[Wind Chaser]

I have more than a few thousand dollars tied up into Pentax, which by all accounts is an obscure but growing brand, much like Apple is in the world of computers.  What really turned my crank about Pentax was 100% backwards compatibility with all of their legendary glass.  To top it off, the Pentax approach to what Nikon calls vibration reduction or Canon's system of image stabilization works with every lens Pentax has made in the past 35 years.  Pentax calls it Shake Reduction and because it is managed in the body of the camera rather than the lens, it works with every lens they have made since 1975.

Another determining factor for choosing Pentax was the nice compact body’s that make the Canon and Nikon equivalents seem like huge bulky monsters.  Speaking of size, only Pentax offers compact APS-C primes, which by the way are of the highest quality.  Nobody; not even Canon has anything like it.

These were my primary reasons for my choice and I suppose considering my growing investment in Pentax glass, I'm happily married.

So what factored into your decision to choose the brand you chose?

[low.pfile]

I have always need help focusing, so I thought I'd try one of them new fangled Auto Focus 35mm cameras. And I always wanted a Nikon so I went to with a entry level N6006. My prior film setup was based on a Minolta X700 which was stolen two weeks before my photography class started in college. Bummed times ten. Got through it with a generous loan of another X700 from a friend.

Making the jump to digital I looked at what was available. Of course it was Canon and Nikon. Disregarding the lenses I had for my film camera, I looked at the two equally looking at the resulting images published. I really liked the way the D70 rendered things better than the 10D from Canon. Done. D70 it is. Then I went to a D80 for the larger viewfinder and bought a couple Nikon primes.  And now I have a D700. I am all set.

BTW I shoot just for fun.

[zybar]

Tried both and decided I liked the Nikon better.

Can't wait to get my D7000 next month.

George

[Mag]

I chose Canon, because they were the first to make a copy machine that could print money. These machines had to be licensed so the government knew who had one.

Now if they have the technology to make a copy machine of this sophistication. I figure they know how to make a digital camera.

[Goosepond]

I chose Canon because it obviously can take much better pics than I can. 

Gene

[Photon46]

When I chose to purchase the Canon EOS 1ds Mk.II for my work, it was because of several factors. It's feature set seemed to favor the studio photographer from the professional reviews that I consulted. The zoom lenses we purchased, while heavy, function superbly. The image size/megapixel count was as big as could be purchased at the time for the money we wanted to spend. The low light performance and lack of color noise was also a factor, as secondary uses of the camera system are outside the studio environment. The full size sensor also was a factor as I knew that when I had to clean it, I'd appreciate the ability to have more room to maneuver inside the camera body.

[Goosepond]

I shoot with the 1Ds2 also. And one of the advantages of having the IS in the lens is for the big telephotos when you really need IS, the effect is seen through the VF. Amazing technology that really works.

Gene

[thunderbrick]

I bought my first Nikon FTN in the early 70's (after lusting for Nikon many years before that) and have built up quite a collection of Nikon glass going back as far as the early 60's, nearly all used gear.  This was back when Canon's SLRs couldn't hold a candle to Nikon until the AE-1 showed up.  Gone through F, F2, F3 and F4 bodies with never a problem.

It was a no-brainer to stick with Nikon digital.  Started with the D70, D200, D300, and D300s (bought last week), and I am ROUGH on my gear.  Except for the D200 that got run over by a truck (literally) they've never missed a beat.  I have used some Canon gear and found Nikons to be more intuitive.

[JackD201]

I learned with my brother's Nikon so I got used to the control layout. I stayed within the Nikon family because of the familiarity. I take mostly shots of my hyper kinetic kids so I don't want to be slowed down by having to take longer to get a shot ready with an alien camera. Picture wise, I'm sure I can screw up any other camera as well as I screw up my Nikon. I'm happy with the results anyway besides I'm also very happy with the lens collection built up over the years.

