SteveMcBill

Started SLR photography with an Exacta in 1968; around 1973/4 moved to a Pentax K2 DMD and stayed with Pentax for a LONG time. A shortish initial dabble in digital was with a Nikon Coolpix 950. I upgraded my Pentax equipment around 2005 with a Pentax 1st* which allowed me to use all my older Pentax and K-mount Tamron etc. lenses and accessories. After a few years I decided I wanted a better quality DSLR and at the time Pentax didn't have anything that seemed to justify the upgrade. I also liked the idea of the Canon MP-E65mm macro 1x-5x lens and the other glass available from Canon for insect and nature photography, so, after a lot of perusal and going into camera shops I decided to go Canon. Started with a Canon 7D Mark-II with a few lenses in 2015 and then this year (2017) have added a 5D Mark IV along with a few more lenses (500mm L f/4.0, 300mm f/2.8 L and both the MP-E65mm macro and 180mm f/3.5 L macro). Am very happy with my choice of Canon though perhaps I would like to see them coming forward with more innovation in their bodies.

Steve

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Well back during my Junior (Community) College days. Even though I was a Biology major my best friend showed me how to print in the darkroom and he had a (Honeywell) Pentax Spotmatic (SP1). Shortly after my girlfriend (now wife) took a photography class. That got me hook as I helped her with her assignments. I soon started taking photography classes. The college had cameras that they would lend us for class and assignment use. They had a number of models. Calumet, B&J, Kodak 4x5" view cameras, Rolliechord and Yashica Mat 6x6 cm TLR cameras, and Pentax K1000 and Pentax Spotmatic 500 or SP2 35mm cameras. This was all during about the period of 1975-81. So I was exposed to Pentax early on. My first SLR was an Asahi-Pentax KM. A couple years ago I bought my friend's old Spotmatic camera and lenses for my wife. She claims to prefer film. So I've stayed with Pentax into the digital age.

I don't dislike other brands. When I worked retail I hawked Minolta because I felt it was a better value for my customers. At one point I decided I wanted a second system and thought of buying a Nikon FM2. But eventually decided on a (pricey) top of the line Pentax K2 DMD ($365 at the time, whopping price for a Pentax then, the K1000 was about $115). I still use that camera today! I own Nikon View Camera and Enlarging Lenses (and Schneider). Have a Minolta Spotmeter, and Canon PRO Printer. So my money still gets spread around to various photo companies. And obviously I own many Sony electronic items to hundreds of Sony branded CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray Discs.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Makes perfect sense!

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

For me, when I was ready to buy my 1st camera the ONLY thing I knew about photography was I wanted/needed a camera that used interchangeable lenses. Went into a camera store and couldn't get that Paul Simon song out of my head (I got a Nikon camera, I love to take a photograph) Bought a Nikon and fell in love with it. "And the rest is show business history."

FotoPhreak Loc: Whittier, CA

Many light years ago, I started out with Minolta 35mm cameras but then migrated to a Mamiya 645 medium format camera. I had at least 2 645s and they were my primary cameras for many, many years. Ten years ago, when it became obvious that digital photography was taking over the photographic world, I decided to get a digital camera. At the time (and even now) digital medium format cameras were clearly too expensive, so I decided to get a DLSR. I considered both Canon and Nikon cameras. I was leaning towards Canon but decided to go with Nikon because they had an 18-135mm zoom that I combined with a 70-300 full format zoom and that combination became my main photographic tool kit. Unfortunately Canon had nothing comparable to the 18-135 zoom, so Nikon became my choice. That said, Nikon, Canon and now Sony produce outstanding cameras. Once you jump in bed with one brand, you are pretty much stuck with that brand unless the manufacturer gives you ample reason to jump ship, For me, I am perfectly happy with my Nikon cameras and lenses and I don't foresee jumping to another brand in the near future.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I don't recall why I started with Nikon DSLRs. I guess it just fit my eye. I'm glad I did though. I have a wonderful collection of lenses and I would be lost if I switched. Nikon has never given me a reason to be unhappy. I do own a Sony A7r and a Canon SX60.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

