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switching from DSLR to mirrorless cameras
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Jan 11, 2017 10:26:58   #
Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI
 
If anyone is interested in an EM1.1 ...mine's going on the market soon...

Shameless plug, I know.

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Jan 11, 2017 10:29:04   #
Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI
 
TonyL wrote:
I'm disappointed that someone isn't happy with the battery life of the EM1 Mk2, I thought that was one of its big advantages over its predecessor.


It's not that I'm not happy with it...It's good, but not DSLR good. I also need to test it a bit more...the battery isn't fully broken in yet. It takes a few full cycles to really see what it can do.

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Jan 11, 2017 10:40:22   #
whitewolfowner
 
BobHartung wrote:
And who else are you asking for?



I'm asking for people's experiences and opinions of DSLR's vs mirrorless cameras. Likes, dislikes and why. Did you switch; if so did you switch back or would you like to switch back and why or why not.

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Jan 11, 2017 10:45:15   #
ddonlewis
 
Let me first say that as in many things in life you have to consider the entire "package" in regards to any choice. This is particularly true when it comes to digital photography because you have all these variables like sensor size, internal camera processing, external processing, software, printers, and then these other factors like weight, cost etc. Having said that we all choose what is important to us at that point in our life and the requirements we have. I remember a discussion I had with a professional gov't photographer in Washington D.C. about 10 years ago where he said he went to a news conference to take pictures of the President with another photographer in his office. The other had the top of the line Canon full frame and he had an APS-C sensor camera. His buddy couldn't figure out why his prints of the president were so much better than his on the big Canon. My buddy said that the reason was that he used an Epson printer, which at the time was much better than the competition. I have a bad back and have gone mirrorless and am reasonably pleased with the results. It's performance is much better in low light than my DSLR because of newer technology, but overall I must admit that the DSLR takes sharper photos. It's probably a combination of focusing, processing etc. That is my personal opinion from my experience with the cameras I have. You will have to decide what' most important to you. There is an old saying that out of 3 factors when choosing you can pick 2, but never all 3. You can't have it all. If you want a sports car you can't carry 7 people.

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Jan 11, 2017 10:48:55   #
Delderby Loc: Derby UK
 
Cdouthitt wrote:
It's not that I'm not happy with it...It's good, but not DSLR good. I also need to test it a bit more...the battery isn't fully broken in yet. It takes a few full cycles to really see what it can do.


Yes - of course - because EVFs consume battery power, whereas OVFs do not, batteries will not last so long between charges with a mirrorless. But, surely, with the huge advantages of EVF, to carry a couple of spare batteries is a small price to pay?

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Jan 11, 2017 11:01:24   #
lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama
 
Cdouthitt wrote:
In my experience/opinion...nope.


I am a classic example of GAS, always looking for a better mousetrap. Oh well, I might as well enjoy my full frame sensor.

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Jan 11, 2017 11:02:50   #
Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI
 
lwerthe1mer wrote:
Oh well, I might as well enjoy my full frame sensor.


As you should...

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Jan 11, 2017 11:04:12   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
I use both DSLR and M43. I like to shoot some film so i have the lenses for that and a DSLR body makes sense, otherwise I would probably go with the M43 system by itself.

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Jan 11, 2017 11:10:39   #
stevebein
 
The concept is fine. IT all comes down to what you are familiar with and are you willing to learn an new system. I have both and am only keeping my DSLR for small flying bird shots. So far, the top DSLR's beat the mirrorless in AF speed, which for sports and wildlife work is important. On the other hand, landscape does not move fast. The quality mirrorless give equivalent IQ, the m4/3 actually are surprising. Dropping 75% of the weight makes sense for travelling especially by air. You can make arguments for both, but after starting using mirrorless, I prefer the quality and compact size. Currently I use Olympus E-M1 and also Sony A7R II for higher IQ and larger prints.
Whatever floats your boat.

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Jan 11, 2017 11:18:58   #
whitewolfowner
 
Not knowing anything about the mirrorless market myself, I have learned a good deal here. Seems the over whelming favorites here are the Sony's and the Fuji's with the Olympus's running a close second. Also, seems that the number one reason for going to mirrorless is for the weight and size advantages both for travel and aging concerns. Seems quite mixed if one would switch back not counting the reasons given. Being 61 myself, I may soon have to do the same if I want to continue to keep shooting.

Let me add more to the mix here by adding another question. Since printing photos or just viewing them on the computer screen is two different things let me ask this: Of those that have switched, do they print photos, or just view them and if you do print them, do you print them to what size? Also, have you had to down size your largest print size because of quality issues with the mirrorless system. This question would apply to those that have the smaller sensors and to those that have not gone smaller.

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Jan 11, 2017 11:19:27   #
mineart
 
I am in the gap between DSLR and Mirrorless right now and not sure what to choose.

I love my DSLR, but humping it and it's lenses around now that I am also carrying a diaper bag or a baby has proved untenable, not just because of weight, but also because of bulk. It has now died and i am left looking for new kit.

