Main lenses in my Nikon day was as follow:

• AF Nikkor 80-200mm F/2.8 D (last gen. w/tripod collar).
• AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.4
• AF Nikkor 35-70mm F/3.3-4.5
• Sigma EX 10-20mm F/4-5.6 HSM

Changed into my Canon days with the followings:

• Canon EF 17-40mm F/4 L
• Canon EF 50mm F1.8 Mark II (replaced later with Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F/1.4)
• Canon EF 35-80mm F/4-5.6 (sold later)
• Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM (sold later)

Trusting a number of reviews on the net – which proven to be true – saying that even cheap crappy lenses result in better pictures in full frame cameras compared to top-of-the-line lenses on APS-C cameras, I comfortably decided to go for Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM to replace my brilliant AF Nikkor 80-200mm F/2.8 D for portraiture and telephoto.

Definitely the feeling in my hand between the two was extremely different. About 1,300 grams in full metal barrel and inner zoom of Nikon super-fast tele-zoom felt a lot more sturdy in my hand compared to 400 grams or so small plastic tube of the mediocre Canon. But price was extremely different as well. I got the used Nikon for about $750 (brand new was priced at $1,000 at that time) whilst I spent only $110 (brand new was priced at $180 at that time) for the used Canon a year later.

Coming to the most critical issue which is result, Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM gave brilliant result with my Canon EOS 5D, regardless almost all friends and online reviews advised the opposite, especially when used with APS-C bodies. Sharpness, detail, and tone were brilliant. I would say that bokeh is nothing to worry too much in this range. Even bad lenses offers creamy bokeh in long focal.

However, performance is of a different issue. A am not a technical savvy who knows good technical presentation to show performance indicators, so it is purely a experience of an amateur user. Whilst focusing speed was sufficient to my need, and absence of IS was not felt as a problem as my previous Nikon did not have VR as well, I note a few problems:

• Vignet was clearly visible.
• Softening around the edge was visible, although in most telephoto shots with smooth bokeh it may even offer positive effect.
• Flare handling was mediocre, just don’t try to use it against the sun.
• Focusing performed bad in overcast background.

The picture below compares shots taken with different telephoto zooms. The left-hand side was taken by Nikon D200 with AF Nikkor 80-200mm F/2.8 D, and the right-hand side was taken with Canon EOS 5D with Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM, both at their own maximum focal length of 200mm and 300mm respectively.

Obviously landscape is not the keyword for the lens, so after a few trial shots with his lens, I went back to my own old el-cheapo old-crack gears. My own project was landscape with slow shutter to bring dramatic silky effect out of the wave. Rocky beach with quite hard wave was among the perfect scene for this kind of shot, and stunning sunset brought fabulous color into the scene.

Tripod was essential for shooting at very slow speed, so I set my Manfrotto 190 XProB up on the rock. I had a little setup change in my tripod which sometime I may write about. Camera in use was Canon 5D with a Canon 17-40mm F4 L. It was the first time I brought my new Canon for landscape shots. I was still using Nikon D200 and Sigma 10-200mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG the last time I came down to Canggu.

Actually both setup resulted similar width. Whilst the Canon setup went down only to as short as 17mm compared to Nikon-Sigma setup which brought 15mm (out of 10mm focal length in 1.5 crop factor of Nikon D200), the picture was a lot more natural. The Nikon-Sigma setup resulted in too stretched out as it is actually 10mm compared to 17mm.

After getting amazed with the scene I saw through the viewfinder I started to prepare for the first shots, which show me that it was still too light whilst kicking the speed too slow makes the silky effect of the sea too much. So filters kicked in. I put a ND8 (natural density) in front of the lens to allow me to shoot a few stops faster. I found the sky was too bright compared to the sea. So I added an additional G-ND (gradual natural density). Both filters are Chinese TianYa brand at Cokin standard. These filters are among the most popular set for landscaper.

