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How do you evaluate and decide on a camera system, for your needs, when starting from scratch? I'm going to walk through my thought process, but my main question is that one and doesn't require reading the rest of this post.
I have some experience with both Canon and Nikon, but I own neither bodies nor lenses from either brand right now, so I'm starting fresh. Right now, I want to get a used full frame DSLR body that's a few years old and accumulate some lenses for it.
A few of my criteria:
>price: camera body should be available in minty used condition for around $1000 (+/- 15%)
>price of lenses is no object - both systems have plenty of options
>no annoying flaws
I'm worried that the 5DIII might have the same red banding in the shadows as the Mark II had, which ruined quite a few of my landscape shots with that camera.
>prefer high end features at a discount, rather than mid grade features at a mid grade price
Hence, I'm looking at the 5D Mark III with its 61 point AF rather than the 6D with 11 point AF, and the D800E with 36 MP sensor rather than the D750 with 24 MP.
>reasonably streamline user experience
I like the Nikon's ability to turn off instant review and use a front function button for image playback, as well as the ability to assign the second command dial to ISO. The shutter drive and metering being physical dials is also a plus. Canon's implementation of the ISO, AF, metering, etc. buttons on top of the camera is perfectly intuitive and fast to use, though. The AE-L and AF buttons are also much better placed on the Canon, right under my thumb.
>can expect premium level lenses to be sharp from wide open
I'm apprehensive about several Nikon lenses being soft and prone to lateral chromabs wide open. In particular, the 35mm f/1.4, 70-200mm f/4 and 105mm micro. Canon lenses just seem to be optically a little better whenever I put two comparable lenses side by side, and often while being less expensive.
