Switching to Nikon

[canon1969]

I agree... you should leave Canon and sell me your primes in a fire sale!

 

[Flake]

For me the 12 MP of the D series is now far too low. Yes you can eke a little more Iso performance, but it's only about half a stop better than the 5D MKII and it also has a weaker bayer matrix because it's more of an action oriented camera (same for the 1D MkIV).

My niggles with Nikon are mostly sensor based the current affordable models are old and have poor resolution, the higher resolution sensors are supplied by Sony & as they are apparantly looking to pull out of FF I feel that this might cripple Nikons ability for future development.

As for autofocus, I have no doubt that Canon crippled the 5D MkII with a poor autofocus system, possibly because of the 1D MkIII issues, but the 7D has a much better system. I tried a 5D MkII against a D700 both with Sigma 70 - 200mm f/2.8 lenses at night. The Nikons autofocus gave up long before the 5D did in low light, so I think it's not as clear cut as you might think.

The other issue is the price & choice of lenses. With Canon there are 3 x 50mm primes 4 (there was 5) 70 - 200mm zoom lenses, and more importantly a reasonably performing standard zoom with IS an option not available to Nikon users. Prices are roughly 25% higher than equivalent Canon models and availability is sometimes patchy. There's no equivalent to the MP-e 65mm, the Tilt shifts are tilt or shift (not both at the same time), there are no equivalents to the very fast primes (50mm & 85mm f/1.2).

While it's the photographer who makes the shot not the camera gear, I'll be sticking with the Canon stuff.

 

[awinphoto]

I know I will be dating myself to some newer photographers, but when I was in college, at the beginning of the digital revolution, my school had several Nikon D1x's and only a few Canon D30's... The D30's were more of an afterthought as far as the school was concerned... you can use them if you wanted, but why would you when you have the nikon d1x workhorse... It would be only about 2-4 months until canon either released the Canon D60's (or 2-4 months when my school got around to buying them, not sure which). Anyways after learning the D60, everything from menus to interface to lenses to everything was so much nicer, in my opinion, to the nikon and so I stuck with canon and bought my first canon digital when the 10D came out. It could have changed but I just hated Nikons interface and menus... It was like photoshop, there was 5 menu things that did the same friggen thing and each could counteract each other... I never got comfortable with the D1x.

Canon does have it's bumps and the grass always seems greener on the other side, but remember it could just be a mirage...

 

[dr croubie]

I know I will be dating myself to some newer photographers, but when I was in college, at the beginning of the digital revolution, my school had several Nikon D1x's and only a few Canon D30's...

Dating yourself? i think you're dating yourself young, and at a rich school to boot.
My school's photography lab consisted of a bunch of film cameras, i thought slr, but could be rangefinder, i think olympus, i know they had selenium light-meters in a circle around the lens (although now all i can picture in my head is my dad's Petri 7S).
When i was at the end of highschool (finished 2000), they forked out a mint for a digital camera, i think i was allowed to touch it once. It had a freakin 1.44mb floppy drive in the back (which says a lot about the camera size, and image size too).

And i was at one of the most expensive (top-5) private schools in the state, $8000 a year it (should have) cost my parents (i was on a scholarship). We had a nice darkroom, and i think that beat every other school's facilities as it was...

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I know I will be dating myself to some newer photographers, but when I was in college, at the beginning of the digital revolution, my school had several Nikon D1x's and only a few Canon D30's...

Dating yourself? i think you're dating yourself young, and at a rich school to boot.
My school's photography lab consisted of a bunch of film cameras, i thought slr, but could be rangefinder, i think olympus, i know they had selenium light-meters in a circle around the lens (although now all i can picture in my head is my dad's Petri 7S).
When i was at the end of highschool (finished 2000), they forked out a mint for a digital camera, i think i was allowed to touch it once. It had a freakin 1.44mb floppy drive in the back (which says a lot about the camera size, and image size too).

And i was at one of the most expensive (top-5) private schools in the state, $8000 a year it (should have) cost my parents (i was on a scholarship). We had a nice darkroom, and i think that beat every other school's facilities as it was...

You are both youngsters. We used a graflex 4 X 5 back in the late 1950's/ early 60's in high school. Also a TLR or two.

The Graflex took good photos though. Here is a scan of one from 1960 that I just did for our upcoming 50th reunion.

