Want to bust some Myths - Canon & Nikon

[Gaurav Prabhu]

So I'm not the one who is confused between Nikon or Canon. I've heard a lot of things in favor of one brand or another as said by folks. I want to know how true they are. I know both systems are damn good & photography doesn't rest on the equipment & the label on it but just & just the person behind the camera. So I would like to hear from you on the following;

1) Most wedding photographers use Nikon systems. The reason for this as I have got to know is that Nikon flash system is way ahead or is matured than Canon. How true is this? Hasn't Canon caught up with them yet?

2) Most action/sports photographers use Canon. The reason for this is that Canon's focus faster than the Nikon's. The focussing depends on lot of things but lets exclude them for here & just take into the account the camera body alone. So hasn't Nikon caught up with Canon in focussing speed? What's your say on this?

I had some more myths in my mind but for the moment I'm not being able to recollect them now. So if I recollect them I'll post them here. Till then let me know your views on the above. Hoping for a knowledgeable discussion.

[Raoul Isidro]

I use both systems for the last 35 years, since film.
Both are great camera systems and produce the most awesome images.
Nikon has been the leading edge in flash and lighting systems. Even their very old D70 camera back then already had a built in CLS flash trigger system. Their sensors render flesh (skin) so beautifully, they are best for weddings and fashion.
Canon has the best autofocus system. They have the best camera menu system. They have more user friendly ergonomically shaped cameras. Mega in megapixels.
Only a person who has extensively used both systems can truly tell the "feel" of these two apart. A person who has used only one system, albeit having used it over three decades, still can't judge truly, if he or she hasn't used the "other" system as extensively.
A camera review is still just a prose to be verified.
The description of the taste of Cherry Coke can be read over and over from review to review, but it's only when you drink it, can you truly conclude your own opinion.
Canon and Nikon are the most nicest of brands to own in a camera.

[navcom]

You are exactly right...it's the photographer not the equipment. Canon and Nikon have the largest market share but they are FAR from the only equipment available out there. Just because they are the largest doesn't always mean they are the best. They do make great cameras, but they also have huge marketing budgets and their prices (not always their quality) reflect that. Walmart is one of the largest retailers but that doesn't make them the best store in the whole world for everyone.

Some talk as though the whole photography world is ONLY Canon or Nikon and that is your only choice. Quite honestly, it's the farthest thing from the truth. It's like saying the only choice of transportation equipment in the whole entire world is either Chevy or Ford because some people think they sell the most. I'm sure the Italians and the Germans might disagree just to name a few. And what if my transportation needs require me to purchase a boat or a motorcycle? Am I out of luck because Chevy and Ford don't make them?

Canikons are the most popular brands...not necessarily always the best brands for the photographer. I've shot Canikon systems as well as Pentax, Olympus, and Minolta. Over the years I've come to rely on my Pentax equipment above all else because it's what works best for my shooting. They produce stunning images, some of the best lenses ever produced come from Pentax, and their equipment is rugged as hell...something very desirable for a landscape photographer. But I've also used them for weddings and portraiture. Between you and me I really don't notice that big of a difference between brands that would make one complete brand "superior" to another. About the only advantage the Canikon systems have is shear volume and availability, but with the internet, that's really not as big of an advantage as it used to be.

My Pentax K-5 can run circles around many Canon and Nikon bodies. I actually had a Canon wedding shooter (uses two 1D Mark IV's) tell me after inspecting my K-5 that he was concerned it was every bit as good as his but for about $2500 less. He is considering buying one because he has always loved Pentax lenses.

But in other circumstances, some Canon and Nikon bodies can run circles around my K10D as well. It just depends on the circumstances and the photographers needs...which is really what it boils down to...the photographers needs. Cameras are just tools...that's it. There isn't one particular brand that's good for weddings and one that's good for sports. It's really up to you as the photographer to determine what you need the tool to do and then buy according to your needs. Don't buy simply because someone else says Canon or Nikon (or any brand) is "the best". By doing this, you are just a sheep following the herd. You can find reviews to support or trash any camera brand. Reviews can be written by biased writers. Don't rely on them.

So...except for the comment about "Canon and Nikon are the most nicest of brands to own in a camera"...which I completely disagree with and which I will point out is usually a sign that someone hasn't seriously used anything but a Canikon ...I do agree with Raoul that you need to determine for yourself what you need.

[Raoul Isidro]

Aaah yes... I have extensively used Pentax, Bronica, Rollieflex, Konica, Yashica and other film brands. My MX is a great cute little worker. The ETRSi is a great economical system, The T3 is a great pleasure to use. I have used and still keep them all. But one tends to stay to one or two brands for work use. With the digital age, and with camera brands having exclusive proprietary RAW files, it gets a bit hard to keep up with the software systems, as well as file naming, so one or two systems to stay with would be good.

[daft_biker]

Canon put the ISO button where you can reach it whilst shooting. Other folk still seem to hide it randomly around the body or bury it in a menu system like they used to on film cameras where you rarely needed it. To me having control of the ISO on a digital camera is like having control over ther aperture or shutter speed...basic stuff.

Then there's Canon's MP-E 65mm....it's practically welded to my camera. There isn't an alternative from other manufacturers.

[SusanH1970]

Okay, so this isn't going to be helpful to the OP at all, but I did have to laugh the other day. My son and I were at Walmart and he wanted to go look at model cars, so I wandered over to the electronics department. I eavesdropped on a conversation the salesgirl was having with a customer regarding this very topic. Let's just say I wanted to smack the salesgirl after listening to her comments, LOL!

[Gaurav Prabhu]

What's about the metering? Nikon has RGB metering since some time now while Canon recently introduced it with the 7D(iFCL metering). Some comment that the RGB metering on Nikons is better than the non-RGB one on Canons. The 35 zone metering used in 1000D & so on. What do you guys say?