DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Need a camera recommendation
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 21 of 21, (reverse)
AuthorThread
04/25/2022 03:30:37 PM · #1
So work finally has some money to purchase camera equipment. I've been using my own, because it's better. But I'd rather not be using up my equipment for work.

They have about $5000 to spend. They currently have a Canon 5d - not sure which one, but it's either the original or mark ii.

Personally, I like Sony, and will come up with suggestions for that. But they might want to stick to Canon because they have the lenses.

So my questions are:

1. Which Canon mirrorless is best? They can't swing the r3. The r5 looks better than the r6, but different reviews say different things.

2. Can I use any Canon lens on the mirrorless? Or do I need mirrorless lenses? Or does an adapter work fine? If they have to buy different lenses for the mirrorless, they might as well switch to Sony.

3. If they switch to Sony, they could use the canon lenses with an adapter, but that was so slow it was painful.

Thanks!
04/25/2022 06:18:20 PM · #2
R5 is probably best if they can afford it. Adaptor works well so their old EF lenses will be usable. If fact the adaptor is really good in regards to the lenses working as they should ( canon did a good job at making that possible). Therefore saving money on new lenses.
The R6 is cheaper ( although only 20 mp) but according to users not a disadvantage.
Both cameras get pretty solid reviews. I gather the eye AF is one of the best at the moment.
If they are canon shooters they may already be aware of these cameras. Regarding Sony - as you have already stated - you will be able to give them that information.
04/25/2022 06:55:43 PM · #3
I agree that the R5 is the most capable choice that meets their budget needs, and certainly should have all the capability they need. The R6 just might be all they need, so they should look carefully at the differences and decide from there. In either case, there will be a *drastic* improvement in AF performance and a big improvement in low-light capability.
04/25/2022 08:30:59 PM · #4
Originally posted by Tajhad:

R5 is probably best if they can afford it. Adaptor works well so their old EF lenses will be usable. If fact the adaptor is really good in regards to the lenses working as they should ( canon did a good job at making that possible). Therefore saving money on new lenses.
The R6 is cheaper ( although only 20 mp) but according to users not a disadvantage.
Both cameras get pretty solid reviews. I gather the eye AF is one of the best at the moment.
If they are canon shooters they may already be aware of these cameras. Regarding Sony - as you have already stated - you will be able to give them that information.


They don’t know cameras — they’re looking to me to give recommendations. They’re the marketing people, not the photographer.

04/25/2022 08:31:53 PM · #5
Originally posted by kirbic:

I agree that the R5 is the most capable choice that meets their budget needs, and certainly should have all the capability they need. The R6 just might be all they need, so they should look carefully at the differences and decide from there. In either case, there will be a *drastic* improvement in AF performance and a big improvement in low-light capability.


That’s why I’m asking here. I’m supposed to be looking carefully into it. So I’m asking the experts. :)
04/25/2022 09:09:40 PM · #6
So, when anyone asks me, "which camera should I buy" the next words out of my mouth are "tell me about what you shoot, and under what conditions." This is a starting point to define what features are most important. So let's start there. What are they using the equipment for?
04/25/2022 09:43:54 PM · #7
Originally posted by kirbic:

So, when anyone asks me, "which camera should I buy" the next words out of my mouth are "tell me about what you shoot, and under what conditions." This is a starting point to define what features are most important. So let's start there. What are they using the equipment for?


The biggest thing, imo, is good low light, low noise capabilities. I’m the photographer for an aquarium. So the lighting is very difficult, shooting through acrylic,
04/25/2022 09:44:13 PM · #8
Who will be using it - you? I know you have experience with both brands so not much learning curve either way (probably more comfortable with Sony menus, etc. at this point). However, if it's someone else ... ?
04/26/2022 04:09:33 AM · #9
Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by kirbic:

I agree that the R5 is the most capable choice that meets their budget needs, and certainly should have all the capability they need. The R6 just might be all they need, so they should look carefully at the differences and decide from there. In either case, there will be a *drastic* improvement in AF performance and a big improvement in low-light capability.


That’s why I’m asking here. I’m supposed to be looking carefully into it. So I’m asking the experts. :)


Regarding this - I'd say go for the R5. If the money fits - this will give them the longest run on a camera (they dont sound like they change every 3 years - so the R5 I think will give them a run for longer). Also - the menu system. This is probably the biggest difference between Canon and Sony. The specs end up being similar but the menu system and ergonomics are quite different. They will probably be happier with something that is "better" (the newer cameras) but familar (the menu set up and ergonomics)
04/26/2022 07:52:54 AM · #10
Thanks all!

I'm putting in the recommedations this morning. One last question:

The adapater for using an EF lens on a mirrorless canon:

There are two types:

the regular one and one with a control ring. Is the control ring worth the 100 extra bucks? Or not something you end up using?
04/26/2022 08:32:05 AM · #11
Originally posted by vawendy:

Thanks all!

I'm putting in the recommedations this morning. One last question:

The adapater for using an EF lens on a mirrorless canon:

There are two types:

the regular one and one with a control ring. Is the control ring worth the 100 extra bucks? Or not something you end up using?


The control ring adapter can be a great thing... you can set the control ring to control any number of parameters. Example: you can give any old EF lens a manual aperture control ring. for aquarium shooting, that might be a very valuable thing.

ETA: on paper, the R6 may actually have a small advantage in low light... but once the R5 files are scaled down to 20 Mpx, the difference disappears.

Message edited by author 2022-04-26 08:33:20.
04/26/2022 10:55:55 AM · #12
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by vawendy:

Thanks all!

