Worth switching to mirrorless?
Discussion
Simpo Two said:
That's a good reason why you need a proper camera to shoot sports. 'Eye focus' is for snappers with smartphones, sorry!
Eye focus is also for some of the best wedding photographers in the world, but hey ho.I'm also struggling to work out how, for example, a Sony a9 isn't a 'proper camera'. Heck my a7RII was good enough at the Festival of Speed for my action work to be picked up.
Simpo Two said:
Mr Carter's photo brings up another point, and I believe it as true now as it was when I was producing corporate video in the 1990s.
Punters like size. If they're paying good money for a professional videographer or photographer, they expect to see a big camera. Bigger that theirs. We'd go to a video shoot with a camera that wasn't actually state of the art (Hi-Band U-matic) but it was big. Customers would say 'Wow that's a big camera' - and that was credibility established. Roll forward 20 years to the wedding stills market: 'Wow that's a big camera, I bet that was expensive'. Bingo. Yes you have to be able to work it, but point is - there are times when size matters
Times have changed mate. People are far more savvy than you think, and no longer think 'bigger is better'. They know that size no longer means 'pro', and just judge by results.Punters like size. If they're paying good money for a professional videographer or photographer, they expect to see a big camera. Bigger that theirs. We'd go to a video shoot with a camera that wasn't actually state of the art (Hi-Band U-matic) but it was big. Customers would say 'Wow that's a big camera' - and that was credibility established. Roll forward 20 years to the wedding stills market: 'Wow that's a big camera, I bet that was expensive'. Bingo. Yes you have to be able to work it, but point is - there are times when size matters
IMHO of course, but by my experience.
GetCarter said:
Simpo Two said:
Mr Carter's photo brings up another point, and I believe it as true now as it was when I was producing corporate video in the 1990s.
Punters like size. If they're paying good money for a professional videographer or photographer, they expect to see a big camera. Bigger that theirs. We'd go to a video shoot with a camera that wasn't actually state of the art (Hi-Band U-matic) but it was big. Customers would say 'Wow that's a big camera' - and that was credibility established. Roll forward 20 years to the wedding stills market: 'Wow that's a big camera, I bet that was expensive'. Bingo. Yes you have to be able to work it, but point is - there are times when size matters
Times have changed mate. People are far more savvy than you think, and no longer think 'bigger is better'. They know that size no longer means 'pro', and just judge by results.Punters like size. If they're paying good money for a professional videographer or photographer, they expect to see a big camera. Bigger that theirs. We'd go to a video shoot with a camera that wasn't actually state of the art (Hi-Band U-matic) but it was big. Customers would say 'Wow that's a big camera' - and that was credibility established. Roll forward 20 years to the wedding stills market: 'Wow that's a big camera, I bet that was expensive'. Bingo. Yes you have to be able to work it, but point is - there are times when size matters
IMHO of course, but by my experience.
t.On the subject of big cameras- I went to a large agricultural show this morning and was trying to figure out how to get in to the area where the show cattle were being prepared. Turned out it was actually cordoned off. A steward saw me and asked if I was here to take pictures of the animals, I replied that I was and was invited in.
I had my 5DSR with a 2.8 24-70 on a pro strap, kit bag over the other shoulder. Goes to show a big camera can sometimes get where smaller cameras can't
I had my 5DSR with a 2.8 24-70 on a pro strap, kit bag over the other shoulder. Goes to show a big camera can sometimes get where smaller cameras can't
singlecoil said:
Goes to show a big camera can sometimes get where smaller cameras can't
... and on the flip side... I once had an F1 press officer look at my SONY A7 and say "you're alright to go into the motorhome and interview our driver, you only have a small camera" (as in, large bulky lenses and cameras swung around in a cramped confined motorhome = bad idea)Lynchie999 said:
singlecoil said:
Goes to show a big camera can sometimes get where smaller cameras can't
... and on the flip side... I once had an F1 press officer look at my SONY A7 and say "you're alright to go into the motorhome and interview our driver, you only have a small camera" (as in, large bulky lenses and cameras swung around in a cramped confined motorhome = bad idea)[quote]
Yes, all guests have phones. But in any wedding crowd there will always be some what I termed 'Uncle Phils' with their DSLRs who love to collar you and talk about apertures. I liked them and was always happy to share my knowledge; they made the day more interesting. Whilst it was a major factor in my work that I blended in with the guests, having the biggest camera gets you to the front of the queue because even shooting reportage, sometimes you have to take charge a little and it helps if people know who the tog is.
[/quote]
I am one of those Uncle Phils. I take my DSLR on all family gatherings and family days out. The way I see it, practice makes perfect. My friends poke fun at me, but I don't care. I've got some great shots.
However, I rarely engage Pros in conversation as I'm actually too embarrassed. My BIL is Pro and he just won't talk to me about it, so now I don't bother and this has become a sore point. My SIL says I should ask what ever I want. I'm also one of the few people who have ever taken picture of him with his newphews (My sons), as obviously he can't.
Also, despite us having a Pro in the family he is very difficult when it comes to taking photos of his family. Annoyingly he offers and we meet at pre-arranged place and then he doesn't bring his kit. It reached a point where we gave up and paid someone else and annoyingly her photos were very poor and that prompted Mrs Bakerstreet and I to get practice more with our camera.
As for mirrorless, I have an D3100. Having looked at the price of the Z6, I won't be switching any time soon. Even I do switch it will be to something older like a 7200. Mainly interested in the 7200 for the better Live View switch, more AF points and the second settings dial on the front of the grip. Environmentally sealed will also offer some durability advantages. Already got four lenses, so will be sticking with Nikon for a while.
