Considering upgrading from EOS 5D Mark III, but going back and forth...

[mknabster]

Thanks for your time in helping me decide, I have been going back and forth on this for awhile now, but i'm considering an upgrade more since I have noticed my 5D MKIII has been having some odd autofocus issues. At first I thought it could be the lens, but now it has happened with three of them, so it might actually be the camera. Long story short, it was having issues finding focus during daylight. I had to press the shutter multiple times to get it to lock on. I have had it for a solid 12 years at this point, don't use it professionally (despite what people tell me) and have done my best to take care of it (though I took the weather sealing for granted when I took it to Niagara Falls a couple years ago). I have 4x Tamron SP 1st generation lenses and 1x Samyang lens.

Now to my dilemma, do I keep with the DSLR and go with a new 5D MKIV so I can keep using my lens lineup, know the body is built like a tank, and not have to worry about firmware updates? Or, do I go to the mirrorless system, probably either the R5, R5 MKII, or R6 MKII, and get the superior autofocus, a flip out screen for those low angle shots, and an EVF?

I know I would need an adapter to use my current lenses, and Tamron said I would need to send a majority of them away to get their internal firmware upgraded to work with the R series. I recently saw an R5 user with a Canon EF to RF adapter and saw the lens seemed like it was bending down a bit, so that scared me a bit. He had the Canon 70-300mm DO IS on it, so not too long of a lens to cause that.

As far as what I currently use my 5D MKIII for, it's mostly travel, landscapes, macro, wildlife, family and some astrophotography. I probably wouldn't use video on a new camera since I have a dedicated camcorder, plus a majority of my lenses don't have the quietest autofocus on them. I would like to have a top screen because I use mine all the time, I hate the R6 MKII doesn't have it, because I would opt for that one if it did since the MP count isn't as big of a jump like it would be to either of the R5s, but then again, that higher MP would allow me to crop, which I never felt like I could do detail wise with mine at 22MP. I also have seen so many people talk about their R camera lock up or freeze on them, plus I have seen it happen first hand on my father-in-law's R6 MKII. I'm also surprised that Canon is still selling the 5D MKIV, so as you can see I'm all over the place.

So, in reading all this, coming from a 5D MKIII, a little bit afraid of change but still want to get some nice images, what do you think, go mirrorless or stay with DSLR? Thanks for your time on this, I do appreciate it!

[Tronhard]

The DSLR platform is on life-support and I see sales on the high-end bodies like the 5DIV at my end of the planet, so that suggests to me that they will run out in the foreseeable future.  I would normally say that it is better to move to the R-series MILC bodies to gain the benefits of face and eye tracking, better dynamic range, IBIS (in some cases) and future-proofing your camera technology, especially with an eye to getting new optics. 

However, considering your statement that you have had your 5DIII for 12 years and seemed otherwise happy with it, I get the impression you will not be changing gear often. Significant to that is the question of your intentions as regards lenses. You have made no mention of intending to switch to RF native glass if you did get a R-series body and, in fact, seem to suggest you would consider having your current Sigma lenses adapted. This leads me to suspect you are happy with the performance of those lenses and are not considering a native RF lens upgrade.  The question you need to consider is whether the benefits of an R MILC will be worth the cost of having your Sigma lenses adapted.  I honestly can't answer that - only you can.

If that assumption about keeping your lenses is correct and, given your trepidation regarding R series bodies, I would say that if you do not see a major benefit in moving to a MILC body then stick to the DSLR platform and get a 5DIV.  If it does what you want then it's appropriate.

I will, however, add a couple of notes regarding your concerns:

1. If the person you saw that seemed to have a bend with the RF adapter, it suggests to me that they were not supporting the camera + lens combo under the base of the lens and adapter, which is where one is supposed to carry and use them.  I can say that I have used multiple heavy lenses, including the Sigma 60-600s (which is a howitzer at 2.7kg, about 6lb) with no issues whatsoever via the Canon EF-RF adapter, on my 4 R-series bodies - the mounts are designed to take that kind of load.

Also, as regards complaints, it is a common phenomena that most comments about a product are negative, as the silent majority see no reason to comment on something that works as intended.

[TomRamsey]

My advice on buying a new camera is go with the newest technology you can afford.  As far as a lens on an adapter bending down, I don't see how that could happen unless the person was holding the camera with both hands.  If one is holding the kit properly and supporting the lens with the left hand that should never happen.  

[mknabster]

Thank you both for your replies! Yea, the guy where I saw the bend had left it on a banister, which wasn't the best idea on his end. I guess it's not that I'm not open to RF lenses, I'm waiting for other manufacturers to start producing them so I'll probably keep what I have until that happens. But yes, you are right there Trevor, it took me 12 years to get myself to the 5 lenses I have now, and they all have their uses, plus they all work just fine so if they work with an adapter, I wouldn't see the need to replace them.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Check with Tamron and see if the tap-in console $59 is available to upgrade the FW on your lenses.  It will pay for itself after one use and you won't have to send your lenses anywhere.  

If your lenses are so old they can't be upgraded using the tap in adapter, then I would sell them to offset the capital expense of the new camera.  Maybe keeping one or two favorites and going through the hassle of sending them in.  The 5DIII was a great body.  However, DSLRs  have been eclipsed by mirrorless.  If you want to save a little cash, buy the R5, buy it from Canon refurbished.  As nice as the R5 Mark II is, the standard R5 would still be a huge upgrade for you.  Regardless of which you choose, you'll be super happy.  

[mknabster]

Thanks for your response Rick! Unfortunately all of my Tamrons are G1, so the tap-in console only works with the G2 lenses. Of the ones I tested on my father in law's R6 so far, I think only the 180mm macro and 150-600mm didn't work on his, but the 24-70 and 70-300 worked fine without updates.

Yea, I had my eye on the R5 over the MKII, the MKII having the vents in the bottom scares me if shooting in higher humidity.

[shadowsports]

If you've been satisfied with the resolution that your 5DIII provides, then the R6 Mark II should also be considered.  It's top performing and very affordable.

If you're looking for a bump In resolution then the R5 is a good choice.  I upgraded from a 6D Mark II, 26 MP.  The R5 platform is superb.  I got everything I wanted.

[ctitanic]

Here is my uneducated opinion. Upgrading your camera is an investment and considering that DSLR are not made any more by Canon I would buy a mirrorless, add to that all the new advance features now available on Canon Mirrorless the most import to me is a lot better AF.

If you like the top display then your option is to go with the R5 or R5 Mark II. Going with the R5 Mark I will save you some money. The R5 Mark II includes more new features but you may not need them and from a point of view of dynamic it's not better than the Mark I. But this difference is more noticeable from those upgrading from the Mark I to the Mark II.

Keep in mind that the R5 top display is not that informative as what you have in the 5D Mark III. In the R5 it serves also as Mode switching display. I own the 5DM3 and I switched to a R6 and I do not miss the top display at all. It's cool and I like it but it's not to me an essential feature.