Cautionary Tale

This post is not for the professionals, semi-professional, or advanced amatuers out there. Instead it's intended for the casual or vacation shooter who really enjoys photography, but either doesn't have the time or doesn't make the time to perfect his/her craft.

While perusing the forums, primarily POTN and FM, I've noticed the growing number of individuals "jumping ship" if you will, selling all their Canon gear in order to switch to Nikon. Now, don't get me wrong....anyone is entitled to change their mind, particularly if there is going to be a net benefit. However, I would be concerned for the individual that makes the move for all the wrong reasons...i.e. because they read a magazine review and the newest thing is the best thing. I've certainly been guilty of this myself....but have lived to regret it, having moved not only capable equipment, but in retrospect, outstanding equipment in the name of the newest and the best.

I offer two postings......

http://www.popphoto.co​m …test-nikon-d200-dslr.html

http://www.nikoncafe.c​om …s/showthread.ph​p?t=139956

Now, in the first article I simply point out that the best and brightest at that particular time the D200 was being hailed for its low noise. The second item, a thread from a Nikon forum speaks for itself.

I'm simply saying, if you want to switch because it's going to truly benefit and enhance your experience, go for it. I'm not a Canon apologist, I could care less. But before you toss good money chasing the "Holy Grail", just take a deep breath and give it some careful thought. If after that you still want to change.....by all means go for it.

sunbeast wrote in post #4603338
But before you toss good money chasing the "Holy Grail", just take a deep breath and give it some careful thought. If after that you still want to change.....by all means go for it.

Okay, I thought about it, I still want a Hasselblad...wait....h​ow much?!?!?!?

I agree though. too many people suffer from the "magic bullet" mentality.

http://www.outdoorphot​ographer.com …-feb/photo-traveler.shtml

Wait.....you have to buy all my gear FIRST!!!!!

sunbeast wrote in post #4603338
This post is not for the professionals, semi-professional, or advanced amatuers out there. Instead it's intended for the casual or vacation shooter who really enjoys photography, but either doesn't have the time or doesn't make the time to perfect his/her craft.

While perusing the forums, primarily POTN and FM, I've noticed the growing number of individuals "jumping ship" if you will, selling all their Canon gear in order to switch to Nikon. Now, don't get me wrong....anyone is entitled to change their mind, particularly if there is going to be a net benefit. However, I would be concerned for the individual that makes the move for all the wrong reasons...i.e. because they read a magazine review and the newest thing is the best thing. I've certainly been guilty of this myself....but have lived to regret it, having moved not only capable equipment, but in retrospect, outstanding equipment in the name of the newest and the best.

I offer two postings......

http://www.popphoto.co​m …test-nikon-d200-dslr.html

http://www.nikoncafe.c​om …s/showthread.ph​p?t=139956

Now, in the first article I simply point out that the best and brightest at that particular time the D200 was being hailed for its low noise. The second item, a thread from a Nikon forum speaks for itself.

I'm simply saying, if you want to switch because it's going to truly benefit and enhance your experience, go for it. I'm not a Canon apologist, I could care less. But before you toss good money chasing the "Holy Grail", just take a deep breath and give it some careful thought. If after that you still want to change.....by all means go for it.

Your post is related to casual/vacation users, but I cannot for the life of me imagine these type of users to bother to much to jump ship, maybe you should ask what users are jumping ship?????

The people that I see switching are the wanabee pros. Amatuer vacation shooters (unless they have super deep pockets) I don't see changing systems too much. It's the wanabe pros that have 50,000 posts on forums and 3 photos in their gallery on their website that are the ones I see looking for that next best thing that's going to make them a great photographer. I'll admit that I want a new camera because I think it will actually help me get better pictures, but I'm only using a P&S at the moment so I think that it's a reasonable wish.

I can't imagine chasing body releases around. I'll be the 1st to admit, Nikon's latest offerings are very attractive--the D300 is really an attractive camera at a nice price point, and the D3 is obviously very nice, although too expensive for me at this point. When they were announced I'll admit that I gave some thought to checking out the seemingly greener grass. Here's how this goes for me...

