I am browsing through internet for some DSLR review & comparison between Canon 5D Mark III and Nikon D810 to prepare for my purchase of an used unit of either one.
It will be my first DSLR, no lens in my hand, so I am basically free to jump in to any system.
I am not a newbie in photography and not keen to start at entry level DSLR as I already been into this hobby for some years just not by using an SLR or DSLR.

I come across this article when thinking to choose between Nikon or Canon DSLR:

Nikon F vs Canon EF lens mount

While the content of the article should be fact, I wonder in real world usage and real world experience, how much those differences going to affect the user. Because from the article it can be seen that it is implying other than backward compatibility with older lens, Nikon lens mount system seems to suffer more disadvantages compare to Canon lens mount system (with regard to full frame system). While these facts might be true on paper, I am wondering is the same can be said when come to real world experience.

Beside, the article is also a year old, Nikon technology might have improved, the difference mentioned might be even smaller.

The articles mention few important points, which I summarize as below:

a) Canon lens can be easily built to have larger aperture (faster lens), while Nikon lens if want to achieve the same, either too costly or impractical. So there is more fast lens in Canon than in Nikon.

b) Nikon lens can be used on Canon body, Canon lens cannot be used on Nikon body, reducing Nikon user opportunity of choice of lens.

I would like to ask Nikon DSLR user here,

1) Have you ever feel in agreement with the weakness of Nikon lens mount system mentioned in the article?

2) While on paper the content of the article might be true, but in real world usage, have you encounter such situation where the Nikon lens mount system "features" has causes you to feel disappointed or frustrated? I do not use the term "weakness" as I do not think it is a weakness, just a consequence of the design philosophy chosen by Nikon.


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A question not related to this topic: Does any one knows when will Canon releases the 5D Mark IV? I guess suppose is this year. Although I am not planning to get it but if I buy 5D mark III after mark IV is released I think I can get a cheaper price, albeit I am yet to confirm to jump into Canon system yet.

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This post has been edited by scoutfai: Mar 26 2016, 10:54 PM

sounds to me like u are mostly decided on canon and need a final push away from nikon.

but anyway, as for...

and also increased frustration at trying to get accurate focus

and not sure what u meant here.
but i think u meant canon lens cannot be used on nikon body? not sure why would anyone want to anyway.
also older nikon lenses going back to the 60s can still be used on newer nikon bodies, same cant be said for canon.

lets not go into multi-strobes

anyway, i think in real world experience, what matters more is how familiar u are with a certain system.

hi... this is my 2 cent

technology for traditional DSLR may have come very close to a big wall, but to my view, the lenses from both Canon and Nikon has a very long way to go... but most improvement will benefit videographers market. as for photography, its already at its very peak performance. (smoother step-less aperture for video uses etc, smoother dampering on zooming etc)

there isnt much reason for canon to use nikon lenses, unless the canon user manage to grab a 600mmF4 for RM800 deal... usually because the VR is broken (expensive to repair) and half of the coating is damage etc etc etc. (yea i have a friend who got his hand on several super tele for dirt cheap)

actually, nikon can use canon lenses, but with some drawback from the special adapter, you will lose some infinity focus (something like attaching a extension tube) but there are also special adapter with elements(glass/optic) to correct it issue, but it is not worth it. coz you end up with expensive MF lens...

Sigma is offering 'mount coversion' for a small fee (Art lens series only). so u can anytime take your sigma canon mount and convert to Nikon mount.

offtopic* if you are worried about mounting, perhaps you can consider the Sony E mount system. they have very very big room for improvement and creating full support of diff system mount lens in coming days. not to mention how inbody IS can create a day and night diff for non stabilize primes... i tested 135 with IBIS camera, 1/15 is as easy as eating icecream.*offtopic

just my 2 cent. and im kinda worried as this is very sensitive topic too. :/

everdying, i think he is comparing the F1.2 option from canon vs only F1.4 from nikon

actually, the F1.2 market is very small, and not everyone can afford. there is no lens mount limitation because there are many third party making F0.95 lens for nikon mount too. so, the myth is busted.

