My Pshycatrist is going to love me

[mjryan67]

I have been lurking around this forum for a couple of weeks, reading the the very informative posts by all of the very knowledgeable and seemingly very friendly folks out here. And even though I have learned alot I am still finding myself as confused as ever about the decision that I am making.

Let me start by apologizing because I know that this subject has been beat to death out here and in many other forums I am facing the seemingly age old question of which system to choose Canon or Nikon ?

I am currently shooting an aging Minolta Maxxum system for film and an "I know I can't believe it either ?"
Epson PhotoPC 850Z digital ( I know I know but at the time it was the best value for the money 2 years ago, at least in my opinion) the Epson has acctually served me well for what it is. So I would like to move into the current century as far as cameras go both film and digital. I used to do a fair amount of "for hire" shooting weddings, a little advertising etc and I'm looking to move back in that direction, espically since I have a well established wedding DJ business, which should provide me an entry point into the local market. And of course I will always shoot tons of pictures of my kids and get back in the field shooting nature and wildlife shots.

So I am looking for the right system to get me back started and I have been reading and studying and every day I seem to change my mind. The equipment I am considering starting with is either the Canon 10D & ELAN7 or the D100 & N80 from that company that starts with an N. I know both are great systems and have lots of lens choices and both provide me with a great growth path as my skills improve and my needs become more professional oriented. I know that the best reccomendation is to shoot what feels right, but there are things about both systems that feel right. I also understand that with with the higher level of DSLR's there is as fairly steep learning curve for the post production workflow, but since I'm a computer geek for a living, with some time and lots of questions in great forums like this I hope to be able to climb the mountain.

The biggest observation that I am fairly confident is somewhat accurate regarding the two systems is that Canon seems to be more agressive in incorporating newer technology into their products, but from all the posts I find it would seem like this comes at the cost of some product reliability, Nikon on the other hand is much slower at bringing new technology into their products but the Nikon products seem more reliable, less problems in both of their bodies that I am considering. Maybe I am just looking in the wrong places for my information or maybe the Canon users are just more open about issues ? I'm not really sure ??? I love the newest, latest technology as much as the next techno geek ( I have a wireless computer network in my house for my 3 computers) but I also need reliability since I hope to make a little money with all this fun stuff.

So is everybody with me ?? Sorry about the long post but hey it's my first one I promise I'll make the rest shorter. Now where did I put that phone number for my psycatrist, he is probably going to cost me as much as a really nice lens ......

If there are users out here who have experience with both systems and would take a minute to share their experiences I would appreciate it Espically if they have used the bodies I am considering.

Thanks in advance !!!

[robertwgross]

Since this is a Canon Digital forum, you can pretty much predict what we are going to say about Canon versus Brand N. For any decision you make, there will be a few people who will tell you that you made the wrong decision.

Based on our own types of shooting and our own budgets, we made that jump to Canon. For me, it was one jump from Konica to Canon film, and then to Canon digital.

I would not worry about it if your psychiatrist is going to love you. I would worry about it if your psychiatrist loves your mother.

---Bob Gross---

[Roger517]

I don't own any Canon gear, yet. I do own lots of the N stuff, both digital and film. I have been pondering back and forth myself and this is what I have figured out.

Lurking on the N forums: The d100 has problems of it's own. Even with the cost reduction it costs more than the Canon 10D. You have to buy everything to get it to work; battery/charger/software, etc..
The camera features are less than the Canon 10D's, especially when it comes to using flash. It's a plastic body. Sony makes the CCD.
After looking at hundreds of pics, I find that Canon's are much better looking. Then there is the camera repair possibility. My experience with Nikon has NOT been good and would NEVER send another camera to them for repair.

Lurking on the C forums: The focus problem is an issue on some of the cameras and Canon is repairing those cameras correctly and with no hassles. The camera is very affordable and all you need to buy is a lens and memory, saving you around $300 over the N camera in extra things that you will need to buy with the N camera. Canon makes their own CCD. The Canon 10D has a great feature set. It has a metal body. The pictures are truely first class.

At the end of the day the final picture is what it's all about, and from what I've seen and read, I'll be making the switch to Canon.

It's not because of having to have the latest toys, but because Canon doesn't clean out your pocketbook everytime you want to upgrade to a better camera, they can actually repair their cameras and they have a better customer appreciation.

I don't know if this helped you, but it made me feel better.

[beautifulimpressions]

I too am a recent convert to the Canon line!

I have used the Minolta Maxxum line from when the first autofocus Maxxum 7000 was introduced. my main reason for switching to Canon (beside the quality of the product) is that Canon is much more supportive of photographers with advanced skill levels while Minolta seem's more to be aimed at point & shoot, begginer levels. The Canon lens line with IS and tilt/shift lenses was the final reason to switch to Canon.

I've had the 10D for a little over a month and have been very pleased, even though the initial outlay of $$$ was major since I had to get all new lenses, flash, grip, memory cards, etc. but I am happy with the switch and plan on sticking with the Canon line. my only question is whether I wait for the rumored 3D to be released or what the second body will be!

http://www.geocities.com/beautifulimpressions/

[rodbunn]

I really feel that it's the person behind the equipment that makes the difference. Stop thinking about it and buy one (I prefer Canon) and start learning as much about your new system as you can!

AND ENJOY IT !!!!!

Good luck, Rod

[kellylipp]

One can definitely get into the analysis paralysis game quickly on this topic, that's for sure.

I have owned Canon film stuff for 10 years. Average use, nothing professional. Love it. Love the system, love the lenses, etc.

When making the switch to digital the question became one of re-use. That quickly went out the door when I decided I wanted some new lenses anyway!

For me, the big fear was rapid obsolescence and indeed, no sooner did I buy a D60 than the 10D entered the market. Shucks.

I've learned to live with it: I'll await the full size sensor version of the 10D and buy it. I don't need the CCD speed and would rather have longer battery life.

For you: buy the Canon and get on with it. You will love it and never think about Nikon again.

Can I interest you in a used D60? Low miles, only driven by a little old photographer from Colorado Springs.

Kelly

PS They are a helpful bunch here in this forum, aren't they? Man, the stuff you can learn! I only wish that every post I read didn't include me spending some more money!