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Nikon or Canon ?

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astigmate said:
Hi all

I'm currently using a Pentax K10D and I plan to switch soon but
haven't decided between Canon or Nikon. I would have your opinions
regarding the advantages of Nikon compared to canon (things that
doesn't necessarily appear in reviews, things you've discovered
through daily use or eventualy some flaws / technical issues). I'm
looking to the soon to be announced D90 and the D300.

I could now invest in better quality lens, and because of that, I
want to buy FF capable stuff to later invest in a FF body. Canon and
Nikon have them, but not Pentax. Worse, they develope APS-C only lens
forcing people to be stuck with aps-c format. There are many others
things not on par with C or N but it's really not the place.

So, I'm waiting for your input.

-----------------
Posted in Canon forum as well
Click to expand...
I am sure the Canon 40D is a good product at a good price.
I wrote about my views of the D300 here:
http://bonusphotography.wordpress.com/hands-on-nikkor-18-200vr/nikon-d300/

I read in another post that you were intersted in the tele lenses. One excellent solution IMO that only Nikon has is the combo of the 70-200VR and the TC17 converter.

--
http://bonusphotography.wordpress.com/

 
Coming from Pentax, which way does everything rotate (dials, focus, etc.)?

Tthe dials and focusing ring turn in opposing directions on Nikons and Canons (e.g., one focuses clockwise, the other counterclockwise) Is this going to mess you up switch from Pentax to a camera where everything is "backwards"? Just a thought.
 
If you go look at all the test comparison on this site by Phil and Co., you'll see that right out of the camera, Canon jpeg will almost always have better details and less noise than Nikon. In other words, Canon has better in-camera algorithm for jpeg - others may disagree, however.

If you shoot raw and convert, it depends.

I like the optics of Nikon lenses over Canons. Perhaps carryover from film days....
 
mgonda said:
If you go look at all the test comparison on this site by Phil and
Co., you'll see that right out of the camera, Canon jpeg will almost
always have better details and less noise than Nikon. In other words,
Canon has better in-camera algorithm for jpeg - others may disagree,
however.
Click to expand...
Just sharpen a little more in PP - as for the noise - I dont agree - D300 is as good as any other APS-C in jpeg.
mgonda said:
If you shoot raw and convert, it depends.

I like the optics of Nikon lenses over Canons. Perhaps carryover
from film days....
Click to expand...
--
http://bonusphotography.wordpress.com/

 
Good answer but most full service stores are gone and you are left with "clerks" who usually know very little about their wares, but in that same vein I would look at all the reviews you can find and also call the B&H's, KEH, Adorama, etc. and put the question to them. Ask for someone that "knows something" ;-) and you'll usually get someone that does---ron s.
JeffCole said:
Your gonna get biased answers in this forum. Best thing to do is go
to a camera store and take a look at both systems to see what you
like best.
--
Jeff
http://www.jeffcole.smugmug.com
Click to expand...
--
Keeping it sane in an insane world is an inconvenience at an inconvenient time!!
http://www.pbase.com/ron9ron
 
Astigmate:

If flash/speedlight system is a factor in your decision, I understand that Nikon wins this one easily. I haven't seen Canon's system (580EXII etc) but for my indoor portraits I started out with a Nikon SB-800 and a monolight, and eventually bought 2 more SB-800's while the monolight is gathering dust.

With the D300's built-in flash, you can control, right from the camera, and very easily, I might add, several banks of Nikon speedlights - which is more than adequate for small-to-medium size groups of people - I often shoot in a 3 meter x 4 meter space and 3 SB-800's is enough for the whole room. Without leaving your shooting position you can adjust individual output levels of each flash. I found this a lot easier, and far more portable than buying more monolights, which have more power, but would have required expensive wireless triggers to work. And from what I hear, the Nikon flash system is a lot easier and more flexible to operate than Canon's. Also, indoors, the Nikon flashes don't have to be line-of-sight to receive the signal and fire.

For whatever it's worth.
 
Rene Rosales said:
Astigmate:

With the D300's built-in flash, you can control, right from the
camera, and very easily, I might add, several banks of Nikon
speedlights - which is more than adequate for small-to-medium size
groups of people - I often shoot in a 3 meter x 4 meter space and 3
SB-800's is enough for the whole room.
Click to expand...
Would you mind sharing more details with me on this? I am currently struggling in this area?

Where do you place the three strobes and do they point directly at the subject, and if you use a soft box or something to reflect the light?

