nikon ergonomics -> canon ergonomics

[mistat0m]

Is it really that hard to adjust? I am thinking about switching over to the canon 5D from the nikon d70. I was thinking about the nikon d300, but then I noticed that I don't really have any special pieces of glass. Long story short, I really want the low light capabilities of 5D, and coming from the D70, I don't think I need the fancy features of the d300. So any experiences with switching systems? The scary thing for me is that I won't be able to adjust to the canon ergonomics, because the nikon controls on the d70 are very intuitive.
btw: I don't really care about upcoming camera releases, because I can barely afford either of these camera bodies.

[Ahh!]

Your angle on this C vs N thing got me to thinking before I posted (go figure). Me, can't really say, since I have limited hang time with the C. But hand me one and I will get some good stuff. After all, Manual is Manual.

There are very few switch hitters here...but you should really go do the ergo thing for yourself at a good store near you if you are hung up on it. In my experience on ergo, it is the person who needs to make that choice. I refuse to recommend camera, chairs, keyboards, rodents, tablets, and monitors for even my closest friends and relatives for ergo reasons. If you go into a good store on a reasonally non-busy day, they should be able to give you some hang time with a body to see if it feels right to you.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess there may be more to the low light portion of your post. While you may never grow into the D300, I can tell you I never failed to outgrow a camera. However, thank you, since you have prompted me to go back to my D70's shots and see if it was me or the camera. I know a lot of time I was trying to make it do stuff it was never designed to do. But I do tend to do that.

[billbunton]

You should be able to adjust reasonably well. As far as direction goes it's not bad at all, changed button location you should adjust too also. What I always had trouble with on Canon was adjusting things like ISO while continuing to look through the viewfinder (though I will say the 1DmkIII was much better for this than the previous models).

What I found _very_ hard (and what made me decide to go all the way back to Nikon) was trying to constantly switch between them. I know some people can do it, but I found it really hard!

[J Eddington]

I don't think you will have any problems. I shoot Canon, my daughter shoots Nikon and when I shoot for a friend, I have to shoot his Nikon.

[LDB]

Everyone raves about the D300 low light capability. I know zero about Canon but is it that much better?

[toverman]

I bought into the Canon EOS system 13 years ago because I found the controls intuitive, but along came digital and I had to learn all kinds of new things. And every time a model with a larger LCD comes out, the controls get shifted around anyhow.

If budget is a concern, you'll not only have to buy a new camera body but if it's Canon you'll start with zero lenses. The high ISO performance of the best Nikon and Canon bodies is severely hampered if you're using crummy lenses. If you're already building your Nikon system, why switch now?

Here's one reason to wait if you want a 5D, though. When the new one is released, the market will suddenly have a lot of used 5Ds from people wanting to upgrade immediately. You'll get a much better deal by helping someone fund their next 5D purchase. (Canon's $300 rebate on existing 5D model expires July 19).

[Dakinetx]

^ what he said :)
Dos'nt matter which body you get with ref. to good ISO if ya aint got the fast glass.

[educating fire]

I have used both Canon and Nikon bodies and I find both pretty easy to go back and forth from. However, that being said- I prefer the way Nikon feels in my hand(s) and I also consider Nikon to be a bit more intuitive to use. More buttons and features at your fingertips and less options buried in the menu.

[redhumv]

I switch between a Nikon D3 and Canon 5D and from a pure comfort perspective find that the Nikon grip is much more comfrotable in my hand. The joints in my hand start to hurt when shooting for 1-2 hrs on my Canon. Relating to your comment about shooting in low light .. the D300 and D3 produce far less noise and high ISO then my Canon 5D from my experience.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by redhumv

Relating to your comment about shooting in low light .. the D300 and D3 produce far less noise and high ISO then my Canon 5D from my experience.

Actually, I've read and heard different based on tests. The 5D handles noise better than the D300 simply due to the fact that the 5D is full-frame, but the D3 is hands down over the 5D.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by educating fire

I have used both Canon and Nikon bodies and I find both pretty easy to go back and forth from. However, that being said- I prefer the way Nikon feels in my hand(s) and I also consider Nikon to be a bit more intuitive to use. More buttons and features at your fingertips and less options buried in the menu.

which is the same set of parameters I used but wound up with Canon. In the early 90s.

From a truly ergonomic standpoint, it is very subjective and highly individual. In most cases, it isn't learning one, it's UNlearning the other that causes most people fits.

[luis_relampago]

I have Canon gear and my sister has Nikon, I had use her stuff before no problem at all different placement of things but all there, it probably take you a few minutes to figure it out and get use to it.