I'm putting in the recommedations this morning. One last question:

The adapater for using an EF lens on a mirrorless canon:

There are two types:

the regular one and one with a control ring. Is the control ring worth the 100 extra bucks? Or not something you end up using?


The control ring adapter can be a great thing... you can set the control ring to control any number of parameters. Example: you can give any old EF lens a manual aperture control ring. for aquarium shooting, that might be a very valuable thing.

ETA: on paper, the R6 may actually have a small advantage in low light... but once the R5 files are scaled down to 20 Mpx, the difference disappears.


Thanks for that last sentence! That was what I was waffling about.

I wanted to recommend Sony, but they don't have money for glass. So they need to use the canon glass. And even though there are Canon to Sony adapters, they suck. :(

So I recommended the R5.
04/29/2022 02:18:58 PM · #13
Two thoughts, all rather hypothetical:
1. If moving to Sony makes the most sense for image quality, then it might be possible to reduce acquisition cost for Sony lenses by selling the Canon lenses in the used market. MBP https://www.mpb.com/en-us/ is a good place to get quick estimates of what money might be available. Unlikely to finance one to one replacement with all new lenses, but it might be interesting to see whether the most essential lenses could be financed this way. Might even consider purchasing used lenses in excellent condition for additional savings. However, if the full range of lenses is important right away, that could put constraints on changing systems. Also, it could be complicated if the used lenses sell for more than the depreciated book value.

2. Perhaps find out if there is an opportunity to influence planning in a longer time frame instead of feeling stuck with what is possible at the current moment. In the financial accounting world, the expense of camera equipment is an offset against income during a five-year depreciation schedule. Cameras have a limited useful lifespan (wear and tear and changes in technology), so careful planning for replacement is wise. Of course, lenses retain value longer, but some of that value might be harvested in the used market. If it is possible to influence capital equipment budget planning, this may be an opportunity to help map out a transition that could work over the longer term.

Admittedly, staying with Canon might be the most practical option, but sometimes considering alternatives is worthwhile.
04/29/2022 04:32:22 PM · #14
Originally posted by bob350:

...If moving to Sony makes the most sense for image quality...



I guarantee it does not. The R5 is very competitive with similarly priced Sony bodies in IQ. It is true that Sony's backside-illuminated sensors should give a bit of advantage in low light, however the actual results are quite close, most especially at high ISO.

Originally posted by bob350:


2. Perhaps find out if there is an opportunity to influence planning in a longer time frame instead of feeling stuck with what is possible at the current moment. In the financial accounting world, the expense of camera equipment is an offset against income during a five-year depreciation schedule. Cameras have a limited useful lifespan (wear and tear and changes in technology), so careful planning for replacement is wise. Of course, lenses retain value longer, but some of that value might be harvested in the used market. If it is possible to influence capital equipment budget planning, this may be an opportunity to help map out a transition that could work over the longer term.

Admittedly, staying with Canon might be the most practical option, but sometimes considering alternatives is worthwhile.


Used lens values are usually a small fraction of new pricing. Sony lenses tend to be even more expensive than their Canon counterparts. There is really little to be recouped. If current lenses are performing well, it is best to keep them.
Certainly one should consider all alternatives, but in this case, with IQ being very close, and Canon having if anything a small advantage in AF eye/subject tracking, there is no driver for a system change.
04/30/2022 12:43:19 PM · #15
What Kirbic says. If Canon R5 had been available when we went mirrorless I doubt we'd have switched to Sony...
04/30/2022 02:23:02 PM · #16
That's what I ended up recommending: the Canon R5.

Will see what they go with
05/01/2022 08:50:31 AM · #17
Originally posted by vawendy:

That's what I ended up recommending: the Canon R5.

Will see what they go with


I just got an R5 and several associated lenses after saving my pennies for over a year. There are no words to describe my love, particularly of the AI autofocus on subjects’ eyes
05/01/2022 09:24:38 AM · #18
Originally posted by noraneko:


I just got an R5 and several associated lenses after saving my pennies for over a year. There are no words to describe my love, particularly of the AI autofocus on subjects’ eyes

Awesome! When will you be able to use it? :-)
05/01/2022 11:00:45 AM · #19
Originally posted by noraneko:

Originally posted by vawendy:

That's what I ended up recommending: the Canon R5.

Will see what they go with


I just got an R5 and several associated lenses after saving my pennies for over a year. There are no words to describe my love, particularly of the AI autofocus on subjects’ eyes


I was the same way with my Sony A1. Worked extra photography jobs, sold anything that wasn’t locked down, etc. The tracking is incredible. Of course, there are times when it thinks to hard and it’s hard to make it focus on what “I” want. But I’m still trying to figure out how to quickly do that.
05/01/2022 11:19:49 AM · #20
Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by noraneko:


I just got an R5 and several associated lenses after saving my pennies for over a year. There are no words to describe my love, particularly of the AI autofocus on subjects’ eyes

Awesome! When will you be able to use it? :-)


Lol - that’s the million dollar question. Mainly on sporadic vacations right now, but am trying to get more camera time in on weekends. Due to the nature of my workplace, cameras aren’t allowed, even in the car :-(
05/01/2022 01:04:11 PM · #21
Wendy,
I think the R5 is great especially considering the price. The adaptor works well with old lenses, RF lenses are great but expensive. I really like the 100-500 with the 1.4 extender. RF lenses are pricey though. Things I don't like - Battery life stinks. Always keep a couple of spares with me. Occasionally gets close to overheating, but has rarely been a real problem. No active zebras for exposure.
If I were starting out and didn't have a lot of old Canon lenses, I would strongly consider Sony A1, but overall really love the R%.
Mike
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 07:01:58 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 07:01:58 AM EDT.