SLR's: canon or nikon?

I've been shooting professionally with Canon for about 7 years. Last year I was at WPPI ( a convention for wedding and portrait photographers in Vegas) and tried out the Nikon D3. I never considered them before they produced full frame cameras, but one I got the D3 in my hands, the quality, ergos, etc., were exactly what I wanted.

My Canon 1Ds Mark II had some focusing issues, along with my 5Ds and 1D Mark III. My Nikon D3s have been absolutely perfect and I can't see switching back any time soon.

the glass made by Nikon is perfect, at least the zoom lenses. Their primes are much better than before, but Canon still has the slight edge. For zoom, hands down, Nikon.

I know this is a different price range, but it's my experience. For the $1,500 range and under, either will suffice. It's just like fine handguns, once you hit that level, they're all great, it comes down to personal preference and how each feels in your hand and performs for you and your needs.

I sold all my Canon gear and bought all new Nikon gear the week I got back from that particular convention.

2 D3s

17-35 f/2.8

24-70 f/2.8

70-200 f/2.8 VR

85 f/1.4

50 f/1.4

200 f/2

Again, the $1,500 range and under, it's still personal preference. You could probably find a 5D in that range used. Glass will cost you though. You could get yourself a couple nice primes like a 50 1.4 (instead of the 50 1.2 that is $1,000 more) and the 85 1.4, etc.

There's a significant difference between a full frame sensor of the 5D and the 1.6 crop sensor of the 50D. That was my reason for never considering Nikon before, then the D3X, D3 and D700 came with their full frame sensors (same size as 35mm film, no crop ratio for lenses and depth of field is much richer than cropped sensors).

My website - www.consigliophotography.com

1_200.jpg

DSC_4383-SMALL.jpg

The blurring on the below image is intentional, just so you know!
DSC_4913-Edit.jpg
DSC_9480-Edit-1.jpg

DSC_2227-Edit.jpg

0001.jpg
0045.jpg


Good luck with your choice!

Oh, all but the bottom two were shot with Nikon D3s. The bottom two were with a 5D. The next to last was a 5D with a 24-70 2.8 and the last was a 5D with a 16-35 2.8. The exif data is still in each image. You can drag and drop each image to your computer and read the data, or use Panda Exif (or something like that) to just read all the exif without grabbing the images. It allows you to just click on the image and choose to view the info, right in your browser. I switched to Mac, so haven't used that stuff in a while.

Reading that info gives you an idea of what settings, lenses and cameras were used. Sometimes comparing a D3 to a Canon Rebel shows little difference in a standard environment with average settings. It's when they're pushed that the better cameras shine. The lenses make a huge difference.

Jonathan
 
Last edited:
Canon every day of the week and twice on sundays. It's one of the few things in this world that I am "brand loyal" to.
 
Canon is a great camera, no question about it. I wouldn't say either is better when comparing similar models. I prefer the Nikon D3 over the Canon 1Ds Mark II and the 1D Mark III. The 1D Mark III being the closet competitor of those three Canons. The D3X and 1Ds Mark III are very similar and you wouldn't go wrong with either, although they almost outdid the Mark III with the 5D Mark II!

I've owned all of them except the D3X, and my D3s outperform without question. The focusing system and ISO capabilities are superior.

When it comes to the Canon 5D Mark II vs. the Nikon D700 or the Canon 50D vs. the Nikon D300, they both are very equal and it comes to personal preference for the most part.

Jonathan
 
=Voodoo= said:
if you are going to use it for wildlife, get canon because their big lenses are a few thousand dollars cheaper than nikons. 600mm in nikon is over 10,000

if you wont be using big glass, go nikon

the key is ergonomics and price of lenses. the camera bodies seem to be replaceable due to technology...kinda like computers. nikons glass from years ago still works on todays cameras. canon's glass doesnt.
Click to expand...

