Canon or Nikon?

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I guess I kind of left you all hanging on what I decided; staying a Canon girl or crossing to the dark-side? Life has just been moving right along and then someone brought it up on FB a few weeks ago…. I giggled and said, “ Oh yeah, I forgot to tell everyone.” If you have missed the debate of my long agonizing quandary about switching systems, take a moment to read through this past post.

I used the Nikon D4 in the Mara this past August, thanks to Borrowlenses; so I know I can take sharp images! I loved the D4 and the low light capabilities and it felt great in my hands. As a woman, I find the Nikon lenses are a little sleeker, making them easier to hold.  The desire to possibly make the shift has been there for many years. However, the practical side of me needs a huge reason to make both the investment of time and money.

When the 1DX was released the reviews were good. A few wildlife photographers that I highly respect were raving over it. I wisely decided it would be foolish not to test the 1DX before making the jump.  Once again, Barrowlenses, came through for me and I took the 1DX for a spin. My prayers were answered, giving me the perfect horrible shooting conditions for the ultimate test. I went to Bolsa Chica wetlands to photograph the lightening speed, grey, pelicans, diving into the grey water, on a grey day. I thought to myself, it will never get sharp images in this scenario and I can make the switch guilt free. I was wrong.

When I saw the below images on my computer, my jaw dropped open! Sharp images of a moving subject from a canon camera …revolutionary!! I had not experienced this since my 1DMark II and my 20D… yes that means about 5 years ago. Well…. not exactly true, my 5DMark II is great, but I use this mostly for people and not wildlife.

I am not one that gets super technical. I don’t get into the mico-technical issues of why one brand is better than the other. My philosophy about photography that is that it should be an expression of how you experience and see the world. The creativity of that vision is what makes a compelling image. Of coarse you must have the technical knowledge to correctly capture your vision, but without the artistic side, you are just turning dials and pushing buttons.  Almost everyone can study long enough to technically master photography, but it is the photographer that creates a stunning image, not the gear.

I share this because someone will make the comment wanting a list of all the technical comparisons, but I did not have a long list of technical problems and there are plenty of these type reviews already available. My biggest complaint over the past several years is the flawed AF system and the way Canon did not stand behind their products.

I have heard enough, to believe Canon is getting back in the professional game. However, if this new camera creates soft images when I have technically done everything right…..lets just say I will roar loud and clear until Canon does right by me this time. Then I will switch with no regrets, but for now, I will remain a Canon girl.

My 1DX canon body arrived yesterday 🙂

Purchased from Hunts Photo – give Gary a call if you need anything photographically, you will get the best service worldwide!

All images were shot at F8 and a shutter speed over 1,000


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26 Responses to “Canon or Nikon?”

  1. Bill

    I’m a Nikon guy only because of the
    Lens mounting and lens selection.
    I have used Canon and I think they
    are excellent. I put it this way; would
    Hemmingway have been a better
    author had he used a Royal typewriter as opposed to an Underwood?
    I love your pictures Piper. Thank you for the inspiration.
    Bill

    • Piper Mackay

      Nicely said Bill and Thanks for the compliments, I am honored.

  2. Nivcy

    Great pictures! When i start, i start with Nikon and now is hard to change the system!

    • Piper Mackay

      Thanks Nivcy. I think both systems are great and both have some flaws, just like the balance of nature, the good with the bad. I only recommend changing the system if it will make a HUGE difference in your out come.

  3. Kandace Heimer

    I shoot NIkon, and love it. I have the D3, D600, and for underwater photography, I use the D7000. IMHO, I think Nikon has the better glass. Having said that, most of the photogs I shoot with are Canon shooters so its always a friendly, but heated debate going on as we sit in blinds, in a land cruisier, or on a boat, etc. And, I have seen their work . . . I think Bill has it right . . . its the photog not the equipment but it does help to have good equipment.

    I am thinking about getting the Nikon D4, and was wondering if you could give me a more detailed review of your use of this camera?

    And, several professional photogs I know, have had nothing but good remarks about the Canon 1DX.

    PS: Nikon has had its lion share of problems as well. I have had both the D3 and D7000 (and its a relatively new camera) in to Nikon to fix the “frozen shutter” problem. According to several forums, it is a problem that Nikon refuses to address. And, for the D3, I had to pay the shipping, as well as the repair, which was not cheap. The D7000 was under warranty but still had to pay the shipping to Nikon. This brings me to another point—always bring at least two cameras with you when you go on a photo tour. It might be a “no brainer,” but I have seen too many photographers just have one camera when they go on an expensive photo trip.

