Thinking about switching from Canon to Nikon...

Sony Andy

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I've been thinking about maybe swapping over from Canon to Nikon, but I don't really know that much about Nikon, although when I was in Jessops yesterday, the Nikon's feel alot more comfortable and easier to use, and i've also heard good things about Nikon's performance.

I currently have a Canon 30D and 50mm 1.8 (just sold my 28-105mm), and would like to know what Nikon camera would should I be looking at in the same sort of price range, maybe a little bit more.

How much would I be able to sell my body and lens for, and which Nikon would be the best camera possible, bearing in mind I don't mind buying second hand.

This is by no means a definite choice, but I would just like opinions.

Thanks, Andy :)
 
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Hi Andy,
Firstly why do you wish to change brands?
I just changed as the D700 was a far better camera than the 5D MKII and i wanted full frame.
I would say a D90 would probably be a good camera to start with or if you want to go that bit higher the D300 or D300s.
Liam
 
Andy, might help if you tell us why you're thinking of switching. The 30D is a pretty capable camera, the 50mm 1.8 produces good sharp images.
You don't mention budget ?
Those of us that have made the switch generally did so for a particular reason. Low light performance, handling,...and for the majority of us it was an expensive exercise.
Not something to embark upon without careful thought.
 
Sorry, i should have included that, i'll include it in the OP.
 
Sony, Canon, Nikon where next Leica? It may help knowing your ability and where you are now with your photography and where you wish to go? hobby or pro? I was lucky and chose was steered towards Nikon from the start :exit:
 
Have you considered Canon 1-series before you swap? Some of the older models are very affordable now. 1-series are top cameras despite the age. Canon does have more affordable glass than Nikon in quite a few cases. If you do just landscapes, 5D is The one to get.

From Nikon world I look for the new D7000 or all the way to D700. Buying Nikon is like opening another worm of cans though. They are not all perfect, just because they are not Canon.
 
Have you considered Canon 1-series before you swap? Some of the older models are very affordable now. 1-series are top cameras despite the age. Canon does have more affordable glass than Nikon in quite a few cases. If you do just landscapes, 5D is The one to get.

From Nikon world I look for the new D7000 or all the way to D700. Buying Nikon is like opening another worm of cans though. They are not all perfect, just because they are not Canon.

Exactly what I was going to say :thumbs:
I've had my fair share of bodies (40D, 1D MKII and now 5D) and I have to say they are bang on camera's.
Also it is absolutely true that different camera's have different good and bad points.
IE the 1D MKII auto focus is nothing short of a miracle. Lightning fast and really locks on to it's subject. You also have MANY more AF points (not always a good thing however.....)
5D image quality is seriously breath taking. I'm still in awe of this body. But the AF isn't a patch on the 1D.

Hence why it's quite important that you tell people what you most shoot. They will all do most subjects pretty well, but you wouldn't want a 5D for example if you were doing mostly sports/fast moving stuff.

I've also changed brands a few times, for no other reason that I think it's fun :nuts:
I like trying new stuff. For me it's part of the hobby.
I've got a lovely setup at the moment, but being honest, I'd change brands again today if I really felt like it!
 
Well, the bright news is you haven't much Canon kit, however I'm a little confused by you want to swap brands but you haven't researched it and know little about Nikon.

A 30D depending on condition is what £250-300 and the nifty fifty goes for about £50 second hand.

You probably need to say what you shoot as different cameras suit different needs.
 
I'm in a similar boat, I'm tempted to move over to Nikon too. Currently have a gripped 5dMKII, 17-40, 24-70, 70-200 f4, 50mm 1.8 and a 15mm fisheye.

I need to find something similar, preferably FF.

It's quite a scary thought, done lots of reading and all I need to do now is try! So finding people local to me with Nikons and a wide range of lenses is going to be a difficult task!!

Good luck in your hunt!
 
Thanks everyone, and as someone asked, this is purely a hobby, and I am no where near good enough to go pro haha
Thanks for the advice, i've been thinking about it and i think i might just stick with Canon and look into a different body.

Thanks again everyone :)
 
Look at the D2x Andy. Fantastic camera and about £700 second hand

Yep, great camera - I have two - for the money; pro build quality, good IQ, great handling. I love them and would happily have another.

But like mentioned elsewhere, you can get a 1Ds (11.1mp full frame) or a 1D Mk2 for similar money and still keep your existing lens. Might be worth a look?
 
Yeah i've just been having a little look around, but as a student with only a part time job, with a large chunk of my wages going on car insurance, money is a bit of a problem haha
 
you could consider a D40. One of the things I find really attractive about that camera is its ability for 1/500 flash sync. It's a very small and compact body and they go for a song these days.

IMO, entry level Nikons are far better built than entry level Canons - when I owned the 450D, I was awestruck by how much more solid and better built a D60 felt -but they're supposed to be the same class of camera! It seems to much the same for the entire Nikon entry level range as well. really well built.
 
