Hmmm... DSLR - Make the switch to Canon? or stay w/ Nikon?

[aphex]

Ok, so i've had my D70 for about 2 years now and while i LOVE it, its time for an upgrade. Features I want; ISO 100, 9+ AF pts, large LCD, battery grip capable, thats about all i can think for now.

Anyway, my current setup is;

Nikon D70
Nikkor 18-200vr
Nikkor 50mm 1.8
Tokina 12-24mm
Nikon SB600 Flash

The D200 is well out of my price range, so the D80 is what i've been looking at. Very nice camera all around, right at $1000 for the body, and all the features I want.

There is one thing that sticks out at me though, the Rebel XTI has nearly the same features for ~ $300 less (sometimes even nearly $400 less during a good Dell sale). Also, the smaller size might be nice (haven't used it outside of bestbuy to really know if thats a benefit or a burden due to my hand size). I also like the CMOS noise performance at higher ISO's and the fact that I can continue to use CF.

I dunno, jumping ship this late in the game isn't ideal obviously, but just something i've been considering. Its hard, having all Canon friends, all they do is fill my mind with Nikon-doubt

 

[GTaudiophile]

Canon says you CAN!

 

[GTaudiophile]

What is your budget?

 

[ElFenix]

K10D looks like it beats all of canon's crop frame offerings and probably all of nikon's offerings.

rebel xti has a small viewfinder that is hard to focus. luckily the AF is pretty good.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: aphex
Ok, so i've had my D70 for about 2 years now and while i LOVE it, its time for an upgrade. Features I want; ISO 100, 9+ AF pts, large LCD, battery grip capable, thats about all i can think for now.

Anyway, my current setup is;

Nikon D70
Nikkor 18-200vr
Nikkor 50mm 1.8
Tokina 12-24mm
Nikon SB600 Flash

The D200 is well out of my price range, so the D80 is what i've been looking at. Very nice camera all around, right at $1000 for the body, and all the features I want.

There is one thing that sticks out at me though, the Rebel XTI has nearly the same features for ~ $300 less (sometimes even nearly $400 less during a good Dell sale). Also, the smaller size might be nice (haven't used it outside of bestbuy to really know if thats a benefit or a burden due to my hand size). I also like the CMOS noise performance at higher ISO's and the fact that I can continue to use CF.

I dunno, jumping ship this late in the game isn't ideal obviously, but just something i've been considering. Its hard, having all Canon friends, all they do is fill my mind with Nikon-doubt

i'm assuming you'll be selling your nikon equipment if you do switch?
if so, will you have enough money to buy the body and lenses or will you be strapped for cash doing so?

it would be great if you could uses the lenses on any camera but having to buy new lenses and stuff is something to think sbout.

 

[DCFife]

If you save $300 to switch, how much will you spend to get the equivalent of a 12-24, 18-200 (w/IS), and a mid-range flash? Is it really worth it to save $300 on the body?

 

[aphex]

Yes, i would be selling my entire linup to pay for the new system (if i switched).

These are my rough estimates of what I could get;
$400 - Nikon D70
$750 - Nikkor 18-200vr
$80 - Nikkor 50mm 1.8
$430 - Tokina 12-24mm
$150 - Nikon SB600 Flash

Total - $1810 (give or take $50-100)

 

[Oblivionaire]

No way I'd switch in your shoes. I'd get the D80 it's just as good if not better than the Xti even at high ISOs.

 

[DCFife]

Since I can get the 18-200 from B&H for $749.99 brand new, I will give you $600 provided it's in perfect condition.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: DCFife
Since I can get the 18-200 from B&H for $749.99 brand new, I will give you $600 provided it's in perfect condition.

I'd sell it on ebay, not here.

 

[DCFife]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: DCFife
Since I can get the 18-200 from B&H for $749.99 brand new, I will give you $600 provided it's in perfect condition.

I'd sell it on ebay, not here.

Hey, you're messing up my mojo!

 

[paulney]

I was thinking about the same thing. I have almost exact same setup as you do. I think I'll stay with Nikon for now - the cost of getting new lenses is just too much. I'd get a D80, but it doesn't take CF cards...

My only option is D200 really. Excuse me while I chow on my noodles for a couple of months.

 

[Aharami]

i dunno man. u have nikon lenses already. would u be able to get comparable canon lenses if u sold all those?

 

[GTaudiophile]

It always comes down to the glass. Canon does not make a proper competitor to the Nikkor 18-200 though Canon fans have been screaming for a 18-200 IS for months!

Just to let you know what it would cost just to get yourself back to where you are now with Nikon, I did the following research. All prices from BHphoto.com.