1) Check out Nikon's lens lineup on their site, and try to figure out how to get a comparable set of lenses.
2) Find said lenses on B&H to see how much they are
3) In the midst of research, cruise through some Nikon forums, and realize that the grass really isn't greener, because those guys have the same issues we have.
4) Come to my senses, and remember that I'm TOTALLY happy with my cameras, and that I really like my lens lineup, and that the aggravation and cost of selling all my stuff (that I love) in order to buy all new stuff
(that I may not love as much) is a waste of time.

I think its important for people to look at a manufacturers entire lens lineup, before making an investment in any camera. Nikon and Canon will play cat and mouse for a long time (they've been doing it for quite some time already)--some years Canon may lead, other years Nikon will lead. In the end, we benefit from the competition, but I think that its important to remember during the cycle that your camera is still as good as it ever was, even if someone else has a better one now.

I recently bought a Mark IIn. All I did was read forums and reviews dated around the time of the IIn release. That way I got the emotional benefit of all the hype without the cost!

Nikon has made improvements with the D3 and 14-24mm but they would have to do alot better for me to go to the trouble and expense of switching gear!

CapnMatt wrote in post #4604019
I recently bought a Mark IIn. All I did was read forums and reviews dated around the time of the IIn release. That way I got the emotional benefit of all the hype without the cost!

LMAO....Now that's what I'm talkin about....

I just got a 30d and I've been thinking maybe I should go for the 40d. A little "historical" research should help me stay satisfied....

I was gonna jump to the 40D from the 30D just because it was the latest and greatest of the XXD series bodies, took a close look and decided it wasn't worth the expense, didn't get enough improvement to make it worth it. I'll admit I gave the D300 a real close look, a.d yet again, just not worth the money to switch.

nw85887 wrote in post #4603724
Okay, I thought about it, I still want a Hasselblad...wait....h​ow much?!?!?!?

I agree though. too many people suffer from the "magic bullet" mentality.

http://www.outdoorphot​ographer.com …-feb/photo-traveler.shtml

Interesting in all senses (see my sig ) I recall that David Bailey who if my challenged memory serves was always big in fashion studio jobs etc and likely used Hassleblads of the bigger Mamiyas but at the time I am thinking of was associated with Olympus and their mju range of compact 35mm P&S models from which I think he actually did use and earned money from some street photography.

Personally I strive to have images worth sharing and though I major on using my newest 40D (though the weather has kept it indoors & little used the past few weeks !) I do not care which of my cameras the image has come from so if one day someone wants to buy anything then that will be a plus.

IMO it is about the tool for the job or that which is at hand - over Christmas I had my Fuji F700 with me and on a walk took a couple in movie mode of my Great Nephew playing 'Pooh sticks' with my SO ~ if I had my 40D I would have other memories but a movie of him playing the game is a treasure.

I guess what we all need is two full sets of glass, both Nikon and Canon. Then we could leapfrog bodies so as to always have the latest and best in our hands.

20droger wrote in post #4606064
I guess what we all need is two full sets of glass, both Nikon and Canon. Then we could leapfrog bodies so as to always have the latest and best in our hands.

Now, that's an expensive idea.

20droger wrote in post #4606064
I guess what we all need is two full sets of glass, both Nikon and Canon. Then we could leapfrog bodies so as to always have the latest and best in our hands.

When I sold gear, we had customers that did exactly that!! Usually due to the fact that each manufacturer has a hole in it's product line. I've known folks that had multiple systems for work, but I am talking about hobbiest too.

I have and always will be a Canon shooter. But If I need Something from the other camp I will rent or borrow it.

Les

Me - Pentax ME Super, then Canon AE1, then Canon EOS 3 and 'blad. Bopught a Canon D30 when it came out, upgraded to a 10D, now using a 30D.

My brothers list goes something like 6 times as long, he understands what the knobs buttons dials and custom functions do but cannot compose a picture. The benefits of compressing a shot through focal length is a mystery to him as is depth of field and its effect on the finished image. He has a great technical knowledge as to the various functions of his current camera (Nikon D2Xs).

In short, he can calculate the volume of a can of beans but he can't tell you how to open one. Because of this he is always - and I mean always - changing his equipment to make up for his inability to be creative.

I don't mind troo much, I get first dibs on his secnd hand gear! I just wish he would buy a 45mm tilt/shift lens!