The war of Nikon vs Canon is as old as time….. but yes I am going to bring it up. That is because Borrowlenes came through for me! They sent me a Nikon D4 body to use in Kenya and Steve Fujinaka – a client and now personal friend, from my Feb Safari – agreed to loan me his 200-400 lens (I threw a little green at him). I am excited to bring this beautiful, state of the art gear with me and take the Nikon vs Canon Challenge.
This all started when I purchased the 1DMarkIII. Until then, I was a die-hard Canon rebel (not the camera body). The 1DMarkII and 20D are still my favorite bodies to this day. It was known upon release that the 1DMarkIII was faulty with back-focusing issues. Most everyone who bought one in the first few months had to send it back for repair… I did that. However, I continued to have focusing issues and did not ditch the body in the first year, as I know many who did. I keep things way too long and have continued to shoot with it for the last 5 years… I know… you don’t have to say it!! Believe me!!
The next body I purchased was the 7D as I wanted a lightweight body for street shooting. Unbelievable, but I had focusing problems. Both bodies have been to Canon numerous times and I have large stacks of receipts all saying we found the adjustment of the AF assembly was incorrect causing inaccurate auto focus….. or something to this nature.
I will mention that I also have the 5DMarkII and really like it, no problems at all. However, they just released the 5DMarkIII and it is known to have light leakage problems and yes, focusing issues!
So this year I need to upgrade my very tired 5 year old 1DMarkIII. Knowing this for some time, I began realizing that I would probably be switching to Nikon. Most all photographers from my tribe were shooting with Nikon or had made the switch due to the quality issues, not for the bling. I am not switching for more bells and whistles but because I feel too physiologically damaged to invest in another expensive body. It is too painful to look at images where you nailed the exposure and shutter speed with the focusing point dead center on the eyes and have soft images.
If Canon would just stand behind their product when a camera is known to be faulty and comes in multiple times for the same issue, I would feel better. But, I just can’t seem to bring myself to buy another $5,000+ black box and be stuck with junk and an attitude that you are SOL- Did you run the firmware update?!! I have much better things to do with both my time and money than to switch systems!
The exciting thing is that I will now be able to take the Nikon challenge. I will be on Safari with the Nikon D4, 200-400, ¼ extender and the 1DMarkIII, 500, ¼ extender. I know that the D4 is Nikons new flagship and the 1D MarkIII is old, but once again, it just came back from Canon and is suppose to have had a miraculous recovery :-)!
I am also specifically testing for the focusing system and exposure. Will it be an unbiased test since I am a little jaded by Canon? Yes, because even with all the pain, I really don’t want to have to deal with switching. The biggest problem is that I will now feel I need the 70-200, 200-400, and 500!
So stay tuned for the results! – My group is going to try to do a Google + hangout from the Mara on Sat, Aug 25 or Sun, Aug 26. I think Mike Spinak is going to try to help us set it up. I will be announcing the exact time and date on my Google+ page.
If you are not on Google + this is a great excuse and be sure to circle me!
One final thanks, to Jim Goldstein, at Borrowlenses for coming through for me at the last minute. YOU ROCK and Borrowlenses have my loyalty.
Some references to Mark III seem faulty, perhaps typo. As it has only been around since end of Feb. So wondering about the five year reference and a few others. Just thoughts? Louise
Hi Louise
I reference the 1D-MarkIII which is 5 years old and is the larger higher end pro body, the one I have problems with. Later I reference the 5D-MarkIII which did come out this year.
As a diehard D700 user (who gazes lustfully at the D4), i’m all for this great challenge! Think you’re gonna be mighty impressed with what the D4 can do, particularly in tricky lighting. Come on over Piper!
You know I was eyeing you Nikon gear on my last visit.. was it two years ago now….
Good luck, Piper. I need to upgrade from my Nikon D80 bodies but have used the same Nikon lenses for 15-plus years. Still sharp as a tack–though I’m sure I’d see a difference with the newer lenses. As I’m struggling like most photographers in this economy/digital age, it probably won’t be anytime soon. Meanwhile, keep making your beautiful images–I always enjoy your posts. I’ll be curious to see what you think of the Nikon gear.
Thanks Janet
Even before the economy I just don’t run out and by the lastest and greatest and probably keep gear too long. I don’t upgrade unless forced to and I think this is probably the norm for most photographers. So, I know most of you understand I would not be considering such a change unless I really thought it was necessary. I bet I will love the Nikon gear since it is some of their top!
Just an amateur but have always had Nikon, so I will be interested in what you come up with. Also enjoy all your shots and stories!..:) Keep shooting!
Thank you, Jim… I will keep shooting.. not much can prevent that.
Your comparison is very unfair. The only fair comparison would actually be the new Canon 1DX. Also if you had the new Canon 200-400mm w/1.4X then the lenses would also be comparable. I have used all the cameras you mention without any focusing problems. I occasionally check the micro focus with a “Lens Align” to make sure the AF sees the same as the sensor. If you haven’t calibrated your camera/lens, you might want to do that. By the way, Nikons aren’t perfect either. None of the complicated cameras we are using are perfect. something each photographer needs to keep on top of at all times as we trust our livelihood to them.
Hello George
Your are right it is unfair and I would love to test the 1DX… and 200-400. Do you think Canon would lend me one for a few weeks? :). When my client offered me his 200-400 I called my friends at Borrowlenses and they graciously sponsered me with the D4 at no cost. I really need to test the Nikon system so I did not want to get greedy and ask them for the 1DX and 200-400 which I do not think is available anyway……… This camera, along with all my lenses has been down to Canon service center.. I am only 40 min multiple times for the past 5 years..(FYI – and on several occasions it was noted they did not caliberate it right) everything was set perfectly and every lens caliberated and that is where my issue lies. They absolustely know that both my 1DMark III and 7D are faulty… even though I should not have to,.. I could let go of the fact that the 7D is cheap and oh well.. but not the 1D Mark III. I have sat with my clients on safari and the can’t beleive what they are seeing some times…..so it is not me!! Really… I actually want to stay with Canon… well because the time and money to change… but if I am bringing an expensive camera back over and over for the same issue.. help me out… give me a referbished one. in exchange…. but don’t just leave me with bad equipement.. I am the little gal, the struggling photographer not the top 1% so this really hurts!! I don’t think what I have asked of Canon is unfair in anyway……I do know many of your friends that did have problems with the 1DMarkIII and got rid of it quick and I know a few others that went to Nikon because their Canon bodies did not hold up in Antartica like all the Nikon shooters… with all that said.. it is not my wish to bash on Canon… just want the comfort level that they will do the right thing in a situation such as the ones I have had….. Thanks for dropping in!!
I agree with you that Canon is out of linr in their service to you. I haven’t been a DSLR owner long and am very limited on what I can buy. I originally bought a used Nikon from a reputable nation wide camera retail and repair company. I had terrible results and luck with the camera and returned it. On advice from photographers friends from Idaho where I’m from on Face book I decided to go with Canon so I kept saving a while longer and finally bought a T3i. Of course I don’t work with my camera or go into the type of environments you do but so far have been quite happy with it.. That first camera sort of soured my feelings on Nikon. Now that I am meeting more people here (Ohio) and better photographers than average I find most of them using Nikons. I’m interested to go look for your results. If Canon was smart they would have given you some new bodies and perhaps a new one besides to try..
Peace