Nikon or Canon?

My journey started about 6 years ago with Canon.  My first camera was the Rebel XT.  It was a superb little camera with 8 mp.  To compliment my Rebel, I purchased a 28-135 because it had good image quality, image stabilization, and excellent versatility.  For the price, it was hard to beat.   

Canon Rebel XT + 70-200 f/4 IS

Canon Rebel XT + 70-200 f/4 IS

Canon Rebel XT + 100-400 L

After a year or so, I upgraded the Rebel and 28-135 to the 40D and 100-400L.  Yes, it was quite an upgrade from my first setup.  Since my focus was primarily wildlife, the added reach was great.  Canon definitely hit home with the 100-400!  While it isn’t fast, it has great range and image quality.  Over the next few years I bought and sold many different Canon cameras and lenses.  Am I gear crazy?  Sure!  Were my intentions to keep them?  Yes.  Some of the other Canon cameras I have owned were the 1Ds II, 1D III, 50D, 1D II, 1D IIN, and 5D II.  As far as lenses go, the 100-400 was my rock.   I also had in my collection, at one time or another, the 300 2.8 IS, 500 4 IS, 35L, 85 1.8, 50 1.8, 50 1.4, 35 2, 135 2, and 28-70.  I never thought I would leave Canon, but I was off to the “Dark Side.”    

Canon Rebel XT + 70-200 f/4 IS

Canon 40D + 300 2.8 IS

Canon 1D Mark III + 100-400 L

After being a Canon shooter for a few years, I decided to switch to Nikon, mainly because of the D700.  Nikon had really raised their game with the D300, D3, and the D700.  The D3 and D700 had phenomenal low noise abilities, which caught my attention.  I quickly sold my Canon gear and purchased a D700 (same sensor as D3), D300s, 24-70, 70-200 VR I, and 300 4.  It was quite the setup.  The D700 and the D300s complimented each other well with one being full-frame and the other being a 1.5x crop sensor.  The D700 was capable of shooting at ISO 6400 with excellent results and 12800 in a pinch.  Both Nikon cameras had a 51 point AF system, matrix metering, and 12 mp of resolution.  Yes, I was set, or so I thought.  While Nikon was very impressive, I missed the 100-400 for wildlife shooting.  It kept luring me back.  Yes, I did own the Nikon 300 f/4.  It was a great lens, was extremely sharp, and handled converters well.  It was one of the cheapest ways to get good quality and attain the longer focal length I desired.   Nikon does offer a 200-400 VR (now version II), but after renting one, I was not impressed with my results for the price. 

Nikon D7000 + 500 f/4 P + 1.4 Converter (manual focus)

Nikon D300s + 300 f/4

Nikon D700 + 300 f/4 + 1.7x

Nikon D700 + 300 f/4 + 1.7x (ISO 5600)

 

Well…after a year or so, and a few months with micro 4/3rds gear (GH2 - later post), I am back with Canon.  I guess I would say that I had been pretty fortunate using some of the best equipment out there.  With that said, even the best gear may not be suitable for one’s style.  Most current cameras, regardless of the brand, can produce superb pictures given the right lighting and content.  One of my favorite Canon cameras was the 1D II.  Since the 1D IIN is a slightly updated version, I picked up two.  It is old in camera years and only has 8 megapixels, but the files are gorgeous and the AF is great!  As far as lenses go, I bought the 100-400 (I’m Back!), 135L, Tamron 90 macro, 50 1.8, and 24 2.8.  While it isn’t the top of the line gear by any means, it fits my style.  

Canon 1D Mark IIN + Tamron 90 + Tubes + Reversed 50

Canon 1D Mark IIN + Tamron 90

Canon 1D Mark IIN + 135L

Canon 1D Mark IIN + 100-400L

What I like about Nikon

Camera layout / buttons very user friendly

Noise control  

Matrix metering  

CLS  

What I like about Canon

1D series feel

Shutter response

AF tracking in 1D series

1.3x crop

100-400 L

Which one is better?   

Great question!  I think the best answer to a question like this is preference.  It is human nature to have opinions, likes, and dislikes.  There will be photographers who prefer Canon and those who prefer Nikon.  Frankly, I would love to own both Nikon and Canon and use each system according to where I think it excels.  Both systems are capable of doing anything you can imagine in the photography world.  For sports or nature photography, I prefer Canon.  The glass is more affordable and the focus tracking is better with the 1D series cameras.  Yes, the D3s, D700, and D300s are excellent cameras, but Nikon’s long glass is just too expensive for me.  If Nikon made a 300 f/4 VR or 400 f/5.6 VR, it would be something to think about.  For portrait or wedding photography, I would choose Nikon.  The D700 was so fun to use.  It was full-frame, had enough resolution without getting crazy, had superb AF, and the metering was spot on!  I am sure the D3s is even better!  Remember, these are my preferences for different situations and others may disagree. 

I have taken photos with both systems that make me happy.  After starting with the Rebel XT and 28-135, venturing to the “Dark Side” with the D700 with Nikon, and moving back to Canon and the 100-400, I have learned A LOT about the technical side of photography.  My goal now is to add to my collection so maybe someday I can have the best of both worlds.  Nobody can stop me from dreaming!