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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> To Nikon users: why did you choose Nikon?
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 06/20/2006 09:04:17 AM · #1
I would to open a thread about Nikon users. I am more interested in knowing why one picked Nikon over other brands (Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Konica-Minolta, Sony,...).

This thread can help new users to direct their thoughts in buying a dSLR.

Thanks
 06/20/2006 09:09:01 AM · #2
A few years ago I chose an analog Nikon because it was the best buy.
After that I chose Nikon because my lenses would still fit.

Not much use for my story here, I realise.
 06/20/2006 09:13:31 AM · #3
For me I have been using Nikon since I was a kid. I have never had one singel problem with the 10+ nikon cameras that I have owned. When I did have questions about the camera I always found the customer service agents extremely helpul. I always get quality pictures and after owning so many of their cameras picking one up and using it is almost intuitive. I already had nikon glass so when the time came for Digital SLR the choice was obvious. I am not one of those people who feels Nikon is better than Canon or Canon is better than nikon. Sometimes one camera will just feel better in your hand and sometimes the opperating system just seems more intuitive for you. Every year these two rivals will continue to one up each other and in the process the consumer benefits by new technology and better equipment. Choose what you like and not what other people tell you is better.
dc
 06/20/2006 09:16:16 AM · #4
I was going to choose Nikon...

My reasons were: I like the range of their lenses, and I had heard that the 18-70 was very nice... That left me looking at a very nicely complemented lens kit with the 70-300 or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8... I probably would have ended up with the Sigma 70-300... I quite like it...

I like that their lenses are usually very good in quality. They are costly, but you do get something for your money....

I also like their imaging quality. The cameras tend to do a nice job of figuring things out for you in auto exposure modes...

Another thing I have come to appreciate since, but wasn't an issue at the time was the 1.5x crop instead of a 1.6 which helps for wide angle lenses that aren't ultra wide... I do a lot more wide stuff now than I did when I was checking things out... I will be cutting my own budget short and passing on the ultra-wide lens that I thought I would be able to afford (the summer is turning out to be atrocious for income :(....), so with the Tamron 17-50 or Tokina 16-50, I'd be getting just a bit more for my not-so-wide money... It still may turn out to be a non-issue... tough call... only 2 months of income potential left before I go back to school...

Also in partially in retrospect, I like their flash system. Having the ability to control flashes wirelessly from the body without the primary flash is pretty neat...

I had read up a bit on high speed flash sync, but with the newer FP flashes with 1/4000 high speed sync, I'm not sure that this is as big an issue as it could be...

I ended up jumping on to the Canon boat because of an awesome deal on an L series telephoto lens that effectively replaced other lenses in my planned kit, so I went that way... Additionally, I have at least two friends nearby with Canon lens kits that I can borrow from... I'm 2 months into borrowing one lens and I'm quite glad of it because it is allowing me to wait on another lens purchase... I don't have any regrets, but I still like a lot about the Nikon system too..

Message edited by author 2006-06-20 09:18:20.
 06/20/2006 09:17:54 AM · #5
my father & brother both had nikon
my point & shoots were nikon (except for the first kodak)

i like the idea that it same lens mount has survived 5 decades+
& i can place a lens on a 30yr old film camera & the latest DSLR
i really do like the ergonomics

i thought about canon
- but they make photocopiers & printers & faxes
----
things that i didnot take into consideration
the overall cost of Nikon glass is higher
(of course if you would have told me 5 years ago i would be accumulating
$$$ lenses i would have laughed in your face ...)

one of the lenses that i'm lusting over is a cannon 28mm T&S, nikon only has the shift :(
----

other brands when i started DSLR & collecting glass they were really non players -
06/20/2006 09:20:10 AM · #6
Because Nikon make cameras, not photocopiers!

No really is simply because Dad had an old Nikon F1 long before I was born, I learnt to take photos with one, was given a Nikon FG for my 16th birthday, and when the time came to buy my own camera I felt more comfortable with Nikon (and I also had a huge collection of Dad's lenses to use)
(side note) Now after someone broke into dad's car and stole his 35mm and medium format cameras used the insurance to buy a Cannon 5D and a collection of L series lenses - simply because he wanted a full frame sensor - so thats what 30 years of brand loyalty gets you...
 06/20/2006 09:24:13 AM · #7
My father owned an old Nikon MF film camera and some very good lenses. I discovered that I could use his lenses on a digital camera so I bought a Nikon. I don't regret it. My D50 is amazing and my father's MF lenses are very good too. I love the 85mm f/2.0
 06/20/2006 09:39:55 AM · #8
Nikon seemed more tough or rugged at the time. I was looking through all kinds of people's photos...and the Canons seemed to be getting used at the sporting events or by the portrait people. Nikons seemed to be travelling the world, shooting remote locations of tropical rain forests or going inside burning buildings.

