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

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Would you or have you switched from Nikon?

  • I have already switched to another brand

    Votes: 13 4.9%

  • I am on the verge of switching

    Votes: 7 2.6%

  • I'm open to switching

    Votes: 54 20.2%

  • I probably won't switch

    Votes: 123 46.1%

  • I will never leave Nikon

    Votes: 44 16.5%

  • I'm shooting Nikon and another system

    Votes: 26 9.7%
  • Total voters
    267
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For me personally I don’t really see a move away from Nikon anytime soon. I like where I am at currently with cameras and lenses plus I’ve invested alot of money over the years to get to where I am. This is a hobby for me not a profession so cost is always a consideration. Undoubtably Canon and Sony etc. are producing some stunning kit at the moment which I can see temping many people to switch.

At the moment I’m not looking to move from DSLR’s as I’d like mirrorless to mature a little more and being a big hamfisted lump hope the manufacturers start to introduce mirrorless cameras in DSLR size bodies to cater for folk like me. I just don’t like small camera bodies with fiddly little controls and buttons.

After moving from Olympus film cameras to Nikon F bodies in the ‘90s and then to the D70, D300 (twice), D700 and now D4 / D500 I have got used to, and like the Nikon menu system and how things are laid out etc and prefer the more robust (larger) bodies.
The crunch for me will come when I retire in 3-4 years and have more time, this is when I hope mirrorless has matured enough in terms of camera technology and lens choice and maybe then I’ll part with my DSLR’s and heavy lenses. I’ve recently traded in a couple of my under used heavier lenses for a 500 pf, which is brilliant, so I guess I might be starting to prepare the ground now.

With technological changes its always impossible to keep up sometimes you just have to find what works for you and stick with it, Ive always tried to resist getting sucked in to the must have the latest XYZ bodies which means I’ve always been slightly behind the curve in terms of cameras. Over the years I’ve tended to buy bodies secondhand rather than new while investing more in good quality optics time will tell if that’s been a wise or flawed strategy.
 
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I used a Panasonic G9 when getting serious about bird photography but found the AF good for only about 80% of my use cases. So I got a D500 to see what a camera with a good rep for AF was like and shot them side by side for a while. Harder to use but better. Stayed with it. In time, missing mirrorless advantages particularly for BIF I got an A9 and used it alongside the Nikon for a year. Its unreliability with small perched birds has kept me using both.

If Nikon had produced a decent mirrorless for action shooting at the start I would've stayed in the camp.
 
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Doug Herr said:
  1. Wildlife photography feeds my soul
  2. You only live once
  3. an inheritance helps
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Ha, a refreshing view. I would add that one has to spend one's money on something. Cannot take it with you when you leave this planet, and if you have children, well they will earn their own money and for lack of better, will probably spend your inheritance on nonsense.. 🥴
And apart from being close to wildlife feeding your soul, by the grace of beautiful long lenses, it is also a fairly harmless way of being a consumer. Spending all your money on clothes, a bigger car or multiple travels across the globe, or even investing your money into shady high profit markets will probably be a whole lot less harmless.
O, and did I mention the savings on your medical bill, because of the health benefits of being out in nature?

I think I have justified my next long prime purchase ... ;)
 
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ChrisM said:
Ha, a refreshing view. I would add that one has to spend one's money on something. Cannot take it with you when you leave this planet, and if you have children, well they will earn their own money and for lack of better, will probably spend your inheritance on nonsense.. 🥴
And apart from being close to wildlife feeding your soul, by the grace of beautiful long lenses, it is also a fairly harmless way of being a consumer. Spending all your money on clothes, a bigger car or multiple travels across the globe, or even investing your money into shady high profit markets will probably be a whole lot less harmless.
O, and did I mention the savings on your medical bill, because of the health benefits of being out in nature?

I think I have justified my next long prime purchase ... ;)
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Very true.I actually am able to control my diabetes better thanks to my every day bird walks(7 to 9 kms every day) :) The only reason i dont plan to buy 600 mm is because of its weight & am sincerely hoping that some one will release a 600 mm PF soon:):p( i carry my 500 PF every day & got second one for the missus too)
 
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Etching House said:
Nikon needs to stay in the game and I feel it will, its biggest asset is its Branding, Imagine a reverse buy out of Sony by the underdog Nikon, its not an unusual business practice from a shareholder, tax, growth, or financial perspective. But hey who am I to say what's going to happen.
The market is eat or be eaten, technology is being thrown out like a volcano erupting. Great if you want it.
I hope Nikon eventually comes to the party .............they recently got a pile of money from the banks, so lets see if they can deliver, I certainly hope so.

Only an opinion as always
Oz down under
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Buying Sony would be win for the photographic community. Sony has some great technology (as does Nikon) but a clear lead in new products. Imagine Nikon ergonomics on a Sony system and Sony technology used in Nikon hardware . Not sure if Sony would sell their camera business and I would be surprised if (1) if it would pass anti-trust scrutiny and (2) if Nikon could afford it. I hope that this comes to pass, they take the best of both companies and built on them.
 
