I've been a 25 year Nikon user but just last year started buying Canon stuff. I like nikon a lot but I really hate their attitude. I started switching for a variety of reasons.
They abandoned the pros for more then 5 years producing crappy bodies. All my staff bodies went to the shop for an extended stay. Even with priority NPS service, routine repairs were in the shop so long we forgot where they were.
When we complained, they said oh we have a fix for that. Buy this new camera. Sorry. I don't think so.
Now, that all said, Nikon seems to have remedied the body problem with the D300, D3 and D700. I haven't used those cameras but hear nothing but good things.
Here's my take. If you want snappy cameras. I love the Canon Powershots. Amateur and Prosumer DSLR The nikon stuff for sure. I think the Canon Rebel cameras are just crap. I've been using a Canon 40D and haven't made my mind up on it yet but so far I like it a lot (I wish it didn't crop 1.6).
As I said, I have not shot a D300 or D3 so my opinion her really has little credence but I really love the used Canon 1D mark II I bought far better then any Nikon Pro camera I have used (except the F5).
Glass? I think it's a toss up. Depends on what you like. The nikon generally has more contrasty and color saturated glass. It's not better, just different then the flatter more wider latitude Canon glass. (No, I'm not an optical engineer, I haven't done lots of scientific tests on the glass, please don't write me letters).
Yes, it appears Canon bungled the Mark III, however, from all accounts it sounds like they are handling it far better then Nikon did when they bungled, D2h and some other stuff.
It may just be that I've looked at it more and Canon is still pretty new to me but I think the Nikon menus are easier.
Johnny Bravo wrote:
I agree!! You should make all your decisions based upon one anecdote you read at LL.
Go for it, Dude!!!
Hey Johnny Boy, I was just countering the 1 instance of the D3 freezing up in the cold and people extrapolating that one instance to indicate the D3 cannot be used in the cold. Personally, I don't need LL or you to make any decisions for me...I am very capable of doing that myself thank you.
When the 5D came out I switched from film to digital. The 5D represented the highest IQ for the buck camera out there by a long shot. Still not as good as Kodachrome, but pretty darned good. The 5DII looks like the new standard bearer, and if it meets expectations is probably in my near future. Nikon just now has the D3 and D700 that just barely exceed the 5D for IQ at significantly higher prices. They are nice cameras, but pre-judging before the real 5DII reviews come out, don't look to compete in IQ and are more expensive.
One last point. Switching camera brands is more expensive than just selling, usually at some financial loss, and then buying up all new gear. There is a real cost in terms of learning the new ergonomics, zooming the right way, finding all the new buttons and dials, getting to know the exposure and focusing characteristics, getting the most out of post processing and printing. The list goes on and on. People with significant investments in the system (and this included Nikon owners) are foolish to switch systems based on a few currently available camera bodies. A much better investment would be a better printer or a photography course.
I switched from Nikon to Canon early last year. My main reason for changing was Nikon's apparent lack of commitment to full frame. Of course shortly after I moved they announced the D3 - my reaction was "why didn't they ******* give us a product roadmap?". If Nikon had even hinted at a FF future I would have stayed with them!!!!!
Now I am with Canon I am largely happy with my lenses, but am looking for them to bring out a cheaper FF body than the 5D2.
Am I tempted to go back to Nikon? Not at the moment, but Nikon do seem to have turned some sort of mental corner, their new 24mm tilt shift and 14-24 zoom lenses are a definite return to top form. However, as has been pointed out, Nikon really need to update their fast primes as soon as possible, but I suspect when they do these lenses will be the best Japanese glass available.
I will stick with my current outfit, and then reassess in a couple of years. Looking at the current economic climate I doubt many photographers are that keen to sell all their kit and start again, the recession is going to lock many of us into our current system, whatever it is.
When you move, make sure you cancel your 5DII so the rest of us can move up the list.
At the level these cameras are the bad images are from the eye looking thru the view finder.
The grass is not always greener on the other side!
So many who switched from nikon but they don't get badmouthed. I actually find dpreview refreshing compared to the rabid and pretty unintelligent fanboyism on FM these days....
Canon marketing must be laughing themselves silly at the excitement and defence here of 'IQ' and forget anything else, it's just another word for 'megapixels'.
These cameras are TOOLS, you pick the right one for the right job and if the competition is better and/or cheaper then you consider switching. It's bad enoug that people are locked in due to the lenses without having to be locked in through their minds too...
I switched from Yashica in '68, got an AE-1. Have just rolled along with Canon since. My biggest problem is when Canon changed Lens mounts, this other stuff seems trivial at best.
