What made you choose Nikon?

[Larry]

just a observation/comment - are there more canon users out there than nikon? point to note, there are 1200+ postings for the "Canon Equipment" section as compared to the 600+ postings for the "Nikon Equipment" (the one you're in now).

also, just take a look at the Singnet Classifieds. there's heck of a lot more Canon equipment there than Nikon.

What's the factors? you think it boils down to a matter of price? or other reasons?

 

[Ian]

Originally posted by firefox13
just a observation/comment - are there more canon users out there than nikon? point to note, there are 1200+ postings for the "Canon Equipment" section as compared to the 600+ postings for the "Nikon Equipment" (the one you're in now).

also, just take a look at the Singnet Classifieds. there's heck of a lot more Canon equipment there than Nikon.

What's the factors? you think it boils down to a matter of price? or other reasons?

Seriously I suspect that the answer is yes there's a lot more canon users in Singapore as a percentage of the photographic population than in most other countries. This may well be due to the infamous Singaporean obsession with "gee whizz" technobabble and the accompanying perceived 'status' that owning a camera with 100 Billion useless modes brings to those who own one., a fact that is played to by Canon's Asian marketing department. Cost also probably comes in to play somehwere in the equation.

At present I'd expect to see more Canon gear on the used market, as it is far more likely that a Canon owner will upgrade regularly due to marketing hype. Also one has to consider the backward compatiblity of Nikon gear so there's less incentive for Nikon users to race out lemming like to get the latest and allegedly greatest offering.

 

[ckiang]

Originally posted by firefox13
just a observation/comment - are there more canon users out there than nikon? point to note, there are 1200+ postings for the "Canon Equipment" section as compared to the 600+ postings for the "Nikon Equipment" (the one you're in now).

also, just take a look at the Singnet Classifieds. there's heck of a lot more Canon equipment there than Nikon.

What's the factors? you think it boils down to a matter of price? or other reasons?

Well, what I can see is:

1. Canon does their marketing more aggressively. It's only recently that Nikon started to have more advertisements, etc.

2. Lots of G1/G2 users here

3. Canon has LOTS of beginner SLR bodies and kits. And they are cheap.

4. The Canon users are upgrading to Nikon :rbounce:

Regards
CK

 

[Larry]

Originally posted by ckiang
3. Canon has LOTS of beginner SLR bodies and kits. And they are cheap.

4. The Canon users are upgrading to Nikon :rbounce:

hahaha well that's generally true i feel. most people start off with Canon cos of cost and gadgetry, but once they realise that Nikon is really the choice of most pros (i hope), the generally switch.

seriously though, i think Nikon Singapore shouldn't sit on its laurels and do more marketing, audience feedback & product research.

any other comments out there?

 

[rayman]

I think price has a lot to do with it. When I just started, I was very tempted to get the EOS88 which cost only $300-400 with a 28-80mm lens as a kit. It took alot of persuasion from my friend for me to buy the now-defunct F60 that cost $700+ with the 28-80mm/4.5-5.6. And I thank him for that.

But now when I have friends who want to go into SLR but don't seem very keen or sure, I'll advise them to buy Canon cos it's cheaper and more idiot-proof.

But I don't really agree that Canon's marketing is very aggressive cos I used to see the EOS88 and F60 ads on opposite pages of the papers when I was scouting back then.

 

[Larry]

i kinda agree with you there rayman... price is quite a big factor. Nikon may have the better impression for pros, but for general consumers, the price of Nikon bodies and lens is a bit prohibitive.

i think a case to note is the mid-level "pro" DSLRs... Canon came out with the D30 and the D60 BEFORE Nikon decided to get into the act and release the D100. so if any high-ranking Nikon execs are reading this, please... pay more attention to the 'prosumers' before you lose more of them. after all, the prosumers are the ones who would eventually turn into the pros of tomorrow.

