Do you ever think you made the wrong decision?

My first "proper" P&S was a Canon - a SureShot Zoom XL - and I loved it to bits. It was my 18th birthday pressie from my Mum & Dad and when we went to the shop to buy it I handled probably 10 or so other cameras under the watchful eye of the chap in the camera shop before settling for that one for no other reason thanm it fitted in my hand, felt super-comfortable to use, and everything was in the right place to make it easy to handle. Although I've since handled Nikon, Minolta etc SLR's and DSLR's, I've never found another make which feels quite as comfortable and intuitive, so when I was looking for a 35mm SLR I instinctively went for a Canon. From there it was a choice borne out of logic - at the time I was umming and ahhing about either an upgrade to the film body or taking the plunge into Digital, my photographer friend from the speedway was just looking to sell his D30 and having used it at one speedway meeting I loved it and handed the cash over straight away! Of course now I've got the investment in lenses etc to think of as well, but in all honesty no, I have no regrets at all!
 
One thing is the cost of moving from one brand to another. The other is the second cost of moving back if you're not happy.

If you're happy, stay put. If not, defect.
 
This is going to sound stupid.

Since purchasing my 350d about 2 and a bit years ago now I have ONLY been impressed with Canon. I now rate them higher than any other electronics manufacturer and have since bought printers and other camera's (for relatives) from them. I think I must be a 'fanboy' but honestly, I don't care.
 
No.

And it doesn't matter what camera you use. They're all pretty much equal.

The only decent thing ken rockwell ever said is that it doesn't matter what camera you use. You're better off being out there taking photo's and improving your technique rather than sitting at home looking at pixels on a computer screen wondering whch camera is going to make you a better photogrpaher

I only went nikon cos I could get a cheap one off a mate secondhand.
 
Gandhi said:
No.

And it doesn't matter what camera you use. They're all pretty much equal.

The only decent thing ken rockwell ever said is that it doesn't matter what camera you use. You're better off being out there taking photo's and improving your technique rather than sitting at home looking at pixels on a computer screen wondering whch camera is going to make you a better photogrpaher

I only went nikon cos I could get a cheap one off a mate secondhand.
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Each to their own mate.
While some people think that the time is better spent out there refining their technique, and prefer the practical aspects, I enjoy the non-practical aspects of photography just as much.
Its very much like a car enthusiast talking stats and figures, compared to someone like Jeremy Clarkson who would rather blat a car down a road.

I'm not saying that I don't use my camera. I love taking pictures, and I spend half of my photography dedicated time taking pictures.
the other half I spend looking at various bits of kit, reading snippets of info, looking at other people's pictures, re-editing mine.
As I said, each to their own.
 
"A lot of the time, the photos I get just aren't what I want, and I know that it is down to my skill to control the camera and skill to compose the shot (not lacking in the artistic eye, I don't think!".
I think you just said it all and if I could have put it better I would have. Regards Jim
 
foodpoison said:
Its very much like a car enthusiast talking stats and figures, compared to someone like Jeremy Clarkson who would rather blat a car down a road.
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I wouldn't say "blat." That implies that he's simply flooring it, shouting "Power!!!" and driving like an 18yr old in a Corsa. He loves to drive cars in the same way I love to take photos. Of course some kit is nice, though I don't think I've seen a nice looking camera since everything went plasticy digital. I know all I need to know about my gear to let me get the shots I want. It could be made from genuine fraggle fur but I wouldn't care if I got a good shot. I still don't understand apertures :D Wide open, higher number is lower aperture or something. Its all about capturing that stunning light.
 
Ohhh hell......
Look its another have I made the right choice.....or in other words Canon V Nikon V Pentax V Olympus....etc

Well At some point I have had them all..... Olympus OM1, Pentax Super A... Nikon f3 Canon eos 1... Minolta 800si.. all with lenses etc...

But I went the Canon route for DSLR.... why...... because bang for Buck at the time...(400d) I felt it was the right way to go.....


Its a bloody tool for taking pictures.... use what ya got..... its good enough.....

dont get hung up on it......

The tools dont make you a better tog......

there.... rant over.....

Dave.