My first DSLR was a Nikon D5100. I liked it because of the clarity of photos I got and the camera was fairly easy to learn. Unfortunately, the camera was smashed in a freak accident and I didn't think of replacing it for about a year. Then I took a look at a Pentax K-70 and I am so happy with it, mainly because of the weather-sealing and dustproofing as well as having image stabilization built in the camera. It also has a faster shutter speed than almost all entry-to-midlevel cameras, it is easy to learn the controls, and the sensor is pretty darn good. So it's the combination of all these factors that impresses me about the K-70. To me, it has more features and benefits than practically every other camera out there that I can afford. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

HallowedHill Loc: Chattanooga, TN

Long, long ago and far, far away I decided I wanted to "take pictures". I researched the dickens out of it and bought an original Olympus OM 1 a couple of Olympus lens and a Vivitar zoom and was of to the races. When digital came along I switched to a Nikon D 50. More recently, I needed to get a new camera for several reasons and now shoot a OM D E-M1 Mark II with an Olympus Pro 12-100 and a Pan/Leica 100-400 and couldn't be happier. For whatever reason the Olympus system, then and now just fits: ergonomically and (o.k. call me crazy) the menus. It just "works" for me intuitively.

tmac Loc: Northern Kentucky

That's exactly why I went with Nikon!! Tried doing some research and it all became mumbo-jumbo. Heard the Kodachrome song on the radio as I was looking and went with Nikon. Very well researched and scientific way of choosing.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

It's at least as good or better than my reason for buying a Canon. :-)

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

After learning photography with a Pentax KM I bought a Nikon F301 (aka N2000) and few lenses. In 2000 I returned from a 19 day trip with 32 rolls of film. Processing and printing killed me so I traded the entire kit on a digital Olympus C2500L. Fixed lens DSLR with a whopping 2.5 megapixels. I used that for about 6 years before selling and going back to Nikon - a D70s. I have remained with Nikon principally because I believe that their technology and vision is superior. I also appreciate the backwards compatibility that allows me to use my 25 year old AI-s 35mm f/1.4 on my 2 year old D810 and shoot in aperture priority mode. No one else makes camera bodies to accommodate legacy glass as well as Nikon.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I started with Minolta film cameras. Then, with digital becoming affordable I want to stay with Minolta since I had lenses to suit. However, Minolta had sold their camera line to Sony. So, I bought a Sony DSLR, then another.
Almost immediately after, Sony suddenly switched to Mirrorless and had a different lens mount! WTF? Well, I still have, and my wife uses the Sony when we team up for event photography. For myself, I have switched to Nikon. The Sony experience was a bitter one and, at the time, there was great concern for Sony's survival. All that has changed now, though.

At this point in the game, I'd say that the key players are: Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony. Any of these will give you good service and great images. Just know that it is expensive to switch, once you get all the gear and lenses to suit. So, do your online research, then visit your local camera store and try them in your hand. Better yet, rent the one(s) you are interested in and see how they work for you. Good luck!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I am committed to the brand that works well for my types of shooting. I use Sony, Nikon, and yes, even Canon on specific assignments. They all have their strengths, best lenses, and software that make each best for specific applications. I am not married to equipment, I am married to what is needed to fulfill my vision.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I didn't know any better and I heard a radio ad from the local store about the Nikon D70. I thought "Go look", I did and ended up buying it. followed up with several lenses and thus commitment. Glad I did if for no other reason that Nikon has maintained a consistent mount - your lenses never become obsolete.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

When I was in the Navy Photography School Nikon released the Nikon F Photomic FTN and it was the biggest baddest 35mm camera out there. I could not afford one soo I bought a Minolta SRT101 and loved it, I still have it. MY interest in photography waned after several years so as far knowledge of cameras went I was a newbee when I bought my first dslr in November. If I had known Minolta was now Sony I probably would have bought a Sony but that FTN loomed large in my memory, so I bought a Nikon and am very pleased with my decision. As with most poeple on this forum I am already planning my next camera, it will be a Nikon.