Thanks,
 
hi
please do not fall into the trap of just looking at the body
look at the hole system
what lenses do you want ?
the nikon flash system is way better
the d300 can use all the older but great lenses that can be had for good price
can canon do the same?

and as for image quality, that comes down to the nut using it more than the cam body these days

what sort of answers are you getting over in the canon forim?

steve
 
Rene Rosales said:
Astigmate:

If flash/speedlight system is a factor in your decision, I understand
that Nikon wins this one easily. I haven't seen Canon's system
(580EXII etc) but for my indoor portraits I started out with a Nikon
SB-800 and a monolight, and eventually bought 2 more SB-800's while
the monolight is gathering dust.

With the D300's built-in flash, you can control, right from the
camera, and very easily, I might add, several banks of Nikon
speedlights - which is more than adequate for small-to-medium size
groups of people - I often shoot in a 3 meter x 4 meter space and 3
SB-800's is enough for the whole room. Without leaving your shooting
position you can adjust individual output levels of each flash. I
found this a lot easier, and far more portable than buying more
monolights, which have more power, but would have required expensive
wireless triggers to work. And from what I hear, the Nikon flash
system is a lot easier and more flexible to operate than Canon's.
Also, indoors, the Nikon flashes don't have to be line-of-sight to
receive the signal and fire.

For whatever it's worth.
Click to expand...
Wow Canon's flash system must really stink considering you have so much first hand knowledge about it huh? Considering you admit numerous times that you have no clue what your talking about, I'd quit while I was ahead...

--
SV
 
StaticVision said:
Rene Rosales said:
Astigmate:

If flash/speedlight system is a factor in your decision, I understand
that Nikon wins this one easily. I haven't seen Canon's system
(580EXII etc) but for my indoor portraits I started out with a Nikon
SB-800 and a monolight, and eventually bought 2 more SB-800's while
the monolight is gathering dust.

With the D300's built-in flash, you can control, right from the
camera, and very easily, I might add, several banks of Nikon
speedlights - which is more than adequate for small-to-medium size
groups of people - I often shoot in a 3 meter x 4 meter space and 3
SB-800's is enough for the whole room. Without leaving your shooting
position you can adjust individual output levels of each flash. I
found this a lot easier, and far more portable than buying more
monolights, which have more power, but would have required expensive
wireless triggers to work. And from what I hear, the Nikon flash
system is a lot easier and more flexible to operate than Canon's.
Also, indoors, the Nikon flashes don't have to be line-of-sight to
receive the signal and fire.

For whatever it's worth.
Click to expand...
Wow Canon's flash system must really stink considering you have so
much first hand knowledge about it huh? Considering you admit
numerous times that you have no clue what your talking about, I'd
quit while I was ahead...

--
SV
Click to expand...
so easy to spot a canon fanboy
do you have anything constructive to say?
or are you just here to flame?
 
First let me say it: No matter whether you go Nikon or Canon, both produce great cameras and lenses.

For me the decision on Nikon came based on handling and ergonomics. I just like how Nikons fit my hand and I absolutely love the handling/operation of them. I looked at both when I started out, but as soon as I held the actual cameras in hand it was clear that Nikon felt better to me.

Both have extensive systems including lenses and flash systems. Generally Nikon seems to have the edge on flash systems, but Canon offers a wider variety of lenses (including the f4 'L' lens, something Nikon does not have).

It's a tough decision, but I would really play with both brands and go with what feels better.
--
Regards,
JH
http://www.jh-photography.net
 
NikonConvert:

For indoor shoots I do combinations of the following:
  • Mount the SB-800's on light stands and use white shoot-through umbrellas
  • Use a hybrid umbrella/softbox called the Photek Softlighter when I need a softbox (I fire 1 or 2 SB-800's into their 60" version, although 1 is sufficient when I don't need a large light patternA
  • Bounce flash with the diffuser that comes with the SB-800
  • Or when I need a harder light, (for a hair light for example) I fire un-diffused, sometimes with a home-made rollup tube to emulate a "snoot" to direct the light.
I have almost never used them attached to my D200 - with the built-in flash, the camera's sub-menus let me control 3 groups of 4 speedlights each (up to 12) and set each group's power independently. I have found making changes on-the-fly fairly quick. From what I understand, you get improved range by buying the SU-800 (about US$250.00) which I'd recommend for outdoors. I haven't had much luck outdoors with my SB-800's firing remotely outside of about 20 feet, but indoors there is enough reflection that the SB-800's fire reliably even INSIDE my "softbox" (Photek Softlighter), or if the flash is positioned on a light stand behind my shooting position. I'm extremely pleased with their power and flexibility.
Static Vision said:
Wow Canon's flash system must really stink considering you have so much first > hand knowledge about it huh? Considering you admit numerous times that you > have no clue what your talking about, I'd quit while I was ahead...
Click to expand...
My reply to StaticVision:

I really should have clarified my statement by saying further that I read very consistently on here and other forums that Nikon's speedlight system called Nikon CLS is superior to Canon's, and to be even more fair, I do have high respect for Canon equipment and great image quality. I am not trying to down any one system, just pass on what I have read (I will quote if necessary) but I DID talk about my experience and ease of use with Nikon CLS.

