Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

Richard: I agree with you 100% I see others saying "Canon," or "Nikon," or something else. It reminds me of Little League baseball with "get a Wilson," or "get a Spaulding," as in "mine's the best," no - mine is"!!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Yup! That's what you'll get here from most.

It's easy to shop for a gift for a friend but to shop for a friend that has to pay for it as well is almost a waste of everyone's breath to say the least.

I say Canon, he says Nikon, she says Pentax, they say Sony or Panasonic; it will never be the right advice for your friend since your friend has to make up their own mind.

I did see someone say here that for sporting events they see many more white lenses than any other is probably true. Does this mean anything? Not really. But it does say that Canons are popular and that they are seen more at sporting events than any other camera. It could also mean they are the better camera; or it could mean that the bang for the buck is better than any other. In any case, I think that Canon is the most recognized camera at sporting events than any other. That said, Nikon is probably synonymous with 'the best' or 'top of the line' or 'the brand to own'; there are probably many more significant things to say about Nikon.

wingincamera Loc: Spanaway, Washington

I don't shoot sports too much, but I switched from a Canon 5D to Pentax 5 II and love it. There are more lens for Canon & Nikon. He might want to handle what ever body he wants before buying it. For me it was the reduced size & weight from FF to a crop body.

stevenelson Loc: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

Tell him to rent a Canon 7D. I would bet he would go buy one.

stevenelson Loc: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

You are correct. It mainly depends on what you are going to be doing with it. Nikon is better at some things & Canon is better at others. Learning photoshop makes them more equal.

rebride

I don't even own, nor use a Pentax, but am always impressed with the Pentax images I see. Much more so than the Canon/Nikon. There is a noticeable difference.

alawry Loc: Timaru New Zealand

Well I had better hop in and say thanks to those who have put in their thoughts. I have stuck with Pentax since 1975 or so, and happily bought the K-30. No regret. Mick has also been a long time Pentax user, his dad has just gone K100 to K5. He does admit his lens collection is not wonderful, so if there was a time to change brand it is now. Interested that several Nikon users say "go Canon" without qualifying that. It would be interesting. Mick expects to use lens out to 400mm tops, more likely 300, but a faster lens than he is using. Again, thanks to fellow UHH folk. Andrew

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Nah that's just hearsay ..... there's only one choice ..... Nikon D300s with a 70-200 2.8, the auto focus tracks moving subjects like a heat sensing rocket .....

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

The K-5 is a great camera. The K-5II is the latest and greatest from Pentax with faster focus and some small upgrades. I would suggest faster lens and upgrade to K-5II and he should be a happy camper with out spending $10,000.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

You bet! Thanks for the comment. 'nuff said!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I was thinking the same thing when the OP mentioned willing to move to Nikon or Canon ... it will be 23 pages by next week ...

:roll:

wierdphotoguy Loc: the snow belt in Michigan

Tell your friend he should rent a few cameras that fall into his price range and try them out. I have been a faithful Sony shooter for years, but I would like to find out what shooting a Canon or Nikon is like.

Hands on is the only way to figure out what you like; reading comparisons will only give a general idea of what is or isn't acceptable. If he takes three cameras to a race and tries them all out, I am sure he can decide which one suits him best. (I'm rooting for the a77 to win!)

Michael O' Loc: Midwest right now

A hint : watch almost any sorting event of TV and you see the Pros using the white barreled Canon rigs. I've shot horse races in Germany, motorcycle races in Libya, and the Chicago Fire in Soldier Field -- as well as other soccer leagues, and I now use strictly Canon.
You can't go wrong with the best. I've had Nikon body and lenses, and they are good, no question; but I prefer Canon, as do most of the sport Pro shooters. Give them a look. They have a sea of top quality L series lenses from which to match up with your needs, most available with big glass that lets you do your best with available light at distance if that is what it tales. Great resolution. I use B&W filters, including "slims", on my Canon lenses. Have 4 Tamrac bags of various sizes, and am getting another for a pair of new rigs. My advice is to buy the best and stick with it. No need to lose money trading if you buy the best, even tho you buy it piece by piece over a bit of time. Suggest to your buddy that he pour over specs and make some selections, and then rent such a rig for a couple days for the "acid test." Good luck to him -- and to you.
races

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Make a decision on the lenses, and then buy the camera.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Who the heck cares what camera maker has the most lenses????? ever heard of Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and others???? Gosh I am tired of people making this dumb argument!!!