Anyone ever made the switch?

[Freedom211]

Anyone ever made the switch completely over from Nikon to Canon or vise versa?

If so what was your area of shoot ie:portrait,sport,etc.
I'm doing a complete upgrade myself current Canon user but want to focus more on portrait/glamour shots so I will be upgrading all of my lenses and my camera body either way. Just wondering peoples opinions.

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[IgsEMT]

There's a member here, Derrel, uses both brands with lens converters. Look him up and read his blog.
Good luck

[mar1u5]

I did the switch from canon over to nikon a while back. Sold two canon 400d's, 10-20, 17-55 2.8 is, 70-200 f4 is and some other stuff and got a Nikon D300 and some lenses. The autofocus system nikon has, along with the ergonomics, just kicks canon's ass all over the place. It's not "a bit" better to use, it's a LOT better to use in my opinion.

I'm now on a D700 with a 50 f1.4g, 85 f1.4g, 16-35 vr ++. Love the D700, but I got a chance to borrow a 5D MKII along with 70-200 f2.8 IS II, 35mm f1.4 and the amazing 85mm f1.2. Autofocus, ergonomics and menu system are all a let down compared to the D700. But the images the 5D MKII produces are (in my opinion) better than the D700.

The only thing that made me not switch back to canon right now as how much better the AF is on the D700, and how much better the ergonomics of the camera are (how easily you can change ISO on the fly while taking pictures etc)

But if canon continues with 20+ megapixels on the 5D MKII's replacement, and Nikon sticks to sub 20 megapixel sensors on the D700/D3 replacement, I'm switching back to canon for sure. It's just so much better to do post processing on nice big 21 megapixel files compared to 12 megapixel ones.

[Garbz]

The only thing that made me not switch back to canon right now

Wow just wow.

Take a look at your own post and tell us why you don't need professional help. It reads completely bipolar. It's one thing to switch from one system to the other because you think the other wipes the floor with the one, but then to consider switching back because of a very likely temporary improvement in image quality from one single camera body... just wow.

[GeorgieGirl]

Sounds to me like its hard not want want both.

[mchphoto]

I made the switch around 10 years ago from canon to Nikon for 2 reasons, I had seen my friends have nikons and see the quality of their lenses compared to what I was using eg canon A1, and canon EOS 650 now both were good cameras, but I could not justify a nikon at that time.
I borrowed a Nikkormatt with a nikkorr 50mm f2 lens and the quality was fantastic, then I saw some stuff with my friends F90 and liked the features, and handling.

I had my last canon eos for 9 years and it was in need of replacement, so went to various stores to try out the canon and nikons in the price bracket I had, at that time I was open to what felt right as I had to replace all my kit so I tried a canon, just did not like the balance with a lens attached, and that big wheel on the back, just did not suit me, then I tried an F60 and the same lens combo was attached and hey presto it was correct for me, felt very comfortable and easy to use without looking at the manual.
You can say the rest is history, as I would never go back to canon, when the digital stuff came out I got the D100 and paying £1500 for just the body hurt my pocket, but was it worth it YES. I have now gone through a D60 and on a D90 and have upgraded my lenses from the standard to the VR version, I really love the sharpness of the images and consistant quality I get out of it without fail.

I have now found a great dealer for Nikon in London who only deals with nikon, and get my stuff from them as I can chat to people who know about photography, and know the cameras backwards and they will send the new bit of kit to me anywhere or put it aside for me to pick up.

So its Nikon for me now, cannot ever see me going back to Canon ever again, the only additional camera I crave is a Hasselblad HD4-60 which is in a different league, but I can dream for now

Michael

[bentcountershaft]

If you're going to switch now would be the time to do it since you aren't heavily invested in your current set up. I've had the switch bug for a while now and the only way I've been able to temporarily shake it is to go on Adorama's site and add up how much it would cost.

[Derrel]

The only thing that made me not switch back to canon right now

Wow just wow.

Take a look at your own post and tell us why you don't need professional help. It reads completely bipolar. It's one thing to switch from one system to the other because you think the other wipes the floor with the one, but then to consider switching back because of a very likely temporary improvement in image quality from one single camera body... just wow.

