Which camera system and why?

[cowbutt]

I've previously used a Kodak DC215 P&S and an Olympus C-750 bridge camera. I perceive that neither of those two brands are competitive with Canon and Nikon (thought I did spend some time evaluating the micro-4/3 format, and in particular Panisonic's take on it).

I eventually plumped for Nikon because of the following factors:

1) Almost all of my DSLR-shooting friends use Nikon, so it's easy to trade tips and buy hand-me-down lenses (or even borrow and lend them)
2) I preferred the characteristic luma noise of Nikon/Sony's sensors to the chroma noise of Canon's.
3) I've read that Nikon's entry-level lenses are better than Canon's, but Canon's pro lenses are better than Nikon's pro lenses. Since I don't have the need, or budget for pro lenses...

[dgeer]

Hi all

Well in the film days I used Olympus then pocket rockets Olympus and Agfa...didn't master the Konica...then moved to Digital, lovely but irritatingly slow Fuji S3000, every picture had a green cast but all cleaned up and line our walls still.

Since then; unable to decide on a DSLR I bought an interim Canon Powershot S5, still love it but it is very noisy. It forced me to buy a Nikon D40 as it didn't like focusing on small objects.

Adored the D40 and have one still but upgraded to a Nikon D90. Never been completely happy with it, especially its ability to over expose in strong light (have a rule not to use it between 10-1600 hours). Comes into its own in low light and flash work. Also drives the non-motorised lenses I have bought.

Then my wife got fed up with using the old Powershot, so she bought a TZ10, I adore this but it says firmly in her handbag! So replaced my worn out Canon pocket Powershot (A490?) with a used TZ7. Not as many gizmos as a TZ10 but seems OK picture quality wise. Instead of the new TZ20 I opted for a Lumix G2 at a good price and so far find it interesting.

Decided this partially as the micro 4/3rds format allows manual use of Nikon lenses and as a i have a few this will give me a 2 tier system, one an easy but higher resolution kit for travel (e.g. the G2) and a better kit for more boot of the car type days. Oh and I have a TZ7 on me most days as it has better macro than the larger sensor cameras. I also have a mobile phone camera an HTC desire and that takes good pictures when northing else is at hand or I want to email or message a photo.....

The system is developing at the moment into small for travel with a travel zoom as back up....or for its slightly wider angle 24mm vs 28mm and Nikon stuff for the rest. However I do prefer the exposure control of the Canons over both Lumix and Nikon.....

[RELum]

My first camera (slr) was a Pentax P30T. I loved that camera, and wish I still had it today. I also wish that Pentax had better quality below the K-5 (its about twice my body only budget). My next camera was an older one that that, a Canon AE-1. Another excellent camera. I had that one just a few years back. My father in law picked it up at a yard sale for nothing. It was in very good shape. I used it for a couple of years to toy around with before deciding it is finally time to plink down the money and step into the DSLR world. Now I am just waiting out the Father's Day sales before I get my T3i.

My VERY first camera, though (which I REALLY REALLY wish I still had), was an Ansco 50 from a Burger King kids meal. It took 110 film (which was bigger than the camera itself!!), had a flip up rectangle "viewfinder", and actually took decent shots for what it was. I spent an entire summer traveling with the grandparents in their RV taking pictures with that thing. What a great summer it was. Here it is.

Russ

[DanMedesan]

I have bought my first dSLR a week ago, a nikon d3100 with kit lens and I'm very happy with the choice I made. My friends have a D40 and a D40x, and the lens market in Romania has two main brands: nikon and canon; pentax, sony and samsung are very hard to find. I've played with two film camera's a very long time ago and I loved the viewfinder then and I still do, even now.

[Jtoomuch]

First camera was a used Minolta SRT (101, I think). I got into photography with that. I liked it, so I bought a new Minolta XG-7, which was a great little camera. At the time, I saw many pros, photojournalists using Nikon. I wanted an upgrade, so I bought a new Nikon FE, with a black body to look cool.I feel it was a great camera. With the advent of AF, I moved up to a Nikon n8008. A great camera, underrated, I think. Finally going digital, I basically only researched what Nikon was selling, as by then I had become a "Nikon snob". What seemed best for me at the time was the D90, which is what I have now. This is a great camera for me. Image quality is fabulous, lens availability great. I am completely satisfied with this. If I waited for the D5100 I would have better video, but I have never used this for anything, it was not a consideration. Also, the D5100 lacks a focus motor. All in all, I will stay with Nikon. None of the ones I have owned have ever given me problems. The optics, build, features and unsurpassed image quality do it for me.