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Quite frankly, Nikon just needs to fix their AF system on their upcoming Z bodies to match or exceed Sony/Canon. Considering what they've done in the past with the D3/4/5, D500/850 I will be really shocked if they don't get the Z9/8 right or even state of the art.
 
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Steve said:
Thank you everyone for your responses! I get questions about switching multiple times a day and when that happens it feels like the world is leaving Nikon. It's good to see the vast majority are happy with Nikon (at least, more or less).
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I was very annoyed with Nikon when I discovered how poor the autofocus was for moving subjects compared to my D500. I just dont see how anything can go backwards like that. Then more annoyed finding out my SB 800 & 600 flashguns had lost their TTL abilities and were back to plain old manual flashes. I am not shelling out £500 odd for new 5000 series ones as that was not made clear when the camera came out. However I have got a bit more used to the camera with some success with moving things and was more or less resigned to putting up with it for a while when someone lent me an Olympus EM1X and the capabilities of that camera really hit home just how far Nikon are behind. Pro capture especially (to name just one) is mind boggling to someone who has never seen anything like it as I hadn't. I am using it some more next week and will then decide whether to chop my Z stuff in and jump ship. The weight factor is a huge draw to me as I found the Nikon 200-500 too heavy and unweildy to use with out a tripod or monopod which was a limiting factor in walking about so that lens has now gone anyway. I am just a hobbist type of photographer and want a decent camera that will serve for the things that I want to do. The Z6ii is good for most of what I want to do. I did some photos at a granddaughters 19th birthday and had no issues at all. A Nice set of pictures with all eyes open for a change. So subject tracking, weight and the cost of lenses are going to decide it for me most likely. I have the 85mm 1.8 prime which is very good but then when comparing that to my Sigma 105 macro I cannot see any difference in the quality of the photos so thats going as well. The sigma was far cheaper than the Nikon as a bonus. I could of course keep the Z6ii and use it as well as any other camera I buy but it seems a bit pointless for me to have two systems as I don't earn money from my hobby. So it does look to me that I shall be changing over in the next month. My take for what its worth. Edward
 
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I don't deny the fact that I'm a bit biased towards the Nikon brand, mainly because of the simple menu system that I am used to, and above all because of the cost with respect to other products. I own a Nikon Z6ii which arrived less than two weeks ago, and before I decided to get the Z6ii I also evaluated getting a Sony or Canon. It wouldn't take me long to get acquainted with their menu system and the buttons, it is just a matter of time until I get familiar with it. The main reason I bought a Nikon is the price itself.

All of us would want to get the coolest and top most flagship product of any vendor, but of course we are limited with budget, especially those of us that do not make their livings from photography like me. I'd love to get the Sony, Nikon, Canon flagship, but can I afford it? So I was left with my budget as the main reason for brand selection and searched the various stores and came to the conclusion that Nikon is the brand for me, as with respect to Sony and Canon, this will save me at last 1500 euros choosing the same camera level and same lens for each body. If the difference in price was 200 euros for example, I would have had more choices and frankly speaking I don't know if I would have gone for a Nikon or not, but 1500 euros is a lot of difference and hence Nikon.

So if money isn't the issue here, would I go for a Sony or a Canon? Definitely it is worth trying, I am very curious and open minded as I am not brand-fixated person. I cannot say anything regarding Sony or Canon in any sense as I have never held in my hands any of those brands to be able to compare it with what I have (a Nikon), so for me it would be a blind jump into that ecosystem if I decide to switch

Only when I have tested with my hands the other brands, I can safely say that I would or wouldn't switch.
 
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Have been a Nikon shooter since I changed from Pentax In about '75. Satisfied with my equipment, although it has more features than I will ever use, or understand. My journey has been: Graflex 4X5 press camera, Praktica SLR, with its non-pentaprism view screen,:sick: (Soon replaced) Rolleiflex, Canon IVS 2 Rangefinder, Pentax SLR, Nikon 6006, FM, D 50, D 90, D 7100.
 
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Ihab said:
I don't deny the fact that I'm a bit biased towards the Nikon brand, mainly because of the simple menu system that I am used to, and above all because of the cost with respect to other products. I own a Nikon Z6ii which arrived less than two weeks ago, and before I decided to get the Z6ii I also evaluated getting a Sony or Canon. It wouldn't take me long to get acquainted with their menu system and the buttons, it is just a matter of time until I get familiar with it. The main reason I bought a Nikon is the price itself.

All of us would want to get the coolest and top most flagship product of any vendor, but of course we are limited with budget, especially those of us that do not make their livings from photography like me. I'd love to get the Sony, Nikon, Canon flagship, but can I afford it? So I was left with my budget as the main reason for brand selection and searched the various stores and came to the conclusion that Nikon is the brand for me, as with respect to Sony and Canon, this will save me at last 1500 euros choosing the same camera level and same lens for each body. If the difference in price was 200 euros for example, I would have had more choices and frankly speaking I don't know if I would have gone for a Nikon or not, but 1500 euros is a lot of difference and hence Nikon.

