Canon -> Nikon

Okay, I admit it. I am a Canon user (and Yashica rangefinders) but want to

broaden my horizons. So I need some direction for a 'beginner' Nikon. My latest

Canon is a Eos 7NE, auto focus, fully manual / automatic etc. So I think

somewhere between a low end SLR and a 'good' amateur level camera. So pros and

cons would be nice but I am not afraid to go chasing down info either. Many

Thanks

 

Larry

Consider the F100 - great camera for a film user, pretty cheap now that many people are switching to digital.

Used F100 or F/N80, depending on your budget. F100: it may sound odd to recommend one of Nikon's all-time best film cameras as a starter model, but they are selling for so little these days, why not? F(orN)80: Nikon's equivalent to your Eos 7 and a very good camera.

I'll second the F100. I picked one up last year and it is a terrific camera. At the current prices it is a great value as well

 

Keith

Used N70/F70 or F90 or N90 if you want to meter with manual focus lenses. Cons are it won't work with the latest G or VR lenses.

 

http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/nikoncamera.htm

My answer is going to be a bit off topic.

 

IMO, unless you really hate your current Canon EOS cameras, to broaden your horizon, you are much better off adding some lenses and accessories to your current system. If you are buying a separate Nikon system at roughly the same level, you probably won't pick up a lot of new knowledge.

 

Having said that, if you still want a good Nikon film SLR, in the US$400 range, a used F100 would be an excellent choice, but you'll still need lenses and accessories. In case you want a digital, you need to specify your budget and photo subject matter.

Just a general remark about switching to another camera brand. Don't rule out the amount of time you have spend familiarizing yourself with your existing brand. When changing you have to start all over again. Not much of a problem with regard to basic settings like aperture and shutter speed, but also think about the flash peculiarities. Have a look at photonotes.org for Canon, from what I read in the Nikon forums Nikon is just as complicated.

As has already been hinted at already, trying out a Nikon will not be very different from your current Canon system, just a different brand which basically does the same thing. If you really want to expand your horizons, going down an entirely different road might be more enlightening, like for instance getting a view camera - cheaper than getting started in a new Nikon system camera - or a pinhole camera, or trying to do your own darkroom work if you're not doing so already. <p>Also, you could challenge your own way of taking pictures by giving yourself assignments, like for instance one week just using one prime lens, one week just taking macro shots, another week just taking pictures of abstract patterns, one week just people shots - you get the idea, but the essence of it is that you constantly challenge what you know in order to improve your skills and to broaden your horizons.

Hmmm - lots of stuff to thinka about. Hadn't really thought about a view camera or a pinhole camera. Sounds like they could be fun. Thanks

 

Larry

Larry,

 

Keep the system you have, there's really no reason to change.

 

If you want to try pinhole, give this link a check over:

 

http://www.pinholeresource.com/agora/agora.cgi?xm=on&product=Cameras

 

You can also make or buy a pinhole cap for your camera or just make your own pinhole camera.

 

-Tom

It's already been said, but switching camera systems or brands won't really change your photography too much--although a switch from an autofocus camera to a full-manual one would! In addition to pinholes, you might look at Medium format cameras, e.g. TLRs (Rolleiflex, Yashicamat, etc..) or a waist-level SLR (Hasselblad, Bronica, etc..). You could also look into polaroids and holgas. As a film shooter, you've got lots of creative options to explore.

 

If you want to explore manual/mechanical cameras, as a change from your autofocus Canon body, you can look into either Canon's old FD mount, or a used Nikon FM2. I love my FM2; when I need autofocus, I use an F100.

If that's your idea of broadening your horizons then you really should get out of the house more.

I have to agree with Hakon and Vinh - Canon and Nikon cameras are basically the same except for the logo on the front. Get into TLRs, or folding cameras, or old Koni-Omegas or Graphics, or one of the several types of panoramic cameras. Or pinhole cameras; or the whole Holga/Diana/Lomo thing. You will get very different challenges and different results if you go this route.