I currently own a Nikon D70s and would like to upgrade to the Canon EOS 30-D, but I'm not sure if my current flash unit (Nikon Speedlight SB-600) will work with a Canon rig. I love Dr. Sam's reference to jumping to "the dark side". And all the info above is correct and notable. If I may, I just want to join the chorus asking, "why?" when you're currently invested in your Nikon D70s series.
How many Nikon lenses do you own/use and are you willing to replace them with all new optics? Is there a Canon lens that you're dying to have?
The SB600 is a great flash with it's iTTL system that is only outdone by it's sister SB800. What do you use flash for and what more do you want of it?
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the Canon EOS 30-D and the Nikon D200.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos...
Add the cost of replacing your current flash and lenses, and I think you'll see that the D200 deserves a closer look. And, with the announcement of the D300, you'll find the D200's price being lowered currently.
For another in-depth comparison of the Canon vs. Nikon, read this.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs...
And one more tidbit.
http://www.jdpower.com/electronics/ratin...
A Canon EOS 30-D is a very nice rig, if you're starting from scratch. But if you have an investment already in Nikon, think about it carefully.
I hope you find this helpful. No. If you already have a Nikon, stick with a Nikon body if you want to upgrade. That way you don't have to switch lenses and on camera accessories when you switch. The D80 is a nice camera if you want to upgrade - or perhaps you'll want to wait until something newer comes up. If you are invested in Nikon equipment, like the flash and a few lenses, it might make sense to look at a D200, which is on par (or better than) a Canon 30D. You MIGHT see prices finally start to drop, too, since the D300 has been announced.
If you only have this flash and no lenses and really want to jump ship to the dark side, go ahead and do it. You can sell the flash on eBay or in some other way and start over with Canon equipment. You can get $150 easily for your SB600, if not more. I know money is money, but you should not let the loss of $50-100 on your flash stop you from using Canon if this is what you decided that you want to do. Nikon cameras use radio to control their remote flashes (three different channels) while Canon still uses IR to trigger their remote flash units. That is why Nikon flash units can be controlled from the camera. Power output is but one of the things that can be adjusted by the camera body.
Having two wheels to control aperture and shutter speed is a huge plus when shooting fast typically when shooting sports or journalistic assignments.
Now to the nuts and bolts.
It is obvious that you are not a pro and have far too much money to waste. As a business plan, changing tool brands is not a good capital investment policy. If you have Canon's stick with Canon's unless Nikon offers to replace your system with their own at no cost to you. The same applies going the other way round.
At any given time, Nikon or Canon will have a slight technical edge on the other, but in the end it is the photographer who crafts the image using their skills as a photographer ... not a Nikon or Canon shooter. In fact we are called upon to use many different formats for our clients. We have to be able to shoot with consistancy everything from 4x5 to 35mm film and digital from medium format to DSLR's.
So before you jump from one camera to another, think about it ... If you really want to upgrade, buy a D200 or wait until the D300 is available ... the Canon 30D, while a fine camera is only rated for 100,000 shutter actuations ... Not a pro quality shutter when compared to my old D100 with over 180,000 shutter cycles and still working perfectly.
Your question says one of two things. Either you do not have a good foundation in basic photography and/or either your friends or a salesman has fed you a line based upon opinion, not experience.
And NO, the Nikon SB-600 will not fully function on a Canon camera. First because Canon lacks the radio control system that operates the Nikon SB-600 and SB-800 flash units and secondly because the trigger voltage on the Nikon flash is 12v .... twice the voltage the Canon uses without the risk of damage to the Canon's electronics. High trigger voltages void the warranty on any DSLR. Going from a Nikon to a Canon is not an upgrade. |
