Canon 40D or Nikon D200 for Wildlife?

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by Brian Snail

...the Canon 100-400mm zoom, this is the most versatile, well built, sharp and contrasty zoom out there, with IS, that will get you to 400mm

Except for the Nikon 80-400 VR of course.

Dave P.

[nigel_b]

Hang on hang on, are you saying the Nikon 80-400VR is on a par with the big white 100-400 IQ-wise?

[pressld2]

Yes I am, but as a Nikon user I would say that, wouldn't I?

In truth it's very hard for anyone to make a meaningful comparison because Canon users have only ever used the Canon lens and Nikon users have only ever used the Nikon lens. Take a look at this discussion - Flickr: Discussing OT: Zoom lens quest: Canon 100-400 IS vs Nikon 80-400VR in Strobist.com - where the majority of people favour the Canon because the majority of participants are Canon users. There are some interesting comments about both lenses though.

Personally I'd be amazed if there was any noticeable difference in image quality between the two although a couple of people suggested that the Canon is a bit soft at the long end (and one person disagreed). So making a decision will come down to other factors...

• The Nikon is black and the Canon is white (Some people care about this, I think with a camo sleeve fitted it's irrelevant)
• The VR on the Nikon is the first generation but I believe it's first generation IS on the Canon too.
• The Nikon is slower to focus than newer Nikon lenses as it has an older focus motor, not the latest SilentWave type. The comment in the Flickr discussion is that the Canon wins hands down on focus speed.
• The Nikon is twist to zoom while the Canon is slide - might make a difference if you're used to one method.

Possibly the most pertinent comment, which came from both camps, is that the Canon/Nikon lens is best because you can fit it on to Canon/Nikon bodies! This might actually be your best way of choosing - if you prefer the feel of the Canon body you can go with it and use the 100-400. But if the Nikon body sits better in your hand you can go with that and use the 80-400.

One other factor that I think is relevant is that Nikon also make a very nice little wide-angle zoom, the 16-85mm VRII. This means that with Nikon you can cover the range from 16mm to 400mm in just two high quality stabilised lenses. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can do that with Canon glass.

Feel free to browse my gallery for examples from both these lenses and just PM me if you'd like me to email you a full size example.

Dave P.

[nigel_b]

Thanks Dave, very helpful indeed.

[slimrbp]

Dave makes some very valid points most camera users are going to be biased to the equipment they are using for example I am a Canon user and have no experience of Nikon.

My first SLR was a Canon 400D I made that decision for a few reasons mainly:

• I have always fancied a Canon!
• More Autofocus points than the equivalent Nikon (can't remember which it was)
• Preferred the handling
• At the time canon lenses (telephoto range) were slightly cheaper than Nikon alternatives
• It had good reviews
• I have always fancied a Canon!

As you can see when I bought the camera it was more a case of seeing if I could talk myself out of buying the Canon.

So now I have stuck to Canon and I am very pleased with the cameras/lenses, not because they are better than Nikons as I don't know that they are having never used any.

Ultimately get your hands on the cameras and have a play with the menus etc.and find the one you are comfortable with I think in this day and age you won't go far wrong which ever you choose.

[Brian Snail]

Hi Gazza

Re: 3rd party alternatives I mean the quality.

But a few canon 100-400mm lenses are soft so try one out before buying.

Brian

[djeyewater]

Originally Posted by pressld2

One other factor that I think is relevant is that Nikon also make a very nice little wide-angle zoom, the 16-85mm VRII. This means that with Nikon you can cover the range from 16mm to 400mm in just two high quality stabilised lenses. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can do that with Canon glass.

Canon make a 15-85 IS lens, so you can do the same thing with a Canon if you want.

Dave

[pressld2]

Well not quite, you're missing the bit between 85 and 100 but that's probably not the end of the world!

Dave P.

[nigel_b]

I took the chance to go to Salisbury and hire both these two yesterday. I'm not associated with them at all so I'm happy to recommend Castle Cameras there as a helpful, friendly place to do business.

They're as alike as chalk and cheese. Personally I preferred the feel and operation of the Nikon, although the Canon screen was excellent I have to say.