    • Piper Mackay

      Hi Kandace

      It is great for shooting wildlife. The auto focus and tracking system was great! The low light capabilities were mind blowing and it definitely beets the 1Dx here, which is important with wildlife as the animals are most active at sunrise and sunset when the light is at its dimmest. The picture quality was excellent and I have very little if any problems with noise. I would highly recommend it for any photographer that is serious about wildlife photography. These are the most important details for me. A camera that can hit the target and get a shape image even through tall grass. A camera that can shoot high quality images in low light. The rest to me is micro comparisons. For wildlife I love the Nikon D4 and for people I prefer canon 5DMarkIII…..

      The only other “major” issue between the two brands is Canon does not hold up in extreme cold. So if your focus is the polar regions, iceland, etc.. I highly suggest going with Nikon. I am a warm climate girl, so I will be just fine.

      Both systems have their positives and negatives…. I do know that the canon service department is great and within a 40 min drive from me. This is a good thing as I was there way too often. Canon corporate was another story. They knew both bodies were faulty and they should have replaced them outright!

      Yes!! Always bring two bodies, especially when traveling to a location, even one that is a few hours from home! even if it is not a DSLR! ALso I only up grade my bodies about every 5 years, as I have not won the lottery just yet..LOL… you don’t need to update every time they release a new body.

  4. Mary Serantoni

    Finally! Well said!
    Love the bird in flight shots. Just beautiful 🙂

    “I am not one that gets super technical. I don’t get into the mico-technical issues of why one brand is better than the other. My philosophy about photography that is that it should be an expression of how you experience and see the world. The creativity of that vision is what makes a compelling image. Of coarse you must have the technical knowledge to correctly capture your vision, but without the artistic side, you are just turning dials and pushing buttons. Almost everyone can study long enough to technically master photography, but it is the photographer that creates a stunning image, not the gear.”

    • Piper Mackay

      Thanks Mary!!

      People get so caught up in the tech stuff which means that companies marketing efforts are working and tons of people are buying the latest and greatest, but don’t necessarily need it. I think it is more important to spend time learning the environment, animal behavior, and cultural traditions, than learning what every tiny detail on the camera will do. That is just my philosophy -everyone should do what they feel will make them a better photographer.

  5. Al Reiner

    It matters not, I would bet that an I phone shot taken by you would also be a winner. You’re work shows me how much more I have to learn.

    • Piper Mackay

      AL

      That is what I love about photography, you can continue to expand your vision and learn more. I am constantly learning more and more about lighting. I love to study those who are masters at it and then go into the field to see what I can do. It is what continues to make photography so exciting.

  6. Colleen

    Loved this thread. I was once Nikon and switched a few years ago to Canon. Each line has it’s pros and cons. Question: what lens did you use to capture these bird images?

    • Piper Mackay

      Glad you like the tread, these are usually interesting. Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I was using a 500mm on a wimberley head, Gitzo tripod. I may have used my 1/4 extender on some but not all, because I need to test it both ways.

  7. Charles Vandergriff

    Both systems are of great quality. I just choose Nikon since that is the brand I have always used. When it comes down to it, it is not the camera or glass that makes a photograph, it is the person behind the camera.

  8. Thomas Chamberlin

    Glad that’s settled and you are happy and free to concentrate on the important stuff. I bought my D4 from Gary at Hunt’s. If I run into him at a seminar he greets me like an old friend and remembers what I bought from him. Amazing.

    • Piper

      Thomas
      I just bought my 1DX from Gary at the NANPA summit in Jacksonville. Can’t wait to get it out of the box-
      Hunt’s is awesome!!

      • Margaret

        I’m having a lot of fun with the new tripod and head I bought from Hunt’s at the NANPA summit. They have completely changed how I am able to photograph critters at low tide- so much fun!

  9. Sharon

    Hi Piper – I, too, got into Canon early on and find it hard to switch given the huge investment. I recently upgraded from two 20Ds to the 1D MkIV. Did you consider the 1d4 or did the 1DX just offer more of what you needed? Love your images.

