Why choose Nikon?

[Avatar]

Andy is right to point out none of the company reign in a very distinctive way, at least not anymore. On the hindside, it is Canon that I am always hearing from some photographers, and it is always being touted as the "better choice" by them. To them, to use any other brands makes you inferior and a loser. Likewise, I am sure many Nikon users are also constantly pestered by some overly zealous Canon users to make the switch but in reality, for what purpose?

Canon may have some significance in certain technological implementations but this doesn't mean it is better in everything or for everyone.

I simply detest brand zealots so to say ...

Well, it is a choice and to me, it is all about priorities and personal preference. So, why Nikon?

Simply put, I prefer :

(1) The metering. The lack of proper spot metering in Canon's low/mid range models is simply unacceptable for me. I also find the overall metering method and accuracy for Nikon's cameras to be consistently better. Ok, I admit, I am a spot meter junkie but IMO, this is just what I need ;

(2) Ergonomics. I prefer the ergonomics Nikon cameras provide as compared to their Canon counterparts. For eg, the positioning of the ON/OFF switch (likes the way it can be turned on and off with one hand), the viewfinder (I find Nikon's viewfinder to be better in term of clarity and info for the cameras I use, ie. F80, F5, D100, D1X). They feel just right and very comfortable to me ;

(3) Non-white lenses. To put it bluntly and in a more cosmetic way, I don't find white lenses nice, in fact I find them ugly coupled with black bodies.

These are all personal preferences at work.

There are several other factors that help reinforce my choice but that said, my POV is that there is no perfect system, and none is significantly better than another.

That said, it is good and logical thing to know that for example, the release of the 1Ds doesn't mean your lowly D100 is taking less stellar pictures. Technological advancement may be fast and furious but ultimately, it is the personal behind the viewfinder that really counts.

Andy: I think you may have an isolated case here, I am sur the F5 won't fail that easily. I trekked with my D100 and F5 to some really high humidity (eg. Central Mountain range in Taiwan) and even snowing regions (eg. Germany) before. Not only did they "survive" the trip, they served their purpose in these conditions and they are still serving me well till today. I had seen and heard countless example like these before, these babies won't exactly fail that easily unless you use them otherwise

[Kho King]

when I bought my first Nikon, I chose it over Canon because Nikon represent PROFESSIONAL in my mind.

Later I fall in love with Nikon for their manual system.

Nikon was king during the good old manual-focus days (remember F, F2, & F3 ?). Ever since the days of EOS-1, Canon has taken over as the more superior system... till this day. Nikon can only try hard to catch up. No need to talk about DSLR, it's clear.

In terms of history Canon (known as "Kwanon") started first in 1934 as a Leica screw mount RF cameras copy cat and interestingly, Nikon (Nippon Kogagu) was Canon's lens supplier!

Why choose Nikon today? I really can't think of any good reasons.

[Nikonian Foo]

I have a Nikon F80 and a Nikon FG. I can use my lenses on both camera. No adaptor required.

To those "proud" owners of F5, tell us honestly, does F5 look more like F4 or EOS-1??

[Gunjack]

Sometimes I wonder, it is not whether Nikon or Canon has a better system, but rather whether one is better than either system one buys... Both system seems more than adequate for the average photographer, most of the time I see is that the photograher is not good enough for either system. My personal opinion is that I prefer Nikon systems becoz I prefer their exposure system, ergonomics and most of the ppl I know using Nikon seems to take good pics. Btw, I use neither, hehe...

[james m]

Quote: Originally posted by Nescafe To those "proud" owners of F5, tell us honestly, does F5 look more like F4 or EOS-1??

I don't care what it looks but I would take an F5 over an EOS-1 any day....

[Andy Ho]

Quote: Originally posted by Avatar Andy: I think you may have an isolated case here, I am sur the F5 won't fail that easily. I trekked with my D100 and F5 to some really high humidity (eg. Central Mountain range in Taiwan) and even snowing regions (eg. Germany) before. Not only did they "survive" the trip, they served their purpose in these conditions and they are still serving me well till today. I had seen and heard countless example like these before, these babies won't exactly fail that easily unless you use them otherwise

Hi Avatar,

Thanks for your reply. Deep down in my heart, I really really wished mine was an isolated case. I loved Nikon cameras and I think I can't dispute that I loved the brand first before the camera. I've heard about it's reliability and durability from old timers, and read how war journalists was saved by his Nikon during the Vietnam war. But after the few incidence of my camera failing on me, my faith in Nikon was totally shattered. I really do hope Nikon would buck up in that area.

