DSLR - Canon vs. Nikon Do you have an opinion?

[Scuba307]

I’m looking at making a change from an Olympus C5050 in an Ike TTL housing, with an Inon WAL and a DS125 to a DSRL. I plan on going somewhat mid range around $1,600 for the camera, unless there is a good reason to go up from there. It seems like the dominant players in the UW DSRL world are Nikon and Canon. Is there any particular reason for choosing a Nikon over a Canon or a Canon over a Nikon? What about lenses?

I also want to add a second strobe, either another Ike, maybe a DS161-movie to take advantage of the HD video capabilities of the new camera, or should I also look at changing strobes?

Your opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[furby076]

Honestly, both are great companies and you won't go wrong with either one. It's more of a preference then anything. People stick with a specific brand because of the lenses. I don't think either one is better then the other.

 

[bvanant]

Go to your local camera store. Look at the cameras in your price range. Pick them up and play with them. See which one fits your hand. Figure out if Video is important. For cropped sensor cameras you will be using the same lenses for either i.e. the Tokina 10-17 and a 60 or 100/105 macro lens and both the canon and nikon lenses for this are great. For full frame it is a bit different but that is probably outside your budget. There is no picture you can take with either one that you can't take with the other.

I shoot Canon mostly and like them a lot. Most of my friends shoot Nikon. If video is important Canon appears to be in the lead right now but that changes weekly. Also you might look at the EVIL/micro 4/3 systems like the Sony NEX. Smaller and cheaper but not quite as easy to use as a DSLR.

Bill

 

[Scuba307]

Thank you both! Can the HD video capture really replace a HD video camera? I have a video camera, one step down from a HD. Was kicking around an upgrade for that until I started to investigate DSRL's offering HD video. One camera would be nice...

Thanks

Mike

 

[j1rubin]

Backscatter's website has some reviews of the capabilities of dslr's shooting hd video. You should check it out.

 

[ptyx]

Remember to check the lenses (and their prices) as well as the bodies.

 

[furby076]

The HD on these cameras are great. Some people, on here, posted links to their HD video from the canon t2i (and other brands). That or go to Youtube and search around for scuba video with the chosen camera.

 

[Cp111]

I’m looking at making a change from an Olympus C5050 in an Ike TTL housing, with an Inon WAL and a DS125 to a DSRL. I plan on going somewhat mid range around $1,600 for the camera, unless there is a good reason to go up from there. It seems like the dominant players in the UW DSRL world are Nikon and Canon. Is there any particular reason for choosing a Nikon over a Canon or a Canon over a Nikon? What about lenses?

I also want to add a second strobe, either another Ike, maybe a DS161-movie to take advantage of the HD video capabilities of the new camera, or should I also look at changing strobes?

Hi Mike,

Canon versus Nikon... can't go wrong either way with their newest offerings. As someone said above, Canon still has an edge on video, but expect Nikon to make a jump soon. People are making documentaries with DSLR's these days, especially Canon 7D and 5Dmkii. For your $1600 price range, you can get into a Canon 7D. Or you could get Nikon D7000 plus a lens, or Canon T2i plus two lenses.

DS161's are great strobes, but are not powerful enough as video lights. New LED video lights are sprouting up like weeds right now; I think you are better off selecting strobes and video lights separately.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[jbb]

Along the lines of Canon v. Nikon, I have read of the lauded Nikon lenses from generations past still having the capability of being used on the most recent dlsr bodies. I'm sure this capability is fine for land photography but I assume one would need more updated lenses that the camera motors can focus from within an underwater housing.

Thanks.

 

[M_Bipartitus]

As others have mentioned, either brand will serve you well. Get an idea which fits better in the hand and which you are more comfortable using. My typical recommendation is to start with an entry level body (T1i, T2i, D3000, D5000 or similar) and spend the extra money on lenses. There are a few reasons. First, as long as you stay with a specific brand, the lenses last a long time and will work with a new camera if you later upgrade. Second, most modern, high megapixel, dSLRs are limited by the quality of the lenses, not the quality of the sensor/body. Last, lenses hold their value better than bodies, especially bodies that are not the top-of-the-line pro bodies. If you decide in a few years that you don't get enough out of your setup, the lenses should be easy to sell, but the body will not be worth much used.

The lenses mentioned in previous posts are not expensive lenses, but they can add up quickly if you don't think about it in advance.