canon to nikon

[corny]

I too am considering the switch. I've owned various Canon DSLRs and lenses over the last 5 years inc 1d, mkII, mkIII, 5D, 40D, 30D. No DS though and some great glass inc 300mm 2.8, 200mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.2. I am now gearless, haivng had to sell my gear due to finanical constraints which I am glad to say are on the turn.

Considering options: I shoot portraits, landscapes and equestrian, I am thinking of the D700 - not too heavy for long treks, FF, great high ISO, 8FPS with an optional grip for equestrian and rave reviews on 24-70 and 14-24 lenses. I just hope they update the 85mm like Canon did!

I could then buy a D3x as a back up but sadly I did not work for RBS!!!!

Sadly the price increases of late make this investmet a lot steeper than 6 months ago :-(

 

[Tommo B]

It's very subjective and it's whatever feels right/meets your needs. (Basically all of the above posts in a nutshell.)

After sales customer care may be an important factor for some. Personally, I tend not to buy anything with the thought that, when it goes wrong, it'll be easily remedied. It's comforting, yes, but not a deal breaker.

Fact of the matter is Nikon are/were a little cheaper than Canon. (Notice I didn't say they were 'cheap'!) A quick mental survey of my friends tells me that most own Nikons at the lower end (they're relativley new to the 'hobby') - those that have Canons own high end models with a lot of good glass (mostly 'pros'.)

I think this is where Nikon gained ground. They produced great cameras that do just what the Canon lower end models do but at a better price. Once the 'bait' of the initial purchase has been taken, the lens frenzy follows......and so it continues. Based purely on cost of switching alone, it would take something very special from Nikon to sway me!

 

[SuperCNJ]

I've never got along with Canon tbh I don't like the ergonomics and the way they look and operate. And there just doesn't seem to have the build quality of the equivalent Nikon imo. I know this may seem like a dig at canon from a nikon user it isn't. When I was looking for a dslr to upgrade from my D40X I looked at the 40D first. I spent ages looking into it and given it was cheaper than the D300 it seemed ideal. Took it out for a spin at my local jessops and didn't get on with it at all. I didn't like the way it felt in my hand, the way the menu system was set up, or the build. It just didn't seem to have the sturdiness or the ergonomics of the D300. Eventually I left it for a while until the D300 dropped in price...

Having said that, I have no doubt Canon are just as capable as Nikon and given that I've seen far more professional photographers use Canon than Nikon it must be doing something right.

 

[Dave Pickett]

I started a few years back using Canon T70 and moved up to the super T90 but then family and life got in the way so packed it all in and took it back up a year ago and found out the Canons just dont sit well in my hand anymore but Nikon does so I am now a convert
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I had a T90 and A1 and loved the solid feel and performance. When I recentkly returned to a Digital SLR I looked at all the reviews, and decided that the D60 would be adequate and the D90 would be aspirational. When I went to buy I so nearly bought a 450D, as I could buy that and 2 lenses for the price of the D90.

Handling both I just couldnt go for the Canon, it felt light and flimsy and the lens zoomed with a horrible grating feel. Both the Nikons felt so much more solid and good in my hands so the decision was made and I am well pleased. ( I now have a D60 as well as the D90!)

That said I am not thrilled with the plastic mounts on some of the lower range Nikon lens, and I hope Nikon dont let their build quality fall.

At the end of the day its down to your own preference, I am sure my pictures would be just as bad with the Canon as they are with the Nikons!

I also think that 10-12 or so megapixels is plenty for most of us and since I can print uncropped images up to A3 without noticable degredation I do wonder what would now persuade me to change or upgrade my outfit.