That old 'Chestnut'

[Andybazyoung]

I have been extremely fortunate by winning £3000 & I want to buy some kit!
I have a Canon 60D & several lenses, and am generally quite happy with what I've got. My question is this....
Do I stick with Canon or change my camera for a Nikon.
I know someone who could buy my Canon stuff so there will be minimal loss there.
I would like to upgrade anyway so what do I do?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Andy

[Saorsa]

I'm a Nikon fan but wouldn't switch just because it wouldn't cost too much.

What do you need to make your photography easier? More reach for nature? Macro gear? Processing software, travel to exotic locations?

[Polar01]

Andy to help, list the lens you have so will not be tempted to suggest something that you already have, along with another kit you have: like flashes, filters, remote controls, tripods, bags. Also what would be good is where your main interest in photography lies now 3000 pounds seems like a lot, and could easily just buy on lens, however I assume that would like to get the biggest bang for your buck and so do such let us know the above.

Cheers: Allan

[Geoff F]

We really need to know exactly what equipment you currently have and what are your future ambitions regarding photo subjects etc.

It almost sounds as though you have been talking to my friend who still insists that his old 3 MP Nikon is better than anything which Canon will ever produce; just because it is a Nikon!

In reality, there is nothing between them unless you want to get a specific lens or other piece of kit. Otherwise, you might as well stick with Canon.

[Donald]

Do I stick with Canon or change my camera for a Nikon.
I would like to upgrade anyway so what do I do?

Two questions:

1. Why are you contemplating a switch from Canon to Nikon?
2. Why do you want to upgrade?

[Andybazyoung]

Two questions:

1. Why are you contemplating a switch from Canon to Nikon?
2. Why do you want to upgrade?

Hi Donald,

I am not necessarily wanting to switch to Nikon but really want to know if Canon is a better choice or indeed vice versa.
I've been thinking of upgrading to a 5D mkIII anyway - no reason other than getting a better camera.
Andy

[Andybazyoung]

We really need to know exactly what equipment you currently have and what are your future ambitions regarding photo subjects etc.

It almost sounds as though you have been talking to my friend who still insists that his old 3 MP Nikon is better than anything which Canon will ever produce; just because it is a Nikon!


In reality, there is nothing between them unless you want to get a specific lens or other piece of kit. Otherwise, you might as well stick with Canon.

You may be right! It might be because it's Nikon. Just needed to know that Canon is not just getting the biggest chunk of me because they plough in the largest amount of money advertising.... I think.
Andy

[Donald]

I am not necessarily wanting to switch to Nikon but really want to know if Canon is a better choice or indeed vice versa.
I've been thinking of upgrading to a 5D mkIII anyway - no reason other than getting a better camera.
Andy

In that case:

Do I stick with Canon or change my camera for a Nikon.

I can't see any logical reason for doing so. You already have a good system upon which you can build. Why chuck it all and start again?

I would like to upgrade anyway so what do I do?

If you have the means to do so and know that you would get pleasure from doing so ... Then go for it.

[DanK]

For most people, the choice between these brands doesn't make any practical difference in terms of quality. There are exceptions for specialized uses, but these are irrelevant for most users. Unless you have some special need that is better met by some Nikon than by a Canon, I would invest the money on equipment that will help you do something better. I would say exactly the same thing to someone who now has a Nikon, even though I have owned Canons since 1972.

[dan marchant]

Given that you are generally happy I would suggest keeping the kit you have and spending the money on something that will actually improve your photography. Better glass or going on some photography training courses would be one idea. Another would be to travel to somewhere you have never been where you will be able to take photos that you wont be able to get by switching from one camera to another similar camera.

[bugster0121]

Was thinking the same (5diii not nikon) as I also hv a 60d and was talked out of it for now. Purchased a 24-105 and a feisal tripod instead. Am very happy with them. Keep in kind that not all lenses will wrk in both.

[RustBeltRaw]

Do I stick with Canon or change my camera for a Nikon.

I have a Canon 60D & several lenses, and am generally quite happy with what I've got.

Change the order of those sentences, and you've answered your own question. At similar price points, the difference between Canon and Nikon DSLRs is tiny.

Next questions. You want to upgrade to be able to do what? What aspects of your current kit are limiting you? What do you shoot? Do you need/want glass, lights, a second body, or just travel to find new subjects?

[tao2]

Thinking laterally...and knowing that ultra-wide lenses can cause vignetting and colour cast...and knowing that it's such an ugly, wee camera...

