you need even more look at a Pentax medium format - but that will get expensive and difficult to justify.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side and there might not be enough of a difference to move from one brand to another. And remember kit doesn't buy creativity.

 

[fathergll]

If people like your pictures, I will guarantee you that none of them will ask “Oh, was that taken with a Canon 5Ds?” If the picture is good, nobody will care.

Yep. Benjamin Kanarek was using a Pentax K5 and shooting for fashion magazines for a long time. He's now on Nikon system(D800 to be exact). Why did he shoot Pentax? Because Pentax gave him free cameras. The point is you can make do with a lot of cameras and Kanarek said no one ever questioned his K5. Doesn't mean the K5 was the best camera for the job but its the tool he used since it was the cheapest at the time(free).



http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3196443

Pentax K5

 

[highdefjunkie]

All camera brands have their plus and minuses. When people ask me what camera brand they should buy, the first thing I ask is what have you shot with in the past? Since you have shot with a Canon, I would then highly recommend you stick with a Canon because of the familiarity with the brand. The 5DIII has come down in price and the price will continue to call as the 5D IV is expected to be release in the coming months. If you cannot afford a Canon 5DIII, another option would be a Canon 6D or looked for a used one for sale. I honestly think with all the experience you've had with Canon, it would be a no brainier for you to continue shooting with it.

 

[Laird Knox]

If people like your pictures, I will guarantee you that none of them will ask “Oh, was that taken with a Canon 5Ds?” If the picture is good, nobody will care.

That's a good one! I get asked all the time what gear I'm using. The typical response after I tell them is "Ah, no wonder your pictures are so sharp."

I praise my camera every day because I'm sure the images have nothing to do with sitting on a rock for half an hour dialing in the hyper-focal distance or the hours spent in post production. That's what the A setting is for, Awesome - right?

Seriously though, you are correct. Any modern FF camera is capable of producing stunning images. A professional is defined by their work, not their gear. Would I like to get my hands on a Phase One XF 100MP? Heck yeah! Do I need it to print my current 20 x 30 inch prints? Not at all.

 

[OreoCookie]

Yep. Benjamin Kanarek was using a Pentax K5 and shooting for fashion magazines for a long time. He's now on Nikon system(D800 to be exact). Why did he shoot Pentax? Because Pentax gave him free cameras. The point is you can make do with a lot of cameras and Kanarek said no one ever questioned his K5. Doesn't mean the K5 was the best camera for the job but its the tool he used since it was the cheapest at the time(free).

Well, a free camera is better than an expensive camera, isn't it

There are of course situations where some cameras are clearly better than others (e. g. I don't think there are many sports photographers using a Fuji XT-1), but especially in controlled lighting, the differences are minor to practically non-existent.

 

[kenoh]

I think all of these comments continue to reinforce that there are lots of right answers here, but no correct one for the OP.

So all things being within scientific tolerances of variability, then the OP should likely go for what they know and 2 years experience of Canon suggests that carrying on with that line is likely the path to satisfaction.