How many have switched brands?

Mart61

Mart61

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Martin
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Hi guys

Just wondering how many of you have switched brands totally, especially those of you that have some decent glass?

I often find myself wondering if there's anything to be gained from it. I have the kit listed in my signature but often find myself wondering if I should sell up and switch to Canon.

Be good to hear from any of you that have. Is the grass any greener having made the change?
 
I moved from Canon to Fuji. Completely sold up the Canon gear, except for the last couple of lenses still to find buyers and a shoebox of accessories. After almost 5 years with the same body I knew what I wanted from a change and spent several months researching what was offered by three different manufacturers.

But never move *from* a system, always move *to* a system - i.e. don't just give up on System 1 because you're bored, move to System 2 because you're excited by it.

And that applies to a new body/lens in your current system as well as a complete change of system. If you change just because you're bored you'll just end up bored with a new toy and a lighter wallet.
 
Prior to "going digital" I had a couple of Nikon FE's and a bucket full of prime lenses, all manual focus.
When I decided that it was time to change I sold the lot and bought a Nikon D70. The reason being that it was available in black and the Cannon equivalent wasn't.
Had it been the other way around I'd now be a Cannon owner.
 
Bought a refurb Fuji XE1 and 18-55mm to give it a try, made me realise just how big and weighty my 5D mkii with lenses were.

No brainer I believe is the popular term, got a XT1 now and find myself taking the camera out and about much more, picture quality is excellent too
 
I think generally speaking the differences in image quality between different brands of camera body is a lot less than the difference in IQ you'd get by getting a much better lens for the camera you have. The reviewers seem fairly unanimous in thinking that Canon's image sensors are now the worst, and Nikon's among the best so it doesn't seem a good time to switch to Canon. But maybe it's not image quality you're interested in, but some special feature your current brand lacks?
​
 
Gone from Nikon to Sony. It started with a Nex3n which made me realise how much weight and size my D7000 and its lenses was - even tho I just used a 'kit' lens mostly. Recently sold all my Nikon kit to buy a Sony A6000 which I think is awesomely fantastic :)

Edit: typos
 
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chris malcolm said:
I think generally speaking the differences in image quality between different brands of camera body is a lot less than the difference in IQ you'd get by getting a much better lens for the camera you have. The reviewers seem fairly unanimous in thinking that Canon's image sensors are now the worst, and Nikon's among the best so it doesn't seem a good time to switch to Canon. But maybe it's not image quality you're interested in, but some special feature your current brand lacks?
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"Canon among the worst"? I don't think you'd find many 5d3 or 6d owners agreeing there :)
 
Switched loads of times between brands and systems, bit of fun.
 
was tempted to switch to nikon a few years ago after too much canon focusing pain, but glad i didn't as the 5d3 fixed that, and i don't have to faff about with new lenses
 
Went 1/2 way but have decided that I'll keep running 2 systems side by side, with each having a part to play in my hobby. The Fuji kit is ideal for holidays where weight is an issue (hand baggage allowances aren't always that generous!) and the Nikon kit when I'm allowed more weight and may want/need more width.
 
I have never been a one manufacturer Follower.
I have always bought what I needed at the time who ever the maker was.
Since I went Digital I have bought Minolta, Olympus, Canon, Fuji.
 
Switched from Nikon to Canon 18 months ago... never looked back.
 
Must have tried most things over the years; Pentax, Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Bronica but having acquired a Nikon a quarter of a century ago, I wouldn't now change; because the kit I have suits my needs and is amongst the best in their range, together with moving up from one camera to the next has benefits in design similarities.

I miss the larger format for many things, but the quality of the DSLRs now matches most Med Format cameras, and I am not shooting the cover of Vogue!
 
As already pointed out, one should have a reason to switch which is positive, rather than boredom. Sensor quality could be a good reason, especially if you find yourself frequently unhappy with results that you are sure would have been better with a better sensor, or there may be a particular function only available from one make that would transform your success rate, or as some have found, lower weight makes all the difference. There may also be a very specific lens requirement that one or other maker doesn't offer that's essential to what you want to do. Outside of that, it's hard to see why one would wish to go through the expense & hassle of re-equipping/re-learning.
 