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Hi Andy,
Firstly why do you wish to change brands?
I just changed as the D700 was a far better camera than the 5D MKII and i wanted full frame.
I would say a D90 would probably be a good camera to start with or if you want to go that bit higher the D300 or D300s.
Liam

the 5D MKII is full frame isn't it?
 
the 5D MKII is full frame isn't it?

Yes, it is. I think he meant to say that he wants to keep using full-frame, but in a Nikon body, maybe to get a better AF system.
 
...I currently have a Canon 30D and 50mm 1.8
Surely take some time to try out your lens on both newer entry-level Canons and a 1-series : they're sure to be quite different to your current 30D and it'll help you make up your mind. Someone local may have a 1 you could try.
I'm assuming you like to take most shots with your 50mm, right?
 
I'm in a similar boat, I'm tempted to move over to Nikon too. Currently have a gripped 5dMKII, 17-40, 24-70, 70-200 f4, 50mm 1.8 and a 15mm fisheye.

I need to find something similar, preferably FF.

It's quite a scary thought, done lots of reading and all I need to do now is try! So finding people local to me with Nikons and a wide range of lenses is going to be a difficult task!!

Good luck in your hunt!

Interesting and surprising as the 5D mk2 is considered a good camera . What do you think a Nikon would do better?
 
I think Canon are great cameras I had the 300D then a 30D and two %50D's now I have two 7D's as for how good Canon is here is a hand held shot 100% crop at 12800 ISO yes you read that right and I have not used any noise programs just shoot in RAW can then ACR to photoshop to crop and save as JPG.
5011775327_c163167075_o.jpg
 
It isn't anything special though really. Nikon is way ahead in the ISO game just now. D3s, Phwoar.
 
I think Canon are great cameras I had the 300D then a 30D and two %50D's now I have two 7D's as for how good Canon is here is a hand held shot 100% crop at 12800 ISO yes you read that right and I have not used any noise programs just shoot in RAW can then ACR to photoshop to crop and save as JPG.
5011775327_c163167075_o.jpg

What is so spectacular? So much noise is clearly very spectacular. Perhaps that's why there are things like a flashguns and fast prime lenses.

-------

Perhaps 5D doesn't have the best AF, and 1D is not full frame... There are 1Ds series too, full frame with excellent AF. It only can't shoot 10fps, but in reality it doesn't really need to.
 
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I think some people get too hung up over the name that is stamped on their camera rather than the camera itself.

To the OP I would suggest sitting down and seriously looking at what subjects you want to photograph, where you want your photography to go and what you want to achieve from your hobby, and then pick the best camera you can afford that meets those requirements, irrespective of the name it is carrying.

This may be a simplistic view, and I know it's not so easy in the real world. I guess what I am trying to say is try concentrating on the specs of the camera you ideally want, and not the maker.
 
It isn't anything special though really. Nikon is way ahead in the ISO game just now. D3s, Phwoar.
But then it should be with pixels that are the size of barges....
 
do it do it do it do it ... no more to add
 
Strangely enough I'm thinking of buying a 5DMk11 for the resolution compared to my Nikon (D200 which is an excellent camera by the way). Can you explain what you don't like about it.

pete
 
I've been thinking about maybe swapping over from Canon to Nikon, but I don't really know that much about Nikon, although when I was in Jessops yesterday, the Nikon's feel alot more comfortable

and that is the point right there. There is no point whatsoever trying to recommend the guy gets a different Canon camera, it doesn't matter how good or bad Canon is if its not ergonomically comfortable for the guy then buying another Canon isn't the answer.
I had a 40D many moons ago and it was an amazing camera, couldn't fault its performance and it produced stunning images - and yet I just couldn't get along with the handling, to me the button layouts were wrong, the menu system confusing but most importantly it was awkward to hold for me.
Now a D90 owner and whether it produces better images or not is neither here nor there, but it feels perfectly at home in my small hands and I love the way the buttons are laid out.
It's horses for courses and other people will love the feel of a Canon and despise a Nikon - the OP says he feels alot more comfortable holding a Nikon so surely trying to persuede him on another Canon is just silly :shrug:

Anyway, you won't go wrong with a D90 my friend, or a second hand D300
 
Thanks everyone, and as someone asked, this is purely a hobby, and I am no where near good enough to go pro haha
Thanks for the advice, i've been thinking about it and i think i might just stick with Canon and look into a different body.

Thanks again everyone :)

Very sensible post. Loads of people on here will help spend a lot of your money for you........:D.......Get the best out of what you have, learn how to use what you have properly and THEN when it starts to hold you back,look into different gear.

Nikon MAY have the edge over Canon at the moment, but I guess that will change sooner or later. Unless your photography pays the bills or you have plenty of spare cash I would stick with the system you have.
 
Buy some decent glass and unlock the potential of what you already have

Chaz that photos crap - a big blown area in the middle of a load of chroma noise :thumbs: if you must insist on posting images try some relevant images that people can relate to - like indoor pub / club type shots
 
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