What made you switch to Canon RF mirrorless?

[Copterdoc]

I posted earlier on this thread but forgot to talk about IBIS. Just would like to say that I have a few handheld images shooting @ 500mm and a 1/15 exp. Maybe not the sharpest of my images but defiantly usable. IBIS in congestion with lens IS is a BIG winner for me.

I totally agree that IBIS in "conjunction" with the lens IS is a winner. I too use my 100-500mm lens for three-meter shots handheld, and the IBIS and lens IS is a game changers for me.

 

[Joetheslug]

I was already up to my neck in expensive Canon gear so I stayed put. The R5 was the what made me jump in to mirrorless, the initial offerings were not tempting. The jump from the 1DX2 to the R5 was the greatest leap forward in any single new camera purchase since I bought my first DSLR.
I'm not 100% happy, the auto focus struggles to find the target in a confused background..eg bird in a bush....even with single AF point.... where the 1DX nor any of my DSLR's had that problem, I also have had incidences where I have been frustrated by having to switch the camera off when it overheats. I don't have a back up at the moment which is a drawback, overall though as I previously said best upgrade in years. I have just installed the latest firmware so it will be interesting to see if there is any noticeable improvement.
If I was starting out again would I choose Canon? Who knows. I did once swop from Nikon then a few years later regretted it slightly when Nikon were leading the way it appeared. Nowadays I don't have that much gear due to being burgled last summer so if I was to change now would be a good time but I don't have the inclination right now.Happy where I'm at.

Ditto... Nicely put.

 

[micheric]

I moved from the Lumix G9 M43 system, I was reading too much that M43 was “going away” so I bought into the hype and after much debate I moved to the R5. The move was actually quite easy as the camera layouts are fairly similar as are the menus. What blew me away was the AF I couldn’t believe how fast and accurate it was. With the Lumix I rarely took BIF shots because the AF rarely locked on and I was to new to photography in general that I could never master manually focusing, composing, panning etc. on the G9, it was more spray and pray and I honestly never really got the hang of it. With the R5 and now R7 paired with the 100-500mm, I’m getting much sharper shots every time I shoot wildlife or BIF and far less spraying and praying. I’m very happy with the move and not looking to change anytime soon.

 

[Dean Wilson]

There are features and quality differences that were not available in my EOS Rebel T3 and kit lenses. So I purchased the R and then the R5 a couple years later for the same reason.

 

[Barry]

I was already up to my neck in expensive Canon gear so I stayed put. The R5 was the what made me jump in to mirrorless, the initial offerings were not tempting. The jump from the 1DX2 to the R5 was the greatest leap forward in any single new camera purchase since I bought my first DSLR.
I'm not 100% happy, the auto focus struggles to find the target in a confused background..eg bird in a bush....even with single AF point.... where the 1DX nor any of my DSLR's had that problem, I also have had incidences where I have been frustrated by having to switch the camera off when it overheats. I don't have a back up at the moment which is a drawback, overall though as I previously said best upgrade in years. I have just installed the latest firmware so it will be interesting to see if there is any noticeable improvement.
If I was starting out again would I choose Canon? Who knows. I did once swop from Nikon then a few years later regretted it slightly when Nikon were leading the way it appeared. Nowadays I don't have that much gear due to being burgled last summer so if I was to change now would be a good time but I don't have the inclination right now.Happy where I'm at.

You don't have a backup? What's wrong with the EF kit you had?

 

[Dave Williams]

You don't have a backup? What's wrong with the EF kit you had?

I sold my 1DX2 and 5D4 plus a 100-400Mk2 while there was some value in them. 3xEF lenses and a whole load of other gear such as Speedlites were nicely packed in a Gura Gear backpack that were stolen in a burglary. I'm glad that I sold what I did as I wasn't covered by my insurance policy so that would have been a greater hit .
Now all I have left is my R5, the 100-500, the 500mm f4Mk2, 3 TC's and an EF85mm 1.8.
I wouldn't want to go back to a DSLR now, it would be a backward step but I need a back up for big trips just in case something goes wrong. I'm so used to the lightweight R5 and 45mp the alternative mirrorless offerings have no appeal. I prey they bring out something that appeals soon!

