I've Crossed ove " Now i'm a Nikonian"

[lainey]

I'm sitting happily on the fence on this one!!!   

[RockArea]

As far as I can remember David, you've already crossed over.  What was that compact you bought recently?

Yes, but I'm only toying with the G9, it's not like a compact's a proper camera

[scoundrel1728]

Yes, but I'm only toying with the G9, it's not like a compact's a proper camera

It wasn't so long ago that digital SLRs with 3 megapixel resolution, e.g., the Canon D30 and the Nikon D1, were in the US$5000 range and compact digitals were considered "proper" cameras.  I still consider compact digitals to be "proper" cameras capable of taking decent pictures.  In fact, when I can't or don't want to lug my full (Canon mount) dSLR kit around, I still carry my Nikon Coolpix 995 or Canon S2 IS.  I could have gotten the S5 IS but figured that the additional functionality wasn't worth the slight extra money.  I also firmly believe that the manufacturers have compromised the image quality of the more modern compact digital cameras in their misguided push for more megapixels.  The present crop of compact digitals already have too many.

As for Canon vs. Nikon, I had an initial bias toward Nikon when I was choosing my dSLR system but ended up choosing Canon anyway.

[Harry7mc]

Tis Not the camera that matters But how the camera is used!!
Bert hardy produced marvellous photos with a "Box Brownie" Remember

[scoundrel1728]

True enough.  And a good photographer can produce great images even from equipment with modest capability that would outshine your typical novice with the fanciest dSLR, a trunkful of lenses and accessories, and generally a lot more money than photographic vision.

In reality, the Canon/Nikon Wars will be going for a long time despite Canon's huge early advantage a few years ago.  As a Canonian, I'm kinda glad that Nikon has come back as strongly as it did; the competition will keep both companies on their toes.

[RockArea]

Hey guys! You're not trying to put any sense into this thread are you?

David

[scoundrel1728]

Well...ummm...*splutter*...

[Ellette]

sense? sense? we don't need no stinkin' sense!

[Ellette]

Ok, just processed the first pictures with my CANON.  Thought you might like to see what I got at ISO 1600 without having to use any noiseware or anything.



Eat your heart out Nikonians.  

BTW, this is one of the first pictures I've taken with my camera I just got.  He's my baby I just had to put to sleep.  Got him 6 months after getting married.  Only 11 and beagles are generally very long lived dogs.    We had to put him to sleep a day and a half after this picture was taken.  Settings, in case you care are F 2.8, SS 1/100, and ISO 1600 (in case I hadn't mentioned )

Now if only I actually honestly cared what brand of camera someone had.  I went with Canon digital because at the time I was getting a camera they did better low light than Nikon and WAAAY better than Olympus, and that was my main criteria.  It pretty much still is really, hence the 5D Mark II.  I would have liked to get an Oly back when I got my first Digital camera (20D), but their ISO range was pitiful and their noise levels were extreme.  If it weren't for that, I'd be finding some reason to go "neener neener neener" about an Olympus right now.  

[BigAl]

Following recent events, I've just had a lot of money released from a reserve for purposes no longer applicable. This means I will be visiting my local camera shop for a Nikon upgrade to use the lenses that I have. So I guess, with about £2,000 burning a hole in the pocket, there is almost no model I couldn't opt for so the decision would be more about performance.

For reasons mentioned in this thread, I shan't be chasing megapixels for megapixels sake. It's more about functionality. Vibration reduction will be a bonus; not because I have shakey hands but more because I could do telephoto without so much reliance on a tripod. I will also be after a quality wide angle lens to extend my current range.

[brian]

Sarah.... its only fun...

Al.   congratulations on your good fortune.  Have you considered a donation to the Brian Waugh Trust Fund, for a better retirement ?

[Sheratan]

Such a lovely and poignant picture Sara. And at 1600!   Amazing! 

I'd upgrade my Canon but my lenses wouldn't fit the higher end models unfortunately because of the sensor sizes. I guess we all stick with what we started with more or less because you invest so much time and effort into getting a good selection of lenses, then you're sort of locked in.

Unless you buy a compact as a pocket camera, like RockArea did.    It's a Canon, David. Get over it. 

[Flyingbull]

Does any one want to buy a Nikon D80 and a Nikon D300, loads of lenses and filters. You see I'm thinking of changing to Canon because I hear so much about them from Canon owners. I'm not sure which one I should buy but it probably doesn’t matter as long as I get one of those big white lenses.




Only joking!

 

Just buy a tin of white paint and give your nikon lenses a makeover. You will find it a lot cheaper and you will still get those glances of Eny, and Hate.

Jack.....

[RockArea]

Such a lovely and poignant picture Sara. And at 1600!   Amazing! 

I'd upgrade my Canon but my lenses wouldn't fit the higher end models unfortunately because of the sensor sizes. I guess we all stick with what we started with more or less because you invest so much time and effort into getting a good selection of lenses, then you're sort of locked in.

Unless you buy a compact as a pocket camera, like RockArea did.    It's a Canon, David. Get over it. 

All joking apart it's a super compact and I love it. I don't think there's anything in the Nikon range that does the manual and raw stuff, at least there wasn't when I was looking. As Chris say's it's usually a one time decision. I looked at Nikons and Canons when I started a few years ago and liked the feel of the Nikon in my hand. Having started down that line you invest in glass and you're committed.

What was it Lance Armstrong said, "It's not about the bike!" I'm sure that applies equally here.

