I'm a lifelong Nikon user (well, since 1978). I've had autofocus
cameras through the F100, but for the last several years have settled
on a late-1970s vintage F2AS and an FM3a. For my photography , I've
found autofocus more a hindrance than a help (being able to focus
anywhere on a screen optimized for manual focus -- that excludes most
AF screens -- is easier, quicker and more accurate for me than
selecting an autofocus spot, focusing, then recomposing). I sold the
F100 because, at the end, the only capability I was using on it that
the FM3a didn't offer was spot metering.
I've been following this list for several years now. While the Nikons
will remain my film cameras, I've been completely open to the
possibility of moving to Canon for digital.
I've continued shooting film because there has been no digital camera
that made me think "That's the one! That's the digital camera I've
got to have!" The 1D EOS or D2 Nikons are bigger than I care to
carry. The tiny, dark Nikon D70 and D100 viewfinders are completely
unacceptable to me. The EOS 20D looks good and if I had to buy a
digital camera today that would be my choice. But rumors are rampant
that Nikon is about to introduce a 12 to 13 mp D200 to compete with
it.
And one thing I've never been comfortable with is the multiplication
factor on lenses due to reduced size sensors. I'd greatly prefer that
focal lengths continue working for me the way they have during nearly
30 years of photography.
Given all of the above, the EOS 5D has really caught my eye. The full
frame sensor is what I want in a digital camera. Not only are lens
focal lengths the angle of view I expect, but the viewfinder on any
full frame camera is superior to those on any reduced sized chip
bodies, Nikon or Canon. The camera is not too large. It's price is
acceptable. It appears to include all of the features, such as spot
metering, that I look for in a modern camera. Canon even offers an
optional focus screen optimized for manual focusing. If somebody came
to me and asked, "Just what is it you want in a digital body?" the 5D
appears extremely close to just what I'd request. It's the first
digital body to make me think, "That's the one!"
Whether Canon or Nikon, I'll need to adjust camera handling habits
when moving from my mechanical film bodies to a digital body (even my
F100 was set to use the lens ring rather than an on-body dial to
adjust apertures). I shoot a good amount of wide angle, so I'll need
new lenses whether I buy into Canon's or Nikon's digital system. By
my reckoning, the only adjustment or expense I wouldn't have by
sticking with Nikon is a new flash, and that's a relatively small
part of the overall picture.
I'm going to have some questions about some of the Canon lenses on
digital bodies in upcoming days. But I thought first I might post an
explanation of why I'm asking and where I'm coming from. Thanks for
indulging me!
Larry
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