 

[TonyB]

I sold my 1DX2 and 5D4 plus a 100-400Mk2 while there was some value in them. 3xEF lenses and a whole load of other gear such as Speedlites were nicely packed in a Gura Gear backpack that were stolen in a burglary. I'm glad that I sold what I did as I wasn't covered by my insurance policy so that would have been a greater hit .
Now all I have left is my R5, the 100-500, the 500mm f4Mk2, 3 TC's and an EF85mm 1.8.
I wouldn't want to go back to a DSLR now, it would be a backward step but I need a back up for big trips just in case something goes wrong. I'm so used to the lightweight R5 and 45mp the alternative mirrorless offerings have no appeal. I prey they bring out something that appeals soon!

Have you looked at the R7 or R8? I was wanting a second body for a while. Recently, my camera store took in a return on a R7 w/18-150. They couldn’t sell it new so I scooped it up as an open box deal. I’m really happy with it as a travel camera and as a backup for photo trips. I’ll probably keep my R5 when the R5II eventually arrives but until then, this R7 will fill the need for a backup, and I hope I never need to use it in that capacity.

 

[Dave Williams]

Have you looked at the R7 or R8? I was wanting a second body for a while. Recently, my camera store took in a return on a R7 w/18-150. They couldn’t sell it new so I scooped it up as an open box deal. I’m really happy with it as a travel camera and as a backup for photo trips. I’ll probably keep my R5 when the R5II eventually arrives but until then, this R7 will fill the need for a backup, and I hope I never need to use it in that capacity.

Looked but not tempted to be honest.I prefer to wait to improve on what I have and the R7 doesn't fit that bill for me.

 

[Barry]

Got an R7. I don't rate it despite useful help and advice from forum members. It's a bit of a toy that takes good images if all goes well, which for me it rarely does. Still struggling with a host of features i think are irrelevant and a really inadequate design, with useful stuff that is missing. Canon have got to raise their game on this one.

 

[Grahamk]

Some images taken with an R6 I borrowed from the Canon Test Drive scheme in 2021 (using my EF 100-400 Mk2). The focussing capability was far better than my previous 70D and meant that I had a far higher number decent images. I bought an R6 shortly after returning the Test Drive unit.

 

[YangMills]

Long time Canon user coming from 5DIII and 7DII with an investment in EF glass. Was considering the advantages of mirrorless for a while but R and RP didn’t seem to cut it. After the R5 and R6 had been launched for a while I decided the time was right and traded in the two EOS bodies, and my 24-105L but kept quite a bit of other EF glass like the 100-400LII and 85 1.4L which I’m still using adapted. I love it that I get all the benefits of mirrorless and my existing EF glass works better than ever.

 

[Barry]

Hi. Interesting what you decided to do. I would agree that the rf stuff works well with ef lenses. I wouldn't change my 5DmkIIII or 1DXmkIII as I was looking for a replacement fir the 7D mkII, but the R7 doesn't cut it for me. It's too toylike and is a mishmash of settings and features. As I have said before Canon should have made an rf version of the 7D. That's what we all hoped for..

 

[YangMills]

Hi. Interesting what you decided to do. I would agree that the rf stuff works well with ef lenses. I wouldn't change my 5DmkIIII or 1DXmkIII as I was looking for a replacement fir the 7D mkII, but the R7 doesn't cut it for me. It's too toylike and is a mishmash of settings and features. As I have said before Canon should have made an rf version of the 7D. That's what we all hoped for..

I don’t disagree with that at all - I had hoped for the same. But the upside is that the R5 45mp means that you seem to be able to crop forever so you get the equivalent of the crop sensor reach and the AF is great. I have bought an R7 body towards the end of last year to see if it’ll be even better but haven’t done anything serious with it yet.

Those puffins are fast little beasts. (R5 + EF100-400L II)

 

[JackC]

I don’t disagree with that at all - I had hoped for the same. But the upside is that the R5 45mp means that you seem to be able to crop forever so you get the equivalent of the crop sensor reach and the AF is great. I have bought an R7 body towards the end of last year to see if it’ll be even better but haven’t done anything serious with it yet.