Before going digital, I was 100% Nikon. Going Digital I was still 100% Nikon.

Now I have upgraded back to film, I have at least a dozen different makes.

I can't believe that it really makes that much difference.


Steve.
 
As Nod above, I have multiple systems, each for different purposes

Fuji X systems, my goto camera's for most applications, holidays, etc
Fuji XF1 for a pocket camera
Nikon J1 System converted to IR
Canon 6D for for FF goodness

Yes I have some overlap, but these days I'm a lot more considered about my purchases, one thing I hate is large heavy gear, so all my systems are pretty lightweight, even the Canon 6D, for which I only have 24mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8 and an old 28-80mm Zoom for.
 
First got into digital with an Olympus e410, a beginners camera but a great starter. I was looking at upgrading the lens and body for fast focusing and better ISO performance and it looked like Olympus were pulling out of the bodies/market so I looked at nikon and canon. Nikon felt better in the hand and having a few friends using nikon swayed the decision. Would I change from nikon to canon now?NO there is no point, camera bodies have a shelf life of a 1-2 years before a new model comes out. Good glass is a far better investment and that's what makes the difference. Most manufacturers have roughly the same lenses available so I can't see a benefit changing.
 
chris malcolm said:
. The reviewers seem fairly unanimous in thinking that Canon's image sensors are now the worse​
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odd jim said:
"Canon among the worst"? I don't think you'd find many 5d3 or 6d owners agreeing there :)
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Pitch-forks and flaming torches at the ready guys :D

TBH I can't see any point in swapping myself,
just taking the "normal" Canon v Nikon, they both have their good points and bad points.
Besides it took me long enough to get to grips with Canon.
And I have too much money invested in it to "swap out" :D
 
Thanks for the input guys. I think I agree that switching should be for a reason rather than on a whim. I've been Nikon since 1978. I was also Windows from 1988 until 2014 when I switched to OSX.

Just wondered if I ought to consider switching to Canon. Nikon seem to have had a few "gremlins" of late. Has Canon?
 
Why do you really want to switch?

What would you gain?
 
Mr Perceptive said:
As Nod above, I have multiple systems, each for different purposes

Fuji X systems, my goto camera's for most applications, holidays, etc
Fuji XF1 for a pocket camera
Nikon J1 System converted to IR
Canon 6D for for FF goodness

Yes I have some overlap, but these days I'm a lot more considered about my purchases, one thing I hate is large heavy gear, so all my systems are pretty lightweight, even the Canon 6D, for which I only have 24mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8 and an old 28-80mm Zoom for.
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Who did your J1 IR conversion? I have a V1 that's semi redundant that I would consider having converted if it's not too expensive to have done (or is an easy DIY job!)
 
i switched from Nikon to Olympus in December. The good old " too heavy" excuse. Definitely made the right decision as now I have more keepers of the kids ( the nikon and 85 1.8 used to miss focus at times whereas the Olympus never misses ) and my kit back is a third of the size. Constantly amazed by the e-m10's image quality
 
Nod said:
Who did your J1 IR conversion? I have a V1 that's semi redundant that I would consider having converted if it's not too expensive to have done (or is an easy DIY job!)
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I bought it pre-converted, with 10mm and 10-30mm lenses, it came from Infraready who trades via ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/infraready/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=10&_rdc=1 the whole lot including lenses cost less than getting one of my Fuji's converted. It's actually a full spectrum camera, so I just put on whatever filter I choose.

The guy who owns the company is very helpful.

Pictures from my camera here https://www.flickr.com/photos/89667368@N05/sets/72157646288552867/
 
odd jim said:
Why do you really want to switch?

What would you gain?
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A change is as good as a rest? No real reason other than I can I guess.

stumeech said:
To offer a line another line of thinking to you, have these 'gremlins' affected your kit or shooting at all?
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Truth is no it hasn't. I guess I've got a bit of a bee in my bonnet about a change from my D300.
 