Is that true? I thought both Canon and Nikon would accept the old film lenses. All of my bodies were Minolta (I know, the third white meat) but they were built like tanks and worked well, still do. So now I have 8 lenses that don't fit anything but I hear Sony is coming out with new DSLRs that will take the old Minolta lenses, anybody know anything about that?

Otherwise ... $10,000 for a 600mm? I guess you better be working for National Geographic and making big bucks.
 
Coldwood said:
Is that true? I thought both Canon and Nikon would accept the old film lenses. All of my bodies were Minolta (I know, the third white meat) but they were built like tanks and worked well, still do. So now I have 8 lenses that don't fit anything but I hear Sony is coming out with new DSLRs that will take the old Minolta lenses, anybody know anything about that?

Otherwise ... $10,000 for a 600mm? I guess you better be working for National Geographic and making big bucks.
Click to expand...

A couple years back, Minolta sold all their camera stuff to Sony. If I remember correctly, your Minolta lenses should fit your new Sony SLR/DSLR. Sony's making some awesome stuff with those plans; Minolta's DSLR, made right before the sale, really rocked the house but there weren't many made.

As long as we're shamelessly self-promoting...

3172462213_cd818f9577_o.jpg

3428351636_8bea8c0b44_b.jpg

3541483442_38cc1c7421_o.jpg
 
This is like the age old Ford vs Chevy debates. I just posted in this other thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=670607 about a similar question.
My personal choice is Canon for Point & Shoot and Nikon for DSLRs. I just prefer the Nikon ergonomics, their flash system is arguably much better as it allows for wireless CLS lighting. I think the brand new Canon 7D is their first DSLR that will allow wireless off-camera speedlight control.
I started with the D70 and and back then in 2003/2004 it just felt like a real camera compared to the first Digital Rebels which looked like cheap plasticy toys to me.
Most of the photogs I know shoot Canon but I don't see myself being swayed to the other side any time soon.
 
On the very top end its Cannon hands down for most pros. Do some research this is a fact.

Skam
 
If you've dug around camera forums or google, you'll quickly realize that most people will say Canon. Most of them are just rabid fan boys; only few fans actually have good reasons as to why Canon over Nikon.

If you want my opinion (my dad used to be a professional photographer; my older broth still dabbles in the hobby as well), I'd say Nikon. Nikons are just better bangs for the buck.

Both have their ups and downs. If you look at the higher spectrum DSLRs, some might have faster shutter speeds, while others have a higher field of view (it's kind of weird, you look through the viewfinder and actually see more than your eyes can see peripherally).

We use a Nikon D300.
 
Thanks for the thread guys. I was just shopping for a camera today -I am in a similar predicament in deciding.
 
One thing to note is that Nikon lenses are generally more expensive than Canon lenses. That's because Nikon lens pricing goes up/down depending on inflation rates. Canon lenses always have fixed pricing. Of course Canon bodies tend to be more expensive than Nikon bodies.
 
I'm a dedicated Canon shooter(I have to be with $$$$ tied up in lenses), but Nikon makes very good cameras as well. As far as lens quality goes, Canon has some that are better, Nikon has some that are better. It's a lens by lens thing. As others have said you need to find the one that works best for you and your shooting style. After all it's not the camera that creates the photo, but the photographer. Most pros can make a better image with a crappy P&S than someone with a great camera and no creativity.

You can't go wrong with either one.
 
Canon for me.

Trying to figure out how I can justify a 7D body to my wife. HD video, live view LCD, magnesium body. I must have it!

I may have to sell some knives.:(
 
spyderknut said:
Canon for me.

Trying to figure out how I can justify a 7D body to my wife. HD video, live view LCD, magnesium body. I must have it!

I may have to sell some knives.:(
Click to expand...

APS-c or Full Frame sensor ..... :confused:

The 7D does appear to be setup for shooting sports and other fast paced events a little better but, the 5D Mk II is no slouch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top