Canon and Nikon line of lenses

[bobbyknight]

Can someone please enlighten me about these two's line of lenses, what points to be considered before choosing sides. Thanks guys.

 

[tirediron]

That's analagous to saying, "Please enlighten me about the lines of trucks from Ford and GMC". They both make very similar products and similar prices. There isn't a lot of reason to choose one over the other unless you prefer white or black lens barrels and are concerned whether it has a gold or red stripe at the end.

The decision about which maker to go with (and don't forget Sony, Pentax and Olympus) is generally based on the the company's line of bodies.

If you have specific questions, ask away, but as far as generalities, it truly is a Ford/Chevy question.

 

[Big Mike]

When looking at lenses, it's usually best to compare one specific lens to another...because each manufacturer will have many good lenses and several not-so-good lenses. Besides Canon & Nikon, I'll include other companies like Sigma, Tamron, Tokina in that.

But you're right in that it's a good idea to look at the whole line of lenses, before choosing a brand to invest in.

I think that looking at the big picture, Canon & Nikon are not much different. Yes, there will be many differences, but overall, a good photographer should be able to work very well with either system.

Off the top of my head, I think that Nikon has been more expensive, especially with their high end lenses. But recently, Canon has been raising the price of their top end lenses, or at least coming out with upgraded versions at prices that are much higher than the older versions.

I think that some photographers will say that Canon has a better line up of top quality prime lenses (24mm F1.4 L, 35mm F1.4 L etc.) but I'd guess that Nikon primes are pretty good as well.

If you have a specific need or type of shooting that you will be doing...then you might bias your decision toward the company that has the best option for that specific need.

 

[Village Idiot]

Canon's lenses are generally cheaper than the Nikon equivalent. That's about the broadest generalization I can make without saying something that not completely true about one line or the next.

 

[Overread]

Canon and Nikon have very extensive lens lines - essentially for any field of interest there will be lenses that each company will offer to cover those needs. Differences will be in the spread (ie highgrade down to cheaper options) the specifics and also in the quality.

As such you can't just compare them straight out - you have to put forward specific criteria - eg I'm a wildlife shooter I need those lenses - or I'm a landscaper etc.... Once done you can then compare the lens lines to see which fits your needs and budget more than the other.

I will note that, from the lens line alone, there is only 1 difference between the two companies that the other does not offer any lens to cover and that is the Canon MPE 65mm macro lens. Though even in macro circles is a highly specialist lens, not that cheap and one of the hardest to use (let alone use well). It really is only of any use if you intend to be taking photos of things 5mm - 2mm etc.. in size - ie really really tiny things like springtails!
for an idea here is crumb with a regular macro lens magnification
IMG_1300 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

and MPE at its most of 5:1
IMG_1298 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[KmH]

Both companies make 3 levels of lens:

1. entry-level
2. consumer
3. pro

Choosing either brand is a correct buying decision.

Each brand has it's own unique mount (F-mount for Nikon (since 1959), Canon has the EF (since 1987) and EF-S (since 2003) mounts) so the 2 brands are not easily interchangeable.

Canon EF lenses can be used on any current Canon camera. Canon EF-S lenses can only be used on EF-S camera bodies, they will not mount on Canon EF only camera bodies.

Not all Nikon lenses have a focus motor in them. Those lenses are designated - AF lenses. Nikon AF-S and older AF-I lenses have a focus motor in them.
Nikon's entry-level camera bodies do not have an auto focus motor in them so AF lenses mounted on those bodies will only focus manually.

 

[Derrel]

I will note that, from the lens line alone, there is only 1 difference between the two companies that the other does not offer any lens to cover and that is the Canon MPE 65mm macro lens.

Nikon's 200-400mm f/4 AF-S VR-G professional zoom lens is an area where Canon, or any other maker for that matter, has absolutely no competing offering. That one lens alone has cost Canon many sales among professional sports and wildlife photographers who need a professionally capable zoom lens with a constant aperture and high-grade optics.

Both companies have extensive catalogs of lenses, across the price ranges.

