In a bit of a pickle...need advice

[Mickey Fliers]

Without going into too much back history, here is my dilemma. I need to choose between Nikon and Canon. In a nutshell...

Nikon D40 that I purchased last May.
Easy to use.
18-55, 55-200 and 30mm 1.4
I researched a lot before buying this as my first dSLR.

Canon 30d that I just inherited.
Used by a professional photographer since early 2005.
Obviously, this body is a step up from my Nikon.
No great lenses came with this body. 50mm 1.8, 18-85 IS, etc...
Sentimental value.
Also have some older Canon lenses from an old Rebel.

Before moving forward with any more lenses, I need to decide which manufacturer I am going to stick with. I don't want to invest in the Canon only to have the body get wonky because of shutter life. I have spent more time with the Nikon and feel comfortable with it. I know I would want to upgrade the body in the future.

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[dmccarty]

Wow, Nikon vs Canon, what are the odds we will have a "religious" war on the subject?

1. DSLRs are computers to which lenses are attached.

2. Buy the best quality lenses you can afford.

I have a bias against Canon. I stared in the 80's with a T70 and when AF came out Canon created a new lens mount which made my lenses use less on the new AF SLRs. I waited until AF technology improved quite a bit and bought into Nikon with an N70. I bought good glass through the 90s and eventually bought a F100. The difference between the N70 and the F100 was like night and day.

Then the DSLRs hit. I waited until a few years ago and got a D200. Figured the technology had matured. The D200 did what I needed and going to 12 MP was a who cares for what I do. With the D200 and the F100 I was doing quite a bit of low light photography. Neither could get the job done but there was nothing one could do...

Then the D700 was release. Long story short, after much anst on my part I bought the D700. The price HURT. BUT OH MY. I have more successful photos with this camera than anything over the decades. And Low light photos. We went on an Illumination Cruise last week. I took photos in the dark, on a boat, that worked. I have fireworks photos hand held that look good. There are shots of us on Thunder Mountain, EE, etc that I don't think I could have gotten with the D200/F100. I'm still processing the photos but I am in awe of the D700.

Am I suggesting a D700 for you? No. But all but one of the lenses I use on the D700 I bought in the 90's. The only new lens I have is a 50mm/F1.4.

I don't know ANYTHING about Canon systems anymore. If the Canon DSLR you mention is a professional camera I would lean to staying with Canon even with my anti Canon bias. But also consider the lenses you already own. Of Nikon and Canon which are the better set of lenses you posses? If the Canon outfit has the better body and lenses, keep it.

Another option is to sell ALL of the gear, Nikon and Canon and buy into a better lenses and DSLR. I waited WAY too long to sell my old cameras. Don't wait to long or you will loose money on the sale.

Later,
Dan

 

[MICKEY88]

Without going into too much back history, here is my dilemma. I need to choose between Nikon and Canon. In a nutshell...

Nikon D40 that I purchased last May.
Easy to use.
18-55, 55-200 and 30mm 1.4
I researched a lot before buying this as my first dSLR.

Canon 30d that I just inherited.
Used by a professional photographer since early 2005.
Obviously, this body is a step up from my Nikon.
No great lenses came with this body. 50mm 1.8, 18-85 IS, etc...
Sentimental value.
Also have some older Canon lenses from an old Rebel.

Before moving forward with any more lenses, I need to decide which manufacturer I am going to stick with. I don't want to invest in the Canon only to have the body get wonky because of shutter life. I have spent more time with the Nikon and feel comfortable with it. I know I would want to upgrade the body in the future.

Any input would be appreciated!

I think you answered your own question, you bought what you liked after a lot of research, you are comfortable with it,

the canon if used 4 years by a pro may be near death as far as the shutter goes...

I'd go nikon, and keep the canon for the sentimental reason

 

[oogieboogieman]

Go with the camera that feels best in your hands. Honestly, everyone on this board has their own opinions on the brand of camera that they use and the type of camera that everyone else should be using. Only you can decide.

 

[Todd_H]

I think you answered your own question, you bought what you liked after a lot of research, you are comfortable with it,

the canon if used 4 years by a pro may be near death as far as the shutter goes...

I'd go nikon, and keep the canon for the sentimental reason

Yep. What Mickey said.

 

[spinetnglr]

Without going into too much back history, here is my dilemma. I need to choose between Nikon and Canon. In a nutshell...

Nikon D40 that I purchased last May.
Easy to use.
18-55, 55-200 and 30mm 1.4
I researched a lot before buying this as my first dSLR.

Canon 30d that I just inherited.
Used by a professional photographer since early 2005.
Obviously, this body is a step up from my Nikon.
No great lenses came with this body. 50mm 1.8, 18-85 IS, etc...
Sentimental value.
Also have some older Canon lenses from an old Rebel.

Before moving forward with any more lenses, I need to decide which manufacturer I am going to stick with. I don't want to invest in the Canon only to have the body get wonky because of shutter life. I have spent more time with the Nikon and feel comfortable with it. I know I would want to upgrade the body in the future.

Any input would be appreciated!

The part I bolded would seal the deal for me. You are comfortable with the Nikon I would stick with it. I agree totally with Mickey88 when he said a professional used the Canon body for 4+ years ... it could be nearing its end. If the lenses are nothing to write home about you could be looking at lens purchases AND a new body in the not too distant future. With the Nikon you know exactly what you have and how hard its been used. If it were me I would continue with what you are familiar and comfortable with and keep the Canon for its sentimental value to you and use it occasionally for some fun shooting.

 

[bob100]

Without going into too much back history, here is my dilemma. I need to choose between Nikon and Canon. In a nutshell...

Nikon D40 that I purchased last May.
Easy to use.
18-55, 55-200 and 30mm 1.4
I researched a lot before buying this as my first dSLR.

Canon 30d that I just inherited.
Used by a professional photographer since early 2005.
Obviously, this body is a step up from my Nikon.
No great lenses came with this body. 50mm 1.8, 18-85 IS, etc...
Sentimental value.
Also have some older Canon lenses from an old Rebel.

Before moving forward with any more lenses, I need to decide which manufacturer I am going to stick with. I don't want to invest in the Canon only to have the body get wonky because of shutter life. I have spent more time with the Nikon and feel comfortable with it. I know I would want to upgrade the body in the future.
Any input would be appreciated!

I'm a Canon guy but I'll agree with the others - four year old heavily used 30D could easily get "wonky" and if you're already familiar with Nikon stick with it. But - those lens are worth some money ! the two you mentioned together could bring you $150

 

[YesDear]

Yeah what everyone else said. A camera with that age on it regardless of Canon of Nikon has probably seen its' better days in the long term.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Thanks everyone! That is definitely the way that I was headed.