What kind of Digital Camera are you using today?

[Moxiemike]

From what I hear of the photo-heads at work, they say that Canon has superior bodies and technology, but Nikon makes slightly better glass. So the question still remains, which is more important for quality pictures?

It's a lil' more detailed than that, but in the end, Canon and Nikon have about the same or very similar image quality. I've noticed Nikon images to be slightly noisier than their canon counterparts and have noticed canon images to be less noisy but also not as sharp as their Nikon counterparts. So where Nikon & Canon trade off in the battle of image quality vs engineering is almost exactly opposite of the other, leaving to distinctly different but entirely similar image processing philosophies, and such, a minute difference between the quality of either.

 

[iGary]

It's a lil' more detailed than that, but in the end, Canon and Nikon have about the same or very similar image quality. I've noticed Nikon images to be slightly noisier than their canon counterparts and have noticed canon images to be less noisy but also not as sharp as their Nikon counterparts. So where Nikon & Canon trade off in the battle of image quality vs engineering is almost exactly opposite of the other, leaving to distinctly different but entirely similar image processing philosophies, and such, a minute difference between the quality of either.

By the time you take EVERYTHING into account, they are both awesome cameras. It comes down to the small things like control layout (I hate that I have to take my eye out of the viewfinder to change some of the settings) and things of that sort. BUT I don't personally like the way Nikon's buttons and controls are laid out. Each has it's own intrinsic little diffferences.


Nice post, Mike.

 

[mkrishnan]

It's a lil' more detailed than that, but in the end, Canon and Nikon have about the same or very similar image quality.

This is interesting...I thought that the difference was that the users of one were the guardians of light and purity, and that the users of the other were the minions of the prince of darkness. But I could never remember which one was which.

Is there a very effective adaptor to get those f/2 Olympus zooms onto a Canon body? Those seem pretty nice, if they give sharp images....

Good glass...is...well, important. I am more and more appreciating that. I took the 50mm f/1.4 off my 300D and put back on the 18-55, and I got home and looked at images in PS, and I was thinking, "Umm ... is this the same camera???"

 

[efoto]

By the time you take EVERYTHING into account, they are both awesome cameras. It comes down to the small things like control layout (I hate that I have to take my eye out of the viewfinder to change some of the settings) and things of that sort. BUT I don't personally like the way Nikon's buttons and controls are laid out. Each has it's own intrinsic little diffferences.


Nice post, Mike.

Since you said you didn't like the way Nikon's buttons were laid out, I'll assume you meant the other comment about eye out of the viewfinder towards Nikon as well. What features do you have to remove your eye from the viewfinder to change on Nikon DSLRs? Granted it may be sometimes easier to remove your eye and make sure you have your finger on the right button (I have messed things up more than once by *knowing* where the proper button is

It is difficult for me to decide what to do however, since the D70 was my first intro the DSLR world and I love it. I am hesitant to purchase a ton of Nikon-specific hardware, mainly lenses, however since I am not sure I want to head Nikon just yet, since a lot of people in my area (both at work and at two seperate camera stores) swear by Canon.

A thought that came to mind, as far as the stores are concerned, do any of you know if stores get more of a kick off Canon gear as opposed to Nikon? I have seen in many cases like Circuit City and Best Buy where they would rather sell you the shi* and take the bigger cut, regardless of it being a superior product or not. Any ideas on this?

 

[Moxiemike]

This is interesting...I thought that the difference was that the users of one were the guardians of light and purity, and that the users of the other were the minions of the prince of darkness. But I could never remember which one was which.

Is there a very effective adaptor to get those f/2 Olympus zooms onto a Canon body? Those seem pretty nice, if they give sharp images....

Good glass...is...well, important. I am more and more appreciating that. I took the 50mm f/1.4 off my 300D and put back on the 18-55, and I got home and looked at images in PS, and I was thinking, "Umm ... is this the same camera???"

Those Olympus lenses are designed for use with a 4/3's sensor size, so I don't think they'll translate. Just not designed for the Canon/Nikon image circles.

Kinda crappy for sure.

And yea, those Canon kit lenses are poo. I wonder what this new Nikon 18-55 is gonna be like. Poo as well i'm expecting.