 

[Overread]

Sort of true Derral, but remember canon have things like:
100-400mm
400mm (several versions)
300mm (several versions)

As well as access to the sigma 200-500mm (if you're feeling rich)

So whilst they don't have a specific lens to counter, they do offer access to the same focal ranges that this lens covers. So whilst many will change sides and such over a lens like that I think that its different to the MPE in that its totally canon unique in that the other companies don't offer a lens capable of getting those magnifications.

 

[bobbyknight]

Thanks all for the wisdom you've bestowed upon me xD:thumbup:
I've been advised by my cousin that if I'm going for Nikon then I'd be investing more for the lenses since yeah it is quite expensive than that of Canon lenses.

Either way, I'm sure they're all very good.
I don't have a specific type of shooting, guess I'd want to try and explore everything and both these brands has a wide range of lenses and has so much to offer.
I just need to do some research on about what specific lenses for the specific type of shoot you'll be doing.
Also, its specs like aperture etc. xD

 

[Village Idiot]

Thanks all for the wisdom you've bestowed upon me xD:thumbup:
I've been advised by my cousin that if I'm going for Nikon then I'd be investing more for the lenses since yeah it is quite expensive than that of Canon lenses.

Either way, I'm sure they're all very good.
I don't have a specific type of shooting, guess I'd want to try and explore everything and both these brands has a wide range of lenses and has so much to offer.
I just need to do some research on about what specific lenses for the specific type of shoot you'll be doing.
Also, its specs like aperture etc. xD

Hey guy, and I'm saying this as a Canon user, you could give me a d40 and kit lens and I could take a picture that most peole wouldn't be able to distinguish from a d700 unless they saw the exit or had one hell of an eye. Same thing with an xti and a 5d mkii.

 

[bobbyknight]

Thanks all for the wisdom you've bestowed upon me xD:thumbup:
I've been advised by my cousin that if I'm going for Nikon then I'd be investing more for the lenses since yeah it is quite expensive than that of Canon lenses.

Either way, I'm sure they're all very good.
I don't have a specific type of shooting, guess I'd want to try and explore everything and both these brands has a wide range of lenses and has so much to offer.
I just need to do some research on about what specific lenses for the specific type of shoot you'll be doing.
Also, its specs like aperture etc. xD

Hey guy, and I'm saying this as a Canon user, you could give me a d40 and kit lens and I could take a picture that most peole wouldn't be able to distinguish from a d700 unless they saw the exit or had one hell of an eye. Same thing with an xti and a 5d mkii.

haha.. really, you must be really good then. You should tell me moree xD

 

[bobbyknight]

For the following lens kit(7D), what are the ideal uses:
1.)18-55 IS
2.)18-135 IS
3.)15-85 IS

 

[MichiganFarts]

We are getting lazy. I think we have the capacity to get a Nikon vs. Canon thread going in every forum here. And what do we do, resurface one from yesterday?

 

[Village Idiot]

Thanks all for the wisdom you've bestowed upon me xD:thumbup:
I've been advised by my cousin that if I'm going for Nikon then I'd be investing more for the lenses since yeah it is quite expensive than that of Canon lenses.

Either way, I'm sure they're all very good.
I don't have a specific type of shooting, guess I'd want to try and explore everything and both these brands has a wide range of lenses and has so much to offer.
I just need to do some research on about what specific lenses for the specific type of shoot you'll be doing.
Also, its specs like aperture etc. xD

Hey guy, and I'm saying this as a Canon user, you could give me a d40 and kit lens and I could take a picture that most peole wouldn't be able to distinguish from a d700 unless they saw the exit or had one hell of an eye. Same thing with an xti and a 5d mkii.

haha.. really, you must be really good then. You should tell me moree xD

It's about know how to effectively use your equipment. I forgot to mention that I would also need a set of lights. That's how I do things. I've seen all natural light wedding photos that would put some one's work who normally makes good use of flash to shame.

 

[mjhoward]

I didnt see this thread you had started... I responded in your other thread earlier so I'll just paste the link here: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...80-canon-7d-vs-nikon-d7000-2.html#post2155388