Anyway, I now know that both camera systems are probably just as capable as the other. If I had to choose again, I'd still pay more for my d70 than I would have for a 20d, even though I already had some Canon lenses.
 06/20/2006 09:40:18 AM · #9
When I was seraching for my 1st P&S I was on DPReview and it came down to the Nikon Coolpix 4500 and the Canon G2. I went with the Nikon cuz I liked the swivle and better macro. When I jumped to the DSLR, I didn't even hesitate when the D70 came out. It was the perfect camera for my needs. I held it in my hands and really liked the feel of it compared to the Canon Rebel and 10D. I had also shot with DrJones D1X before getting the D70 and found the buttons and menu to be quite intuitive.

Of course the next logical step was the D200! :-)


06/20/2006 09:42:37 AM · #10
Originally posted by kosmikkreeper:

I had also shot with DrJones D1X before getting the D70 and found the buttons and menu to be quite intuitive.


You actually go to touch DrJones D1x? You're a lucky guy.
 06/20/2006 09:57:13 AM · #11
I was very happy with my SONY prosumers (F707 and F828). When it came time to get a DSLR I chose Nikon over Canon because, at the time, the D70 was the best thing on the market in my price range. The D70 was the "Camera of the Year" . I never considered Fuji, Minolta, etc.

I don't think anyone can argue the quality of Nikon glass. It has a warmer feel than others IMO.

In addition my favorite photographers shoot Nikon-

Ronnie Gaubert

Dave Black

Moose Peterson

to name a few.

I also looked at the best, IMO, photographers on this site-
Manny
kiwiness
DRJones

There are of course awesome photographers who shoot other brands-
jmsetzler
heida
Jacko
So I'm not knockin' Canon.

I have stayed with Nikon becase I have been happy with the quality of their product, both cameras and lenses. I have never encountered a problem with either.

fixed link

Message edited by author 2006-06-20 09:59:29.
 06/20/2006 10:07:13 AM · #12
I had my heart set on the 300D Rebel. There was no question in my mind that I was going with Canon...until I held the Rebel in my hands and couldn't figure it out.

Out of curiousity I asked the salesman to show the the D70 which I had all but ignored and it was a perfect fit. I started working it right away and it fit in my hand like a gem.

I couldn't even look at the Rebel after that and the kit lens on the Nikon felt/looked much more solid.

Canons are awesome cameras....I could care less which system I use after all is said and done. As long as they work, you're good to go. One place where I think Nikon blows Canon away is in terms of intuitive operation and ergonomics. I think Canon MIGHT take slightly, slightly sharper pix when comparing the D70 to the Rebel and has a dash less noise but Nikon will get you to the same place in the end if you know how to take pictures.


Message edited by author 2006-06-20 10:16:57.
 06/20/2006 10:09:54 AM · #13
I used Canon while i was in the Navy, but one of the photogs I worked with had just bought the F4. I used it on one job and was hooked. The lenses were better and I liked the feel of the Nikons over the Canons. Lenses now are closer in quality but for me its Nikon.
 06/20/2006 10:21:47 AM · #14
I had a Canon 300D when they came out, but there was something about my growing up in the 70's that made me want a Nikon. I loved to see Nikons in the hands of press photographers.

I sold up the Canon and all my USM lenses and moved to Nikon when the D70 came out and was recently (January) lucky enough to get a D200. I am happy, no, make that REALLY happy. It feels so good to hold.

My only envy is the L series lenses for Canon which look so sexy! Apart from that, there's not much to draw me to Canon. I still have my Olympus OM1MD and OM2N film cameras and lenses and even though I don't use them, I love to look at them from time to time...they were real cameras.


06/20/2006 10:22:18 AM · #15
The Coolpix digital cameras were cool and i was amazed when I got my first digital Point-n-shoot (coolpix 885) ...

