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M system and DSLRs

Started Sep 12, 2019 | Polls
nnowak Veteran Member • Posts: 9,074
M system and DSLRs

I have noticed that many M system owners utilize these cameras as a compact supplement to their larger 7D and 5D series DSLRs.  Are you "all in" with mirrorless, or do you also rely on DSLRs for certain projects?

POLL
I only use mirrorless cameras
61.1% 33  votes
I use a mix of DSLR and mirrorless
38.9% 21  votes
  Show results
Alastair Norcross
Alastair Norcross Veteran Member • Posts: 9,874
Re: M system and DSLRs
1

nnowak wrote:

I have noticed that many M system owners utilize these cameras as a compact supplement to their larger 7D and 5D series DSLRs. Are you "all in" with mirrorless, or do you also rely on DSLRs for certain projects?

I'm almost all in with mirrorless. I still use my 7DII for track meets. I'll be interested to see what the M6II is capable of in that regard. If it can handle track meets, I'll probably use it for that too. Much as I love my 7DII, I won't miss the size and weight, if and when I can stop using it.

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As the length of a thread approaches 150, the probability that someone will make the obvious "it's not the camera, it's the photographer" remark approaches 1.
Alastair
http://anorcross.smugmug.com
Equipment in profile

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dpeete Contributing Member • Posts: 746
Re: M system and DSLRs

A7riii does everything I need (sports, landscapes, family) and the M6 is the portable compromise when I don't want to be carrying around $5k of equipment.

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tenordrum Regular Member • Posts: 466
Re: M system and DSLRs
1

nnowak wrote:

I have noticed that many M system owners utilize these cameras as a compact supplement to their larger 7D and 5D series DSLRs. Are you "all in" with mirrorless, or do you also rely on DSLRs for certain projects?

I previously had a M3 for travel, along with my 7D and 80D. I got frustrated with the M3 focusing speed, (compared to the DSLR) and sold it, and eventually the 7D and 80D, to get the R. The R just helps me nail focus.

I am still toying with dipping my toe back into the M series for travel purposes. I may try the m6II out to see its overall handling. The M series reminds me a lot of my old G3... easy to carry, and a quality camera that can give nice results. As I near retirement, having something for more frequent, relaxed travel will become a bit more important.

Now if only the owner of the camera could learn to take better pictures....

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M Stewart Contributing Member • Posts: 985
Re: M system and DSLRs

nnowak wrote:

I have noticed that many M system owners utilize these cameras as a compact supplement to their larger 7D and 5D series DSLRs. Are you "all in" with mirrorless, or do you also rely on DSLRs for certain projects?

I've been using Canon's DSLRs since I bought an Eos 10D in March 2003. (I own several from 5D, through 600D to 1D IV, and my current workhorse, a 7D II.)  To me, the Canon DSLR operation is second-nature, and I feel I'm in control.

Not so with my Eos M (owned for the last 5 years), and my recently purchased Eos M5.  I'm finding the M5 appears to have a mind of its own, and I'm still finding my way around its Menu system. I'm guessing that this is my lack of familiarisation but I have found the flash to be reluctant to rise when I press the relevant button - and that's after going into the Menu and setting the appropriate sub-Menu setting.  Sitting a charged & switched "ON" 550EX in its hot shoe for a few seconds, seems to clear the reluctance - until the next time.  My Eos M was definitely better after I upgraded its firmware, but that in my M5 is already at the latest issue.

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M. Stewart
Milton Keynes, UK

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Microprism Contributing Member • Posts: 865
Re: M system and DSLRs

An M6 is excellent for 95+% of my photography. That said there are still some things I prefer my old 7D for. It supports my longest lenses better, has far better battery life, captures focus a little more quickly on moving objects, has no VF lag and – especially – no lag time in waking up and being ready to go. Still, the M6 can capture action like these two photos:

Hoopoe bird

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JRET
JRET Contributing Member • Posts: 840
Re: M system and DSLRs

nnowak wrote:

I have noticed that many M system owners utilize these cameras as a compact supplement to their larger 7D and 5D series DSLRs. Are you "all in" with mirrorless, or do you also rely on DSLRs for certain projects?

DSLRs (6D, 80D) for the majority and M system (M1, M2, M50) to supplement.  Using the M system more & more, especially with EF lenses but doubt that I will ever abandon DSLR.

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plantdoc Veteran Member • Posts: 4,339
Re: M system and DSLRs

I use a mix but mostly M except for moving subjects. My M6 and M5 can not reliably focus subjects moving towards or away from the camera. Some lenses  work better than others. 70D is far better with most any lens.

Greg

Ed Rizk Veteran Member • Posts: 3,898
Re: M system and DSLRs

I just got my first mirrorless camera a little less than a year ago.   It does have some tremendous advantages.

The EVF is like a night vision scope with perfect color.  Its exposure preview is great for changing light.  In back light, it keeps me from destroying my shooting eye by pointing the camera with the optical view finder into the sun.   It's also great to have the extra resolution for playback.

I still prefer the OVF for bright even light.  It's just a nicer experience to use in daylight or bright interior rooms.

That's my opinion, and it's worth what you paid for it.

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Ed Rizk

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rz64 Regular Member • Posts: 454
Re: M system and DSLRs
1

nnowak wrote:

I have noticed that many M system owners utilize these cameras as a compact supplement to their larger 7D and 5D series DSLRs. Are you "all in" with mirrorless, or do you also rely on DSLRs for certain projects?

In analogous times I had a SLR with several lenses, but at that time I often thought, that it is too bulky and too heavy. For this reason I was not interested in DSLRs and I only used digital compact cameras.