One reason why I gave up my Canon system for a Nikon was more for the fact that I can use my manual lenses on AF body and AF lenses on mechanical body. Now with G lenses, including new AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 G ED coming up, and cameras not being able to take manual lenses with metering capability (D100, F80...), my faith was even more shattered. Will Nikon totally remove the benefits of full compatibility with manual and autofocus lenses on their newer range of cameras to come, whether pro or amatuer range remains a big question mark.

I guess I should just stick to a trusty FM2n or FM3A and forget about AF cameras. Don't you guys think the feeling of a manual lens on mechanical camera to be the most exciting?

Btw, is the D100 really that tough to go through high humidity situation? I mean looking at the memory card cover being so flimsy, will it end up short circuiting my camera? I really do not wish to put down my photography just because it rains.

Thanks, and regards.

Andy Ho
http://andyho.clubsnap.org/gallery/

[sadness]

Quote: Originally posted by Andy Ho Hi Avatar, Thanks for your reply. Deep down in my heart, I really really wished mine was an isolated case. I loved Nikon cameras and I think I can't dispute that I loved the brand first before the camera. I've heard about it's reliability and durability from old timers, and read how war journalists was saved by his Nikon during the Vietnam war. But after the few incidence of my camera failing on me, my faith in Nikon was totally shattered. I really do hope Nikon would buck up in that area. One reason why I gave up my Canon system for a Nikon was more for the fact that I can use my manual lenses on AF body and AF lenses on mechanical body. Now with G lenses, including new AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 G ED coming up, and cameras not being able to take manual lenses with metering capability (D100, F80...), my faith was even more shattered. Will Nikon totally remove the benefits of full compatibility with manual and autofocus lenses on their newer range of cameras to come, whether pro or amatuer range remains a big question mark. I guess I should just stick to a trusty FM2n or FM3A and forget about AF cameras. Don't you guys think the feeling of a manual lens on mechanical camera to be the most exciting? Btw, is the D100 really that tough to go through high humidity situation? I mean looking at the memory card cover being so flimsy, will it end up short circuiting my camera? I really do not wish to put down my photography just because it rains. Thanks, and regards. Andy Ho http://andyho.clubsnap.org/gallery/

brother!
i'm with you on the manual camera part. and of cos, the G lens thing that u mentioned... i feel the same way.

but i'm keeping my FM2 becos it is more exciting and challenging taking photos with a manual camera then an automatic or digital cam anytime...esp. when u wind to the next film... haha

cheers...!!
NIKON FM2!!!

[Winston]

firstly I am neither a canon nor nikon user.

I admit I was quite torn between the decision to get either the 10D or the D100. now even S2 has crept into my mind.

I liked the D100 for it's metering and egro as highlighted by Avatar earlier.

As for the part abt white lens, while they are ugly against black bodies, my friend has pointed out that being white, they are less hot to hold when shooting in the hot sun. so point taken.

I have read abt the official Nikon annoucement that they are NOT considering of making a full frame DSLR, like the 1Ds (I think it's from a photo mag)

And the reason for it, I guess is the introduction of "DX" lens for the digital bodies to counter the 1.5 multiplier factor.

The soon to come, AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED is the first.

So it seems Nikon is going to make more money by making 2 types of lens, one with the 'G' (no aperture ring) and 'DX' for digital and the other "normal" lens for their film bodies.

Even now, there is things like SB-50DX and SB-80DX with the DX meant to support DSLR (so I heard)

I have always thought DSLR and manual film SLR could live in harmony and use each other's lens and flash, but now it seems that Nikon is starting to create a divide between them but creating a new class of "digital only" or "For digital" lens and flashes.

If comparing film to film, I am sure Canon has lots to "shout" about, but their entry digital counterparts being the D60 and 10D, I feel still have some improvement to touch on.

Hopefully the newer entry DSLR, maybe a 20D? will improve on the 10D and bring the competition between Nikon closer.

I hope Canon don't "follow" Nikon by creating a own new breed of lens and accessories for digital only.

I rather they work on improving the 1.6x factor in the entry level DSLR to 1.3x or even 1.0x in future when the prices of CMOS sensor falls (which I am sure they will)
So a 50mm/1.8 will finally be a 50mm on a DSLR and not 80mm.

[clive]

coz the lens is black colour.

if u use canon white L then easier to get mugged

and if one day u ever need to go manual=>still have FMs around

[Nikonian Foo]

Quote: Originally posted by clive coz the lens is black colour. if u use canon white L then easier to get mugged and if one day u ever need to go manual=>still have FMs around

I think muggers choose victims by lens size first, follow by brand name.

That's the How Lian factor, the more HL points your camera/lens combo is, the more chance you are going to get mugged.