By the time you take EVERYTHING into account, they are both awesome cameras. It comes down to the small things like control layout (I hate that I have to take my eye out of the viewfinder to change some of the settings) and things of that sort. BUT I don't personally like the way Nikon's buttons and controls are laid out. Each has it's own intrinsic little diffferences.

It was funny. This weekend, I worked a baby search (and believe me, it was as fun as it sounds! haha!) and I used Nikon and the other guy there used his 1d mk II. He kept harrassing me about being a Nikon guy and I think he spent too much time worried about my nikon, as most of his images, IMHO, were over exposed. Like, big blown out areas on kids arms and whatnot. White dresses? No details.

Just funny to me that he kept saying "don't buy a d2x yet. Canon has something coming out..."

He was also busy trying to figure out how to make the eMac we were using print. It's like, sure, Canon's are nice, but if you want to sell it to me based off the images you took? Sorry. The photos I took with my Nikon came out nicely exposed, saturated, and sharp as a tack. Every one.

I'm sure I could have done the same with his Canon, and I'm sure he could have overexposed like a banshee with my D2h. But it's a philosophical difference, and he thought, i guess, that his images were better than mine.

I worry about anyone who can't get a printer installed on a Mac, blames the mac, and get's flustered by it. But did I lose faith in Canon gear from this? No. Did I lose faith in a "professional" who's been at this for years? Yes.

All I learned is that, in a pinch, I can be a damn reliable photographer even when shooting something I'm not in the least turned on by and actually probably a little disgusted by (the whole JonBenet factor). And that my knowledge of my system really helped me to excel. And i could have done the same as a Canon user if I was one. But at the end of it all, it did kinda resemble a potential pro-nikon TV spot.

 

[iGary]

Since you said you didn't like the way Nikon's buttons were laid out, I'll assume you meant the other comment about eye out of the viewfinder towards Nikon as well. What features do you have to remove your eye from the viewfinder to change on Nikon DSLRs? Granted it may be sometimes easier to remove your eye and make sure you have your finger on the right button (I have messed things up more than once by *knowing* where the proper button is

It is difficult for me to decide what to do however, since the D70 was my first intro the DSLR world and I love it. I am hesitant to purchase a ton of Nikon-specific hardware, mainly lenses, however since I am not sure I want to head Nikon just yet, since a lot of people in my area (both at work and at two seperate camera stores) swear by Canon.

A thought that came to mind, as far as the stores are concerned, do any of you know if stores get more of a kick off Canon gear as opposed to Nikon? I have seen in many cases like Circuit City and Best Buy where they would rather sell you the shi* and take the bigger cut, regardless of it being a superior product or not. Any ideas on this?

No, the viewfinder comment was in regards to my 20D.

 

[efoto]

No, the viewfinder comment was in regards to my 20D.

Oh, I was 50/50 on the guess, too bad I missed it
So the 20D does not display some of the info in the viewfinder? what is lacking?

As Moxie just pointed out the post before I have always believed that the photographer makes the images, not the camera. I am confident that both Nikon and Canon, as well as a lot of other brands, are capable of making good pictures given the proper subject and skilled hands with knowledge of the equipment.

I made a choice based on budget and photographic interest. I have subjects across the street (botanical garden) so when I learn new things I go and try them out. Not all the images are great, actually very few are, but it's great being able to run out and walk 5 minutes to have subjects, especially the same ones I took the day before, so I can compare my new tatic with the one of yesterday.

If money were no object I would buy what I wanted now and not worry about the forced brand-loyalty in the future. Since money is an object, and I have very little of it, I must be a little more careful how I spend it and attempt to make decent decisions.
Moxie, how long have you been shooting Nikon? Have you ever debated switching to Canon?

 

[Moxiemike]

Oh, I was 50/50 on the guess, too bad I missed it
So the 20D does not display some of the info in the viewfinder? what is lacking?

As Moxie just pointed out the post before I have always believed that the photographer makes the images, not the camera. I am confident that both Nikon and Canon, as well as a lot of other brands, are capable of making good pictures given the proper subject and skilled hands with knowledge of the equipment.

I made a choice based on budget and photographic interest. I have subjects across the street (botanical garden) so when I learn new things I go and try them out. Not all the images are great, actually very few are, but it's great being able to run out and walk 5 minutes to have subjects, especially the same ones I took the day before, so I can compare my new tatic with the one of yesterday.