I changed my mind, when Nikon started with the 1-system. But when it became obvious that there is no future for it, I began to look at M43 and EOS-M.

Finally I decided for EOS-M because of size, weight, IQ, costs....... I am very satisfied with it, but I would never add a DSLR, because I want a "small" camera that I can always have with me. For this reason, I also like the M-lenses because of its size.

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jschoonj
jschoonj Regular Member • Posts: 311
Re: M system and DSLRs

Family shooting or jobs are done with mirrorless.

When I do some personal work I still go for my Pentax SLR and put some film in ;-).

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J.S.

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snappypaul New Member • Posts: 8
Re: M system and DSLRs

I'm in the market for a new camera and don't have the resources to own both DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Camera gear is very expensive in South Africa so I've been debating which way to go. I've always loved using Canon's rebel cameras. For me they represent the perfect balance of size and weight and seem moulded for my hand. I don't need anything too compact but something like the 80D is just too big and heavy. i've also enjoyed the OVF on DSLR's and have no experience with EVF's other than what one reads on the internet. I'm a casual photographer, shooting mainly family and travel. There is so much info out there which can make it rather overwhelming to decide which system to go with. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Roland King Regular Member • Posts: 203
Re: M system and DSLRs

snappypaul wrote:

I'm in the market for a new camera and don't have the resources to own both DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Camera gear is very expensive in South Africa so I've been debating which way to go. I've always loved using Canon's rebel cameras. For me they represent the perfect balance of size and weight and seem moulded for my hand. I don't need anything too compact but something like the 80D is just too big and heavy. i've also enjoyed the OVF on DSLR's and have no experience with EVF's other than what one reads on the internet. I'm a casual photographer, shooting mainly family and travel. There is so much info out there which can make it rather overwhelming to decide which system to go with. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

If the 80D is too big and heavy then I'd suggest go to one of the M series cameras. The recently-announced M6 mkII has the same sensor as the 90D, and it's mirrorless, and it's smaller and it will take the EF-M series lenses which are all compact and light. It will also take the EF lenses of which there is a huge range or even the EF-S lenses. At this point I personally don't see any good reason to buy an APS-C DSLR, you're just carrying extra body and limiting yourself to EF(-S) lenses, the M's will take EF, EF-S or EF-M. The 90D is a great camera, but I'd never buy it.

If you wanted to go full frame I think things are a bit more complicated but what I take from your post is full frame is not where you're going.

You've asked this question just as the M6 mkII was released, that's a great camera, the M50 may well meet your needs very well as well.

I'd drop by your local Canon shop and see how you feel holding the M6 (mk II if they have it), the M50 and the 90D, then pick the one which works for you.

MAC Forum Pro • Posts: 18,487
Re: M system and DSLRs

nnowak wrote:

I have noticed that many M system owners utilize these cameras as a compact supplement to their larger 7D and 5D series DSLRs. Are you "all in" with mirrorless, or do you also rely on DSLRs for certain projects?

my T7i is already small enough and very good with my 55-250 stm

the m6ii might be my first mirrorless - but I'm only interested in primes like 32 f1.4 and new sigmas

$899 6d for useable iso 6400 and 12800 - can't get this IQ with the m's in low light

7d2 for field sports and dual slots for events

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Raanani Regular Member • Posts: 225
Re: M system and DSLRs

Me and my wife use 5d for plant and macro shots, 80d for shooting smaller objects with the macro lens while m6 is the travel camera.

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Sigma DP1 Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EOS 5DS R
Ben Herrmann
Ben Herrmann Forum Pro • Posts: 21,163
I use only mirrorless anymore, however...

...some mirrorless models are as large as a DSLR.  Look at some of the newer Micro 4/3 cameras and you can see they are approaching DSLR size.  Also, I recently picked up the Fuji X-H1 (a wonderful camera), but it's as large as a DSLR.

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Best of luck and health to you all!

Bernd ("Ben") Werner Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA

Just a friendly reminder here homies - bear in mind that any posting of mine represents my opinion only - not those of other folks - nor am I implying that others will feel the same way that I do about a given issue or camera. I advance suggestions or information based on my having used a camera (or cameras) - not purely on blind speculation. However, If you feel absolutely compelled to argue about a personal opinion of mine, please feel free to go ahead and do so - without my participation of course - and that would be quite an interesting conversation to say the least.

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J A C S
J A C S Forum Pro • Posts: 20,518
Re: M system and DSLRs

Just sold my M. I rarely used it. I guess I like dinosaurs.

Ed Rizk Veteran Member • Posts: 3,898
Re: I use only mirrorless anymore, however...

Ben Herrmann wrote:

...some mirrorless models are as large as a DSLR. Look at some of the newer Micro 4/3 cameras and you can see they are approaching DSLR size. Also, I recently picked up the Fuji X-H1 (a wonderful camera), but it's as large as a DSLR.

That’s part of what sold me on the R.   I like a big camera.  Heck, I wish the R was the size of the 5D series cameras.

I do travel by plane and take Uber once in a while, so smaller would be better for that.  Smaller might also be less distracting when socializing or doing business where I also want to take pictures as a secondary objective.

If the IQ of the M6 II is as good as expected, it might also be nice to have more reach with my EF lenses.

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Ed Rizk

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thunder storm Forum Pro • Posts: 10,139
Re: M system and DSLRs

Ed Rizk wrote:

The EVF is like a night vision scope with perfect color. Its exposure preview is great for changing light. In back light, it keeps me from destroying my shooting eye by pointing the camera with the optical view finder into the sun. It's also great to have the extra resolution for playback.

I still prefer the OVF for bright even light. It's just a nicer experience to use in daylight or bright interior rooms.

This!

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If your facts are different we could save the peace just by calling it copy to copy variation.

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