Joining the Darkside....

I have the loan of a Canon 5DmkII, and some lenses for a week, to see what I think of it. Going into it completely open minded, might love it, might hate it......

Nice bit of kit - am sure you'll love it

Take a D700 for a test drive too - it's a tough choice, they both have their pros n cons.

I've used a D700, a D3 and a D3x doing second shooter work, and I love them all, though I noticed the image difference between my D300 and the D700 was no great difference TBH.

The Canon is lighter too, my arm was killing me with the bigger Nikon's at the end of a day, though I did get that when I switched from my Oly to Nikon.


See, if I fall in love with it first, I have heard good and bad things from photographers, like all cameras there are pro's and con's. I do know someone who has had one with terrible focusing issues, and another one diedThey ended up switching to Nikon, and then I know others who have switched the other way , and are very happy too.

Would not of been considering it, except the seller is wanting a very good price, it's like new, and it's someone who I totally trust.

Will you be wearing gloves ?

I'd love a full frame 5DII for my landscapes as it's my main photography passion I but can't afford one now. Some say It's eggs are kind of in one basket though with the cropped 7D the other choice for wildlife and faster shooting.

As Azz says - It would be nice to compare the 5DII with the full frame Nikon D700 as I always thought that camera was more of the all rounder. Half the Mega Pixels of the 5DII means fast shooting and low pixel density for great low ISO.

Anyway - have fun !

No gloves required, I have been instructed to treat it like my own


I am going to give it a go, the FF Nikon's are definitely better all rounders as far as shooting situations go on paper , then you see people like Sammy use hers in a variety of shooting situations,including,portrait,landscape and action, with fab results. It's hard to tell from comparing reviews, until you've used both, so will let you know. I don't do much action, or wildlife shooting, it's mostly portrait, a bit of landscape, and fine art stuff.

The low light performance is better I believe on the FF Nikon's, but will find out once I get my hands on it,but I don't do a huge amount of low light stuff.

I think the weight will be appealing, but that means a more plasticky body I suppose The only Canon I have seriously played with is my old film Canon SLR, my Ebay specialthat's like a tank

The real drama going to be, if I fall in love with it

I was going to reply Moonie but can't talk to you now you have a Canon!!!

So, could someone tell Moonie that there is probably a new Nikon full frame just around the corner...will be more megapixels, although, (tell her), Blackcloud doesn't find 12 megapixels too much of a problem... Blackcloud also reckons the 5D Mk2 is cool for results but just doesn't handle and seem the same as a lovely Nikon...


Only jesting Moonie...i wouldn't worry too much...i think you have to wait a couple of generations between cameras to see much difference in results, and even then it won't be apparent on all the shots we do. The Canon may have the edge on resolution over a D700 but the answer is the Nikon D3x if you need it. There will be something new to replace the D700 shortly but I am not worried. Professionals were doing much better pro work than I will ever do with the D3 (12 megapixels same as D700) and lesser cameras. The D300 shouldn't be underestimated, having just looked back through my results over the last couple of years, it is absolutely spot on. However i do think full frame is probably the way to go with your type of work. The D700 with it's better tones and creaminess would probably show itself in your work. The Canon on the other hand takes you back to cramming the same amount of pixel density in the sensor as the D300 so I'd be interested to know if it gives any advantage other than resolution?

I just meant to stop you getting dirty hands moonie

Thank you BC for talking to me

All good points raised, and I will certainly not be jumping ship unless I truly think it's worth it, and most importantly the camera suits me, no point getting something just because it's a good deal. I am ready to go FF, it was always my intention to do so by the end of this year, but at the same time I am very happy with my D300. I am not into going after the latest model,for the sake of it, it's all about the camera suiting me whether it's brand new or ancient.

Ah, sorry, bit dumb there, wasn't I

Nope, I am not a brand person I love all camera brands equally

Think you are the same too, you've swayed both ways... Oooer

Yes I'm just a tart

Any brand does me - I can fully understand why people stick with a brand after investing a lot in lenses but I never feel like flag waving.