System change

[Bythesea]

I currently have lots of Canon gear which I have always been happy with, but as I am getting older and I also suffer with a bit of arthritis I find that I often go out without my gear, or at the most the camera and 24-105 in a holster. I then often feel that there is something missing and I wish I had something extra with me.

I have come to the conclusion that for me, because of the lack of large printing I do there is no longer a need for the full frame gear I currently have. The problem I have is that as I am a long time Canon user (back to film days), I have not been following the developments of other makers particularly. So my question is, what should I be looking at? I would want a viewfinder (EVF or OVF), but not sure whether to go to APS-C, 4/3 or any other option. The brands that spring to mind are Fuji, Sony and Olympus. Are there any others I should look at? I know most bodies would be more than capable for me, so it is more the quality of the lenses that I am interested in.

Not too worried about price, as I have enough Canon gear that would be sold to fund it. Main interests for me are landscape and ICM, and for my wife, urban. A couple of bodies and a few lenses should be enough for the two of us.

 

[sbowler579]

Sony RX100 stick it in your pocket, job done.

 

[chris malcolm]

A mirrorless exchangeable lens camera would be able to take your Canon lenses with an adaptor, but oif course those lenses would be rather bigger than necessary. Could make your transition easier.

 

[viewfromthenorth]

Panasonic also do micro 4/3 and the range of lenses for that mount is now pretty large. I personally use a Fuji XT-10 the size of which is a revelation after having a Full frame Nikon as my main body for the past 6 years.
I don't think the Fuji lens range is as big as the 4/3 one but the quality of the lenses is superb.
Canon also do a mirrorless camera which may use your existing lenses, not sure.

 

[mickledore]

I'm in the same position as you. I'm gradually letting a Fuji X-T1 do most of my work. I'm gradually running down my Canon gear but won't get rid of it totally. Despite what everyone says I still can't get the AF on the Fuji up to the 5D3 levels. Also in winter I do quite a bit of indoor stuff and have my flash gear compatible with Canon and don't want the trouble and expense of changing that.

I'll finish up with two systems. The Canon for studio and motor sport/bif stuff and the Fuji for general walk around stuff.

As I don't want to print anything bigger than A3 I don't feel I'm missing out too much with the smaller system.

 

[Bythesea]

Sony RX100 stick it in your pocket, job done.

Already have a Sony RX100 mk3 which does stay with me - I just enjoy the process of photography as much as the outcome so still feel the need for a system camera

 

[Nawty]

If it's lenses that will drive your decision then m4/3 is the best option - loads and loads of very good lenses indeed with the bonus that they are smaller than the other systems too.

However, after a big DSLR they will all feel tiny.

 

[Bythesea]

A mirrorless exchangeable lens camera would be able to take your Canon lenses with an adaptor, but oif course those lenses would be rather bigger than necessary. Could make your transition easier.

Panasonic also do micro 4/3 and the range of lenses for that mount is now pretty large. I personally use a Fuji XT-10 the size of which is a revelation after having a Full frame Nikon as my main body for the past 6 years.
I don't think the Fuji lens range is as big as the 4/3 one but the quality of the lenses is superb.
Canon also do a mirrorless camera which may use your existing lenses, not sure.

Thanks for these chaps - I had considered using my existing lenses but to be honest they make up the majority of the weight. That's the problem with having wide aperture L lenses. Do like the look of the Fuji range but am being drawn to the latest Olympus as with ICM you can see the image appear on the rear screen as it takes the long exposure. Can then stop it when you get to the point you wanted it to.

I'm in the same position as you. I'm gradually letting a Fuji X-T1 do most of my work. I'm gradually running down my Canon gear but won't get rid of it totally. Despite what everyone says I still can't get the AF on the Fuji up to the 5D3 levels. Also in winter I do quite a bit of indoor stuff and have my flash gear compatible with Canon and don't want the trouble and expense of changing that.

I'll finish up with two systems. The Canon for studio and motor sport/bif stuff and the Fuji for general walk around stuff.

As I don't want to print anything bigger than A3 I don't feel I'm missing out too much with the smaller system.

I am just starting to look into studio work so luckily don't already have the equipment. Will make sure that whatever I get does work well in those situations. Also not into sport/nature at all but I can see why you would need to keep both.

 

[Bythesea]

If it's lenses that will drive your decision then m4/3 is the best option - loads and loads of very good lenses indeed with the bonus that they are smaller than the other systems too.

However, after a big DSLR they will all feel tiny.

Small is good I already use an Olympus OM-1n for film work which is another reason I am drawn to the new OMs.

 

[Nawty]

I bought an EM10 as a small travel camera at the start of the year and was so impressed I now have an EM1 and most of their lenses.

I've not picked up my D610 since - even small slrs look uncomfortably big and cumbersome to me nowadays...