How about selling yer Canon gear and buying a Sony A7r and some Leica and/or Zeiss glass? A tiny, wee FF with fabulous lenses and a whole, new style of photography tae explore? Ah've only handled one, briefly, but was quite taken with it. If ye don't like it, ye'll at least get yer money back

[rpcrowe]

I shoot Canon 1.6x cameras and the two lenses that I absolutely love are: the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and 70-200mm f/4L IS. I shoot 80-95% of my imagery with these two lenses. OTOH: the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens might just give you the extra reach that might be needed. I would rather have just two great lenses than a whole passed of lesser lenses...

I know that many photographers don't like carrying the extra weight or spending the extra money but, I love shooting with a second body...

Finally, when it comes to big ticket items,

I would definitely want a good hotshoe flash (or two). I have fallen in love with my recently purchased Canon 600EX-RT but, OTOH, you could almost buy a pair of 430EXii flashes for the price of the 600EX-RT...

I would also look into getting a decent tripod if you don't already have one...

Smaller ticket, nice to have items, would be a CPL for each lens. I don't like messing around with step rings because, although the bottom line may be cheaper, you would need to switch the CPL filter from lens to lens when you switch lenses. Other thoughts for small ticket items might be a monopod, a remote release of some kind; a modifier such as the Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro, and a decent camera strap and bag...

This might also be the time to look into your editing capabilities both hardware and software. I use Photoshop CS6. However, if I were starting new, I would seriously consider a combination of Lightroom and onOne Perfect Photo Suite. The Perfect Photo Suite for Lightroom is less expensive than for Photoshop and would give you the layers and masking capability lacking in Lightroom along with a LOT of other Bells and Whistles. The cost of the two programs is right about the price of a years worth of Photoshop CC...

I love spending other folks money...

BTW: regarding the Canon-Nikon problem conundrum. I have three things to say, one of these three statements should be a truism:

1. Everyone knows Canon is better than Nikon
2. Everyone knows that Nikon is better than Canon
or
3. Did you ever consider that, given equal quality gear from within those two manufacturers, it just might be the skills of the photographer that makes the difference; rather than the label on the camera

Certainly not! THAT'S A SILLY IDEA

[GrahamS]

About the up-grade to full frame - do you need it, or do you just want it?

[ajohnw]

This sounds like a case of money burns hole in pocket / greener grass on the other side of the hill to me.

On one suggestion if I wanted a 36mp full frame sensor it would have to be a D800 as the Sony would place far too much limitation on available glass at the moment. If I read correctly it uses a nex mount. Fine but these are aps lenses.

I think it would pay to think about benefits of a change and I suspect you will find that a make change doesn't really achieve anything. Actually as some one who likes rather technical reviews of cameras and lenses I feel that you already own the more "solid" of the 2 main makes but the differences are getting more blurred.

Next option is format. Full frame or APS. In general full frame lenses cost more and may even be both heavier and bigger and not necessarily better. In fact some with high central resolution and fall off, not uncommon, are better on APS. The camera is likely to be bigger and heavier too. I also suspect more people would accept that full frame doesn't really offer as much of an advantage to many people as some might think.

All that from some one who is in the process of dropping a 5D and using a D7000 for when I need that sort of camera. Most of the reason for the change was why not and price to get where I need to be with lenses on the camera. I asked why shouldn't I buy a D7000 on here. Interesting responses. In many ways it's better to google camera model problem and see what come up. Also to study full reviews such as dpreview very carefully.

It's interesting to note that all of the real changes / advances depending on a persons point of view are currently on m 4/3 particularly from Olympus. I came close to buying an OMD EM-1 but feel that they should be giving the 4/3 adapter away with it or offering a reasonable range of OMD lenses. Going on the 12-40mm the latter is likely to be an expensive option. On the other hand the Penish lenses appear to be pretty good with the exception of the 12-50mm.

John
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[Andybazyoung]

To all of you who have both answered my question and have asked me to examine myself more of my own dilemma. Particular thanks to Richard and Lex. I feel now I don't need an upgrade but would like one & I feel I will keep canon just because I'm familiar with what I've got & more importantly switching will not improve my images..
Thank you all once again
Andy

[Geoff F]

Don't mess about with the second rate Canon or Nikon equipment, Andy. Get yourself some real Hasselblad equipment.

http://www.hasselbladukstore.co.uk/

[Andybazyoung]

Don't mess about with the second rate Canon or Nikon equipment, Andy. Get yourself some real Hasselblad equipment.

http://www.hasselbladukstore.co.uk/

You first Geoff, you first!!

[IzzieK]

Instead of having all these choices to make, why not just send me that 3K pound and get rid of all your headaches? I can assure you that money will be wisely spend. My address is..........