Nikon Shooters - Would you switch to another brand (or have you?)

[Steve]

This is for the current and former Nikon shooters. I'm kind of curious. I get a lot of people asking me about switching to Sony or Canon and I'm wondering how many Nikon shooters would consider it or have already done so. It feels like there are a lot of people on the fence with this and I' curious to get an idea of the percentages. Also, if you have a moment, I'd love to hear why either way. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Steve]

While an admitted “fanboy” I’m not committed. When 18 months ago I decided to go Mirrorless I sold my DSLR and all my lenses. I found myself cash rich and brand-less, so I looked at many others. I settled on the Z6 and because I felt that the Z range of lenses were really an innovative step which could lead to superb image quality. The first from any manufacturer for a long time. The lack of choice of lenses, is not an issue. The F to Z adaptor being a great help for others with F lenses, and two years down the road we have a pretty decent choice, with many more on the roadmap. Ergonomics is very important and I much preferred the menu system of Nikon compared to all the others, though Hasselblad is pretty good….but that’s another price group.
so, no I haven’t changed brands, and won’t be considering that for the foreseeable future.

The Z lenses are awesome. I can't wait to see what they do with the 600 F/4 and the 100-400.

 

[Ductape]

It is what I know. Also, my sig other has all my hand me downs. If I left her for a different brand, I might get the glare.

 

[Gongster]

I have been a dedicated Nikon user for forty about forty years, started off with the aperture priority EM, and didn't ever consider any other brand. However, what is important to me now is AF speed and accuracy, IQ and weight of the equipment I have to lug about.
Price is always a factor of course, I'm thinking about a D500 and 300 pf for those reasons, but I keep looking and wondering about Sony I must admit.
So the answer is, I'm open to change but still undecided where my future lies.

 

[BirdDogDad]

Highly unlikely, unless I (a) won the lottery, and (b) my photography skills exceeded the capability of Nikon equipment. Neither of those are likely to happen, although I'd settle for one or the other. I got my first Nikon (Nikkormat) in 1969, so there is a long history, and I have too much invested in Nikon glass and Nikon's ways of doing things. Divorces are too expensive.

 

[DRwyoming]

I've shot other brands in the past (Pentax, Olympus and Canon in SLRs) and currently carry a Sony A6300 or a Lumix DMC-LX7 when I need to travel real light for backcountry stuff (climbing, skiing, mountaineering or extended backpacking). So I'm already using multiple systems.

I'm in no hurry to switch from Nikon for my high end system as I really like Nikon's ergonomics and easy menu structures compared to other camera systems I've used. But things change and I keep an eye on what Sony, Canon and others are doing and if Nikon slips in the things I feel are important (like lack of assignable function buttons on my Z6 II) or others keep improving in those same areas I could very well switch at some point. I've always liked Nikon's lenses and the current PF lenses reinforce that notion but if I switched brands I'd love to pick up one of the 200-600mm internal focus lenses that others are offering so Nikon doesn't have a lock on the great lens market.

I guess I'd say I'm happy with my Nikon gear at the moment, don't feel the need to chase the latest technology and don't believe a brand switch will revolutionize my photography. But that said I'm keeping tabs on what other manufacturers are coming out with and not against the idea of switching when I find a compelling reason to do so.

 

[laurapasketphotog68]

I switched from Canon in 2016 after using them for 20+ years. I went to a Fujifilm X-T2 and loved it except for battery life and the fact that the weight wasn’t that much less once I added the 100-400mm lens, extender and battery grip (a necessity because of short battery life). So, when I decided to go back to a DSLR, I decided to try out Nikon (why not, since I had sold all of my Canon gear) and have been with them since 2017. I voted that I would be open to switching because I still yearn for the simple dials on the Fuji or a lighter rig to carry around for long birding trips.

 

[jeffnles1]

To me, Steve, this question falls under the "never say never" category. I'm always open to switching and try really hard to keep an open mind. Having spent 30 years of my 36 year career in the IT industry, I can say one will go broke and crazy trying to keep up with the latest / greatest technology. We had an unwritten rule of "never buy version 1 of anything." It's not always wise to be rigid in that but good to consider when looking to buy something.