If money were no object I would buy what I wanted now and not worry about the forced brand-loyalty in the future. Since money is an object, and I have very little of it, I must be a little more careful how I spend it and attempt to make decent decisions.
Moxie, how long have you been shooting Nikon? Have you ever debated switching to Canon?

How long have I been shooting Nikon. Hm. Since I was about 12. Had all of my manual focus nikon stuff stolen. Insurance bought me into digital. Tried the Minolta Dimage 7 series, and then got a D100 and 10d. Hated the 10d, loved the D100.

Also had an 880 Nikon P&S. So it's been on and off more 16 years. That said, I thought about canon during the WB encryption thing wih the D2x. So after alot of thought, I figure, if Nikon gets away with it, Canon, Fuji, Pentax, et.al. will end up following. So i figured I'd hold onto my lens investment, plus for my needs, Nikon makes lenses that suit me much better than Canon counterparts.

 

[iGary]

Oh, I was 50/50 on the guess, too bad I missed it
So the 20D does not display some of the info in the viewfinder? what is lacking?

As Moxie just pointed out the post before I have always believed that the photographer makes the images, not the camera. I am confident that both Nikon and Canon, as well as a lot of other brands, are capable of making good pictures given the proper subject and skilled hands with knowledge of the equipment.

I made a choice based on budget and photographic interest. I have subjects across the street (botanical garden) so when I learn new things I go and try them out. Not all the images are great, actually very few are, but it's great being able to run out and walk 5 minutes to have subjects, especially the same ones I took the day before, so I can compare my new tatic with the one of yesterday.

If money were no object I would buy what I wanted now and not worry about the forced brand-loyalty in the future. Since money is an object, and I have very little of it, I must be a little more careful how I spend it and attempt to make decent decisions.
Moxie, how long have you been shooting Nikon? Have you ever debated switching to Canon?

ISO is my biggest complaint. I'd also like exposure in there, too (evaluative, center-weighted etc.).

 

[Moxiemike]

ISO is my biggest complaint. I'd also like exposure in there, too (evaluative, center-weighted etc.).

I think Nikon's inconsistent ISO ratings (200-1600 on D2h? 100-800 on D2x? 125-800 on D1x?) is a big issue, though not huge.

Canon's lack of spot metering in all but their "big boys" is lame.

Nikon has better flash with iTTL. Canon has better hi-iso signal to noise. Nikon's images are sharper.

It's all 6 in one hand.......

 

[Moxiemike]

Hey. Just so you guys know, and if you care, i've posted a thread here with a link to a new gallery with special pricing for macrumors.

It's also in my sig below. Feel free to browse and check it out. And of course, buy a few prints.

 

[iGary]

I think Nikon's inconsistent ISO ratings (200-1600 on D2h? 100-800 on D2x? 125-800 on D1x?) is a big issue, though not huge.

Canon's lack of spot metering in all but their "big boys" is lame.

Nikon has better flash with iTTL. Canon has better hi-iso signal to noise. Nikon's images are sharper.

It's all 6 in one hand.......

ISO in the viewfinder as an issue.

 

[Moxiemike]

ISO in the viewfinder as an issue.

Ahhhhh. Does your 20d put ISO in the viewfinder? Haven't played with one... so i don't know.

 

[efoto]

I think Nikon's inconsistent ISO ratings (200-1600 on D2h? 100-800 on D2x? 125-800 on D1x?) is a big issue, though not huge.

Canon's lack of spot metering in all but their "big boys" is lame.

Nikon has better flash with iTTL. Canon has better hi-iso signal to noise. Nikon's images are sharper.

It's all 6 in one hand.......

Dang, I want all 12 in one hand though. Can't they partner and produce the Cankon or the Niacon
Actually, isn't Niacon another product/company already? oh well.

Any word/knowledge if Nikon is in works to one-up the D70 and perhaps the 20D in the process? Any idea what their next product is to be and when?

 

[Moxiemike]

Dang, I want all 12 in one hand though. Can't they partner and produce the Cankon or the Niacon
Actually, isn't Niacon another product/company already? oh well.

Any word/knowledge if Nikon is in works to one-up the D70 and perhaps the 20D in the process? Any idea what their next product is to be and when?

Rumor is a D200/D80, in a scaled down D2 body with 10mpx using D2x sensor for $1799. I think 5fps with ISO 100-800 and CAM 2000 like the D2 series.

