A question to whether to start on Nikon system or Canon systemn

redsin · 17th February 2004

Hi I am thinking of buying a DSLR. considering both D70 and 300D/10D. I don't really have a system already so I am having more freedom to decide on which camera system (Nikon or Canon).

My question :-

For basic set up for a start, like a 70 -200mm, a 50mm + kit lens and flash, I heard that owning a Nikon system is more expensive. Is it true?

I know that there has been a lot of Nikon vs Canon "war" here and I don't intend to start one. My intention is to get a DSLR and start owning a system learn more photography, probably upgrade the lenses in the future. I also do not intend to start a D70 vs 300D/10D war here. I'll be waiting for Phil Askey's write up before deciding as well.

I am posting this in both Canon and Nikon sections to be fair.

Please dont flame me.

thanks for all your comments

HelmetBox · 17th February 2004

minolta.

clive · 17th February 2004

harlow...what minolta ah..

on a more serious note (practical and gearwise, the other aspects of photography u must read up on your own):

if u want nikon:
1. the 80-200 twotouch+fixed tripd collar is the cheapest lens for nikon for that category. (sgd1200 for 2nd hand). for the AFS version, it will be sgd2000+ minimum, 2nd hand. the other 2 lenses u mentioned cost the same for both brands(negligible price diff)
2.nikon u can always fall back on manual camera
3.if u want silky smooth AFS then u have to spend significantly more money on the equivalent lenses of each category
4. there is no similar L-lens classification system in nikon even though u have equivalently performing nikkor lenses.this may give u a psyclogical disadvantage if u life your life with a sense of "uniformity"
5. highspeed auto flash is now only available in D2H
6.u can try to hunt for 2nd hand AF nikkor 20-35mm f2.8. its better that kit lens and is a cheaper alternative to the current AFS17-35. but servicing it may be a little tacky as it is discontinued.

if u want canon:
1.the 70-200/f2.8L non-IS will be the cheapest equivalent in its class(approx sgd1500 2nd hand)
2.EOS system dont have manual body
3.USM, IS are more widespread in canon EOS than in nikon system
4.any kind of ETTL flash + type B body will guarantee u with high-speed flash. 420EX is cheap and is already pretty good. the equivalent in nikon is either SB50DX (one step down) or SB28(/DX)(half a step up, discontinued)
5. u can go for the budget minded EF 17-40mm f4 L.
6.canon L-series telephoto lenses are white: it leaves you standing out like a cool pro so that girls will turn their heads more in your direction but also removes your discreetness so that thieves will also turn their head more in your direction.

both bodies u have in mind have slow AF, tacky construction but produce good quality images. apart ffrom upgradign lenses in the future, u must also anticipate what kind of body to upgrade to when u already know the basics, as that will only take u a few months of learning, at most one year, given delays.

^_^

HelmetBox · 17th February 2004

Originally Posted by clive

harlow...what minolta ah..

hehehe.... he wants a DSLR and does not have a system.

So I was thinking, why restrict to only canon and nikon? kekeke.......

AReality · 17th February 2004

Go with canon lar...
Never wrong.

Heard canon focusing faster than nikon's for large guns. So those sports photograhers prefer canon... Dunno true or not. heard only.

linse · 17th February 2004

Originally Posted by clive

4.any kind of ETTL flash + type B body will guarantee u with high-speed flash. 420EX is cheap and is already pretty good. the equivalent in nikon is either SB50DX (one step down) or SB28(/DX)(half a step up, discontinued)

D70 can only use SB-600 or SB-800 for iTTL flash metering.

Ah Pao · 18th February 2004

This is a Canon forum...what do you expect except "BUY CANON" from us?

On second note you shouldn't be posting in the eqiupment specific forums because you'll probably get a biased opinion leaning to the brand in either forum. If you are trying to compare the plus points of each system I will strongly advise doing more research outside this forum.

Also, go borrow cameras of both brands from your friends and see how YOU like them in handling (if they don't keep evangalise their brands to you!

). Both Canon and Nikon are very good brands and have their own sets of strengths and weakness.

Below are MY perceptions on the two brands; may not apply to you...

Canon -> For those who like the lastest in what camera technology can offer.

Nikon -> For those who hold strongly attributes such as "solid" and "steady".

Also go check up the customer service quality. Matters very much for such an expensive precision electronic equipment.

Jed · 18th February 2004

Actually, in theory, the AF on the D70 is better than that on the 300D/10D. Well the 300D is shocking, and the 10D is not great. I haven't handled the D70 but on the basis it uses the same AF as the D100 and other F80 based cameras, then I'd certainly take the D70 AF over the two Canon cameras for AF purposes.

redsin · 18th February 2004

Sorry could not log in yesterday.

Maybe I should have posted on other section of the forum rather than equipment section as suggested by Ah Pao.

But I tried to be fair to get opinions from both camps in two separate forums.

Anyway, thank you clive for such a listing of comments on Nikon and Canon lenses and also the rest who gave their constructive feedback.

I will do more reading on my part as well and hopefully get my "dream" DSLR in one or two months time.

Diablo · 18th February 2004

Go play with both.

The one that u will be more comfortable with in terms of ergonomics,functionality,ease of operations and other hands-on factors, should be the one for you.Cost is a factor too, but if u can afford, dun worry abt paying the extra one two hundred for a more satisfactory solution. Anything more, would warranty more consideration.

That's the basis on which I chose Canon.

U dun really have to bothered those nikkor or canon big guns. How many of us can afford anyway?

My 2 cents worth.

mpenza · 18th February 2004

Originally Posted by clive

6.u can try to hunt for 2nd hand AF nikkor 20-35mm f2.8. its better that kit lens and is a cheaper alternative to the current AFS17-35. but servicing it may be a little tacky as it is discontinued.

