Nikon?

[Toronto iCANd]

There may be a thread regarding this already, however I was unable to locate it if does exist.
I am curious as to why most people, usually have nothing positive to say about Nikon?

[Mig]

I'm curious as to what makes you say this! I've never gotten this impression - far from it, especially on this site where we have numerous "Nikon Ninjas" but I've also never really seen mass-Nikon-bashing anywhere else either.

I'm a Canon user currently, but I had a brief love affair with a Nikon FM2n and I really loved that camera - I just didn't use it enough to justify keeping it after I bought an EOS 3. And the only reason I bought the EOS 3 over Nikon's F100 was because the EOS 3 had mirror-lockup and the F100 didn't.

Danielle

[another view]

This would probably have a bunch of replies already if it was in Viewfinder!

I'm Nikon shooter and have been happy with their gear. In my experience between Nikon and Canon, they both have their advantages and horror stories whether it's cameras, lenses, flashes or service centers. From where I sit, Canon comes out with stuff quicker, but you might have to de-bug some of the problems (like the 20D lockup problem and the problem with the firmware update to fix it). Their newer cameras sure are cleaner at high ISO's though. Seems like neither has as good of a flash system as the best 35mm bodies though.

That said, if I had to start over I don't know which one I'd go with... It would be a pretty big investment to switch systems at this point, so before I do anything I'll wait to see what the sample images from the D2X look like and hopefully a D100 replacement. I've been doing most work for hire on film and would like to do that on digital at some point. Even if I stay with Nikon I'll still have to buy new flashes because my SB28's don't have iTTL.

Which one someone should go with can really be decided only by them. The advantages of one system might be very important, but the disadvantages not really matter. Other reasons could include having access to equipment to borrow or rent. Can't really say that one is better than the other.

[Steph_B]

I'm curious as to what makes you say this! I've never gotten this impression - far from it, especially on this site where we have numerous "Nikon Ninjas" but I've also never really seen mass-Nikon-bashing anywhere else either.

I'm a Canon user currently, but I had a brief love affair with a Nikon FM2n and I really loved that camera - I just didn't use it enough to justify keeping it after I bought an EOS 3. And the only reason I bought the EOS 3 over Nikon's F100 was because the EOS 3 had mirror-lockup and the F100 didn't.

Danielle

Good choice: that's indeed what I miss most in the F100...

However the F100 is just a fantastic camera! I love it!

[carney2]

I've used Nikon products almost exclusively for 30 years. No complaints, although "the grass is always greener," and I suspect that I may have been able to save a few pennies - particularly in the early days - by using Canon. Where exactly have you been hearing/reading these horror stories?

[paulnj]

I shoot my F100(even my N60) still, though my CANON 1D get's the most use(no film costs)

How anyone can TRUELY bash Nikon as a whole is a mystery to me. My reason for CANON DSLR was IS and CHEAPER telephoto primes(CANON 600f4IS $7200/ NIKON 600F4AFSII $9000+)

Nikon STILL makes some of the best on the market(though it seems a DIFFERENT TC is needed ever 2 years to match new technology )

[GB1]

I too wasn't aware of people being overly negative about Nikon.

It seems that a heck of a lot of serious photographers use Nikon and Canon, probably because of the availability of very high quality lenses and accessories. But they are expensive, and IMHO Nikon quality has fallen over the years, so in the back of my mind I wonder if I'm getting ripped off.

E.g., I own the Nikon F100. I love the feel of it and its overall performance. But for a camera that costs $1000+, you'd think the thing wouldn't break down so fast, for I had to get the internal motor winder replaced after about a year and a half (luckily, I had bought a 5-year warrenty). I also bemoune the inability to do both multi-exposure and self-timer at the same time, the way it eats power (which suprising for a non-digital camera, I only get about 15 rolls out of 4 AA batteries), and am slightly disappointed with its autofocus, which doesn't work all that great and also doesn't seem to track an object as well as they claim. The 24-120mm lens also has big-time distortion at all ranges.

So as you can see, even Nikon has quirks. I think they may still be the best overall manufacturer, but their lead and value may be slipping to the point where it makes sense to consider less-costly alternatives.

[almo]

There may be a thread regarding this already, however I was unable to locate it if does exist.
I am curious as to why most people, usually have nothing positive to say about Nikon?

For me it is a personal choice. I don't care for Nikons. They just don't suit me. I have always been much happier with the feel and results of the Canon EOS and Minolta Maxxum SLR's, and Pentax for older manual SLR's.

