PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Well, I have shot with the top digital cameras from both Canon and Nikon. I have seen first hand the rather famous banding issue Canon digital cameras can produce, seen in continuous gradations. In fact, I dropped my PPA subscription when their magazine showed a contest winner with clear as a bell banding as printed in the magazine. As to my digital Nikons, no banding, at least as of yet, but I'm looking for it.

Now, banding is not necessarily a deal killer, because you can fix it in post. Banding issues go way back to drum scanners we used to use to scan film. We've been fixing it, forever.

As to working digitally, Canon pro digicameras, to my hands, feel like plastic, and the rush to try to make everything as light as possible speaks poorly to durability. This is not really an issue as the latest pro cameras are not built to last in the first place. They will, however inspire you to examine new photographic horizons. EXPEED processing is quite remarkable on the Nikon for high ISO shooting, and I've photo edited tens of thousands of low light Canon images. In all cases, digital makes low light work much more interesting.

All that said, another issue: the mass of cameras directly contribute to handheld sharpness, if just in dampening the vibration of the shutter and mirror bounce. I would not suggest buying based on light weight. You might say, "but I have an 25 pound Gitzo tripod," but would you cinch down a plastic camera on it? Ripping the tripod mount out of the camera body... this does happen.

Fun things to consider,

RB

kbarnes42 Loc: North Carolina

Since you have nikon lenses, I would probably stay with Nikon. Be sure to get a camera that has a AI ring so you will be able to use the old lenses. You can program the focal length and the largest apreture into the camera and will be able to use the lens in apreture priority mode.

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

Maria - I think you're playing with us. hahahaha Learning??? I looked at your website - YOU OUGHT TO BE TEACHING!!!! To give your ego a little boost........ You are darn awful good for being self taught. Fantastic eye. How do you say it - a self taught pro??!!

try pod

Nikons don't fog up in hunid weather?

GDRoth Loc: Southeast Michigan USA

I think Maria is long gone from here......

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

I went with Canon 35mm years ago so I could borrow expensive lenses from my friends who shot Canon. I now use Canon DSLR and encourage my friends to do the same so I can borrow more lenses. LOL.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

I'd go with nikon......but you can see that I'm prejustice..

paco dave Loc: auburn california

Right! Ford or Chevy? That's what I tell people too when they ask me to differentiate between Canon and Nikon. They are both fine products.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

I've owned both and loved both as well as Minoltas. All fine products. I'll go back to my first response. Shoot with you're friends have especially if they have deep pockets and don't mind if a few lenses disappear for a while. :)

phoenix Loc: England, but currently living in AZ

What a difficult question to answer as they are both excellent systems. I teach quite abit these days and although I have students using both, for some reason Canon seems to have the edge about 3 to 1 on DSLRs? My OPINION (and it's just that) is that Canon seems to have the edge with user friendlyness but with the budget lenses that Nikon seem to have the edge. However if you go to L glass it is hard to fault Canon. If FF is your aim then I think that Canon has a slight adavantage and there are thousands of used 5D's (mk1) out there for sale! their both excellent systems though annd both have their die-hard followers......

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Sure, she got scared off, just blame it on Rio

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Ok...tell us....who's got the best glass?

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

I had a three legged dog named "tripod" decades ago...

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I'll bet he even had a ball socket!!

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

On the subject of Nikon vs. Canon...I started using Nikons in 1967. Nikon was very good to pros in Asia then. They were really trying to make a name for themselves. 35mm photojournalism i.e. Dave Duncan and many others was the rage. Pros working in Asia could send a letter to Nikon receive a number and after that one could send your camera or lens in to the factory anytime and they would strip it down, make it like new, replace any parts they could with new generation parts that worked, etc. Shortly you would get your "like new" camera back. I had four bodies and several lenses...they went in every year...the cost was...wait for it...whatever the parts cost the factory.............WOW!!! Later it seemed to me that Nikon put more emphasis on the amateur market...at least it seemed that way.
When digital came along Canon put a lot more time, R&D, money, patent lawyers, etc. into this new technology than other companies. In other words...at the time...they rolled the dice. And took a huge lead in a revolutionary, life changing, mother step for photography. I made the switch with the introduction of the D1s and I've been total Canon since. I might add that Canon takes very good care of the pros...not as good as the old Asia days but I certainly can not complain. They have been an excellent company so far. And I love the 5DMKII......VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE COMING D1X!!!