Should I make the switch from Nikon to Canon?

lolage

lolage

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Ben
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Before I start - sory for making a "Nikon vs Canon" thread. I am aware that this thread will be flooded with people saying their own brand is beter but please look at it from my point of view and for what I want! :)

Basically I currently have a D3100, with the it lens. I love the camera but the only thing that bugs me is the fact that the video function isnt as good as I'd like. It doesn't have manual exposure and it lacks a microphone port.

If I look at the Nikons cameras the only camera that does this pretty much within budget is the D7000. Canon however have th 60D. I think th D7000 has some features better than the 60D along with it having a better build quality but the 60D has better video along with having the swivel screen which would be really useful for video.

Can anyone just give me some advise? Is there another camera I should be looking at or should I just try and find a second hand 60D and sell my d3100?

Cheers, Ben.
 
I agree with Andy. Get an SLR for the stills. If video is what your looking for get a video camera.
 
Ben,

With your current level of kit there is little that would stop you making your next upgrade in either direction. Better to set yourself down what you consider to be the right path now rather than later when you have more expensive glass which is often the deciding factor - few can afford to switch out when they have a bag full of top class lenses.

Depending on what your needs are a HDSLR could well be the best thing to shoot video on. I'm no SLR filmmaker myself but I do know that current Canon and Nikon HDSLR bodies would require £10k+ in a dedicated video camera to best them.

Both Canon and Nikon have just released their pro-level HDSLR cameras in the D800/D4 and the 1Dx/5D MKIII (and the dedicated C300). That should give you an indication of what might filter down to the next levels of both brands when they refresh the pro-sumer/consumer bodies later this year.

If you can't spend £3k+ on a body then the 5D MKII Canon is selling for just over a grand used and there will be more on the market next month. If you are down in the low mid-low hundreds then I'd suggest you hold tight, do your research and consider your move carefully. IMHO to get the best from any upgrade you are going to need different glass to the ones you have now and you'll need to budget for that too.

HTH
 
I have a panasonic HD video camera, cost me £150 used and if I'm honest, the quality and sharpness is better than my D7000 which is equal to the 5Dmk2...

So....I'm in agreement with the above 2 posts.

This will also give you a 2 camera set up which is obviously much better for editing.

In answer to your question about switching: You'll burn more of a hole in your pocket trying to get good budget lenses for a canon body than you would Nikon. Just something to bear in mind!
 
Phil Young said:
I have a panasonic HD video camera, cost me £150 used and if I'm honest, the quality and sharpness is better than my D7000 which is equal to the 5Dmk2...

So....I'm in agreement with the above 2 posts.

This will also give you a 2 camera set up which is obviously much better for editing.

In answer to your question about switching: You'll burn more of a hole in your pocket trying to get good budget lenses for a canon body than you would Nikon. Just something to bear in mind!
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I can guarantee you can't control depth of field anywhere near as well and the Panasonic is poor in low light, this is where DSLRs excel. It always amazes me when people say the quality is poor. Act of Valor has recently been released and it was shot about 80% on a 5DII. No offence but I don't see them using your £150 camcorder for Hollywood movies. It's a case of learning how to use your kit and how to get the best out of it. 10 years ago you would be paying 40-50,000 for a motion picture camera with DSLR quality now they are available for 5-600
 
jacob12_1993 said:
I can guarantee you can't control depth of field anywhere near as well and the Panasonic is poor in low light, this is where DSLRs excel. It always amazes me when people say the quality is poor. Act of Valor has recently been released and it was shot about 80% on a 5DII. No offence but I don't see them using your £150 camcorder for Hollywood movies. It's a case of learning how to use your kit and how to get the best out of it. 10 years ago you would be paying 40-50,000 for a motion picture camera with DSLR quality now they are available for 5-600
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That's true...I never said it was great in low light :)

I use it as my B-cam but in good light, it has better quality as soon as im into the 800+ ISO then it's a different story :)
 
Seeing although I am rushing into this a little, I'm going to just stick with my d3100 and not spend any money on lenses yet.

Maybe after the 5d mark3 comes out I will be able to grab a 5d mark2 for a bargain in a few months. I do however know that I want a DSLR for film.

Ben.
 
People recommending getting a video specific camera are, I suspect, people who don't shoot video. The advantages of using DSLRs for video have been done many times on here before.