 

[bornshooter]

if you wanna go to nikon just go dont bitch about it just leave

He's not "bitching." He has respectfully requested opinions on
his dilemma. How can you possibly have a problem with that ?

yes i do have a problem if you wanna switch just switch don't go seeking attention in canon forums I'm sick of it if you go to nikon rumours they like to slate us they stick together and its clowns like this that annoy me as far as I'm concerned canon make the best yes the focus system on the 5d mk2 may not be the best but i wonder how much of peoples problems are actually down to user error id say a lot of them.so what I'm saying is if anyone want to switch to nikon then goodbye and good ridens sell your gear make us happy then get outta here

 

[awinphoto]

I know I will be dating myself to some newer photographers, but when I was in college, at the beginning of the digital revolution, my school had several Nikon D1x's and only a few Canon D30's...

Dating yourself? i think you're dating yourself young, and at a rich school to boot.

What school did you go to if you don't mind me asking? I graduated from Brooks in 04. It wasn't the cheapest school, that's for sure, I was dearly reminded every time my student loans came up for renewal. The first half of school was all film from 35mm to medium format to 4x5's and then I switched to digital cause post was so much easier than our darkrooms and cheaper. Our instructors were Pains in the butt, but was a good reality to industry expectations... If your photos were not up to par or if you pissed them off, it wouldn't be uncommon to find your photo assignments in the classroom trash can. If your overmat you were required to cut for assignments was overcut or your mounting job wasn't glued on enough where they can peel up a corner, they'd rip if off... But after the years of abuse I'm kinda hardened to harsh critiques. It was rumored that one instructor was so peeved with his class that at the end of the class/term he passed out McDonalds applications to all the students.

God forbid I bring up film on these forums, it might as well be a f word. I've noticed on these forums there are 2 types of photogs. Those who are Pre-digital and used film and post digital who never shot with film. I'm just enough into the pre digital to be labeled an old timer in many photogs perception. It's kinda depressing how many "professional" photographers there are who never shot film. Film you had to know exposure/printing/darkroom because if you screwed up camera exposure, you had to adjust your film development... If you didn't do that, you had to use stronger filters in printing or else it came out like crap and it literally cost you time and money to fix your mistake. Now people complain about time in post-processing in photoshop now... It just makes me chuckle thinking about the hours in the darkroom testing and trying to get the perfect print and the tiniest thing able to screw it up.

 

[awinphoto]

if you wanna go to nikon just go dont bitch about it just leave

He's not "bitching." He has respectfully requested opinions on
his dilemma. How can you possibly have a problem with that ?

yes i do have a problem if you wanna switch just switch don't go seeking attention in canon forums I'm sick of it if you go to nikon rumours they like to slate us they stick together and its clowns like this that annoy me as far as I'm concerned canon make the best yes the focus system on the 5d mk2 may not be the best but i wonder how much of peoples problems are actually down to user error id say a lot of them.so what I'm saying is if anyone want to switch to nikon then goodbye and good ridens sell your gear make us happy then get outta here

God forbid we bring up user error. =) It can NEVER be user error because we all know that world class AF has been around for, what 30-40 years? What? It hasn't? Well maybe the early 90's? What? No? Well then how the heck did photographers EVER focused without a worldclass AF? Ok I'm off my soapbox now...

I kinda have my perception people who post things like this really are peeved BUT waiting for someone to talk them out of it... Secretly hoping some high up CEO of Canon is snooping on Canon Rumor and come across his thread just to shower them with gifts and kissing his rump to stay. Dont let them get to you.

 

[unfocused]

yes i do have a problem if you wanna switch just switch don't go seeking attention in canon forums I'm sick of it

I agree. I really don't care what camera anyone uses. My first reaction when I read the original post was: "Go tell someone who cares." If someone wants to switch camera brands, that's their choice. I'm not going to try to talk them out of it. It's a personal choice based on all sort of rational and irrational factors.

Besides, there is absolutely no possible useful advice anyone on a forum can give beyond: "go rent the other brand for awhile and try it out."

In fact, I would suggest someone set up a internet robot that automatically writes that response anytime anyone on any forum asks about switching brands.

 

[motorhead]

God forbid we bring up user error. =) It can NEVER be user error because we all know that world class AF has "been around for, what 30-40 years? What? It hasn't? Well maybe the early 90's? What? No? Well then how the heck did photographers EVER focused without a worldclass AF? Ok I'm off my soapbox now...

I kinda have my perception people who post things like this really are peeved BUT waiting for someone to talk them out of it... Secretly hoping some high up CEO of Canon is snooping on Canon Rumor and come across his thread just to shower them with gifts and kissing his rump to stay. Dont let them get to you".

