Still worth buying an dSLR?

[Cagey75]

Out of curiousity which wildlife pros use mirrorless cameras? I'd like to their reasoning for switching from their DSLRs.

http://www.jasonsavagephotography.com/why-i-switched-to-mirrorless/
http://www.sulasula.com/en/olympus-for-nature-and-wildlife-photography-reasons-to-switch/

You could just google others, but they give good enough reasons and shoot fantastic images:

https://500px.com/sulasulacom/galleries/olympus
http://www.jasonsavagephotography.com/galleries/yellowstone-national-park/

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

If you intend to build a camera system for the future, it would make sense to go mirrorless.
that is undoubtedly where manufacturers are heading, and spending their research money.
It is arguable which system is best at this moment. The very best DSLR's seem to still have a very slight edge in a few areas, with Mirrorless ahead in rather more. And some features are found only on mirrorless.

Mirrorless lens designs are inherently superior, not to mention lighter. But as yet there are fewer of them.
and as they can also use legacy lenses, almost every conceivable specialism is covered.

With in the next few iterations even the best canon and Nikon DSLR's will be eclipsed.

One of the more interesting questions is what is the best, most cost effective and usable format to choose.... Full frame APS, four thirds. or even medium format.
Nikon, canon and Sony have certainly favoured FF for their top cameras, whereas Fuji have done most development in the APS format but covered the ultimate quality aspect with medium format. Olympus and Panasonic have clearly favoured Four thirds. each of these formats have their advantages, but individual decisions must be based on need and preferences.
The maxim Bigger is better is rarely true when it comes to actual use. size and weight are not always advantages.
Differences in quality are rarely visible in image sizes used by most photographers and certainly not on screen.

Logic seems to indicate that Mirrorless is the better investment for the future, especially in terms of system building.
For quite a few years yet, Dslrs are going to be incredibly good value, and more so as they decline in popularity.

 

[Deleted member 49428]

There's one guy on here (Black Fox, I think his name is) that I know of.

The winner of the BPOTY 2018 uses Olympus.......

And the winner of the 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo contest used a Sony RX100

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

And the winner of the 2015 National Geographic Traveler Photo contest used a Sony RX100

Which just goes to show,the camera isn’t that important

 

[Cagey75]

Which just goes to show,the camera isn’t that important

It never has been, only when you come to forums like this is it suddenly the be all, end all. You won't get judged by the gear you use in the real world, I still get people asking me how much my camera was; "must be expensive?" and it's only a wee thing If I use anything larger they think I'm a Pap!

 

[jerry12953]

I met Dmitri Vasileiou, pro landscape photographer and owner/editor of Landscape Photography online magazine on a remote Scottish island earlier this year.

His kit? Olympus OM5. Three of them, each with a different lens on. It makes you think.

 

[RedRobin]

If you love taking pictures it doesn't matter whether you are a professional or an amateur - It takes exactly the same skills to meet the challenges.

As always, it's Horses-for-Courses regarding what camera tools to use and also the principle of what Ansel Adams says quoted in my signature below.

I shoot with the Canon EOS system, mostly on their flagship D-SLR 1DX-2 and I have ordered a mirrorless EOS R + EF Adapter + RF lens as my second body for mounting on various lenses but especially macro. It will replace my 7D-2 and M5 bodies. So I will have the best of both worlds and the flexibility which enables me to further improve and enjoy my photography.

Am I a GearSlut? So what if someone wants to call me that! All that matters is that I enjoy taking pictures, everyone else can eff off

Shoot and Enjoy!

 

[Gaz J]

Recently I’ve discusssed FF mirrorless with photographers in the camera club and those I know outside of the club. No one is considering changing their DSLR for the Nikon/Canon/Sony mirrorless, generally giving the reason that they are too expensive and they don’t see any advantage in changing. Some have fairly modest kit and others have quite a bit and there is quite a variety of photographic interests among them.

Those who have D850s, 5D3/4, 1DX/2, D4S/5, D750 generally give the reason as ‘I’ve already got a camera that fulfils all my requirements and is as good as, if not better than these so what’s the point’?

There are mirrorless users but they are all M4/3 and they’ve gone that way purely for the reduction in size and have no interest in going back to FF and increasing the weight of their bag again.

