5D mk3 to Mirrorless/smaller

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pocquet

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Jon
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Hi,

I'm Considering moving from mt 5dmk3 set up into a mirrorless setup, simply because of shedding weight and I dont think I use the 5D to its fully potential.

I have a number of lens and accessories and I expect to get about 4k if I choose to sell (assuming all sells).

The problem is I don't have the foggiest about mirrorless cameras.

I want to keep fast shutter speed and fast autofocus as from time to time I shoot sports as a spectator. Some wireless transfer capability (something I wish the 5D had). I would want some decent accessories and good focal length range to be available through changeable lens

Any recommendations?

Anyone made this change before?

Thanks

Jon
 
I sold my 5D2 and all the lenses, flash etc for the very same reason - too heavy and big for me to lug about all the time had led me to leave it unused for weeks at a time.
I too knew nothing about mirrorless (still don't really) but now have an Olympus OMD-EM1 and lenses and am taking pictures again.

I won't try to sell it or say what it can or can't do but it is well worth a try if you can find a place with one you can hold for a while.
I do miss the 5D2 at times, especially when trying to focus in low-ish light with fast moving subjects but for me it was such a good move.
Several of the lenses I have are slower in terms of max aperture and not as good in ultimate quality but I now have a 600mm (FF equiv) lens that is smaller than a Canon 100mm macro which has opened up a whole new type of photo and my fully laden backpack weighs about a third of what my old one did !
 
as Steve said, the OMD-EM1 (and the new Panasonic GH4) are pretty much state of the art in M4/3 world right now.

I have the GX7 and the OMD-EM1, and since getting into M4/3 having used my full frame Nikon's once (it might all be sold soon). Certainly apart from sheer resolution (16mp M4/3 v/s 24/36mp Full Frame DSLR), the M3/4 appears as though it can't compete, and in real terms it can't, but to be honest, I haven't missed the extra resolution offered by my full frame cameras one bit. I don't print poster size, am not really a birder (where severe cropping comes in useful), and the plus side is that the file sizes are much smaller and easier to manage, and a 32gb SD cards holds thousands of RAW images at a time.

There isn't really a bad lens in the M4/3 (even the 14-140 super zoom is a cracker), but the F2.8 zooms and primes are just stellar, and MUCH smaller and lighter than their FF equivalents, but you do loose a bit of DOF isolation. So if shooting full frame at F1.4 with paper thin DOF is your bag, then that will be quite a bit more difficult on M4/3, but still, choosing the right lens and subject distance can still give some superb bokeh.

ISO is very good up to 3200 and still very good up to 6400, but then gets a bit mushy after that, so obviously can't compete in the really high ISO areas with FF, but you have to ask yourself , how often do you shoot in that area of the ISO scale ?

Can't speak for the GH4 (but I do have a GH3 which body wise is pretty much identical), but the EM1 is neither too small or too large, with superb ergonomics, and is probably one of the most configurable cameras I've ever used. Best bet is to go to a shop and physically handle them, as when I did this with the EM1, it just felt so right so I bought it straight away.

Hope this helps.
 
I did similar had the 5D2 and i would go out with kids at weekend so found the Canon gear bulky too carry about all the time so tried M43 and liked it, Auto focus was fast but AF-C on my Olympus E-M5 didn't provide much keepers which was annoying as I tend photo my kids most of the time.

I later also purchased the Fuji X-E1 which was worse than the M43 all round with focusing yet i preferred it's image quality.
Now though I'm happy with a Fuji X-T1 it's a nice body with plenty of dials and buttons which i like, initial locking on focus i think is a little slower than E-M5 but it's AFC on X-T1 i find far better and i prefer image quality so i find it a great camera with some excellent lenses out now and up for release on Fuji roadmap.
My only annoyance would be it's maximum 4000 shutter speed :(

I will admit though i still miss my Canon gear sometimes.. If I hadn't sold my lenses I'd been tempted by getting the 5D3 ! Yet i would still keep my X-T1 :)
 
I moved from pro Nikon gear to a Fuji X-Pro1, and later an X-E2.

I absolutely love the Fuji system, but I keep an SLR purely for birding. I use the Fuji for everything else, mainly landscapes. I tried going fully mirrorless, but for long tele work there is nothing in mirrorless land worth looking at. If you're coming from a semi-pro/pro body like the 5D Mk III, I'd wager you'll miss something about the SLR. My suggestion would be to sell the 5D, buy a cheaper second hand SLR body, and use the proceeds to get a mirrorless system to work alongside it.
 
