Do you still need a DSLR?

[gudgoin]

Of the new Canon R Series mirrorless camera adopters, who have kept their DSLR(s) as system compliments, and who have gone all mirrorless and not looked back?

 

[LoneRider]

I bought the original R in 2018 while I also owned a 5D Mark IV and an 80D. At the time, I intended to keep the 5D and probably sell the 80D.

Six weeks later, I had not touched the 5D4 once. Re-thought my plan and decided to sell the 5D4. Glad I did at the time because I got more for my used one then they sell for new now. Sold the 80D a short time later as well.

Ended up buying a second R. Sold one last year and picked up an R5, thinking I would do an R/R5 combo. Shortly after using the R5, decided it was too much going between R and R5, sold my second R for an R6 and haven’t looked back.

I would honestly be surprised if Canon released any new DSLR’s at this point. Possible exception being the consumer “T” series crop bodies to keep market share in that category. I imagine they will continue making the current models in the upper lines (90D, 5D4, 1DX3) along with the current EF and EF-S lenses but I think they will be end of the lines models with focus shifting to R series bodies and RF lenses.

 

[gudgoin]

I bought the original R in 2018 while I also owned a 5D Mark IV and an 80D. At the time, I intended to keep the 5D and probably sell the 80D.

Six weeks later, I had not touched the 5D4 once. Re-thought my plan and decided to sell the 5D4. Glad I did at the time because I got more for my used one then they sell for new now. Sold the 80D a short time later as well.

Ended up buying a second R. Sold one last year and picked up an R5, thinking I would do an R/R5 combo. Shortly after using the R5, decided it was too much going between R and R5, sold my second R for an R6 and haven’t looked back.

I would honestly be surprised if Canon released any new DSLR’s at this point. Possible exception being the consumer “T” series crop bodies to keep market share in that category. I imagine they will continue making the current models in the upper lines (90D, 5D4, 1DX3) along with the current EF and EF-S lenses but I think they will be end of the lines models with focus shifting to R series bodies and RF lenses.

When the R was in development and we knew that Canon would be developing a complete mirrorless camera system, it came as a bit of a surprise that the successor to the 1DXII would be a DSLR and not a mirrorless camera. In retrospect, it makes sense because the effort was to build a sports camera for the 2020 Olympics that would be the best in the world. Building on decades of known design and existing glass made the most sense. But, I think that you are correct in the assumption that future efforts will be based on the advantages that the shorter FD of mirrorless provides, not to mention quietness, lack of mirror vibration, WYSIWYG EVF and a dozen other features. For all of them we give up an OVF and it appears to be a fair exchange. I miss it nonetheless.

 

[Mantis55]

I bought the original R in 2018 while I also owned a 5D Mark IV and an 80D. At the time, I intended to keep the 5D and probably sell the 80D.

Six weeks later, I had not touched the 5D4 once. Re-thought my plan and decided to sell the 5D4. Glad I did at the time because I got more for my used one then they sell for new now. Sold the 80D a short time later as well.

Ended up buying a second R. Sold one last year and picked up an R5, thinking I would do an R/R5 combo. Shortly after using the R5, decided it was too much going between R and R5, sold my second R for an R6 and haven’t looked back.

I would honestly be surprised if Canon released any new DSLR’s at this point. Possible exception being the consumer “T” series crop bodies to keep market share in that category. I imagine they will continue making the current models in the upper lines (90D, 5D4, 1DX3) along with the current EF and EF-S lenses but I think they will be end of the lines models with focus shifting to R series bodies and RF lenses.

My early experience is similar to yours. I had the 5Div and the 7Dii. The 5D was for landscapes and the 7D was used for wildlife/sport. I got offered a really good price on the EOS R just a few months ago and took the plunge. I sold my 7D at the same time.

