Canon vs Nikon (Opinion) (Page 2): Yeah Joer, I looked at the DXO website. It's gonna take some studying.

chuckgibbs

Yeah Joer, I looked at the DXO website. It's gonna take some studying.

dtparker Loc: Small Town, NC

You're welcome. And, rest assured, the D610 is fine on the sensor issue.

Since you have some DX lenses, you might also want to consider a D7x00. They feel just like a D610, and I will replace my D90 with one when the funds are available.

Luckily, I have a good selection of both DX and FX lenses, so I am good to go, even with my Nikon FA.

Dave

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

chuckgibbs wrote:

I will, thanks.

Chuck, My philosophy about cameras, from what I read here, is quite different than most.
Let me just say that I'm not much of a camera geek. So things like DXO scores to me are pretty meaningless to me. Also, every company makes what they feel is an ergonomically efficient camera. So to me, again, how a camera feels in my hands is pretty useless as well. I'll adapt to any camera and survive.
If you are looking at a mkll, that camera was very well made and designed. There where tons of them sold, and as a result, there are lots of used ones out there, but they are still holding a pretty good price. The biggest short coming is that the mkll is slow, and the focus system does not lend itself to fast action. That said, I shoot a lot of fast action very well, but I work pretty darned hard for my good shots. But, the mkll is about as good at any of that, as any camera mentioned so far.
You mention "missing out" on lenses. I'm not sure what you mean, but I will say that, camera bodies come and go, which is why I don't put much stock in DXO stats. For me, I want the ability to shoot fast lenses. When I'm done, all of my shorter lenses will be f1.2, and it's important to me that my long lenses be the lightest I can get. It's the difference between hand holding a lens and needing support.
Chuck, take out those factors and any camera will do. I did a LOT of research before I picked the system I thought would give me an edge over the photographer next to me.
Chuck, 90% of all shots can be shot with anything out there, but it's those other 10% that will set your photography apart. Most don't agree with me, but maybe our goals are just different.
I don't want to hijack Joer's fine post. So I hope this has given you a few things to consider.
Good luck with your choices. ;-)
SS

Edit: Chuck, NO pro camera has a pop-up.
1, no pro needs one, or would use one.
2, they can't be sealed and are the main water entry points on a body.
If you want a master, get radio triggers.
Cheers

Nic42 Loc: Cardiff, Wales

f8lee wrote:

This subject has been beaten to death by zillions of people for years; it's more a religious war akin to "which is better - Mac vs PC" than meaningful in any real way.

This just about sums it up!

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

I have a 5Dii at work and a D800e for myself. They are both excellent cameras with different strengths and weaknesses. The Nikon sensor is definitely better if in respect to noise in the shadows. The Canon is better for high ISO shooting. I do prefer the less punchy rendering of the Nikon, but this is way down the scale. As to lenses, Canon is better for some; Nikon better for others. The much larger bayonet mount diameter on Canon does give them advantages for large aperture lens design. On the other hand Canon is weak in ultrawide. There is nothing to compare to the Nikon 14-24 in Canon's arsenal, although of course it can be adapted to Canon.

Bottom line is that both are excellent.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

I have a 5Dii at work and a D800e for myself. They are both excellent cameras with different strengths and weaknesses. The Nikon sensor is definitely better if in respect to noise in the shadows. The Canon is better for high ISO shooting. I do prefer the less punchy rendering of the Nikon, but this is way down the scale. As to lenses, Canon is better for some; Nikon better for others. The much larger bayonet mount diameter on Canon does give them advantages for large aperture lens design. On the other hand Canon is weak in ultrawide. There is nothing to compare to the Nikon 14-24 in Canon's arsenal, although of course it can be adapted to Canon.

Bottom line is that both are excellent.

Indrajeet Singh Loc: Goa, India

f8lee wrote:

This subject has been beaten to death by zillions of people for years; it's more a religious war akin to "which is better - Mac vs PC" than meaningful in any real way.

Both companies have been making excellent (and not so excellent) gear for years. At a given price point, they both offer the same basic capabilities. TO say one is better than the other because "it takes great pictures at ISO 102,000 and can use the 1200MM lens!" is, frankly, stupid.

