Shooting two systems?

This is an idea that i've been toying with for a while. I sold off my Canon 300mm F2.8 IS and 1DM3 last year as I was seldom out shooting any images. Now what I have left are the 600mm and 7D. With tern season coming, I am thinking of picking up a 300mm 2.8 again. Is there any potential benefits that I may gain by going the Nikon way for the 300mm 2.8 + a D300s/D700(lack of budget for a pro camera)? I know this is the most expensive option compared to Canon but is there something which I may gain? Please share your thoughts, especially those who shoot both systems! :D

I have never had a D300 but D700 AF is superior to that of 7D especially with busy BGs and its files are a lot cleaner and crisper. But I don't think it makes sense to have two systems, you have to buy Nikon sw and other accessories and it adds up. If you want to go Nikon's way better to switch everything, if not stick with what you have.

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Originally Posted by Jay Tan

This is an idea that i've been toying with for a while. I sold off my Canon 300mm F2.8 IS and 1DM3 last year as I was seldom out shooting any images. Now what I have left are the 600mm and 7D. With tern season coming, I am thinking of picking up a 300mm 2.8 again. Is there any potential benefits that I may gain by going the Nikon way for the 300mm 2.8 + a D300s/D700(lack of budget for a pro camera)? I know this is the most expensive option compared to Canon but is there something which I may gain? Please share your thoughts, especially those who shoot both systems! :D

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Hi Jay,

In 2007-2008 I tried using a Canon 600/4 and 1DMKII and 40D at the same time as a Nikon system. It was a nightmare with chargers, flash cables, brackets. I ended up going all Nikon quickly.

I would guess that it would be hard to go back to the 7D once you use Nikon AF. Nikon's 51 point AF is that good.

Out of the box, you charge the battery, load a card and the AF just works.

Now after 3 years with Nikon I would like to pick up a 7D just to use some of my favorite Canon lenses, like the 70-200 F4IS.

Hope this advice helps.

If you do get a D300-D700 let me know if I can help with setting advice.

Robert

In an ideal world most of us would be combining the best of both systems - each has its pros and cons. I made a difficult decision in my switch to Nikon and although there are many things I miss about the Canon it would be crazy to try to use both systems. If you are thinking of switching to Nikon and have been using Canon you will find the handling of the Nikon very frustrating, everything seems to turn in the opposite direction! As it sounds as though you've been a Canon user you should stick to the system that you're used to. I made the switch so as to have one system between my husband (Nikon user) and myself.

I haven't used the D700 but I find the D300s can be slow compared to my D3 which is amazing. I am sticking with Nikon given the family investment but, in all honesty, would go back to Canon if I won the lotto :D.

Just my 2 cents...both systems are equal as long as you spend a lot of time learning how to use them!