Advice: Abandoning Nikon?


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jopix

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Feb 7, 2005
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Hi there,

I'm an amateur photographer trying to buy a DSLR to improve my skills.

I have been using Nikon Film SLRs all along and was thinking of switching to Canon but am in a dilemma because I still have my Nikon lenses. (I do not intend to sell the Nikon lenses and body becos I am still sentimental abt film photography.)

Altho they are not top of the range, I can't imagine having to spend the same or a higher amount getting the same kind of lenses. I currently have the following:-
i) Nikon F80 body,
ii) Nikon F60 body,
iii) Sigma 28 - 200mm AF lens (1:3.5 - 5.6)
iv) Tokina Wide-angle AF19 - 35 mm (1:3.5 - 4.5)
v) Nikon 50mm lens (1:1.8)

The reasons why I want to switch to Canon are as follows:-
i) Many rave reviews about Canon's speed and most professionals choose canon DSLRs
ii) Canon D400 is a few hundred dollars cheaper than Nikon D80 for the same megapixels; and
iii) I already have a few Compact flash memory cards which Canon D400 uses but Nikon D80 does not.

With the above concerns, what is the best course of action?
- Should I just go ahead to buy the Canon D400 and start an entire new collection of lenses?
- Is it worthwhile to invest in a canon DSLR and get started on the right footing?
- Or should I just get the Nikon D80?


Sorry if these questions have been asked before, I couldnt find the threads addressing this issue, so thought I would start a new one.
 

Maybe you should hold Canon's camera and feel.

Nikon's pros : nice camera body, feels sturdy. Good flashlights.

Canon's pros : cleaner image, in your case, cheaper body.

I held Canon's body, don't like it.

You will use your camera for a long time without changing system, I presume. So make sure you get hold of one and try, make sure you like it.
 

the lenses you have are good to go with digital slr so you actually have a lower startup cost than if you were to switch to canon.

the cost of a 1gb SD is about $30 now so 2pcs 1GB will set you back by $60. you can increase your memory as your need grows.

you can also pop your SD memories into P&S when you go on tour so you have double usage.

buy a card reader and you have a makeshift thumbdrive.

body and build aside, nikon's flash system is very good.
 

Hi there,

I'm an amateur photographer trying to buy a DSLR to improve my skills.

I have been using Nikon Film SLRs all along and was thinking of switching to Canon but am in a dilemma because I still have my Nikon lenses. (I do not intend to sell the Nikon lenses and body becos I am still sentimental abt film photography.)

Altho they are not top of the range, I can't imagine having to spend the same or a higher amount getting the same kind of lenses. I currently have the following:-
i) Nikon F80 body,
1ii) Nikon F60 body,
iii) Sigma 28 - 200mm AF lens (1:3.5 - 5.6)
iv) Tokina Wide-angle AF19 - 35 mm (1:3.5 - 4.5)
v) Nikon 50mm lens (1:1.8)

The reasons why I want to switch to Canon are as follows:-
i) Many rave reviews about Canon's speed and most professionals choose canon DSLRs
ii) Canon D400 is a few hundred dollars cheaper than Nikon D80 for the same megapixels; and
iii) I already have a few Compact flash memory cards which Canon D400 uses but Nikon D80 does not.

With the above concerns, what is the best course of action?
- Should I just go ahead to buy the Canon D400 and start an entire new collection of lenses?
- Is it worthwhile to invest in a canon DSLR and get started on the right footing?
- Or should I just get the Nikon D80?


Sorry if these questions have been asked before, I couldnt find the threads addressing this issue, so thought I would start a new one.


1) more pro uses canon (just qouting you, i got no reference souce) so you want to use this brand? than why you didnt go for f4 or f5 with pro lens when you use film? sorry, but i cant understand your reasoning. most of the pro features may not be found in non pro bodies. thats why canon and nikon has 3 catageries of dslr. do you mean you can produce better photos using 400D and D80 in your hand cant?

2) 400D is a few hundred dollars cheaper than D80 for the same megapixels. that may be true but than consider $$ spend to buy new EF/EFS lens, canon compatible flash. I think this is where the most $$ is going to be spend.

3) why dont consider D70/D70S? ask yourself if you really need 10mp. do you print 15R? do you agree that D70/D70s in pro hands can also result in master pieces.

i appologies if i offend you with my reply.
 

The reasons why I want to switch to Canon are as follows:-
i) Many rave reviews about Canon's speed and most professionals choose canon DSLRs
ii) Canon D400 is a few hundred dollars cheaper than Nikon D80 for the same megapixels; and
iii) I already have a few Compact flash memory cards which Canon D400 uses but Nikon D80 does not.
i) how fast do you want you cam to be... and if you are getting 400D, i don see there are any significant speed gain over the d80, maybe slightly only in terms of focusing speed)
ii) do look at the overall camera, like features, function and not just MP.
iii) not comment, but i don mind getting some SD card since the price is real low now. ($200 can get more than 4GB of high speed SD card)

im not trying to defend Nikon, but do think again about all these point
 

Don't read too much into all those reviews etc. The cameras you're considering (Nikon or canon or whatever) are all good cameras. There are differences, but you wont be able to tell unless you buy both and do a thorough study. Don't forget that when you switch you are sure to spend more. Pros switch becuase there's some expensive lens that they need to use for their work but can't get, or some other reason that we don't care too much about since we're amateurs.

