Quick Q - D700 and Nikkor 50mm f1.4 OR Sigma 50mm Art for my 5D II?

[Archiver]

Quick question to get some opinions. I've got that gear lust thing again and am thinking of either a used Nikon D700 with a new shutter, plus a Nikkor 50mm f1.4, or just get a Sigma 50mm Art for my Canon 5D Mark II.

On one hand, a secondhand Sigma costs a bit less than a secondhand D700 and 50mm. The Sigma performs better than the Nikkor, and the Sigma can be used on the Canon R6 that I intend to get some months in the future.

BUT, I'm increasingly annoyed by the bad autofocus and shadow noise of the 5D Mark II, and it's often reported that the D700 is much better for both these issues. I'm also really curious about the D700 and its almost legendary files, and the D700 even has face detection AF, which the Canon lacks.

I've never owned a Nikon digital camera, have zero experience with the controls and menu system, so I have no idea if I will like the shooting experience.

This is not an urgent purchase, and the likelihood is that I'll sit on this decision for a while.

Thoughts, gentlemen?

 

[Freakscene]

Wait and get the R6 and a second hand EF 50mm f1.2 L.

A new system just multiplies your pain.

Marty

 

[gavinlg]

Honestly the Nikkor 50mm f1.4G or af-d is rubbish in comparison to the sigma 50 or especially the canon 50mm f1.2L. I've had several autofocus nikkor 50's now, and none of them have been good (sorry nikkor fans). Conversely the EF 50mm f1.2L is one of the best 50s I've ever used. The nikkor 58mm looks good though.

From memory, I don't think the d700 is markedly better in noise performance, though the AF is significantly better. The 5d1 has a similar 'legendary file' status to the d700, but in my experience was not better than the 5dII files. YMMV.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I don't recall my D700 as being especially brilliant at autofocus, and while low light performance was good for its time, I have plenty of images with lots of noise in them.

 

[James24]

I am a lifelong dedicated Nikon fan.

But, the Sigma is streets ahead of the AF-D 1.4 Nikkor. I have both lenses, and while the Nikkor is reasonably good, the Sigma is just outstanding.

I also had the AF-S 1.4G Nikkor and sold it very rapidly such was my disappointment.

 

[Archiver]

Thank you for the reality check, folks! Wallet secure.