CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

I started with my Dad's Nikon "F" that he had used as a White House Photographer and Washington DC Press Photographer. After the paper was closed he kept the "F" and a bunch of good lenses so I had good gear (for the time) and never looked back. Now retired I just keep a D5300 and some lenses in the bag for the occasional small gig.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

My first dslr was a canon 5d. I made that choice because at the time is was the only full frame dslr on the market. Bought good glass for it, 24/70 2.8, 70/200 2.8, 100/400 trombone. Never looked back.

Termite53 Loc: Peterborough UK

My first camera was a Kodak Box Brownie, that was back in 1962, I think it was, did all of my own developing at school in the science lab. My first 'serious camera' for me any rate, was on Olympus Trip, given to me as a Christmas gift in 1975. When I revived my interest in photography about 10 years ago when I purchased my first Bridge camera, can't remember the model off hand.

I bought my first DSLR in 2012, I chose a Canon, (1100D) simply because one of the guys I worked with had one and I liked it. Over the 18 months or so I bought a few lenses with it, mostly used I have to say, so when I changed it, as my interest in Wildlife photography grew, it made sense, as I had the lenses to stick with Canon. I went for a 60D, had that for about two years then traded it in along with a couple of unwanted lenses for a 7D MK11, which I love. My 300mm 4.5 L series lens spends most time attached to it. I am out a lot with a friend early mornings, she shoots with a Nikon, and she has upgraded over the years for the same reason as me.

CaptainBobBrown

I started my digital SLR career with both a Canon 5D mark II and a Nikon D7000 intending to use the 5D mainly for underwater photography. When using them both on land I found that the D7000 controls felt a lot more intuitive than the 5D. So when the underwater photography efforts got to be more effort than I was willing to undertake while at the same time getting comfortable with a new rebreather I stopped using the 5D but continued with the Nikon for bird photography and over time Nikon bodies and lenses have become my go-to gear for birds and wildlife.

I just never found the Canon ideas of how to make camera controls and software interfaces intuitive whereas Nikon controls always seem to be just right for my small hands. It's a very personal thing though. On my several expeditions up Mauna Kea for native bird photography I've almost always been outnumbered 3 or 4 to 1 by Canon shooters and at Bosque del Apache in New Mexico the ratio is probably 2 or 3 to 1 Canon to Nikon. On safari in Botswana with 8 other photographers I was the only Nikon shooter. Both make great gear but for me Nikon makes the best bodies.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Yea, what he said. My first camera was a Minolta SRT 101 because I couldn't afford a Nikon. But I'd tried my friend's Nikon and really liked it. So when I went to a DSLR I tried the Nikon and liked the feel of the controls and how it fit so I got that and the rest is history.

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

Not having a Camera with changeable lenses, since my last Minolta SLR, I purchased a Nikon D5500 body with two separate lenses. The reason was that most of the folks in the small camera club I belong to shoot Nikon's. A few of us will share our lenses to see if the other likes it before purchasing a new lens. Having the same make also makes it easier if one has any problems. It was between Nikon and Cannon and I felt that the Nikon had slightly better IQ.

lbrande

Bought a Mamiya film SLR in the 60's on a cruise in the Caribbean. When the Mamiya bit the dust in the 70's, I purchased a Minolta SRT 102, only because my cousin was big into photography. The Minolta was stolen, so I purchased a Minolta SRT 202 as a replacement, which I still have. When My kids started sports in the 80's, I needed a camera that would be able to stop the action, so, since I had not particular affiliations, I started looking at the Nikon and Canon brands. My original film Canon and lens' were stolen from a burglary. My friend (semi-pro) told me to get Canon just before I was to purchase a Nikon. So, at this point I have owned a D10, D30, D50 (current), and a 5DII (current), and I own an older film Rebel and an EOS 5 as a insurance replacements. My daughter, however chose Nikon 3300, and soon will be using a 7200.

Termite53 Loc: Peterborough UK

Hi,Bob,
Our camera club debates CANON/NIKON pro's and cons most weeks as we have members that shoot with both. As you quite rightly say, it's personal choice at the end of day. Go with what you are happiest with
Tony

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Availability
Cost
Functionality
Quality

The same elements that have me looking at a new system now.

Bob baird

Nikon. In the 60s it was the status brand. Also good equipment. Still is. I'm still with Nikon? Film and digital both. .

Jim 100 Loc: Everett, Washington

In High school (mid 60's) I bought a Pentax Spotmatic. Got a lot of lenses and used it until the late 70's when it decided to take a dip in the Pacific. I bought a Chinon because by then, it was the only camera made that still used the old Pentax screw mount. After more than 20 years, that camera literally fell apart so I donated all my Pentax lenses and got a Minolta, got more glass. When I moved to Digital I got a Konica-Minolta and when I decided to upgrade, I got a Sony
a77.

Jim 100 Loc: Everett, Washington

Forgot to mention a Ciroflex (pictured) given to me by a neighbor and a Nomad 620 I got when I was about 10.

teeford

I guess this dates me: First camera I used in high school to photograph night football games was a Crown Graphic 4x5 with Honeywell Strobonar (with separate wet-cell battery). First real camera I owned was YashicaMat 120 film camera (poor man's Rolleiflex). First SLR was Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic, which I still have, with 50mm, 200mm, and 28mm lenses. Second SLR was an Olympus OM1n, which I eventually gave to my sister. Have had several digital cameras as megapixels kept getting better, mostly Olympus. I now have a Panasonic Lumix zs100 and a Lumix G85 with Olympus 14-150 lens, both great cameras.

bamfordr Loc: Campbell CA

Same opening statement, but when I could no longer get the batteries and went to replace my Minolta with another film camera, a Canon model seemed like it would be the best fit. When I switched to digital, I stuck with Canon (Rebels, 7D).

teeford

I guess this dates me: First camera I used in high school to photograph night football games was a Crown Graphic 4x5 with Honeywell Strobonar (with separate wet-cell battery). First real camera I owned was YashicaMat 120 film camera (poor man's Rolleiflex). First SLR was Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic, which I still have, with 50mm, 200mm, and 28mm lenses. Second SLR was an Olympus OM1n, which I eventually gave to my sister. Have had several digital cameras as megapixels kept getting better, mostly Olympus. I now have a Panasonic Lumix zs100 and a Lumix G85 with Olympus 14-150 lens, both great cameras.