Spend the time on improving your skills.

My personal opinion: stick to the brand you're with now unless there's something you really dont like about it, and by that I mean something that pisses you off. Plus side, you get to keep your lenses. Some more its a platform you're familiar with already. Personal story, I'm a nikon user as well, and when I play with friend's canon, the buttons are not in the right place, and they work funny. I'm sure its the same the other way around as well. But they both take photos as well.

Or if you're still itchy, go to the shop, play with all those you're considering, and buy the ones that you like the best. Or the ones that looks the best. At least if you get sick of taking photos, there's something nice to look at.
 

i would say....go for sth that suits ya needs in terms of specs...and go for sth that ya hand feels comfortable while holding....

its better for you to change camps now than to do so after going into a dslr system...

cheerios..
 

hmmmm............abandon nikon? well, since you already got some lenses, just follow what some pp said, get a 2nd D70 and use first. if you dun like, sell sell sell, your lost wun be as big as having a system you hate. btw, sony rocks.;)
 

1) more pro uses canon (just qouting you, i got no reference souce) so you want to use this brand? than why you didnt go for f4 or f5 with pro lens when you use film? sorry, but i cant understand your reasoning. most of the pro features may not be found in non pro bodies. thats why canon and nikon has 3 catageries of dslr. do you mean you can produce better photos using 400D and D80 in your hand cant?

2) 400D is a few hundred dollars cheaper than D80 for the same megapixels. that may be true but than consider $$ spend to buy new EF/EFS lens, canon compatible flash. I think this is where the most $$ is going to be spend.

3) why dont consider D70/D70S? ask yourself if you really need 10mp. do you print 15R? do you agree that D70/D70s in pro hands can also result in master pieces.

i appologies if i offend you with my reply.

Not needed for telling him off. He just made a slight mention. He's just asking for opinion, for obviously if most pro's use a certain brand, that certain brand must bring a certain aspect of reliability.

I believe the TS knows what he's doing.
 

Hi there,

I'm an amateur photographer trying to buy a DSLR to improve my skills.

I have been using Nikon Film SLRs all along and was thinking of switching to Canon but am in a dilemma because I still have my Nikon lenses. (I do not intend to sell the Nikon lenses and body becos I am still sentimental abt film photography.)

Altho they are not top of the range, I can't imagine having to spend the same or a higher amount getting the same kind of lenses. I currently have the following:-
i) Nikon F80 body,
ii) Nikon F60 body,
iii) Sigma 28 - 200mm AF lens (1:3.5 - 5.6)
iv) Tokina Wide-angle AF19 - 35 mm (1:3.5 - 4.5)
v) Nikon 50mm lens (1:1.8)

The reasons why I want to switch to Canon are as follows:-
i) Many rave reviews about Canon's speed and most professionals choose canon DSLRs
ii) Canon D400 is a few hundred dollars cheaper than Nikon D80 for the same megapixels; and
iii) I already have a few Compact flash memory cards which Canon D400 uses but Nikon D80 does not.

With the above concerns, what is the best course of action?
- Should I just go ahead to buy the Canon D400 and start an entire new collection of lenses?
- Is it worthwhile to invest in a canon DSLR and get started on the right footing?
- Or should I just get the Nikon D80?


Sorry if these questions have been asked before, I couldnt find the threads addressing this issue, so thought I would start a new one.


I would also jump to Canon for the quality and shot to shot consistency of the WB but I would not start with the 400D (the User Interface isn't great). Start with the 30D or wait for it's replacement which is rumoured to be out shortly.

There is very little practical difference between Canon and Nikon in the digital age. Nikon is dropping the aperture rings on it's new lenses (introducing more G lenses) which Canon did when it released it's EOS range back in 86/87.

Canon's CMOS sensors have a slight edge over Nikon (good enough reason to switch). But Nikon still wins in UI and handling IMO.
 

in my humble opinion, i would think that you might want to stay in Nikon system partly because you might have many nikor or nikon-mount lens. switching to canon will not solve your problem and you need to restart your lens collection, unless of course when money is not an issue.

both nikon and canon each has their strength and weakness. you will not go wrong with either system. you need to feel the camera you are buying to know whether you like it or not. some very good and expensive camera might not have the features and feel you like. it is not just review you should be reading. reconsider...
 

