Alistair, first let me say I have been loyal to a fault to Canon over the years, many years and many many dollars. A few years ago a business opportunity presented itself that clearly dictated that I had to shoot Nikon gear if I wanted the business. After acquiring the first cameras it struck me that everything was backwards, at least from a Canon standpoint. The learning cycle was short and fairly easy. It was also apparent that the flash system worked, it was stupid proof. Next the autofocus seemed very nice. I began a slow and continous journey with my left foot in the Canon camp and my right in the Nikon. Both systems are capable of magnificent images and worthy of praise, I still shoot both. I love, really love the images the 5DMk2 pumps out as well as the 1D/1Ds. That said if I have to shoot anything that's moving or use a flash system out of studio and don't have time to rethink every shot and fool around I pickup the Nikon D700 or D3 each and everytime. Nikon has built a pair of camera's that are at least equal, if not better, than Canon and the autofocus is scary good. Maybe the next Canon will be a miracle but if you cannot wait or guess the switch is fairly painless, except for cash, and you are buying into one heck of a system that will not let you down.
Thought I would call NPS today to find out about loan equipment. Spent 20 minutes looking on the Europe Nikon website, couldn't find any contact number, and because I don't already own Nikon equipment obviously I cannot log onto the website.
Ended up going through to technical support, which wasn't a bad thing as I wanted to ask about the buffer expansion, they hadn't a clue what I was talking about. Explained I wanted to talk to NPS and was asked 'Why?'. I explained, got transferred to the wrong department, eventually got through to NPS but it seemed most of the people weren't available or had already gone home. Explained that I wanted to eval a D3x and a 300/2.8 VR, 'nope sorry sir, we don't eval the D3x at the moment or the 300 VR, we send you a kit of lenses'. After asking more questions it seems the only big prime is the 400/2.8 VR and the D3, no bad thing. But then in giving contact details it seemed like - we will see if you are worthy sir and may get back to you next week!!
Sheesh, talk about going round the houses to get some information, especially when looking at dropping £16K as an initial Nikon spend and more later in the year!!
This doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, however good the product is, and more than likely this is just a UK thing where there is rarely ever any sense of customer service these days.
Very unimpressed with my first 'Nikon UK experience'.
This really doesn't sound good.
NPS overhere is always very cooperative.
I can loan equipment when I want (and they have it)
I'll ask my NPS-contact for a name/number in England.
I shot nikon before but had nothing but problems with the D2H. My friend at one of the largest agencies also went through this debacle, so I wasn't the only one. We both swore off Nikon and made the EXPENSIVE switch to Canon. All was wonderful until I stupidly decided to 'upgrade' to a mark 3. after three cameras and 1000's of out of focus images i knew i would either go backwards to a mark 2 or check out the D3. Btw, i shoot sports -- all of them at the pro level for agencies and direct mag clients.
okay, so i kept reading about the D3 and low ISO performance--perfect for night NFL, MLB and Hockey. Plus some of the guys i know who shot the olympics raved about the 200-400. another BIG financial hit and i switched. yes the 70-200 is not perfect, but for what i do, it is GREAT. sharp as can be and I can trim off the corners so no problem. the 200-400 is wonderful in daylight--amazing for a PGA event i just did. Can't wait to use it for tennis and baseball. the D3 is working like a charm (read my other thread response about refurb issues on a back up body). functionally, I have all I need and NPS is great.
ok, was it worth it? not sure--it is EXPENSIVE to switch. what if canon does come out with a killer body in the next 6-12 months?--they should and probably will. if so, you loose on resale of your Mark 3 but save BIG on keeping all that canon glass. Long Nikon glass is way more expensive than Canon. I would say that unless you need the high ISO performance, hang in there. (and use your Mk2 for sports)
I agree with SoundHound. I am thinking of running a dual system later this year by getting a D700, 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200VR or 80-200. IF Canon releases a 1DMkX at the end of this year, it may be worth the wait before switching.
Remember, you can mount Nikkor glass on your Canon, but won't have AF.
Chris Dees wrote:
This really doesn't sound good.
NPS overhere is always very cooperative.
I can loan equipment when I want (and they have it)
I'll ask my NPS-contact for a name/number in England.
Chris, if you wouldn't mind, I would really appreciate that.
Do you have a good dealer you deal with a lot? If so, they should be able to give you the contact info for someone at NPS and get your right in. In my case, a dealer I work with gave me an email for someone specific at NPS, I emailed and got an instant response back, told them this dealer referred me and they were more than helpful.
Alistair,
For what it's worth I'm hanging on to my MKIIN and my 300/2.8IS as part of my kit.For what used MKIIN's are selling for I'd rather keep it. I have my 300/2.8 IS on the B&S board, but if I can't get my price for it, she's staying also. I feel pretty comfortable with Nikon due to the fact that I shot film with the F5's until 04' when I moved over to Canon with the original 1D.
jomor wrote:
i was in the same boat as Preston Mack was. I switched to Nikon after using two 1Dmk2s and an 5D. I have never been as happy as I'am now. Two D3s and a D300 and the control layouts are so much better than the Canon 1D's. Come to the dark side!!!!
Ok... I've been using Canon 1-series for 8 years and last September I bought a D3 to see what all the fuss was about. 8-months later and a few tens of thousands of shots and I absolutely hate everything about it.
Legitimate question... how do you Nikon shooters manipulate all those little dials and switches when shooting sports in the cold with gloves on? I can manipulate the Canon buttons with mittens. Even when shooting indoor sports like basketball I find the little switches scattered all over every available camera surface to be a major pain. How did Nikon get such a reputation for a better interface?
