Elskipo Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

I've been shooting with Canon SLR's since long before anyone thought of digital photography. So when digital came along I continued buying Canon so that I've owned 5 of their DSLR's starting with the 10D. The results have been rewarding and exciting as I've traveled the world getting some amazing shots. But now I'm older and schlepping those heavy cameras and lenses has become a burden. For my last trip I bought a Sony alpha 6000 mirrorless with 2 lenses that take me from 17 to 215 mm. Fast? No and I wouldn't use this gear for sports. But for everything else the results have been amazing. On a travel assignment in Spain last month I packed this gear with an add-on flash, 2 extra batteries with charger and a bag of SD cards in a bag that would not fit my Canon 5D II body. I quickly got used to the EVF versus optical viewfinder and even found myself shooting (Gasp!) live view. The results were startlingly good and I certainly didn't miss the heavy gear bag.
So, for the serious photographer, do we give away credibility by not carrying the impressive bulky stuff? Until this trip I probably would have said yes but now, I know what I can do and if anyone doesn't like it they can volunteer to carry 30 lbs of stuff for me.

Roman Aquaduct Norhern Spain near Burgos

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

Very nice photo. I am researching and deciding if I want to go from a point and shoot to a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. The decision is hard to make.
I shoot mostly candid shots of people at meetings and do some photos for ID badges..which you can do even with a webcam. I also like to do landscapes and birds. Would you recommend mirrorless for those types of photographs? I had 35 mm SLRs and lenses but am reluctant to start over with all the lenses and bodies in digital (mostly because of the weight). I am wanting to spend more time taking pictures and less time working in the near future.

Elskipo Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

I totally get where you are. Everything you are doing would be fine with a mirrorless - except birds. My experience as a seagull freak has taught me that the instant response of a DSLR shutter shooting at high speed through an optical viewfinder is the way to go. My suggestion would be to get a mirrorless for day to day stuff and until you can afford a DSLR with appropriate lenses, rent one for your bird shoots.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

My bird shoots are just happenstance. I took a picture of a hawk sitting in a telephone pole with ny 30x bridge camera and last week took a photo of a quail eating with the same camera. Photos were ok but not worth printing.

Photomacdog Loc: San Francisco (Bay Area) California

Since a mirror less camera is mirror less, does this mean the only way you can see the subject is on the "live view screen" on the back of the camera? I have tried to use the "live view screen" on my Nikon SLR several times in the bright sunlight and, due to reflection, I couldn't see the subject, and had to use the optical view finder.

Photomacdog Loc: San Francisco (Bay Area) California

Since a mirror less camera is mirror less, does this mean the only way you can see the subject is on the "live view screen" on the back of the camera? I have tried to use the "live view screen" on my Nikon SLR several times in the bright sunlight and, due to reflection, I couldn't see the subject, and had to use the optical view finder.

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

Many mirrorless cameras have electronic view finders (EVF), which are similar to optical view finders..

Elskipo Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

The mirrorless camera transmits a portion of the light to an auxiliary sensor that produces an image in the electronic viewfinder. The image is the same as on the screen in back so you have the option of looking through a viewfinder rather than relying on live view. Formerly these electronic viewfinders left a lot to be desired but the new ones are as good as, and possibly better than the optical. They are bright and have virtually no shutter lag.

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

Your answer is, of course, true...However, it is important to add that many mirrorless cameras do not include EVF's.

Elskipo Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Birds are fun - often happenstance and occasionally planned

Stalked this young roadrunner for 30 minutes. Actually he was more copncerned about the nearby coyote than me.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the best one of them all?!
When pro cameras come without mirrors, I'll be ready for one!
In the meantime, when I've got a 7 lb. barrel on my Sherman, what's it matter WHAT the tank weighs?! :lol:
SS

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I, too, have found many benefits to mirrorless, not the least of which is smaller size with quite a bit less weight. I wouldn't want mirrorless to be my only camera, but my mirrorless cameras are seeing quite of bit of use.

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

Skip, I've made the move from Nikon gear to the Fuji XT-1 a few months ago and have no regrets. I'm amazed at the quality of the images.

I hope you enjoy the new gear as much as I have.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I am so glad to here from a traveling photographer that
his experience with small mirror less format Sony's has been
successful. I started with the NEX-5 a few years ago in London as a carry around camera. When I saw the images I was really impressed and downloaded to check the images and see if what I had was what the camera showed me. I got the NEX-7
and a better zoom lens and loved the images. I got the metabones speed booster which makes magically full frame
and adds a stop. I could put any Nikon FF lens on it. note: only manual.
These smaller camera's are really well built and operate
with precision. Now with the evf's on my a7s I have a viewfinder
anytime I need it and can choose between the live view and evf.
I carry the RX100 II or either of the Mirrorless with me all the time. And the video capability of the Sony a7s has pushed.
the Canon DSLR's into the past.
For those that think these camera's are too small i just put
a cheap flash bracket and use it as a handle. Always shoot
with this on the RX100 which is an amazing camera.
I like Nikon, Canon etc camera's. But what we are getting
from Sony and Panasonic the GH4 is amazing.
Good shooting.

Peasant1 Loc: Chicago

I use various Panasonic G cameras and my main target is birds. It takes a bit of practice to focus on flying gulls, but can be done, and birds that are not flying are easy. I use a Panasonic 100-300mm lens that ways a bit over a pound and can carry it and the camera easily on a wrist strap if I so desire.