I'm sure if my choice had gone the other way I'd feel just as pleased with my Canon, after all they make darned fine photocopiers.

David

[Sheratan]

That's why I chose Canon if truth be told. I picked them all up and the Canon just felt best. As simple as that.
 

[Ellette]

Sarah.... its only fun...

party pooper.  

Such a lovely and poignant picture Sara. And at 1600!  Amazing!

I know, I was shocked to see the lack of noise.  With my 20D there was no way it would be useable...just a "for memory" sort of picture.  This one, I'd totally print out.  I'm able to use all my old lenses because when I got my 20D I made sure that I only got lenses that would work with higher up models in case I found some rich uncle who for some reason decided he liked me even though he'd never met me and then he died and left me everything in his will.    Then, I found an easier but more painful way...have someone be on the phone, speeding, and slam into you at a stop light and let insurance buy you a new camera.  

Unless you buy a compact as a pocket camera, like RockArea did.    It's a Canon, David. Get over it.  

bwaahaahaahaaa!!!

All joking apart it's a super compact and I love it. I don't think there's anything in the Nikon range that does the manual and raw stuff, at least there wasn't when I was looking. As Chris say's it's usually a one time decision. I looked at Nikons and Canons when I started a few years ago and liked the feel of the Nikon in my hand. Having started down that line you invest in glass and you're committed.

Yep, exactly!  When my best friend was looking for a camera I took her to the store with me.  Her brother had a Nikon, I had the Canon.  She wasn't picky really about what she wanted as far as the stuff that one had better than the other (ie., at the time Nikon had more vibrant colour, Canon did better low light, and Oly came with much better lenses) though she was leaning a smidge toward the idea that she'd get 2 lenses that were good quality glass with the Oly for about the same price as the Canon and Nikon with their throw away lenses.  Anyway, I told her to hold all three and told her to pretend they were exactly the same and see if any of them stuck out as being much better in her hands.  It ended up settling it for her, she's got an Olympus now.

What was it Lance Armstrong said, "It's not about the bike!" I'm sure that applies equally here.

Which honestly bugs me a bit.  I'd love to see him try to do it with my bike, or my husband's bike.  My husband does nice long 100 mile rides and everything, but no matter how fast he is on his bike, it can't keep up with a bike like Lance's.  True, doing the 100 mile ride around Crater Lake, if they switched bikes Pete probably wouldn't be able to keep up with Lance, but put Lance on Pete's bike and he'd finish absolutely dead last in the Tour.  It is like that with cameras.  I told Pete that last night in fact before seeing this.    I could have taken the exact same picture of Chaucer with my 20D, or heck...with a disposable camera (which was my only camera for a few years), and somewhere in the noise and darkness I'd know there was a beautiful picture of a dog...you just wouldn't be able to tell.  That is one of the reasons I'm so excited to have my new camera.  There is a girl in our church who has no chance of affording a new camera.  She has a p&s digital camera from about 5 years ago, and her talent is WAAAAY beyond what that camera can handle.  I'm letting her have my camera after she babysits a couple times (wahooo...date with Pete!!! ) so she has something she can actually use to get more creative with.  It IS about the photographer, you can't make a silk purse and all...it is just that if you have a good tool to work with you can do better work.  

Umm...now, if you'll notice the little saying underneath my screenname to the left.    I'm getting us a bit off topic.  I just enjoy the fake food fight like things that happen with Canon vs. Nikon.  If it is a real fight I'm apt to go hide in a closet somewhere (have actually done that...not a fight online though) as I can't handle conflict well...fake fights though, that is like acting and I love acting.  Plus I'm just really obnoxious in case you didn't know.  

[Sheratan]

Then, I found an easier but more painful way...have someone be on the phone, speeding, and slam into you at a stop light and let insurance buy you a new camera.

  Mmm, there could be a few downsides to that option, but worth considering.   

Plus I'm just really obnoxious in case you didn't know. 

  Surely not! 

[Ellette]

Surely not! 

Oh, but I've been told it is true!  I'm inclined to believe it too. 

[lainey]

Anyway, I told her to hold all three and told her to pretend they were exactly the same and see if any of them stuck out as being much better in her hands.  It ended up settling it for her, she's got an Olympus now.

That's how I ended up with Pentax/Samsung.  A few years ago my then husband gave me a Canon A1 with a load of gear for my birthday, and I flipping hated it.  Too big, too heavy, couldn't produce any images I liked with it, didn't understand half the settings on it.... so with his blessing I took it back to the shop he'd bought it from (second hand).  Told the guy the problem, then spent ages in the shop trying different cameras, and ended up choosing a Pentax MZ50, as it felt right.  I've stuck with Pentax since, and now have a K20D with a Samsung badge on the front. 

I DO get an AWFUL lot of stick from the guys at the camera club, they are forever telling me to get a decent camera, but its all in jest... their favourite is the shutter speed joke at the mo, they tell me I only have one shutter speed which is one and a half minutes, then the camera goes ping and my dinner is ready....    but what they're actually doing is making me even more determined to get good images with the kit I've got.   

[Ellette]

hehe...as long as they can take the harassment you had better be handing back to them, I'm sure you can laugh off the joking from the guys at the camera club.  I'm glad you are just getting more determined that way.  I like the "well I'll show you!" sort of attitude.  You have to get a camera that works for you!  I do though like their shutter speed joke though.  Now, if only I could find someone to use it on.