Than I moved to the 990 I think it was (the swivel body was extra cool). Nikon always seems to give you more than you expect IMHO.

The color and feel of the photos is rarely disappointing. Noise is not an issue in 200-400 ISO. Nikon lenses are also great IMO.

Nikon is a little slow on coming up with new features, but that could be a good thing ... Photography first.

t8
 06/20/2006 10:26:34 AM · #16
When I was choosing my 1st DSLR a few months back I looked at both Canon and Nikon:

20D - out of my price range
10D - outdate
300D - lackluster quality and features
350D - way to small; actually hurts my hand

D70 - out of my price range
D50 - Perfecto!

If the 350D fit my hand better, then that would have been my choice no doubt. I don't know what Canon was thinking making the body design like that...
06/20/2006 10:33:20 AM · #17
I bought my first Nikon in 1978 at the advice of a National Geographic photographer. Most NG photographers shot with Nikon. The lenses are exceptional and almost every Nikon camera I've owned has held up to what ever conditions I'm in. I had to conceed that Canon makes a might fine camera line as do some of the other manufactures. But for me Nikon has been my camera of choice and I'll stick with them until they stop making cameras. It's all personal preference in my opinion. Good luck shooting!
 06/20/2006 10:33:29 AM · #18
oh & the song (Paul Simon) ;)
----------------------------
When I think back
On all the crap I learned in high school
It's a wonder
I can think at all
And though my lack of edu---cation
Hasn't hurt me none
I can read the writing on the wall

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

If you took all the girls I knew
When I was single
And brought them all together for one night
I know they'd never match
my sweet imagination
everything looks worse in black and white

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Leave your boy so far from home
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome

Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
 06/20/2006 10:39:08 AM · #19
When digital first became popular I purchased three different P&S Coolpix twist bodies. I can't believe I paid up to $1000 for them but at the time they were the best available. I still have them as backpack and basic backups. I only went to Canon for SLR because I did not have any Nikon lenses and the specs for the 20D was better than the D50 or D70. The Canons are more expensive. All-in-all, if you have Canon glass go Canon, if you have Nikon glass go Nikon. If 8.2 mp is more important than 6.0 mp then make that choice. I've enjoyed both brands.
 06/20/2006 10:40:10 AM · #20
I also read that Olympus userswere having trouble finding lenses and the cost was insane. I assume the same goes for Koinca and Pentax users as well.

I also assumed it's easier to find Nikon or Canon advice in emergency cases especially since they dominate the market. In any number of forums I can always get a load of quick and varied answers to question and problems within minutes.
 06/20/2006 10:57:12 AM · #21
I think I may be permanently commited to the Canon system. But if I were to hit the lottery I'd really like to have a go at Nikon just so I know what's out there, and have a second chance at making that important decision. Either I will be sure that I made the right choice, or I will be able to correct a mistake.
06/20/2006 11:10:28 AM · #22
After my Konica FS1 passed away, after 20 years of shooting, I looked around and ended up with a Nikon F80. It was new at the time and I simply liked it better than the other brands. I had also heard that their glass was better.
When I got a digital for my 50th birthday, I wanted the D70. Good reviews, it felt good and I did have a lens that fitted of course, but I would have picked another brand if I thought it was a better camera, and continued using that old lens with the F80.
By now, I have three lenses and if I were to buy a new canera now, I would probably stick to Nikon, maybe a D200 :)
 06/20/2006 11:14:17 AM · #23
I liked the name "Nikon" better than "Canon". Canon sort of reminded me of warlike stuff, and I prefer peaceful things. Canon also reminded me of towels and bedsheets.

Seriously, I used to have a Pentax film camera, and I always wanted a Nikon - so when the time came, I got one.
 06/20/2006 11:18:01 AM · #24
I was on the fence and went to the store. The 20D was out of stock so I bought the Nikon. I know that may seem like a dumb reason, but I'm happy with my purchase.
 06/20/2006 11:21:04 AM · #25
Originally posted by deapee:
Originally posted by kosmikkreeper:

I had also shot with DrJones D1X before getting the D70 and found the buttons and menu to be quite intuitive.


You actually go to touch DrJones D1x? You're a lucky guy.


Yeah, and his D2X. We've been friends for 14 years and I saw him grow his photography skills. Then he became my first teacher and mentor. :-)

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