My Experiences Switching from the Nikon to the Canon System

D70 advantage: Unlimited sync speed, higher frame rate, faster buffer

 

300D advantage: ISO 100 , better noise and dynamic range

 

If I was shopping today, I'd get the 20D. I think I would still choose the DRebel over the D70, but it's very close.

More:

300D advantage: less expensive.

D70 advantage: spot, robust.

To me, the spot option is winning this competition independence any other consideration, its also win the D10/D20 for the same issue.

D70 advantage: Unlimited sync speed, higher frame rate, faster buffer

 

300D advantage: ISO 100 , better noise and dynamic range

 

If I was shopping today, I'd get the 20D. I think I would still choose the DRebel over the D70, but it's very close.

 

More:

300D advantage: less expensive.

D70 advantage: spot, robust.

 

To me, the spot option is winning this competition independence any other consideration, its also win the D10/D20 for the same issue.

I've never seen evidence that the D70 is more robust. The 300D is metal frame covered with plastic and the D70 is plastic frame covered with plastic. Painting it black does not make it more robust.

In the 300D, if you selected the focus point the metering is heavily weighted around that point. For underwater use, that to me is as close to spot metering as you need.

The difference is cost is also not that much. I think the gap' s narrowed to around $100. Very small compaired to the rest of the system.

Nice article James! Surely helpful for those wanting to change systems, for whatever reason.

The later question of which camera is better than the other has been going on for years, and will go on for many years to come. It's almost a religion Right now, I think Canon and Nikon are just so incredibly similar, it's almost useless to even try and compare them. Sure, there are minors pros and cons, but they truly are minor. They are both great systems, with wonderful lenses, and whichever you choose, you will be happy with it. If you already own a whole bunch of lenses, for most people it's just the best to stay with that system imho. And if you think the 'other' system is better this month, just wait and use your trusty current system a bit longer.

Concerning upgrading, I force myself to use a camera for at least 2 to 3 years. After that period, I see if I feel i could speed up my learning curve with a more modern system. It's easy to say you'll get better results with a better camera, but for most people that's probably not true. Im still quite happy with my D100, for what I want and need to do with it. And if I want anything 'better' (good/better/best are so subjective), I'll grab my Nikonos or my wife's F100

I own and sometimes still use a 25+ year old camera (Olympus OM1). Even after so long, it still produces great images (astronomy mostly). Why we even let ourselves buy new (expensive) digital cameras that often... the holy grail of pixels,

cor

I'll weigh in with an opinion....

The Nikon D70 does have faster processing speed but I agree with Todd and Herb that the durability of the inexpensive Rebel 300D has proven it to be a very attractive camera. I dragged 2 of these around last year on 6 trips (all diving except one) and never babied the body at all. It's so light and handy you never feel like leaving it behind.

Lenses continue to evolve for this camera sensor size and will likely continue.....

The soon to be announced Rebel XT or 350D or whatever Canon will call it is rumored to have the same 8.2 MP and Digic II processor as the 20D. I can't get anyone to confirm if the body will be the exact same size, including button placement. If so, it would make it a fantastic "drop in" replacement in an Ikelite's SLR-DC Rebel housing. Really doesn't matter as this will also drive existing 300D cameras into the $500-$600 range making owning back up and second bodies really affordable. Kind of like owning 2, 3 or more Nikonos V bodies only a decade ago......

For my $$$ the CMOS sensor still has a slight advantage in image processing and that's why I switched from Nikon. Either camera system will deliver great baseline files to post process into fantastic images...

I'm also anxiously awaiting Jame's "Part Two" article to hear his thought process which I'm sure will be entertaining and enlightening

David Haas

davidhaas@sbcglobal.net

Ikelite Underwater Systems dealer