Timing to go mirrorless?
Nov 1, 2018 09:50:21 #
Over the last year I have seen growing signs that digital photography is moving toward mirrorless cameras and associated lens systems. I have significant Nikon equipment for my bird and nature photography interests including a 500mm F4 and 300mm F2.8 prime lenses. I have a recently purchased D500 I love and have been saving for a D850 - which I have anticipated buying at during the end of the year sales when I hope to see a modest discount to the long stable initial price.
I have come to the realization that at some point there is likely to be an significant advantage such as size and weight of gear - and even technical innovation leadership - to move to a full mirrorless setup.
I understand that there is an adapter to allow me to continue to use my current lenses with the new Nikon mirrorless cameras...but I am not sure that I would necessarily stay with Nikon if I go mirrorless. Steve Perry's evaluation of the new Nikon mirrorless suggested that they are not yet as capable (insufficient burst mode buffering) as current DSLR offerings for action bird photography. I understand that some of the Sony are of comparable capabilities. A friend has a Sony mirrorless and set of lenses that are significantly smaller and more manageable that my gear.
I know from regularly reading the Forum that there are many very thoughtful and knowledgeable members - and maybe some that have already made this transition. So I would like to ask for your thoughts on which companies currently appear to be the true leaders in mirrorless cameras and lens systems - especially as applicable to bird photography. And more specifically, knowing that the technology will continue to evolve, your thoughts on timing - is it the right time to convert or to move forward with my D850 purchase knowing that there will likely come a clear time to make the switch?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
I have come to the realization that at some point there is likely to be an significant advantage such as size and weight of gear - and even technical innovation leadership - to move to a full mirrorless setup.
I understand that there is an adapter to allow me to continue to use my current lenses with the new Nikon mirrorless cameras...but I am not sure that I would necessarily stay with Nikon if I go mirrorless. Steve Perry's evaluation of the new Nikon mirrorless suggested that they are not yet as capable (insufficient burst mode buffering) as current DSLR offerings for action bird photography. I understand that some of the Sony are of comparable capabilities. A friend has a Sony mirrorless and set of lenses that are significantly smaller and more manageable that my gear.
I know from regularly reading the Forum that there are many very thoughtful and knowledgeable members - and maybe some that have already made this transition. So I would like to ask for your thoughts on which companies currently appear to be the true leaders in mirrorless cameras and lens systems - especially as applicable to bird photography. And more specifically, knowing that the technology will continue to evolve, your thoughts on timing - is it the right time to convert or to move forward with my D850 purchase knowing that there will likely come a clear time to make the switch?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Nov 1, 2018 09:52:42 #
Nov 1, 2018 09:59:05 #
I can only speak from my limited experience but....I went with Fuji for the ergonomics, ease of use, size, and the fantastic lens system. I looked at the Sony's (which overall might be a better match for your Nikon lens') but it just didn't "feel" good to me. I want to carry my camera everywhere so I found myself leaving my Nikon home a lot because it was so bulky so I started researching. There are many many youtube videos and articles on people who have switched their gear to mirrorless so I would definitely start there but I would also just go and try them out - maybe even rent. From what I hear, the Fuji X-T3 (I have an X-T2 and am thrilled with it) is phenomenal and a LOT of people are paying attention to Fuji now because of it and the price point is way less than the comparable Sony but if you want to definitely keep your lens' then I think the Sony pairs better.
Nov 1, 2018 10:04:15 #
If you had a need to dump everything and go mirrorless today, Sony would be a better choice than Nikon or Canon. I'm not at all familiar with the other brands. If you plan, as I do, to continue to shoot with a D500 or D850 there is no reason to be concerned with what's best today. I ordered (not a recommendation) a Z6 to get my feet wet with mirrorless while using my Nikon glass. If / when the time comes to abandon my DSLRs in favor of mirrorless I will look at everything available at that time.
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Nov 1, 2018 10:04:23 #
Nov 1, 2018 10:04:40 #
Longshadow wrote:
Sorry, I have no interest on getting on the band wagon.
Neither do I but if the OP feel that he has to then.
1. I think the Sony is the current leader in mirrorless.
2. However if you want to keep using your lenses then the Nikon Z would work better with your lenses especially if all your lenses have built in motor.
Nov 1, 2018 10:07:40 #
andymac wrote:
Over the last year I have seen growing signs that ... (show quote)
Hummmm. My thoughts about whether it's time to change..... Let's see. Make the switch or not.
Did we switch to nuclear, solar, geothermal, or wind powered production of electricity? How about tidal power, ocean currents, thermal differences?
Did we all jump and purchase electric vehicles.....or cars rated at 50+mpg?
Did we all install solar panels or heat collectors on our roofs?
I'm not sure you have any compelling reason to switch.....after all the size and weight savings going mirrorless is grossly overblown.
Best company? That's a question without a definite answer.
Nov 1, 2018 10:12:36 #
Almost everyone cites weight and size. These are not photographic quantities that determine a good camera. I've used mirrorless cameras when I first started doing digital photography, in 1997 or 8. That convinced me that when DSLR cameras came out to move in that direction.
Now, in all reality, the additional weight, though not a photographic quantity, does have a definite advantage. In fact, for certain uses, I add weight to my camera/lens combination.
So, all that said, I'm no considering mirrorless at all. But, I might take advantage of the increase in used DSLR equipment as a result of the popularity of mirrorless.
--Bob
Now, in all reality, the additional weight, though not a photographic quantity, does have a definite advantage. In fact, for certain uses, I add weight to my camera/lens combination.
