Nikon or Canon?

[isuzurover]

(I suspect this may end up like holden vs ford or Landrover vs Landcruiser...)

The time has come to buy a DSLR.

My hard working AE-1 Program body has seen better days, and my lenses won't fit any DSLRs. So although I have bought nothing but canon in the past, it seems I am free to choose either brand.

I would be looking at a mid range body - e.g. 60D / D7000.

So - Which brand and model would you buy and why???

Which 2-3 lenses would you buy to accompany the body?

To make things fun I have also added a poll...

[Ace]

Im saving for a Nikon, not sure on the model yet, asked alot of questions in here. Im chosing Nikon for no other reason than most people i know with DSLR's have Nikons so they must be good, most people on here recommended Nikon's when I asked also.

[LSD_AUTOMOTIVE]

I have a Nikon D90, previously I had a Nikon L100 (P&S)....Love it.
It was sold to my other half by a forum member no less Best Christmas gift ever!

[abaddonxi]

I bought Nikon, but didn't even look at a Canon to compare.

I'd say buy the cheapest body that has its own autofocus motor, get the kit lenses because they cost almost nothing as part of the package. Then when you're bored of them buy some primes. Fixed focal length lenses are lighter, smaller, faster than zooms. 50mm is cheap as chips and fast.

I've got a D700 so full frame. I carry around a 28mm, a 50mm and a fast 70-210mm.

But mostly I stick to the 50mm.

[dmdigital]

The Canon 60D and Nikon D7000 aren't really comparable models. The 60D is closer to the Nikon D90 and the D7000 is more closer to the Canon 7D.

My first SLR was a Canon and then I moved to Nikon and never went back. For me Nikon ergonomics are far superior to Canon. Also if you had Nikon lenses then most, if not all, would still be usable.

[big guy]

I have always been a Nikon man, I worked for the former News paper and several magazines. I did all of the Grand Prix here in Adelaide.
They were the film days, just before I stopped that line of work I won a full package Canon gear with a 50mm f1.2 lens. Oh what a kit.
Anyhow, most pros use Nikon and that must tell you something.

In the entry range I believe the Canon is more value for money.

For example, I just bought a Canon G12 which is kind of a top line compact in a way. Canon have brilliant colour and are very user friendly IMHO.

Nikons similar camera was not even in the ball park.

I did however have a feel and play with both as so should you or any other purchaser as no 2 people are alike and you may prefer one ergonomics to another.
Definately have afeel and rather than buying 2-3 lenses, buy 1-2 really good one, you will not regret a quality fast lens. Nikons 18-200 is brilliant and can almost be used everyday.
They are cumbersome though and be prepared to accept that in 2-3 years totally outdated and worth 1/4 of purchase price.

Having said that, it may even be wise to spend less and update every 2 years and ebay or give old camera to kids etc.

Also do not get into the Mega pixel race, many manufacturers and now cut back and gone for quality rather than a zillion pixel with no way of properly recording it for you and the image gets grainy.

Research is the key once again.

Good luck and enjoy.

[C0L0N3L]

If your starting out it is wise to choose whichever you can borrow from friends.

If none else has gear. I would suggest picking which ever is most comfortable.

I find Nikon more comfortable, I can adjust everything while holding the camera in one hand (cept ISO :'( ) Wouldn't want to try that with canon.

Canon seems to have a larger second hand market.. (maybe cause they are all swaping to nikon )
D60 vs D7000
I would take the D7000 for sure. Its better in almost everyway.

As for lenses, this depends on how much you have left.
18-105mm I think comes with the D7000 and is an excellent walk around lens.
People typically go for the 50mm 1.8 ..but a lot of people complain that its an awkward focal length (on crop factor) I kinda agree
Then just go for a wide angle.

Hopefully you can make sense of that.

[KarlB]

I used a Canon F1 for years. Loved it. Couldn't kill it. Was dropped over a cliff in a back pack and it just kept going. So when I decided to go digital I went for Canon. With price limit I set my self, I ended up with a 500D body (bought it on the grey market so it is labeled a Rebel T1i) coupled with EF 24-105mm f4 IS USM lens. Fellows at work were also influential in continuation of my Canon direction. Three of them are serious wildlife photographers. Another freelances for the local newspaper. Most have multiple bodies and bags of lenses. All use Canons. I really believe you can't go wrong with either Nikon or Canon. How does it feel in the hand? What is your gut instinct? Why do you drive a Land Rover when logic and popularity tell you to drive a Tojo?

Cheers
KarlB

[slug_burner]

I have a similar background, AE1, A1 then I got a G2. The menu structure from the G2 to my Rebel XTi that I got when living OS was similar and more natural than the Nikon. At that stage I don't belive Nikon had anything to compete against the Canon entry level DSLR bodies below the D200 so I stuck with Canon. I went for a couple of L lenses as I believe that it is better to spend on lenses than camera bodies. So I got a 24-105mm f4 IS which is the most often used for day to day stuff, also got a 70-200mm f2.8 IS and a 16-35mm f2.8.

My wife kept wanting to use the camera so ended up getting a second body(400D), the kit lenses came for free well almost. But these lenses are toys compared to the L series.

I think the market is a lot more even now with Nikon having brought out some good entry level/consumer DSLRs. Have a look at the lens costs for the higher end lenses before you make the decision if that is the way you think you will go.

I think that Nikon relied on their reputation from the film camera days and Canon took a lot of sales with the entry level DLSR and have taken a lot of market share and now have the the mass market but the top end is still held by Nikon (snob value maybe?).

I think either brand will do, don't know much about the models you have listed. If you like sharp pics spend on the lenses.

[PSi]

From a philosophy/personality point of view, Land Rover owners should have a kinship with Nikon while Tojo drivers ought to hang out with Canon.
Logic being, both LR and Nikon are quite specific and focused in who and what they are.
LR is about go-anywhere 4X4s, Nikon is about optics and imaging. Announce you just bought a Land Rover, and people know what you got, as well as who and what you are. Ditto for Nikon.
Whereas, "I bought a Toyota" could be anything from a Corolla or Yaris to a 5-ton lorry or even a forklift. Similarly, Canon could be a printer, copier, fax, scanner, calculator, maybe even a camera.
If it's just a camera you'd want, both are good and I'd go with oft-given advice about trying out the models you're interested in.