I have always loved taking photos with my p&s. My BF had bought me a nikon s8100 for my bday two years ago. I loved the quality of the pictures on the p&s but sadly the camera had issues. Either way, I still love the quality that the camera produced before it messed up. I wanted to buy another DSLR (I previously had a sony a330- TERRIBLE MISTAKE & WASTE OF MONEY). Anyways, everyone around me always recommended Canon. I have never been the type to give into the hype so I decided to make my decision on my own opinions. I had already narrowed it down to the D300s & D7k. In all honesty, I came to Nikonites to make up my mind on which DSLR to purchase. Overall, the d7k just seemed to fit into my hands just right. The menu was easy to work with. I did not have to deal with all the submenus. Canons just seemed to be unorganized and not user friendly. My friends still question my decision because they love their canons and don't care to really be open minded. I am extremely happy with my purchase. So overall, I choose nikon because it seemed to have everything I was looking for.
Why did you choose Nikon?
- Thread starter Dooku77
- Start date
Dooku77
Senior Member
I chose Canon in the beginning because of heavy influence from friends as well. It was a mistake I'll never make again.
AntrimHills
Senior Member
Almost 20 years ago I was a Minolta fan, and Nikon was always seen as a professional or true enthusiast camera. When I wanted to started photography again, there seemed to be two main choices - Canon or Nikon. I never liked Canon's build quality; a friend has the 60D and I just dont like it; I wouldn't spend the money on it. The D7000 on the other hand gives me real quality at an affordable price.
Now that I own a Nikon, I feel that I've entered the league of serious enthusiasts and professionals!
Now that I own a Nikon, I feel that I've entered the league of serious enthusiasts and professionals!
my first dgital camera was a 2.1mp canon point and shoot bought about 6 years ago.i thought it was pretty good, (i also had a nikon f601 slr and a few lenses). in all my gullible wisdom i went out and bought a minolta dimage 7 bridge camera. ( being impressed by the amount of industry award symbols on the box and minoltas heritage). what a mistake! it was a complete crock of sh**. sold it and bought a nikon d100. (the first of which had to be returned). liked it a lot, invested in more glass, updating to the d90, then the d7000 over time.
My 1st film camera was a Nikon FE - loved that camera wore out the shutter on it. Bought a Nikon 601 "Auto Focus" used it for several years then switched to a Nikon D80 digital from there to my current D2xs - in which I will be selling(sold) for a D3s - I just like the way Nikons feel in my hands and of couse the IQ they produce.
I think it made the transition easy due to understanding the properties and principles of phototgraphy. Of course it depends on how much you were into film photography also, remember they had point and shoots in the old days too.
Dooku77
Senior Member
I think it made the transition easy due to understanding the properties and principles of phototgraphy. Of course it depends on how much you were into film photography also, remember they had point and shoots in the old days too.
I work with a couple of people who told me they wouldn't even try to learn digital. They said they miss the days of dark rooms and putting the films together to make a seamless panorama shot. I personally don't relate to that because I pretty much picked photography up as a hobby towards the beginning of digital. I took a film photography course in high school and had to develop my films myself and I didn't enjoy that lol.
I loved darkroom work. That's the one thing about the old days that I miss. If I had somewhere to setup a darkroom, I'd buy the stuff to do it. I see the equipment on Craig's List all the time. You can get a whole darkroom setup for about $200 on CL.
Experimenting was fun then too. Stuff like jumping the ASA (ISO), developing the film at warmer temps, and rinsing at colder temps (would make the emulsion crack, and have some strange effects), doing solarizations, burning in and dodging, etc. You can do this stuff in Photoshop, but doing it in a darkroom, by hand, was more fun. During developing of prints, you could stain it with coffee or tea, to get an old sepia tone effect. All kinds of tricks, for all kinds of effects, that I can't remember right now. I also miss the smell of the darkroom...................
Experimenting was fun then too. Stuff like jumping the ASA (ISO), developing the film at warmer temps, and rinsing at colder temps (would make the emulsion crack, and have some strange effects), doing solarizations, burning in and dodging, etc. You can do this stuff in Photoshop, but doing it in a darkroom, by hand, was more fun. During developing of prints, you could stain it with coffee or tea, to get an old sepia tone effect. All kinds of tricks, for all kinds of effects, that I can't remember right now. I also miss the smell of the darkroom...................
About a year and half ago I was agonizing between the Nikon D7000 and Canon 60D. They both had great reviews and they raved about Canon's video. I thought to myself..., video? I'd get a camcorder for that... I was looking for a good, solid camera with great picture quality for still photography.
