So much for completing my journey to the dark side

[Lionheart]

I'm at the 2006 AACD conference at San Diego, and I finally get a chance to complete my journey to the dark side by going Nikon. So I play with the D200 and the 105 mm macro with VR. and some kind of macro flash set up by Nikon. The pictures came out WAY over exposed no matter what settings I used, even with exposure compensationt turned down 2 stops. The VR really does work, but the flash system (not sure what model, but very similar in design to Canon's MT24 except that it communicaes with the camera body using IR. The pictures at all settings came out overexposed. The camera is heavier than I thought it would be, and the controls not at all intuitive. Maybe I'm just used to the EOS system after 19 years. Oh well....

[poker]

Run Luke, Run.....

[adina]

I'm curious as to why you'd be looking at Nikon after having such an investment in Canon. I think both brands are pretty similar as far as where they are technology wise.

So why the switch?

[Speed]

That's probably it buddy. Nikon recently came out with a new macro flash system, which is wireless, but that's about all I know about it.

If all your exposures came out over exposed, I'm wondering if the camera (or flash) was in manual mode. Any other mode should have compensated for the various lighting/background/etc.

I'm surprised that you think the D200 is heavy. Especially after working with a 1D and 1D Mark II. I would think those would be about the same size/weight.

Familarity makes a big difference in how a camera feels. To me, the EOS system feels awkward. But I'm a Nikon shooter. I've got to give you credit for at least trying Nikon. But it sounds like you've got Canon in your blood.

;-)

[Old Timer]

Don't know about the flash problems, but as to the feel of the camera I think it's all in what you get use to. My hands just seem to know what a camera should feel like and it's spelled NIKON. My fingers go naturally to the controls. I have never picked up another brand camera that felt right. That may have something to do with having 35 years of Nikon use under my belt. Moral of the story, "You need to stick with the one that brung you." All the major brands are quality equipment it's all in what you are use to and feel comfortable with.

[Lava Lamp]

I'm at the 2006 AACD conference at San Diego, and I finally get a chance to complete my journey to the dark side by going Nikon. So I play with the D200 and the 105 mm macro with VR. and some kind of macro flash set up by Nikon. The pictures came out WAY over exposed no matter what settings I used, even with exposure compensationt turned down 2 stops. The VR really does work, but the flash system (not sure what model, but very similar in design to Canon's MT24 except that it communicaes with the camera body using IR. The pictures at all settings came out overexposed. The camera is heavier than I thought it would be, and the controls not at all intuitive. Maybe I'm just used to the EOS system after 19 years. Oh well....

It's funny about the controls. Being a Nikon user, every new Nikon I get is really easy to use! It's like going to the grocery store -- if you deviate from your usual shopping place, it makes it really hard to find the peanut butter. Is it Aisle #3 or Aisle #9?

[another view]

I've heard that the VR on the new 105 macro is really only worth about one stop with macro work. I don't think that's really going to make it worthwhile to most users of a lens like that, but maybe it will help some people. Not sure on the flash - must have been a setting somewhere but I've never used it myself.

I'm curious too about why you'd look at Nikon - any thoughts?

[racingpinarello]

After your considerable investment in Canon equipment and time, I can assure you that there is nothing that you will gain by switching to Nikon.

I never got a handle on my Canon stuff, so that is why I went back to Nikon. The D200 feels good, but it's nowhere as heavy as the 1D series from Canon.

When I look at my 1Ds photos, they are very impressive on a technology standpoint. The grass isn't greener on the Nikon side of the fence, it just doesn't have any clover leafs.

Loren

[Photo-John]

I've heard that the VR on the new 105 macro is really only worth about one stop with macro work. I don't think that's really going to make it worthwhile to most users of a lens like that, but maybe it will help some people.

I got to play with that lens at PMA and I was very impressed. I think it's worth a couple of stops if you use good technique. If I remember right, I shot a nice sharp close-up in tradeshow lighting at 1/15th of a second.

[Lionheart]

So why the switch?

To see if the Dark side is more powerful
It really isn't, but I found that Apple computers to be surprisingly sensible and user friendly, and they work the way I think a computer should work, so I figured, heck, what if Nikon works better for me in the same way. But...:cryin: it's just not my camera to be.

[Lionheart]

I'm surprised that you think the D200 is heavy. Especially after working with a 1D and 1D Mark II. I would think those would be about the same size/weight.

It's bigger than the 20D/30D, smaller than the 1D series, but heavier than I expected for its size. My 1D Mk II is definitely heavier, but there's a lot more of it to grab, so it doesn't really feel as heavy. The D200 definitely feels robust. No question in my mind this baby will take a beating and keep on clicking. I really liked the feel, but the controls seemed awkward with the wheel placement at the front. The rear wheel works great for me, but it just seemed awkward manipulating the front wheel. I really wanted to like this camera enough to buy it, but the Force just wasn't flowing through me

[Lionheart]

That may have something to do with having 35 years of Nikon use under my belt. Moral of the story, "You need to stick with the one that brung you." All the major brands are quality equipment it's all in what you are use to and feel comfortable with.

Good point there OT. Actually, the EOS 630 was not all that intuitive 17 years ago, but the AF performance was so far above Nikon's and Minolta's at the time that I chose to learn the system. Minolta's was far more user friendly than either Nikon or Canon back then, but sheer focus speed wasn't even a contest (I pitted the 630 against the N8008 and the 7000i all with standard 50mm lenses). Once I learned the controls, it was a piece of cake, especially since I rarely shot outside of Aperture priority. A lot of folks say the 1D controls make no sense, but it's pretty close to the 620/630/650 push button scheme, so I never had an issue with it. I could learn the Nikon controls, but that front wheel just doesnt work for me like the front wheel on my EOS cameras.