I've been looking to make the move to mirrorless in order to always have that area by me to shoot my family pics. but I also need to shoot concert/theatre events. It is making it really tough. A midrange DSLR would work for the stage work, but i am not going to always have it on hand when traveling or around my boy.

LOVE the fuji image quality. Can't afford an x-t2 and the AF on others doesn't seem to be quick. love the m43 size and weight and it seems to focus quick enough, but not sure if an OMD e10ii will meet my needs. Would love an OMD e1M1ii, but again, don't have the ducats.

but to address the OP, I think once I have decided on a mirrorless system, i will never go back to a DSLR..

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Jan 11, 2017 11:40:43   #
stevebein
 
My experience with the Olympus OM-D E-M1. I signed up for a trip to the remote Omo Valley in Ethiopia. My choice at that time was my Canon system, with all the lenses and case the weight was over 45#. I was at a Nat Geo lecture by two Nat Geo photographers. One was sponsored by Olympus, the other not. Both had used the Micro 4/3 cameras for some assignments. I researched them and bought the E-M1 system for the trip. My kit was two bodies, 7 batteries and a charger, 5 lenses, three zooms giving equivalent of 14 to 600 mm. The high end near 600mm win that zoom was not as useable, the the rest gave great images.
I have used the Micro 4/3 for several other trips. The largest prints I have made with this system are 30x45, printed on aluminum. Due to some gallery commitments, I have added the Sony A7R II so I can print larger. My experiences have been quite satisfactory. I am now 77 and like the reduction in weight. I do need the DSLR for wildlife faster AF requirements as will also some Sport shooters. However, some of the faster needs of AF are being addresses. I have no experience with FUJI, but there are glowing reports on that system also.
Down side with the Sony is the lack of longer lenses, but it will eventually be done. There are converters for other lenses to the Micro 4/3 and Sony.
There are good rationals for mirrorless and DSLR's as well as view cameras, medium format, etc. So, if you want 12 opinions, ask 10 photographers. Good luck, there is no right or wrong, there just is a plethora of opinions.

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Jan 11, 2017 11:59:25   #
Delderby Loc: Derby UK
 
whitewolfowner wrote:
Not knowing anything about the mirrorless market myself, I have learned a good deal here. Seems the over whelming favorites here are the Sony's and the Fuji's with the Olympus's running a close second. Also, seems that the number one reason for going to mirrorless is for the weight and size advantages both for travel and aging concerns. Seems quite mixed if one would switch back not counting the reasons given. Being 61 myself, I may soon have to do the same if I want to continue to keep shooting.

Let me add more to the mix here by adding another question. Since printing photos or just viewing them on the computer screen is two different things let me ask this: Of those that have switched, do they print photos, or just view them and if you do print them, do you print them to what size? Also, have you had to down size your largest print size because of quality issues with the mirrorless system. This question would apply to those that have the smaller sensors and to those that have not gone smaller.
Not knowing anything about the mirrorless market m... (show quote)


If weight / size is THE reason for change then mirrorless should surely be MFT (for much less weight / size). At that point top dogs would be Oly and Panny, and because of geometry huge savings on quality glass can be made.

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Jan 11, 2017 12:32:06   #
barkeypf Loc: Clifton Park, NY
 
As a former Nikon D80 then D5200 I switched to a Fuji X-T1 with a 10-24, 18-55 and 55-200. I can see only one advantage the Nikons hold over my Fuji. That is battery life. Not hard to change, not that expensive so I carry 6. To quote photografz "The viewing experience of a mirrorless camera is electronic. The camera can be set to show you a simulation of existing ambient light, or can be set to show exactly what you get (overexposure camera and lens settings = overexposed viewfinder image, same with underexposure, etc.). As the ambient light gets lower, the viewfinder exhibits the effects of "gain" and can cause distracting video smear when the camera is moved from subject to subject (which will eventually be overcome when the resolution and re-fresh speeds are improved). " this quality is fantastic! I'm not planning to go back to a large DSLR
Paul

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Jan 11, 2017 12:42:41   #
jaduff Loc: Northern NJ
 
Was looking to upgrade my Nikon D3000 after retiring last year. Would have loved to go full frame Canon but couldn't afford it so was pretty close on the T6i. Then I read a discussion on MacRumors about mirrorless, UHH about the Sony A6000, and both sites about kit lenses.

After long discussions with patient people at B&H in NYC and Unique Photo in northern NJ, ended up with the A6000 and the Sony 18-105 f/4 OSS lens. No investment in Nikon glass other than the kit lens and got $100 for the trade in. Was warned about battery life so picked up several additional ones.

Size, weight, and cost were the motivating factors. Saw one comment from MacRumors where a person had both DSLR and mirrorless and said his DSLR kit with bag weighed in at around 20 lb, while his mirrorless kit with same lenses weighed in at around 6 lb.

Figured if the setup weighed less it's much more likely to get out with me frequently as I try to learn this new craft.

John

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