Nikon vs Canon

<p>As to Canon's quality control style:</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Wenq</p>

<p>should be required reading for all.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>The only thing worse than the Canon v. Nikon debate is debating whether or not we should have or be having the Canon-Nikon debate.</p>

<p>Let me say, rather emphatically: it depends. . . .</p>

<p>My own stance is that we should have the debate, but that we should not be having it.</p>

<p>Seems pretty obvious to me.</p>

<p>--Lannie</p>

<p>Thanks for the representative sample, Jerry.</p>

<p>While we are at it, have you guys noticed that the corresponding debate on the Nikon forum is titled,</p>

<h1>Nikon Vs Canon</h1>

<p>Capitalizing that "V" seems deliberately and unnecessarily provocative to me. Nikon shooters are very sly. You have to watch them very carefully, and be careful to count your change if you buy anything from them.</p>

<p>So there.</p>

<p>--Lannie</p>

<p>Quote "The best outcome in a thread like this is for people to realize that arguing about whether Nikon or Canon is "best" is quite pointless and ultimately hopeless"<br>

Exactly, and if we're not going to explain that to the OP then who is?! Well worth the discussion so people get the message. Hoorah for Photo.net!</p>

<p>We need a permanent "Camera, Lens, and Photographic Disasters" forum. It will be open to persons of all races, creeds, and brand affiliations.</p>

<p>I'm going over to the Ford v. Chevy forum. . . .</p>

<p>--Lannie</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Canon cameras are for engineers while Nikons cameras are for photographers is the term I was accustomed to hearing.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I find this humorous since I shoot Canon and have an engineering degree! However, what it comes down to with me and many of my associates is that people tend to stick with whatever brand they started photography with. I prefer to turn my lens to the right when zooming in, and I prefer turning my thumb dial to the right to overexpose. Aside from that, they're just machines that accomplish a task.</p>

<p>I should get a Leica? I have Leica film cameras. I prefer Canon because the L lenses, while excellent, are faster and much less expensive. Also I don't use digital for prints. I prefer film and a wet darkroom for that, and usually shoot large format. When you have an 8x10 camera, you are less inclined to spend $20,000 on a few Leica digital bodies and lenses, since the results are far better with LF. About the auto focus on the d700 compared to the 5D2, I wouldn't know. Neither camera focuses fast enough to grab candids on the street with autofocus. But since I almost never shoot on the street any more, I usually use manual focus (in the studio, where 99% of my work is done).</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The whole "Nikon v. Canon" thing is a giant waste of time and bandwidth. </p>

</blockquote>

<p>I don't think so. It's quite entertaining for us Pentax, Sigma, Olympus, Hasselblad, Phase One, Leica, Samsung, and Sony owners.</p>

<p><em>I kid! I kid!</em></p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>It's quite entertaining for us Pentax, Sigma, Olympus, Hasselblad, Phase One, Leica, Samsung, and Sony owners.</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Now you've crossed the line. Those are all terrible cameras! ;-)</p>

<p>Dan</p>

<p>Most Nikon's are so horrible that I reserve their use for photographing feces. Canon? It's a step up, I'll photograph roadkill with a Canon (the menus are easier to navigate and the L glass is... WOW!). You'll be hard pressed to find anything better than a Minox or a Brownie. You might have to upgrade your digital back on the Brownie to an H1 compatible back, but other than that, it's the best. Simple menus, too. Minox isn't far behind, you might need to get an adapter to put the H1 back on it, though.</p>

<p>I'm a dedicated and loyal Nikon user, but agree with Bruce in certain points. I love the Nikkors, old and new except the behemoth big 24-70/2.8 which I have. I love the ergonomic of the Nikon bodies, trying several time my friends Canon, the friend whom was a Nikon user, then switched to Canon and back to Nikon. But the over complicated menu system is a pain on the as. I agree on that 100%. If nikon simplify the menu system like Canon, I bet, they will grab 10 - 20% of the marker share, sure. It is insane losing customers because the stupid complicated menu system.</p>

<p>Sorry, the only time this topic could get interesting is if Canon reissues the 7 ( never ). Then again, there would only be kollectors chiming in, and of course none of us do that. :)</p>

