Nikon vs Canon

[DavidJP]

I'm in the market for a new SLR Digital Camera and I'm not sure what brand? :thinking:

My 35mm is a Nikon, but I'm a directbuy customer and I can get a better price on a Canon. They don't carry Nikon :dontknow2:

And I was checking out the new Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

David

[Mark Doiron]

Do you already have a Nikon/Nikkor lens collection? If so, I'd say stick with Nikon. I own an old Nikon F, as well as a bunch of Nikkor Lenses, and they're top quality (if dated). Recently, I got into Canon because my camera failed me during a trip and the first town with a Wal-Mart after three days had only a Canon Rebel (non-digital). I ended up with a good collection of Canon lenses, as well. So, now I own two Canon digital cameras (old digital Rebel and an EOS 30D). I love them.

But, if you shoot much indoors I'd recommend against the Canons. I don't know what's up at the Canon engineering facility, but I've used my two extensively, as well as an EOS 20D, and they all suffer from poor exposure settings when indoors. Search on problems with Canon digital cameras flash exposure and you'll find a whole host of people either complaining, or saying that those of us complaining don't know what we're doing. Pictures come out dark and underexposed, sometimes, and shoot the same exact picture, with manual settings, and get a properly exposed or even over-exposed picture the next time. It's the height of frustration, and has caused me to revert to my Canon A95 P&S for much indoor work. BTW: I've also tried three different flashes--220, 420 and 430.

[Rubimon]

My preference would be the canon route. Either one is going to do the job, it really is more about the photographer than the equipment..

Although the rebel is a great entry level SLR, I would pay a few extra bucks and get the 40D. Or, you could buy my 20D(still better than the rebel), and I will go get the 40D.:D

[GreytSilly]

I shoot a Rebel XT and my son shoots a 20D Canon. Both are very nice, the 20D has a bigger LCD panel but both are quite capable. Neither of us has had any indoor exposure problems. He used a Sigma flash and I use a Canon 420EX on mine. I think the lens you put on the camera will have more impact on your opinion more so than what brand you are shooting. If you have Nikon lenses, I would look into whether they will work on the digital body you are considering. If they do, you have a ready made stock of lenses and Nikon makes some excellent glass.

[spencenaz]

I'm in the market for a new SLR Digital Camera and I'm not sure what brand? :thinking:

My 35mm is a Nikon, but I'm a directbuy customer and I can get a better price on a Canon. They don't carry Nikon :dontknow2:

And I was checking out the new Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

David

Man, that's kinda like asking Ford vs. Chevy. You are going to find a lot of stubborn loyalists.

Either brand is going to give you great results or crappy results based on your photographic abilities. I own all Canon personally, but I know lots of folks that own all Nikon. And among pros you'll see lots of both in action. Nikon was king in the pro photography world for a long time. Many would say that they still are. Canon in more recent years has gained a lot of ground on them.

If you have lenses already that will work with a Nikon digital SLR there may be an advantage to going the Nikon route. Good lenses are not cheap. But, if the lenses are not a factor you really can't go wrong in either direction.

[artpics]

Canon.

Ease of operation with menus.
also look at the olympics 85% of the photographers use Canon.

i Use the 1DSMK2

[shon]

Man, that's kinda like asking Ford vs. Chevy. You are going to find a lot of stubborn loyalists.

Either brand is going to give you great results or crappy results based on your photographic abilities.


I second this and will add you should pick lenses you like before you make the camera decision. I use Canon because I really like their 400 5.6L lens. Fantastic for photographing birds in the field. Very sharp, lightweight and extremely fast to focus. Nikon has excellent lenses also. Figure out what you want to photograph, select the best lenses to do it in your price range and pick a camera. A great lens is the Canon 70-200 F4. Yes, there are better lenses out there but for the money it can't be beat. Any of you Nikon folks know of a similar Nikkor lens?

I personally wouldn't even bother with the best camera out there if it had a crappy lens on the front of it. The camera only records what goes through the lens, nothing more. A fuzzy lens will give a fuzzy image no matter how expensive the camera is.

[artpics]

As a side note most Nikon lenses will not work with the latest Nikon digital cameras.

you lose metering
you lose auto focus
you lose a lot of what the latest AF lenses can do.
an old lens on a new body is a waste of time unless you have time ie: the studio and light meters

from my experience Nikon for the studio
Canon for the field.

