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The M5 is a step in the right direction thread

Started Sep 21, 2016 | Discussions thread
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Howard
Howard Senior Member • Posts: 1,885
The M5 is a step in the right direction thread
19

How about we be positive for a little while?

I've said it elsewhere and I will say it here again: I think the M5 is a step (big for Canon, as it does not usually take big steps ;-)) in the right direction. Is it a groundbreaking mirrorless camera? Certainly not. In specs it is probably behind the leading APS-C mirrorless offerings from Sony and Fuji, but for those who are vested in the EOS system, it is a most welcome addition nonetheless.

The first few iterations of M cameras never interested me -- to me they represent Canon's halfhearted, wishy-washy attempt into the MLIC foray. They look like toy soap boxes without a built-in viewfinder. The M5 is a serious attempt, this alone promises better things to come (more cameras and probably more lenses).

The advantages of the M5 to those who are vested in the EOS system are:

1. Full compatibility with accessories (most noticeably, flashes, and other things).

2. Compatibility with EF/EF-S lenses. I really believe that when Canon designed the M mount, they had compatibility with EF lenses in mind, because the lens lineup is Canon's dominant strength. The EF-M adapter is really just a mount adapter and extension tube to get the required flange distance, in theory (and in reality too), it should work better than the clunky adapters for Sony, for example (to Sony's credit, a EF-to-E-mount adapter is a cross-brand converter and they are not really required to support it), and it is inexpensive. This is significant for those of us who have accumulated more than a few EF lenses -- even if we will get more EF-M lenses in the future, at least the adapter will "tide us over" in the short term as we build our EF-M arsenal and continue to enjoy a full range of lenses.

3. The EF-M lens line-up is limited, but very good and affordable. Compared with Sony and Fuji, yes, it is true that the EF-M lineup is limited (as the other companies got a head-start), and the zooms are slow. However, the few that they have, they are very good, and the primes are excellent, all for less money than the competition. With the M5, I hope Canon is finally taking MLIC seriously, and this can only mean more EF-M lenses to come.

As I said, I am mostly stating from a long time EOS system user's perspective. But I think a lot of people fall into this category, and it is a significant, if not major, portion of the target user base of the M5. If I were to start from scratch and would only consider APS-C MLIC, then Sony and Fuji still have better systems, but from the standpoint of EOS system users, the M5 is indeed a big step in the right direction and very welcome addition.

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Howard
cameras: Canon 5DII, 7DII, Sony A6000
lenses: 17-40 f/4 USM L, 24-70 f/4 IS USM L, 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 II IS USM L, 24 f/3.5 TSE L, 50 f/1.4 USM, 100 f/2.8 IS USM Macro L, 300 f/2.8 IS USM II, 430 EX II, 270 EX II, EF 1.4x TC III, EF 2x TC III; Sony 16-50, 18-200
personal website: http://www.travelerathome.com
blog: http://travelerathome.wordpress.com

 Howard's gear list:Howard's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Sony a6000 Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM +7 more
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