I'm sorry it took me so long to answer your question. I take it you know photography well if you have a long experience with film equipment. First you have to know there are no bad products in the DSLR segment of the main manufacturers. With the notable exceptions of Canon, Leica and Fuji, I believe everybody uses Sony sensors (Nikon, Pentax, Sony of course, Hasselblad recently switched to Sony, GoPro, Apple for their iPhones, Samsung for their Galaxies, though the S5 now sports a native sensor, etc.). The determining factor in your choice will be the ergonomics of your camera and its ecosystem, i.e. lenses, flashes and other gadgetries.
An APS-C camera will allow you to buy lighter lenses specifically designed for their smaller sensors, but you won't be able to use them should you choose to upgrade to a full-frame camera. APS-C sensors offer less dynamic range and noisier high-ISO images than their full-frame counterparts.
Personally, I use an APS-C Nikon D300 with the following lenses
– Sigma 10-20 mm F/4-5,6 DC (my only DX lens, “DX” being the Nikon code for cropped sensor)
– Nikon 50mm f/1,4G
– Nikon VR 105mm f/2,8G IF-ED (macro)
– Nikon 70-200mm f/2,8G ED VR II
Nikon's latest D610 & D810 are absolutely fantastic with tons of dynamic range that absolutely trounce the competition.
Now, I decided to invest in a full-frame Canon because they offer lenses that ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER manufacturer have. Here's a photograph that sums it up:
– Canon EF 85mm f/1,2L II USM. That is the only lens that I say takes the photograph instead of the photographer. If you don't misfocus (is that a word?), it will be impossible to get a bad portrait. It's fast, sharp and its bokeh is to die for.
– Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L. No other manufacturer offers a tilt-shift lens that wide.
– Canon TS-E 24mm f/3,5L II. No other manufacturer offers a 24mm allowing the tilt and the shift to be rotated independently of each other. I'll post examples of things you can do with them in another post.
– Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo. I bought it last week. Just keep in mind that this particular lens allows for a 5:1 magnification range.
All these lenses are insanely sharp. Now, I have to admit that Canon's UI is absolutely retarded. Lots of useful options are buried in submenus and even the buttons seem misplaced. What I will say is trivial if you're a function-over-looks man, but I don't like the rounded design and toy-like look of Canon's cameras, even though they are built like tanks. Nikon's cameras have shortcuts for everything and I find them simply more beautiful (thank you Italian design and Giugiaro).
Having been a long-time exclusive Nikon shooter, I hate to admit it, but I prefer Canon's colours, particularly for skin tones. I don't process my Canon's photos much. I adjust luminosity and contrast a bit and that's it. However, if I underexposed or overexposed my pictures, there's not much I can do to recover them. With Nikon's sensors, you have much more leeway as they record far more data in shadows and highlights.
If none of these lenses were essential to me, if had to invest in a totally new system, I would seriously consider Sony's offering. They are disrupting the market with their Alpha 7 cameras (α7, α7R and α7S) which are simply the first full-frame hybrid cameras. Look at this size comparison:
I would also take a look at the APS-C Fuji X-Pro system, because I'm a retarded hipster, and then I'd come back to my senses and stop entertaining the idea.
I always carry a Sony RX100 P&S which is spectacular when the lighting conditions are not too challenging. Otherwise it simply gets trounced by its big brothers. Note that all the photos
here were taken with the Sony, but I've heavily processed them with PS.
Of course, I have flashes, tripods and remote controls. I also use film cameras such as Nikon F3, Nikon F6, Canon A1, Canon EOS1v, and a Mamiya RZ67 medium-format camera on which I slapped a Polaroid back. Yes, I really am a retarded hipster, minus the tattoos and the big beard. With more money and less common sense, I'd consider one of those sexy (film, not digital) Leica Chris love, but alas, I must eat…
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