Beat the horse some more...D300s vs 7D

Looking to get my first housed dslr. Seriously looking at a Nauticam housing with Ike and FO connectors for a....D300s, no wait a 7D, hold on a D300s, stop, a ....

I am currently a Canon shooter but that happened back when Nikon was not keeping up with my need for AF speed for what I needed then. However, I always felt that Nikon's took a more pleasing photo to my eye. I think they still do. In some recent tests, it seems as if the 7D may have brought Canon back into the thick of it with regard to pleasing image quality. However, since this will be a dedicated setup and I don't really have any lenses that will work for an underwater setup...I'm willing to start fresh.

Which would you choose and why?

Tony

ps. Any comment on the Sigma 17-70 as "cover all" UW lens?

Looking to get my first housed dslr. Seriously looking at a Nauticam housing with Ike and FO connectors for a....D300s, no wait a 7D, hold on a D300s, stop, a ....

 

I am currently a Canon shooter but that happened back when Nikon was not keeping up with my need for AF speed for what I needed then. However, I always felt that Nikon's took a more pleasing photo to my eye. I think they still do. In some recent tests, it seems as if the 7D may have brought Canon back into the thick of it with regard to pleasing image quality. However, since this will be a dedicated setup and I don't really have any lenses that will work for an underwater setup...I'm willing to start fresh.

 

Which would you choose and why?

 

Tony

Tony,

Lots of info here if you do a search. The web is also full of this conversation too. I'll give you my short version. Both are great cameras.

Like dual cards? Nikon

Some folks think Nikon D300s has maybe a half to one stop cleaner image in high ISO setting

Canon 7D if you think 18 vs 12 megapixels is a big deal (you like to crop images?)

Canon 7D if you want to try your hand at video

Based on DXomark lab test, Nikon D300s is slightly better in color depth and dynamic range, but Canon 7D slightly better in noise handling despite the 18 megapixel. (That surprised a bunch of people ) With Lightroom 3's noise reduction capability I'm not sure you'd see the difference anyway.

Your skill and Vision has alot more to do with getting great images than your choice between these two cameras.

If you own a bunch of Canon glass it's an easy call.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for the input. I know that I'm not going to find "the answer" cuz there really isn't an answer. I am leaning towards the 300s currently and am trying to get my hands on a loaner to see for myself. Lens' - well, I'm willing to start with either since I don't have the correct glass for UW use currently. Most of the stuff I do for work is long lens work (I'm not a professional photographer but photography is an integral part of my work). The 7D is definitely a step above in the video dept but even then it's lacking compared to a true video camera. Anyway, I look forward to everyone's comments. I've already done a ton of reading but am not really convinced either way yet.

Cheers,

Tony

Seriously looking at a Nauticam housing with Ike and FO connectors

This is off topic, but I didn't think you could fire Ike strobes with FO connectors, can you?

This is off topic, but I didn't think you could fire Ike strobes with FO connectors, can you?

Not that I know of either. They have various sensors that triggers off of internal strobes and you could run a optic cable to the sensor.....but nothing like the Sea & Sea, for instance, where the cable goes to the strobe, at least AFAIK the last time I looked.

Great question and topic.

I think in the age of digital photography and RAW shooting, the "look" of the images is irrelevant. Well at least it is if you shoot RAW - since it's YOU who gets to decide the look for the images. If you think you will always shoot in JPEG then I guess the "look" is a consideration.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't use FO fired Ike strobes. You'd need a TTL sensor for each strobe, and then run a FO cable from your housing and mount it to the light sensor on the ike. But honestly, there would still be an electronic sync cord going from the sensor to the strobe, so what would gain (other then a quicker route to a dead battery on your camera)?

Cheers

James

you may consider D300s replacement unit soon....

Nikon or Canon? Pick them up, play with them: which one feels better to you? They are both excellent.

ps. Any comment on the Sigma 17-70 as "cover all" UW lens?

I don't know if I'd use the term "cover all" to describe this lens, but it's a lens that makes a lot of sense to use underwater. I was quite pleased with its performance on my last dive trip.

One of the issues using this lens may be finding a zoom gear for it. They made several different versions of the lens and, depending on your housing, you may have difficulty finding one that works with your housing. Some (including myself) find that the old, non-HSM, version works best for uw photography due to the size of the lens.

Ellen

This is off topic, but I didn't think you could fire Ike strobes with FO connectors, can you?

I don't think Ike's have the ability to directly utilize FO triggering...at least my 161 does not. My thinking regarding having one of each is to allow me to use either method (using a y-sync for duals). I may go with Inon's eventually for a dual strobe setup as swimming and transporting dual 161's seems less than ideal.

you may consider D300s replacement unit soon....

Ahhh! Don't even start with that.

But what have you heard....the new Nikon D400-billion....mu hah hah!

Seriously, I was guessing that the replacement is 6 to 12 months away.

Looking to get my first housed dslr. Seriously looking at a Nauticam housing with Ike and FO connectors for a....D300s, no wait a 7D, hold on a D300s, stop, a ....

 

I am currently a Canon shooter but that happened back when Nikon was not keeping up with my need for AF speed for what I needed then. However, I always felt that Nikon's took a more pleasing photo to my eye. I think they still do. In some recent tests, it seems as if the 7D may have brought Canon back into the thick of it with regard to pleasing image quality. However, since this will be a dedicated setup and I don't really have any lenses that will work for an underwater setup...I'm willing to start fresh.

 

Which would you choose and why?

 

Tony

 

ps. Any comment on the Sigma 17-70 as "cover all" UW lens?

Tony, Look to one of the advertisers BACKSCATTER. They have tested the canon and it makes for good info. Check there ad to the right of your opening screen.

I bought the 7D with nauticam housing based on the strong recommendation of a very experienced photographer. I haven't been disappointed. Incredible camera. Really fast focus. I picked up the sigma 17-70 for a general zoom lens after being told it would also work well underwater. I also bought a tokina 10-17 fisheye and canon 60mm macro. I know this camera will shoot really good video if I ever want to go in that direction. You probably can't go wrong with either option.