Canon EOS-30D (Body)
$1049.95 AR

Prime Lens, Canon 50 F1.8 MkII
$79.95

WA Lens, Tokina 12-24 F4
$499.95

Canon 430EX Speedlite Flash
$239.95

What to do about the 18-200? I selected these three options:

1) Tamron 17-50 F2.8 + Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS
$449.00 + $559.95 = $1008.95
Leaves a 50-70mm gap but gives you 1mm on the wide end and 100 more mm on the tele end. You also get a faster F2.8 lens and IS on the telephoto.

2) Canon 17-40 F4L + Canon 70-200 F4L
$634.95 + $549.95 = $1184.90
Leaves a 40-70mm gap but gives you 1mm on the wide end. You get two "L" lenses with the red ring. But you go no faster than F4. No IS.

3) Canon 17-55 F2.8 IS + Canon 70-200 F4L IS
$1039.95 + $1249.00 = $2288.95
One "L" lens in disguise plus one "L" lens. Two of the sharpest lenses made by Canon ever to-date. IS throughout the range. 55-70mm gap.

TOTAL with Lens Option #1: $2878.75
TOTAL with Lens Option #2: $3054.70
TOTAL with Lens Option #3: $4158.75


Edit: OKAY, FINALLY DONE WITH MY EDITS!

Option #3 if you got the money. Otherwise, I recommend Option #1 over #2.

 

[rivan]

I've been a fan of both Canon and Nikon for many years, but I've been all Canon since shortly before I went digital. I feel good that I made the right guess in choosing between the two. Nikon makes excellent gear, but the lineup they've presented has been consistently either late, inferior and/or higher priced to the digital lineup Canon's had.

The bottom line is this: both Canon and Nikon have their strong points. Canon will (likely) have more options at more price levels for you in the coming years. I also expect - if Nikon keeps playing - that in another 5 or 10 years, it'll start to even out. I think there's a limit to what consumers will drive the market to in terms of resolution, so the focus will fall back to features in SLRs. I think the bumpiest ride for Nikon will be the years between now & then.

Good luck with you choice.

 

[jpeyton]

No way I'd switch. The 18-200mm VRII is enough to make me Nikon for life. I have medium sized hands and the XTi body is uncomfortable for me to use.

 

[NogginBoink]

I actually prefer the larger Nikon grip to the smaller Canon grip.

Hold one for a while before making your decision.

 

[jiwq]

No reason to switch. Like others have said, Canon has no 18-200vr equivalent. Even if they did come out with one, it would cost well over $1000.

 

[shuttleboi]

Here is the golden rule for SLRs: You are investing in a lens family, not a camera body. Choose the manufacturer based on which set of lenses appeals to you the most. You will probably buy a new digital camera body every 3-4 years as the sensors improve, but a good set of lenses will last you forever.

 

[Soybomb]

Its not worth the hassle and loss on selling your stuff to switch to me. You'll be bouncing back and forth every couple of years otherwise.

 

[randomlinh]

i woudln't go to the XTi from the D70. While the XTi is nice and all, it's AF sensors still aren't up where the 30D (and I presume D80) are. Well, at least that's what I hear. My biggest gripe with my 300D is is it's very difficult to manually focus.. hard to tell

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
i woudln't go to the XTi from the D70. While the XTi is nice and all, it's AF sensors still aren't up where the 30D (and I presume D80) are. Well, at least that's what I hear. My biggest gripe with my 300D is is it's very difficult to manually focus.. hard to tell

The XTi has the same sensors, AF system and algorithms as the 30D. And it's quite fast.

 

[SKC]

Aphex, I can't add much to this discussion that hasn't already been said. I agree that the lens choices present for each brand should be a main factor (also keep in mind the ergonomics of each, as they're different enough to warrant careful consideration). That said, if you do end up selling your gear I'd be very interested in buying a few items from you, at or near the asking prices you listed.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: randomlinh
i woudln't go to the XTi from the D70. While the XTi is nice and all, it's AF sensors still aren't up where the 30D (and I presume D80) are. Well, at least that's what I hear. My biggest gripe with my 300D is is it's very difficult to manually focus.. hard to tell

The XTi has the same sensors, AF system and algorithms as the 30D. And it's quite fast.

hrm... I must have misread about the XT then. cool. I guess the 30D has a nice benefit of being a nicer build. just dunno if it's worth it.

 

[BRObedoza]

are there specific lenses you want to switch to Canon for? If not, i would stick with Nikon. The bodies are all comparably equal in features and image quality.

If i were to switch (d80 owner), i would switch to 30d (or wait for a 40d) rather than the xti.