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Pablosammy said:
My suggestion would be to sell the 5D, buy a cheaper second hand SLR body, and use the proceeds to get a mirrorless system to work alongside it.
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^^ This ^^ I thought about going totally mirrorless (Fuji), but kept a DSLR for the times when I wanted fast focus action, eg photographing moving objects at an event (people, cars, etc). Most of my shooting is with mirrorless, and the weight difference is significant when lugging kit about, I often take out 2 x bodies and 4 x lenses, in a small Crumpler bag, and when I really want to go lightweight I use an X100!!
 
I would strongly advise, if financial circumstances allow, to run a mirrorless camera system alongside the 5D until you can confirm it meets your needs. I realise that this is not possible for some people.
James
 
If you do decide to go for a Mirrorless and DSLR two camera setup.
I would go for the Sony A7 due to its full-frame advantage and use the DSLR for hyper fast AF work. :)
 
jbw said:
I would strongly advise, if financial circumstances allow, to run a mirrorless camera system alongside the 5D until you can confirm it meets your needs. I realise that this is not possible for some people.
James
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this.

you say a number of lenses, see if you can get the mirrorless you want by selling lenses, keep a wildlife/sports lens if you have one til last and see if you can keep that and the 5Diii and still afford your mirrorless, best of both worlds until you have a definitive answer.
 
Broric said:
Is the canon mirrorless stuff still rubbish?
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Canon don't believe in their own mirrorless offerings, and I think that rubs off onto the marketplace and leaves prospective buyers wondering why they should buy it - which feeds back into the cycle of Canon not thinking it's worth marketing. The way Canon don't really push their M system.. it's as if they hope it will just die away on its own.. they don't even sell it in some key markets (North America).
 
I have a 5DM3 and I bought an EM-1 for street photography which I sold again after a week - for some reasons which won't apply like cost of maintaining two systems.

I do love IQ and subject isolation, so I bought the 75mm 1.8 (150mm FF equiv) - and looking back at these photos, does make me miss it a bit.. although I kept with the 5dM3 because you chop the image in half and still have great IQ

first two images EM-1 + 75mm 1.8 latter images are 5dM3 + 200mm f2 L

Olympus EM-1

P4170054 by dancook1982, on Flickr
P4180087 by dancook1982, on Flickr

5DM3

FQ2A7390 by dancook1982, on Flickr
FQ2A7398 by dancook1982, on Flickr
 
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I bought a XE-1 and 18-55mm, very pleased with it and has already had a lot of use, well worth the 450 quid from the Fuji refurb shop
Also kept 5D MKII and lenses, times when it will be just the job and never intended to change over completely.
Both have their plus points, but neither are perfect for everything, just nice having the choice
 
Hi Guys, Some great reply's and Info there. I will go have a play with some mirrorless Cameras if I can.

I do like the look of the Fuji systems as they have switches and buttons rather that touchscreen nonesence, To me if I wanted touchscreen I would just use my phone camera (Nokia 1020 with the 41mp camera).

I considered go down the Canon mirrorless route but discounted it as I don't think I have heard any good things.

Loving the EM-1 pics Dan. I have never been out of the canon brand before so very new to me.

A dual run with a lower end SLR is possible as I do have my old 500d still knocking about.

At the moment the weight of the 5D and really the looks I get with it (as its hardly subtle) do stop me from using it out and about.

Thanks for the reply's so far food for thought
 
pocquet said:
I do like the look of the Fuji systems as they have switches and buttons rather that touchscreen nonesence, To me if I wanted touchscreen I would just use my phone camera (Nokia 1020 with the 41mp camera).
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I love having switches, it's why I went with the Fuji. Proper exposure compensation wheel, proper aperture ring on the lenses, threaded shutter release so you don't have to buy some ridiculously priced remote release... they're all fantastic, modern SLRs don't even have these little touches. I love the simplicity of it.
 
pocquet said:
Hi Guys, Some great reply's and Info there. I will go have a play with some mirrorless Cameras if I can.

I do like the look of the Fuji systems as they have switches and buttons rather that touchscreen nonesence, To me if I wanted touchscreen I would just use my phone camera (Nokia 1020 with the 41mp camera).
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Just turn the touchscreen off.