I was disappointed when I got my hands on the Canon. The menus, the "cheap" feel compared to the Nikon. Loved how the Nikon was laid out with all the dedicated buttons and solid feel to it. It was like the Nikon was built just with my needs in mind. They make shooting easy, intuitive.
Forward to today, I know I made the right decision on my Nikon.
I was disappointed when I got my hands on the Canon. The menus, the "cheap" feel compared to the Nikon. Loved how the Nikon was laid out with all the dedicated buttons and solid feel to it. It was like the Nikon was built just with my needs in mind. They make shooting easy, intuitive.
Forward to today, I know I made the right decision on my Nikon.
Dooku77
Senior Member
About a year and half ago I was agonizing between the Nikon D7000 and Canon 60D. They both had great reviews and they raved about Canon's video. I thought to myself..., video? I'd get a camcorder for that... I was looking for a good, solid camera with great picture quality for still photography.
I was disappointed when I got my hands on the Canon. The menus, the "cheap" feel compared to the Nikon. Loved how the Nikon was laid out with all the dedicated buttons and solid feel to it. It was like the Nikon was built just with my needs in mind. They make shooting easy, intuitive.
Forward to today, I know I made the right decision on my Nikon.
I use mine for pics and video equally and the videos come out excellent. I'm also working on my manual focus technique.
Dooku77
Senior Member
I am trying to track down some older lenses but am not having good luck. On a bit of a budget these days.
T.Behuniak
Senior Member
I chose Nikon because although Canon's colors just jump out at you, you cannot get more crisp photos then with a Nikon. Also, Nikon's menus are a lot easier to read, change, and understand and the ergonomics of any Nikon DSLR are far better than that of a Canons (My own preference!)
GO NIKON!
GO NIKON!
T.Behuniak
Senior Member
Also built-in TTYL flash system is amazing.
ebay - Nikon Series E lens set (the true bargains of their time, amazing quality for modern times). all manual, but you will love the feel of these old low cost Primes.
The 28, 50, 100, and 135,,, Plus the 70-210 E,, just about blows your mind that these old lens were considered entry back then. I have a copy of the 100, 135, 70-210 in my collection,
The 50 1.8 is the original design for what I believe is the now modern AF 50 1.8. Nikon tends to resuse the old designs, updating them for modern coating, and of course, plastic.
of the list above, the 100, and 135 stand above the rest, but nothing wrong with the others, hard to go wrong with a 28 or 50 mm prime design.
cost -> these lens can be picked up for 25-100 dollars each.
and... 55 macro,,, what a gem! keep an eye out,, and I have seen these for 75 dollars, a absolute steal!
Another really super sharp lens is the 50 mm 2.0,, wow. wow.
so,, just to check,, at time of this post, a 100 mm Nikon E lens was selling at 22 dollars, a 28 at 10 dollars!
Once your budget is richer, go ahead get the 50 mm 1.4 at 350 dollars, but until then enjoy the bargain lens.
The 28, 50, 100, and 135,,, Plus the 70-210 E,, just about blows your mind that these old lens were considered entry back then. I have a copy of the 100, 135, 70-210 in my collection,
The 50 1.8 is the original design for what I believe is the now modern AF 50 1.8. Nikon tends to resuse the old designs, updating them for modern coating, and of course, plastic.
of the list above, the 100, and 135 stand above the rest, but nothing wrong with the others, hard to go wrong with a 28 or 50 mm prime design.
cost -> these lens can be picked up for 25-100 dollars each.
and... 55 macro,,, what a gem! keep an eye out,, and I have seen these for 75 dollars, a absolute steal!
Another really super sharp lens is the 50 mm 2.0,, wow. wow.
so,, just to check,, at time of this post, a 100 mm Nikon E lens was selling at 22 dollars, a 28 at 10 dollars!
Once your budget is richer, go ahead get the 50 mm 1.4 at 350 dollars, but until then enjoy the bargain lens.
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Dooku77
Senior Member
Where did you find these lens deals?
Photowyzard
Senior Member
I started with Pentax. Spotmatic F, upgraded to the Pentax MX when they went bayonet mount. Loved it, had it for over 25 years! The lenses were also amazing, great camera and gear.
Nikon was always my favourite in the day, but as a student, couldn't afford the camera much less the lenses.
I bought my first Nikon, a 5700 and was EXTREMELY disappointed with it. Almost packed it in and went Canon. The PR people at Nikon did a good job convincing me to stay and I never regretted the decision. I am delighted with all my gear and the images they produce.
I don't really believe one company's products rule over another. I think it all depends on who has the latest release as technology and competition constantly leap frog each other. I do believe, Nikon is currently the "IT" company to buy because of the D4 and the D800. In a month or two, someone else will have the flavour of the month!