where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
I have been shooting Nikon for 24 years.
Started off with my dad's old FTn and grew the collection from there. My equpment has never let me down, even if I have been very hard on it over the years.
My recent change to digital saw me re-evaluate the Nikon vs Canon saga, and again I chose Nikon. Better styling (imo), and a far nicer logo! I do like Canon's white lenses though... !
I was planning on getting a Rebel XT, but at the time, it was much more expensive than the D40 for a poor college student. So they when I was upgrading to a higher end camera, I was torn between the Canon 50d and D300. The 50d didn't fit my hand at all, the materials felt especially cheaper compared to the D300. So I inevitably ended up owning the D300 based on ergonomics, and the fact that I already owned Nikon lenses.
I haven't looked back.
I went with Nikon because I shoot underwater, and at the time the 10.5mm fisheye was a compelling and unique capability in the Nikon line (for DX-ish sized sensors). Then I was committed. The 50D, 17mm TS-E, and 70-200f4 sometimes make me think about getting some Canon gear.
I am only shopping for my first SLR, but: I have owned 4 different Canon point-and-shoots and 1 camcorder and they all broke within a year. Canon replaced them all, but I still find it hard now to trust the brand. Thus I am shopping for a Nikon DSLR.
My first Nikon was back in the 70s - an F series. I do have a few Canon point and Shoot, if that counts for anything.
I prefer the Nikon bodies due to the fact they fit better in my hand than the Canon bodies. Anything else that is brand specific (like the fact that most F-mount lenses can be used) is a bonus.
The camera is a tool to do a specific job with, one can be made to do the same as the next one, but you wouldn't expect a football player to go out with a pair of boots that are a size too small for him?
"Canon point-and-shoots and 1 camcorder and they all broke within a year. Canon replaced them all, but I still find it hard now to trust the brand."
Yeah my roommate and I have, or had, Canon printers. One day his just did not turn on anymore. Then the same thing happened with mine. I wish Nikon made printers.
I have heard that Canon point and shoots are better. But I've never really used them all that much. I have used a Rebel XSi however. It's a good camera, fast, but I really hate its grip. I have small-ish hands so the grip is too thin for me. I also like the exterior buttons that my D40 doesn't have. But that's it. I don't like the cheap build quality. The D40 feels much more solid. The plastics and the grip is way better. Nikon FTW!
I'm also in the market for my first DSLR.
I ended up going with Nikon when I handled the D60 and took a few shots at my local camera shop. I guess it just FEELS different for me. I learned about exposure, aperture, and shutter speed on my dad's old Nikon film body when I was in middle school I'm sure it had it's effect as well.
I'm still kind of on the edge between the D60, D90, and the D5000. I, like others on this forum, would LOVE a D1000 (or something) that's the size of the D60, but with the innards of the D5000. But, I know it's pretty unlikely so that's fine. I'm leaning towards the D5000 because of the smaller size (compared to the D90) and D90 sensor it inherited. I think it's worth the couple hundred extra over the D60.
But it's all in the lens right? It seems to be the main lesson I've been learning in all these forums.
What a world I'm walking into.
rendmyheart - Yes, it's all (90%) in the lenses. Great camera + cheap lens = low IQ pictures. Cheap camera + great lens = stunning pictures.
Canon's revenue was 5x Nikon's last year. They have their fingers in everything imaging!!! Nikon are more specialised with cameras and lenses (imo of-course!).
It's so close, for me it comes down to font colour - red or yellow =). Just kidding!
From actively using both (Canon with work, Nikon personally)I have to say that I'm happy I chose Nikon. Granted, Canon users have a bit more lens selection (Still waiting for my AF-S 70-200mm f/4G ED-IF VR, Nikon) But, Nikon's cameras handle way better, and even for my fairly large hands, I'd rather use a d90, over a 50D any day.
I will never go Canon. Sure, many of their cameras have a higher resolution, but that means nothing if you never use it. Nikon also places the buttons on the camera strategically and it all "just works," like a Mac (which I'm typing this message on). The finger and thumb wheel are placed perfectly, unlike canons. Nikons are also WAY better in terms of ergonomics. These factors may not make a better pictures, but they sure will make me use my camera more often, making it worth my money.
Even looking at the age and price point b/t the Nikon D300 and Canon 50D, you will see that a Nikon holds it's value better. As I have said earlier, Nikon is a better value camera. Better button layout, better overall build, more comfortable and a more expansive system (you can use nearly any Nikon lens made, but just EF and EF-S), makes it a better choice overall.
I know pros shooting with D200's the same cannot be said about the 30D
That's quite the thread bump.. :)
"Canon's revenue was 5x Nikon's last year. They have their fingers in everything imaging!!! Nikon are more specialized with cameras and lenses"
The quote above sums it up nicely.
Glass, Glass, Glass
I have been shooting Nikon since film days, and I love Nikon lenses, beside its too expensive to change the glass.
So, I keep adding lenses every now and then, that's the reason I cannot change.
Just have too many Nikon lenses.
However, my video cameras have always been Canon.
I've got 2 Canon printers at home, does that mean I'm banned from the Forum now? Serious answer, ergonomics and build quality.
ergonomics and nikons sweet sweet glass.
There are a few reasons I chose Nikon, but the 5Dmk2 is what made me finally stop considering Canon when I was choosing my first DSLR. Canon had not addressed important (to me) shortcomings from the 5Dmk1 (e.g. AF ability, frame rate) while adding things I wasn't interested in and trumpeting them as key features (movie mode, sensor resolution). I wasn't in the market for a 5D-class camera at the time, but it made me realise that Canon's priorities as a camera maker didn't mesh at all with mine as a photographer.
Had the 7D existed at the time I'd probably have bought it and got locked into Canon, and I'm pretty sure I'd be regretting it by now.
I started shooting film on Canon 25 years ago. Nikon glass always had the better reputation which got burned in my head. 8 years ago a side by side shots comparison between the Coolpix 8800 and the competing models at the store quickly convinced me to go Nikon. In July 2009, I started my DSLR search completely biased and not very impressed with my friends Canon shots. My wife had purchased a $400 Canon point and shoot that I found completely useless. Canon focus problems were all over the internet and this site put the last nails on Canon coffins for me. Now I am a happy owner of about $8k of Nikon FF glass thinking future and I pray for Nikon not to screw-up. Go Nikon go.
For now, I couldn't care less if Canon have a body as good as my D700 but no one knows what the future will be and there are many runners in the race. FF is not the upper limit neither.
Oh lets all agree we just like being the best. Having a nikon camera makes you better...right
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