I find it odd...

This is a Canon forum definitely..but I see people that have claimed that they have sold all their Canon equipments, happy to be Nikon shooters, etc but they still come here. I found it odd, this also happens in dpreview, fm, etc.....are they missing something ?....are they part of Nikon marketing dept ?. Just curious...

They are aliens in a strange land.

It's not the gear, it's the photographs.

I like it. It brings a sense of proportion and reality. Too often Canon users forget that there are other ways of solving the technical issues than the way Canon chooses to do it.

I'm a very happy owner of a 30D and Eos-3, but tucked away and allowed out on special ocassions is a Nikon FE. It was my first decent camera and I love it still.

I think it takes a special kind of nut job to want to hang on a forum that hasn't really got anything to offer you. It is very much like a guy driving a Ford F-150 hanging out on the Corvette forum....kind of pointless unless he is looking to become a Vette owner. But what the heck, a little diversity never hurt anyone.

Its about the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and the art. I don't care what brandname is stamped on your gear.

As much as I hate to admit it, there are a lot of people on the Nikon forums any photographer could learn from (and viceversa).

Agreed. Logos mean nothing......it is what you do with what you have.
I have many friends that are die hard Canon users that have a few Nikon bodies--- just to complement what they use. Every body-- Canon or Nikon has strengths and weaknesses. Some glass works better on certain bodies than others. Once you are in this business long enough and have collected enough equipment you find a point where certain things work better for certain assignments etc.

If I shifted all my gear and picked a different brand I'd still remain here. It's the people I know and assistance I trust that keeps my attention here on this forum.

Of course, if I'd started out with a different brand the chances would be slimmer that I'd be here at all.

they probably unsure they made the right move by switching to the dark side, so they are keeping a foot in the door.

This forum is by far the best I've come across, and many members value that even after they make such a fundamental error as embracing the Dark Side..

As has been said above, it's really about the photographs. As well as the gear...! But it's nice that anyone is welcome, unlike Nikonians who won't play with you if you don't have one of their cameras!

I understand gear doesn't matter but reading postings I can certainly see the tendency other shooters to recommend their gears...after they said "Canon equipment is *bad*".

Four years ago a member of the motorcycle forum I host had a crash and quit riding for good. He stayed on the forum because he has friends there.

What's odd about that?

-js