Back in film days it was a wash better body/better lenses. Now, if one assumes Canon lenses are superior to Nikon, then if/when Canon achieves better sensors, they will have an instant performance advantage. All this only matters at the marginal cases where one is printing poster size prints or trying to display electronically at gigantic sizes
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My point was NEVER which was better, film or digital, Nikon or Canon. No, my point is this: 30 years ago, at camera clubs, in local photo newspapers, in letters to the editor in some of the photo magazines, and later, before everyone had the internet and we all used BBS systems (remember Fidonet anyone), and even when the internet first started, before sites like this when we used to all chat on usenet groups (anyone remember those?), the *exact same arguments* we are having now took place back then.
Frankly I don't know if Nikon or Canon had better film bodies or not, I never cared then, don't now either. But the point is, I was there, saw it, heard it, remember it very clearly. We used to have those agruments in amatuer astronomy all the time. Many people felt that Nikon ahd better film bodies for astro-photography (FM and FM2), but many felt the Canon lenses were better at pinpoint star images.
I have some old photo magazines, World war 2 era, around here, and i remember in one of them reading something about should one use a Wollensak or a Kodak lens on a 4x5 graphic press camera.
So although technology has advanced greatly, for lack of better word, IMO, the "fanboy arguements" have remained the same.
Technology changes, human nature does not.
At some point in the future, when we are all using 500 mp holographic cameras, I bet you dollars to donuts the same arguements will still be taking place too.
But if you want some advice from a crusty old, grey haired fart like myself, the bottom line is this - get your butt out there and just enjoy photography. Do photography more than you talk about it. Life goes by too fast, and there is no reset switch to do things over. You can waste far too much time getting into which is better. At the end of the day, for me, I would prefer walking out there in the bush or on the beach with a Lomo camera than spending a day inside talking about photography. Both Nikon and Canon make superb gear, screw who is better, just get one or the other, get out there and do it.
good luck