4.any kind of ETTL flash + type B body will guarantee u with high-speed flash. 420EX is cheap and is already pretty good. the equivalent in nikon is either SB50DX (one step down) or SB28(/DX)(half a step up, discontinued)

There're more choices now with the Nikon 17-70 f3.5-4.5 DX and SB600 for the 420EX equivalent.

Watcher · 18th February 2004

Originally Posted by mpenza

There're more choices now with the Nikon 17-70 f3.5-4.5 DX and SB600 for the 420EX equivalent.

Minor amendment: It is 18-70

17th February 2004	#1
redsin New Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 40	A question to whether to start on Nikon system or Canon systemn Hi I am thinking of buying a DSLR. considering both D70 and 300D/10D. I don't really have a system already so I am having more freedom to decide on which camera system (Nikon or Canon). My question :- For basic set up for a start, like a 70 -200mm, a 50mm + kit lens and flash, I heard that owning a Nikon system is more expensive. Is it true? I know that there has been a lot of Nikon vs Canon "war" here and I don't intend to start one. My intention is to get a DSLR and start owning a system learn more photography, probably upgrade the lenses in the future. I also do not intend to start a D70 vs 300D/10D war here. I'll be waiting for Phil Askey's write up before deciding as well. I am posting this in both Canon and Nikon sections to be fair. Please dont flame me. thanks for all your comments

17th February 2004	#5
AReality Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,396	Go with canon lar... Never wrong. Heard canon focusing faster than nikon's for large guns. So those sports photograhers prefer canon... Dunno true or not. heard only. __________________ . The Visual Journalist

18th February 2004	#9
redsin New Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 40	Thanks for all the coments. Sorry could not log in yesterday. Maybe I should have posted on other section of the forum rather than equipment section as suggested by Ah Pao. But I tried to be fair to get opinions from both camps in two separate forums. Anyway, thank you clive for such a listing of comments on Nikon and Canon lenses and also the rest who gave their constructive feedback. I will do more reading on my part as well and hopefully get my "dream" DSLR in one or two months time.

17th February 2004	#2
HelmetBox Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,312	minolta.

17th February 2004	#3
clive Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,573	harlow...what minolta ah.. on a more serious note (practical and gearwise, the other aspects of photography u must read up on your own): if u want nikon: 1. the 80-200 twotouch+fixed tripd collar is the cheapest lens for nikon for that category. (sgd1200 for 2nd hand). for the AFS version, it will be sgd2000+ minimum, 2nd hand. the other 2 lenses u mentioned cost the same for both brands(negligible price diff) 2.nikon u can always fall back on manual camera 3.if u want silky smooth AFS then u have to spend significantly more money on the equivalent lenses of each category 4. there is no similar L-lens classification system in nikon even though u have equivalently performing nikkor lenses.this may give u a psyclogical disadvantage if u life your life with a sense of "uniformity" 5. highspeed auto flash is now only available in D2H 6.u can try to hunt for 2nd hand AF nikkor 20-35mm f2.8. its better that kit lens and is a cheaper alternative to the current AFS17-35. but servicing it may be a little tacky as it is discontinued. if u want canon: 1.the 70-200/f2.8L non-IS will be the cheapest equivalent in its class(approx sgd1500 2nd hand) 2.EOS system dont have manual body 3.USM, IS are more widespread in canon EOS than in nikon system 4.any kind of ETTL flash + type B body will guarantee u with high-speed flash. 420EX is cheap and is already pretty good. the equivalent in nikon is either SB50DX (one step down) or SB28(/DX)(half a step up, discontinued) 5. u can go for the budget minded EF 17-40mm f4 L. 6.canon L-series telephoto lenses are white: it leaves you standing out like a cool pro so that girls will turn their heads more in your direction but also removes your discreetness so that thieves will also turn their head more in your direction. both bodies u have in mind have slow AF, tacky construction but produce good quality images. apart ffrom upgradign lenses in the future, u must also anticipate what kind of body to upgrade to when u already know the basics, as that will only take u a few months of learning, at most one year, given delays. ^_^

18th February 2004	#7
Ah Pao Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,578	This is a Canon forum...what do you expect except "BUY CANON" from us? On second note you shouldn't be posting in the eqiupment specific forums because you'll probably get a biased opinion leaning to the brand in either forum. If you are trying to compare the plus points of each system I will strongly advise doing more research outside this forum. Also, go borrow cameras of both brands from your friends and see how YOU like them in handling (if they don't keep evangalise their brands to you! ). Both Canon and Nikon are very good brands and have their own sets of strengths and weakness. Below are MY perceptions on the two brands; may not apply to you... Canon -> For those who like the lastest in what camera technology can offer. Nikon -> For those who hold strongly attributes such as "solid" and "steady". Also go check up the customer service quality. Matters very much for such an expensive precision electronic equipment.

18th February 2004	#8
Jed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,082	Actually, in theory, the AF on the D70 is better than that on the 300D/10D. Well the 300D is shocking, and the 10D is not great. I haven't handled the D70 but on the basis it uses the same AF as the D100 and other F80 based cameras, then I'd certainly take the D70 AF over the two Canon cameras for AF purposes.

18th February 2004	#10
Diablo Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 209	Go play with both. The one that u will be more comfortable with in terms of ergonomics,functionality,ease of operations and other hands-on factors, should be the one for you.Cost is a factor too, but if u can afford, dun worry abt paying the extra one two hundred for a more satisfactory solution. Anything more, would warranty more consideration. That's the basis on which I chose Canon. U dun really have to bothered those nikkor or canon big guns. How many of us can afford anyway? My 2 cents worth.