    • Piper

      Sharon

      I loved my 20D!!! but switched it up a few years ago. I use my bodies to death and usually for about 5 years, so when I do have to buy one, I invest in the newest model with the most updated technology. I know many people who quickly sold off their 1DMarkIII and bought a 1DMarkIV and in hindsight it is what I should have done, but taking about a $2,000 loss on a new camera was too painful to deal with at the moment.
      Thanks for your compliments.

  10. Gary Crabbe / Enlightened Images

    I used to use macs, but I switched to a PC, because we all know PC’s are better than Macs 🙂

    Thanks to BorrowLenses, I’m having a chance to play with a D800 using the Nikon 200-400 f4, Dang, that’s a nice combo… if I was more of a wildlife shooter. The only thing that matters is what works for you.

    Cheers & Happy shooting.

  11. Shariq M. Bijli

    Aah! the unending Canon Vs Nikon debate. Nice blog with some good analysis Piper.
    For people who are pros or semi pros and who have invested a lot of money in their equipment, it is economically unsound to switch brands. Had it not been so expensive in terms of lenses & flashes & all the bodies, then perhaps people may switch their brand of camera. However, there is also something called “comfort level” and “habits”. The first SLR I ever purchased was a Minolta Maxxum. That was in the early nineties. However, since that was the time I was learning photography, I just had a normal 35-105mm lens and a 70-300mm telephoto. As my photography skills developed with the camera and the two lenses I had, I switched to Canon and bought EOS Elan IIE. I sold the Maxxum to a friend for a song. Before purchasing Canon, I did try Nikon N70, N90. The images produced by the both Canon & Nikon were equally good (I used Fuji sensia slide films) . However, I found the Quick Dial system & other controls in Canon very user friendly and appealing. I got comfortable with the controls. Of course I eventually upgraded to A2 and then EOS 3, and the dials were the same. Then the digital age came with DLSRs. The controls are still the same in the latest DSLRs of Canon. Needless to say, the comfort level is great for me with Canon, and of course I love the fast AF response of the EOS system and the lenses. Now, unless I get Nikon or any other manufacturer sponsor me or have me endorse their product, I would stick to Canon. Anyway, the camera is just a tool that helps in “making” photograph, it is the photographer who “Creates” the image. Art Wolfe is a Canon user, Frans Lanting is a Nikon user – the world knows the images these masters of wildlife photography have created. By the way, I’m planning to add 1DX to my kitty in the near future. Piper, have you utilized its 12FPS or so shooting speed? If so, how good or great was the result and how quiet is the motor? Cheers 🙂

  12. Rich

    Piper.
    I’m stuck in between the D4 and the 1dx , I would be shooting motorcycle races karate tournaments etc.I’m an amateur that just can afford to buy either .I’ve shot nikon before, but never invested into any system .which body would work for what I’m going for .would love your advice on this since you go past all the technical stuff..thanks.

  13. Kaylana

    I am turning 13 on the 19 of July,for my birthday I am asking for a photography camera.I love taking photos and you are an inspiration.I’d like to ask,witch camera should I use.
    ~Kaylana

  14. Benjamin

    I am, looking to get into more serious photography as a second hobby. I have an old D60, with two basic kit lenses (18-55mm VR & 55-200mm VR), but here’s the thing the camera has many bad pixels, I would like to get it serviced, but want another camera in the mean time. I bought a D5100, on Amazon, and ended up sending it back after 3 attempts due to having a 1 or 2 bad pixels. Am I being to picky by wanting a clean image?

    I have been on debating on switching to Canon, Sony, or Pentax which have mapping built in. Which would be best, or should I stick with Nikon? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

    • Piper Mackay

      Benjamin,
      So sorry for the late reply, I was have been in Kenya and I am just getting caught up. I am not quite sure what you mean by a few bad pixels, but if you have to clone the same area on every pic, then you are not being to picky. I would not switch brands unless you had a very serious reason and a lot would depend on what you are shooting; Action, Landscape, portraits. All the brands are good, I had problems with canon’s high-speed bodies and I shoot wildlife so it was a big issue for me. However, since I was so heavily invested, in Canon lenses I stayed with Canon and bought the 1DX- I just got back from Kenya and was very happy with the performance. I would not switch brands until you honestly have and know the reason for doing so. Nikon is a great brand and I would say stay with Nikon. I would suggest renting the other systems and try them out. Then make your decision. Borrowlenses is a great rental company!! with great rates.

  15. Benjamin

    Oh, and also if I were to stick with Nikon, what model, would you suggest to a hobbyist on a budget, and what kind of lenses, and so forth.