Canon or Nikon pros and cons

IronVulture · Mar 16, 2015

Looking for input to help me decide which camera to start out with. I will be using it for aquarium and nature pictures and my wife will be using it for family pictures and my kids sports games. I am also looking for input on different lenses and other accessories that would be helpful. S there a big difference between USA versions or import models and are there any brands of lenses or accessories I should stay away from. My budget is 1000 for everything I need.

ness · Mar 16, 2015

From the sound of your post I would just go with something like a D5500 with a kit lens, then later if you feel you need it you can invest in a macro or long zoom lens. It really just depends on what you want to shoot. If it's close ups of corals you'll need to get a cheaper kit or older model and budget in the macro lens. If it's birds or far away subjects then budget in the long zoom of course. If you're going to be doing a lot of hiking and just shooting random things you may want to just get a new lightweight mirrorless camera kit. If you want a DSLR and will just be shooting tank shots and your fish along with random nature shots then I would just get the most expensive kit you can get for $1k. Canon or Nikon doesn't really matter until you start getting into specific expensive lenses.

For aquarium photography I like to use Nikon's 60/105mm macro but even the Tamron 90mm works well, along with prime lenses like the 50mm 1.8 to let in as much light as possible because you will need it when shooting aquariums. Kit lens will work fine though for normal shooting.

IronVulture · Mar 16, 2015

Thanks I will keep looking for different kits that include several lenses.

Mike&Terry · Mar 17, 2015

I would suggest going to a local camera shop where you can actually compare equivalent Nikon and Canon cameras in your price range in person, get a feel for the weight, ergonomics (how the camera feels in your hands, how easy it is to reach command buttons, etc, as well as give you an idea of how the camera interface works and how intuitive the menus and controls are for you.

I did this when I decided to make the switch from my old Canon AE1 (yes I am dating myself, lmbo) film camera to my first *nice* DSLR camera (Nikon D300s) and am so glad I did.

d2mini · Mar 17, 2015

My experience is with nikon (doesn't matter which you choose) and the Tamron 90 is the best value in a macro that you can get. The optics are superb, especially for a third party lens and IMHO better than the 60mm nikon, last least with my copies. Plus it's better to have the longer reach when shooting our tanks. You can always take a step back, but you can't push your lens through the glass.

If you want that extra 5% optic superiority, vibration reduction, and better build quality, splurge on the nikon 105vr. But it's like 3x the price of the tamron.
I used the tamron for years and years and just finally got the 105. If i posted pics from each you would never know the difference.

Follow Mike&Terry's advice for choosing brand. It's all in the ergonomics.
Me personally, I can't stand Canon's rotary wheel on the back and much prefer Nikon's dial layout. To each their own.

LetItReef · Mar 17, 2015

Canon T series, usually comes in a bundle or starter kit. Check out B&H.

IronVulture · Mar 17, 2015

Thanks everyone for your input. The more I talk to people and read forums the more I think the biggest difference between the cameras in my price range is how they feel in hand. I will just have to try harder to make time to get to a real camera store and see which feels best to me.

riche · Mar 20, 2015

Its like golf clubs, some feel better to the end used then others.

Try a few and find the one that feels the best. I am learning the most important thing in photography is the lenses.

Good Luck

Ian Eisenberg · Mar 20, 2015

As a professional portrait photographer I prefer Canon because of the way their sensor renders/captures flesh tones.
However, for aquarium photography this isn't so much an issue.
The biggest issue with shooting aquariums is learning how to control white balance and exposure on whatever camera you buy.
Take the time to read the manual and do some reading on white balance and color rendering. Also your choice of RAW conversion software will have a big impact on your results. Most use Lightroom (Adobe has a deal on Lightroom and Photoshop as a subscription bundle for $10 a month), I prefer Capture One from Phase One.
Whichever you choose just take the time to practice and you will get good results.

Oh, a tripod doesn't hurt either.

IronVulture · Mar 20, 2015

Awesome thanks

cobergas · Mar 20, 2015

I am going to throw out a camera brand that has not been mentioned here.

Olympus

Evolt-500.

This camera can be had on ebay with a two lens kit for around $250. New or most likely slightly used. The beauty of this camera is it shoots in the high Kelvin range. 14k to be exact. Used with a macro lens adapter or a macro lens you can point, shoot and upload pictures under straight actinic lighting. No real editing needed.

Here are some prime examples of taking pictures with this camera. Setting a custom WB setting on the Cannon or Nikon they only go up to the high 9.9 range. So if you wanted to shoot in straight blue then you will have to do some post processing on the pictures. Now I am not the best photographer in the world but I can get by with taking pictures to post or if someone wants a picture of something enough to get by. I have used this camera since '06 and have not found another one that can match the ability to shoot like this. Now you can pick them up on the cheap and the two lenses the camera comes with gives you a long range zoom and and fairly good mid range lens.

thejuggernaut · Mar 20, 2015

Ian Eisenberg said:
As a professional portrait photographer I prefer Canon because of the way their sensor renders/captures flesh tones.
However, for aquarium photography this isn't so much an issue.
The biggest issue with shooting aquariums is learning how to control white balance and exposure on whatever camera you buy.
Take the time to read the manual and do some reading on white balance and color rendering. Also your choice of RAW conversion software will have a big impact on your results. Most use Lightroom (Adobe has a deal on Lightroom and Photoshop as a subscription bundle for $10 a month), I prefer Capture One from Phase One.
Whichever you choose just take the time to practice and you will get good results.

Oh, a tripod doesn't hurt either.

What do you use to reference white balance. An 18% gray card? Too bad those x-rite color boards aren't water proof! lol

As far as what body to get, its a toss up. Especially as 3rd party lens companies like Sigma are producing some VERY strong lenses now with their Art series, and can be purchased on either format. Get a macro, used if you have to. I don't know much about Nikon, but canon makes two 100mm macros that are pretty nice. One is more expensive because it is an L version. While there is a difference, I don't think you would be able to tell much quality difference in the photos. Like was stated above, I imagine the ability to shoot in raw and process for white balance is key.