| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Switching sides
Randy Abrams, Photographer
 |
Bath | NY | US | Posted: 3:42 PM on 09.10.10 |
| ->> Not trying to start a Canon vs Nikon war, but I'm curious for those that may have switched from one to the other (or from Sony, Olympus, etc. for that matter) why did you switch? Was it a specific body or lens that you felt was better or needed that the other side didn't have? Was it a perceived quality difference in produced photos? Customer service? Price? Availability of needed lens/bodies? |
|
Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 5:16 PM on 09.10.10 |
->> Switched from Canon to Nikon after going through three different 1d MKIII's that didn't focus right. The industry leading (at the time it came out at least) high ISO performance really opened new avenues as well as the very useful 200-400 f4 lens.
I frankly think it would be pretty dumb for anyone to switch these days. There are good camera's from every manufacture out now and no one has a clear edge on technology.
They are all overpriced as well IMHO. Nikon and Canon both came out with new version of their 70-200's that cost about 25% more than the existing versions, both of which were perfectly good.
Upgrading to even a new body feels like financial suicide to me these days so I couldn't imagine switching systems in this economic climate and state the industry is in. |
|
Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 5:20 PM on 09.10.10 |
->> I think people are too busy worrying how to support themselves and their families in this industry to have time to really care about Canon vs Nikon as well.
I remember years back when times were a little better taking pregame with guys about new gear, or "mine's better than yours" boasting about a latest purchase.
These days its more about "did you hear about so and so who got laid off with the rest of the photo staff" and topics along that line. |
|
Darren Whitley, Photographer
|
Northwest Missouri | MO | USA | Posted: 7:25 PM on 09.10.10 |
->> My personal kit went from Canon to Nikon. I switched because of Nikon's CLS system and capable cameras that cost less. I really loved my Canon 5D, but I didn't like the speed of the buffer/render. I also wasn't impressed by the similarly crippled 5D Mark II. The D700 met my objectives for buffer size and speed, full frame sensor, noise, cost, CLS, and AF performance.
Nikon provided the most camera features and camera performance for cameras in the $1,000-2,000 range at the time. Canon had no camera at the price point and capabilities of the D300 or a D700 for instance. The closest thing Canon has is the 7D, but then you're stuck with bad TTL.
However, at the university... I have a Canon kit and I just bought two used Mark III bodies. My thought was that I needed the upgrade. Parity was important and I believe they will be fine. And with a kit of more than 11 lenses, it was going to be a lot of trauma to switch.
What I've learned since switching is that Nikon TTL is really awesome by comparison. However, I have had a very difficult time adjusting to Nikon's histogram. Canon cameras provide a better RGB and composite histogram IMHO.
Comparing the Nikon SB-800 and 900 flashes. I prefer the 800. It reminds me much more of using a 550EX or 580EX. I think the interface on the 900 is horrible. The wheel style control dial on the 580EX and even Canon cameras is very user friendly. I don't particularly care for the toggle on back of Nikon bodies because I often accidentaly end up in the histogram preview mode when I intended to be in image preview... sort of a PITA.
After shooting a wedding and shooting with my Nikons for an extended period of time, I also didn't find Nikon AF to be flawless. Could be the user though. What I have notice on my 5D Mark II is that it struggles to focus with the 16-35 type 1 when an object is 10 or more feet away. The Nikon 17-35 f2.8 appears to acquire focus at 10 feet without issue.
These are just my experiences. |
|
Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
|
Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 11:47 PM on 09.10.10 |
| ->> people have made good comments here about both Nikon and Canon. Like most of us older dudes, I started with Nikon when I went to work for a newspaper back in the mid-80's (think bad hair, great music). When I went freelance in 92, I switched to Canon as I wanted to try to compete with the very best and at the time, Canon was it. To be honest, the Mark III was like depression for many people: You didn't realize how bad the camera was until you were coming out of it. The Mark 4 is really an awesome box and the AF is nothing short of amazing. I'm very very happy to be a Canon shooter but there is no longer an obvious "better" system these days. Nikon has always made great glass, and Canon too. With video coming into the conversation, however, Nikon isn't catching up too fast at this point, but they will get there for sure. For now, the Mark 4 is bad to the bone for sports, and the 5DMII is killer for everything else. Where the pricing is headed in lenses is nuts, btw... But I think this is due to the economy as well. The days of me getting every new version of each long lens are clearly over. $11K for a new 400mm f/2.8 IS II? I don't think so, even is the street price turns out to be $8k. You can get a nice Honda Civic for that!!!! Until the economy returns somewhat, I'll be sticking with the gear I've got, especially the glass, but the camera bodies will always have to be upgraded as soon as new ones come available. Now, if Canon would just make me a 5D Mark III with 60P, I don't care about megapixels anymore--just give me full frame with 1080 and I'll be on my way... sorry for such a long post! pm-r :) |
|
Keith Tharp, Photographer
|
Londonderry | NH | usa | Posted: 8:44 AM on 09.14.10 |
->> I stuck with Sony for a year after they bought out Minolta, then sold everything and went to Nikon.
I bought a 7D when they were released for the video, which was fun but the IQ for stills at higher ISO was rough.
I sold the 7D and used the $ to buy a used Nikon 300mm/2.8
I'm very happy with Nikon and cant see making a total switch again, at least not now. |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|