Awinphoto,

I often get that reaction whenever I read motorsports togs wanting ever faster fps. Shooting one frame at a time has allowed the star motorsports togs of the past to produce really beautiful shots and ever more fps is not a replacement for talent. I shoot a little motorsport and have played with the "machine gun mode" on occasion, but my best images, at least the ones I'm most proud of, are always carefully taken in one-shot mode.

But, and this is a general comment aimed at us all, me included. It's easy to be critical of others opinions and thats one reason I no longer frequent a certain Canon forum, because of the sometimes vicious threads cutting each other to pieces. I hope here that we can be broad minded enough to listen to and understand opinions other than our own.

 

[dr croubie]

Am i the only one who read the OP and didn't read any whingeing? sure, a few complaints that we've all heard before, but the post ended with "what do other people think of nikons, if you've use them?".

but then, this is the internet, and i wonder how many people read the post instead of just reading the title and getting enraged automatically.
perhaps a better thread title would have been "switching to nikon?".

ps, for whoever wrote that long rant: use grammar and punctuation. Long sentences make you sound like a teenager getting upset and your point gets missed. If the monologue in my head as i read sounds like an old woman yabbering in my head without taking a breath, then i'm going to ignore it just as much. And i highly doubt i'm the only one...

 

[unfocused]

i wonder how many people read the post instead of just reading the title and getting enraged automatically.

I'm not enraged. Just old and cranky. I've been reading and participating in this forum for quite some time and I guess I get a little bored with the endless variations of the same questions/complaints which have answers that are self-evident.

When I read the OP I thought to myself: "What 'Platinum' user of Canon Professional Services would need to turn to this forum to be told to go rent a camera and try it out?" and "What other advice could anyone possibly give that would be of any use, since the preference for a particular camera brand is totally subjective?"

I refrained from responding to see if there would be something I was missing. There wasn't.

I guess I'm just a little cranky because it seems like an awful lot of time is spent on this forum endlessly revisiting the same old debates. Okay. I've vented. Now I feel better.

 

[spaceheat]

I have thought about switching to Nikon from time to time, but I have no desire to go through the hassle of unloading my gear to fund the switch. I would have to finance it up front and hope to recoup the costs by selling my gear second hand. Not a very reasonable proposition on a photographer's salary.

Anyways... A guy that I shoot weddings with uses Nikons, and he is overall very satisfied. He constantly raves about my 85 1.2 and the color from my 5D. I am impressed that he has zero AF issues. The color that Nikon puts out seems a bit off to me, but that is probably because I am used to Canons.

I will say that I think the 5D classic blows away the newer Canons in terms of color... (Call me crazy). For me, it is just a complete sweet spot in terms of color response, sensor size, iso performance. I have a 7D that I have been pretty disappointed with in terms of both color and AF performance. Calibration helps... but it still seems a bit odd in certain situations.

My experience with the 7D is what led to the thoughts of switching. Missing shots because the AF is off really sucks and I have even considered trading it in for another 5D Classic. I think they may have gotten the AF straightened out though, so I will give it some time and see how it goes.

Bottom line is... every system has it's pitfalls. The challenge is working with what you got to get the job done. That is why I think it's insane to upgrade to a new body every three years. As soon as you have learned the subtleties of the body your working with, you have to start all over again. No way does that seem worth the hassle or the price tag.

 

[KBX500]

Thanks all... what a bunch of whining bitches YOU all are. I was hoping someone who reads this would have tried using a Nikon in general frustration with Canon. Of course Nikon has it's own problems. But surely they're slightly different from Canons? Seems like nobody can help, and the obvious solution of rentals is the way to go. Nikon offer no support or rental program.

I'm not switching right now. I'll stick out the next update of all cameras.

Uncle Fester really has been helpful in identifying my issue.

"I think a lot of people figure if the load up on gear that their particular style/genre of photography will magically appear. And when it doesn't they start blaming it on the equipment"

I was hoping that hiding behind some prime lenses that people will keep hiring me, and make my pictures look awesome

"what a bunch of whining bitches YOU all are."

Well now, thank you very much.

 

[KeithR]

It takes a particular kind of dense to make your first post on the Canon Rumors website, in a forum called Canon general, a question about shifting to Nikon.

I agree with the posts what wonder what kind of "pro" you are to need to be told to hire a camera to try it out.

 

[Haydn1971]

It takes a particular kind of dense to make your first post on the Canon Rumors website, in a forum called Canon general, a question about shifting to Nikon.

Hmmm... You might wish to rephrase your first post too ! Making a first post by means of insulting another new member takes a particular kind of dense too !

