Marianne M Banks Loc: Anacortes WA

Hello all, this is my first post so please excuse any foibles.
I am trying to make a decision regarding upgrading my equipment.
I currently have a Canon Rebel T3i that I bought with a couple of kit lenses (the 18-55 is pretty good). I have focused on buying good lenses that I could use now and would also be good for a future full frame camera and any upgraded crop sensor camera. I currently have an EF 100mm 2.8 IS USM, an EF 100-200mm 2.8 IS ll USM and an EF 24-105mm 1:4 IS USM. Of course there’s more on my wish list :)
I like to photograph birds, animals, insects, scenery, vacation memories, my grandson and want to explore more subjects.
I would like to get the Canon EOS 5D MKIV And have wanted to for a while. I’m looking at upgrading soon.
Now for my dilemma,
I’m seeing mirrorless cameras that seem to have most of the capabilities that I’m looking for. They are beginning to have adaptors that will fit my good glass. They are lighter and the cost is very comparable.
I’m concerned that if I get the 5DMKIV it will become obsolete technology.
I would like to hear some opinions and good information to help with my decision. I’m interested in any advice and things I might consider.
Thank you,
Marianne

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

There are some on here that can speak to both Canon DSLR and MILC cameras. But if you are worried that the 5DMKIV will become obsolete, you may have to wait a while. It may not get the most current tech advancements, but it doesn't suffer from it either.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Hey Marianne, based on the predicated 150,000 shutter life, do you think your estimated usage will be more than 20,000 images every year for the next 7+ years? The EOS 5DIV is a top-tier professional DSLR that is built to last. There is ZERO RISK of this body becoming obsolete in your 5- to 10+ year useful life. The 5DIV is market leading technology today, when all the vendors are selling the best digital cameras ever created as their top-tier offerings.

Going with the mirrorless option is the exactly the same, a professional-grade camera build for the next 7+ years of relatively heavy use, if not longer. Your EF lenses are fully compatible via the Canon EF adapter.

Either decision is correct. The only caveats are to expect both another 5D model as a DSLR and multiple new mirrorless EOS bodies in 2020. These new bodies will be $3500+, just like the original pricing of the bodies they'll replace / augment. You might wait to buy the newest or wait for any reduced pricing on the newest today, but older tomorrow.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Hi Marianne, and welcome aboard.

Those of us who are using the EOS 5D Mark II don't think it is obsolete technology.

In what way is the Canon Rebel T3i falling short?

Mike

Marianne M Banks Loc: Anacortes WA

Thank you for your reply John.
I really like your photos of the pitcher plant.

Marianne M Banks Loc: Anacortes WA

Thank you CHG Canon for an in depth answer. After thinking about your reply I think I’m wondering more about which offers the better technology.
I have just started to read about mirrorless cameras and am wondering if that’s a better way to go.

le boecere

Marianne, the "adaptor" you need to consider is "you". Many long-time SLR and DSLR photographers simply cannot (or will not) do what is necessary to "adapt" or adjust to mirrorless. If one wants a DSLR that looks, feels, and operates exactly like a DSLR "should", then go for another DSLR, 'cause they're still a wonderful device for capturing images (like birds and animals at a distance).

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Marianne, you have excellent EF lenses that will work equally well on either DSRL or mirrorless bodies. The 'true magic' of the EOR mirrorless platform are Canon's RF lenses that are superior even to Canon's best of the best EF lenses. If you were seeking to buy your next and last camera, a valid approach would be to get an EOS R body, and over time, migrate all your EF lenses to RF lenses, as need and funds become available.

If you were starting from scratch today with the funds available, but not the EF L-series lenses you already own, going straight mirrorless would be logical. Deciding between a DSLR and EOS mirrorless with the lenses you own, it's an either / or decision given your situation, with no wrong answer.

Marianne M Banks Loc: Anacortes WA

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the reply. I hope I didn’t give the wrong impression. It’s not just obsolescence I’m considering. That’s just part of the thought process.
I really like my T3i. I’m looking at a full frame format to get higher resolution, more vibrancy of color and better low light capabilities. I think I can get better Quality cropped images as well.

Marianne M Banks Loc: Anacortes WA

Thanks for the follow up CHG Canon. I’ve been thinking along these lines as well.
I appreciate your time and efforts.

Marianne M Banks Loc: Anacortes WA

Thanks for the input Le boecere.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

You can't go wrong with either camera, but if I were in your situation, I would read everything I could about Canon's mirrorless offerings. Here are links to over three million articles. Happy reading!

Depending how may good lenses you have for your DSLR, you might want to consider selling them and buying lenses for the mirrorless if you go that route. You'll save on the cost of the adapter, and you'll have lenses made specificially for the new body.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Canon+EOS+5D+MKIV+vs+canon+mirrorless&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=Canon+EOS+5D+MKIV+vs+canon+mirrorless&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.10485j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

EDIT: I just watched this comparison, and the EOS R is the clear winner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjzAg6HiOYE

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

All technology eventually becomes obsolete. That doesn't mean it stops working.
I own a 5D mk IV, it's my everyday shooter, and a really nice camera. Had the EOS R been available when I bought the 5DIV, I may have gone with the EOS R. Sure, they have very similar image sensors, but there's far more to consider. The 5DIV is loaded with features. The EOS R is also loaded with features, maybe more than the 5DIV. The EOS R is physically smaller than the 5DIV and that's an advantage to some people and a disadvantage to others. If size and weight are a concern to you, seriously consider the EOS R. As for adapters, they work just fine and don't weigh much at all. I use adapters on my M50 all the time.
I'm currently looking into getting a new crop sensor camera. My choices are the EOS 90D and M6 mk II. I've done a considerable amount of research on both and am currently leaning towards the 90D. Functionality wise they are similar with one being a DSLR, probably the last in the XXD series, and one being a MILC. I'm leaning towards the DSLR because it's physically larger than the MILC and it's an excellent camera for stills and video. It's easier to handle large lenses with the larger body.
For you I recommend the EOS R.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

It becomes obsolete only if it doesn't do what the user wants of it. As long as it delivers for her, she can continue using it.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I'm not sure I get your point or even if there really is a point that I didn't cover in my original response.
The OP mentioned the 5D mk IV becoming obsolete. I'm guessing she was making reference to the whole DSLR vs MILC thing without actually saying so.
Are you saying my EOS 10D or my 20D or 30D or 40D or even my 50D aren't obsolete by today's technology standards? They all still work; they all are still capable of recording digital images; and they are all obsolete.
I never implied that just because something is considered obsolete doesn't mean it's no longer useful of functional, quite the opposite...
The reason I recommended the EOS R for her is, she is a female. Now I don't know her so I nothing other than my personal experiences to go on. The vast majority, if not all, the women I've known in the past 60+ years, including my mother, sister, cousins, friends, girl friends, first wife, second wife, doctor, dentist, friends wife's, friends daughters etc, have all had smaller hands than myself. The 5D mk IV is a big, heavy DSLR. I know, I own one. My wife doesn't like it because of its size. She prefers my SL2, SL3 or M50 because they are smaller and lighter. The EOS R is smaller and lighter than the 5DIV, and for the most part, a better camera.