Using both Nikon and Canon, how bad of idea is this?

First post here. This site was recommended to me from sales rep at B&H.

Let me tell you my situation. I have been a Nikon guy since my start 6 years ago. I currently shoot with a Nikon D700 and have been toying with the idea of getting a newer full frame camera. Something like the D800 or D4 if I found a really good deal. Well I found a really good deal, the only problem is its a Canon 5D Mark III. I found the camera on Craigslist, a guy is going through a nasty divorce and is selling his gear super cheap to avoid his wife getting her hands on it. So goes the story. I have the chance to pick the this camera with a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and a 24-70mm f/2.8 for $3,200. He is supposed to have all receipts showing he is original owner. I don't want to completely switch as I love Nikon to much, but I do feel this is a good deal and it's a nice package.

The problem is, on jobs I will be carrying double gear and I can't swap lenses from one camera to another. Can the flashes be swapped? What would you do here?

If I were wealthy, I'd shoot both systems. If you are working, I'd stay with one brand....pick it.....

Hard enough to learn a single camera, much less two brands. I've shot with Canon before, and don't really care for it.

You could buy it and resell it, if you think you could come out ahead. Nothing says you have to keep it. The Amazon price of a used mkIII is almost $3000. You would be able to recover your outlay fairly easily, I would think. It's just a matter of time to find a buyer.

That was one of my thoughts too, frankly I have never shot a Canon before. Only know it's supposed to be a nice camera. I might just do that, buy it and flip it assuming my wife doesn't try to keep it

Actually if you buy an adapter for the Canon body you can use your Nikon glass on it. But it never works the other way around. The flashes can be used, but they do not communicate with the off body for either. The hot shoes as far as firing are industry standard, but have extra contacts for the TTL and such. You will have a learning curve with the Canon of course since their layout is different, and their Menu system is as well. Personally I do not like it, so I would buy it for a good price, and try to sell the kit for more, or try and trade up to your D800/D4 with say B&H, or one of the other reputable dealers.

I'd have Canon for video and action (1Dx and 5Diii and C100 etc.)

Then I'd have Nikon for landscape (D800e) and perhaps portraits.

Sounds like a good deal, just make sure you verify it's not hot

garyrhook wrote: Hard enough to learn a single camera, much less two brands. I've shot with Canon before, and don't really care for it.

I don't really have a preference myself. It depends on the body. Some Canon bodies I just don't like (lower end models). Some Nikon models aren't great either (D7000).

I started with Canon (40D, 5D, 5Dii, 1DIV)

Switched to Nikon (D3s, D7000, D800, D800e)

Switche back to Canon (1Dx).

Best camera of them all: 1Dx
Best IQ of them all: D800e

Worst: 40D and D7000.

Differences: More buttons on Nikon. Better menus on Canon. Video is quite a bit superior on Canon (Nikon video has weird colour and just isn't very good to be honest). Generally AF is similar. Canon can be tweaked more and is better than Nikon after tweaking (in the better models that is). Nikon tend to have good AF even in lower models and the AF works better out of the box. BUT not as good as a tweaked Canon.

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

garyrhook wrote: Hard enough to learn a single camera, much less two brands. I've shot with Canon before, and don't really care for it.

I don't really have a preference myself. It depends on the body. Some Canon bodies I just don't like (lower end models). Some Nikon models aren't great either (D7000).

I started with Canon (40D, 5D, 5Dii, 1DIV)

Switched to Nikon (D3s, D7000, D800, D800e)

Switche back to Canon (1Dx).

Best camera of them all: 1Dx
Best IQ of them all: D800e

Worst: 40D and D7000.

Differences: More buttons on Nikon. Better menus on Canon. Video is quite a bit superior on Canon (Nikon video has weird colour and just isn't very good to be honest). Generally AF is similar. Canon can be tweaked more and is better than Nikon after tweaking (in the better models that is). Nikon tend to have good AF even in lower models and the AF works better out of the box. BUT not as good as a tweaked Canon.

Well you can technically tweak the AF on a Nikon if you know where the factory adjustments are. Which I would not dare tell anyone, but it is there. I have never had to use the lens adjust, or tweak myself. So far all of my lenses have worked fine with every body I have had. Also for me the video is a non-issue because even if my body had it, it would never be used. I still have yet to try Live View on my D300, so it is pretty much a waste to me.

Save your self a ton of frustration and $$, stick with one brand

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

garyrhook wrote: Hard enough to learn a single camera, much less two brands. I've shot with Canon before, and don't really care for it.

I don't really have a preference myself. It depends on the body. Some Canon bodies I just don't like (lower end models). Some Nikon models aren't great either (D7000).

I started with Canon (40D, 5D, 5Dii, 1DIV)

Switched to Nikon (D3s, D7000, D800, D800e)

Switche back to Canon (1Dx).

Best camera of them all: 1Dx
Best IQ of them all: D800e

Worst: 40D and D7000.

Differences: More buttons on Nikon. Better menus on Canon. Video is quite a bit superior on Canon (Nikon video has weird colour and just isn't very good to be honest). Generally AF is similar. Canon can be tweaked more and is better than Nikon after tweaking (in the better models that is). Nikon tend to have good AF even in lower models and the AF works better out of the box. BUT not as good as a tweaked Canon.

Excellent breakdown.

For that price, if all is legit, go for it. You may find you like the Canon better. If not, you should be able to flip it and make a few bucks.

Joves wrote:

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

garyrhook wrote: Hard enough to learn a single camera, much less two brands. I've shot with Canon before, and don't really care for it.

I don't really have a preference myself. It depends on the body. Some Canon bodies I just don't like (lower end models). Some Nikon models aren't great either (D7000).

I started with Canon (40D, 5D, 5Dii, 1DIV)

Switched to Nikon (D3s, D7000, D800, D800e)

Switche back to Canon (1Dx).

Best camera of them all: 1Dx
Best IQ of them all: D800e

Worst: 40D and D7000.

Differences: More buttons on Nikon. Better menus on Canon. Video is quite a bit superior on Canon (Nikon video has weird colour and just isn't very good to be honest). Generally AF is similar. Canon can be tweaked more and is better than Nikon after tweaking (in the better models that is). Nikon tend to have good AF even in lower models and the AF works better out of the box. BUT not as good as a tweaked Canon.

Well you can technically tweak the AF on a Nikon if you know where the factory adjustments are. Which I would not dare tell anyone, but it is there. I have never had to use the lens adjust, or tweak myself. So far all of my lenses have worked fine with every body I have had. Also for me the video is a non-issue because even if my body had it, it would never be used. I still have yet to try Live View on my D300, so it is pretty much a waste to me.

Yeh there's different AF settings on Nikon. Canon have more variety. Both are great and work fine. Though you have to go 70D, 7D or better (not 6D though) to get decent AF on Canon. Nikon tend to let good AF trickle down to lower ones. Canon are obviously changing that idea with the 70D. I forgot about that camera when I posted the above post.

Meeting up with the guy tomorrow, my wife might end up with this camera. That will keep her from borrowing my stuff

Well good for you that it is working out in the end. I would not tell her about the Nikon lens adapter though, or you will never see some of your glass. But now come to think of it you will have a problem with who gets the new glass. If that becomes the case then I would tell her so it tips in your favor, and explain that Canon glass will not work on a Nikon, even with an adapter. Which is true.