PS still have the Oly and Pentax......(love emm and couldnt part with them......ever)
 
petemc said:
It could be made from genuine fraggle fur
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I can't see fraggle being happy with that:eek:

"Do I ever think I made the wrong choice" Nope!........but if I'd gone for a Nikon I suspect my answer could well be different:lol:



:popcorn:
 
the other half I spend looking at various bits of kit, reading snippets of info, looking at other people's pictures, re-editing mine.
As I said, each to their own.
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Well you see, to me that's not photography, any more than talking about cars is driving. It's all good of course but they're just different things.

Photography is making images with cameras. That's it. :D
 
petemc said:
I wouldn't say "blat." That implies that he's simply flooring it, shouting "Power!!!" and driving like an 18yr old in a Corsa. He loves to drive cars in the same way I love to take photos. Of course some kit is nice, though I don't think I've seen a nice looking camera since everything went plasticy digital. I know all I need to know about my gear to let me get the shots I want. It could be made from genuine fraggle fur but I wouldn't care if I got a good shot. I still don't understand apertures :D Wide open, higher number is lower aperture or something. Its all about capturing that stunning light.
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But you understood what I meant :p
I barely understand anything to do with camera settings, and I discovered a whole menu system of features on my camera last night that I had a good old play with :p

I love going out to take photos, because when I'm not with my camera, I see so many things that I think "Damn, I wish I had my camera, thats stunning"
And then when I've got my camera, I'm like "Wow, thats stunning" *flick, press, click*

I see your pictures, and through your years of experience, you have collected an absolutely incredible series of photos. I have barely begun my photographic journey (sorry to be so cliched, didn't know how to put it!) and I know the only way forward is to practice!
 
i think its got to be remembered that its the person behind the camera that is more important than the brand.
It has already been said so many times that the grass is always greener........... its true, we all for the most part want what we dont have.....
I use canon, could easily have been nikon, pentax, Oly,......... Fuji if they had had an entry level DSLR cos i have went thru 5 fuji cameras before going to canon.
There was many things to consider but the one that i think swung it more was lenses. Not that I have any but when funds allow i thinkL series lenses are just the dogs ********!

Fi
 
Dont beat yourself up, i only ever considered cannon and nikon and although there seamed a lot more cannon around and even the dedicated mag coming out for me it was nikon and even though im starting out ill stick to nikon my friend went the cannon route and i have no problem with cannon as many have mentioned its your lenses and user that make the big difference enjoy what you have.
All the best
 
CT said:
Well I used Nikons for years and made the swap to Canon when I went digital, for no other reason than I fancied a change and got rid of a big lens commitment when I sold my film gear. I've never regretted the change. The truth is whichever one suits you best is the one to go for, but beyond that, worrying about the differences between these two marques really shows you're thinking on the wrong tack anyway.

IMHO of course. :D
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Exactly what I was going to say, only I went the other way, shot Canon film, then swapped to Nikon when I went digital. And that was only really a sensible option as my lenses wouldn't fit the new Canon cameras, so I was having to sell the lot anyway.

Pete
 
I use a Canon 30D for work and own a Nikon D200 for personal.

The Canon is good – no doubt about that – but after just a week of owning the Nikon I'm well and truly sold on Nikons.

Yes, it's a totally different layout and when using the D200 I'm still reaching for buttons that are second nature on my Canon. But what I've shot so far is better in quality-terms than the 30D and the fact that the matrix metering is more reliable and the levels of noise at high ISO is suremely better, makes me think that I've wasted time on Canons for too long.

Still, a great camera in the hands of a crap photographer doesn't mean anything - the camera is a tool at the end of the day.
 
IMHO Its what suits you best, I believe that for some things the nikons do a better job and for somthings the canons do a better job, as for me the canons do the job I want :D

Got to admit I rekon the D3 will steal some of the canon market, I heard a poll that 86% of pros were using canon systems against nikon systems? :eek: I knew that the 1D IIN was the choice for many pros but by that margin? :thinking: Anyway I rekon the D3 will defentley steal some of that % back.
 
nope never regretted my canon powershot a75 of mighty 3mp powa!!.It has alot of features for just a point and shoot alot of manual settings you don't get on other ones im glad I chose it.So choosing a 400d for an upgrade just made sence to me and I haven't regretted it one bit.
 