I've used Nikon since the early 1980's. I'm comfortable with their equipment and have confidence in the images. I have a good supply of Nikon and Nikon F/Mount glass. My collection is minuscule to some of the folks here but I have the bases covered for my photography styles.

Now, would I consider going to another brand? Sure. When / if there comes a time when my current Nikon gear no longer meets my needs or breaks to the point it would not be wise to have it repaired then I'll look at what is available and make a choice. If that happened today, I'd give the Z 7II a serious look as well as the Canon R5 and the Sony A7Riv, A9II. I'd also give a very serious look at a D850 to replace my D500.

As much as I would like a D5/6, A1, or a Z 9 when they come out, I just cannot justify the cost on a retirement income.

OK, long winded way of saying "it depends".

 

[Abinoone]

Generally speaking, I'm satisfied with my Nikon gear. God knows I've spent a lot of money on it! Having said that, I'm wowed by what I see Sony doing - performance of the A1 is phenomenal. A few pros I admire already have switched to Sony, and never looked back. It gives me pause, and makes me wonder whether I should bite the bullet and follow suit. In the meanwhile, I'm biding my time to see if Nikon will step up its game.

 

[RickW]

I’ve been a Nikon shooter for more than 50 yrs beginning with Nikkormat and 50mm f2 (before there were actually any viable sort options -apologies to Pentax). I can handle my current Nikon DSLR’s in my sleep. No need to think when making adjustments on the fly. Pure muscle memory. I am too old to learn a new system, so not only will I not switch to another brand, I won’t switch to mirrorless Nikon unless I have to . By “have to”, I mean when my current bodies and lenses die and can’t be repaired, I may have to go to Z. I don’t doubt that the Z’s boast some great qualities (less weight being the only one that makes me waiver a bit), but I never cared about technical evaluations from shooting brick walls. When my images shot with my D850’s and other bodies with my existing lenses prevent me from competing, I may think about it. But as of now, no one is gonna look at my results using my 850 with my 400/2.8 or my 70-200/2.8 and say, “Too bad he didn’t use the Z7. “

 

[DaleJr]

If it wasn't for the mirrorless move, it wouldn't be a question to stay with Nikon. But I have been checking out Sony mainly since they are getting all the attention for mirrorless. But like others said, I don't think Sony will give me any additional advantage than Nikon. It is more of keeping my options open. I am really looking forward to the Z cameras and lens options maturing.

 

[Ralph]

This is for the current and former Nikon shooters. I'm kind of curious. I get a lot of people asking me about switching to Sony or Canon and I'm wondering how many Nikon shooters would consider it or have already done so. It feels like there are a lot of people on the fence with this and I' curious to get an idea of the percentages. Also, if you have a moment, I'd love to hear why either way. Inquiring minds want to know!

In regards to DSLR I will not switch. I think Nikon has the most to offer. In terms of mirrorless, I’m open to a change since I don’t own any yet.

 

[MartyD]

I can't see it ever happening, but hard to say never. Purchased my first Nikon in 1975 and have been adding bits and pieces of equipment as money allows and have tried to get as much life out of my equipment as I can. The most radical purchase for me was replacing my Z6 with the Z6ii after only two years when Nikon was offering the trade-up program. I was happy with my Z6 but was interested in eye AF for video and a full function grip. I also shoot a lot with my D500.

I shoot a lot of sports at various levels and I have been very satisfied with the capabilities of the Z6. I learned to shoot with it before there were so many "not good for action shooting" reviews. I think we are in a spec driven market now and often the specs are way beyond what we need or can actually utilize.

 

[Fishboy1952]

As a retiree who didn’t really start getting back into photography until about 4 years ago, I am going to wait this out. I have a D7500 and D500, with some good glass. I primarily shoot wildlife, especially BIF. I am still at that point where the equipment I have is better than my current skill level, but I’m learning and loving the journey. I do not see myself running to the latest thing to come out. I enjoy using my Nikon equipment and do not see myself changing to another brand. Down the road, if Nikon gets their act together and come out with a mirrorless D500 or D850 with better autofocus than present, then things might change. But for now, I’m good.

 

[Palouse]

Staying put!

 

[Grizzbr]

Sticking with Nikon especially since after weeks or trying to get a D500 and watching several vendors every couple days Amazon had availability last Friday for a short time. It's in route and being delivered tomorrow. I don't want to 86 everything and start over, especially @ 66.

