Photography industry changes...

[mollyc]

Yes I absolutely agree that smartphones will crowd out compact cameras. I’m always amazed when I see someone with them. I suppose the optical zoom might off a slight advantage over phones, but there are always clip on lenses to help the phone cameras.

I cannot see camera phones overtaking dSLRs in the foreseeable future.

 

[dwig]

I live and work in an extremely tourist orientated world (Key West FL). I commute (on foot, 2/3rd mile) through the main tourist corridor 5 days a week and often walk through the area several evenings each week. This likely biases the photographic equipment that I see toward the more serious options.

That said, I see phones being used about 50% of the time and almost never see mid- to low-end P&S cameras. The other 50% is made up of high end fixed lens (both compact and big zoom variants) and ILCs (Interchangeable Lens Cameras). The ILCs are about 2/3rds DSLRs and 1/3 mirrorless these days.

The equipment world is fast heading toward a mix of:

• phones - primary "happy snap" choice for vacation and family pix
• ILCs - the main "serious photographer" tool.
• specialty fixed lens cameras - "life cams" for video, premium compacts for serious photographers, mega-zoom models.

The ILCs are currently dominated by DSLRs, but that is solely due to market/consumer/pundit inertia. The mid to low end DSLR market is dying fast. It has not technical superiority to mirrorless and has some serious disadvantages. We'll soon be left with mirrorless covering entry level to high end with a few remaining DSLRs for special use.

 

[macuser453787]

I previously owned a Nikon DSLR (APS-C) and would not even consider using a phone camera in it's place.

No way, no how. Not for anything resembling professional photography.

In fact even if I thought phone cameras could do as good of a job, I would use the DSLR anyway just out of general principle. I don't like this seemingly recent trend/idea of "DIY-everything" at the expense of paid professionals with specialized skill sets, experience, and tools, that really know how to use them creatively/effectively.

That doesn't in any way mean that I'm against ALL DIY. No no, that's not what I'm saying at all. DIY has it's place. But for example when my (now wife) and I met with our wedding photographer, if he had said that his main tool was an iPhone (or Android, etc.), I would have promptly hired someone else. Incidentally, our wedding photographer used a MK III and did a great job.

For taking casual pics though, sure, phone cameras are a very handy tool.

When I do get my next camera, it will have a full frame sensor.

 

[v0lume4]

When I do get my next camera, it will have a full frame sensor.

Sony!!!

For real, some of the stuff they're doing with their A7 and A9 lines are crrrazy! Thinking Sony will be my full-frame upgrade (currently have a Canon crop sensor) unless Canon finds a way to sucker me even longer. To be fair, that Nikon D850 looks pretty sick though.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sony!!!

For real, some of the stuff they're doing with their A7 and A9 lines are crrrazy! Thinking Sony will be my full-frame upgrade (currently have a Canon crop sensor) unless Canon finds a way to sucker me even longer. To be fair, that Nikon D850 looks pretty sick though.

All depends on how much glass your invested in!

 

[v0lume4]

All depends on how much glass your invested in!

Not much sadly.

Read: the 18-135mm kit lens (SUPER versatile!) and a 50mm.

I envy the collection in your signature.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Not much sadly.

Read: the 18-135mm kit lens (SUPER versatile!) and a 50mm.

I envy the collection in your signature.

Only 3 were bought new. The rest I secured through work second hand for about £150 each. Although I might be thinking of getting some newer glass at some point! Who knows.

 

[macuser453787]

Sony!!!

Was thinking Canon actually. The 1D X Mark II.

 

[MCAsan]

Canon & Nikon to do mirrorless FF by the end of 2018?

https://www.43rumors.com/compeition-news-canon-confirms-they-will-go-all-in-on-mirrorless/

 

[Krevnik]

Yes I absolutely agree that smartphones will crowd out compact cameras. I’m always amazed when I see someone with them.

Looking at the sales numbers, I'm not even sure it's "will", but "have". Losing 90% of the YoY sales in 7 years is nuts.