Mart61 said:
Truth is no it hasn't. I guess I've got a bit of a bee in my bonnet about a change from my D300.
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Then I don't see the point in a system change :-) I do know how you feel, I have a D300s and wanted to upgrade, I picked the D610 which was the wrong choice in hindsight so I'll trade it for a D750 once the retail chain has cleared up a bit. I do wish there was a 24mpx D810 mind, having said that I haven't been put off by the D610/750 style body and button operation etc.
 
It's a b****r eh, having the itch to change? I may wait for the issues on the D750 to resolve or maybe even wait for the 750s or whatever to be released.
 
sunnyside_up said:
I think the world is being taken over by Fuji's! lol!
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The UK at least. Fuji is probably the only manufacturer where the best deals are to be found in the UK. The refurb shop has certainly been getting a lot of business out of this forum!
 
Mart61 said:
A change is as good as a rest? ****No real reason other than I can I guess. ****



Truth is no it hasn't. I guess I've got a bit of a bee in my bonnet about a change from my D300.
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I wouldn't waste your money changing then!
 
I had a Fuji XPro-1 as a second camera to my Nikon D7000 & Lenses. The Fuji just got used all the time as it was smaller, lighter and I think took better pictures. I sold off the Nikon gear and brought the Fuji X-T1 which is just stunning. Sharp, easy to use, fantastic pictures and I take it everywhere. So, complete but gradual switch from Nikon to Fuji.
I did worry about selling my DSLR in case I regretted it, but the X-T1 has not let me down.
 
I recently moved from Canon to Nikon. There's no getting away from the fact the bodies are better in regards to dynamic range and certainly the autofocus of the D750 I have moved to is superior to the options from Canon at present. In the process I have lost a 70-200 for now but more than happy with the body.

My main reasoning long term, is the fact that like-for-like bodies are significantly cheaper with Nikon. The 5D3 just didn't look an upgrade for me at £2k+, the D750 at £500 less (actually £800 on a grey copy) was a no brainer and represented the upgrade I was looking for. I have a couple of lenses this year I would like to add but next year I would like a back up body and looking at the D7100 at £550 for a grey copy against a 7D2 at an extra grand I think will more than justify my decision long term. There is a premium to pay for Canon and whilst that may have been warranted many years ago, there's just as good systems from others today for less money. The only steal they possibly have is their extended range of lenses in certain areas.
 
I bought 3 sigma dp cameras, but kept my a77 too
Buy a sigma, there a great second camera
 
Just under a year ago I switched from owning a D800 & Zeiss 21mm prime and Nikkor 50mm lens to a Fuji X-Pro 1 system with a few Fuji XF primes, haven't looked back since.
 
I've switched from Cano (although still have most of my kit) to the OM-D m4/3. Find it easier to take away on planes, trips in the Lakes & for sStreet get better opportunities with the smaller camera
 
Done a fair bit of brand switching over the last 10 years but primarily Nikon:

Nikon D70s (2006-2008)
Holga 120FN (2008-2010)
Nikon D700 (2010-2012)
Nikon FM2 (2012-2013)
Ricoh GR (2013-2014)
Nikon D610 (2014)
Leica M8 (2014-2015)
 
My first 35mm SLR was a Nikon and I used it and one f4 lens for years. I bought it after trying several DLSR's in Jessops and deciding that I liked the Nikon best, I can't remember what the DSLR choices were at the time. I resisted going digital but eventually I did with a Canon 300D. I switched to Canon because everyone said that Canon were better and they probable were at that time. I briefly had a 10D and used a 20D for over 7 years and ended up with a 5D and some nice lenses.

I eventually decided that a DSLR and lens were too big and obtrusive and bought into MFT and when Sony brought out the A7 I went for that and now have MFT and A7 and all my Canon kit has gone.

Martin, I see that you shoot Nikon and are thinking about shifting to Canon. I think that if I was buying a DSLR these days it'd be a Nikon as arguably they have a clear lead these days just as Canon did in the early days so in your place and if sticking with DSLR's I'd go for another Nikon.
 
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