TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

The AE-1 came out in 1976. I only know that because I bought a Canon FTBn in 1976.

TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

The Canon A-1 came out in 1978.

TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

In 1976, I was determined to get an SLR (I did not have a camera, and I was headed overseas). I was convinced that I was going to buy a Nikon because of its reputation and a little familiarity with a Nikkormat I used at work. A friend had gone through the same process--he was really torn between the Nikon and the Canon, but he bought the Nikon. When I went to the camera store, I opted for the Canon FTBn because of the feel, the features, the available lenses, and the price. I bought an A-1 as soon as I could get my hands on one, over Christmas of 1978.

I bought a Canon 20D in 2005, both because I knew the brand and because of the comparisons I read with the other DSLRs available then; I wanted a full frame, but either it was not available or the prices were too high. I added an EF 70-300mm lens sometime. I went on a cruise in 2010 (I think) with a friend who had a new Canon 5D Mark II, and I was really impressed with it and the EF 28-300mm lens he used. I was given an EF 24-105mm lens as a gift; it was my first "L" lens. I waited until the 5D Mark III was available and finally got one in 2012. Basically, I have always been happy with Canon and the ratings and reviews when I was buying have supported my choices.

In the last three months, I have bought all new L lenses, the three zooms from 11mm through 200mm, plus the 100-400mm. The new glass is heavy, but I really like all of them. I am pretty sure I will stick with the Canon line until I quit taking pictures--I hope to add camera bodies to add new performance capabilities.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

LOL, same here but the Nikon FE.

rvhowdy

I have been into photography for nearly 50 years, having studied photography in college in 1968. I started out shooting a Rolleiflex film camera. Went to Canon EF in 1973 and progressed with Canon up to the Canon EOS 650 and AE-1 Jumped to the Sony a100 when digital came out and then to the sony a850. Still have the a850 and now shoot the Nikon D810 and just purchased the Sony aR7II. What a fun ride I have had. Looking forward to learning the aR7II and continuing the journey.

hiker60 Loc: Northern Idaho

Welcome to one of the greatest, most informative photo blogs available! Great group of guys/gals who are most willing to share--or just jump in and share an opinion. to your question: In college, I used a Nikon F2 for photo journalism work; learned development in a dark, darkroom and simply stayed with the Nikon line. Have tried other cameras, but keep coming back to my trusty, dusty Nikon. Even favor my Nikon (s) over my larger format cameras. Just because...

Incidentally: great question.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

Got my 1st Nikon in 1974 (used FTN that I bought from Rockville Center Camera on LI) that lasted me for nearly 4 decades without an issue until I could no longer get replacement mercury button batteries for the meter. Went to digital about 10 yrs ago starting with a D5000 to D7000 and now a D7200. Never a problem and felt loyal to the brand based on quality and excellent results. Guess if I had gotten a Canon back then it would have been different. I have gotten other brands for my wife (Sony P&S) but with all the Nikon gadgets I've acquired over the years, it doesn't make sense to switch

JackW

I started out with an Ansco half frame camera when my dad gave it to me in the mid-60's although I could use his Minolta SRT101 whenever I wanted to.
In 1976 I was down at Daytona with my friends IMSA RS race car and just before the start of the main race several of us crew guys wandered over to the photographers tower at the inside of turn one.
As the drivers were climbing into their cars for the start a guard came up to the top platform and did a quick scan of the crowd - he saw me holding that Minolta and some other guys with second level equipment and chased us all off the tower. The crew guy standing next to me with a big Nikon F wasn't bothered. I thought to myself "I need a Black camera".

Soon after that the Canon AE-1 was introduced and the ads showed a black version. I went to Wolf Camera and ordered a black body AE-1, when it arrived it was the first one the store had seen.
I got a call from the salesman that my camera had arrived and I'd better get down there and claim it right away because he said he could have sold it three times that morning. I hustled down to the store and my new camera was in the display case getting lots of attention. I was very happy with that Canon and started accumulating lenses. I took that camera on two trips to Europe and got a lot of use out of it. At races everyone just assumed I was a pro since I had the magical black camera. Later I bought an F-1 and then another F-1N - and more lenses. The F-1's are great cameras, I liked them much better than my friend's Nikons.

When Canon introduced the EOS line of film cameras I was reluctant to switch as I had a pretty good lens collection by then, but by the time the 20D came out I was seeing the advantages of autofocus (bifocals) and decided to make the switch. The 20D was followed by a 1Ds MkII then a 1Dx as I shoot in adverse weather conditions and just like the results I get with a Pro level body. Now my lens collection is pretty good but I still need that 100-300L and maybe the new 24-70 Mk2 (the old Mk 1 version of my 24-70 is still my most used lens). Yes its heavy and conspicuous but I'll never get thrown off a photo tower again for having a silly looking camera.

seniormomentnw Loc: Seattle

I read several places that Canon's color rendition for outdoor photography was warmer (whatever that means, I think now). My 5D Mark III serves me well. At this point, as the owner of several L lenses, I would never switch from Canon. I don't see myself as all that partisan to Canon. There are several other brands that I'm sure could satisfy me.

rvhowdy

Hey, started with a Canon DSLR and got some great photos with it. when digitals came out, I bought the Sony a100. Then upgraded to the sony a850 full frame. Jumped to the Nikon D810 because of the larger sensor. I blow my photos up as much as 8 foot wide (have one hanging in the Marriott Courtyard Cocoa Beach, FL). Now, I just went to the Sony aR7II because i think mirrorless is where we are going and Sony is way ahead of the rest of the field, in my opinion.

rvhowdy

Great story! thanks for sharing.

rvhowdy

wow, Pablo, you have experienced a lot of cameras. would love to shoot with you sometime.

rvhowdy

Maked about as much sense as all the comments in here, including mine(:

rvhowdy

Oh, thanks HallowedHill, I forgot i had a vivitar DSLR I lost it in my divorce):

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I used box cameras starting 1956, and rangefinder cameras starting 1969. In 1979, I purchased my first SLR - a Pentax ME SE - basically because of Pentax's excellent reputation. In 1995 I was ready to go AF, and the EF-mount was clearly the best system, so I switched to Canon. In recent years I had some reliability issues with Canon Rebels, so in 2015 I moved back to Pentax.