<p>I'm sorry for your exaspiration, Bruce. That said, I own both the D700 and the 5D mark II, and I can set either of them to the "black and white" preset in about two button presses with a little bit of scrolling in between. However, I would never use the black and white preset, because you have far more options if you shoot in color (in RAW) and do your black and white conversion in post-processing. Think of digital as some magic film that can record any color in the field so you can decide whether to use a No. 11 or a No. 25 back in the darkroom depending on how you want your print to look.</p>

<p>In addition, BOTH of these cameras have a My Menu area where you can arrange your favorite settings for easy access. Did you program the My Menu on your D700 to toggle between color and B&W presets? How did that work for you?</p>

<p>Switching between preset modes is digital photography 101; tourists with point-and-shoot cameras can manage to do this and quite a bit more. You can't really appreciate a modern DSLR until you explore advanced topics such as setting Custom White Balance in a room with mixed light sources. If you want to appreciate an advanced camera like the D700, try exploring the built-in Intervalometer (the 5D2 doesn't have one) or the vast array of autofocus options that the Canon doesn't include. Or try to change your exposure compensation setting with one hand - the Nikon is set up to do this, but on the Canon you have to delve into the menu system.</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong; I love my 5D2, but I spent a lot of time learning the strengths and limitations of both cameras. I didn't ditch one because it was "so confusing," nor would I dismiss a piece of gear because it has "too many menu choices." What would you say to a person who thinks that Ebony cameras are junk because they have too many knobs and who doesn't understand the proper application of tilts and swings? I'd suggest that they go buy some books and learn something about LF before disparaging a camera that they're not in a good position to evaluate.</p>

<p>I'm glad that you found some gear that meets your needs, but next time maybe think twice before posting pejorative comments about features that you may not have taken the time to understand and fully appreciate.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>However, what it comes down to with me and many of my associates is that people tend to stick with whatever brand they started photography with.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>well it didn't happen to me. i started with fuji s7000, then i got my first dslr - nikon d70, unfortunatelly i didn't like the camera/lenses/flashguns etc from nikon... it all started with level of noise, but after i changed over to canon i noticed how much more i prefer their ergonomics, picture colors, etc...<br>

for last 5 years i've been using canon gear (30d, 5d, 1d 3, 5d2 and various lenses); in january this year i was shooting wedding and i decided to borrow d3s and d3x + some lenses from my friend and see how sweet it is... after all it wasn't as sweet as he was saying. i didn't like - actually i can use "hated" word - the ergonomics, menus, etc... the biggest "no no" was vertical grip on both cameras - because of the lens mount "step" my fingers couldn't rest properly on the grip and i had pain below my wrist for 3 days after wedding... for the type of shooting i do - portrait, fashion, weddings, etc. - i can't see huge difference that everyone claims to see in af operation between the systems. sure, lenses are simply stuning (i had that time 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 vr mk2) but that was the only thing i liked about nikon system. when i got pictures onto my mac i learnt how much easier is to use dpp over nikon's software - saying that, i don't do any significant adjustments in dpp. it's just basic wb adjustment and little (noramly arond 1/3 stop) exposure tweaking. that's also the reason why i don't understand people moaning about banding noise at low iso in 5d2 - get your exposure right in camera and you won't experience the banding problem. <br>

so that's my little rant about nikon. as they say "to each their own" - one will love porsche 911, the other jeep wrangler...</p>

<p>Dan, that I've landed in L.A., your point that "<em>The best outcome in a thread like this is for people to realize that arguing about whether Nikon or Canon is "best" is quite pointless and ultimately hopeless</em>" is exactly what I was saying in a different way. Not only is it pointless, it misses things that are so much more important in photography and getting "good photos."</p>

<p>I have been using both Can-on and Nik-on, and others. They are almost the same. And they are both Japanese. I'd love to see an all American DSLR to compete with Nikon and Canon. That would be a much more better competition for me to see</p>

<p>I could not decide what to get either, then one day I notice Big Bad Chuck Norris using a Canon, so I had to get one too.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I could not decide what to get either, then one day I notice Big Bad Chuck Norris using a Canon, so I had to get one too.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Probably the best reason to own Canon.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>

<p ><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=4142331">Arnold Pangilinan</a> <a href="http://www.photo.net/member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub3.gif" alt="" /></a>, Jun 13, 2010; 03:57 a.m.</p>

 

