Why did you pick the camera system you did?

[Izzy]

When it was time for film to go (Minolta days) I started my digital work on a Sony F828 which I still have. I bought it just before the first Alphas were released. I mean like 2 months difference. After years of reliable service I felt that I would buy a Sony again. But when it came to a DSLR Sony just could not sway me. You might say that I felt tricked because the F828 was released and discontinued with little or no fanfare and the Alpha was a trade secret until a week before it was released.

I know I picked Canon because of years of "Canon is for the pros" beaten into my brain. You know the ads, "Wildlife as Canon sees it" in all the Nat Geos. Plus I liked the functions when I selected mine. AND it was within my meager budget. Now that I have stepped up within my brand I can not see moving to another system. When I put the camera in my hand it was a no brainer. It was easy to use and learn.

Do you have a reason that you picked the system you did?

[IABoomer]

Originally Posted by Izzy

When I put the camera in my hand it was a no brainer. It was easy to use and learn.

This for me, but with Nikon. I borrowed a friend's D40 and intuitively was able to adjust the controls and find what I needed in the menus. Every time I've picked up a Canon, I've felt like someone crossed the wires in my brain and the signals are being sent to the wrong places.

I knew I'd either get a Nikon or Canon because those are the brands with the largest market share, and I figured they'd be the most stable/flexible long-term investments for an SLR.

[RichardTaylor]

Back in the early days for my first "system".
It was easy - Pentax was affordable,especially compared to the Nikon F, and and had great lenses, and the Practicas were not all that good..

Fast forward 40+ years and going to a DSLR
Holding both a Nikon and Canon entry level DSLR in my hands.
Had a Canon SLR (with only a kit zoom) for the last 15 years for the family pics and a pile of compact flash cards from a P&S camera, the Nikon used SD cards..
Canon was the one I walked out of the shop with ..... It was like coming home again and got the fire burning ..... and my bank account depleting.
+ smile

[mosgood]

I also started with Minolta in my film days back in the early 80s. I was told by a pro-photographer who used Nikon film cameras that I'd need to make a choice between Canon & Nikon some day, if I was truly serious about photography. I stayed with Minolta (KM 7D) when we went digital as I had compatible lenses & wasn't ready to abandon the brand all together. Well, some day was 2 years ago when we got a sweet deal on a Nikon D200. The 7D in our possession for several years just bit the dust a few months ago. It was a great camera, but a dead system. We really disliked Sony, so it was time to jump ship. I'm very happy with our choice, & now have added on the D7000 as a 2nd body. I still like my D200 a little better (the heft, the fact I have 2 batteries, & 2 years plus experience using it). The D7000 is a bit different with its layout & menus. It's going to take a bit of time getting used to it, since Nikon has done some tweaking. Not too surprising since there's quite a few years between the models. :-) I'm up for the challenge though!

I've never been a big fan of Canon because their SLR's just never felt right in my hands. I have long fingers, & they felt cramped on the grip...not enough space which felt awkward & clumsy. Nikon won out due to the grip that is most similar to Minolta's (which I still like better, btw, but what can ya do?). I'm not sending the 7D in for repair. It's been added to my shelf of film relics. I feel there's really no wrong system...it's the one that fits best in one's hands, & gets the job done.

[metallion58]

In my case, Nikon was literally shove down my throat.
In my late teen, I was given a modified Nikkormat to use for astrophotography (rigged to fit the telescope eyepiece and a special IR filter).
In my mid 30's, I inherited a Nikon (can't remember the exact model) from an uncle who passed away. About 10 years later, it ended at the bottom of a lake when the boat I was in capsized (no, it's not because of my weight ). Had a couple of lenses left so I went out and bought a D50 body to fit with the lenses.
I just upgraded to a D90.
Although the brand was trusted unto me, I surely can't complain as this a very high quality brand.

[faeriegodess612]

Originally Posted by IABoomer

This for me, but with Nikon. I borrowed a friend's D40 and intuitively was able to adjust the controls and find what I needed in the menus. Every time I've picked up a Canon, I've felt like someone crossed the wires in my brain and the signals are being sent to the wrong places.

I knew I'd either get a Nikon or Canon because those are the brands with the largest market share, and I figured they'd be the most stable/flexible long-term investments for an SLR.

This as well as what he quoted from Izzy. I picked up a Nikon in store one day and started playing with it. When that protog I worked for handed me a Canon, it was like "Wait,...wha?" He was the same way with my Nikon. For some reason I always just knew I'd go Nikon. I bought the camera that I figured I could learn best on. And its proved to be a great camera.

[rosserx]

In a world dominated by Nikon and Canon, I got a Pentax. Its strictly an emotional decision. Its kinda like music when I was growing up. In a world dominated by Led Zepplin and Allman Bros., I listened to Ramones and Sex Pistols. All these bands are great but, I just like what I like and thats what I like.

[NgaiHill]

I had a Pentax MZ30 film SLR, which is what got me interested in photography. When I thought about buying an Dslr I wanted to go Pentax so I could still use my lenses. But in the end I bought the Canon 1000D for one simple reason - it was the cheapest in the shop! A local department store was having a special on the 1000D with twin lens so it got me off to a good start with minimal outlay.
I still have my Pentax, haven't used it in so long that the batteries are flat. Only half the film is used though so the dilemma I have is do I fork out for new batteries (I will probably never put another film through it) just to finish half the film or do I just run off the half film and get it developed? Which kinda feels like wasting half the film. And I have no idea what photos are on the film so that is something I look forward to.

[1shotmess]

Well I would have to give all the credit to my husband. I told him last month I would like a new camera for Christmas, and that, I would like to learn photography. Two weeks ago, he took me to look at cameras. I was in noway expecting what I ended up with. A Sony SLT_a55, a 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 ( still not sure what all them numbers mean), and all the goodies that went with it. Nothing like Christmas in July.

Then, while on our way home, he reminded me that,
( N-non A-athletic S-sport C-centered A-around R-rednecks) = Nascar at Talladaga was coming soon, and he feels it would be a real good place for me to learn, You know with that supper zoom lens I just bought you. . I think I was set up. But hay I get the camera, a Nascar race to shoot and a good man who love me. WIN WIN WIN

Thank You All, for helping me. I don't think I would have the understanding of my camera, and equipment if it weren't for this site, and y'll ...........ok so I'm from the south.
With all your teaching, I'm sure to post a "WOW WHAT A SHOT" one day. So Thank You all again for your comments, and suggestion.

can't wait to learn more.

GOD BLESS!

[navcom]

I've shot Canon, Nikon, Minolta, and Olympus but my choice for most of my photographic life has been Pentax. My reasons:

- Some of the best legacy lenses ever produced and every Pentax lens ever made works on my latest DSLR
- Ruggedness. I'm a landscape guy and I crawl around, get dirty and wet, and went through two Canons and a Minolta in the process. Pentax bodies are like tanks and in 20 years I've yet to break one even though I've dropped them in rivers, froze them, fried them, humidified them, and even had a "head-on" collision with a Canon body (the Pentax won with hardly a scratch and the Canon was destroyed).

I don't have anything personal against Nikon or Canon and they make some neat stuff. But while they are the most prolific, I sometimes feel they are a bit on the "marketing first" bandwagon and I find some focus a bit too much on which brand you shoot with versus what kind of photos you shoot...almost like the way people pre-judge you based on whether you are a Republican or a Democrat here in the U.S.

There are other great options out there. I think Pentax is one of them and I couldn't be happier with my gear.