Those puffins are fast little beasts. (R5 + EF100-400L II)

View attachment 14171

Great shot of the puffin!

 

[PhotoJim58]

Hi. Interesting what you decided to do. I would agree that the rf stuff works well with ef lenses. I wouldn't change my 5DmkIIII or 1DXmkIII as I was looking for a replacement fir the 7D mkII, but the R7 doesn't cut it for me. It's too toylike and is a mishmash of settings and features. As I have said before Canon should have made an rf version of the 7D. That's what we all hoped for..

Right now I think the R6mkII is the closet thing to a7D replacement. Even though the weather sealing is not on par with the 7d.

 

[hedleyw]

I used Olympus m43 gear for several years. Just after it was launched I stood next to a guy using an R5. A bird flew past, we both took photos and then compared keeper rates. The difference was so great that I decided there and then to make the switch to Canon‘s RF system and haven’t looked back. Good to see that Canon are now starting to engage more with computational features for which Olympus have a big lead.

 

[cdgta]

With all the different brands, systems, and formats out there, what made you specifically choose a Canon RF mirrorless camera? I hope this might be insightful to others searching out there and confused by all the choices.

As for my story, I had a Nikon D750 DSLR for 6-1/2 years and then decided to switch to mirrorless. I chose the Canon R6 because I was absolutely SHOCKED at the speed and accuracy of the AF, something that people weren't actually raving about regarding the Nikon Z6 II or Z7 II. Why not Sony? I CANNOT STAND their ergonomics and their bodies are just not comfortable for me to grip.

I also wanted to stick with full-frame despite the bigger size, weight, and cost versus APS-C or Micro Four-Thirds. Full-frame images have less noise at high ISO and there's so much more post-processing latitude.

So my main reasons for switching were 1) what I perceived to be the phasing out of DSLRs in short order and 2) the insane(!!!) AF of Canon RF mirrorless. Oddly enough, a third reason why I went with the R6 was the fully-articulating LCD.

The transition was a little rough at the start. It took me quite a while to wrap my brain around how to configure the various AF modes Canon-style, but once it all 'clicked' I realized actually how simple it is. Although it was far easier on my D750 to select what items to add to My Menu versus the R6 equivalent, I like that I can choose more items than on the D750. I love how there are so many buttons on the R6 that can be customized with all sorts of different options – and just the customizability of the camera in general. I like many of the littler things about the R6, like how custom shooting mode settings can be auto updated if one chooses.

The two things I didn't expect to be blown away by is the capabilities and responsiveness of the LCD touch-screen and the absolutely amazing MF peaking mode when using manual focus. No more trying to figure out the hyperfocal distance with landscapes - you see exactly what's going to be in focus and what isn't!

If there's only one thing I'm a little nervous about, it's the inability to back-up your camera settings. This is inexcusable at this price point and I was able to do this even on the much-older D750. If one ever has the camera reset for whatever reason, they can't simply import the settings from a backup SD card. They have to set everything up from scratch. I've created a couple of docs with all my setting choices if it should ever come to this, but what a time-consuming hassle!

The bottom line is that I liked how the D750 was like the "multi-tool" or "Swiss Army knife" of cameras - it did a whole lot of things really, REALLY well. I wanted the equivalent in mirrorless and I believe I found it in the R6, yet to a way better degree overall. I have very little regret about the switch, in other words.

I had shot both Canon and Panasonic then bought the Nikon Z6 when it first came out and I enjoyed it but by the time the Canon R6 was announced I was fed up with the very slow pace of Nikon in putting out Z lenses & adapters for older lenses. I still had some excellent Canon prime and L lenses and when I was assured that I could use them with the adapter with great results, I tried out the R6 (and the R5) and like you was blown away with the amazing AF functionality. I chose the R6 for its somewhat better low-light capability & wasn't worried at all by the 20mp vs 45mp thing because I had been taking photos since the early 70s and knew that great photos could be taken and printed with cameras with way lower mps available! My husband and I travelled a lot pre-pandemic so I wanted lightweight kit.