If you like to shoot still as well as video though, I think the D7000 is possibly a better camera than the 60D (in terms of IQ at least). Also the Nikon has auto focus in video mode - not sure how good it is though.

Flip out screens are really very handy however!. If you're not too invested in lenses you don't have too much to lose in switching, especially if you get a second hand 60D - you could always switch back again if you don't get on with it. This suggests the Nikons are still not great for video.

http://www.eoshd.com/content/635/why-you-should-never-buy-a-nikon-d5100-or-d7000-for-shooting-video
 
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i think its down to personal choice.... i use canon and am happy with canon but then ive only used canon.....

i know several people that have nikon gear that have swapped over to canon and some that have had nikon all along.... i also know people that have changed from canon to nikon

main thing i'd say is have a play with both and find out whatyou feel more happier with- as at the end of the day you'l be the one using whatever you decide to use
 
Maybe have a look at the Sony alpha cameras aswell. The translucent mirror technology means it can automatically refocus while recording.
 
I say go for a 600D! If you want the pro-body, go for a 60D however :)
 
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Should I make the switch from Nikon to Canon?
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YES!

Hahaha kidding altho personally I'd choose a Canon over a Nikon any day from my own experience of the actual handling of the bodies. Nah, in all honestly research the camera specifications & let that decide for you.

Note → To those of you who're telling the Thread'er to just purchase a dedicated video camera, just note that the film 'Black Swan' wasn't actually filmed using only 'dedicated film cameras' & you'd be surprised just how advanced DSLR's are becoming for filmwork.. "Black Swan was shot on Super 16mm, ARRI, Canon 7D & Canon 1D mark IV. Rehearsal footage filmed on Canon 5D Mark II."
 
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IamAshlyRose said:
Note → To those of you who're telling the Thread'er to just purchase a dedicated video camera, just note that the film 'Black Swan' wasn't actually filmed using only 'dedicated film cameras' & you'd be surprised just how advanced DSLR's are becoming for filmwork.. "Black Swan was shot on Super 16mm, ARRI, Canon 7D & Canon 1D mark IV. Rehearsal footage filmed on Canon 5D Mark II."
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Filmed by professional videographers with proper video lenses and rigs, the DSLR's were only used for the sensors. For the everyday user it may be best to get a dedicated video camera.
 
robhooley167 said:
Filmed by professional videographers with proper video lenses and rigs, the DSLR's were only used for the sensors. For the everyday user it may be best to get a dedicated video camera.
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Fair enough, just thought I'd throw it in there. I'm a rather unenthusiastic videographer being more experienced with stills but thought that it was interesting that those camera's were used for filming such a well-known film! The original thread'er mentioned above that they were interested in video in DSLR cameras so thought it was relevant/fascinating to mention :}
 
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IamAshlyRose said:
Fair enough, just thought I'd throw it in there. I'm a rather unenthusiastic videographer being more experienced with stills but thought that it was interesting that those camera's were used for filming such a well-known film!
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It does show what they are capable of in expert hands with proper rigs, and for such a small package it does pack quite a punch :)
 
I have heard somewhere that the entire last episode of House was also filmed with a Canon 5D mark ii, although I do echo the last point, with expert filmmakers using the camera, it just goes to show what they are capable of.
 
lolage said:
Seeing although I am rushing into this a little, I'm going to just stick with my d3100 and not spend any money on lenses yet.

Maybe after the 5d mark3 comes out I will be able to grab a 5d mark2 for a bargain in a few months. I do however know that I want a DSLR for film.

Ben.
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Keep in mind Ben that if you go for the 5dmkii then you will need to be looking at full frame lenses and this with hurt your pocket!
 
Aaron said:
this with hurt your pocket!
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Not necessarily, you can pick up good fast primes for fairly reasonable prices, even previous generation L lenses can be had for a fraction of their original prices.
 
i have a nikin d300s the video quality is very good, what lets it down is the controls whilst recording are not as easy as a video camera.

a video camera does auto focus as it zoom , most stills cameras dont ( i have to pressa button to focus the camera)

im limited to 5 min segments in the highest quality.

the zoom is as sooth as i can get it , (a video camera does the work for you)

i cant answer for other brands but i suspected they may have similar issues.

a video camera controls is layed out in a way to capture moving images but a stills camera is designs for holding stable for capturing the moment

Cheers Steve
 
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