John--G wrote:
Ok... I've been using Canon 1-series for 8 years and last September I bought a D3 to see what all the fuss was about. 8-months later and a few tens of thousands of shots and I absolutely hate everything about it.
Legitimate question... how do you Nikon shooters manipulate all those little dials and switches when shooting sports in the cold with gloves on? I can manipulate the Canon buttons with mittens. Even when shooting indoor sports like basketball I find the little switches scattered all over every available camera surface to be a major pain. How did Nikon get such a reputation for a better interface?
You know it was funny I looked at the back of a Mk3 the other day and I drew a blank on how it worked.... you know what I guess you adapt and survive. I use these fingerless gloves that have a mitten that folds over. I keep my trigger finger outside and the rest inside. If I get a break slip it in and warm it up. But with that figure out.. no problem working any buttons or dials. I know you have used it but I find the Nikon set up now easier or as easy to use. Even if I use my full finger windproof gloves.
John--G wrote:
Ok... I've been using Canon 1-series for 8 years and last September I bought a D3 to see what all the fuss was about. 8-months later and a few tens of thousands of shots and I absolutely hate everything about it.
Legitimate question... how do you Nikon shooters manipulate all those little dials and switches when shooting sports in the cold with gloves on? I can manipulate the Canon buttons with mittens. Even when shooting indoor sports like basketball I find the little switches scattered all over every available camera surface to be a major pain. How did Nikon get such a reputation for a better interface?
nikt wrote:
That's really easy. Put it in 'P' auto mode and press the shutter. There's nothing like owning a reliable camera.
Thanks for the tip but I find that even in "P" mode it is still difficult to manipulate the C/S/M focus mode switch and metering dial in cold weather. In fact, I've also been doing some theater work and changing from Continuous to Single focus in the dark can be a trick. Shooting in the dark really drives home the disadvantages of an interface which still uses switches and dials.
It was not my intent to turn this into a Canon vs. Nikon interface thread. I own both and I use both. I was simply curious how some of the more veteran Nikon shooters handled the controls in cold weather.
John--G wrote:
Ok... I've been using Canon 1-series for 8 years and last September I bought a D3 to see what all the fuss was about. 8-months later and a few tens of thousands of shots and I absolutely hate everything about it.
Legitimate question... how do you Nikon shooters manipulate all those little dials and switches when shooting sports in the cold with gloves on? I can manipulate the Canon buttons with mittens. Even when shooting indoor sports like basketball I find the little switches scattered all over every available camera surface to be a major pain. How did Nikon get such a reputation for a better interface?
many and i do not say all find the interface "easier" not better. I mean that when i need to change the drive speed or ISO or set a quick bracket i never have to ever go into a camera menu system. or i need mirror lock up. just press the button and turn the dial. it is a different way of accomplishing the same end that's all. Canon seems to have made a more mature digital interface of that there is little argument. Nikon has held onto its legacy and i appreciate their doing it, i loathe menu driven things. the whole notion runs counter to my way of enjoying tools
John--G wrote:
Ok... I've been using Canon 1-series for 8 years and last September I bought a D3 to see what all the fuss was about. 8-months later and a few tens of thousands of shots and I absolutely hate everything about it.
Legitimate question... how do you Nikon shooters manipulate all those little dials and switches when shooting sports in the cold with gloves on? I can manipulate the Canon buttons with mittens. Even when shooting indoor sports like basketball I find the little switches scattered all over every available camera surface to be a major pain. How did Nikon get such a reputation for a better interface?
What is it you're constantly changing that its such a problem? I mean, I normally set up the camera how I want it before I start shooting and dont need to be constantly changing things. Exposure is the two command dials. I have it set up to zoom in and out using the button in the middle of the multi-selector. Focus is usually set at the start of what I'm doing and doenst need to be set again. Maybe ISO if lighting changes. Usually its just the review button and the selector I have to deal with.
I recently switched from Canon as well and find that the Nikon is MUCH more logical and well laid out than the Canon was. I hated all the multiple buttons that had to be pushed with Canon to make any changes (got rid of some of that on the MkIII but couldnt make that focus worth a crap).
Anyway, obviously you find it an issue, however, I just dont find it a big deal as Im just not changing things that much while shooting.
John--G wrote:
Thanks for the tip but I find that even in "P" mode it is still difficult to manipulate the C/S/M focus mode switch and metering dial in cold weather. In fact, I've also been doing some theater work and changing from Continuous to Single focus in the dark can be a trick. Shooting in the dark really drives home the disadvantages of an interface which still uses switches and dials.
It was not my intent to turn this into a Canon vs. Nikon interface thread. I own both and I use both. I was simply curious how some of the more veteran Nikon shooters handled the controls in cold weather.
Pretty much my basic set up for sports is set in a Shooting Bank. I never (rarely) change from C to S or M when shooting sports. Most of the other dials and switch are second nature. Of course living in Southern California also helps.
i don't tend to switch C/S/M around during an event--not sure why you would need too--so no problem with the D3's. i only use the back focus button to focus and almost always manual exposure. i never had an issue with the interface in the cold...if anything it is easier to find the specific dial or buttons on the nikon than mess with the canon's tiny buttons or menu. i'm too dumb to set up shooting bank settings as i guarantee i would flip to the wrong one or forget to return to a standard set during an event. i do try to take a minute and check both camera's settings before a game and in between periods. I once slipped out from under a pool with the w/b set for underwater and shot the next race in sunlight--not good...
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