Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Why I'm switching to Canon

My first DSLR was a Nikon d3000 that I got as a christmas.  I considered myself a Nikon fan boy and tried to be loyal to my brand.  As the d5100 came out, I pouched and purchased one with its ability to record video.   At an amateur level with limited experiance, I was thoroughly impressed.  But having my hands on it for a couple years, and being considered a 'professional' videographer, faults are appearing.  My two grievous with the Nikon d5100 are:


  1. When you enter live view to record a movie, you can adjust the aperture but the camera will ignore it. Take a shot at F8 and then enter live view, set aperture to F1.4 and hit record – the manual states it should record at F1.4, the screen is telling you “F1.4″ and yet the movie is being shot at F8!
  2. Critically shutter speed and ISO are controlled automatically by the camera in live view and movie mode, although pressing and holding AEL for the duration of the shot prevents them from changing. Yes shutter and ISO are adhered to in live view mode, just not by the display or movie. For example you can set ISO 100 and 1/30 and hold AEL whilst hitting the record button but it’s awkward and means you have to have your hand on the camera even when recording.

You can 'fix' the non manual movie mode by setting the AE lock, but it sit tries to compensate slightly.  But more importantly, by investing in a Nikon body I shouldn't have to fix an issue.  It shows that Nikon's focus is on Photographers and as a still camera the d5100 is great, but it appears Canon invests more into DSLR Video shooters.

Luckily Nikon glass is compatible with Canon bodies with the Fotodiox Lens Mount Adapter, so I can keep my precious 35 and 50mm f/1.8s

But what body?  I'm leaning towards a T3i which I have experience with and savings some money to invest in glass, or the now outdated 60d.  Who's prices have dropped with the release of the d70.


Here's an in depth video Dave Dugdale produced comparing the two:



Let me know what you think.  T3i or 60d or something else? And if anyone is looking to buy a camera...

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