Canon or Nikon

[AmandaNola]

I know this can become a very heated debate (at least, it can on photography forms), but I am in no ways looking to start an argument. I'm only wanting to hear your preference and your reasons behind it.

Long story short, my beloved Nikon D3100 is on it's last leg. The lens (18-55mm Nikkor) is going as well. This is pretty frustrating for me, since I've only had it a bit over two years and I take immaculate care of it. It's used daily, but is never dirty/wet/dropped/ect. I loved it hugely before it started to go, and I love the feel of it in my hands.
But if this is how Nikon's products are, I'm not comfortable dropping that much money every two years or so. Is this a common issue (it'd cost more to fix the camera than to buy a new one, FWIW) with Nikon, or did I just get a dud?

For those of you who use Canon, why do you prefer it? For those that use Nikon, how has yours held up? For those who've used both, what are the major differences you've noticed?

 

[ruffiangirl]

Oh wow, that's sad I can't imagine of mine died. But I haven't heard of a lot of people having problems with either nikon or cannon. Do you only have the one lens?

 

[Julee]

What's up with it? My D3100 has been starting to have issues as well.

 

[AmandaNola]

Yes, just the one lens. The AF on it is starting to go, and I almost always use AF. BEtween kids and dogs, I don't have enough hands to use manual.

The lens AF is going, the clarity isn't what it used to be, the flash doesn't work (not that I used it, but it was a nice option), every setting but action (in high enough light to not need flash) and auto/no flash make what I'm assuming is the flash discharge inside the camera; it makes a very odd popping sound and smells like burning plastic when you use the other settings.

 

[RBark]

It is normal for entry level cameras go start to go bad after a couple years. It usually needs some maintenance, just like cars, computers, and so on.

There is no real difference between Canon and Nikon in terms of quality. Lots of people feel strongly about their brand but there are always people like that.

Simply put, pick a brand, buy high quality lens, and stick with that brand. Switching costs more in the long run.

I am however surprised your lens is going bad. Are you certain? Lens usually can last decades of moderate use. That is true of both companies.

I was a Nikon user. The only reason I have a Canon is because I upgraded to full frame and my Nikon lens wouldn't work. So I just went with the company offer the best discount at the time.

 

[Oko]

I have friends that like both, I would say try them both out and go with what appeals to you more, if you're thinking of switching. FWIW some lenses are known to have AF problems, I've heard the canon 50mm f/1.4 is one of them. Sure enough, mine's AF broke and I had to send it in to get it repaired. I have a Canon 7D body, I bought it off someone who had gotten it four years ago and barely used it before putting it in storage, because it was too much camera for them. So far, so good.

 

[Toller_08]

I've had Nikons since 2008, so only six years. I loved my D40. The only reason I sold it was because it wasn't good in low light at all and I had no choice but to buy autofocus lenses for it because the body didn't have an internal focus motor. But it was a fantastic camera and I still regret selling it. Then I bought a D90 and hated it. Mine was a lemon and had issues from the get go. I thought it was me, so I never returned it in time, but I wish I had. It didn't focus properly, was slower than it should have been, etc. Now I have a D7000 and really like it. I think I liked my D40 more still for some reason, but I can't complain about my D7000 and will not be upgrading from it unless something happens. I think I've had it for two years now and it still works the same way now as when I got it. No problems at all.

With that said, my brother had a Canon for a while and while I wasn't very good at using it because the controls are in such different places than Nikons and I wasn't used to it, I felt like it was a faster, more accurate camera than any of my Nikons. Eventhough I was inept at using it I had more success more frequently capturing clear, crisp action with his Canon (I think it was a Rebel T2i) than I do my current Nikon. Not sure why. I wish I'd had the chance to play around with it more before get got rid of it (now he has a Pentax that oddly, I've yet to use. He loves it though.).

I didn't buy Nikon because I was partial to the brand and can't really comment on which I feel is really better. I bought my first Nikon because 1) most of Chaz seemed to have Nikons at the time and I liked the image quality and 2) it was on sale. Then by the time I sold that one and got different ones, I already had Nikon lenses, so that's why I've stuck with the brand.