Actually I do not think it as a fair apple to apple comparison. Nikon D3 is Nikon’s top-of-the-line camera for professionals whist D700 is basically an advance amateur grade D300 with full frame sensor. As of Canon 5D, whilst it features full frame digital sensor, it hit the market three years back, and obviously carrying older technology compared to Nikon D3 which is released at the end of 2007 as well as an even newer D700. Well, may be that’s not quite true, knowing that D700 is practically D3 sensor planted in D300 body, technology-wise, they are at the same generation.

However, it is actually hard to find a fair comparison as traditionally Canon and Nikon are setting their product line in slightly different level, not definite head to head. Priced at around USD 8,000.00 , Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is beyond both Nikon D700 priced at around USD 3,000.00 or even Nikon D3 priced at around USD 5,000.00. As of Canon 5D, whilst it has a full frame sensor, it carries a technology of three years back. But should people wait for the strongly rumored Canon 5D Mark II? Of course not.

Whilst it carries a rather older technology Canon 5D remains a though competitor to both new Nikons. Almost everybody agree that each of them have their own strength, and logically choice depends on specific assignment an personal preference, except for those who have irrational brand loyalty.

Nikon D3 is the only pro camera among the three, and therefore the biggest, fastest, heaviest, toughest, most expensive with the fattest and longest lasting battery. Its strength is in speed. Those who had a luxurious chance to compared between D300 and D3 said that “whilst D300 users are very proud of its speed, they will definitely change their mind once they use D3″. AF excels at the maximum possible way. Sequence of picking the right focus sensor, focus, lock, compose is no longer required. Just compose and fire. Suitable shoots are low-light, action, and sport.

D700 inherit the all the quality of D3 in a slower pace. Those who had a luxurious chance to compared between D300 and D3 said that “whilst D300 users are very proud of its speed, they will definitely change their mind once they use D3″. Its strength is skin tone. Its weakness and strength is suitable for portraiture.

Downside of 5D mostly come from older technology it carries. Slower speed, screen resolution, and to Nikon users also ergonomic, and control systems. But to many, all the pain worth its result. A professional photographer wrote in its blog “Its a pain, but the results are why you do it.”

The Canon 5D excels in image quality. It has the sharpest pictures of these three cameras. Shooting careful landscapes, the 5D can give superior image quality above anything from Nikon. The 5D is sharper than the D3. It almost looks a little over-sharpened on-screen compared to Nikon, but on 20″x30″ prints it just looks better.

I personally have my own reason of using Canon 5D: its price. It is least expensive of these cameras. 5D can give superior image quality at a bargain price.

Advance preparation did not help me from making mistake however. With a few Bali photographer friends I went up to Ubud a little too late, resulting in parking our car far away from the event. It took us almost an hour on foot, half of which trapped in thousands of crowd. A friend who brought along a tripod and a portable ladder was forced to leave both of them back in the trunk.

Quite a coincident that the event took place only a few days after arrival of my new Canon 5D replacing my old Nikon D200, so it was my first Canon project. I spent the nights before to familiarize myself with its character, menu structure, and so forth. But a little time with the camera only on my front yard did not give me a lot.

Whilst I do not have a problem with menu structure, familiarizing myself with positioning of buttons and dials were the biggest challenge. Being the second was its exposure characteristic. However, I did aware that the event would be a real challenge for the strength of Canon 5D. I couldn’t wait to see how its full frame sensor results in two extreme situations: (1) Ultra wide shoots to capture everything in one frame, which I thought combination of full frame sensor and 17-40mm L lens should excel. (2). High ISO in low light as the schedule told that the fire would be set after the sun went down.

We got to the event after parade was over, so we lost a few important rituals. All of the ceremony’s elements including bade (carriage), lembu (the bull), and nagabanda (the holly dragon) are all placed on the ground of the royal setra (cemetery). We spent the whole half day to shot different angles of those magical stuffs and human interest shots of the thousands of crown in mix of local and foreigners. My game was wide angle shots with the brilliant 17-40mm L lens, and human interest with the very cheap 75-300mm which proven to work quite well in full frame DSLR. Ken Rockwell was right when saying that among the benefit of full frame is even crappy lens produce good shots.