So if money isn't the issue here, would I go for a Sony or a Canon? Definitely it is worth trying, I am very curious and open minded as I am not brand-fixated person. I cannot say anything regarding Sony or Canon in any sense as I have never held in my hands any of those brands to be able to compare it with what I have (a Nikon), so for me it would be a blind jump into that ecosystem if I decide to switch

Only when I have tested with my hands the other brands, I can safely say that I would or wouldn't switch.
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I agree with your position. Let me test the others. I shoot Canon until 2-3 years ago and found the switch to Nikon relatively painless. I tried a Sony about 7 years ago and found it very different and difficult for me to use.

I would be willing to attend a weekend training class to learn to use the Sony to give a fair evaluation. Not now, I will wait for the Z9 before make a decision to seriously investigate a new brand.
 
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Well, my Sony a9ii got here along with the 200-600 lens. It's goodbye Nikon. I loved my PF lenses, but with the Z9 I'd still be using an adapter which would slow things down and that camera with a built in battery grip is big. My reasoning is that who knows when Nikon will actually make the Z9 available, and once it's available, how long will it take to actually be able to get one??? I'm too old to sit around waiting a month, a year, whatever, for a camera that may or may not fit my wishes. The Sony is light years ahead of the Z7II that I own. It is not sluggish which is my main complaint against the Z7II. Image quality on the Z is superb. The 9II is extremely responsive and quick and the tracking is amazing! IQ is excellent. The 200-600 lens is amazing, big and somewhat heavy, but exceptionally well balanced. My thoughts are a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. That said, when I can acquired the A1, I will and will sell a9II, mainly because of desire for more pixels, and I bird eye focus sounds nice too. Plus I will have one camera body that does it all which I haven't really had prior.
 
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markymark said:
I've been a loyal Nikon shooter since the start as love their equipment & easy to use menus on the DSLR's & as I'll be 61 on my next birthday don't see me switching.
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..........saying that, the one main reason for me to switch would be the silent shutter which would come in handy when up close to a shy subject.
 
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Having gotten the A9II and the 200-600 a month ago, I then picked up the A1 and 600 prime. I'm so glad I did. But now I find myself wanting a second A1. It's that good!
The bird eye focus along with the mp's and speed have to be tried to be believed. Getting pics I never thought were even possible. And the A9II is no slouch! It's going to have to wait for awhile, the camera budget is in arrears....
 
markymark said:
......... the one main reason for me to switch would be the silent shutter which would come in handy when up close to a shy subject.
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The silent shutter is only one of about a bazillion benefits of mirrorless. I'm glad I switched, there's no way I could be satisfied with a DSLR now. For example:

Demodave said:
Having gotten the A9II and the 200-600 a month ago, I then picked up the A1 and 600 prime. I'm so glad I did. But now I find myself wanting a second A1. It's that good!
The bird eye focus along with the mp's and speed have to be tried to be believed. Getting pics I never thought were even possible....
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The a7rIII served me well but it's now gathering dust and it's sale will go toward a second a1 when the budget permits. At nearly 70 years old there's not a lot of time to waste with equipment that holds me back.
 
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Doug Herr said:
The silent shutter is only one of about a bazillion benefits of mirrorless. I'm glad I switched, there's no way I could be satisfied with a DSLR now. For example:



The a7rIII served me well but it's now gathering dust and it's sale will go toward a second a1 when the budget permits. At nearly 70 years old there's not a lot of time to waste with equipment that holds me back.
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How difficult was the transition? I tried a Sony A7R II with a meta bones adapter and found I could not learn the system

thanks
 
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Demodave said:
Having gotten the A9II and the 200-600 a month ago, I then picked up the A1 and 600 prime. I'm so glad I did. But now I find myself wanting a second A1. It's that good!
The bird eye focus along with the mp's and speed have to be tried to be believed. Getting pics I never thought were even possible. And the A9II is no slouch! It's going to have to wait for awhile, the camera budget is in arrears....
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Yup, the A9 II and 200-600 was my gateway into the system as well (bought just about a year ago). As soon as the A1 was announced I pre-ordered and it's a wonderful camera. I still haven't sold off my Nikon stuff, I still do love the Z6 with 14-30 and 24-70 f4 but I eventually want to trim down to a single system.
 
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I'm looking at the 24-105. I typically take very few landscape or animalscape type shots. The 24-105 is light, sharp and I typically shoot at 5.6 or f8 with those types of shots
 
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As Steve and others have suggested, for me it comes down to the next generation 600mm. I don't plan to do any significant upgrades for the next 3-4 years. I don't really do BIF all that much and my current gear (D5, D850, and D500 along with 500mm pf and other lenses) has got me covered. I would like to, at some point, get a 600mm but it will need to be no more than 6.5 pounds and preferably less. Not a today need (or anytime need for that matter). I haven't missed shots because of my gear's lack of capability -- I've missed shots because I didn't like handholding a heavy super tele. The 500Pf has fixed that.
 
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