For 2006 I was shooting a pair of D200's with all the appropriate glass (17-55, 70-200, 85, 50, 35, fisheye, etc). Overall I love the feel of the D200, but now I'm considering adding a 5D along with a couple of primes for available light portraits. I'm still planning on using the D200 when the light is good, and anytime I'm shooting a flash.

Based on what I've read, the Canon 85 1.8 is a must have on the 5D.

If I was going to buy a second (or third) lens for the 5D would it be:
50 1.4 - because I love shooting my 35 F2 on the D200
100 Macro - since I don't have a macro in the Nikon lineup
17-40 - since I might never pick the D200 up again

first of all, welcome to OSP!

second of all - thats one TOUGH choice. I'd say instinctively the 50, but for variety from the 85 u want to maybe consider the 100mm macro. Some people use this for portraits, although im sure u have seen the killer ring shots it produces.

17 - 40 should probably be an after thought lens, consider also at full frame 17 is quite wide!

Another thing to note, I heard from someone that read somewhere (not joking lol) that 85 and higher is the ideal focal length due to compression for portraits, so if ur really leaning towards that then the 85 should take care of all ur needs in that regaurds.

Welcome to the light!

Thanks.....OSP seems a like a cool place.

I hear what your saying about the 100 being the 2nd choice. It does seem a little weird to have one camera with an 85/100 combo (not much difference in focal length).

Picking up just the 5D/85 is definitely an option.

Good to know that the 17-40 can be passed up for the time being.

For portraits (and depending on available space) I use the 85mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.4 on my 5D

When I am not shooting portraits (most of the time) I either use the 100-400mm f/4.0~5.6 or the 16-35mm f/2.8 on the camera. Wide is real wide but extremely satisfying on the 5D.

can i ask why you would just get a 5d to add to your full nikon lineup?

Why not. The 5D is a sweet camera

I sold one of my D200's when my 2006 season finished up. Now I have some January weddings coming up and I need to get a 2nd body. I could get another D200, or I could get a 5D. I also have a D70, which pretty much stays glued to my fisheye.

I guess I'd feel more comfortable shooting a little bit of Canon, and then deciding if I want to completely switch over. Some photographers just make the switch over night, but I'd prefer to dabble in the Canon world and then decide if I want to completely switch.

Welcome to Canon. The 70-200IS is a must have. The 5D is an excellent piece of equipment.

Gary
www.gxtweddings.com

i'm curious to know your reasoning for a potential switch. care to share?

As a former Canon shooter (I loved the 5d), Keep this in mind.

it has a full frame sensor. Wide angle lenses are actually wide!

Eric

Have you thought about renting the 5D while you dabble? A 5D is somewhat of an investment. I'm one of those that switched from Nikon to Canon overnight. I don't regret it because I did quite a bit of research before I did.

As far as lenses go, stay away from the 85 1.8 if you want quality...1.4 is better glass if you can afford it (which I assume you can if you are willing so drop $2800 on a camera body from another company).

I used to shoot with the D200 and honestly I like the body better then the 5D. I think Nikon knows how to make a better body than Canon BUT Canon's chip technology (since they make their own sensor) is just more advanced at the moment (and probably always will be the way their company is set up via vertical integration). I DO NOT enjoy the 5Ds (I shoot with 2 of them) 3 fps!!! I was used to 5fps with the D200. This is my only major complaint.

I am looking forward to moving up to a couple 1Ds bodies in the future.


Fe

I would go wide with the second lens. I love wide-angle portraits. If I were you, I'd go with a 17-40 or 16-35. Especially since you told us that you like your fish.
Cory

Here in Seattle we shoot quite a few weddings with very little light. It's not uncommon to have a hotel wedding downtown and only have perhaps one hour of light (usually not when the bride and groom are ready for pictures together). In these (dark) situations I think it would be very handy to shoot 800 or 1600 and still get clean shots.

I'm also a little bit frustrated with Nikon's prime lense selection. I'd like to be able to shoot an 85 and have it actually be 85mm (not 127).

Still, I don't see a reason to completely ditch all my Nikon gear.

Hey Fred,
I could rent a body, but that's normally $150 or $200. The 5D after rebate is only like $2100. I'd prefer to buy one, decide I don't like it, and then sell it for a slight loss rather then giving $200 to the camera store for a rental.

I didn't know Canon made and 85 1.4? You mean the 1.2? From what I've heard the 1.2 focuses slower then the 1.8. I also really don't need the 1.2 - 2.0 range. 2.0 is about as wide as regularly shoot. Also that would move the total Canon investment from like $2500 up to like $4000. That seems silly.

I agree that the D200 is a great body. That's why I'd like to keep it.




Hey Cory,
Nice to meet you......virtually that is. You have some great work. I think I heard my friend Savanah mention your name before.

Jonathan

IMO you need to take advantage of the compression available to a FF camera. get some fast primes and shoot wide open, and get right up on your subject,Get the the 85mm of 50mm 1.2 if you really want to jump in..

Yeah, I think this advice is right on. I can see myself being very happy with the 85.

I have wide covered on my Nikons.

don't waste your time getting lenses that duplicate your nikon selection. I'd get a 50mm f/1.2 or 85mm f/1.2 II. I'd also get a fast wide prime like a 35mm f/1.4

For me the advantage of getting a 5d would be low-light, high-ISO applications--hence why fast primes for me would be top of the list.

I'm in the same boat, Nikon shooter with a 5D and a couple lenses. I bought the 50 1.4 and the 24 1.4L and later added the 70-200 IS.

Go down to Glazer with a memory card and play with the display stuff. I knew I was going to get the 50 and one higher dollar prime, after playing with the 24, I was sold, it's just an awesome lens, it has great character wide open on the 5D.

And welcome to OSP, nice to have another 'local'.

~Bill