So, all that said, I'm no considering mirrorless at all. But, I might take advantage of the increase in used DSLR equipment as a result of the popularity of mirrorless.
--Bob
andymac wrote:
Over the last year I have seen growing signs that ... (show quote)
Nov 1, 2018 10:21:20 #
Let’s get the weight saving claim out of the questions first. If you stay with FF, you are only saving weight because the mirrorless bodies are smaller. Lenses will be the same large lenses. So you are not saving much weight.
Innovation? That is a good reason to look into mirrorless. But if you are a birder, unfortunately there is no 500mm f4 or 300mm F2.8. There is a Sony 400mm lens though. But my concern would be using your Nikon lenses on Sony bodies. Would you get the same quality auto focus as your current setup? Would you gain or lose AF speed? I’m going to assume that you are getting the results right now, correct?
You have the best APS-C and best DSLR.
Personally, I would just use what you have now. Cameras are tools. Don’t try to fix what’s not broken.
I tell you all this even though I would never want a dslr.
Innovation? That is a good reason to look into mirrorless. But if you are a birder, unfortunately there is no 500mm f4 or 300mm F2.8. There is a Sony 400mm lens though. But my concern would be using your Nikon lenses on Sony bodies. Would you get the same quality auto focus as your current setup? Would you gain or lose AF speed? I’m going to assume that you are getting the results right now, correct?
You have the best APS-C and best DSLR.
Personally, I would just use what you have now. Cameras are tools. Don’t try to fix what’s not broken.
I tell you all this even though I would never want a dslr.
Nov 1, 2018 10:28:39 #
andymac wrote:
Over the last year I have seen growing signs that ... (show quote)
Going mirrorless should be about the figuring out if the advantages of mirrorless are important to you. For me the focusing on the same sensor that will produce the picture is important (no more worry about front and back focusing or micro-adjustments) as is the WYSIWYG nature of the vastly improved EVFs and AF to a higher f-stop. You mention BIF. The Canon R is capable of maintaining AF to f-11. I am sure we will see other cameras start to match that. In short there are things that will improve my shooting workflow. However, I am not willing to make that switch if it means giving up too much in what I have now. Right now, I am waiting.
Nov 1, 2018 11:45:24 #
jackpinoh
Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
andymac wrote:
Over the last year I have seen growing signs that ... (show quote)
I used to shoot Nikon gear (D810, D500) and believe the D850 is the best multi-use DSLR available today. But two years ago I bought the Sony A7Rii because of the advantages of the EVF (ability to see exposure, and histogram before the shot) and the in-body stabilization. I sold my Nikon gear a year ago after using the D810 and the A7Rii side by side for a year to make sure I wasn't making a mistakes. I now have an A7Riii and the Fuji X-T3 and will use them side by side until I decide if the Fuji gear is acceptable for 13" x 19" and larger prints. The A7Rliii isn't as well weather sealed as the Nikon cameras--that is the only thing I don't like about it.
I took delivery of a Nikon Z7 with the 24-70mm f4 lens and the F-lens adapter a couple of days after it was released. I used it for a couple of weeks. The single card slot didn't bother me because I don't shoot events, and I really liked the Z7, but I concluded that the camera is significantly deficient in processor power which is evident in the shutter speed/exposure limitations and poor continuous AF and face detection performance. I returned the Z7 gear last week. Fixing this in the current Z7 will probably not be possible.
Bottom line: The D850 is the best current general purpose DSLR option and the A9, A7Riii, A7iii or Fuji X-T3 are the best current mirrorless options. I don't expect that to change in the next year because most of those options are relatively new releases.
Nov 1, 2018 12:13:42 #
zug55
Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas
If I am not mistaken you own some high-end full-frame telephoto lenses. It is hard to make the case that you should switch to mirrorless at this point--even though I shoot with a Sony A7 III and believe that mirrorless will be the standard in the future.
Yes, mirrorless cameras are lighter than DSLRs, but not all lenses. Just for comparison's sake, check out the new Sony 400mm prime--as far as I know this is the only long full-frame mirrorless telephoto lens on the market now, and it is $12k.
I think the key question is what you want your full-frame camera to do? For birding and wildlife your D500 seems perfect. If you do a lot of travel photography where you carry equipment a lot mirrorless is an attractive alternative (this is why I switched). If weight matters less you might be better off with the D850. This is a really tough dilemma.
Yes, mirrorless cameras are lighter than DSLRs, but not all lenses. Just for comparison's sake, check out the new Sony 400mm prime--as far as I know this is the only long full-frame mirrorless telephoto lens on the market now, and it is $12k.
I think the key question is what you want your full-frame camera to do? For birding and wildlife your D500 seems perfect. If you do a lot of travel photography where you carry equipment a lot mirrorless is an attractive alternative (this is why I switched). If weight matters less you might be better off with the D850. This is a really tough dilemma.
Nov 1, 2018 12:22:42 #
Nov 1, 2018 19:40:38 #
andymac wrote:
Over the last year I have seen growing signs that ... (show quote)
I am not a birder, but I am a devout Sony and mirrorless fan. Sony has been coming out with some magificent lenses in the last year or two including an excellent 400mm to woo the pro sports photographers. However, I would have to admit that long lenses is not Sony's strong point yet. Also, the size/weight advantage of mirrorless over DSLR's diminishes with longer lenses.
If size and weight is significent concern, perhaps you should be thinking in terms of a moving to a M4/3 system vs FF.
Nov 1, 2018 19:50:09 #
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