The intention was to use the R for wildlife/sport or, if the EVF didn't suit me, make it my landscape camera. So far I'm undecided as I have had some cracking wildlife pics with it, but there's been no sport happening due to the pandemic. It's been great fun to use, but I've dug out my 5D a couple of times and I suspect the R has the edge on focus speed. Never been keen on EVFs but maybe it's growing on me. The articulated screen is a bonus for landscapes with the tripod low, saves my knees
The down side is the lag in the viewfinder - even after a half press to wake it up, there's a delay after I raise it to my eye, not great for birds in flight.
So I'm probably about 50/50 with going completely mirrorless, and getting a good price for the 5D while it's still worth something.

 

[Robbie_B]

My 5D Mk2 is sitting in its bag in the corner with a couple of EF lenses and has hardly seen the light of day since I got the RP and later also an R6. I had considered selling but it has been a faithful workhorse for many years and i have grandchildren who are beginning to show an interest in photography so that is probably where it will end up. Only problem for small grandchild, she will hardly be able to lift it with a 24-105 on.

 

[jscraig07]

I bought the R in early 2020, coming from a 6D MkII. I thought the R would be both an upgrade and my first foray into mirrorless. By summer of 2020, the only time I had looked at the bag the DSLR was in was to shift it out of the way to pick up the bag where I kept the R. However, the R still lacked some features that I had wanted, so this year I picked up an R5. My intention now is to sell off my DSLRs (I also still own a 70D), keeping the R as a backup body. The move to RF lenses will be much slower however, since the EF lenses I have work well and I don't have the budget to make that move quickly.

 

[gudgoin]

I bought the R in early 2020, coming from a 6D MkII. I thought the R would be both an upgrade and my first foray into mirrorless. By summer of 2020, the only time I had looked at the bag the DSLR was in was to shift it out of the way to pick up the bag where I kept the R. However, the R still lacked some features that I had wanted, so this year I picked up an R5. My intention now is to sell off my DSLRs (I also still own a 70D), keeping the R as a backup body. The move to RF lenses will be much slower however, since the EF lenses I have work well and I don't have the budget to make that move quickly.

The lens issue is one I contemplate, as well. Does one keep the legacy EF glass and an EF body or two, or do you cash out on the lot and build an RF system from the ground up? Once having invested in RF glass, that's pretty much the end of using EF bodies. I've got an EOS 1v film camera that is an awesome film shooter and compatible with all of my EF glass, so it's an issue greater than just considering the digital era.

 

[Dbull54]

The lens issue is one I contemplate, as well. Does one keep the legacy EF glass and an EF body or two, or do you cash out on the lot and build an RF system from the ground up? Once having invested in RF glass, that's pretty much the end of using EF bodies. I've got an EOS 1v film camera that is an awesome film shooter and compatible with all of my EF glass, so it's an issue greater than just considering the digital era.

I went strictly to the R as soon as I got it and couldn’t be happier. I got the lens converter and the L series lenses work great with it.

 

[Heilo]

My intention is to keep using my EF glass and just adapt it. I am keeping my mkIV but not sure how much I’ll end up using it. More for a backup than anything. I’d like to get some native glass for the R5 but that’s expensive.

 

[LoneRider]

My intention is to keep using my EF glass and just adapt it. I am keeping my mkIV but not sure how much I’ll end up using it. More for a backup than anything. I’d like to get some native glass for the R5 but that’s expensive.

I sold some of my EF glass and for RF lenses (EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II for RF 70-200mm f/2.8L, EF 50mm f/1.8 for RF 50mm f/1.8, EF 11-24mm f/4L for RF 15-35mm f/2.8L), the ones I decided to sell were mostly due to size/weight of RF vs EF with adapter and in the case of the EF 11-24mm, the RF 15-35mm is a more useful range for me and the faster f/2.8 aperture In addition a to considerable size/weight advantage.

I expect I will keep some of my EF glass as well. Notably, I plan to hold onto my EF 100-400mm II and EF 100mm f/2.8L.

Besides the above, I have also picked up the RF 800mm f/11, RF 24-240mm, and RF 35mm f/1.8 macro offerings.

I think the RF 24-240mm is almost a “must have” for anyone with an R/RX body. Absolutely wonderful walk around lens and great IQ for the price.

 

[Renegade Viewfinder]

I like to haul my 7D around with battery grip and sigma 70-200 incase a gang fight brakes out have a bat. Or to fend off wild animals coyotes, javelin angry longhorns. It is Texas after all. And hell i still get great images of the old beast.