[Lionheart]

That's basically what one of my business partners said. "put the camera down, and walk away. There's nothing that camera can do that our current cameras can't do." which was true except that Canon doesn't have a 100mm macro lens with IS.

[Lionheart]

[QUOTE=another view]I've heard that the VR on the new 105 macro is really only worth about one stop with macro work.
QUOTE]
I didn't get a chance to blow up an image from the camera on a large monitor, but it seemed awfully sharp in the LCD even zoomed in. And I was shooting text on the table at 1/25th of a second with no flash.

[QUOTE=
I'm curious too about why you'd look at Nikon - any thoughts?[/QUOTE]

Just to make sure that Nikon wasn't a better fit for me. After my unexpected conversion to the dark side from Windblows to Apple, I thought I'd give Nikon a chance.

[SirMike1983]

I think, as said before by others, it's very much in what you're used to. I do most of my time on old Exaktas (the prewar Kine being my favorite). The shutter release button and winder are on the left side of the camera and the right hand is used to control the lens. My girlfriend loves her old Minolta, but when I try it I feel all crossed up. Likewise she thinks the Exaktas feel entirely awkward. They're both quality cameras, but the quality of our experiences shooting and pictures vary widely based on which one we're using.

[LeeIs]

Honestly guys and I don't know why but I equate Nikon to the Mac in the Mac vs. PC conflict. I really can't explain this feeling that I got. but the Nikon just felt right for me. It just seemed a tad bit more hardcore and more of something that someone would convert to along the way more likely than the other way around. And that was one of the main reasons why I as a novice took the plunge and purchased my first DSLR D70s. I could be mistaken of coarse.

When was the last time you heard a Mac users confessing to switch over to PC and the Windows of death?? and how about a Nikon user going to Canon? that possible?

I'm not sure about the 2nd one as I haven't been here long enough nor read enough but I've read a few going the other way or Canon to Nikon. am I mistaken?

Have you gone backwards? confess!!!!

And btw congrats Lionheart!!

P.S. looking back at all the replies, I can't believe you mentioned the Mac PC thing LH!!!!! hahaha.. you've already done one switch and you've completed the return to the good side once and for all!!! hahaha.

[paulnj]

RUN FOREST , RUN!!!!

Hahaha ;)

[Lionheart]

don't worry, I haven't totally gone dark. I'm still sporting the clan o'cannon clover leaf and I'm still using PC's at home and work (Dentrix won't run on a Mac and my wife won't let me use her MacBook Pro and I'm not ready to plunk down money on a new Mac with vacation in Florida coming up next month).

[paulnj]

and how about a Nikon user going to Canon? that possible?

I'm not sure about the 2nd one as I haven't been here long enough nor read enough but I've read a few going the other way or Canon to Nikon. am I mistaken?

PLENTY of nikon shooters go CANON and don't look back, especially studio shooter(1Ds..) and telephoto shooters.

I did ;) But I do still have a soft spot in my heart for the f100 .

[Franglais]

I'm at the 2006 AACD conference at San Diego, and I finally get a chance to complete my journey to the dark side by going Nikon. So I play with the D200 and the 105 mm macro with VR. and some kind of macro flash set up by Nikon. The pictures came out WAY over exposed no matter what settings I used, even with exposure compensationt turned down 2 stops. The VR really does work, but the flash system (not sure what model, but very similar in design to Canon's MT24 except that it communicaes with the camera body using IR. The pictures at all settings came out overexposed. The camera is heavier than I thought it would be, and the controls not at all intuitive. Maybe I'm just used to the EOS system after 19 years. Oh well....

You have to set the D200 flash to Controller mode and program it to control the group of flashes you choose. At least that's what it says in the manual. Have to try it one day.

It sounds like the builtin flash of the D200 is exposing in i-TTL mode just for itself and on top of that the external flashes are being triggered but not told to turn off.

Charles

[Lionheart]

You have to set the D200 flash to Controller mode and program it to control the group of flashes you choose. At least that's what it says in the manual. Have to try it one day.

It sounds like the builtin flash of the D200 is exposing in i-TTL mode just for itself and on top of that the external flashes are being triggered but not told to turn off.

Charles

Thanks Charles. I think you're right. Unfortunately I won't have the chance to try it out. The exhibition floor with the vendors closed yesterday and I spent most of the time in the Smile Gallery looking over the results of the competition. The level of excellence went up a few notches this year. More submissions were entered this year for the competition, but fewer medals were awarded. I just about cried when I saw what we were up against this year. :cryin: This was my first year submitting entries for the Smile Gallery, and the work I submitted weren't the ones I wanted to enter, but I didn't have the complete set of required photos for the cases I did want to enter. Last year my partners cleaned up in the competition, with 4 golds, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals between the three of them. I was the lone duck out who didn't enter. This year we all submitted entries, including three from myself, and all we had to show for it was 1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze (and 4 honorable mentions). Only two of us medalled. I took home 1 bronze and 2 honorable mention ribbons. I'm madder than heck at myself, a wannabee photographer dentist without the required photos for my best work to submit.:mad2: I only submitted my three cases because my team was threatening to quit if I didn't. Wait till next year in Atlanta....

[LeeIs]

PLENTY of nikon shooters go CANON and don't look back, especially studio shooter(1Ds..) and telephoto shooters.

I did ;) But I do still have a soft spot in my heart for the f100 .

There goes my theory! Thanks!!