 

[AllieMackie]

Everyone's got their loves for their brand. I have a Canon entry-level DSLR that's been going strong since 2008 with only one repair for the shutter. I've left it out in the rain overnight once, and it's fallen in dog water bowls twice. Each time, an overnight burial in rice and it was good as new, so there's that.

My friend Paul and his brother Kevin makes this excellent web series on the differences between two specific Nikon and Canon DSLRs. Might teach you a thing or two, and everyone should watch it anyway because it's **** good for a laugh. (warning: They're a tad vulgar at times, haha.)

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFJA39DJSSk

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMF7-No7Sko

 

[Grab]

I've had my Nikon D5000 for over three years, still with just the kit lens (18-55) and I use it pretty constantly. It still works as well as it did the first day.

 

[Zoom]

I had my Nikon D50 for years and even with all the abuse I put it through, it was fantastic. I upgraded to a D80 because I needed a few more gadgets and such. That camera met an untimely end via gravity and a set of stairs. I have a 7000 now and it works ok, but I still honestly miss my 50 the most, with the 80 in a very close second.

I have a feeling that your lens is working fine, it's the camera that is causing issues. Nikon is known for their lenses.

I know plenty of people that shoot Canon and will never switch, so it really comes down to personal preference. I feel--and Nolu agrees--that Nikons have better color.

 

[GipsyQueen]

I got my nikon D40 on my 17th birthday... so about 5,5 years ago. The AF on my 18-55mm started to go about 1,5 years ago. It just wouldn't work and would make (it still does) clacking noises and not take a picture. I'd have to turn it off and on again a few times, then it would be fine. Still takes amazing pictures for an entry level camera. Though I did get frusterated with it (and it's size).
So, this year I switched to a canon (uhoh!!). I also switched from a DSLR to a compact systems camera. Which, IMO takes better quality pictures than my old DSLR. I have the canon eos m, its so much smaller than my Nikon D40 with all the perks and more.

Taken with the Nikon D40:

Taken with the canon Eos m:

I also feel that canons in general takes "warmer" pictures in lower lighting, esp. when doing portraits.

 

[Katkoota]

Congrats on the new camera. These are a couple of awesome shots

I'm happy with my Nikon D800 & dont think of trading it for any other camera

 

[kady05]

I shoot with a Canon 1D Mark III, so Canon is my "thing".

I just happened to start with a Canon (I had a Rebel T1i), so I stuck with it when I upgraded. I think both brands can take amazing shots, I just prefer Canon

 

[skittledoo]

I used to shoot with a canon when I did film photography. When I switched over to digital I ended up getting a Nikon D60 because there was a great deal on it. I was super impressed with the quality but it did crap out on me after 4 years. I can still take photos with it, but it's a pain in the ass now and needs repairs.

I ended up purchasing another camera recently and wouldn't you know it I grabbed another Nikon. It's a D5100 and I absolutely love it. It is budget friendly since I can't afford full frame right now, but it takes really good quality images and is a blast to shoot.

My dad recently switched from Nikon to canon and seems to really enjoy canon as well. He sticks with sport photography mostly and said he seems to get better action with his canon but loves the color you get on Nikon.

 

[release the hounds]

I think both companies make a good enough product to keep most people happy My cousin shoots Nikon and loves it. She's way more into photography than I am.

I shoot canon, because it's what I know and have always had good luck with them. Almost all my previous point and shoots were canon and When I was in school I used to shoot hockey and soccer games for a guy that was outfitted with canons.

I really got used to shooting them and one weekend there were so many things going on he had to rent equipment and I had to shoot a Nikon. I don't know what models I had, this was over 10 years ago. But we had canon 1d's and this was the Nikon equivalent.

I had about half the keep rate from that weekend as normal. Was it because of the equipment? Probably not, I was just more familiar with the other stuff, but to me it seemed the focus and tracking was much better with the Canon. So when I was looking recently for a DSLR I went with Canon and am very satisfied with that purchase.

Since then I've learned a lot and some lenses have certain focus issues with both brands. but normally the quality of picture is dependent on the person taking them

Both brands are pretty high quality, even at a consumer level.