Back to the OP, I'd go with the rental of some Nikon kit for a few weeks to get a feel for if you really do want to swap camp, but I'd keep an eye out in September for what happens with the high end releases from Camon & Nikon - it's looking likely that one of them will blink in the current Mexican standoff ;-)

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Thanks all... what a bunch of whining bitches YOU all are. I was hoping someone who reads this would have tried using a Nikon in general frustration with Canon. Of course Nikon has it's own problems. But surely they're slightly different from Canons? Seems like nobody can help, and the obvious solution of rentals is the way to go. Nikon offer no support or rental program.

I'm not switching right now. I'll stick out the next update of all cameras.

Uncle Fester really has been helpful in identifying my issue.

"I think a lot of people figure if the load up on gear that their particular style/genre of photography will magically appear. And when it doesn't they start blaming it on the equipment"

I was hoping that hiding behind some prime lenses that people will keep hiring me, and make my pictures look awesome

Welcome to Canon Rumors

Since this is a Canon forum, there are not a lot of real contributors who also use Nikon, I've used both, and to me, they are just tools. You can learn to use either and get supurb results, but they are different. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so if one of the Nikon strong points is what you need, rent or buy one to confirm its right for you.

In all the online forums, there are lots of childish remarks. I think a lot of 11 year old kids just like to troll the forums. Ignore them, they are not worth the time to respond.

 

[KeithR]

Hmmm... You might wish to rephrase your first post too ! Making a first post by means of insulting another new member takes a particular kind of dense

Far from it - mine was a first post from a long-time "lurker" who has little patience for the kind of post that started the thread, regardless of which forum it is posted in.

The simple fact is that posting a question in a Canon-dedicated forum about shifting to Nikon is about as appropriate and as welcome as signing up to a website for Jewish folk and asking whether for opinions about whether Danish bacon is better than English bacon.

You do see the problem, I trust...

There's nothing dense about objecting to trolling and flamebait, and by any current definition the first post was a troll post - not to mention his ignorant follow-up, accusing everyone as "whining bitches".

Ample provocation for my first post on the subject. It's apologists for trolls - like yourself - that make internet forums the dismal places to deal with that they frequently are.

 

[WarStreet]

Canonrumors forum is very mature, and there were posts in the past asking for help about deciding to get either a Canon or Nikon DSLR. The replies has always been helpful, and I do remember that Nikon being recommended quit often too due to the user needs. Usually the pros and cons are mentioned and then it's up to the user to decide what's best for him by using the given information. You won't find this maturity in Nikonrumors, where they just mention Canon in a negative way in every non related thread, and lot's of stupid incorrect technical stuff which only confuse and direct new users to the wrong direction.

I consider Canon and Nikon as equally good overall as a tool, but personally I prefer Canon from a technology perspective and give credit to Canon for innovation and for leading the market. I also give credit to Sony for the interesting new stuff they are doing. But this is just a personal choice.

 

[kubelik]

Hmmm... You might wish to rephrase your first post too ! Making a first post by means of insulting another new member takes a particular kind of dense

Far from it - mine was a first post from a long-time "lurker" who has little patience for the kind of post that started the thread, regardless of which forum it is posted in.

The simple fact is that posting a question in a Canon-dedicated forum about shifting to Nikon is about as appropriate and as welcome as signing up to a website for Jewish folk and asking whether for opinions about whether Danish bacon is better than English bacon.

You do see the problem, I trust...

There's nothing dense about objecting to trolling and flamebait, and by any current definition the first post was a troll post - not to mention his ignorant follow-up, accusing everyone as "whining bitches".

Ample provocation for my first post on the subject. It's apologists for trolls - like yourself - that make internet forums the dismal places to deal with that they frequently are.

regardless of the intent of the OP, I disagree with your statement here, Keith. as WarStreet noted, most folks on CR are perfectly happy to discuss Canon vs Nikon fairly objectively, as there are plenty of folks on here who are:

1. former nikon shooters (me)
2. nikon + canon owners
3. working professionals who aren't in love with a system beyond its ability to help them get their job done

I don't think bringing up the issue of switching to Nikon should be ruled as flamebait or trolling. plenty of serious, longtime contributors to the forums and the photographic industry (such as Macfly) have brought the same question up before, since it is absolutely a pertinent issue in our industry.

Canon rumors is the most legitimate and professional photo rumors site out there, and while tons of it is the work of Craig, a lot of the rest of it comes from the overall maturity and professionalism of the forum inhabitants. don't simplify the CR forums into a fanboy gathering.