Canon vs Nikon

[John Cox]

Please move this if it's in the wrong forum.

I have a canon 50 1.4 LTM that I'm using via adapter on my Bessa R2, Minolta CL and A7r. I've been hit by GAS and I'm looking at Nikon rangefinders. Before I get one, I want to make sure that the Canon lens I have isn't better than the Nikon (I want to buy a lens that I will use).
How well have the Canon lenses held up with age? When they came out were the Nikon considered better?
I've heard that Cannon RFs weren't as good as Leica and Nikon. Is this true?
If not, what is a good canon body in the $250-$300 range.

Thanks in advance,
John

 

[Jan Pedersen]

At the risk of being flocked, beheaded and expelled from this forum i would say that i never considered anything from Canon being on par with Nikon.
The next post might be completely in reverse to my opinion so take it as what it is a subjective opinion.
Nikon glass is 1st class.

 

[goamules]

The Nikkon rangefinder cameras are considered good, but I've honestly never seen anyone out shooting one in the past 15 years. I've heard their handling is a little klunky, like the Contex. Many photographers I know shoot Canon RF cameras. Pretty much all the Japanese cameras were good, and had a lot of innovations Leica never bothered with. A good, inexpensive Canon to try out is the "P." I've owned a lot of Canon and Leica RF cameras. The Canons have always worked and never needed a CLA. All the Leicas needed work. So if they're good....well...they always need work.

I've tested Canon lenses against Nikkor and some Leica. They're all good, just have slightly different signatures. There's no way anyone can seriously think one maker is "better" with all their lenses. The Leica Summar or Hektor 2.0 against a Canon 1.8? All very different from different eras. I've shot the Nikkor 1.4 against the J-3 and the Canon 1.5, all Sonar types. The thread is in this forum somewhere.

I don't think you're going to get a definitive answer, other than from some people refuse to shoot any brand other than "X" just like some only drive Chevy or Toyota.

 

[farlymac]

You can go nuts trying to figure out what camera/lens combo is "The Best" by eliciting opinions from this forum, or any other for that matter.

Read up on the operating characteristics of the cameras and lenses. Look at examples of photos taken with whatever lens you are interested in. If you can, go look at them in the physical state, see how they feel in your hand.

You may find you like X lens on Y body with Z finder. It doesn't hurt to mix and match. Go ahead and try one out. If you don't like it, you more than likely can get most of your money back on resale, especially if you buy at bargain prices.

PF

 

[xayraa33]

A Canon 1.4 50mm in LTM gives me a more modern look to my photos than my Nikkor 1.4 5cm in LTM but the Canon is about 7 years younger in design and it is a Gauss formulation as opposed to the Sonnar formulation of the Nikkor

Which one is better?
I don't care for the Nikkor's veiling flare at f1.4 but overall they are both nice lenses in their own way.

It is like owning brown leather shoes and black leather shoes, it depends on what colour suit you are wearing.

 

[jonmanjiro]

After not touching it for six months, I'm out shooting with my Nikon SP 2005 right now. I forgot how smooth the film advance was. So light it seems like there's no film in the camera (there is). Definitely smoother than my Leica MPs, and waaaaay smoother than any Canon RF I've shot with.

 

[John Cox]

We'll I guess I'm sold on the Nikon. This is the Canon subforum but does anyone know if there's a rewind aid for the Nikon S like this http://www.cameraquest.com/LRWlev.htm

 

[Mackinaw]

After not touching it for six months, I'm out shooting with my Nikon SP 2005 right now. I forgot how smooth the film advance was. So light it seems like there's no film in the camera (there is). Definitely smoother than my Leica MPs, and waaaaay smoother than any Canon RF I've shot with.

So you’re surprised a camera made in 2005 is smoother than one made in the 1950’s? Really?

Jim B.

 

[jonmanjiro]

So you’re surprised a camera made in 2005 is smoother than one made in the 1950’s? Really?

Jim B.

I should have also said that the vintage Nikon SPs I've owned and shot with felt pretty much the same as my SP 2005. I mentioned the SP 2005 because thats the camera I have on me right now. The vintage finders haven't aged that well though, so the SP 2005 is a clear winner in the finder department.

I remember handling Shintaro's vintage SP and S3, and the film advances on those cameras were the smoothest I've ever experienced. Even lighter than my SP 2005. So light you'd swear there was no film in them. He uses Nikon reloadable film canisters though which does help.

To the OP: I'd recommend skipping the Nikon S and getting at least an S2.

 

[John Cox]

I should have also said that the vintage Nikon SPs I've owned and shot with felt pretty much the same as my SP 2005. I mentioned the SP 2005 because thats the camera I have on me right now. The vintage finders haven't aged that well though, so the SP 2005 is a clear winner in the finder department.

I remember handling Shintaro's vintage SP and S3, and the film advances on those cameras were the smoothest I've ever experienced. Even lighter than my SP 2005. So light you'd swear there was no film in them. He uses Nikon reloadable film canisters though which does help.

To the OP: I'd recommend skipping the Nikon S and getting at least an S2.

On the S1, I kind of like the 24x34 format and I can get one if fairly good condition.

If I could get a cheap enough S2 I would do it (mainly for the rewind knob) but they seem much more expensive.

 

[Jan Pedersen]

As far as i am concerned "never" is what i wanted to say.
Am i wrong or are you, that i will leave up to others to decide. I expressed my opinion at the risk of being flocked so i will take that with a smile on my face because it is so completely subjective what we think about the tools we use.
Whether a Canon lens or camera is better or worse than a Nikon is a foolish question to begin with so only a foolish answer can be appropriate.
Happy shooting. (I hate the word shooting)