 

[Andrew Lamberson]

Nope. And I have no intentions to switching to mirrorless. I am happy with my D500, but I REALLY want the 500 PF !

 

[JAS]

I am nearly 70 years old, have been a Nikon DSLR shooter since 2009 after being a Minolta film shooter followed by small size Nikon P&S digital Cameras. Since stareting with the D5000, now passed to a granddaughter, I have a Z6, D750, D600(IR), D3500, plus a F100, a couple of J3s for underwater work, and a J5 for unobtrusive shhoting. I also have over 20 lens and other equipment with a total value well over $25K. I love the gear. I love the menu systems and ergonomics, I am very comfortable with my stuff. I can think of no rational reason to lose my invested value to switch to a new system that will be pretty much equal to what I have and, what I have is more capable than my skillset can fully utilize. Not switching ever.

 

[SPD]

If I was to switch it would be to the Fuji GFX100 for my equestrian subjects and landscapes. However my D850 is doing just fine and probably will be for a long time. If Nikon was to make something to compete with the GFX I would seriously consider it. The other "brands" do not appeal to me. I like the files from Nikon.
I am trying to find another D500 new in stock locally. It will be my third one. For the price it just can't be beat right now for BIF. Not bad for something over six years old.

The Z lenses are awesome. I can't wait to see what they do with the 600 F/4 and the 100-400.

If Nikon takes a 600 F/4EFL and changes the mount to the Z and does nothing to improve the quality then I will be hard pressed to even go mirrorless with Nikon.

 

[Paul T]

For myself the issue is one of incredulity that people want to switch brands ( regardless of the brand) after investing so many hard earned dollars in a specific brand/system. The reason for my incredulity is to be found in the history of cameras over the years. And that history is one of leap frogging. This year Sony might have the lead technically, then all of a sudden Canon/Nikon grabs the technical lead and on it goes. I suspect one of the reasons photographers jump from one brand to another as technology improves is the ‘want it now’ driver that our societies have drifted into. I am a Nikon shooter and will remain so, not because Nikon is any better or worse than other brands but because it is the brand I originally invested in and I refuse to waste my hard earned for limited if any gains. I also know that I would be driven insane if I were to try changing brands every time a technological improvement was to show up.

 

[Marcus Slade]

I feel a bit like I went through this six years ago when I was choosing which system to dive deeply into, albeit made easier by the fact that I didn't have an existing system to exit out of (I still have all my original Olympus film cameras and lenses). With the exception of a couple of pieces, a good chunk of the gear I now have (and love) didn't exist when I made my original commitment to Nikon. I wonder if some people are missing that point. Given that I am in Nikon's ecosystem now, I'm actually quite confident that there will be highly desirable mirrorless options in the near future and I am content to grow into them as they become more advanced and available. For me originally, it was only going to be Canon or Nikon. Admittedly, if I were in the same boat now, I'd be adding Sony to the list and the deliberation might be more arduous. As much as I crave a 600mm FL now, I think a forthcoming Z mount 600mm f4 might just be the cat's meow and that I should wait and make a quantum leap in the future.

Much as I love my DSLRs, I am not a Luddite or caveman and I have the expectation there will come a time (soon?) when I'm shooting with a combination of flapping mirrors and silent shutter actuations. I have the equal expectation that will continue to be with Nikon. My prospective purchase of a 500mm PF is as much based on the idea I will be able to use it into the future on a camera body I don't yet own and that hasn't even been released. I will also add that I continue to want a smaller camera to have with me at all times and that it would likely be a Fuji Film fixed lens model.

For many photographic mortals and non-professionals here on the forum who cannot write off their hardware purchases, system swaps can get prohibitively expensive. When I'm walking through a woodland with one camera/600mm lens tripod-mounted and slung across my shoulders along with a second body and lens combo dangling off my Black Rapid strap, I have to give myself a bit of a reality check as to just how much money would need to be spent to replace it all (allowing for residual trade value, of course). Sports and wildlife photographers are simply stuck with the reality that our gear tends to cost a lot more and purchasing decisions need to be more carefully justified.

Having made the aforementioned comments as a Nikon shooter, they could probably be made as equally from the camps of the other manufacturers.

