guyharrison
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Started in college with an FE2, one my favorite cameras ever. After a few years moved to an F2AS which allowed me to master manual exposure. Then moved to an F3HP, and took my first foray into autofocus with the F4.
A couple years later, Canon introduced the EOS system, followed a year and a half after that with the pro level EOS 1 and "L" lenses. This was the first true "revolutionary" advance in modern photography. Yes, Canon did not "invent" AF or AE, but they implemented them at such a high level that it was qualitatively different than anything before, as was their body ergonomics. The EF mount, with communications for motors in the lenses driving AF and aperture at lightning speed, was light years ahead of anything going at the time. The huge lens mount allowed incredible optics never seen before: 20-35 2.8 zooms, the tilt shifts, 28-80 2.8, the 1.2s, the big white superteles (I had the original 14 pound 400 2.8), the first purposefully high quality superzoom (35-350 L, followed by 28-300, which I owned both). I and pretty much everyone I knew in the landscape/nature realm switched in droves, as did almost all sports photogs. This, in fact, was Nikon's downfall as market leader, and something it never recovered from.
I was slow to adopt digital, but took the plunge with the 5DII. I was amazed that great looking video could come from my stills camera. Again, Canon staying ahead. But, I also learned that where with film the camera body was a "box" for focus and exposure only, with digital the body was also the 'film" and so the sensor was not just a big but the most important part of the deal.
When I wanted to upgrade, the D800E had been out for a while. I used one and was really amazed at the quality of the files coming from that camera. Then, Nikon introduced the D750 which was the best low light/low noise camera made at the time. Both of these were way better "film" than anything Canon was doing. Nikon had been doing catching up on the lens side over the years, and was not longer lacking compared to Canon for the things I do.
So, after some agony, I switched back to Nikon about 5 years ago. It was a great choice for me and what I do. I now have the D850 and D750 and an assortment of fine lenses and I am thrilled with the image quality.
I am not too impressed with the Zs at this point (rented a z7 for a week), so no plans for Nikon mirrorless for now. I don't see anything about "mirrorless" that is comparable to the revolution that the EOS system presented, except, maybe, the A9 (which I rented) which is indeed a revelation in high speed shooting. Lots of my wildlife friends are switching to that one.
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