Hey, there is Pentax, Fujifilm and Sony too.

ah ok, but only 1.4 also good enough
i think that article is talking about big aperture lenses with AF... which for nikon i guess is not possible.
cos old nikon also got f/1.2 lens... but is MF only.

This post has been edited by Everdying: Mar 26 2016, 08:35 PM

I doubt we have many used Nikon D810 around.

TS, if you think you will get f1.2 AF lenses 1 day, then Canon is your choice.

Like Bro ieR mentioned, you can consider Sony E Mount A7 series. More and more professional photographer jump from Canon & Nikon to Sony A7 series.

With recent A7II, A7RII, A7SII and Metabone m4, Auto focus with Canon L lenses is incredibility fast and accurate.

I am indeed more keen on Canon system initially because I realize a lot of third party accessory also support Canon.
And there is more 2nd hand market for Canon system item in Malaysia, it is easier to sell and buy used Canon lens, body, flash, etc.
Another reason is many years ago Canon is best in low light noise control. I like to shoot night scene so it is important strength to me. But time has passes and now Nikon low light also very strong.


You mean although Canon lens can have bigger aperture, but at this wide aperture it is hard to focus accurately?


Sorry that was a stupid typo. thanks for pointing it out. I already edited.
I mean to say according to the article, it claims Nikon lens can be used on Canon body, but the Canon lens cannot be used on Nikon body.
yah you are right to say that why would any Nikon/Canon user bother to use Canon/Nikon lens on their body. But imagine in a gathering, or you have friends or relatives using a different system than yours, if you are Canon user, then according to the article, you just need an adapter, then you can try out the lens from your friends or relatives, this gives you more room to try new thing. But since Nikon body cannot use Canon lens, so the Nikon user will not enjoy this fun. I think this is what the article trying to say.

I have no desire to use Nikon lenses on my Canon body. There are no adapters that can make the Nikon lenses auto focus work on Canon. So only manual focus when using Nikon lenses on Canon body. Anyways when it comes to manual focus assist features I feel mirrorless systems have it better and with plenty of adapters and some like Metabones that has speed boost and can make the AF work.

Most recent desired lenses I feel are usually third party lenses. Tamron, Sigma, Samyang etc. are doing a good job. Can debate they are better than native lenses that it doesn't matter which system you choose.

Lets cut short...
Between 5D3 & D810 , I'll go for D810 anytime..
However , D750 is all around the best... my 2 sen.

Just curious before jumping into dslr, what camera system you using currently?

TS give link you flickr site....

dd

This post has been edited by Khalid21: Mar 27 2016, 11:15 AM

Thanks for your input.
Regarding Sony Alpha series - E mount system mirrorless camera, I have look at it before. But I notice few reviewers do not recommend this for wedding and sports photographer due to lag in focus speed, according to them it still suffers a bit in this aspect compare to traditional pentaprism. I do not feel like can accept this weakness, so I have to put this option away for now until it is more mature in the future. But I do think this mirrorless system is the future of photography.


I am not bashing on either side what. I just come across an info from internet, not convince it is 100% valid, so post a thread to ask for real user experience.

This post has been edited by scoutfai: Mar 27 2016, 12:30 PM

Got plan to get f1.2, because I like bokeh effect. Thanks for the info.
But f1.2 and f1.4 bokeh seems not much significant difference, I can accept can only go until maximum f1.4.

As for Sony A7 series, I am a bit conservative about it.


Good info you provided, thank you.


Mind to tell why? Is it because of the tilt screen and more competitive price?