 

[AnsibleMedia]

In early 2018 I sold off a bunch of equipment to help deal with some medical bills, but hung onto my 6D. I wasn't sure at the time if I wanted to stick with Canon or try a Sony out, but I definitely knew I wanted to go mirrorless. At the end of 2018 when the R launched I figured I'd stick with Canon and picked up the R in January 2019. I think by the end of February I had sold the 6D, and I've been gradually replacing my EF glass with RF lenses. I picked up an RP as a secondary camera not long ago, and will be adding an R5 to the stable soon. A DSLR holds no interest for me any more, and I don't miss them at all.

 

[Hanley]

Not me, I sold my 5D Mark IV, bought the R5 and have since picked up the R6 as a backup body.
Now using all RF lenses so the switch is complete.

 

[AnsibleMedia]

Not me, I sold my 5D Mark IV, bought the R5 and have since picked up the R6 as a backup body.
Now using all RF lenses so the switch is complete.

I've only got one left to replace from the EF lineup, my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II. But I'm waitng until after I pick up the R5 and the 85mm f/1.2

 

[Hanley]

I've only got one left to replace from the EF lineup, my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II. But I'm waitng until after I pick up the R5 and the 85mm f/1.2

The RF 70-200 2.8 is amazing, especially in terms of how small it is putting it in your bag

I was going to buy the 85mm 1.2 but I'm not sure I'd use the focal length enough, tempted to buy the f2 version instead.

 

[billsmut]

I sold my 5d IV and 80D to buy my R5. No regrets so far.

 

[Stoo]

I've still got a 1Dx MkII and a bunch of EF lenses, including the 17-40 f4, 24-70 f2.8 II, 24-105 f4, 70-200 f2.8 IS II and the 100 f2.8 Macro in L lenses plus a few primes and a Sigma 150-600 C and was wondering if I should just sell off everything to a dealer and get an R6 as backup to my R5 and a few other RF lenses. Anyone fancy making me an offer I can't refuse lol.

 

[Dave Williams]

I can't make my mind as to selling my 100-400 Mk2 which is a back up if I have the 1.4TC on the 100-500 and I need less reach at hand so I still have the 5D4 too. I am now used to using the mirrorless so the DSLR will seem old hat but I have a sneaky feeling that the IQ from the 5D4 might deserve a direct comparison and stand up well to be honest. The R5 is a wonderful bit of kit and offers some big advances on all the DSLR's I have owned but sometimes we get a touch of the emperor's new clothes syndrome. Same applies to RF glass. There are actually disadvantages with some of the RF lenses when it comes to the use of TC's or inability in the case of the RF 70-200f2.8. Likewise my 500mm f4 Mk2 is still the latest model until they bring out the RF version which strangely doesn't figure in the rumoured roadmap. All the rumoured super telephotos are going to cost an arm, a leg and a kidney.....and to what benefit? You can't beat razor sharp IQ and instant AF so where do you go from there? Only one place and that's weight loss. It has to be substantial for that sort of monetary pain!
On the other hand, maybe the answer for me is an RF1 as and when it comes out. A camera body that could take the 100-500 to a new level because of much better noise performance and maybe even bigger crop potential too. I could take the weight gain of the body just for the benefit of bigger battery and ergonomics. I have owned four of the 1D series bodies and love them. Yes, the RF1 is an option and I could probably save an arm and a leg and who needs two kidneys?

 

[Pitcombe]

I have just made the change to an R6 with the RF 24-105L and RF 100-500 lenses. To do this, I have sold two camera bodies (6D2 and 50D) and several lenses (25-105L, 70-300L Sigma 150-600 and EFs 10-18) Although I loved the 6D2, it still retained a good second hand value, so decided to keep the older 7D1 (good camera but not a lot of value) as a back up instead. I have since realised that having changed my main lenses over to RF series, I will be rather limited if I need to use the 7D, so I will not be updating my existing EF 17-40L and 100L anytime soon. Perhaps in time I will have to look for a second hand R as back up.