And many pros switch back and forth depending on what company is giving them freebies - many will tell you they sway one way or the other over the years and it's rarely due to some technical superiority. Back in the day, Nikon had indeed technical superiority - better built bodies (ask the Nat Geo guys in the 70's and 80's) and better glass as well. Nikon (Nippon Kogaku) has a background in technological engineering; they also make microscopes and the stepper units that chip manufacturers use on the factory floor to make electronic chips. Canon had more of a marketing background and makes movie camera and printers (as well as other things), but got serious about photography and has made some significant advancements (like IS, which Nikon licenses and calls VR) along the way. But Nikon isn't slouching; even though they use CCD chips manufactured by Sony they seem to be able to squeeze better image quality of of them than Sony does in their line of cameras. But again, who cares?

The choice of what camera to get should be based on ergonomics more than anything else, unless you plan on taking photos of brick walls using your tripod and enlarging them to 4x6 foot sizes. How a camera balances in YOUR hand, how well the controls fall under YOUR fingers and how easy or difficult it is to read the torrent of information thrown at you through the viewfinder are all infinitely more important than the fact that "that brand has 1 more megapixel" or whatever.

If you are buying a camera to impress your friends, get a Leica (who themselves make pretty decent gear). If you plan on actually using your camera to take photos and improve your craft, get the one that feels best - because that's the one you will be more likely to use (or, at least, less likely to stop using because it's too heavy/clumsy/etc.)

This subject has been beaten to death by zillions ... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Indrajeet Singh Loc: Goa, India

dtparker wrote:

To me, it is all about feel and learned memory. I... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup:

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hi Joer, there are other excellent makes you could consider!

jaycherry

I've used both Nikon and Canon cameras since the late 70's. I bought a Nikon F2A which I still use with the manual and AF-D f-mount lenses. The good thing about Nikon digital cameras is that I can still use my AI and AIS lenses with the D800, D600 and D3s. I can use my AF-D lenses with my F2A. I purchased a Canon F1N in 80's and the lenses are not compatible with my Canon 5D. Both company lenses seem to have equal ability and speed, but forget the old manual Canon lenses on the new bodies. Canon bodies seem to be lighter than Nikon. There are more options in the Nikon body, but the latest reviews on the Canon 5D III seem to have better low light performance. I like both companies from the ones I've used. My suggestion is to allow your current lenses determine which company you stick with if you cannot both systems.

yayi60 Loc: Spain

chuckgibbs wrote:

Thanks for the objective comments. I'm now compar... (show quote)

Hi there!
Back in the film era I did shoot Canon ( still have my A1)
But now I shoot Nikon and I love it as much as I loved my A1. I have the D600 and it's a great camera, never had a problem with it since I got it a year ago. I also have the D7000 which is also a nice camera... Good luck and Happy Holidays to all

jaycherry

If you have Nikon lenses already, go with the refurb D600 that has corrected the shutter problem and is pretty much the same as the D610. You already have compatible lenses, so stick with Nikon.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jeep_daddy wrote:

I have never used Nikon but I've got plenty of friends that use Nikon. I sometimes shoot with a guy named Skip that shoots Canon and he's always ragging on the Nikon shooters especially if there happen to be more Canon shooters in the group than Nikon shooters. Frankly, I'm quite sick of hearing it every time I see him.

And I bet he laughs after every stupid comment he makes. Maybe when he gets older, say 10 or 12, he will grow out of that childish behavior. People like that are ridiculous. I've leaned to avoid them.

catfish252

One thing I would caution you about using the Built in Flash is: When your lens gets a certain length the light from the flash will hit the front part of the lens/ lens hood and cause a shadow. See this example. Other than that they can be very useful.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

One point about bench tests like at the DXO site. Take them with a grain of salt. The differences between two closely ranked cameras isn't going to be discernible in real world shooting. Maybe if you pixel peep or print extremely large prints, but otherwise no. Most people on the Hog likely only display their images on photo sharing websites & if so, don't need the high dollar gear that is most often suggested. There is a lot to be said of ergonomics as if the camera doesn't feel comfortable in your hands, don't bother with it. Quality is there in most major brands as long as you are comparing apples to apples.