Remember my photos from the fire lookout 2009 fire season?

[DemoTex]

Those were taken with an antiquated Nikon D-70. I want to make it my #2 for this fire season. I'm getting ready to spend some big bucks on a new camera. My choice is the Canon EOS 5D Mark II w/ 24-105mm IS Outfit. It is in the $3-Cleveland+ range, so I need input.

Advice, please!

[ManiacJoe]

1. Any notable reason for changing systems...

... from Nikon to Canon? (Either way, it would suggest a very small number of current lenses to be swapped out, or an overly large budget.)

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I'm a Canon person, and I really love my cameras,

but I agree with Maniac Joe about the lenses. If you have a bunch of Nikon lenses laying around, you might want to stick with Nikon.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

3. r.e. the 24-105

One of these days, when my ship comes in, I'm going to get either the 24-70L or the 24-105L. I've read wonderful things about the 24-105L, but I've read even better things about the 24-70L. I'd like to have the extended reach of the 24-105, but if I had the money right now, I'd probably get the 24-70, then pair it with the 70-200 (still haven't decided on the heavier, better 2.8 IS or the lighter and cheapter 4.0). Check the dpreview forums for endless arguments about the 24-105 vs the 24-70. Also, the B&H user comments r.e. each lens are helpful.

All that being said, if you have an investment in decent Nikon lenses, you may just want to upgrade to the latest Nikon DSLR.

[Schema Thing]

4. I have that 24-105L

It is stunningly sharp.


I have the 70-200 2.8 IS too. It is also is wonderfully sharp. I never got to play with the f4.0 version though; honestly, I'd be tempted by it. The IS feature works so well that I'd consider the trade off in weight and aperture. Especially if was an event/wedding photographer - the 4.0 would be the choice for sure.

[DemoTex]

5. I bought the Canon 5D Mark II w/ 24-105mm IS

WOW! Just plain WOW!

I'm selling my old Nikon D-70 body to a family member (cheap!). It's just too clunky. I'll probably pick up a Nikon D-300 for my back-up camera.