 

[Marcus Slade]

For myself the issue is one of incredulity that people want to switch brands ( regardless of the brand) after investing so much hard earned dollars in a specific brand/system. The reason for my incredulity is to be found in the history of cameras over the years. And that history is one of leap frogging. This year Sony might have the lead technically, then all of a sudden Canon/Nikon grabs the technical lead and on it goes. I suspect one of the reasons photographers jump from one brand to another as technology improves is the ‘want it now’ driver that our societies have drifted into. I am a Nikon shooter and will remain so, not because Nikon is any better or worse than other brands but because it is the brand I originally invested in and I refuse to waste my hard earned for limited if any gains. I also know that I would be driven insane if I were to try changing brands every time a technological improvement was to show up.

Paul, I think we must've been writing at the same time. Brilliantly said.

 

[Tiago C]

This is for the current and former Nikon shooters. I'm kind of curious. I get a lot of people asking me about switching to Sony or Canon and I'm wondering how many Nikon shooters would consider it or have already done so. It feels like there are a lot of people on the fence with this and I' curious to get an idea of the percentages. Also, if you have a moment, I'd love to hear why either way. Inquiring minds want to know!

In the last 6 years or so I have owned the following cameras: Nikon D3200 -> Pentax K-70 -> Nikon D7500 (owned for about 2 years) -> Canon 5D MKIV (owned for about 2 months) -> Fujifilm X-T4 (current camera).

I think I fit in well in the category of a switcher.
Why I keep switching:
- It's a fairly low-risk process for me. I sell gear quite easily and recover most of the spent money.
- I am willing to adapt to new menus/buttons/functionalities.
- Technology is evolving rapidly and some companies are taking a while to catch up. If one is not fitting my requirements, another might.
- I don't have a strong emotional attachment to any particular system.
- Trying different camera systems for myself (rather than just hearing or reading about them) helps me understand the advantages/disadvantages of each.
- I consider cost/benefit. A different system can often offer better results at a lower cost.

 

[Dan291]

My first Nikon was a plain vanilla Nikon F (1971). I have used an FM, FE2, F3HP, then after life tossed me a hiatus, I resumed with a D7000, a D600 (replaced by Nikon with a D610), currently a D810, D750, and a D7200.
I wouldn’t consider myself a fanboy, I AM an enthusiastic user. I get a bit nostalgic every time I see a picture of a Nikon F.
I know I can get a D850 (especially now) with more features, but I don’t really NEED one. I print a lot, primarily. My gear covers that well. I won’t change brands.

The best thing for my photography is to try to improve, continually. I get GAS often (that D850 sale for instance), but for some reason, it’s at it’s worst after reading forum posts. When that happens, I go online or grab a book from the shelf (I have lots of books) and look at photographs… the GAS goes away. Especially looking at old, classic photos seems to help.

 

[Demodave]

Tough questions with no easy answers
I just came back from a trip to FL celebrating our 25th anniversary. Wife was willing to make it a birding and beach trip. Truth be told spent way more time birding than on the beach!

One of the prioritys was to test the Z7II and Z6II against the A9II. I ran the 500PF with 1.4 TC against the Sony 200-600 with 1.4
I literally had one camera on each side. Ran them both on slings bamdellero style.

The Z's were excellent up close and on stationary objects. Had a 70-300 on the Z6II for really up close. However for bifs, ie pelicans and osprey diving, the Z's didnt come even close to the A9II. With 20 fps, blackoutfree, and ligjtning fast af, there was really no reason to pick the Z.

Images were equal with maybe a very slight edge to the Z with 500pf at distance for fixed subjects.

So the dilemma is all sony or a mixed kit.

I dont have it figured out yet. But I am looking very hard at the Sony 600 gm.

I shoot alot of mammals also. And the Nikons have never let me down.

The 200-600 s a huge help with birds vs a fixed focal length

I have shot Nikon since 1982. Now I'm shooting both and wondering if it's worth a total switch.

I just started post processing and have 5k+ more to go through, but if @Steve will allow. My pics are on my website under newest additions.

Dave Buick

I love Wildlife. I love enjoying God's creation. I'm just a simple guy who enjoys capturing moments of nature. Typically I spend hours or days with an animal, learning it's individual behavior and personality. Capturing that personality is the goal. Feel free to contact me for any questions...

www.davebuickphotography.com