how many would use nikon and canon

[The Big Labowski]

I have a canon 5dII and a 7D. I use a 70-200 2.8I on my 5D and a Tamron 17-50 2.8 on my 7D. I shoot weddings and corporate, and whilst I am quite happy with these for the moment, when I come to upgrade I would certainly consider a nikon and use a 24-70 2.8 or perhaps even sigma 24 1.8 macro and nikor 50 1.4.

I would quite happily use nikon and canon side by side, nikon more wide angle - 50/70 mm and canon with my 70-200.
Any thoughts
Adrian

 

[imarollingstone]

As I see it the only problem with a dual system is if one of your bodies fails you don't have a backup. You either need to carry a duplicate set of lenses or 4 bodies instead of 2.
--
Shawn

 

[meland]

I have a canon 5dII and a 7D. I use a 70-200 2.8I on my 5D and a Tamron 17-50 2.8 on my 7D. I shoot weddings and corporate, and whilst I am quite happy with these for the moment, when I come to upgrade I would certainly consider a nikon and use a 24-70 2.8 or perhaps even sigma 24 1.8 macro and nikor 50 1.4.

I would quite happily use nikon and canon side by side, nikon more wide angle - 50/70 mm and canon with my 70-200.
Any thoughts
Adrian

Landscapes and ducks in the park - yes maybe both.

Photojournalism, sport, weddings, or anything working to deadlines - no chance.

 

[The Big Labowski]

Yes definately agree back up is essential. I would still be planning on having my 7d as back up (and also 40d). My point being when I come to purchase my next camera, I would certainly consider a D800 to go alongside my 5D. However back up is definately a essential consideration.

I am also hoping that the 5DIII will hold its own against the D800 in side by side comparative testing, then I wont be in any dilemma. But if it is smoked by the D800/E, I would certainly consider the nikon.

My only other thought was getting a "consistant" look. Especially in skin tones. I have heard that nikon and canon render skin tones quite differently.

 

[Paul Ward2]

At the moments I have 2 canons and I just ordered my first nikon, I'm going to see how it goes at first and see if it's practical to run both systems at once

 

[The Big Labowski]

Thanks Paul, I would be interested to hear how you go raw/post processing. Its something that every dual system user would hve to deal with (if there are indeed noticeable differences).

As I understand it you can use nikon glass on a canon body, but not vicversa, this might be an option for the back up issue (obviously no af).

 

[Rick Knepper]

Since you already own two Canon cams (they are worth more as backups than selling them to finance the Nikon), you have much of the objections from some of these other fellows covered. Once you decide shooting Nikon concurrently is a good thing, finding something cheap to use as a backup for the Nikon side of things should be fairly easy. If you are going for the D800 or D4, a used D7000 might be a decent backup assuming you like a FF/crop setup.

It's nice having spectacular lenses all along the FL range. I own the Nikkor 14-24G and 24-70G and both are super excellent. The new 24-70 II, if released sooner, might have put the brakes on my buying the Nikkor version. I also have a slew of Zeiss ZF primes for the Nikon mount.

--

Rick Knepper, photographer, photography never for sale, check my profile for gear list and philosophy.

 

[John-G]

I'm a long time Canon shooter that purchased a Nikon D3 along with some Nikon lenses (70-200/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 300/2.8, SB900 flash) and used the two systems side-by-side for 18 months.

Both systems worked fine but the hassle of maintaining two systems eventually got the better of me and I ended up selling the Nikon stuff.

As others have noted, one advantage to multiple bodies is redundancy and the ability to share other components like remotes and batteries.

One of the main things that gave me a constant headache was that the Nikon and Canon controls are completely opposite of each other. So when you are shooting with two bodies it can create some confusion. Pick up body #1 - zoom to the left, pick up body #2 - zoom to the right, Body #1 - CCW to increase aperture, Body #2 - CW to increase aperture, Body #1 - right to remove lens, Body #2 - left to remove lens.

If you've not had the pleasure of using the two side-by-side you may not appreciate that absolutely everything is opposite... lens release, zoom direction, battery latch, CF door latch, main control dial, quick control dial. Literally every control that turns is opposite.

In the end, for me, the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.

 

[Lea5]

I was long time Canon shooter who purchased a D3 and a D3X. It's not only the different bodies you have to deal with, it's the different kind of RAW files. Especially if you photograph humans. Canon and Nikon render skintones differently. In the end you have to spend much more time in the postprocess. I remember the first weeks using the Nikons, it drove me nuts. If you're used to Canon stay with Canon, or switch completely. Today I use one brand only.

