For the last 2 years, I've been freelancing full time, and all my digital workflow has been with a Fuji S2, which was my entry into the digital SLR market. Not a bad camera, in fact pretty good, and very versatile.
(Work varies from magazine shoots to press conferences, live gigs and events, to portraits and everything in between, and the Fuji has been great under all conditions, especially on ISO 1600 for gigs. Very little noise).
Autofocus has been a bit so-so, and I've missed out on a few shots when shooting sports, but otherwise it's great.
The other day it packed up during a shoot when, under really hot and humid conditions, I sweated like hell into the LCD where one sets all the image resolutions, white balance etc, which filled with sweat, and packed up.
I'm looking at 1 month waiting for repairs to fix it, and am facing a bit of a dilema. I was thinking of upgrading at some stage, but am now forced to. I don't want to replace it with another S2, as it's a bit long in the tooth, and I'm not a fan of the slow auto focus and battery life.
(Still with me here?)
I need a replacement now, as I can't be without a camera for a month, but as my workload is increasing in number and importance of jobs, I need to step up to something more pro.
The only Nikons I'd look at upgrading to are either a D2H or a D1X. Great cameras, in particular the D2H, but I understand the noise issue is a real problem over 800ISO on both cameras, which I can't be dealing with as I shoot quite a lot of low light work, and use a lot of 800plus ISO.
Anyone care to offer an experience based opinion here?
(Oh, and the D2X won't count as I don't want to buy an unlaunched, untested camera, and it's not available here yet).
It seems the new Fuji S3 isn't going to be much of a step up from the S2, so I'm thinking of buying a D70 or D100 for the month until the S2 comes back (hiring costs will kill me otherwise), keep it as a backup to the S2, save up for a while, and flog the whole lot off and buy a Canon 1D Mk 2 and respective lenses.
I've been a fan of Nikon since I started shooting ten years ago, and have used the film cameras religiously, but it seems there isn't much in the pro digital range that gives as much versatility as the Canons (I'm stressing on the autofocus and quality of shots at high ISO). This isn't meant to start an age old Nikon vs Canon war here, as it's just my opinion.
I don't have too much invested in Nikon lenses, so the switch shouldn't be so bad if that's what I do.
Anyone done anything similar recently, or have any advice on what I could look at here, as I'm totally confused as to what to do?
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Look seriously at the Kodak 14n Pro. Full frame sensor..uses Nikkor lenses, fablous files. Not sure about the noise issue at high iso..but that can be dealt with.
This camera is designed to be modular..therefore easily upgradable. I love working with my D1x..but I'm considering the Kodak. About the same price..maybe a bit less.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I have a 14n and use it exclusively, with much success. Although I do little lower light work, I am considering getting a D70 just for that purpose. It is inexpensive and from what I have read, well worth it. If I had to buy something today to compliment my Kodak, for low light use, the D70 is what I would get. I am trying to hold off until the end of PHotokina.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
My photo assistant of the past six years has used Nikon for years. In the past three years, he's handled all my Canon digital gear. At a loss, he sold all his Nikon gear and bought one of my 1D bodies, and hasn't looked back. Sure he misses some of his equipment, but on the whole, is glad he switched because the future (he felt) looked brighter with Canon digital, and his Nikon film equipment was losing value rapidly.
This isn't Canon vs. Nikon. Only what one person felt about the digital future. Nikon will continue to offer quality cameras -- you just have to decide where you think the future of technology is going before investing heavily. Consider who you feel will serve you best.
Nemo
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
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