<p >@Bruce<br />Out of curiosity, don't you miss the AF system of D700? Don't get me wrong, I love my 5D (classic) but I wish the outer AF points have been crossed type.</p>

<p > </p>

 

</p>

</blockquote>

<p>

 

<p >FYI Only a center box of AF points on the Nikon D700 are cross points. The outer are single dimension also. They just seem to work a little better than 5D. Maybe the angle of light they allow. Not sure.</p>

 

</p>

<p>Not sure I could get an 8x10 to work as well as you for street Bruce, I'll just stick to my small rangefinders. But seriously Bruce, do you really shoot your digicam in B&W mode? </p>

<p>I started DSLR's with the D30 when it came upon the market. Had several Canon bodies after that including a 1 Series which I loved. I NEVER had ONE problem with any of the DSLR bodies, unlike some folks. I never found my self particularly challenged in regards to focus accuracy, but then perhaps I wasn't pushing them to the limit. Colors were superb and I found post processing quite easy. I jumped over to Nikon with the D200, subsequently getting a D300 when it was released. I then upped it to a D700 after that and I've since added a D5000 for a 2nd body. I could easily take fine photography with EITHER brand. I am not one that feels the brand will make or break the photographer in most cases. I AM however aware that there are some advantages to the accuracy of the Nikon system overall. It's not earth shattering, and for most it won't make a difference in day to day shooting. Some folks love the color output of the Canon's and others like the accurate color of the Nikon. Either way if you have a clue what you're doing you can do what you wish in the post processing anyway. It's all a personal thing, but I must say I prefer the ergonomics of the Nikon system. Some don't. It's not a big deal. I prefer the consistent shot to shot in focus nature of the Nikon's I've worked with. I know others that have no issues with the Canon, and I'm not surprised. They are BOTH great systems. I DO think that Nikon's flash system is MORE accurate and flexible. But once again for some it's NOT a deal breaker. It is by NO means a war. I could flip a coin and get a good camera today. So it's a "no worries" situation. I was tempted to consider a 5D2, but after working with one decided I preferred my D700 for a good number of reasons. I have NO need for huge resolutions as I don't typically crop much at all and only print to 13x19 anyway. Everyone needs to evaluate their own priorities and buy according to those priorities. I'm good for now that's for sure. The D700 exceeds my needs as it is. I'm still amazed when I shoot with it. It nails what it aims at each and evey time without fail, and the colors delight.........not to mention the shear build quality.</p><div></div>

<p>Whenever people ask me the question, whats better, a canon or a nikon?<br>

I tend to say this, I shoot canon. At one point canon is better marginally, at the other nikon is. Canon is easier to me because my dad shot a canon and I grew up using canons so naturally I use cannons. I've invested myself into Canon glass and have no desire to switch to Nikon because the temporary marginal benefit (if there is one at that time) would be nowhere near the marginal cost.<br>

I also like red more than yellow.<br>

But thats just me.<br>

To me its like Subaru vs Mitsubishi in racing or Syrian vs Egyptian when it comes to hookahs, both sides make good products, just let it be.</p>

<p>(Btw, Go Subaru and Syrian Brass)</p>

<p>Let's not do Canon vs Nikon like Chevy vs Ford. I have both systems and both have advantages and disadvantages. Both have superb bodies both amateur and pro. Both have wonderful fast lenses. Canons always impress with an image quality that to me looks a bit cleaner and brighter out of the box compared to it's Nikon equivalents. My D90 shows me more dynamic range than my 5D. The menu system is a personal thing though I prefer Nikon's having used it longer.</p>

<p>If you ask me I wish Minolta were still in the picture (not the cheap Sony stuff today that uses Minolta glass.) The closest digital SLR to resemble a film camera was Minolta's last great camera, the Maxxum 7D. It looked and felt just like it's film predecessor. It was ahead of it's time, a marvel at ergonomics...so much that when Nikon released their D200 I noticed how the layout of menus and buttons were placed in very, very similar locations to the 7D. You can look and compare pictures online. I wonder why Nikon or Canon have yet to release a digital SLR that resembles some of their most successful film cameras. I think they would be huge sellers. And some photographers are faster at making adjustments through wheels and turning knobs, than scrolling through menus.</p>

<p>@Tom Reynolds<br>

Thanks</p>