30 seconds investing in finding the "off" option in the menu and then you never have to worry about it again. I never use touch screens and once I've set my cameras up I rarely even need to venture into menus apart from when I want to format the card as pretty much everything I need is assigned to a button and changing aperture, shutter speed, dialling in compensation, selecting or moving focus point, metering mode etc... is done with a button or a little wheel, exactly as it's done on a 5D. No difference and no touch screen required.

The only advantage I see for conventional DSLR's at the moment is focus tracking. Maybe this vid comparing performance to a top end DSLR might help...


 
I just did what you're thinking about a few months ago. Changed from Canon 5Dmk3 and 2 or 3 lenses to the Fuji X-E2. It was a big decision believe me and I was so scared I was going to get it wrong. I cannot in all sincerity although only talking for myself say that I have regretted it once. I bought the body when they had the offer of the free lens and what a bargain that was. I was the same as you fed up of carrying all my gear around. I broke my elbow last year and I think the recovery of that made my mind up for me. I now find I put my gear in the boot wherever Im going just in case. Ive just done a 30" x 20" print for someone and thequality was excellent even at that size.
Do lots of research as Im sure you will but suffice to say enough people on here will vouch for Fuji's range of cameras and lenses. Good luck with your decision
 
I recently made the move from 5Dmkiii to mirrorless, and I really don't regret it one bit.

I went for a Sony A6000 (which I will soon be changing for a Fuji, but that's another thread in itself!), but there are a huge amount of small but capable cameras out there that will do the same job as your Mkiii can.

I love having a smaller kit/lighter tripod, and find that I'm taking the camera out with me so much more, and therefore getting pictures that I would never have gotten because the Canon kit mainly sat at home in a bag.

IQ wise there is a difference, but the way I see it is that the kit I am using now is 1/6 of the price of what I was using, and giving me 5/6 of the quality.
 
EspressoJunkie said:
I recently made the move from 5Dmkiii to mirrorless, and I really don't regret it one bit.

I went for a Sony A6000 (which I will soon be changing for a Fuji, but that's another thread in itself!), but there are a huge amount of small but capable cameras out there that will do the same job as your Mkiii can.

I love having a smaller kit/lighter tripod, and find that I'm taking the camera out with me so much more, and therefore getting pictures that I would never have gotten because the Canon kit mainly sat at home in a bag.

IQ wise there is a difference, but the way I see it is that the kit I am using now is 1/6 of the price of what I was using, and giving me 5/6 of the quality.
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XT-1 or something else?
 
EspressoJunkie, would be interested to know why the move away from the A6000. I'm getting tempted to go the other way from an X-E1. Mainly for the AF speed.
 
RAB2000 said:
EspressoJunkie, would be interested to know why the move away from the A6000. I'm getting tempted to go the other way from an X-E1. Mainly for the AF speed.
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Basically I've always loved how Fuji's render colours, esp SOOC. And also their lens line up appeals to me ( nice primes). I had debated between Fuji and Sony for a while, but economically the Sony made more sense, and has an amazing feature set for the price. Its an amazing camera, and the AF is stunning, there's really nothing I don't like about it, but I know myself, once i have a notion in my head I have to follow it through.

I might end up hating the Fuji,but I'll not know til i try!
 
It sounds like I might dip my toe in the water, pending a few video reviews and I do like the Fuji system so thats really top of my list (unless you can persuade me otherwise)

I'm going to try and get hold some next week to look at and handle. Other than Fuji, any other brand I should go for?
 
If you have approx 4k to spend you will get some outstanding Fuji lenses for that money to go along with the XT1.

I made the change from DSLR to Fuji Xpro-1 in January this year due to weight and disabilities. Although I loved the XP1 for IQ and ease of use, I just found my eye took a while to recover when using the EVF for any period of time. I have now made the switch to the Fuji XT1 and the EVF is totally outstanding and not causing any problems. Also, I am finding it a lot easier to use when mounting legacy lenses using the focus peaking.

I had a new XT1 camera this week which replaced a faulty refurb one and since updating the latest firmware I have found the focussing speed to be very fast compared to my XP and probably as fast as my old D7000 when using the 35mm f1.4 lens.
 
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For what it's worth, over the last eighteen months I sold my Canon 6D and good glass and moved to Fuji (X-E1) and while I loved the smaller size and less weight I couldn't get my head round the slower af and slower performance in general, so much so that went and I bought a Nikon D7100 as I didn't really need the quality of FF, then Fuji bring out the X-T1, this time I bought the Fuji before selling any of my Nikon gear so that I could try them side by side as it were.

