Alright folks, here is an honest question. I shoot landscapes and for the last 18 years my main kit has been a nikon f3 and the following lenses: Ais 24 f2.8, Ai 28f3.5, Ais 50 f1.8, Ais 105 f2.5, Ai 200 f4 macro. My local camera shop has been pushing that I sell my gear and buy an Eos v and L series lenses. I can tell you that these lenses I use are all pro quality and tack sharp. I would like some feedback from some pros who have used both, if the images would really be any better or is this just another sales job. Thanks PT

-- Peter Trainer (petet@aol.com), May 22, 2002

Answers

Are you dissatisfied with your current equipment? If you are, maybe you should try to rent various bits of modern gear and see how they work for you.

Personally it sounds like someone's trying to sell you expensive stuff you don't need. The EOS 1V with L lenses are great pieces of gear. But do you need tough water-resistant stuff with fast motordrives and rapid silent autofocus for landscape photography? I kind of doubt it. Sounds to me like you're better off investing in some nice medium format equipment, which is better for landscape stuff anyway.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), May 22, 2002.

If you want auto focus & all the other newer features that your F3 doesn't have, get an F5 or even a F100. You have to much investment in great Nikon glass to switch to Canon now. I prefer Canon cameras for a number of reasons but if I had your lenses, I don't think I'd change to Canon.

However if you were going to switch to an all autofocus system and dump your old manual lenses anyway, then you should look at what Canon has before you decide.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), May 22, 2002.

For landscapes, the images probably won't be any better than what you are using right now. The needs of a landscape photographer are pretty basic: sharp lenses, a reliable body, a sturdy tripod, and a cable release. L lenses are top-notch and the EOS 1V is cream of the crop, but all the advanced things on offer here (silent, fast, accurate autofocus and focus tracking, high weather resistance, fast motor drive, etc.) don't seem like they would add anything to your landscape photography. I agree with NK Guy. Unless you have an application for the features offered by L glass and an EOS 1V, then I would pass on the shop's "recommendations" and maybe look into getting medium format gear.

-- Peter Phan (pphan01@hotmail.com), May 22, 2002.

Well, you asked the question on a "Canon" forum, and the concensus (so far) has been not to switch. I wonder what they would say on the Nikon forums?

BTW, I agree with the others. If you're happy with the images you're getting now, why buy new gear, of any brand? Although I haven't any experience with the Nikon gear you list, I find it hard to believe that it is significantly worse than Canon, for the application you describe.

-- Geoff Doane (geoff_doane@cbc.ca), May 22, 2002.

Neither Canon or Nikon makes any lenses that will deliver better image quality than what you currently have. Both companies do make professional grade AF zoom lenses that may provide performance nearly equal to your prime lenses. If you feel like buying something new and spending some money, a Nikon F100 plus 1 professional zoom lens (of you choise), could be a good intoduction to AF and still have all your equipment compatable and interchangable (I am assuming that AI and AIS lenses will function ok on an F100).

One advantage of these modern camera bodies over vintage equipment, is the ability to use modern TTL flash systems.

You may want to consider bringing you photo business to another store (or just buy what you think you need from B&H).

-- Kenneth Katz (socks@bestweb.net), May 22, 2002.

The only switch you need to make is in camera shops. that is a bit extremem to make the sale in my book.

-- Chris Gillis (chris@photogenica.net), May 22, 2002.

i'm no pro, but some might think i am simply by the amount of money i spend on photography. (if only it were that simple to make great photos.) i now have an EOS set up, but i have previously owned oodles of Nikon autofocus and manual focus equipment, including most of the stuff you have. i still think the f3 was one of the greatest SLR bodies ever made. if i only shot macro or landscapes, i probably would have never thought about owning another body. the meter and viewfinder are awesome, and it's built like a tank. the nikon 200 micro manual focus is a great, lightweight macro lens. if you don't feel your current set up lacks something vital for your work, then keep it. think how much film or scanners or other stuff you could buy for what you'd fork over for a 1v and L lenses (although they are nice to have if you want to go that route). if i were a landscape type and wanted to upgrade, i'd consider moving up to medium format before switching to another 35mm system. i suspect the folks at the camera shop may really believe they are giving you good advice (and they may be giving you the right advice depending on your needs), but after having owned and used different equipment i see no reason to change unless a Canon 1v and L lenses will give you something you need but dont get from your Nikon stuff.

-- AC Gordon (cgordon@stx.rr.com), May 22, 2002.

I used Nikon equipment professionally for about 17 years and I now use Canon EOS as a non-professional. I think it was a good move and I haven't missed my old Nikons. Even so, for your purposes, there is no reason to switch systems unless your equipment is worn out and become unreliable. If everything still does the job, I would ignore the guy at the camera store and do as you please.

-- Lee (Leemarthakiri@sport.rr.com), May 24, 2002.

Just one more voice added to the chorus- Keep what you got!

There is no logical reason whatsoever to give up a system which you know wo well and serves your purposes.

AF/matrix metering are both highly over-rated, IMO.

If you are just awash in cash that you have no use for, I could really use an EOS 14 f2.8, and maybe a 500 f4......

-- J.Horton (masssalt@yahoo.com), May 24, 2002.

Thanks everyone for your responses, I have to say that you guys proved credibility, I assumed that being a Canon forum, There would be bias, but there was objectivity. I also should say that I do have a medium format Rolleiflex 3.5E, however, I find that my nikkors have all the sharpness I need when using Velvia rated at iso40,tripod, mirror locked up, and mid apertures.Although that Contax af 645 is looking awfully tempting, I beter go see my friend at the camera shop.......PT

-- Peter Trainer (petet@aol.com), May 24, 2002.