If you could start all over again what would you buy?

I am a life long Nikon owner, but all of my digital equipment was stolen in a home burglary. I will be receiving an insurance check that will

cover the cost of most of the equipment (minus depreciation on some pieces). I lost 2 Nikon digital SLRs (one was brand new, fresh out of

the box), multiple lenses, 2 flashes, etc... I am torn between buying all Nikon again and switching to Canon, for the technology. For

example, I have been waiting for the Nikon tilt shift lens for years, and Canon already has several. I am curious, if you had the freedom to

change all your gear, would you? I would like to hear an argument for staying with Nikon and one for switching to Canon. I appreciate your

input!

How many perspective control lenses do you need?

 

http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Camera-Lenses/Manual/Perspective-Control.page

 

Perhaps you should just buy a view camera.

I second the view camera idea! Maybe a Holga to go along with it?

 

I've got Nikon equipment but I am sorely tempted by the current Pentax system for several reasons:

 

-I would prefer In-body stabilization to lens stabilization even if it wasn't quite as effective, and there is still no definitive proof that this is true.

-I feel you get better value for the money with Pentax bodies.

-Pentax has made a real commitment to the APS-C sensor format. IMHO, Nikon hasn't made the same sort of commitment for their advanced amateur market and I am seriously concerned about the long term value of my DX lenses.

-The Pentax Limited series lenses and their weather sealed lenses are very appealing to me because I do so much of my photography while backcountry hiking.

-The deficiencies in long lenses and tilt shift lenses aren't a huge deal to me.

 

I'm assuming you know that there is a modern set of Nikon tilt/shift lenses being released?

Canon has a 24mm, a 45mm and 90mm tilt/shift lenses

 

Nikon has a 24mm, 45mm and 85mm tilt shilt (PC-E) Nikkors. + older 28mm and 35mm PC (shift only) Nikkors, and the 85mm f/2.8D Tilt-Shift Micro Nikkor.

 

I count 3 for Canon and six for Nikon.

 

Now what was that you were saying about Canon having several?

I have 28 and 35 shifts for my Leicas. Probably should have gotten Canon so I could adapt them.

 

For reasons i can`t remember, I picked Nikon which has served me well. PC is done with photoshop. Not as perfect as I could do with a shift lens, but good enough.

 

In the places I frequent, there are many more Nikkor used lenses that I can use compared to Canon. About 10 to 1 or more.

 

Common 24 to 200 mm Nikkors can be had for a few hundred dollars. Canon changed the focus mount so all the old lenses must be sitting in closets somewhere.

 

In the end, find a price point you are willing to pay and touch the comparable models. They are both nice systems.

Nikon serves me well, but I could mount all my manual focus Leica R glass on a Canon, and I can't on a Nikon. So, if the Canon felt better in my hands today, I'd probably go that route.

Thanks for all your responses. I guess I should qualify my comment about the tilt shift lens. It has been a lens I have

wanted, but it wasn't available, so I questioned my loyalty to Nikon as I saw lenses I wanted come out with no Nikon

equal. My overall question is one more general, rather than based in lenses. I need to buy new equipment, as I have none,

and am open to change. Should I switch to Canon? Is there a reason to? Or should I stick with Nikon. I really don't know what

to do. I have a blank check, and need to start from scratch. Thanks again. I really appreciate your input.

What you need to do is to go into some stores near you that stock both brands and handle comparable models. if you live i na city that is large enough to have a store that rents gear, rent each for a weekend or a week and see which you like best.

There is no reason to switch to Canon. Canon is not better or worse, it just is. You mention switching because of technology. What technology? CMOS chips? CMOS chips are not better, just different. USM lenses? USM or silent wave, both are similar technological. Canon "IS" lenses? Nikon had "VR" before Canon had "IS". Admittedly they put in a crappy point and shoot. Do you want "L" series lens or Nano-coated ED glass? Low noise with plastic skin or higher noise with more detail? I could go on but it doesn't really matter. Neither Canon nor Nikon have any real advantage. I say "Stick with Nikon, or switch to Canon, just don't complain about the choice later." Both systems have the same ability to make you happy. You could always switch to Pentax.

changing brands may be more trouble than its worth - I had several Magellan brand GPS units from gen1 up through Gen3 - I was used to how each functioned, what the buttons did, etc. This is hand held units, not the mapping units they sell now days for cars.

 

For my 4th gen gps unit I tried to compare Garman with Magellan, I held both units in the store, turned them on, played with them, etc. I couldn't for the life of me get around the Garman and the Magellan felt like 2nd nature because I was so used to it.

 

If I had to buy my gear all over again I'd probably stick with canon for these reasons. I'm used to it. I also shoot Mamiya and a 4x5 monorail camera but I can't say I would go that direction a second time. Its mostly a way to make me a better photographer, understanding film and the history of photography. Its one thing to read about it, and I messed with film growing up, but to use it now when I feel like I know what I'm doing, the learning impact is greater.

It is not digital of course, but if I were starting from scratch I would get any Ebony folding 8x10 with a 300mm Rodenstock S lens.

"It is not digital of course, but if I were starting from scratch I would get any Ebony folding 8x10 with a 300mm Rodenstock S lens."

 

I have been sorely tempted recently to sell off my Nikon gear (D80 IR-converted, D300 and a variety of lenses) and get an Ebony 45SU -- 4x5 non-folding camera and 75mm, 90, 180, and 300mm lenses. I'd still run a digital workflow by scanning and printing digitally though.

Concentrate on good lenses. I've sold so many for much less than what I bought them for, because a they didn't match up to the quality of my camera.

Ellis,

 

Are the 45mm and 85mm tilt-shift lenses in stock already? I notice that they were only announced 3 weeks ago.

I used Canon for nearly 40 years and then sold all my photo gear 14 years ago to pursue other interest. I got

the urge recently to get back into photography. Since I didn't have any gear I did a lot of looking, reading

(user reviews), and pricing of Canon and Nikon. I went with Nikon this time around, D60 (kit with 18-55VR and

55-200Vr) and bought a 70-300VR lens (great lens). Nikon has always been noted for their excellent glass and all

three of my lenses are no exception to the rule. They all are very sharp and take great photos.

 

I like the menu system on the Nikon better than on the Canon. The Nikon system is more intuitive for me, much

easier and faster to use. Nikon has some great prices and lenses for us amateur photographers. While I can't

afford their Pro lenses at this time, their consumer lenses get very good to excellent reviews. And third party

lenses have come a long way in the last 14 years. Sigma and Tamron are now making some excellent lenses.

 

The local camera stores were having sales on both Canon and Nikon gear when I bought my D60 kit. Nikon had a

better price than the equivalent Canon gear. I am extremely happy with the D60: it's got all the bells and

whistles I need at this time. Down the road I can see a D80 or D90? making it's way into my hands. Neither

brand is better than the other, just different from each other. Kind of like the Ford - Chevy car debate. It's

your money so buy what you like and enjoy it!

Having worked my way through a lot of different equipment over the past 6 or 7 years to find what works best for my

photography, if I had to start over I'd buy what I have now again ...

 

Godfrey