Considering switch from Canon 50D to Nikon D90

[shocksyde]

Skip to bottom if you don't give a crap about my reasoning

So, here's the deal:

I'm completely happy with my 50D and lenses. I've got the Tokina 11-16 2.8, Sigma 30 1.4 and Canon 85 1.8. I also have a 430EX flash.

I've recently really gotten into off-camera flash and purchased a Nikon D40 b/c of its ability to sync with flash up to 1/2000s (using cybersyncs). No Canon camera can do this and, as far as I know, future bodies will not be able to either. The lenses I have for the Nikon are the 18-55 non-VR kit, 55-200 VR and 35 1.8. I also recently got a 105 2.5 AI and 35-70 2.8 AI-S (these are manual focus lenses and I LOVE them.)

I've been thinking it would make sense to switch completely over to Nikon and consolidate my gear. I could get a used Tokina 11-16 for Nikon and sell the Canon. I would sell or trade the 50D ($800), 30 1.4 ($300), 85 1.8 ($300) and 430EX ($200) = $1,600.

That would leave me with the following Nikon lenses: Tokina 11-16, 18-55, 35 1.8, 35-70 2.8, 55-200, 105 2.5. I'd possibly sell the kit lens and maybe even the 55-200 (I never use focal lengths over 105 anyways). That would get me another ~$200 and total around $1,800 to play with. I'd then buy a D90 to go along with my D40 and still have $1,000 to get a Nikon flash and anything else I need.

Skip to HERE

So, in my head, this all sounds perfect. But, one problem: I feel like Nikon has no direct competition with Canon's 50D. If I get the D90, I'm downgrading. If I get the D300, I'm over-upgrading. Has anyone switched from a 50D to the D90? Would I miss any important features?

 

[996GT2]

Nikons have superior flash control via CLS; Canon has only recently started to implement similar features onto the 7D. So if you shoot a lot of flash (esp. off camera flash), then the switch might make sense.

There are a few things you may want to consider though:

If you switch to a D90, you are losing speed compared to the 50D. 6.3 FPS vs 4.5 is almost a 50% difference in continuous shooting. The 50D is also better made than the D90, with a magnesium alloy body. Also keep in mind that Nikon doesn't really have an equivalent to the Canon 85, 100, or 135mm lenses, since Nikon doesn't make fast primes with ultrasonic focusing in the 85-135mm focal length range. The Nikkor 85mm also costs about $100 more than the Canon version, despite not having USM.

I'm not sure how important those factors are to you, but it's food for thought nonetheless.

As far as D90 vs. D300 goes, don't used D300s go for around $1k on FM now? That's only a couple hundred more than what your 50D is worth and the D300 has a better AF system, better build, etc.

 

[jpeyton]

Will the D90 sync at 1/2000s like the D40?

PS: The dark side welcomes you.

 

[shocksyde]

Will the D90 sync at 1/2000s like the D40?

PS: The dark side welcomes you.

No. The D40 and D70 can sync so high because they use an electronic shutter. I'd be keeping the D40 as well, to keep that ability.

 

[shocksyde]

Nikons have superior flash control via CLS; Canon has only recently started to implement similar features onto the 7D. So if you shoot a lot of flash (esp. off camera flash), then the switch might make sense.

There are a few things you may want to consider though:

If you switch to a D90, you are losing speed compared to the 50D. 6.3 FPS vs 4.5 is almost a 50% difference in continuous shooting. The 50D is also better made than the D90, with a magnesium alloy body. Also keep in mind that Nikon doesn't really have an equivalent to the Canon 85, 100, or 135mm lenses, since Nikon doesn't make fast primes with ultrasonic focusing in the 85-135mm focal length range. The Nikkor 85mm also costs about $100 more than the Canon version, despite not having USM.

I'm not sure how important those factors are to you, but it's food for thought nonetheless.

As far as D90 vs. D300 goes, don't used D300s go for around $1k on FM now? That's only a couple hundred more than what your 50D is worth and the D300 has a better AF system, better build, etc.

I'd probably not use CLS b/c I use Cybersyncs as remote triggers, so that's not a factor for me.

The lack of Nikon-made fast primes doesn't bother me. I have the 105 2.5 and might give the Rokinon 85 1.4 a whirl. The 50mm range doesn't appeal to me, and I've got the 35 1.8 anyways.

I'll check into used D300s and see if that's a better fit for me. I'm OK with it being around $1K if it's worth it. The fact that it has better AF is a huge plus b/c I'm getting into club/concert photography.

Thanks a ton for your input. You've been very helpful!

 

[shocksyde]

Another thing I forgot to ask: Is the SB600 comparable to the 430EX? Or would I have to look into getting the SB800? I have 4 other flashes that I use for off-camera work, but I like to have one that I can use on-camera with i/eTTL metering on occassion.

 

[jpeyton]

Yes, the SB600 is comparable to the 430EX. Since you're not using CLS, there is no need for an SB800.