--
Rene Rosales
Feel free to e-mail me any time with comments/questions.
http://www.rjrgraphics.com
 
It used to be that Canon had superior sensors to Nikon but with the latest generation of cameras the differences are very minimal now. Personally, I went with nikon because of the focusing system on the Canons, where you have to press an extra button before you can use their joystiq. When I left it on auto scene focus, it tended to focus a lot on the background or something else. Maybe I wasn't using it right but that's just from my experience.
 
.........because I got tired of sending my white 'L' lenses back for calibration and my 40D had front focusing issues which didn't help either. After all was said and done after repeated trips I was dialed in and set for a while .......but what about my next lens purchase??? Will it have to be sent off too?

Rather than go through the hassle all over again I read where the D300 has an in-camera AF tune setting for making minor adjustments for any lens. Maybe Canon will have that feature in it's next generation 50D or 6D.

I made the switch even after heavily invested in L glass and had no problem selling them and bought the Nikon D300 and the equivalent lenses.

It was a great move and I couldn't be happier. Here's an interesting comparison.....the bottom line is the D300 has far more features and is 50% more expensive but the 40D is a better value for the features it has.

I've found Nikon has more expensive glass but well worth it whereas Canon has a larger selection but with more entry level consumer glass.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/5062/nikon-d300-vs-canon-eos-40d-a-hands-on-workout.html
--
Regards,
Hank

 
Hello all.

I have a D200 and was not very happy with high ISO performance, so I went to the store and bought a 30D, a 580EXII, and a 17-40L. However, I didn't sell my Nikon gear at the time.

From my experience of shooting more than 5k images with the Canon combo, I couldn't reach the same flash results of Nikon D200, 18-70 and SB-800. Never figured out why (maybe my fault?), until reading the reviews on Canon flash systems. Moreover, 30D high ISO noise was not that great either when compared to D200 (sure it has differences!). So I sold all my Canon gear and never looked back.

Other issues I found are related to body handling, where D200 feels much more superior to me. Yesterday I had the chance to play with a D700 and that's what I call a big difference, but I still think my D200 shoots great pictures if I have the skill for it.

Just remember, money is hard to earn. At the time I had some photographic jobs that earned me some cash and decided to buy Canon gear instead of investing on Nikon one. Bad idea! Now I have the 17-55 and 70-200 from Niikon, looking forward for a 24-70, a sb-900 (already ordered) and finally the D700 (I'll have to make extra hours for this one, hope prices drop in 6 months or so).

If you decide for a system don't look back, learn that system and forget other system's forums. Today Canon is under Nikon on some bodies, tomorrow Nikon is under Canon on others. It took Nikon 2 and a half years to answer 5D, but D700 is superior now. Just shoot with what you want but stick with that system. If one system was better than all others, you wouldn't have this problem anyway! Niche lenses don't count for me, if you want pro, you got to go with 2.8 pro glass. And you have it on both sides. If you want cheap and don't do pro assigments, Sigma has great options for the price on teles. 4L lenses are just a way for Canon to offer Pro grade construction on less bright glass. I hated the 17-40 for the lack of flexibility and the price wasn't that cheap...

Another interesting situation is the sensitivity of the focusing system, measured in EVs. Nikon achieves -1EV sensitivity, while Canon goes for 0 or even 1 in some bodies.

Here is my experience, just my 2 cents,
--
PN
 
Anastigmat said:
astigmate said:
Hi all

I'm currently using a Pentax K10D and I plan to switch soon but
haven't decided between Canon or Nikon. I would have your opinions
regarding the advantages of Nikon compared to canon (things that
doesn't necessarily appear in reviews, things you've discovered
through daily use or eventualy some flaws / technical issues).
Click to expand...
According to JD Power's survey, Canon owners are most pleased with
the image quality of their cameras, whereas Nikon owners are most
pleased with the styling of their cameras. Depending on what is most
important to you, you can pick accordingly.
Click to expand...
Ummmm. Ignore the anti-Nikon joker - see his past posts in this regard. He has only told part of the story in order to fulfill his trollish desires. The survey actually states Nikon owners also rated highly the areas of Operation and Performance - something a Canon troll can not appreciate. Overall the responses had Nikon and Canon in an overall tie.