Sufficient to say, the Nikon has now been sold along with some very good glass and completely replaced with the Fuji X-T1 and battery grip, 20-24mm, 18-55mm, 55-200mm and the 35mm, 60mm and 27mm primes.

The X-T1 focuses really quickly, more than enough for my needs and it handles just like a small DSLR, the grip gives me more battery power and improves the ergonomics/handling.

If Fuji continue to improve the line I for one will be sticking with them.
 
In the past year or so I have moved from Canon (1ds3, 5d3) to Nikon (d800e, d7100) to a Fuji XE-2 with both Fuji and legacy glass. Overall, for travel, street, landscape etc.. I find the Fuji set-up superb and it allows me to take a decent camera places that I otherwise would not have been able. For action shots/wildlife though I find the XE-2 very limiting so have kept a stack of Nikon gear for these times. XT-1 may be up to the job but I doubt it and there are no long lenses on the Fuji roadmap anyway. Basically, I am delighted with the partial switch to Fuji. To me IQ is important as is high iso capability. OLooking at A LOT of reviews I do not see any of the MFT set-ups offering better IQ than the Fuji. I may be wrong, of course.
 
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Broric said:
Is the canon mirrorless stuff still rubbish?
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i am fairly happy with my M. But as everyone has said, there is much room for improvement. Given the amount of folk on TP who have spoken about giving up on their heavy Canon gear they have got to do something soon or lose the market entirely
 
Hi Swanseajack

I was aware of the superzoom but cannot imagine that it will be longer than 400mm at the long end which even with the crop factor is not enough for birds. As before, I may be wrong ?
 
Just had a bank transfer in to my account from MPB photographic who took my 5dmkii - two flashes and a couple of lenses.....that's all my dSLR main gear now.

I've gone Fuji X with first an X-E1 which I've replaced with the X-E2 - which is a much better handling camera.

I've no regrets and if you look at my flickr - see if you can work out without pixel peeping which images were taken with which format?
flickr.com/photos/kennysarmy/
 
gary43 said:
Hi Swanseajack

I was aware of the superzoom but cannot imagine that it will be longer than 400mm at the long end which even with the crop factor is not enough for birds. As before, I may be wrong ?
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As yourself and Mr P have said I can see it being the 120-400mm range and not longer, providing the rumours have anything to go by. I dont think the current bodies are suitable for anything longer and I think you need to be looking at pro / larger bodies to attach 500mm primes etc.
 
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Thought this might be interesting (or not) to those contemplating going from DSLR's to M4/3 or the like. I've just selected my photo kit to take on holiday with me this weekend. I'm in the fortunate position where I have both a nice Nikon DSLR and Micro Four thirds systems (with nice glass) to choose from. I have elected to take only the M4/3 system and just did a quick add up of the weight of my selected kit compared to my (nearest) equivalent Nikon kit. Now I know that are not directly comparable, as the D800 for instance has much higher resolution but you get the drift. So :-

Micro Four Thirds System

Olympus OMD-EM1 with HLD7 Grip (2 batteries)
Olympus 12-40 F2.8 Pro
Panasonic 35-100 F2.8
Panasonic 7-14 F4
Panasonic 20mm F1.7 II

Total Weight - 1,925 grams

Nikon DSLR System

Nikon D800 with MBD-12 Grip (2 batteries)
Nikon 24-120 F4 VR
Nikon 16-35 F4 VR
Nikon 70-200 F2.8 VR
Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art

Total Weight - 4,960 grams

So that 2kg vs 5kg for nearly the same basic kit and equivalent FOV lenses. That's not to mention the size savings, with most of the lenses being at least a half to a third smaller. It's easy to see why M4/3 and mirrorless in general is the ideal travel kit. Obviously I know I could lighten the Nikon kit by not taking the grip etc (which would shed 365g), but by the same token I could also loose the HLD-7 Grip on the EM1 saving a further 286g
 
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When you look at the weights it's suprising how much you can reduce the Kgs with a smaller camera system. I even sold my Think Tank Retrospective 7 bag which weighed 1.3kgs to get a Crumpler light Delight at 429 grams.
 
Brilliant sumarisation of the weight there, thanks allot! It's a really eye opener.

While I dont have 4k to spend as I would like some change, I think Fuji is what I will go and see if I can play with one this weekend.

Being honest looking at the fuji range I do like the look of the X-E2.

There's nothing with its lower or higher competitors that I will be missing feature wise. Is there a holy trinity of len's or any essential accessories other than the obvious extra batteries etc
 
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