I'm perfectly happy with my 1DMKIII (and 20D as backup) and four L lenses. I have no plans to change unless Canon goes out of business or something, and even then I'll only buy new gear if my current stuff dies and can't be fixed.
I think the expression "leaving Canon" rings hollow to my ears.
However, I have no plan to "abandon" my currently owned EOS gear for something else because it has taken a fair amount of aggravation and time, not to mention $$, to collect it. Generally speaking, that gear works very well for me and presumably will continue to do so for many years to come. Thus I don't have to depend on Canon's overpriced, often underperforming, new products nor decidedly lacklustre repair service by Canon Canada.
I just switched to Canon from many years of using Nikon products and I must confess I really wanted a D300, but when all was said and done I made the move.
My main reasons for doing so was that Nikon doesn't have the lens selection or product availability I wanted. Nikon hasn't updated the 80-400 VR or come out with anything else that can equal the 100-400L as an example. Second, the price of a Nikon 500mm F4, is approximately $2000. more than Canon's. I just cannot justify spending 2K more for a comparable product (imo), based upon the number of excellent photos that I seen taken with both Nikon and Canon 500mm lenses. Plus, with that 2K cost savings I can put it toward another body, lens or just go someplace exotic and take pictures!
Beni wrote:
So many who switched from nikon but they don't get badmouthed. I actually find dpreview refreshing compared to the rabid and pretty unintelligent fanboyism on FM these days....
Canon marketing must be laughing themselves silly at the excitement and defence here of 'IQ' and forget anything else, it's just another word for 'megapixels'.
These cameras are TOOLS, you pick the right one for the right job and if the competition is better and/or cheaper then you consider switching. It's bad enoug that people are locked in due to the lenses without having to be locked in through their minds too...
Beni, your post is offensive. Because I happen to like the IQ focus of the original 5D and now the 5DII, because I could care less for the action photography focus of the Nikon FF offerings and like the lower Canon price points I am now an unintelligent fanboy? That comment is unintelligent.
I agree with your statement that cameras are tools. Intelligent people can prefer different tools with different features and price points and not be branded as idiots. Why do you then consider people who prefer one brand of camera over another as unintelligent fanboys?
By the way, Canon cameras are much more flexible in terms of adapting to other brand lenses (including Nikon) than nearly any other brand of camera body due to the distance from the lens mount to the sensor plane. Canon users are therefore not really locked into Canon only lenses. Another valid reason why some might prefer Canon - or not. Still, there is no call to call people who disagree with you view unintelligent.
If I shoot digital, it's all Canon. However I did just purchase a Nikon to Canon EF converter ring....might be buying some old Nikon lenses here shortly.
They both make great products in my opinion. I happen to shoot mostly Canon. Nikon has really really produced some exciting stuff lately (D3, 14-24 2.8 zoom, etc. etc.)
Competition is good, but we shouldn't be such gearheads; it's really all about the light, right?
I'm perfectly fine with my XT and what it produces. Low light shots and FPS is where I hit the ceiling with this body. I would love to get a 5D or 50D.
It just amazes me that people can have something like the 40D or 5D and blow a gasket over how (they perceive as) crappy the 50D and 5D MKII are, throw their hands up and sell off their collection of lenses to start a new with Nikon.
Its gonna be funny when Nikon gets on their nerves (for whatever reason, in the future, it'll happen) and decide to go back to Canon. Same thing applies to someone on Nikon's side switching to Canon.
Its the ebb and flow of companies like these. They grab a large market share, they rest on their laurels. A fire gets lit under their asses when the community stops buying newer products by them (since the perceived value over the old one isn't that great) and bam! their back in gear.
This is what's currently happening with Sony and their Playstation franchise. My point is, you don't have to completely switch lines if your trying to hurt Canon... just stick it out with what you have.
Anyways, people seems to be large emphasis on Bodies (judging from the reaction to the 50D/5D MKII) but there's another larger group that thinks glass is more important? I say stick with whichever company has a better selection of lenses.
The D3/D700 look like fantastic cameras though. I currently just own the 50mm f/1.4 and could easily jump to Nikon.
I am Canon happy perhaps they could improve in some areas but for me it is the image results. I shot Nikon for film and when I went digital I chose Canon. If I switched now I would lose a lot in the transition from the value of my Canon gear to a new Nikon kit.
Nothing wrong with switching brands and you really only lose money if everything you bought were bought NEW.... otherwise, I don't see why one shouldn't try out different brands to see what will give him/her the best result.