At the beginning, old school full manual Minolta film, from my dad age. but stop it very soon because too freaking expensive to stay on this system.
Then bought my own Canon prosumer digicam. That's what I can afford that time. But it already broken 5 yrs ago.
During uni time got help faculty take photo using their entry level Nikon DSLR.
Many years didn't touch this hobby due to work commitment. Now I am a bit free, so can resume back.
But the world of camera gadget has change a lot since I last left. Gadget tech. advance much faster than anticipated.


Bro I do not even have a flickr account okay. I do not even upload daily handphone photo to facebook.

Looking at the current replies it seems most lowyat users here disagree with the article.

I see. Though not sure why you would want a camera like D810 with whooping 36 megapixels camera for hobby, but if you have the money with intention to print sharp big pictures bigger than your house wall, why not. Just note that you need to pair it up with very sharp quality lens to get optimal 35 mps out of it, otherwise it be a waste. Also note that FF is not one size fits all cause FF has some disadvantage against smaller sensors and it's not just about the price.

If you are the kind of guy who may end up collecting lots of lenses, Canon maybe the way to go. Though if you own vintage lenses like the Minolta, Sony is probably better cause they have shorter flange, correct me if I'm wrong. But if I'm new with no system commitment, between C and N, I would rather go Nikon for their superior sensor and less worry about lenses cause I'm not planning to catch em all.

This post has been edited by DaddyO: Mar 27 2016, 01:50 PM

First part of the question, yes... To say that Canon has more fast lenses than Nikon, that may be true a few years ago but now not so anymore. Speaking about f/1.2 vs f/1.4, that's just bragging rights and hardly relevant nowadays.

Not really. The only time I desired a Canon lens was because they were cheaper (for the longer lenses) and more available in the 2nd hard market. Somehow Nikon users keep their lenses like gold.

There is one lens in the Canon lineup that I lust though which is the 17mm f/4 TSE lens.

I did not read the article though but I'm aware of the pros and cons of the Nikon mount. But that's delving into technicalities and I think so long as Nikon can produce comparable or better lenses than their counterparts, I'm happy camper.

Nope. It used to be a time when Canon had IS on almost all their nice long lenses. Nikon slowly updated their long lenses with VR but then again professionals long ago did without IS/VR and still got great photos.

Everybody thinks about long lenses but not many would want to agree that one of the better wide angle lenses for the Canon full frame is the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8.

Nikon is currently ahead in the dynamic range and noise in the sensor. But let's not kid ourselves... Canon will always come back stronger and lead Nikon like they used to. So you can be safe at either camp and still produce beautiful photos.

I think he means problems getting the AF to perform and lock on accurately.

I believe almost all new Nikon lenses are up to D810's sensor. So there's no problem there unless planning to use old lenses...

Well, I do agree that the FX sensor produces huge files and storage can be a problem. But then nowadays memory cards and hardisk are relatively cheaper than it was a few years ago. And with huge files, you have the room to crop your pics in PP if you wish and still get away with excellent quality. If ts insist, he can also switch to 1.5x DX mode with 15.4 MP images or 25.1 MP images with 1.2x crop. FX has better noise and dynamic range while DX sensors are superior when it comes to macro and DoF.

I think more clarification to your statement is required, if you collect OLD lenses, the Nikon is a better system to stick to. Because as far as new lenses are concerned, both Nikon and Canon have equivalents.

Its not a matter about storage. Its a matter about cost vs needs. Yes you can crop more on 36mps BUT do you have the money spare to buy high quality lens to produce equivalent 36 perceptual mp? Putting a kit lens or lens that resolve mps lower than 20mps is not doing 810 justice. Why not 750D? But like i said, if ts has the money go for it but be aware he probably wont used it to full potential.

Don't think so. Nikon for example may have equivalent tele zoom lens (can't remember what zoom lens is that) but it suffers focus breathing problem which is much severe than Canon making its effective focal length much shorter. But that was a year ago, not sure if they came up with new version of the lens to fix that.

This post has been edited by DaddyO: Apr 1 2016, 11:31 PM