[Andy Ho]

Quote: Originally posted by sadness brother! i'm with you on the manual camera part. and of cos, the G lens thing that u mentioned... i feel the same way. but i'm keeping my FM2 becos it is more exciting and challenging taking photos with a manual camera then an automatic or digital cam anytime...esp. when u wind to the next film... haha cheers...!! NIKON FM2!!!

Yes!!! You are very right!!! The winding part.... Just love to hear the mechanical parts moving. I especially love the feel of focusing with manual lenses. And also the "chiak" when you squeezed the shutter.... it just sounds so perfect

Andy Ho
http://andyho.clubsnap.org/gallery/

[sadness]

Quote: Originally posted by Andy Ho Yes!!! You are very right!!! The winding part.... Just love to hear the mechanical parts moving. I especially love the feel of focusing with manual lenses. And also the "chiak" when you squeezed the shutter.... it just sounds so perfect Andy Ho http://andyho.clubsnap.org/gallery/

cheers my brother!

MANUAL SLR lovers unite!

NIKON NIKON!!

haha
yeah babe yeah!!

[ckiang]

Quote: Originally posted by Nescafe Nikon was king during the good old manual-focus days (remember F, F2, & F3 ?). Ever since the days of EOS-1, Canon has taken over as the more superior system... till this day. Nikon can only try hard to catch up. No need to talk about DSLR, it's clear.

Don't forget, Nikon is the first to introduce "affordable" DSLRs to the people with the D1. (The only DSLRs then are the Kodak DCS stuff which costs like US$30).

The next year, Nikon came up with the D1X and D1H. Canon had nothing in the professional line yet.

These people play catch up sometimes, so while Canon maybe leading now with the 1D/1Ds, I am sure that will not be the case soon.

Regards
CK

[shutterbug]

Quote: Originally posted by Winston firstly I am neither a canon nor nikon user. As for the part abt white lens, while they are ugly against black bodies, my friend has pointed out that being white, they are less hot to hold when shooting in the hot sun. so point taken. I

When you buy tripod, always go for black instead of silver. Why? to reduce reflection, and unnessary light falling on your subject. Esp if you are in the wild shooting birds/animal, black stuff conceal your position. Wild life photographer has to use camoflage/black tape to hide their equipment. Likwise, white stuff are problematic in these situation.

Just my 2 nickels.

[willyfoo]

Quote: Originally posted by ckiang Only one thing I like about Canon, and it's not all those USM/IS/DO/whatever acronym. It's the high-speed sync flash with TTL.

Hey, this is my major sore point about the D100 having only 1/180s sync flash.

What are the sync speeds of the various canons??

[erwinx]

Quote: Originally posted by willyfoo Hey, this is my major sore point about the D100 having only 1/180s sync flash. What are the sync speeds of the various canons??

d60/10d's normal sync speed is 1/200, coupled with iso 100, its more flexible daylight fill-flash wise than d100's 1/180 iso 200.

For higher sync speeds, the flash power drops significantly which limits its use. I've gone up to 1/1000 but i can't recall if thats the max...

But if i recall, you're our resident expert in hummingbird photography and I can see the canon system being more useful in this. Wireless ttl slaves can sync at 1/1000. You can therefore use multiple slaves to compensate for the drop in power. (hummingbird setups i've read about invariably involve lots of slaves )

[windraider]

My comments refer only to flim cameras.

A pro photographer with his skill & experience need not use the camera with the greatest specifications or functions to demonstrate his skill to the fullest and neither does an amatuer who is only interested in subject & composition.

Automation makes taking of a good photograph easy and flexibility of settings & functions allows for creativity & discretion. However too much flexibility and high specifications sometimes rob the joy of photography as an art and turns it into a competition of specifications and

Hence the best camera is the one that is reliable, produces nice images, is there when needed and operates in a manner pleasing to its owner regardless of brand and specifications.

The full spectrum of skills and creativity of a photographer is only exhibited when the photographer becomes one with his camera, ie:
- know what his camera can
- know how to get his camera do what it can do
- know what he can do
- know how to do what he can do
- discovers what he & his camera must do to get the image he wants

Btw I prefer Nikon over Canon because of its better manual range of cameras (F2, FM, FA) but I take my best pictures on an Olympus XA.

Comments?

[Avatar]

Quote: Originally posted by erwinx d60/10d's normal sync speed is 1/200, coupled with iso 100, its more flexible daylight fill-flash wise than d100's 1/180 iso 200.

Not really, though there is a paper difference of 1/20, I find the fill flash with the D100 to be more consistent over the D60/10d's though its lowest ISO rating is at 200. Simply put, the evaluative metering works better, though I must say it does have its quirk under difficult/complex lighting. For fill flash, it is a charm to use.