I have both Nikon and Canon systems

Nikon - Colour and vibrancy. Sharp. Much much better external flash system

Canon - Superb and outstanding noise control. Very gd for low light human subjects.

My fav configuration now - Canon 30D fit with SB800;p Been using this configuration for 2 weeks, love the results but not sure whether got side effects
 

Stay with Nikon just for the Great Flash system and the equally great nikon users

:thumbsup:

:) Exactly.. think carefully first and I seriously suggest that you go have a feel of the different cameras first. Else you may have trouble getting used to the user interface.
 

Hi there,

I'm an amateur photographer trying to buy a DSLR to improve my skills.

I have been using Nikon Film SLRs all along and was thinking of switching to Canon but am in a dilemma because I still have my Nikon lenses. (I do not intend to sell the Nikon lenses and body becos I am still sentimental abt film photography.)

Altho they are not top of the range, I can't imagine having to spend the same or a higher amount getting the same kind of lenses. I currently have the following:-
i) Nikon F80 body,
ii) Nikon F60 body,
iii) Sigma 28 - 200mm AF lens (1:3.5 - 5.6)
iv) Tokina Wide-angle AF19 - 35 mm (1:3.5 - 4.5)
v) Nikon 50mm lens (1:1.8)

The reasons why I want to switch to Canon are as follows:-
i) Many rave reviews about Canon's speed and most professionals choose canon DSLRs
ii) Canon D400 is a few hundred dollars cheaper than Nikon D80 for the same megapixels; and
iii) I already have a few Compact flash memory cards which Canon D400 uses but Nikon D80 does not.

With the above concerns, what is the best course of action?
- Should I just go ahead to buy the Canon D400 and start an entire new collection of lenses?
- Is it worthwhile to invest in a canon DSLR and get started on the right footing?
- Or should I just get the Nikon D80?


Sorry if these questions have been asked before, I couldnt find the threads addressing this issue, so thought I would start a new one.

Go try the dSLRs, get the one you feel comfortable with, both feel-wise and financially.
1) No reason not to switch camps at all. Your current collection of lenses isn't exactly one to hold one down. You don't even own a flash. Pardon me for saying, but your lenses are relatively cheap consumer lenses. The $$ you save from buying 400D (Memory Cards + Camera price) can easily buy back your current collection of lenses.
2) Personally, I'd think most consumer dSLRs are more or less on par nowadays. All of them are (more or less) better than what any pros had available say.. 4-5 years ago. Think anyone dSLR can satisfy your needs, unless you're one of the many who THINKS they're way pro.
3) Just like there's no reason to get the 400D, there's no reason to get the D80 either. Don't worry about learning the user interface. IMHO Canon has a very easy to learn interface if you're a techie. Nikon as a good interface ONLY if you're familiar with SLRs etc already.
 

No offence here but I personally feel Canon is much faster than a Nikon.. in depreciation value. Perhaps Canon comes out with newer DSLR bodies to replace each other far too soon.

My apologies to Canon users.

Anyway, as a D70s owner, I still find it more sturdy in grip and feel than most Canon bodies (in the same category, entry-lvl). Buttons are better positioned, and it has two command dials unlike Canon's single.

I so wanted a 350D when it first came out but got out of the shop with a D70s instead. Sounds like I'm promoting e D70s instead of e newer D80. Well it is! It comes with a superb kit lens, and accepts CF cards! Isn't that what you wanted?
 

No offence here but I personally feel Canon is much faster than a Nikon.. in depreciation value. Perhaps Canon comes out with newer DSLR bodies to replace each other far too soon.

My apologies to Canon users.

Anyway, as a D70s owner, I still find it more sturdy in grip and feel than most Canon bodies (in the same category, entry-lvl). Buttons are better positioned, and it has two command dials unlike Canon's single.

I so wanted a 350D when it first came out but got out of the shop with a D70s instead. Sounds like I'm promoting e D70s instead of e newer D80. Well it is! It comes with a superb kit lens, and accepts CF cards! Isn't that what you wanted?

Actually you are not wrong about Canon's value depreciation. But in the Digital world, it all pans out as even the Nikon cameras depreciate rather rapidly vs their film cousins.

Both systems have their pros and cons, choose the one that with the least cons and most pros you can live with.

As a loyal Nikon user, I didn't want to believe that the Canons dSLRs were better imaging wise than the Nikons. But after trying them out, I had to conceed that they were. TO MY EYES, I preferred the images from the Canons over the Nikons. I love the UIs of my Nikons even the dSLRs, and have yet to try out the Fuji S series of dSLRs, but for the money, the Canons currently have the edge in image quality currently. This may hopefully change.
 

I myself have used/tested out my friend's Canon cams every now and then, I've to agree it handles noise better at high ISOs. But other than that, I'm still sticking firm to a Nikon. It's rather debatable but I 'personally' feel Nikon's WB is better.

Not trying to start anything, just wanna explain why I'm staying with Nikon.
 

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