As the sun went down preparation for cremation started by a series of rituals, including placing the body of the deceased into the bull. The fire actually set after dark burning both bulls with bodies inside. With very limited lighting (only a few lamps available on quite a wide ground), practically the only available light was the fire itself. The actual cremation took very short giving very limited time to fight the crowd to have a chance to fire just a few shots, during which times I replaced my lens a few times. I was disappointed with the performance of my ultra fast 50mm F1.8 which theoretically should excel in low light. In fact shots taken by my 17-40mm L F4 were by far better, even I had to shoot in high ISO to compensate is smaller aperture.

Whilst my mind has been firmly locked to trading my Nikon setup with Canon’s full frame, I realized that it would be hard to do, especially as I am not prepared to spend any additional money. I could only afford a trade, I released my current Nikon D200 and lenses ranging from ultra-wide to mid-range telephoto with similar set from Canon.

My Nikon D200 had a vertical grip with an extra battery attached, the brilliant professional lens 80-200mm F/2.8D ED, ultra-lightweight 35-70mm F3.3-4.5, small but razor sharp 50mm F1.4, beautiful ultra-wide Sigma 10-20mm, and a pair of speed-lights.

After weeks of research, I decided to reverse the setup. I had rather cheap ultra-wide and professional telephoto lens. Being focused more to landscape, architecture, and product photography, I only did telephoto like birds, sports, and wave surfing for fun. I expected the new setup to be the opposite way round, professional ultra-wide is essential, cheaper telephoto is acceptable.

Weeks of communication in local photographer forum finally yielded. It was not as complicated as I have thought before. Thinking that I would have to sell each of my stuffs one after another and only can start buying the new stuffs after all the old ones sold out, I got into a very quick triangular arrangement, trading my Nikon setup with a set of Canons which included a full set of 5D body, a professional EF 17-40mm F4 L, a small ultra-fast EF 50mm F1.8, an entry level telephoto zoom EF 75-300mm F4.5-5.6, and a powerful 550EX speed-light. All are used but in good shape coming with all boxes, plastics, books, warranty cards, etc.

Yeah, as I did myself, it was less than what I wanted, but with only adding IDR300,000 – equal to approx. USD33 – it was definitely a fair deal.

Whist it may sounds inferior, width of 17mm on full frame is similar to Canon’s 10mm and Nikon’s 12mm in camera with crop factor, plus an advantage of less distortion.

I lost the mid-range, no replacement for my Nikon 35-70mm, but I do not really need it anyway. The 17-40mm gave me more coverage in standard focal length than my previous Sigma 10-20mm.

I got 50mm F1.8, which was slower than my previous Nikon 50mm F1.4. Nothing more I can say, I do expect the same 1.4 aperture, but seems I have to live with what I got temporarily, otherwise I would have to put at least IDR2,000,000 (approx. $220) into the deal.

The very cheap 75-300mm zoom was among the cheapest lens in the world. I understood that I could not expect to much, especially compared to my previous Nikon pro. But again as always in my life, money matters. As so far I mostly need telephoto only for fun, I have to live with it at least temporarily. Ken Rockwell wrote on his website that even the crappiest lens on full frame works better than professional lens on a crop-factor camera. So I relied on it, hope he was correct, and of course dreaming of professional lenses on full-frame.

Last thing in the package was the high power 550EX speed light firing at the maximum GN of 55. Whilst it has been replaced by the newer more powerful 580EX and then the newest reface version 580EXII, its power and functionalities is better than the cheaper 430EX. To a surprise I got to know that Canon also has wireless capability, but unfortunately unlike my Nikon D200, Canon 5D does not have built in wireless flash commander function.