The equipment world is fast heading toward a mix of:

• phones - primary "happy snap" choice for vacation and family pix
• ILCs - the main "serious photographer" tool.
• specialty fixed lens cameras - "life cams" for video, premium compacts for serious photographers, mega-zoom models.

This definitely feels like what I've seen as well. Although it'll be interesting to see what makes up the mix of ILCs and premium fixed lens cameras going forward. Seems like this is the part most in flux at the moment. MFT, APS-C/FF Mirrorless, Premium APS-C/FF Fixed Lens Cameras. A lot of folks trying different things to see what will work in this new era over the last decade or so.

 

[macuser453787]

Canon & Nikon to do mirrorless FF by the end of 2018?

https://www.43rumors.com/compeition-news-canon-confirms-they-will-go-all-in-on-mirrorless/

What are the advantages/disadvantages of mirrorless vs. DSLR?

Is it just that ML is space saving and more efficient? Does it somehow take a better picture?

 

[Apple fanboy]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of mirrorless vs. DSLR?

Is it just that ML is space saving and more efficient? Does it somehow take a better picture?

No. A smaller body that weighs less is an advantage.
As is an electronic viewfinder which gives you a better understanding of what your final image will look like.

But because of that they do eat batteries compared to a traditional DSLR. Also if you are carrying pro glass the weight of the body is neither here or there.

 

[v0lume4]

Was thinking Canon actually. The 1D X Mark II.

Now THAT camera is a beast!!

 

[MCAsan]

Now THAT camera is a beast!!

Compare it to Sony A9.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Compare it to Sony A9.

If I was contemplating spending that much on a new body, I'd scrimp and save a bit more and go with the Fuji GFX 50S.

When my 6D eventually gives out on me, I'll be abandoning ship and leaving Canon behind, with no second thoughts!

 

[macuser453787]

No. A smaller body that weighs less is an advantage.
As is an electronic viewfinder which gives you a better understanding of what your final image will look like.

But because of that they do eat batteries compared to a traditional DSLR. Also if you are carrying pro glass the weight of the body is neither here or there.

Okay thanks, that helps me understand the differences in a nutshell, so to speak.
[doublepost=1520726942][/doublepost]

When my 6D eventually gives out on me, I'll be abandoning ship and leaving Canon behind, with no second thoughts!

Just curious, why is that?

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Just curious, why is that?

Canon are so far behind the eight ball it's ridiculous! No need to stick with something that is that far out of date when it comes to buying my next camera body. There are much better alternatives available from quite a few other brands. Where I land will depend on the market at that point in time and what suits me for long-exposures and architecture the best.

The Panasonic linked to in message 5 looks very interesting to me!

 

[macuser453787]

Canon are so far behind the eight ball it's ridiculous!

How so? Again, just curious. I would like some understanding of this from those in the industry so I can make an educated purchase decision when the time comes. Please feel free to be as brief or as detailed as you like.

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

How so? Again, just curious. I would like some understanding of this from those in the industry so I can make an educated purchase decision when the time comes. Please feel free to be as brief or as detailed as you like.

There are much better offerings available in just about every regard, from all the other major players. I feel that Canon are surviving only because folks are so heavily invested in their glass (lenses) and find it prohibitive to switch. Me, I'll be dumping all my glass and starting off with one or two lenses, then slowly building from there again to include a macro and telephoto lens when I have the spare funds. I'll be investing a lot more this next time around and want to make a big step up in regards to image quality and the potential to print huge.

 

[macuser453787]

There are much better offerings available in just about every regard, from all the other major players. I feel that Canon are surviving only because folks are so heavily invested in their glass (lenses) and find it prohibitive to switch. Me, I'll be dumping all my glass and starting off with one or two lenses, then slowly building from there again to include a macro and telephoto lens when I have the spare funds. I'll be investing a lot more this next time around and want to make a big step up in regards to image quality and the potential to print huge.

Any bodies you're currently considering as possibles?

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

Any bodies you're currently considering as possibles?

