Need Answer to Difficult Decision

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/07/2006 01:48:07 AM · #1

I am not a good enough photographer to make a living taking pictures but i have come into contact with a photographer that wants me to help him out. i will be helping him in taking shots of Motocross events and helping him print the photos. I'm excited to say the least. Here is where i need help: i own a Canon 20D and a few lenses, he is a Nikon guy (D100, D200). I hold nothing against nikon, and only chose the canon route because i started on an old FT-b and had good luck with it. The question i want to ask is would it be worth it to switch brands to create a better workflow and possibly learn more from this experience? I dont want to start a riot between which camera is better because that isnt really the answer i want. (pepsi v. coke debate)

thanks
-Matt

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

05/07/2006 01:54:33 AM · #2

It seems that if he's willing to let you work with equipment with which you're already familiar, there's little reason to switch lines unless you're sure you'll be swapping lenses with him, or he thinks he can detect a significant difference in the pixels between the cameras.

If anything, it should make your workflow (or at least record-keeping) simpler, since your images will be differently-numbered and easily separated and attributable.

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG for Pentax

05/07/2006 02:05:21 AM · #3

Thanks for the reply

i should have made myself a little clearer when i was talking of workflow, but i didnt want to bore anybody (im a thread-killer)

im helping him at these motocross events where we take, process, and print the pictures on site (he has a trailer with an epson 7800 and a couple smaller printers and numerous computers) speed is what i was concerning myself with.

on the otherhand i was thinking that i could bring my laptop with my canon software on it to transfer RAW to TIFF or some other, more universal filetype.

If money wasnt a huge factor, i would get the D200 but i work full time at an electronic store to pay for my ever-rising tuition bills doesnt leave much to spare.

i think that if i can sell all my canon stuff iwould be able to get D200 and a couple lenses but wouldnt have as complete of a setup as i do now.

thanks again
-Matt

edit: sorry for spelling and grammar but i have been up for 19 hrs (damn finals)

Message edited by author 2006-05-07 02:06:50.

Leok

Pentax K10D

05/07/2006 02:37:02 AM · #4

It will all depend on what his workflow is like. If he is more worried about speed than anything else he may simply shoot in jpeg - you can do the same - problem solved.

Even if he does shoot in RAW the software he uses may support Canon raw files, or there may be a plug in available for it that does.

It will depend on his setup and his preferences more than anything...

PShizzy

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

05/07/2006 02:48:01 AM · #5

Unless you have a contract that states you will be employed for a reasonable time and sum, you shouldn't consider switching to Nikon.

I've nothing against Nikon, and as with anything, there are pluses and minuses to both systems. But jumping from one to the other is a costly and sometimes unnecessary endeavor.

What if you switch, then find out that this job doesn't work out, for whatever reason?

Honestly, have you seen the workflow? Most of the workflows I've encountered usually involve jpeg, which is pretty universal. I remember when I first started, I was offered an opportunity to shoot motorsports. The first lesson that I was taught: Shoot Jpeg. We both shot well over 2k images, no way we were looking to process that many RAW files, and to do it quickly, or as quick as jpeg, is going to be a push.

The main differences in an image between a Canon and Nikon camera are the color shifts each tends to have (Nikon has issues with purple, Canon with red), ISO noise (I won't go into specifics, but most of the Nikon to Canon converts feel the ISO is better on the Digic II Canon cameras), and megapixels (D2x at 11, D200 at 10, 1D mk2 at 8, 1Ds Mk2 at 16, 5D at 11).

Hope I've helped.

Max

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/07/2006 12:35:01 PM · #6

hey thanks a bunch!! i think ill stick with my 20D and get a battery grip flash and some more CF cards. i was wanting to stick with my camera but i just needed some reinforcement.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

05/07/2006 12:44:08 PM · #7

If he's a pro, chances are that he has more than one body. I would bet that if he doesn't want to process Canon images, then he will want you to shoot with one of his Nikon bodies.