I agree with all you said about the customizations that are available in this camera...especially if one takes the time to research either by reading or watching videos or both (me!). One gets so much more performance out of it, or indeed any camera, if one takes the time to learn its features/settings. It is unfortunate when one thinks because they have used the dslrs of a camera maker that one knows all about its newer mirrorless cameras because one is bound to be disappointed in the performance then.

I used my mobile to take pics of the most important (to me) settings within the menus/sub-menus and saved to file just in case.

I love my R6 but am still sneaking peeks at reviews and posts about the R6 MII...what can I say?! I'm a photographer!!!

 

[cdgta]

I've been with Canon since my AE-1 then EOS 5 QD, 20D, 40D, 70D. Wasn't overly impressed by the early R series cameras and was thinking of getting a 90D when the R6 launched. I borrowed an R6 through the Canon scheme and was impressed by the autofocus capabilities (I like shooting birds in flight, my dog on the move) so I bought one. The question now is whether to move to the Mark 2?

My dilemma too! Or wait to see what comes next (since I am not unhappy by any means with my R6)...

 

[YangMills]

For me, the upgrade from R6 to R6II is not worth it. I try not to chase every launched product but wait a couple of generations at least. Some of my best images were shot with much older technology. The technology is nice but the eye is what counts.

 

[Grahamk]

In the past I've followed the miss a generation or two path as well - 20D, 40D, 70D. However, in this case I felt that the improved autofocus and tracking made the upgrade worth it for my favourite subjects - BIF & motorsports, hence I've bought the Mk2.

 

[YangMills]

Sure, what works for me doesn’t necessarily work for others. For me, my R6 and R5 AF are giving a high proportion of in-focus shots for BIF, even fast lititle beasts like puffins, but it’s not my speciality. I’d like the AF upgrade but I’m going to put a few more 10s of thousands of clicks on the R6 and at least a couple more years before I even think about upgrading - and then I might go R3II if and when it appears.

 

[jdeb]

I have EF glass and wanted a smaller camera (RP) for longer events. The only thing I wished it had was a joystick. Now I need to thin out my gear, I have way too much.

 

[rjc1247]

Like many others in this thread, I started out with a Canon AE-1 many years, and many cameras, ago. My most recent one before getting the R5 was a 5D4 which I thought would be my "forever camera". Then along came the R5 with improved tracking, IBIS, exposure simulation, 45mp, etc. etc. Sold the 5D4 and a bunch of L lenses and went full steam ahead with the 5D and a bunch of new RF L lenses.

 

[Only RF]

I never liked MFA. I used Reikan Focal and needed distance for lenses. I once rented a Community college to tune longer lenses with the EF 1.4 and 2X. That facility rented out its areas for wedding, etc shoots and I did shoot pre and post ceremony shots. $50 an hr and I rented for 1 but I stayed there for over 3 hrs. The security guards could see from their office so they didn't care. It was a mid summer Saturday so hardly no one was around. Long foyer with a concrete floor so perfect conditions but still a major pain in the you know what. Even after MFA the nature of a mirror assembly still varies with very slight front and/or back focus.

I didn't mind using an adapter but I prefer not to. The new flange design puts the rear element closer to the sensor so less lightwave distortion. I had an 5D4 and a 7D2. I sold the 5D4 and picked up the R just about the time Canon did a major AF FW update. Even with the limited fps l I had so much fun with the R the 7D2 never came out of the bag. A few years ago I thought this is the future so I sold all my EF gear, got on the RF train and never looked back.

Recent crop with my R6II and RF 24-105 IS F4. Minimal PP.

_M3A1209 by MPC, on Flickr

_M3A1209-2 by MPC, on Flickr

 

[dmanthree]

No single feature caused me to switch. It was the combination of IQ, features, handling, etc. I looked at other brands but the Canon just felt better in my hands.

