Give up my 5D Mk3 for mirrorless?

Meeten said:
also, I don't know, other than a smile to my face, what benefit I will achieve.
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Never underestimate the power of a smile to your face :)
 
There is little to fault 5D 3 with.

Lenses will adapt to Sony but wideangles reportedly will have sharpness issues so that will make you buy native. That's a negative.

Body size, ergonomics and lack of real viewfinder are huge loss.

But you getter better sensor should you need to print as large. I wouldn't mind that all.

Cost to change. Probably quite a lot...

I would have it as a second higher res camera but not my sole outfit from my current standpoint. I absolutely struggle to compose without OVF.
 
I’ve just been to try out both the a73 and a7r3, going in with a view of preferring the regular 3 to the r as it’s features are almost the same and significantly cheaper.

The viewfinder on the r was so much better than the regular, much much nicer to use. That coupled with the almost doubled megapixels is making me sway to the r now. Will have to go grey for it through as way over my budget!

I was thinking of holding out for full reviews of the new Canon EOS R but now i really like the Sony, so much smaller than the alternatives also (but not much lighter as has been mentioned)
 
meduk1 said:
I’ve just been to try out both the a73 and a7r3, going in with a view of preferring the regular 3 to the r as it’s features are almost the same and significantly cheaper.

The viewfinder on the r was so much better than the regular, much much nicer to use. That coupled with the almost doubled megapixels is making me sway to the r now. Will have to go grey for it through as way over my budget!

I was thinking of holding out for full reviews of the new Canon EOS R but now i really like the Sony, so much smaller than the alternatives also (but not much lighter as has been mentioned)
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Currently using the A73 but wish it had the A7R3 EVF!!
 
Gaz J said:
I don’t care how it sounds to you. I don’t see any benefits and my results speak for themselves using my technique.
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You don't see any benefit for yourself or at all? My point was simply there are some benefits, I didn't say you should change anything but simply that it's ridiculous to tell someone looking for advice there are no benefits.

Gaz J said:
I need fast accurate AF which is what I’ve got with a well lit optical display.
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You don't have a well lit optical display, you have a well lit environment. Which is great unless you're someone who doesn't always shoot in well lit environments, talking about the conditions you deal with is useful for anyone who's going to be doing the same as you but they're probably not.

Gaz J said:
I didn’t say they don’t exist just that I can’t see them. Alan has probably explained the reason why I’m not seeing any benefit but as I don’t shoot at wide apertures I’ll stick with my system. If you think it’s worth using rock on, it’s your time and your camera.
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No that is what you said, having read more of what you wrote I think your meaning was you personally don't value the benefits of an EVF which is completely valid but again you literally said "I don’t see any huge advantage in an EVF." and I can only go off what you wrote.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
There is little to fault 5D 3 with.

Lenses will adapt to Sony but wideangles reportedly will have sharpness issues so that will make you buy native. That's a negative.

Body size, ergonomics and lack of real viewfinder are huge loss.

But you getter better sensor should you need to print as large. I wouldn't mind that all.

Cost to change. Probably quite a lot...

I would have it as a second higher res camera but not my sole outfit from my current standpoint. I absolutely struggle to compose without OVF.
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You're not the only one who finds using an EVF so very unsatisfactory compared an OVF.........
 
well after half a year with MFT I dont honestly think I could go back . it has astounded me and the wife we are fully converted addicts . the one thing I really like on my panasonic g80 is the ability to push/pull the actual size of the focus points with two fingers , not just move it around the screen actually alter the size of the point w dont often need it but when you do it works , also and especially for birding the quietness of the shutter is unreal my mates will often say did you take a pic of that when in fact I have just run a burst of 20 to 30 shots off its that quiet . every system has its for and againsts but in my mind theres a lot of negative comments on here from peeps that either bought first generation mirrorless or who have only picked them up and gone its not got a canikon badge on it and rejected the idea .
well get a grip lads the future is here and moving fast
 
jerry12953 said:
You're not the only one who finds using an EVF so very unsatisfactory compared an OVF.........
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On the contrary I avoided moving to a camera with EVF for years because I didn’t think it would be as good as OVF - I was so wrong I prefer the EVF on my Fuji.
 
I have both DSLR and MFT systems and like them both... They both feel right in my hand and they both do stuff I like; it's all good!
 
It would make a lot of sense to hire a mirrorless before you jump.
 
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Barrysprout said:
Jim, it's about time you organised a meet! I'll let you try the A73 to see what you think (y)
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Barrysprout - Happy New Year to you and your better half. What're your thoughts on the A73 v's DSLR 9Canon 5D)? I know you went mirrorless ages ago, didn't you have the Canon M or something? I think I'm gonna change, but just don't know to what. I've been looking at the A73, A7R3 and Canon R. I think Sony has the edge, ATM, so down to the two Sony's. Landscapes, family photos' etc is probably what I'll shoot most.
Yes, we need to get these meetups started again, but I'd be waiting for springtime. Getting on in years now, so takes a bit more to get me over the doorstep these days.
 
BTW, I took my 5D3 and a couple of lenses to Las Vegas & the Grand Canyon last September. I used my mobile phone more than the camera.
 
I'd advise trying mirrorless for a few weeks to see if you get on with it. It's a big change and I've seen many switch back after a short time.

My initial Sony purchase was the original A7 which is very slow compared with the newer models but it gives an idea if you'll get on with it

Quite a few years now since I switched to mirrorless, spent years using Fuji's and now switched to Sony.
Fuji's are more fun to use and they do encourage you to pick up the camera more but the Sony deifintely has the edge when it comes down to final image quality.

