To stay or not to stay (with Canon)... that is the question.

Hey, new member here.

I'm a young (24) photographer from Belgium. Did photography for couple of years, also graduated from a film/TV school, so I guess that helps also.
Unfortunately, my whole Canon setup got stolen about a year ago (approx 3000 euro worth of equipment) Man do I miss photography, but I just couldn't afford new gear.
Anyway, life goes on, no point in dwelling in the past, so I was thinking about getting a new camera and stuff.


I have hard time figuring what camera to buy!
It's basically D7000 vs 7D for me (because 7D is kinda old, you can buy it for the same price on ebay). I must say that 7D just feels like a better camera, a real beast, I also like Canon lenses more. D7000 wins in image quality on higher ISO though.
I also like that you can mount pretty much any lens on EOS with an adapter, while you can't do it on Nikon.

Yet, Nikon shooters some how make better pictures! Somehow... I'm very temped by this Nikon fan club of elitists, it's kinda irrational, I don't like that...

What would you do if your kit would have been stolen? What would be a good reason to go over to Nikon? Or stay with Canon?

I specifically asked this question on Canon forum, because I don't want to start yet an other useless Canon vs Nikon post. (I'll do the same on Nikon forum)

As everyone acknowledges, it's the person behind the camera that makes the picture, not the camera. I will let others who know the D700 better speak to that camera, but I have the 7D, and it's a super shooter. Fast, sharp, and shoots well up to about 2000 ISO. Pushing it to 3200.

You're talking the two best companies in the world, and they each make cameras that will take professional images. I can't tell you what to do, but for me, I had the chance to switch to a D800 or replace my 5D2 with a 5D3. After comparing the pros and cons of each for a month, I bought the 5D3 without question.

Greetings - If you believe Nikon takes better photographs, then go with the elitists and the Nikon fan club. There is enough information on this forum and others for you to form an independent decision. You don't say what you shoot, but you are experienced. I think you should make up your own mind. When you look at a good photo, you cannot tell which camera was used. If I was using Canon I'd replace it with Canon due to familiarity if I was happy with the Canon equipment.
Cheers, John

I'd stay with Canon, mostly due to familiarity. But also I've seen too many problems with Nikon cameras in my peer group.

Anthon wrote in post #14416836
Yet, Nikon shooters some how make better pictures! Somehow...

LOL! Yes! It is the magically combination of a Sony sensor and a Nikon camera that makes 100% of the difference! Give a crap photog a Nikon and their pictures will look good, with a Canon they will look crap. Everyone knows its ALL about the camera gear!
*end sarcasm*

Sucks about your gear though.

Thanks guys for fast replies.

More explanation about what I do:
I'm all around photographer (like most of us?). For me photography is an adventure - it's all about seeing interesting things, meeting new people, and capturing it. That's why I need a versatile camera, that would perform well in every situation.
Also, I would like to earn some money with my photography. I already was involved with some people who organized events, so I was earning some cash from time to time. It was okay.
I'm still a student, I have other incomes - but it's nice when you get paid

Of course it's all about the person behind the camera, but when you are about to spend you hard earned cash, you want to be absolutely sure that you get biggest bang for your buck.

BrickR wrote in post #14416919
LOL! Yes! It is the magically combination of a Sony sensor and a Nikon camera that makes 100% of the difference! Give a crap photog a Nikon and their pictures will look good, with a Canon they will look crap. Everyone knows its ALL about the camera gear!
*end sarcasm*

Sucks about your gear though.

Yes, I know it doesn't make any sense at all... but when I browsing through flicker or other photography sites, and I say - "wow, that's a really good picture!" Usually it's from Nikon. Just saying, I know it sounds stupid. I though maybe someone could explain it.

Anthon wrote in post #14416836
...graduated from a film/TV school...my whole Canon setup got stolen...thinking about getting a new camera...It's basically D7000 vs 7D for me...

I've shot with the 7D and Nikon D300, now have a 5D3. The 7D is a good camera, magnesium body with a high frame rate. However the D7000 has a newer/better sensor, especially at lower ISO: http://home.comcast.ne​t …ts/PDR.htm#EOS%​207D,D7000

The 7D does 720p/60 video which provides 1/2 speed slow motion, also easier to digitally stabilize in post. For videographers this is a factor.

I'd slightly recommend the D7000 and a 17-55 f/2.8 Nikkor lens. It's an expensive lens but is very good for events. If it's too expensive or heavy, consider similar lenses from Tamron and Sigma.

Learn to shoot raw and use Capture NX2 for conversion and post processing -- it makes a big difference.

OTOH if you want to stay with Canon consider the 60D or even a T3i. The most important elements are the photographer, the lens and post-processing, not the camera body. A T2i with a Canon 17-55 f/2.8, well composed and good post processing will often look better than a 1DX, 28-135 f/3.5-5.6, and no post processing.

it really depends on what kind of shooting you do. for landscape i'd get the 14-24 and either a D800 or even a D3200 depending on your budget.

Anthon wrote in post #14416951
Yes, I know it doesn't make any sense at all... but when I browsing through flicker or other photography sites, and I say - "wow, that's a really good picture!" Usually it's from Nikon. Just saying, I know it sounds stupid. I though maybe someone could explain it.

I've been on Flickr a long time and I've see great photos with all sorts of cameras. If anything, I would say Canon has the edge there. We may be looking at different sites.

tvphotog wrote in post #14417005
I've been on Flickr a long time and I've see great photos with all sorts of cameras. If anything, I would say Canon has the edge there. We may be looking at different sites.

Oh well, maybe it's just me, and the-grass-always-looks-greener-on-the-other-side-thing... I have that a lot.

The way I figure, you can't go wrong either way. I went with Canon as I had several friends with Canon's and I wanted to be able to swap lenses with them. But my brother-in-law went Nikon (he is an engineer so that should explain why) and when I play with his D7000 I have to say it's a nice body.

However I have heard many times, buy into a lens family not a body as the bodies change regularly but lenses are forever. That being said I have been very happy with the selection and performance of Canon lenses.

All I know is at just about every event I am at the ratio of Canon to Nikon is 2 or 3 to 1 so I figure the opportunity to find used Canon lenses and or bodies is much easier (I always buy used).

Also Canon owners generally seem to be a little friendlier......my experience anyway.

joema2 wrote in post #14416952
The 7D does 720p/60 video which provides 1/2 speed slow motion, also easier to digitally stabilize in post. For videographers this is a factor.

Yes, I think especially for event photographer videography becomes more important. People asked if I did video's - but I always said that I didn't not had necessary equipment, like boom mic/audio recording, portable lights, focus pull and a decent chassis for the camera to shoot video on a more or less professional level.

I was actually shooting with a rebel 550d It was fine for pretty much everything I did, as long as it didn't involve much action. But I still kinda want a camera that could handle anything.

T2i4me wrote in post #14417070
....However I have heard many times, buy into a lens family not a body as the bodies change regularly but lenses are forever.

That's always the big thing. How much are camera bodies really when compared to the amounts we spend on lenses? Figure out what lenses you want and which camera will come from that decision.

T2i4me wrote in post #14417070
However I have heard many times, buy into a lens family not a body as the bodies change regularly but lenses are forever. That being said I have been very happy with the selection and performance of Canon lenses.

Also Canon owners generally seem to be a little friendlier......my experience anyway.

Yes, I'm actually choosing between 2 families. It's true that Canon is easier to find in second hands.
I also like Canon L lenses more.

Yeah, Nikon fanboys can be douche bags sometimes. How many times has it happened that people would come to me and say like - "Oh Canon, not good... you should throw away this crap and get yourself a Nikon".