 

[rayman]

You know, Firefox? I know I'm stabbing myself in the back but you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

Just look at the plastic make of Canon lenses compared to the sturdy (and helluva heavy) Nikkors or even the bodies. You can really tell the difference just by touching. It's at real suay times when you drop your lens or bump into a rock or something then you thank your lucky stars for choosing Nikon right from the start.

The price is one big obstacle to cross esp when students like me want to buy something and have to think it over for a few mths. Yes, I do that. Been thinking of getting the MB-15 since Nov 2001 and still thinking. And it only costs ~$300. Compare that to Canon grips which cost a fraction of that price.

But it's a chicken and egg issue here that'll ding dong forever.

 

[Larry]

Originally posted by rayman
The price is one big obstacle to cross esp when students like me want to buy something and have to think it over for a few mths. Yes, I do that. Been thinking of getting the MB-15 since Nov 2001 and still thinking. And it only costs ~$300. Compare that to Canon grips which cost a fraction of that price.

that's precisely what i mean about nikon outpricing themselves...
imagine if you as a student could already afford a decent Nikon body and accessories. you'll already be using Nikon when time comes to upgrade to a bigger and better system. no problems with upgrading, and you ensure loyalty as well.
but seriously i agree with you about the feel and solid build of Nikon stuff. unless you're talking about the high-end EOS like the EOS1 and so on, the feel is quite too plasticky. ok i'm inviting myself up to be flamed but hey it's my personal opinion.

 

[rayman]

No flame no flame...

Canon wants to reach its products out to the masses. How so? Cut price. How to do that? Cheaper parts without compromising photo quality. Only way out? Cheap plastic material.

There are many many many good points to that. It's a well known fact that Nikon users develop strong arm muscles over time from all that lugging. And if I put on my backpack with all my gear inside: a body, a wide, a normal zoom, a telezoom, flash, filters, spare batts (GP, they leak according to many ClubSnappers) and some other stuff, I feel myself drifting back to NS times getting ready for a route march! haha And it doesn't help that we stay in this humid climate that makes us perspire every possible moment.

For that and the price, I'd chosen Canon. But fate has it I prefer Nikon haha

 

[nicholas1986]

i was at john 3.16 and then i was thinking to either get the f80 or eos 50 about 1.5yr ago then since the f80 is newer and the eos 50 is going to get discountinued i got the f80
my father also say nikon better brand.

 

[nicholas1986]

Originally posted by rayman
No flame no flame...

Canon wants to reach its products out to the masses. How so? Cut price. How to do that? Cheaper parts without compromising photo quality. Only way out? Cheap plastic material.

There are many many many good points to that. It's a well known fact that Nikon users develop strong arm muscles over time from all that lugging. And if I put on my backpack with all my gear inside: a body, a wide, a normal zoom, a telezoom, flash, filters, spare batts (GP, they leak according to many ClubSnappers) and some other stuff, I feel myself drifting back to NS times getting ready for a route march! haha And it doesn't help that we stay in this humid climate that makes us perspire every possible moment.

For that and the price, I'd chosen Canon. But fate has it I prefer Nikon haha

canon also make too many things that is not related to their primary product (optics)
like printers (not related optics rite)
photocopy machine (also not related)
and many more...fax...

so i feel that canon has put their money onto other things rather than all on optics only.... diverting their 'attention'

 

[Ian]

Originally posted by nicholas1986


canon also make too many things that is not related to their primary product (optics)
like printers (not related optics rite)
photocopy machine (also not related)
and many more...fax...

so i feel that canon has put their money onto other things rather than all on optics only.... diverting their 'attention'

Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicholas,

Nikon like most major manufacturing companies has a diversified product range.

Nikon's major income stream isn't from optical products ..it's from precision engineering technologies such as IC and LCD steppers, opto communications components etc. The sale of such equipment constitutes around 48% of the Nikon Group total sales while the combined sales of cameras, scanners, binoculars etc is around 34% of the 3.5 Billion USD sales last year.

 

[nicholas1986]

oic