I've had the original A7 (3 of them!) an A7RII and now the A7III
A7III is superb for family portraits etc, the eye focus function especially is amazing.
The A7RIII has the edge for landscapes simply down to the resolution but it's not quite as speedy as the A7III.

I'm happy enough with the 24MP on the A7III as I tend to shoot people more than landscapes now.

When it comes down to it though you won't really be making much weight or size savings with the Sony's as some of the lenses are as big/bigger than the Canon equivalents.

Oh, and Happy new year to you and yours too!

Be good to have a meet sometime and if you haven';t changed over by then you can at least have a try of some of my gear.
 
Best thing about mirrorless is the live exposure preview IMO.
It makes photography considerably easier ( if you shoot with manual settings )
I had an X-T1 and remember thinking mirrorless is the future for sure but the small controls are a giant step backwards from a good dslr I think.
 
Having resisted the draw for ages I decided to switch from 5d3 to the Sony A7Rii (the predecessor to the A7riii). On paper the weight saving doesnt appear much, however in practice the size difference feels significant. I often look at DSLR’s now and think how bulky compared to my “toy” camera. Its worth trying one if you can as the grip size isn’t for everyone.

The things that stuck me initially was the EVF, no more chimping to check exposures or even looking at the screen to check composition as the images appear in the viewfinder, likewise so are all the settings and menus when required. Its also a bonus in bright light when the LCD can be a little difficult to see. Other things that stood out was the dynamic range and ability to pull back what appeared to be blown highlights, only to find nice fluffy clouds. The Sony sensors also handle ISO really well, I’m never afraid to shoot at 12,800. One feature that nearly every Sony user raves about is the Eye-AF, it isn’t just a gimmick it works really well, mine even locked onto a Lion at the weekend, although animals are normally hit and miss at the moment.

These are purely what I have noticed since the switch, others have asked what you hope to gain, for me it was simply the bulk saving that made me switch as I now take my little Sony with me everywhere. I would suggest that the Canon/Sony switch decision is now harder than before as there is a Canon FF mirrorless available, this may be worth considering to reduce the cost of having to replace your lenses with expensive Sony ones (and some are very expensive). Ultimately only you can decide. Personally I have regretted my decision for one minute
 
I have just made the change from a 5D2 to an X-T2. I've been using the 5D2 for eight years :)eek:) but the cost of a 5D4 wasn't something I could justify. Got my X-T2 for less than a third of the cost of a 5D4, but I obviously need to sell the Canon glass. So far I love it. It's so much more compact so I'll actually take it out with me. It might not be able to compete with a 5D4 in terms of image quality, but it's miles ahead of my 5D2. Plus I love all the dials on the top of the camera so I can change settings without having to mess about going into menus.
 
BIGEYE said:
BTW, I took my 5D3 and a couple of lenses to Las Vegas & the Grand Canyon last September. I used my mobile phone more than the camera.
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I moved from a 5D3 to mirrorless (Fuji in my case) in 2013, having been with Canon in various guises for many years. My motivation was size, as I have a very similar experience to you in Florida with the family. For me, the change is a positive one, and although, now I've acquired more lenses on Fuji, the weight difference is less significant there are several other factors that mean I will stick to Mirrorless in the future:

I much prefer the EVF over the OVF. For me there are two main advantages - what you see *is* what you get - you can see the picture exactly as it will be taken, exposure et al, before you take the image. This has helped me hugely when I need to adjust stuff the auto exposure would have got wrong, and the second is manual focus - I found this impossible on the 5D3, it's just not designed for it, but on mirrorless, it's a doddle. I still use AF most of the time, but when I need to fine tune, it's really easy to see what's in focus or not with the electronic focus aids available (I use focus peaking mainly). Of course you can turn on / off what ever you need.

Another factor is the lack of need to micro adjust lenses - because there is only one optical pathway, the focus takes place directly on the same sensor the image is captured. Lenses front / back focussing just doesn't exist in mirrorless.

You will get a shorter battery life typically (the OVF uses next to no power on the 5D :), but aside from that, I really can't see any advantage over picking a DSLR over Mirrorless today (other than the fact you already have one!)
 
BIGEYE said:
I've been looking at mirrorless cameras for some time with a view to replacing my Canon 5DMk3. The camera I am considering is a Sony A7R III, and will be used as an all-rounder, but mostly for family portraits & landscape. Initially I will continue to make use of my Canon L series lenses with an adapter, until such time that I can afford the Sony lenses. Is the Sony a better camera? My main drivers for the change is a better camera and weight savings. Is this a good move or not?
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I went from a D750 to the A73 and although at first I regretted it for a bit as I just couldn’t get the Sony to work for me, now I wouldn’t go back.

It took a bit of time to adapt to the Sony, and mirrorless but no regrets.

It has the ability to be small and light with lenses like the Samsung 2.8 and Sony 50mm but also has the ability to turn in to a full frame marvel with the 70-200 attached.

It felt a bit awkward in the hand at first, but mainly because I was using Nikon for 10+ years.

I can’t comment on the older Sony models but the version 3s are so feature packed with the eye AF, focus points, iso performance etc.

Of course everyone is different but the Sony works for me, but be patient with it!
 
It looks like you don't need anything specialist for your style of photography. A few shots of the famofa and some landscapes. You could probably get away with the x100f and just keep what you have now.
 
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