I still need help with Camera choice.

[mindforge]

Well, the time has come to get a new camera and I am still not sure.

I am stuck at two different options.

An d300 or a 5D Mark I with two good pieces of glass.

or...

An d700 or a 5D Mark II with one good piece of glass.

----------------

I have shot with Sony till now. I shot with a 5D a couple weeks ago and I liked it, but then I held an d300 and it feels so much better in my hands. I am literally still standing at a crossroads.

So, internet reviews aside. I want to hear from anyone that has switched from one of these to another and their opinion on the matter - even if you are just lurking and never post, now would be a great time.

This is like getting married. I plan to get good glass and all that and once you get to deep with one of them it is a huge investment to try and turn around.

[tirediron]

Unless you NEED HDMI video on your DSLR, I wouldn't bother with the 5D Mk II. If you want full-frame and/or amazing high-ISO/low-light performance, there's only one answer, the D700, but if you are an average to skilled hobbyist, either the 5D Mk I or the D300 will meet your needs. Of the two, I prefer the build quality of Nikons to Canon, but the flip side is that Canon glass of comparable specs/quality is usually cheaper than Nikon. Go down to the camera store, play with them, then take home whichever feels right.

[Ben H]

If you already have a lens selection from one manufacturer, then that would be a factor.

If it's not a factor, then I think *if* I was going solely on stills in your position, I'd probably go for the D700.

Personally, I like the ability to shoot HD video and this would suit me nicely, so my all-round choice would be the 5DmkII. Both are recent cameras, and fairly pricey, but should last a long time and prove a worthwhile investment. Also, Canon have a wider selection of glass and tend to (so I hear, anyway) be slightly better priced than the Nikon stuff.

I wouldn't go for the older cameras unless price was severely a factor.

Basically, they are all good machines - it depends on your personal formula of price/features/investment and utility.

I *would* say that if you don't know what you should get, then don't get *anything* until you *are* sure. That's my general advice for people in gear purchasing dilemnas...

Good luck!

[mindforge]

If you already have a lens selection from one manufacturer, then that would be a factor.

If it's not a factor, then I think *if* I was going solely on stills in your position, I'd probably go for the D700.

Personally, I like the ability to shoot HD video and this would suit me nicely, so my all-round choice would be the 5DmkII. Both are recent cameras, and fairly pricey, but should last a long time and prove a worthwhile investment. Also, Canon have a wider selection of glass and tend to (so I hear, anyway) be slightly better priced than the Nikon stuff.

I wouldn't go for the older cameras unless price was severely a factor.

Basically, they are all good machines - it depends on your personal formula of price/features/investment and utility.

I *would* say that if you don't know what you should get, then don't get *anything* until you *are* sure. That's my general advice for people in gear purchasing dilemnas...

Good luck!

Thanks for the help. I decided to stick to my Sony for now because I can't make a decision and I got a 50mm 1.4 used for real cheap. I'll keep shooting with this for awhile. I just notice when I start entering the 8x10 prints the images start to degrade in quality and I need to be able to get really solid 8x10's. No complaints so far, but I personally don't like the quality when I enlarge.