Mirrorless Cameras for Sports: Hi Photo Brain, I search this site and only show this topic from a few years back. Currently shooting a D500 for sports. Indoor, outdoor, low light, all...

MaxxtheDog Loc: Milwaukee, WI

Hi Photo Brain,
I search this site and only show this topic from a few years back.
Currently shooting a D500 for sports. Indoor, outdoor, low light, all of it.
Thinking of going full frame for the night games but wondering if I should hold off for the new cameras.

Has anyone made the switch from their sport DSLR to a mirrorless one?
If so, which one and what pros and cons do you find?

I would like real examples, not theoretical from someone that has only read about them.
Thanks!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I used a mirrorless some years ago. The issue I had with trying to capture any action was the lag between when the action occurred and when it was presented in the viewfinder. Eventually, I adjusted to that. But, I did miss a good many of the peak moments by thousandths of a second. That issue may have been improved, but I don't believe it will ever match the view the scene directly viewfinder.

I'd suggest an FX DSLR. I've used my D700 and D800e cameras for sports, as well as indoor activities. The ISO range is far more than enough to handle just about anything.
--Bob

MaxxtheDog wrote:

Hi Photo Brain, br I search this site and only sh... (show quote)

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Research Sony a9.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I recently had the opportunity to shoot a high school soccer game with the Olympus OMD e M 1 Mark II and the 40-150 (80-300). It was an Olympus sponsored event so we were able to borrow any camera and lens they offered. It was a cloudy, threatening sort of weather day. The 5 axis in-camera stabilization meant I could hand hold throughout. The image quality was outstanding, excellent burst rate. As the day progressed and the skies darkened, I had to bump up the ISO and was pleasantly surprised at the lack of noise. Both camera and lens are weatherproof, BTW. The shoot was preceded by a short workshop on sports photography taught by a young woman who is a sports stringer for USA today and is the designated photographer for UC Berkeley (I think) She uses Oly exclusively. Way way better than hauling around a massive telephoto, IMHO.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

There is nothing theoretical in my comments and I have never used my mirrorless bodies for BIF or action photography. I do have friends who use mirrorless like I do but they have the Olympus EM-1 Mk II and they are pleased with the performance of the camera although at times they have issues.
Your D500 is a far better tool for those occasions when fast action needs to be captured. From what I know it is also very good for low light photography. Do not expect miracles using "full frame" cameras. Photographers do the miracles not their cameras.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

MaxxtheDog wrote:

Hi Photo Brain, br I search this site and only sh... (show quote)

Here is an excellent mirrorless sports review by Tony Northrup ! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oXHiORuRk0

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

As I have written before, if Tony were to tell me what time it was, I'd pray I had an accurate watch to enable me to check for myself.
--Bob

imagemeister wrote:

Here is an excellent mirrorless sports review by Tony Northrup ! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oXHiORuRk0

MaxxtheDog Loc: Milwaukee, WI

Do not expect miracles using "full frame" cameras. Photographers do the miracles not their cameras.[/quote]

You are correct. Just looking for a little higher ISO.

Thanks to all for their input!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

rmalarz wrote:

As I have written before, if Tony were to tell me what time it was, I'd pray I had an accurate watch to enable me to check for myself.
--Bob

As I have written before, both Ken Rockwell and Tony Northrup are VERY experienced with LOTS of gear - more than you or I will ever see. Sure they have their little quirks - but rational people should respect their opinions ! - and learn from them.

..

BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX

Mirrorless has come a long way in the past few years. My experience with sports has been predominantly high school boys football and girls volleyball.

When I use DSLRs, I use Canon. Bodies: 1DX, 5D4, 5D3 & 7D2; Lenses: 70-200 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 200-400 f/4 w/ 1.4 TC, 200 f/2, 300 f2.8

When I use Mirrorless, I use Sony. Bodies: a9 and a7R3 (previously a7R2); Lenses: 70-200 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 24-105 f/4, 100-400 f/variable

For me, I prefer using these new Mirrorless combinations. Early Mirrorless were horrible for fast action for sports and fast action. They have come a long way. There is still a lag when waking up the Mirrorless compared to DSLRs but when they are already awake, they work great. On rare occasions, I notice a missed shot on Mirrorless that I probably would have gotten with a DSLR.

For bad wet weather though, I’ll typically take my DSLRs. I don’t think the Mirrorless compare on weather sealing. DSLRs have decades of ergonomic evolution. Mirrorless evolution, still behind in some respects, is catching up and surpassing quickly.

Those are my opinions.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I’m new to Mirrorless, but I think there is a setting to keep the camera from going to sleep. Keep express batteries however.

BushDog wrote:

Mirrorless has come a long way in the past few yea... (show quote)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

MaxxtheDog wrote:

Hi Photo Brain, br I search this site and only sh... (show quote)

I’m a big cheerleader for mirrorless, including Micro 4/3. But in your case, I’d advise you to keep your D500. Try a D5.

Nikon’s mirrorless are not ready for action photographers. Neither are Canon’s mirrorless. Sony’s A9 MIGHT be, but rent one and see for yourself. Low light sports action is one of the few situations in which full frame dSLRs still have a significant edge.

Go to http://www.lensrentals.com and http://www.borrowlenses.com to find rental gear.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

rmalarz wrote:

As I have written before, if Tony were to tell me what time it was, I'd pray I had an accurate watch to enable me to check for myself.
--Bob

I feel the same way about you when you talk about Mirrorless Cameras. What you have tried years ago is irrelevant, no matter how many times you repeat it.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

imagemeister wrote:

As I have written before, both Ken Rockwell and Tony Northrup are VERY experienced with LOTS of gear - more than you or I will ever see. Sure they have their little quirks - but rational people should respect their opinions ! - and learn from them.

..

Both are biased in their reviews because they accept monies from the manufacturers whose products they review......Rockwell more so than Northrup btw.....Sure they are experienced, but money makes folks less than objective....... I would not rely on any one source, but review many to determine average responses.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

mrjcall wrote:

Both are biased in their reviews because they accept monies from the manufacturers whose products they review......Rockwell more so than Northrup btw.....Sure they are experienced, but money makes folks less than objective....... I would not rely on any one source, but review many to determine average responses.

How do you know that? And which company specifically if you don’t mind? And how much?