CANON 400D, 5D, NIKON D80, D200, would you change....

**stepheno** · 13-09-2006, 10:30

...cameras? The title just mentions Canon and Nikon but then there is the Sony Alpha A100, Panasonic DMC-L1, Pentax *ist, Olympus E500 et al. All good cameras.

I have a Canon 30D - I'm well happy with it and I'm tied to Canon by the lenses I have. But then something comes along, like the D200, and I start wondering. Realistically, no, I wouldn't change mid-stream but if all my gear was nicked and I had an insurance pay-out then I might be in a quandry? Must be even worse if you are a first-time DSLR buyer.

Anyone else ever coveted the competition, so to speak?

Gary Bagshawe · 13-09-2006, 12:10

Well as you know I fairly recently upgraded from the D60 to the 1Dmk2, before that I had a D60, loads of better cameras came out very shortly after purchasing the D60 but it did what I wanted it to do and I still use it to this day, the main reason for upgrading was weather proofing!!!!!!
As long as my kit does what I want it to do I don't see the point in forking out for the latest gadget. just my humble view on things.

***Dave*** · 13-09-2006, 18:49

If all my gear was nicked & had to start again I would have to say it would be hard to choose between Canon & Nikon for me. I reckon I could get more value for money from the Canon for my skill levels of photography, but I'm sorry I could not put up walking round with white lenses

If I had to just replace my camera body though, then Nikon D80

Best value for money seems the Canon 400D at the mo/

If I was say semi pro level I think the Nikon D200 would be my choice.

Choices choices

P-E · 13-09-2006, 20:11

If I had the choice/had to start over again I think it would be what I have now, a Canon 1DMKII.

I have used both Nikon & Canon owning a D100 D2H (still got) D2Hs & a Canon 20D.

VikingPhotography · 13-09-2006, 22:39

If I had the cash to spare, I'd be shooting with a pair of Hassy H2D-39's

On a more serious note: no, I'm very happy with my pair of D2X's - I'd only upgrade to a D3 series if doing so brought significant improvements in the following areas (in order of importance)

1. Increased dynamic range
2. Significantly cleaner ISO noise performance than D2X for any given value
3. Expanded (and clean) ISO range..
4. Greater MP count whilst maintaining same DR / ISO noise
5. "Full frame" 36 x 24mm sensor

That about covers it. If Nikon released a D3 series with only marginal improvements in the first four areas, then I'd wait for the D4 series. Oh, and a full frame sensor doesn't quite swing it for me, so that's why it's kinda low on my list of priorities.

Of course, if there were minor improvements in areas 1 - 4 AND a full frame sensor in the D3X... well, that might bear looking at

**Pixalo** · 19-09-2006, 14:53

If you've visited here , you may also be interested in these threads :-

Speculation - Canon 400D vs Nikon D80
Canon 400D vs 350D vs 20D vs 30D
Comparison shots - Canon 400D vs Nikon D80 vs Canon 350D vs Nikon D70 vs Sony A100
.
.

***Steve*** · 20-09-2006, 09:21

Like many others I am now tied into a brand and at the time I began buying my gear the best choice for me was Canon. Unless I had everything stolen and the money was given to me to buy whatever I wanted as replacement equipment then I will be sticking with my current gear, however if I had to start all over again now I would be looking at the Nikon D200.

I also feel that in the not to distant future Canon could be releasing something very interesting in that price range. There are already rumours of the 40D and with the industry trade fair about to start in the next couple of weeks, it would be an ideal time for an announcement. I would definately hold off for a few weeks before taking the plunge.

dod · 27-09-2006, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

however if I had to start all over again now I would be looking at the Nikon D200.

Same here. (Although I'd probably still end up with the 1D MkII

)

From a purely nostalgic view point I'd consider the olympus, just because I remember how much I enjoyed the OM2 and 4 and those Zuiko lenses.

***Dave*** · 27-09-2006, 16:45

Another OM2 fan & owner of past here Dod

. Even had the all black one

***Dave*** · 27-09-2006, 16:49

If I was more into people photography I might be tempted by Canon if I started again. From looking at shots taken by the likes of SteveB at recent weddings, plus others with Canons, I just seem to prefer the colour tones the Canon produce. I can't explain it in technical terms, but Nikon shots appear to be a bit harsher for people shots....... or is just me ?

**Sonsey** · 27-09-2006, 18:05

To be honest I wouldn't change away from Canon, the range of lenses suit's me best and the camera bodies are hardly lacking in quality. With the DSLR market taking off the way it has there will allways be a manufacturer that will edge ahead every now and again with a few features as Nikon arguably has at the moment, the good part is they will eventually get caught up (or close to it) due to competitiveness in the market meaning pretty much no matter what system you buy into you will allways end up with a very capable camera.

***Steve*** · 27-09-2006, 18:06

As a Canon user myself I do like the colour tones my camera produces. For people photography I find them prety much spot on straight out of the file.

If you are not *that* happy with the colour tones from your Nikon it could have quite a lot to do with the standard white balance settings. you have to remember that these are at best a good 'general' starting point and a manual white balance will ALWAYS produce a much more accurate result.

Obviously if you are shooting RAW then you have the full scale of adjustments available but my guess is that many people don't check/alter the white balance settings even suring post production and my advice would be to set it manually in the first place to rduce the amount of work afterwards.

I guess it all depends on how critical you are judging the colours...