[drphoto]

I switched from Nikon to Canon w/ the release of the 1DS, as it was head and shoulders above every other DSLR available at the time. It was full frame and had a clever noise reduction algorithm for time exposure. The existing Nikon D1x was not in the same league. However the Nikon much more intuitive to use, I liked it's simple way to take white balance off of a grey/white card and with it's greyscale capture, you could put on one of those black filters and get a pretty nice simulation of B/W infrared images. My 1DsII was even better, especially w/ noise at high ISO equivilents. I've rented the MkIII and it's even better in that regard, plus it has a much larger LCD and that neat self cleaning sensor.

I've seen images by some of the newer Nikons and they've definitely caught up.

The ultimate upgrade for me will still be a digital back for a medium format and view camera. The higher bit depth is as imprortant as pixel count for really high quality images Plus for the work I want to concentrate on (architectural) a view camera is a must. I'm getting by using a panno head and stitching, but it's just a stop gap.

[tabrink]

Well after nearly 40 years of shooting professionally (every brand) I just have to say in my humble opinion the Nikon D3x and D3s are the finest DSLRs on the planet! Not evn seeing any thing close in regards to accurate color and in your face resolution.
Again I feel the same way about Virtue Sensation , Eastern Electric DAC  and Omega speakers! 

[Scott F.]

I've been shooting Canons since the 70s when I started out with the old TX body. I graduated through the years with the EOS3 on the 90's and now shoot (less seriously) with the Canon 30D. Though not as grandiose a the 1,5,or 7D, it still takes a darned fine picture when you feed it good glass.

I guess I've chosen Canon because I've kept all my glass over the years. I don't have much of a collection but then again, I didn't want to re-buy lenses when I upgraded bodies.

The Canons have served well over the years though just recently I did have to replace my 30D body because one of the controls went bad. 

[Wind Chaser]

I have always need help focusing...

Have you thought about trying a Katzeye?  They're so bloody expensive, that by weight alone, they make gold look cheap at today's prices.  I bought a used one for my Kx and was a little more than nervous doing the install, but I pulled it off.  Sad to say I haven't application for it yet.

[Wind Chaser]

Well after nearly 40 years of shooting professionally (every brand) I just have to say in my humble opinion the Nikon D3x and D3s are the finest DSLRs on the planet! Not evn seeing any thing close in regards to accurate color and in your face resolution.

Check out the 645D. 

[low.pfile]

Have you thought about trying a Katzeye?  They're so bloody expensive, that by weight alone, they make gold look cheap at today's prices.  I bought a used one for my Kx and was a little more than nervous doing the install, but I pulled it off.  Sad to say I haven't application for it yet.

Thought about it a little. Reviews online didn't really identify much improvement on the D700. The viewfinder is nice and big anyway. my comment about AF was back in manual focus days on film. Though even today I am fine with Manual focus on the D700.

[Delta Wave]

I'm right there with you as far as the Pentax DSLR system. I have a K20 and I love it. It's the closest DSLR to having an old school, all manual 35mm. Not to mention the lens availability. I always thought Nikon was just way over priced. And the budget Nikon DSLR's are in my opinion just point & shoot cams with interchangeable lenses.

My main "always carry" cam is an old Minolta Hi-Matic 9, I love it! I have a huge Minolta X-700 kit as well. I just love the old Minolta Rokkor lenses. I also have a huge Mamiya M645 S1000 kit as well as a pile of assorted range finders dating all the way back to the early 1940's. They all still work perfectly.

[Wind Chaser]

I always thought Nikon was just way over priced.

That's what I discovered too.  The best VR lenses are just too much money compared the alternatives.  The salesman who gave me the final push to towards Pentax admitted she was a Nikon system owner.  She confessed that Nikon has nothing comparable to the D* lenses.  Pentax color rendering stands apart from the competition.  Having said that, Nikon owns the AF and flash domain.  In the end, it's a matter of what your priorities are and what your willing to compromise.  There’s no end all be all perfect system.