In a dilemma

I have to make a critical decision soon. Like, by tomorrow evening. I need to decide whether to commit to C or to N, for a long term relationship. It's not practical to have both at the same time, because they can't really get along with each other. It would be too expensive too.

C and N are both very good. I like both of them. The problem is, like I said earlier, I can only have one, for practical reasons.

Part of the problem is that my head and my heart are kinda at odds with each other. In a nutshell, my heart goes for C, but my head goes for N. I have a history with C, and we go back quite a long way. But that is in the past. The future is now. Things have changed, and I need to keep up with the times. Yet, I still have a certain fondness for C. It's just that C seems to be championing a solid legacy, while N is creating new and exciting things. N is promising a more attractive total package deal, while C seems to argue that "total packages" will compromise on quality.

I think N is more innovative and keeping up with the times. C won many hearts in the past, but I wonder if C is keeping up with N, seeing the way N is setting new standards nowadays. I like C for sentimental reasons, and for being with me so long, and giving me much pleasure over the years. But lately I've been having more encounters with N, due to N's gaining popularity among my friends. I find N to be generally more friendly than C. N is more avant garde and versatile, whereas C is more traditional and headstrong. It seems to me that N pleases the crowd, while C is more aloof. N is popular among the younger generation, but C has a stronger following among the elite and upper class.

In terms of looks, they are both about the same. Anyway, looks don't really matter as much as the performance. They interact with me in different ways, so I just have to learn to press the right buttons. They both feel good in my hands or around my neck.

The bottomline is, either one will do fine. I like C for certain things, but I like N for other things. They have their strengths and weaknesses. But I can choose only one. It seems I can't have the best of both worlds...

Well, I could go with either one first, and could still crossover later if I really want to, but that would entail much hassle and monetary cost. It's not an irreversible decision, but I would like to get it right at the start. I've not much experience in this new area, so I'm still learning as I go along.

I've tried to be "spiritual" about this, and pray for God's guidance, but really, in these sort of things, there's no clear black or white.

So for now, within the next 24 hours, I'm gonna sleep over it a little bit more, and ask around for some advice from the wise and more experienced people. But everyone has their biases.

Sigh.



p/s. Oh, in case you were wondering, C is Canon and N is Nikon. The shootout is between a Canon 30D with 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS lens and a Nikon D80 with 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 VR lens. Of course, the answer is crystal clear to you, isn't it?