This being siad I can't recall the last time I heard anyone but myself bash Nikon. They are a fine camera company, and they have certainly earned their place alongside Canon and Minolta as the top manufacturers. They sure didn't fool anyone to do that.

almo

[Lionheart]

Interesting that you feel that way. I think the Canon/Nikon users here have a pretty healthy respect for each other's choice of armamentarium. I personally am a Canon user, and proud of my gear, but no more than any Nikon user is proud of theirs. I have been tempted on occasion to go to the other side of the force, but have resisted it simply because I don't want to buy a whole new set of lenses. That plus the fact that after 15 years shooting Canon EOS models, I really don't want to have learn a whole new set of button combinations on the camera body. I think some of us here jest in good nature at each other's choice of equipment , but I really haven't seen anyone maliciously slamming Canon or Nikon equipment for a long long time. The last time I ran into that was on the camera reviews, some jerk was slamming what a piece of junk the EOS-1V was and kept emphasizing the cheapness of the plastic body. Well, I reported it to PJ who removed the review, since as those of us who have had the pleasure of owning this camera know, the 1V is made from a pretty solid hunk of magnesium alloy, which is what tipped me off to the fact that this guy's never even held the camera in his hands. But that's probably the only case i've seen of this sort of childishness.

[Toronto iCANd]

Wow, what response.

Well I feel alot more reassured that my selection of Nikon products was a wise one, opposed to what I was told by highschool and University teachers. I guess I had just come into contact with 3 or 4 people, who had rare yet horrible Nikon moments, and assumed the majority of the industry felt the same.

Thanks guys, for clearing that up.

[Outdoorsman]

You know, I've often tried to pose this question before. I hear so much about how great Canon is, yet I don't hear the same plugs for Nikon. People who prefer to shoot Nikon don't seem to be able to explain why it's better. I would definitely but in good nature and good humor ask Nikon shooters here and now to explain why their chosen system is better. I have no opinion on this subject, since I've never shot a Nikon SLR (though I did shoot a Coolpix for 6 months- not a fun experience). So I'm not saying one or the other is better. I would just like to hear specifics as to why Nikon or Canon is better.
And I should probably add that I do shoot Canon right now. But this is because my first auto SLR was Canon. I have bought into the system and now I have no reason to switch. Yet... ;)

[mtbbrian]

"Nikon Ninjas" Danielle

It's Samurai, not Ninja's..

I have always been a Nikon fan, I think they are the best camera.

This whole Nikon v Canon thing is a lot like the old Chevy v Ford thing..

Ultimatley, it is a matter of choice and preference, because both are quality cameras.

Just my two cents....

Brian
Nikon Samurai #2
Nikon Rules!

[almo]

And I should probably add that I do shoot Canon right now. But this is because my first auto SLR was Canon. I have bought into the system and now I have no reason to switch. Yet... ;)

I think that quote up there is the main reason for this debate.

I am a photog with no real preference. I like Canon, Minolta, and Pentax, but I do know this, I don't care for Nikon, save (as I have said) the D70.



almo

[another view]

I would definitely but in good nature and good humor ask Nikon shooters here and now to explain why their chosen system is better.

Because it's what is in my camera bag! Seriously, I don't think it's that big of a deal. Right now - as in the last couple of years and probaly the next couple or few as well - digital is changing very quickly. I think in five or so years that none of us will want to be reminded how much money we paid for our DSLR's given their capabilities...

[Lionheart]

Because it's what is in my camera bag! Seriously, I don't think it's that big of a deal. Right now - as in the last couple of years and probaly the next couple or few as well - digital is changing very quickly. I think in five or so years that none of us will want to be reminded how much money we paid for our DSLR's given their capabilities...

We purchased our first digital slr for the practice 3 years ago for what, about 3700 bucks (d30). Then we added the d60 for 2400, and now two 10D's for 1500 dollars. The d30 and d60 are sitting on a shelf upstairs collecting dust. Next step hopefully will be EOS-1D MkIII 12 Mpixels, 10 fps for under 2k. Wishful thinking ;)

[Outdoorsman]

We purchased our first digital slr for the practice 3 years ago for what, about 3700 bucks (d30). Then we added the d60 for 2400, and now two 10D's for 1500 dollars. The d30 and d60 are sitting on a shelf upstairs collecting dust. Next step hopefully will be EOS-1D MkIII 12 Mpixels, 10 fps for under 2k. Wishful thinking ;)

Yeah, by the time the 12MP camera is under 2 grand, it'll be for intermediate people. the 20MP version will be pro standard!!!