NEVER ... :nono: ... I have been a Darksider for more years than I care to remember ... :suspect: ... and hand on heart that is what I will remain until I depart this place ... :D



Regrets ... :thinking: ... only that every single one of my Darkside cameras has been much cleverer than I could ever hope to be in 'tog terms ... :'( ... they still are and I am not and so it goes ... ;)


:thinking: ... :nikon: ... Always ... :p
 
I bought Canon for two reasons.
One, they fit my hand better than the nikon that was available (at the time.)
Two, they had more choice when it came down to expansion (at the time)

All we can do is look for what suits us at the time of buying.

I'm working with a mamiya 645 with B&W at the moment. It has none of the fancy electronics that my canons have (20D and 5D) but I'm hoping it will actually improve my photography because I have to do so much more myself. As previously mentioned, the latest and greatest gear does not make anyone a good photographer. A lot of the iconic images of the last 100 years have been captured without the kind of equipment we have available now. Give a certain Mr Bailey ,Mr Donovan or Man Ray a 35mm film camera and try to compete with them?
 
I don't, I'm overjoyed with my choice and fully plan to remain a Nikon user :)
 
Some time yes and sometimes no. I'm a Nikon user now although shot film with Canon EOS. I changed because I could - all my old lenses were mouldy and the bodies were in need of serious TLC so in effect I had nothing, so I got the camera that met all my requirements, I liked the feel of and fell in my budget and that just happend to be a Nikon.

A mate shoots Canon and sometimes I wonder if I had gone Canon whether the opportunity of sharing kit would be there. However, as it appears that I am the one with the larger kit at the moment it would be him borrowing mine :lol: Also I occasionally look at the 5D and think full frame at at reasonable cost would be nice but then I keep telling myself that Nikon will someday do one, and actually I should think about getting my lenses upgraded (although I'm now well on the way :D)

The other thing that I keep saying to myself when I get the doubts about choosing Nikon is that because of this choice I actually have a choice of bodies (or digital film if you prefer) to go for - Fuji after all uses the Nikon mount. You can't really say that with the Canon system.

However, at the end of the day I honestly don't think it really matters what you choose provided you get the results and to that end I am perfectly happy.
 
The reason I bought Canon now seem silly.

I was studying Architecture at the time and I wanted a lens that could to Tilt/Shift for buildings. Nikon only do Tilt but not Shift so I went with Canon. Except I never could afford a T/S lens and still dont have one. :p

Not regretted my descision thou, I love my gear and the controls are second nature to me.
 
Both Canon and Nikon produce great cameras and we as photographers have choice, and now competition, like never before. Personally I don't believe switching from one brand to another will actually help someones photography skills.

My advice would be choose a system based on ergonomics, how the camera feels in your hand, then invest in some quality lenses and keep building. :)
 
Started with Canon, stuck with it. Having a nice 70-210mm usm lens also helped my decision. I've worked professionally with Nikon which I also got on fine with. I sometimes think Nikon is better made than some Canon, 40D though is solid and fine for me!
 
foodpoison said:
Do you ever think you made the wrong decision about which camera brand you side yourself on?
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In 1995 I bought a Minolta Dynax 700si, I bought a load of lenses for it from fisheye to 400mm, when digital came out I waited and waited then gave up, minolta were years behind the others bringing out a digital SLR and when they did it was twice the price of a nikon D70.

I gave up, sold all my lenses for buttons on ebay and went with nikon, mind you I didn't do as bad as a guy I knew who had 10k worth of mamiya gear, he felt like cutting his wrists, in the pro market it's keep up or die
 
I was saving up for a samsung GX10, but because I am a very much I cant wait type of person. I ended up getting the Olympus E410 cos I had the money. Now dont get me wrong the quality of the pics I get are great, and the size of the camera (worlds smallest dslr) is fantastic for out and about, however the lack of lenses at a good price is a bummer
 
pusstulance said:
I was saving up for a samsung GX10, but because I am a very much I cant wait type of person. I ended up getting the Olympus E410 cos I had the money. Now dont get me wrong the quality of the pics I get are great, and the size of the camera (worlds smallest dslr) is fantastic for out and about, however the lack of lenses at a good price is a bummer
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that's what put me off the olympus, with nikon pretty much all their old lenses will work, with olympus DSLR even the OM lenses won't fit
 
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