Enjoy your purchase :D

[Robar]

I recently purchased a Nikon D60. I really like it and it takes much better pics than I can. It is quite easy to use and operate. Here are some pics (Palo Duro Canyon (http://my.project-jk.com/showgallery.php?cat=1351)) I took with it on our first outing with it. All these were taken with a 18-55 mm Nikkor lens. I just got a Nikkor 55-200mm lens, but haven't taken out to do much with it. I can't comment on the Canon, but from everything I have seen, read, and heard it is top of the line and maybe edges out the Nikon by a little.

[DavidJP]

:thinking::thinking:

And I thought picking an SLR Camera was hard...

What about the lens? You can spend major bucks on this part, that leaves less money for the JK :eek2:

I was think of a Macro lens and an affordable telephoto.

David

[Sum_Devl]

If you are looking for some descent glass for a camera, I would recommend checking into Sigma Lenses. I bought my wife 3 of there lenses and she has had no problems from them at all. They make lenses for both Canon and Nikon, you might want to check them out.

[croutt]

I love Nikon. Had a D70, now a D300. Check out dpreview.com

Both brands are good. Look at similar cameras in same price range and decide on which one feels better in your hands, quality, ergonomics, etc. My personal opinion is that Nikon build a more durable camera.

[benmar2000]

Nikon!! Their customer service is just awesome.. I used to have access to a D100 at my old job and that camera was great.. Then it had an issue and they repaired it fast and free.. Even updated the software in the camera.. :D :thumbsup:

[GreytSilly]

Here is another excellent resource for digital camera info and test reviews.

steves-digicams.com

Just stick a www. in the front.

[jmc]

I just got a Canon XSi for my anniversary, last weekend, and haven't used it a whole lot, but have been very satisfied with it so far. I only have used it this past weekend. The pictures I took with it inside came out nice enough for me.

I had a 35 mm Canon SLR with 70-300mm lens already that was too pricey to get rid of. That is why I stuck with Canon and was very satisfied with it. Outdoors I personally thought the 35 mm took better pictures than the P&S digital camera, also a Canon 8 megapixels, on the automatic shoot.

[pastorsteve]

I was a photographer for years for most major magazines and national news services. While both will certianly do the job, Canon has dominated and led in autofocus glass since the late 80s.

www.stevecrainphotography.com you can see Canon quality. You can't go wrong with the Digital Rebels. Happy shooting.

[amff27]

I shoot canon xti had several lenses that work perfectly. I like the eas of use and the many different settings. Though I did have to buy the dvd to see how to use alot of it.

[scouter4life]

Talk about your debate! If you are truly not a one or the other person and willing to shop around, then go to a store, handle both, compare prices of lenses and features, then make a decision. Most people will find thay are more comfortable with one over another. Also make sure you can return it if you find once you are using it in actual situations that you don't like it. Also buy to just above your ability/skill. What I mean by that is if you are an expierienced amatueur, don't get the D80, spend some more for a D300, you'll like the added features and control better.

Also, someone stated that you can't use old Nikon lenses on the Digitals. I'll have to disagree with that, though you may loose some funtionality depending on the age of the lens, all F mount lenses will fit and can be used in manual mode at the least, so lenses going back to the 60's will still work. I personally use a 300mm that came out in '94 and it works perfectly with both my bodies. Try using a lens from a Canon that is from 10-15 years or older and it will not even attach as they have changed mounts. Not saying this is bad, but let's present both sides please.

I learned to shoot on a Canon AE1 and used that for about 12 years. I now shoot with Nikon (D200 & D70s, soon to get a D300 or D700) as I personally prefer the layout and ease of use better than the Canons. That's my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

[Ewok]

Well my parents own a Newspaper and they prefer Nikon's but Lenses are expensive.....

[scouter4life]

Well my parents own a Newspaper and they prefer Nikon's but Lenses are expensive.....
Quality lenses for any brand are expensive. I only buy lenses with F2.8 or faster now so just about any new lense I'm looking at is over $1000. That goes true for all brands unfortunately, but I have found you do get what you pay for.