 

[DJEtzel]

I honestly haven't heard good things about the D3100... I don't know if maybe it was just a weak model?

I'd had my D60 for about 2 years before sellig, and my D5000 now for about 5? No issues came up with either, yet. *knocks on wood*

Honestly though, I dated a wedding photographer for a little while, and I really liked his Canon gear. It pains me to say it, but when I upgrade again, I am likely going Canon. It just felt better, I liked the options on his more compared to the same model Nikon, etc.

 

[Equinox]

I use and like Nikon. My first DSLR was the Nikon D90, which I used up until it was about 2 1/2 years old and it still worked perfectly. I really loved everything about it, and as far as automatic point and shooting goes, I still prefer the D90 to the D7000, which I have now. I bought the D7000 used but not sure how old it is. I've had it for 6 months and it is also as good as new. I've been very happy with the Nikons that I've had, including both camera bodies and camera lenses!

I chose Nikon because I liked the way it felt better, and because most of the photographers on the dog forums were using Nikon at the time. I'm sticking with Nikon because now that I have all these lenses that I love, I can't imagine going through the effort to switch to Canon. Plus, I don't ever see myself being able to afford the L lenses and I think I do prefer the lower end lens selection from Nikon and their quality to Canon's lower end lenses.

What I've seen from many professional Nikon shooters is that they typically produce really vivid, vibrant, sharp photographs. The photographers I watch who shoot with Canon produce more natural looking colors with a certain soft/smooth feel that is hard to replicate or even pinpoint (and that's not to say the images aren't sharp, because they are). Obviously editing will play a large role but I've found it an interesting pattern between Nikon and Canon shooters.

If I ever upgrade, I'll stick with Nikon. If I were starting over... I don't know. Canon would be worth looking into, but I like Nikon just fine, especially the lens selection for my own budget. I will say that if I were a family/lifestyle/newborn/wedding photographer, I would be strongly inclined to go with Canon. I'm starting to like the vintage film look more, which (for some reason) I imagine goes better with Canon than with Nikon. Not sure why though, so I might be completely.

Regarding focus and tracking, I am not a fan of what my D7000 has to offer. The multiple focus points I have to choose from are nice, but when it's on auto the focus/tracking really is disappointing. I liked my D90 better in that respect, but maybe I'm doing something wrong. I have also heard complaints about focus from Canon Mark II and Mark III users, though. Guess it just depends!

 

[LostAndConfused]

I have had my Nikon D80 since early Oct and I really like it. I bought mine used from a photographer friend. It is the camera she started her business with in 2007 or 2008 and I know it was still her her main camera when she shot my wedding in 2009. So, assuming Martha was purchased new in 08, she's on year 5 or 6 and still going strong. I really like the camera and don't have any issues with it. It is my first DSLR and a good step up from my point and shoots.

I have a 7000 now and it works ok, but I still honestly miss my 50 the most, with the 80 in a very close second.

I'm coming to CO so we can swap cameras for the day.

 

[xpaeanx]

Zoom, I have a D50 I will happily sell you.

My photography is fairly crappy and I know it's me. I took a class to help build my skills... It seems the class was 50/50 with the split. I think it's really just preference. But, it does seem sports/action tends to have more canon lovers and landscape/portrait more Nikon.

 

[krissy]

I've got a Canon Rebel XTi. I got it quite awhile ago... I think I've had it for 7 or 8 years now. I have two lenses, the one that came with it (18-55mm) and I also got a 70-200mm 4.0 L about 5-6 years ago. I do not use it heavily, especially not in the winter, but I do use it. I do not take any special care of it but I am careful with it (making sure it doesn't get bumped, dropped, etc.). It still works well... I've had no problems with it and this thread is making me nervous!

I got a Canon because that is what I used first. I took a photography course in high school and my teacher let me use her personal camera which was a Canon Rebel (film camera) and I got really used to it, so when my mom decided to buy me one for Christmas I immediately gravitated to the Canon Rebel since there was really no learning curve. My point and shoot is also a Canon and I got it about a year after my Rebel. My very first camera ever was a little Canon Elf film point and shoot that I bought with my own money as a kid. So I guess I'm a Canon girl.