topic Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ? in General Discussion

The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

SBK — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 00:31:30 GMT

I am far from making the move, but I am wondering what your thoughts are on this transition.

On my side, moving from the Nikon film-camera world to the Canon digital-camera world was painful as I had to let go a lot of cameras (1x F90X and 3x FM2n), prime lenses from 24 to 300mm and a PC lens.

One of the big advantages of mirrorless is when you shoot in places like churches where you don't want to be loud.

Canon EF lenses can be used on R cameras so it's not like those lenses are totally wasted. So, I think the transition should be smoother ?

What do you think ?

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

Waddizzle — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 02:33:14 GMT

I think it is a well thought out transition. How much smoother do you think it should be? Everything you described about Canon users transitioning from DLSRs to mirrorless bodies sounded pretty good.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

ebiggs1 — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 07:05:37 GMT

"What do you think ?"

The fact is, you have no choice. Canon has decided that mirrorless is the future. It is just a matter of time and you won't have a choice. Unless you are a serious pro wanting a 1 series, there are no pro level mirrorless yet, your best course if mirrorless.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

kvbarkley — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 14:09:22 GMT

In your case it was not the transition to digital that was painful, but the transition to a new ecosystem.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

SBK — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:43:56 GMT

"I think it is a well thought out transition. How much smoother do you think it should be? Everything you described about Canon users transitioning from DLSRs to mirrorless bodies sounded pretty good."

Yeah, the reason I am asking is I might spend some money in the 35mm f/2 IS USM, 85mm f/1.8, 135mm f/2 L, and 200mm f/2.8 L, and was wondering if I should wait for the mirrorless version. Still thinking. The problem is i could wait for a long time.

"The fact is, you have no choice. Canon has decided that mirrorless is the future. It is just a matter of time and you won't have a choice. Unless you are a serious pro wanting a 1 series, there are no pro level mirrorless yet, your best course if mirrorless."

No, I am an amateur, and don't make a living out of my photo gear.

"In your case it was not the transition to digital that was painful, but the transition to a new ecosystem."

During my film time, I bought a brand new Nikkor AF 35mm f2 in which the aperture blades showed traces of oil after 1 year of use and then they became sticky, where the blades stopped closing when pictures were taken. Pics came back all overexposed. Then when it was time to move to the digital world, I was looking at the Nikon D600. It was a big Nikon mess. So I did not buy the D600. That was when I lost confidence in Nikon quality control. Even when the D610 came out I didn't want to make the jump and switched to the Canon world with the 6D and took all pics with my 50mm 1.8 STM for 5 years.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

Waddizzle — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:21:29 GMT

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Perhaps ont thing you need to consider is service life. I think all of those lenses are well over 10 year old designs, so I think their service life could be somewhat limited. Being several years old, your 6D camera body may have a limited future when it comes service life, too. The main problem is in obtainng the spare electronic parts.

If I were in your position, I do not know what I would do. I cover that range of focal lengths with a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is a great lens, which I gave to my son for video work.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 16:48:18 GMT

"I might spend some money in the 35mm f/2 IS USM, 85mm f/1.8, 135mm f/2 L, and 200mm f/2.8 L, and was wondering if I should wait for the mirrorless version."

Wait? Do you know Canon already has the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, RF 85mm F1.2 L USM and RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens (includes your 135mm and 200mm).

Who knows when other FLs will come out but if I were to start a new R system today it would include the RF 24–105mm F4 L IS USM as my first buy. These lenses are all outstanding and at least the equal of the current EF series.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

SBK — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 23:29:54 GMT

"Wait? Do you know Canon already has the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, RF 85mm F1.2 L USM and RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens (includes your 135mm and 200mm)."

RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, RF 85mm F1.2 L USM and RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM = $6,427.73

35mm f/2 IS USM, 85mm f/1.8, 135mm f/2 L, and 200mm f/2.8 L = $3,014.94

All prices are as of today 12/12/2020 at B&H, taxes included.

I think for professionals like you are, the prices are not the most important thing, you buy them as tools for your work. But for amateurs like me, $3000 vs $6400 is a big deal.

That said, I do want to thank you for steering me towards the mirrorless world. My thinking process has been revolving around the Canon EF lenses due to the prices. Perhaps, the best transition for my particular case is to spend $2100 in the Canon RP and the RF 24-105mm f4 IS USM, for now and get some prime lenses later.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

Waddizzle — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 00:48:55 GMT

"35mm f/2 IS USM, 85mm f/1.8, 135mm f/2 L, and 200mm f/2.8 L = $3,014.94"

If you swap out the 85mm, 135mm, and 200mm for the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II/III USM, then you spend even less.

I have considered buying the 135mm f/2L because it is a great portrait lens. However, I can shoot at f/2.8 with the 70-200 zoom, and add more bsckground blur in Photoshop, if I wanted more.

"Photoshop is cheaper than camera gear!"

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

SBK — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 05:20:55 GMT

If I understand it correctly, the Canon R5 and R6 have the built-in-body Image Stabilizer.

So does that mean that none of the RF lens would ever need IS ?

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

SBK — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 05:25:13 GMT

Sorry, I've just realized that my above question does not make sense as the RF lenses do feature IS such as in the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, and RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, mentioned above.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

ebiggs1 — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 15:52:08 GMT

"RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, RF 85mm F1.2 L USM and RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM = $6,427.73

35mm f/2 IS USM, 85mm f/1.8, 135mm f/2 L, and 200mm f/2.8 L = $3,014.94

... But for ... me, $3000 vs $6400 is a big deal."

It is a big deal for any of us. However, sometimes spending more at the begining turns out to be the cheapest route. And, you don't have to buy everything all at once. Spread it out, as a matter of fact that is what I advise everybody to do. Reason? Do you really klnow what you want or need today? I guess you are like most of us and don't but you guess what tomorrow's needs might be.

Still your cheapest course is the RF 24-105mm f4 today. Perhaps the RF 70-200mm f2.8 together or even later on. I sugest if you have the 70-200mm you may never need any thing else for portrait work. I don't! And, I have both an 85mm f1.2L and 135mm f2L.

Keep in mind EF is dying, no not today, not tomorow, not even next year, but it is. RF is the future.

Re: The transition from mirror to mirrorless should be less painful than from film to digital ?

ebiggs1 — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 15:56:36 GMT

You know RF will has its time, too. In the future there will come down the pike another newer better system. No, I don't know or have a clue to what it might be but you can rest assured it will come. Change is inevitable.