Here is the actual survey: http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2008105
 
steves7k said:
hi
please do not fall into the trap of just looking at the body
look at the hole system
what lenses do you want ?
the nikon flash system is way better
the d300 can use all the older but great lenses that can be had for
good price
can canon do the same?
and as for image quality, that comes down to the nut using it more
than the cam body these days

what sort of answers are you getting over in the canon forim?

steve
Click to expand...
I'm a bit disappointed by the 40d since it doesn't seem's to provide decent auto iso (like Pentax TAv mode). Can Nikon users comment on this particular feature (in the D300) ?
 
Wow!

I am in the same situation with my D200. A bit noise at higher ISOs.

I have been toying with the idea of getting a Canon 30D specifically for shooting in low light without the flash. But I am waiting for the D90 specs to be revealed.

If it does as good of a job as the D300 does in terms of noise reduction at higher ISOs, then I'll go for it. Otherwise, I was thinking of supplementing it with a Canon if I can't afford a D300.
Paulo Alexandre Neves said:
Hello all.

I have a D200 and was not very happy with high ISO performance, so I
went to the store and bought a 30D, a 580EXII, and a 17-40L. However,
I didn't sell my Nikon gear at the time.

From my experience of shooting more than 5k images with the Canon
combo, I couldn't reach the same flash results of Nikon D200, 18-70
and SB-800. Never figured out why (maybe my fault?), until reading
the reviews on Canon flash systems. Moreover, 30D high ISO noise was
not that great either when compared to D200 (sure it has
differences!). So I sold all my Canon gear and never looked back.

Other issues I found are related to body handling, where D200 feels
much more superior to me. Yesterday I had the chance to play with a
D700 and that's what I call a big difference, but I still think my
D200 shoots great pictures if I have the skill for it.

Just remember, money is hard to earn. At the time I had some
photographic jobs that earned me some cash and decided to buy Canon
gear instead of investing on Nikon one. Bad idea! Now I have the
17-55 and 70-200 from Niikon, looking forward for a 24-70, a sb-900
(already ordered) and finally the D700 (I'll have to make extra hours
for this one, hope prices drop in 6 months or so).
If you decide for a system don't look back, learn that system and
forget other system's forums. Today Canon is under Nikon on some
bodies, tomorrow Nikon is under Canon on others. It took Nikon 2 and
a half years to answer 5D, but D700 is superior now. Just shoot with
what you want but stick with that system. If one system was better
than all others, you wouldn't have this problem anyway! Niche lenses
don't count for me, if you want pro, you got to go with 2.8 pro
glass. And you have it on both sides. If you want cheap and don't do
pro assigments, Sigma has great options for the price on teles. 4L
lenses are just a way for Canon to offer Pro grade construction on
less bright glass. I hated the 17-40 for the lack of flexibility and
the price wasn't that cheap...

Another interesting situation is the sensitivity of the focusing
system, measured in EVs. Nikon achieves -1EV sensitivity, while Canon
goes for 0 or even 1 in some bodies.

Here is my experience, just my 2 cents,
--
PN
Click to expand...
 
Hank3152 said:
.........because I got tired of sending my white 'L' lenses back for
calibration and my 40D had front focusing issues which didn't help
either. After all was said and done after repeated trips I was dialed
in and set for a while .......but what about my next lens purchase???
Will it have to be sent off too?
Rather than go through the hassle all over again I read where the
D300 has an in-camera AF tune setting for making minor adjustments
for any lens. Maybe Canon will have that feature in it's next
generation 50D or 6D.
Click to expand...
This is a very nice feature to have, the Pentax k20d has it too. BF / FF problems are common and being able to adjust it for any particular lens is a must. +1 for Nikon
What other Nikon bodies have this option btw ?
 
astigmate said:
This is a very nice feature to have, the Pentax k20d has it too. BF /
FF problems are common and being able to adjust it for any particular
lens is a must. +1 for Nikon
What other Nikon bodies have this option btw ?
Click to expand...
The D3 is the only other body to have this feature. If the August 27th anouncement from Nikon introduces the D90 with info on features we will find out if it has that option.

--
Jeff
http://www.jeffcole.smugmug.com
 
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