I'm a long time Canon shooter that purchased a Nikon D3 along with some Nikon lenses (70-200/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 300/2.8, SB900 flash) and used the two systems side-by-side for 18 months.

Both systems worked fine but the hassle of maintaining two systems eventually got the better of me and I ended up selling the Nikon stuff.

As others have noted, one advantage to multiple bodies is redundancy and the ability to share other components like remotes and batteries.

One of the main things that gave me a constant headache was that the Nikon and Canon controls are completely opposite of each other. So when you are shooting with two bodies it can create some confusion. Pick up body #1 - zoom to the left, pick up body #2 - zoom to the right, Body #1 - CCW to increase aperture, Body #2 - CW to increase aperture, Body #1 - right to remove lens, Body #2 - left to remove lens.

If you've not had the pleasure of using the two side-by-side you may not appreciate that absolutely everything is opposite... lens release, zoom direction, battery latch, CF door latch, main control dial, quick control dial. Literally every control that turns is opposite.

In the end, for me, the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.

 

[The Big Labowski]

Thanks to all responders. I didn't realize that the body setups were totally opposite. That would probably drive me nuts. Also, yes, different camera body means different flash(s), and wireless triggers/receivers etc. I am beginning to think that the dissadvantages may mean I go one way or the other.

As I said previously, alot of folks are slamming the 5DIII, but when side by side comparisons come out it may be top notch, it's all speculation at this point.

 

[Richard]

I first purchased Nikon and was happy. I won a Canon in a contest. I bought a couple of lenses for Canon.

Now my rig is split. I would rather buy a new lens and a new FF camera which I have had not owned yet. Even though the Nikon may have a few advantages. I think the Canon will be probably the way I will be going, Unless I cannot get the Canon for 3k dollars. If not it may be the Nikon. For the 500 dollar difference. I can purchase another lens or at least get a good start. But in the end we will have to see how it shakes out.

I have gotten use to switching, not as bad as you think. It may be I may be better and handling that situation than the others. I like the feel of the Nikon better in my hand and the interface. I hate the Canon custom functions and the way they do that, it is so unintuitive. But there are things I like about the Canons.

Do not recommend it. No matter how you look at it is better to learn one system and have lenses for that system than splitting your resources.

Thanks to all responders. I didn't realize that the body setups were totally opposite. That would probably drive me nuts. Also, yes, different camera body means different flash(s), and wireless triggers/receivers etc. I am beginning to think that the dissadvantages may mean I go one way or the other.

As I said previously, alot of folks are slamming the 5DIII, but when side by side comparisons come out it may be top notch, it's all speculation at this point.

 

[f64manray]

John-G wrote:

1. 2 - left to remove lens.

If you've not had the pleasure of using the two side-by-side you may not appreciate that absolutely everything is opposite... lens release, zoom direction, battery latch, CF door latch, main control dial, quick control dial. Literally every control that turns is opposite.

In the end, for me, the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.

Yeah, you probably need to be a woman to use both systems effectively. ...

 

[fotofy]

oh. I am interested to know why you choose canon at the end?

I'm a long time Canon shooter that purchased a Nikon D3 along with some Nikon lenses (70-200/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 300/2.8, SB900 flash) and used the two systems side-by-side for 18 months.

Both systems worked fine but the hassle of maintaining two systems eventually got the better of me and I ended up selling the Nikon stuff.

As others have noted, one advantage to multiple bodies is redundancy and the ability to share other components like remotes and batteries.

One of the main things that gave me a constant headache was that the Nikon and Canon controls are completely opposite of each other. So when you are shooting with two bodies it can create some confusion. Pick up body #1 - zoom to the left, pick up body #2 - zoom to the right, Body #1 - CCW to increase aperture, Body #2 - CW to increase aperture, Body #1 - right to remove lens, Body #2 - left to remove lens.

If you've not had the pleasure of using the two side-by-side you may not appreciate that absolutely everything is opposite... lens release, zoom direction, battery latch, CF door latch, main control dial, quick control dial. Literally every control that turns is opposite.

In the end, for me, the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.

 

[John-G]

oh. I am interested to know why you choose canon at the end?

I am hesitant to reply as I do not want to start a Canon/Nikon debate. I shoot primarily sports and a bit of theater, obviously this includes a lot of indoor/low-light events. I do 4-5 events a week. I decided to keep the Canon MkIV and sell the D3.

Since I had top-notch glass for both systems I felt my comparisons were pretty much apples to apples. I am also a JPEG shooter.

Reasons - in no particular order.

1. Liked the ergonomics of Canon body better. Every time I would grab the D3 I would inadvertently spin the front control dial. Thank goodness for the "lock" function. The Canon grip fits my hand like a glove.

