I Got A New Mirrorless Camera
I got a new mirrorless camera on Friday and have been busy testing it together with a new lens arrived a few days earlier.
Why do I need a new camera? Didn’t I mention how I downsized to one camera and one lens 2 years ago?
Well, things have changed. So hear me out.
➡️ We travel less these days - in fact only day trips since this summer.
➡️ It’s the first time we live in Washington, and we certainly need to get used to the rain.
➡️ Less travel and rainy days mean more indoor photos. My Sony 55mm prime lens on my Sony A7iii does not allow me to capture erratical movement in close distance at home (do kids ever stop?). I certainly am not a big fan mounting my old Canon wide angle and everyday zoom lenses on the Sony body with an adapter in between - not because of the bulkiness, but the performance. I mentioned this in my video above.
➡️ I no longer carry a diaper bag and am ok to venture into something bigger and heavier.
➡️ As the kids grow up, we will be more flexible on schedule. I’ll eventually take more landscape photos during sunrise, sunset or even middle of night (check my photo gallery in the menu). I will need wide angle and zoom lenses. In fact I need the exact three Canon lenses I have owned for the past 10 years. (see my full gear list). Just need the RF version for mirrorless mount so no lens adapters are needed.
Over the last few years, I have been patiently waiting for Canon to release the right mirrorless full frame camera for these lenses. And they finally did this summer.
My Sony A7iii mirrorless purchase to me was never a permanent switch, as for many other photographers.
I held off buying any other Sony lenses over the last two years, as I am a big fan and believer in Canon lenses. See more detailed tips on equipment in my 30 day photo tips online ebook.
Yes I still care about size and weight. The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L simply beats all its competitors. It’s so much more compact! I have to admit it is one of the major reasons I switched back from Sony to Canon. (See my mirrorless camera comparison video above).
By no means, this means I didn’t love my Sony gear. For the long run, I just have to pick one brand as I invest in multiple lenses - Canon has been the lens king for decades and I’ve been a Canon fan for decades.
As we are settling down, the right time finally came.
In a nutshell, I have never been an impulsive buyer for camera equipment (see my gear list). Each purchase was well planned, even though some took years to wait.
I often got questions which camera you should buy.
If you’ve been looking for a mirrorless camera but couldn’t decide which one is right for you, check out my free video guide that will help you understand the key criteria to choose the right camera.
Mirrorless Camera Ultimate Buying Guide (2023 version)
〰️
Mirrorless Camera Ultimate Buying Guide (2023 version) 〰️
Do the same exercise. Write down the following:
➡️ what you want to photograph, eg. kids, pets, mountains or wild animals etc.
➡️ what light condition, eg. indoor low light or outdoor natural light, you typically would use the camera
➡️ what budget. Remember camera is one, lens is another. Budget for both to be realistic! Even budget is not an issue, you still want to think about these questions before finding the right camera.
➡️ any size or weight concerns
➡️ any compatibility issues with your existing gear (assuming you have lens etc.)
Then your research will be much easier.
ISO1600, 28mm, f/2.8, 1/200sec
By the way I did try out my new gear outdoors briefly yesterday, over a colorless sunset. There was just me and a peaceful beach. Suddenly hundreds of sea birds flew over my head and circled in the air for 30 seconds. That was the highlight of the evening. It got dark pretty quickly and my hand held position only sustained a limited shots.
Just in case you are curious, all these photos were shot on Canon EOS R6 and Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8. My final camera Canon EOS R5 is still in back order and I’ll update when it arrives.
Update: See my camera comparison video posted on the top of this post after using both Canon EOS R5 and R6 for several weeks and how I decide which is the right camera for me.
Note: This blog includes Amazon affiliate links, so you can get more product details. As an Amazon Associate I get paid a small fee from the purchases you make through my links without additional cost from you.
You May Also Love…
The Sony 35mm f1.4 GM lens is a powerhouse for photographers who value sharpness, versatility, and low-light performance. Discover why this lens became my most-used gear during a recent trip, the scenarios where it excels, and whether it’s the right choice for your photography style.