The D300 is going to be ahead of the D90 in terms of autofocus, speed, and build-quality. It will lag behind the D90 slightly in terms of high-ISO performance (the newly released D300s corrects this). It sounds like you do a lot of flash photography, so high-ISO performance might not be at the top of your list.

You'll appreciate the ability of the D300 to meter with your older AI-S lenses; something the D90 can't do.

 

[shocksyde]

Yes, the SB600 is comparable to the 430EX. Since you're not using CLS, there is no need for an SB800.

The D300 is going to be ahead of the D90 in terms of autofocus, speed, and build-quality. It will lag behind the D90 slightly in terms of high-ISO performance (the newly released D300s corrects this). It sounds like you do a lot of flash photography, so high-ISO performance might not be at the top of your list.

You'll appreciate the ability of the D300 to meter with your older AI-S lenses; something the D90 can't do.

Nice. Looks like I may fully convert. It's been fun playing on both teams for a while, but it's time to COMMIT. Now for the extremely fun task of selling gear to massive lowballers.

 

[twistedlogic]

No. The D40 and D70 can sync so high because they use an electronic shutter. I'd be keeping the D40 as well, to keep that ability.

D40/D50/D70/D70s/(D1/X/H) have them too.

Another thing I forgot to ask: Is the SB600 comparable to the 430EX? Or would I have to look into getting the SB800? I have 4 other flashes that I use for off-camera work, but I like to have one that I can use on-camera with i/eTTL metering on occassion.

Not sure what the 430EX offers but the SB-600 does not offer SU-4 mode (optical trigger) or a PC connector, which the SB-800 does. Not sure how important that is to you. But it does work great on-camera or even iTTL off-camera.

The SB-800 are really hard to find anymore, and when you do they are expensive. The power difference between the two isn't that much, its just the features the sb-800 offers that drives the price. Well, that and the SB-900s are overheating.

 

[twistedlogic]

I'm getting into club/concert photography.

Sounds like you need a

Spoiler

D700

,

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

[shocksyde]

Sounds like you need a

Spoiler

D700

,

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Nah, my 50D and Tok 11-16 have done just fine. I'd image the D300 and Tok 11-16 would be as good or better.

 

[soydios]

The most direct competitor to the 50D is a D300, not a D90.
I'm always leery of telling people to switch systems.
If you do switch to Nikon, there is no reason to get an SB-800 for off-camera flash unless you need the 2/3 of a stop extra power or faster recycling time, because the SB-600 supports full CLS off-camera iTTL flash just like the SB-800.

 

[shocksyde]

10 days later and I've finally completed the switch!

Sold the 50D for $800, picked up a D300 for $1,000. I missed the Bing Cash Back being 20%, so that sucks, but I feel I did pretty well. Traded my Tok 11-16 and Canon 430EX for a Tok 11-16 and SB-600.

So now I need to figure out my lens lineup. Right now it is:

Primes:
- 35mm 1.8
- 105mm 2.5

Zooms:
- Tok 11-16 2.8
- 18-55 non-VR <- gonna sell
- 35-70 2.8 AI
- 55-200VR <- gonna sell

I'm thinking about getting:
- Sigma 24mm 1.8 <-- I loved this lens on my 40D/50D, it's just too fun with the min focus distance being so short. If I can find it for $250-$300 again, I'll get it.
- Rokinon 85 1.4 <-- $250 for a lens built to shoot wide open that's crazy sharp (it actually degrades in sharpness as you move away from wide open)
- Maybe a nice current Nikon standard zoom for convenience. Don't think I want to spend the cash, though.

Yet again, I'm kinda just thinking out loud here, but if you guys have any suggestions, let me know!

 

[jpeyton]

I have the Sigma 28/1.8; I love the bokeh on it. I got it off CL for $175, but the 24mm and 20mm versions command a higher price.

I haven't tried the Rokinon, but I hear nothing but good things about it.

And the 18-55VR is a pretty nice DX standard zoom to have in your bag. $100 or less on CL.

 

[speedy2]

That seems like a lot of pain switching everything just for a flash. And on a crop sensor too.

 

[Kung Lau]

Can I call dibs on your Canon 85 1.8?

 

[shocksyde]

That seems like a lot of pain switching everything just for a flash. And on a crop sensor too.

Well, it's pretty obvious that you don't understand my reasoning. I'd explain, but I don't really care if you get it or not.

I get along fine with crop sensors, thank you very much.

 

[shocksyde]

Can I call dibs on your Canon 85 1.8?

She's long gone, my friend.

 

[jpeyton]

That seems like a lot of pain switching everything just for a flash. And on a crop sensor too.

That's not how I read it. He already had cameras and lenses for both systems; he wanted to consolidate everything to one system and decided Nikon was the one he wanted.

 

[shocksyde]

That's not how I read it. He already had cameras and lenses for both systems; he wanted to consolidate everything to one system and decided Nikon was the one he wanted.

Heyyyy, check it out! That wasn't so hard, now was it? Haha.