Post by NI haven't used Nikon's much but when I have I've found them to be
totally counter-intuitive to use. Can't say I've ever really looked at
my manual for my Samsung/Pentax or Canon DSLRs, but the few times I've
had to use Nikons I've found I've had to resort to the manual for
things that should be simple. The D200 I was handed once to do a few
shots for someone was the worst - needed the manual to work out how to
change it from P to A mode. Without doubt the most disgusting piece of
user interface I've encountered for a long time. Shame really cos
they seem to be technically better cameras than Canon or Pentax, just
absolute dogs to use.
As far as a ranking on usability/intuitiveness of the various DSLR
cameras I've used, I'd rank Pentax/Samsung K10/GX10 first by a long
way, Canon 350/400/450/1000D series and Pentax K100/K200/istDS/DL a
tie for 2nd, Sony Alpha 100-350 3rd, Canon 20-40D & 5D series a
distant 4th, then Nikon D70/80, Olympus E330, Nikon D40/60, and
pulling up in last place the Nikon D200.
You've been indoctrinated and become myopic.
Possibly, but before I bought my own DSLR I was frequently
doing shoots using other people's equipment. Additionally,
in one of my previous jobs I was frequently "courted" (I
think that's the right word) by camera companies - got to go
on various junkets where I'd be given their camera to use
for a period ranging from a day to a week. As a result I've
used almost every DSLR that was on the market up to about
June 08. The quality of photo from all the Nikons I've used
was certainly good, but I can't say the same about their
user interface. I can see why people like Rita/Larry talk
about using Nikon lenses on Canon bodies - it's to use the
good Nikon glass, but escape the dreadful Nikon UI. But even
though I rate things like the Canon 20/30/40/5D ahead of the
Nikons, they are not without their faults either. That
stupid thumb-wheel on them is atrocious - means that a lot
of common setting changes can't be done in a shooting
position. That's why I rate the 350-450D series above them.
The Pentax K10 though is just an absolute dream to use - the
functions that you need to change when shooting can all be
changed in the shooting position, the position of the wheels
is perfect, it balances well, and it's smart functions (like
hyper-program, green button and Sv mode) make it very easy,
fast, and intuitive to make the settings you want when
taking photos. It's almost as if Pentax designed it with
photographers in mind, instead of engineers.