Probably a bit of a selective poll I’ve done but it covers around 70 photographers so is probably fairly representative of the real world outside forums such as these where 1/2 stop less DR consigns a camera to the ‘not good enough category’ in many people’s eyes.

 

[RedRobin]

Recently I’ve discusssed FF mirrorless with photographers in the camera club and those I know outside of the club. No one is considering changing their DSLR for the Nikon/Canon/Sony mirrorless, generally giving the reason that they are too expensive and they don’t see any advantage in changing. Some have fairly modest kit and others have quite a bit and there is quite a variety of photographic interests among them.

Those who have D850s, 5D3/4, 1DX/2, D4S/5, D750 generally give the reason as ‘I’ve already got a camera that fulfils all my requirements and is as good as, if not better than these so what’s the point’?

There are mirrorless users but they are all M4/3 and they’ve gone that way purely for the reduction in size and have no interest in going back to FF and increasing the weight of their bag again.

Probably a bit of a selective poll I’ve done but it covers around 70 photographers so is probably fairly representative of the real world outside forums such as these where 1/2 stop less DR consigns a camera to the ‘not good enough category’ in many people’s eyes.

....Not changing D-SLR for mirrorless but why on earth not in addition? [See my Reply #127].

I already have a mirrorless EOS M5 in my D-SLR arsenal but am replacing it with a better mirrorless one more suitable for my uses.

 

[Cagey75]

....Not changing D-SLR for mirrorless but why on earth not in addition? [See my Reply #127].

I already have a mirrorless EOS M5 in my D-SLR arsenal but am replacing it with a better mirrorless one more suitable for my uses.

He's said, they consider it too expensive for what you get pretty much. Why on earth add pricey gear you don't need? could be the question.

 

[Gaz J]

....Not changing D-SLR for mirrorless but why on earth not in addition? [See my Reply #127].

I already have a mirrorless EOS M5 in my D-SLR arsenal but am replacing it with a better mirrorless one more suitable for my uses.

Cost Robin.

You already have some experience in mirrorless and have found a niche for it in your photography. Up until recently I used my 5D4 pretty much exclusively for macro and my 1DX2 for everything else.

I’ve now bought a D850 which I’m hoping will become my macro camera and allow me to perhaps sell my 5D4. I bought the D850 primarily because of its resolution which will allow me more flexibility with lens to subject distance to control the DOF a bit better and it’s stacking function.

I don’t see any advantage in adopting mirrorless from Canon this early in its life as they quite obviously haven’t matched even the 5D4 in performance and specs. I get good results with what I’ve got and if the D850 works out then it would take a hell of a camera to make me switch.

 

[RedRobin]

You already have some experience in mirrorless and have found a niche for it in your photography. Up until recently I used my 5D4 pretty much exclusively for macro and my 1DX2 for everything else.

....Yes, the mirrorless experience I already have in Canon's EOS M5 has greatly helped my decision. And having sold my 5D-4 to more easily afford a 1DX-2, I have been using my mirrorless M5 for macro which I bought well before my 5D-4. Previously I had never shot a digital FF body and wanted to try it. Having done so, I no longer want a crop-sensor body.

I don’t see any advantage in adopting mirrorless from Canon this early in its life as they quite obviously haven’t matched even the 5D4 in performance and specs. I get good results with what I’ve got and if the D850 works out then it would take a hell of a camera to make me switch.

....For me personally, as the mirrorless EOS M5 Digic7 matches the image quality of the 7D-2 when both are mounted on EF lenses (I think my EOS M5 Album on Flickr demonstrates this to be the case), I am confident that the mirrorless FF EOS R will be better than the M5 for my purposes and most importantly will be much easier to physically handle and be more weatherproof. Plus I value a fully-articulated screen (as my 70D had) for photographing mini-beasts. The downside is the slooow fps rate but not really a problem as I have 14fps in the other body as you also do.

It can only be speculation of course but it is logical from a marketing point of view for Canon to release a mirrorless 1DX equivalent in time for the 2020 Olympics. Potentially that could be a helluva camera (but doubtless at a helluva price!).

Canon Rumors tell us that in 2019 there will be at least one higher end mirrorless body than the first one just released.

 

[Chipper]

Out of curiousity which wildlife pros use mirrorless cameras? I'd like to their reasoning for switching from their DSLRs.

Google the Olympus ambassador page. There is a guy there who uses it for his goldern eagles. Awesome stuff. I have Canon and Olympus. I love them both.