2. Color. I just like the Canon colors better. Nikon tended to do weird things to skin tones. I can look at images posted here and usually tell right away which are Nikon. They just have an odd pink cast to skin tones.

3. Speed of focus acquisition on the Canon is MUCH faster. This drove me crazy when trying to use the D3 for volleyball. I'm not talking about tracking (which the D3 does very well), I'm talking about speed of initial focus acquisition. In any low-light situation with the D3 it was press the shutter, count to three, CLICK. With the Canon it is was virtually instantaneous.

4. AWB. When shooting theater the Canon yeilded spot-on colors under a variety of lighting conditions. With any indoor lighting the D3 always tended to turn everything orange.

5. As a long time Canon shooter I simply have more "stuff" for Canon.

That was pretty much it.

 

[fotofy]

Thank you very much for your reply!

haha yes, you are taking risk as someone may disagree with your points...

for me, I would rather respect others experience and learn from there.
experience is personal, and every camera has its own life, i think.

oh. I am interested to know why you choose canon at the end?

I am hesitant to reply as I do not want to start a Canon/Nikon debate. I shoot primarily sports and a bit of theater, obviously this includes a lot of indoor/low-light events. I do 4-5 events a week. I decided to keep the Canon MkIV and sell the D3.

Since I had top-notch glass for both systems I felt my comparisons were pretty much apples to apples. I am also a JPEG shooter.

Reasons - in no particular order.

1. Liked the ergonomics of Canon body better. Every time I would grab the D3 I would inadvertently spin the front control dial. Thank goodness for the "lock" function. The Canon grip fits my hand like a glove.

2. Color. I just like the Canon colors better. Nikon tended to do weird things to skin tones. I can look at images posted here and usually tell right away which are Nikon. They just have an odd pink cast to skin tones.

3. Speed of focus acquisition on the Canon is MUCH faster. This drove me crazy when trying to use the D3 for volleyball. I'm not talking about tracking (which the D3 does very well), I'm talking about speed of initial focus acquisition. In any low-light situation with the D3 it was press the shutter, count to three, CLICK. With the Canon it is was virtually instantaneous.

4. AWB. When shooting theater the Canon yeilded spot-on colors under a variety of lighting conditions. With any indoor lighting the D3 always tended to turn everything orange.

5. As a long time Canon shooter I simply have more "stuff" for Canon.

That was pretty much it.

 

[RvPhotoTraveller]

I think I may be cool with a hybrid Canon Nikon system. I already have the Nikon 14-24, Canon 5D2 and 6 L Lenses : so maybe I'll try the Nikon D800e/ 14-24 combo for my wide angle landscapes and my Canon for Tele needs.

 

[dennis tennis]

Not a pro, don't make money with photography, don't plan to ever sell any photos so I'm a pure amateur.

Photography is a hobby and a pleasure so I enjoy trying out new cameras, learning different "philosophies" (if there is such a thing) of the different brands.

Yes, love the challenge of using multiple systems and the really complex lens buying decisions.

No one brand will perfectly match your preference, but having multiple systems allows me the freedom to enjoy the good, and not be so desperate about the bad fitting design issues because I don't need my "one" manufacturer to do things my way.

 

[amobi]

Never thought about this. Here goes my plans to shoot 5DII and D800.

As I see it the only problem with a dual system is if one of your bodies fails you don't have a backup. You either need to carry a duplicate set of lenses or 4 bodies instead of 2.
--
Shawn

 

[Dan_168]

I have been shooting with both Nikon and Canon for the last 20 some years. currently shooting 1DS2, 1D2, 5D2 and D3, pre-ordered the D800E so it is coming soon.

Both system are great, both have its own problem too. if you know both system well, you won't get confused, when you hold that particular gear in your hand, you just know which button to press and what direction to turn, just like you won't confuse a 6 speed stick shift with a paddle shift and/or full auto transmission if you own all three kind of cars, you just know as soon as you get in the driver seat.

 

[Astrophotographer 10]

I used Nikon D70 and then several Canons - 20D and 40D which have been great.

I personally preferred the performance of the Canons but then 40D had a Nikon comarable model which I didn't even check out.

I did modify both Nikon D70 and Canon 20D for astrophotography and I can tell you internally in those models the 20D is much better made. It has several layers of copper sheeting for shielding (the D70 had none) and the D70 had a circuit board on the back of the sensor which is a no-no (generates heat which then causes noise).

In those days D70 had bad "amplifier noise" where long exposures at night showed purple corners in the image from amplifier heat affecting the sensor. I believe that stopped around about the D40 which was very clean.

Greg.