Canon vs Nikon Speed Light Question/Thought

I am just curious as to what everyone here on POTN thinks. I am not thinking of switching at all, just was thinking, after continually hearing Nikon's Flash system is superior to Canons. ( I use Canon, but am not bias either way )

So I have heard & read many many times online & in print exactly that, that Nikons CLS system is far better than Canons. I am just curious as to why this is said?? Why do some people think this??

As far as I know in Nikons system, when you adjust Exposure Compensation on the camera, it adjusts the flash Exposure Compensations too, so lets say you just want to adjust ambient and keep the flash power where it is at. For example you use ExComp -2 in camera, and then you would also have to go to +2 to get your flash back where it was (seems like an extra step)

So basically I am thinking, the Canon seems better in my opinion that you control ambient & flash independently of each other. This is better for me in my opinion.

So is this just an opinion thing, and most people just prefer the way the Nikon system works, and I am in the minority, and prefer Canons, having control of both exposures independently......or does Nikon offer something that I am unaware of, that I missing??

Thanks for everyones time & input, I appreciate it.

It is exactly the same as the canon system for the most part. The canon system is easier if you are using a 580ex II and/or newer body that can control it all from the camera it is easier to use the the nikon system. The big thing with the nikon system and why it is more used is because most of their camera bodies have built in triggers, but now canon is doing the same with the 7D, 60D, and T3i have it integrated with the built in flash.

In my opinion, the canon menu is so much easier to use then the nikon menu on the flashes. The SB-700/900/910 have a massively improved menu but to me, it is still a bit hard to use. Now for CLS it is slightly less confusing then the canon but not by much and canon's flash control hands down wins.

Nick

i'll be honest with you at this point that i'm not exactly unbiased regarding which small flash system is superior (thanks to people like joe mcnally, michael greenberg and louis pang) They've definitely influence me during a workshop that i participated a year ago.

Here's what i've learn;

- The sb 900 is capable of zooming into 200mm
- More external switches, a better implementation than canon's "hold this for 2 seconds and turn that"
- Cls thus far is more solid than canon's
- The sb 900 (not sure bout others) comes with gel holder (not sure but gel though) and the flash head is capable of reading the gel temperature
- Nikon's ttl sync cord is longer (i have the canon's one... the length of it gives a lot more to be desired :S)

I might have missed out a few things because to be honest those are the important bits to me.

I'll say that canon flash system as a whole leaves a lot to be desired, however as you can see those little things have not help me justify a system switch... yet

The only thing I've heard about the sb900 that I wish Canon would be better at is how the sb900 is great at mixing ambient and flash.

Somebody has done the hardwork for you....

http://www.timothyarme​s.com …-flash-systems-revisited/

maverick678 wrote in post #13710959
Somebody has done the hardwork for you....

http://www.timothyarme​s.com …-flash-systems-revisited/

Very good article, and point of view, thanks for the link............both systems have pros & cons, and depending on each individual person, and how you work, both have advantages & disadvantages.........​....neither is superior than the other.

Being able to control Ambient & Flash independently is the deal breaker for me. I can't see myself adjusting Exposure Compensation, and than having to adjust Flash Excomp aswell to compensate all the time.

Nikon has independent EC and FEC, the only difference is Total FEC = EC + FEC. So EC + 1 and FEC - 2 means in Canon speak you'd have EC + 1 and FEC - 1. I have two SB900, 580 v1, 550, and I sold a 580 v2 when I switched to Nikon.

Both systems work fine, if you understand them. With Canon you need to ride the EC/FEC more. With Nikon it seems you need less (F)EC. I haven't used their multi flash system, I use radio triggers.

Overall, if you know what you're doing, both are fine. Nikons is slightly easier, more automated.