 

[iGary]

Ahhhhh. Does your 20d put ISO in the viewfinder? Haven't played with one... so i don't know.

Nope. My biggest complaint. I'd also like to know the metering method, too so I can change things on the fly without taking my off the viewfinder.

As always, one learns to deal.

 

[Moxiemike]

Nope. My biggest complaint. I'd also like to know the metering method, too so I can change things on the fly without taking my off the viewfinder.

As always, one learns to deal.

Heh. Or you could buy a D2h/x with ISO AND metering in the VF, as well as spot metering.

 

[efoto]

Heh. Or you could buy a D2h/x with ISO AND metering in the VF, as well as spot metering.

I can't even make out what all the info on the screen means!

Rumor is a D200/D80, in a scaled down D2 body with 10mpx using D2x sensor for $1799. I think 5fps with ISO 100-800 and CAM 2000 like the D2 series.

So a D200/D80 (those are just possible names?) using a smaller D2 body with a 10Mpx D2x sensor. Seems pretty nice, just above the Canon 20D which is $1599 (body) I believe. Not surprising considering the pricepoint the D70 came in over the 300D. 5fps is neat, doesn't apply to the shots I like though, however ISO100-800 would be fantastic. What exactly is CAM2000?

 

[Moxiemike]

I can't even make out what all the info on the screen means!

It's all on dpreview. Easy when not all of it is "lit up" to determine what's what.

So a D200/D80 (those are just possible names?) using a smaller D2 body with a 10Mpx D2x sensor. Seems pretty nice, just above the Canon 20D which is $1599 (body) I believe. Not surprising considering the pricepoint the D70 came in over the 300D. 5fps is neat, doesn't apply to the shots I like though, however ISO100-800 would be fantastic. What exactly is CAM2000?

CAM2000 is the focusing motor. It's VERY fast. The D70/D100 (and D50 i'm sure) use CAM 900. The D1, D1h and D1x use CAM1300 which is a bit slower than CAM 2000 but MUCH faster than CAM 900.

It's kinda like G3, G4, G5.

 

[emw]

I'm using the Canon 350D (Digital Rebel XT). Right now, I just have the kit lens, but as of Father's Day I'm getting the attachment kit to hook it up to my Meade ETX-90 telescope (talk about a zoom lens), so I'm hoping for a clear weekend. Had the chance to do some moon gazing and sun gazing this weekend, and it's awesome. I'll post pics when I can.

 

[Daveway]

All this complicated talk is going to give me a complex. Why don't someone get the same pic taken by a Canon and a Nikon and then we'll draw conclusions.

 

[Moxiemike]

I'm using the Canon 350D (Digital Rebel XT). Right now, I just have the kit lens, but as of Father's Day I'm getting the attachment kit to hook it up to my Meade ETX-90 telescope (talk about a zoom lens), so I'm hoping for a clear weekend. Had the chance to do some moon gazing and sun gazing this weekend, and it's awesome. I'll post pics when I can.

Now THAT sounds like good fun.

Conrgats and DEFINITELY post pics. Astralphotography! woot!

 

[Moxiemike]

All this complicated talk is going to give me a complex. Why don't someone get the same pic taken by a Canon and a Nikon and then we'll draw conclusions.

Draw what conclusions? The point is, I could post a canon image and a nikon image and I guarantee that you couldn't tell the difference between the two. That said, I know some photographers who can make 'em look different. And that's just a lack of skill. And that thing will haunt you whatever system you pick.

 

[efoto]

Draw what conclusions? The point is, I could post a canon image and a nikon image and I guarantee that you couldn't tell the difference between the two. That said, I know some photographers who can make 'em look different. And that's just a lack of skill. And that thing will haunt you whatever system you pick.

With this new-fangled one that is in the works, will it continue to support all the current lenses and accessories? and all the added features of the current line of DX lenses?

There are a few lenses I would really like to get but I'm just really hesitant....oh well.

 

[Moxiemike]

With this new-fangled one that is in the works, will it continue to support all the current lenses and accessories? and all the added features of the current line of DX lenses?

There are a few lenses I would really like to get but I'm just really hesitant....oh well.

Indeed. It'll definitely be a 1.5x sensor crop and will work with the DX lenses.

What lenses are you looking into? I have a bunch of gear... would gladly give you a yay or nay type of vote.

m