 

[JHG]

Very interesting to see so many advance shooters around here. Given the trend these days with higher end cameras, I would think very few people would go back to the SLRs unless they have a good reason for that? I learned to take pictures with my dad's Pentax Spotmatic, I think my first Canon was the retro style EOS 50e. The last DSLR for me was the dismal 60D, which was a big mistake IMHO as there was no stock of the 7D and I needed a camera for certain events urgently. Since then I haven't really bought anything except that I hired a couple of different 5D and 7DII. So when the R7 came out, I thought it might be a good idea as its well within my budget for casual shootings and I am pretty happy with it so far. The only pain is that I may need to invest more on those expensive RF lenses just to get the most out of the camera.

 

[ACEkin]

I decided it was time to switch to a smaller and lighter system from my 5DM4 The body and the lenses I had were getting difficult for my hands and arms, age! I used to use an M5 with its kit lens and that helped with the weight issue. But there was no sense in keeping the gear I did not use and I sold my 5DM4, 5DM3, and several L lenses over time after I switched to the R7. As for the weight and size, I am very pleased, almost as small and light as my M5. But, getting sharp images was a few hits and a lot of misses. The camera and the lens are now at the Canon repair service for warranty repair. I will report again after I get them back.

 

[AndrewC]

The AF system in the R5/R6 is what made me purchase my R6. I've shot Canon as my primary system since I bought my EOS A2 in 1994, and I was most impressed with its ability to track a subject by passing it off to each of the 5 focus points as the subject moved. I remember thinking how great it would be if the A2 could track a subject over the entire frame of the viewfinder. It was better when I got 45 focus points in my EOS 1vHS, and even better with the 61 points in my 5D MkIII and the 65 points in my 7D MkII years later. I also used the 10/20/30/40D, the 7D as well as the 5D MkII and those were all great cameras, but the AF on the 1vHS from my film days and the system on the 5DIII and 7DII were standouts. When I first tried the AF system on the R6 though, I was blown away by the fact that finally, it could track a subject across the entire frame and on top of that, it kept everything in sharp focus! I've had my R6 for almost 2.5 years and I'm still amazed by it. I continue to use my DSLRs (and film SLRs too!) alongside my R-system so I haven't switched as much as I've added another tool to my camera bag.

Andy

 

[benpk2]

I thought long and hard about changing to RF. I'd had the original 5D and then the 7D, but found that the weight of the kit I was carrying was becoming an irritant. I hit ebay and bought into M4/3. A really great system for certain subjects. The EM1 and EM1 Mk 2 were great cameras that felt good in the hand and had lots of tactile interfaces. The size for street worked well and if you avoided the horrible 60mm it was good for macro too (I used a Sigma 150mm 4/3 macro). Unfortunately Olympus Mk 3 did not tempt me, the fast primes removed much of the size and weight advantage and the announcement that they were selling up worried me enough that I looked elsewhere. The R5 with the high pixel count made me realise that I could crop almost in half and still have a M4/3 size image. The inbuilt IS and full frame were the deal makers. I sold the m 4/3 kit and bought an R5 with some cheap used EF glass to get me started.
I don't find the R5 as good in the hand as the OM1 and I would love some small native primes in the 100mm range, but the image results have been as expected. Higher resolution, better bokeh and better AF. I'm not going back, but I sometimes think about picking up a used M4/3 as second body so I can get the pro capture and the excellent night settings back.

 

[Nick L]

I am very long term Canon user (1980 with a Canon A1) I moved to digital with Fuji and Panasonic Video around 98-2003, I moved back to Canon with the 300D in 2004 and had a 450D 50D and a 5D 3 which I used for 8 years, when I saw the spec of the R5 I wanted an upgrade, I waited a year for the UK price to go down (which it did not!) and bought and R5 from Hong Kong, I have a number of EF L lenses that all worked fine but I found the EF 100-400L mk1 rather slow on the R5 I tried the Mk2 EF 100-400L but bit the bullet and bought the RF100-500L again from Hong Kong. I did look at the EOS R but was not impressed with it, I hope the R5 II offers a firm upgrade benefit otherwise I will stay with the R5, which is the best camera I have ever owned.