Professionals do it all the time...serious pros, those who actually make a living from photography, will switch when the competing camera system is significantly better for them...that's why Canon lost so many sports shooters when the D3 hit the streets and the 1 Mark III was struggling with an 18-month autofocus problem...there have been times when "the other company" has held a decided, pronounced technological and RESULTS-oriented advantage than "the other company"...

Canon gained a HUGE influx of users when the EOS 20D hit the market; the EOS 20D was markedly a better camera than competing Nikon and Fuji cameras. At that time, Pentax and Sony had not entered the d-slr market. And Oly was a joke at that time. When the Canon 1D, full-frame hit the market, many Nikon pro shooters switched to Canon to get the first good professional FF d-slr. And so it goes...the Canon 5D-II has become a staple camera for people who wish to shoot FF video...it has become a sort of standard body for video production, even among Nikon pros.

[Garbz]

Well I suppose it is a tax writeoff, but ... wow.

[JerrfyLube]

Done the change a few times now...from Canon, to Nikon and back to Canon...every time I was fairly heavily invested in glass.

Why? Who knows really...bordem, lack of knowledge...? I dunno...

Looking back at it now I can honestly say I have no clue what made me flop around so much...because it hurt financially every time I did it. All I can say is do your research before you invest in a brand and stick with it, unless you have REALLY deep pockets.

[Overread]

I think any change of system has to be well thought out in advance - also compare like for like. I've seen numerous people wanting to go from entry level in one company to semipro level gear in the other because the other side "is a better camera". This all done without them really looking at the brand they are currently using and comparing their semi pro with the other sides.

So make sure you're comparing like for like and also ensure that your reasoning is for a sound noticeable change in performance. Heck test out the gear (rental/shops/clubs/friends) before making the switch. Unless you change to get a noticeable difference that your current brand can't achieve then the only ones that win are the manufacturers wallets (and the second hand market getting your old setup )

[RobWyse]

I'm going to be changing from Canon to Nikon in a few weeks. Currently shooting with a 450D, I'll be getting a D200. The primary reason for change is that I'm getting an excellent deal on the D200, with all the stuff it's coming with. Another major reason is that I have tendinitis, and the Nikon ergonomics are so much easier on my wrist.

I'll still be keeping my 450D however, I already have an adapter to use Nikon lenses on it. It will also make a good camera for the rest of the family to use, being that it's lighter and more suited to them.

For comparative purposes here are the lists of what I have and what I'll be getting, along with the total cost to me.

Currently:
Gripped 450D
18-55 3.5-5.6
55-250 4-5.6

Cost: Approximately NZ$1700

Getting:
Gripped D200
Sigma 70-200 2.8
50 1.8
55 2.8 Micro
180 2.8
Cokin P filter set
Screw in filters
Tripod (not sure of the model, but I'm pretty sure it's a manfrotto)
Monopod (not sure of model or brand)
Camera bag
Flight case

Cost: Approximately NZ$2000

[daarksun]

You won't go wrong with either. I selected the Canon over Nikon because I could not deal with the 12.3mp system. I went with canon and got the 7D with it's awesome AF system.

Comparing the AF from 400D from Canon to the D300 of Nikon is nuts. They are totally different level cams. The rebel series compares to Nikon's D3100 and D5000 models. D300 to the 7D of canon and the D700 to the Canon 5Dmkii and so on.

research the cams and systems and find what works for you. They are both great systems.

[mar1u5]

Take a look at your own post and tell us why you don't need professional help.

No professional help needed. It's called "working hard and beeing able to spend your money on fun stuff, instead of just reading about it on the net". You should try it some time, I highly recommend it

[mar1u5]

Comparing the AF from 400D from Canon to the D300 of Nikon is nuts. They are totally different level cams. The rebel series compares to Nikon's D3100 and D5000 models. D300 to the 7D of canon and the D700 to the Canon 5Dmkii and so on.

I'm not too sure about your logic there.. The 9 point archaic POS auto focus system used in the 400D is the same that canon decided to cripple the 5D MKII with aswell. So by your logic, the D300 is fuggin' super amazing then, because it beats the more expencive full frame 5D MKII ?

And I still prefer the 51 point nikon system over the new AF canon put in the 7D, as it covers the frame better and gives you awesome freedom when composing a shot. But that's more of an personal preference, and I'm not saying the 7D's AF is worse than the 51 point - they're both good