My next purchase will in all likelihood be the step up to medium format, so either a Fuji GFX 50S or Pentax 645Z, plus some good glass to make the most of that sensor. A pretty big outlay, but well worth it when I consider how long I will be using it for and the potential to print huge images.

 

[bunnspecial]

No. A smaller body that weighs less is an advantage.
As is an electronic viewfinder which gives you a better understanding of what your final image will look like.

But because of that they do eat batteries compared to a traditional DSLR. Also if you are carrying pro glass the weight of the body is neither here or there.

I've used some pretty darn heavy camera bodies handheld. In the 35mm real, a Nikon F2 or a Canon F1 with a motor drive certainly is a beast. My F2AS came with an MD2 motor drive, and as it's been loaded pretty much since I bought it I haven't taken the time to remove the motor drive(you can't do it with film in the camera since the power rewind post goes through the baseplate and removing would fog the film) and I think the combo weighs in at 5lbs or so loaded with 10AAs and without a lens. It's almost comical to see it with a pancake lens like the 45mm 2.8 AI-P(smallest lens Nikon has made-a 45mm 2.8GN or 50mm 1.8 Series E will work in a pinch for less money). Granted it's still not as funny looking as my Leitz 50mm collapsible Elmar on my Canon 7.

I've also shot basketball with a 4x5 Speed Graphic, and have trekked around with a Mamiya RB67. I think the Mamiya is the heaviest of all the bunch.

In fact, when I got my Hasselblad back in January, I wanted to carry it everywhere because of how light it was compared to other MF cameras I've had. To be fair, I think my Pentax 645 is lighter, but it has its quirks that makes it far from my favorite camera to use.

In any case, I say all of that because I find that-within reason-heavier bodies do a better job of damping out vibrations. On the lens front, one of the reasons that many folks find mirror lenses so difficult to use well is because they are so light. This can be true of bodies also. Heck, the mirror in the RB67 Pro-SD is 8cmx8cm, and the sheer weight of the body is enough to dampen it(I wish someone else had run with the Bronica EC/EC-TL design of a split mirror where half goes down and half goes up).

Of course, mirror shock isn't an issue on mirrorless.

One of the biggest barriers I see to the Sony FF system, though, is that the native lens selection just isn't that

 

[MCAsan]

One of the biggest barriers I see to the Sony FF system, though, is that the native lens selection just isn't that

Much less of problem for those that have a pile of good Canon glass. Add a Metabones adapter and use the glass with Sony A9 or A7rIII.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...MIurmwsrPk2QIVHUwNCh0HEQ1sEAQYASABEgJV6vD_BwE

 

[Precision Gem]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of mirrorless vs. DSLR?

Is it just that ML is space saving and more efficient? Does it somehow take a better picture?

Many of the new mirror less camera's use a micro4/3 sensor, which is smaller than the typical SLR. This means the camera body is also smaller, but more importantly the lenses are smaller.

I have a Nikon D750 with a full frame sensor, and also an Olympus E-M1 mirrorless. I find that I am using the Olympus a lot more than the Nikon. I have a similar range of lenses for both camera's and the camera bag for the Olympus is 1/4 the weight of the Nikon bag.

 

[dwig]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of mirrorless vs. DSLR?

Is it just that ML is space saving and more efficient? Does it somehow take a better picture?

In addition to what AppleFanBoy correctly stated, there are several advantages of not having a mirror. One is the mechanical simplicity, fewer moving parts. Two, is focusing off of the actual image sensor which eliminates the accuracy problems associated with reflex focusing.

There is an another advantage rarely mentioned. By introducing a new lens mount and the associated line of lenses created to fit that mount directly, as opposed to adapting legacy lenses, the mfg. can "slip in" new designs, as the Micro 4/3s group did when they replaced the 4/3s DSLRs with mirrorless models. By forcing telecentric designs the edge performance can be massively improved on digital sensors, eliminating the performance issues limit the performance of "antique" film-orientated optical designs.