Also, I think Nikon have misjudged it. Canon's new Mirrorless just launched and I think they have hit the right price point for the lower end of the market. I presume Nikon have plans to release Z500/5000 series like cameras that are more affordable, but even then people will still have to pay out for an adaptor.
Yes, all guests have phones. But in any wedding crowd there will always be some what I termed 'Uncle Phils' with their DSLRs who love to collar you and talk about apertures. I liked them and was always happy to share my knowledge; they made the day more interesting. Whilst it was a major factor in my work that I blended in with the guests, having the biggest camera gets you to the front of the queue because even shooting reportage, sometimes you have to take charge a little and it helps if people know who the tog is.
[/quote]
I am one of those Uncle Phils. I take my DSLR on all family gatherings and family days out. The way I see it, practice makes perfect. My friends poke fun at me, but I don't care. I've got some great shots.
However, I rarely engage Pros in conversation as I'm actually too embarrassed. My BIL is Pro and he just won't talk to me about it, so now I don't bother and this has become a sore point. My SIL says I should ask what ever I want. I'm also one of the few people who have ever taken picture of him with his newphews (My sons), as obviously he can't.
Also, despite us having a Pro in the family he is very difficult when it comes to taking photos of his family. Annoyingly he offers and we meet at pre-arranged place and then he doesn't bring his kit. It reached a point where we gave up and paid someone else and annoyingly her photos were very poor and that prompted Mrs Bakerstreet and I to get practice more with our camera.
As for mirrorless, I have an D3100. Having looked at the price of the Z6, I won't be switching any time soon. Even I do switch it will be to something older like a 7200. Mainly interested in the 7200 for the better Live View switch, more AF points and the second settings dial on the front of the grip. Environmentally sealed will also offer some durability advantages. Already got four lenses, so will be sticking with Nikon for a while.
Also, I think Nikon have misjudged it. Canon's new Mirrorless just launched and I think they have hit the right price point for the lower end of the market. I presume Nikon have plans to release Z500/5000 series like cameras that are more affordable, but even then people will still have to pay out for an adaptor.
Those thread has really got me thinking. I use my DSLR kit less and less these days, and a smaller system would suit me better.
The A7 seems to be the system to go for, but what lenses would I need? I currently have a “walk around lens”, a 24-105f4 and a fast prime, 50f1.4, but wouldn’t mind something wider. Also, what is the weather sealing like? On both the body and lenses? Are the bodies plastic?
The Fuji XT2 also looks like a possible option, but I haven’t used a crop sensor for years, so not sure I could go back.
The A7 seems to be the system to go for, but what lenses would I need? I currently have a “walk around lens”, a 24-105f4 and a fast prime, 50f1.4, but wouldn’t mind something wider. Also, what is the weather sealing like? On both the body and lenses? Are the bodies plastic?
The Fuji XT2 also looks like a possible option, but I haven’t used a crop sensor for years, so not sure I could go back.
Craikeybaby said:
Those thread has really got me thinking. I use my DSLR kit less and less these days, and a smaller system would suit me better.
The A7 seems to be the system to go for, but what lenses would I need? I currently have a “walk around lens”, a 24-105f4 and a fast prime, 50f1.4, but wouldn’t mind something wider. Also, what is the weather sealing like? On both the body and lenses? Are the bodies plastic?
The Fuji XT2 also looks like a possible option, but I haven’t used a crop sensor for years, so not sure I could go back.
Not sure if I have the right model and camera group as you are talking about but I have the A7iii. To be honest by the time you get some decent lenses the difference in size is not worth the worry. The lens are still big. Sorry if I’be misunderstood what camera system you mean! The A7 seems to be the system to go for, but what lenses would I need? I currently have a “walk around lens”, a 24-105f4 and a fast prime, 50f1.4, but wouldn’t mind something wider. Also, what is the weather sealing like? On both the body and lenses? Are the bodies plastic?
The Fuji XT2 also looks like a possible option, but I haven’t used a crop sensor for years, so not sure I could go back.
steveatesh said:
Craikeybaby said:
Those thread has really got me thinking. I use my DSLR kit less and less these days, and a smaller system would suit me better.
The A7 seems to be the system to go for, but what lenses would I need? I currently have a “walk around lens”, a 24-105f4 and a fast prime, 50f1.4, but wouldn’t mind something wider. Also, what is the weather sealing like? On both the body and lenses? Are the bodies plastic?
The Fuji XT2 also looks like a possible option, but I haven’t used a crop sensor for years, so not sure I could go back.
Not sure if I have the right model and camera group as you are talking about but I have the A7iii. To be honest by the time you get some decent lenses the difference in size is not worth the worry. The lens are still big. Sorry if I’be misunderstood what camera system you mean! The A7 seems to be the system to go for, but what lenses would I need? I currently have a “walk around lens”, a 24-105f4 and a fast prime, 50f1.4, but wouldn’t mind something wider. Also, what is the weather sealing like? On both the body and lenses? Are the bodies plastic?
The Fuji XT2 also looks like a possible option, but I haven’t used a crop sensor for years, so not sure I could go back.
I still come back to the idea that one of the USPs of the Sony camera is the eye tracking focus and how accurate that is - ok, on a DSLR you need to have your lens properly calibrated to your body, a relatively easy step with live view, but after that its down to the software which has nothing that I can see to do with mirrorless or not. Its like buying a diesel over a petrol because the diesel has a better sat nav.
Edited by Heres Johnny on Saturday 1st September 11:13
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