New Camera Time - Switch Brand?
Discussion
I've been Nikon since my first DSLR, a D70, then D90, D7100 and current D750 that I've had nearly 10 years.
My main two lenses are the Nikon 24-120 and Sigma 150-600 Sport. I do sailing events, so the 600mm reach is very much needed.
I've had the Sigma about 9 years and for a long time it's been playing up with focusing over 300mm, it went back to Sigma who took £180 to replace a logic board in it, but it's still never been great. It judders instead of focusing with AF-C.
I'm contemplating replacing the 150-600 with a 60-600 and upgrading the D750, but as they're both being replaced, I considered a Sony A7 IV with the 60-600 E Mount.
Reading reviews, I'm now also considering the dreaded move to a Canon R6 mk2 as I like the 20-40fps, apparent better focus system, and easier to use menu system.
So now it boils down to three options...
Nikon Z6ii/Z7ii
Sony A7iv
Canon R6ii
All with respective 60-600s although the Nikon and Canon will require adapters.
I tried the Z6 & Z7 and A7 at the photography show and found the Nikon viewfinder much better but I preferred the feel of the Sony in my hand (large hands).
I know I'm going to get many own personal preferences, but fire away...
My main two lenses are the Nikon 24-120 and Sigma 150-600 Sport. I do sailing events, so the 600mm reach is very much needed.
I've had the Sigma about 9 years and for a long time it's been playing up with focusing over 300mm, it went back to Sigma who took £180 to replace a logic board in it, but it's still never been great. It judders instead of focusing with AF-C.
I'm contemplating replacing the 150-600 with a 60-600 and upgrading the D750, but as they're both being replaced, I considered a Sony A7 IV with the 60-600 E Mount.
Reading reviews, I'm now also considering the dreaded move to a Canon R6 mk2 as I like the 20-40fps, apparent better focus system, and easier to use menu system.
So now it boils down to three options...
Nikon Z6ii/Z7ii
Sony A7iv
Canon R6ii
All with respective 60-600s although the Nikon and Canon will require adapters.
I tried the Z6 & Z7 and A7 at the photography show and found the Nikon viewfinder much better but I preferred the feel of the Sony in my hand (large hands).
I know I'm going to get many own personal preferences, but fire away...
Big decision time.
Go to a well-stocked camera shop. Play with the various options. Ask the staff questions. Go home, and then go back and play again.
Essentially, read, but don't take any advice (apart from this of course). The only person who needs to be satisfied is you.
I went to 'my' camera shop. While I was waiting for something, one of the sales staff asked if I had ever used a certain camera. I handled it. It fitted. It felt good. No one (even me, and apart from the sales staff) could have predicted that I would buy it. I did.
Well pleased with my purchase, but irritated that I am so easily classified by sales staff.
Go to a well-stocked camera shop. Play with the various options. Ask the staff questions. Go home, and then go back and play again.
Essentially, read, but don't take any advice (apart from this of course). The only person who needs to be satisfied is you.
I went to 'my' camera shop. While I was waiting for something, one of the sales staff asked if I had ever used a certain camera. I handled it. It fitted. It felt good. No one (even me, and apart from the sales staff) could have predicted that I would buy it. I did.
Well pleased with my purchase, but irritated that I am so easily classified by sales staff.
I'm a long time Nikon guy. First digital camera was a Nikon back in '05. Up until two months ago, I ran a D7200 with a bunch of glass (including the contemporary version of the Sigma 150 - 600) plus the D850. I then swapped out the D7200 and cropped glass for the Sony A7iv. This was mainly driven by the fact that I do a lot of video and run the Sony FX6 so had amassed three entirely separate systems and felt it logical to amalgamate plus needed a B-Video camera that used the same basic colour profile as the FX6. The only reason I kept the D850 is to run a like for like comparison between it and the Sony A7iv on stills. I'm glad I did.
For video, the A7iv is astounding and to a point where I wonder why I bothered spending £6k on the FX6.
Ergonomically and operationally, it's superb. Far better than either of the Nikons.
But for stills compared to the D850..... dunno. Not sure. I cannot tell you why this is but when I look at what comes out of the D850, it generally makes me smile. What comes out of the Sony makes me smile as well but not quite as much. Technically, it should be better but somehow I prefer the D850, at the moment.
This isn't perhaps answering you question but in an attempt to at least try, I suspect that my view is psychologically driven. I love my Nikon. I like my Sony (I actually adore my FX6). But when it comes to photos, I think you have to love your gear to get the best from it so if you're a long time Nikon guy, I'd stick with the brand because technically, there's little else to choose between them all really.
For video, the A7iv is astounding and to a point where I wonder why I bothered spending £6k on the FX6.
Ergonomically and operationally, it's superb. Far better than either of the Nikons.
But for stills compared to the D850..... dunno. Not sure. I cannot tell you why this is but when I look at what comes out of the D850, it generally makes me smile. What comes out of the Sony makes me smile as well but not quite as much. Technically, it should be better but somehow I prefer the D850, at the moment.
This isn't perhaps answering you question but in an attempt to at least try, I suspect that my view is psychologically driven. I love my Nikon. I like my Sony (I actually adore my FX6). But when it comes to photos, I think you have to love your gear to get the best from it so if you're a long time Nikon guy, I'd stick with the brand because technically, there's little else to choose between them all really.
Whatever you go with, consider the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6, possibly coupled with a D500. The crop sensor doesn't magically turn this into a 300-750mm, but even so this is a very high quality combo offering quite some reach, and a very decent frame rate.
Can be picked up second hand for £800-£900 each.
Can be picked up second hand for £800-£900 each.
Turtle Shed said:
Whatever you go with, consider the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6, possibly coupled with a D500. The crop sensor doesn't magically turn this into a 300-750mm, but even so this is a very high quality combo offering quite some reach, and a very decent frame rate.
Can be picked up second hand for £800-£900 each.
The reason for considering the 60-600 is the versatility. At sailing events we could very quickly be far away or very close to a good shot and sometimes the 150 is not wide enough. The other issue is that Nikon are/have stopping development of DSLR cameras so I think the future is mirrorless.Can be picked up second hand for £800-£900 each.
Derek Smith said:
Big decision time.
Go to a well-stocked camera shop. Play with the various options. Ask the staff questions. Go home, and then go back and play again.
Essentially, read, but don't take any advice (apart from this of course). The only person who needs to be satisfied is you.
I went to 'my' camera shop. While I was waiting for something, one of the sales staff asked if I had ever used a certain camera. I handled it. It fitted. It felt good. No one (even me, and apart from the sales staff) could have predicted that I would buy it. I did.
Well pleased with my purchase, but irritated that I am so easily classified by sales staff.
That's exactly how I chose Nikon in the first place, it just felt nicer.Go to a well-stocked camera shop. Play with the various options. Ask the staff questions. Go home, and then go back and play again.
Essentially, read, but don't take any advice (apart from this of course). The only person who needs to be satisfied is you.
I went to 'my' camera shop. While I was waiting for something, one of the sales staff asked if I had ever used a certain camera. I handled it. It fitted. It felt good. No one (even me, and apart from the sales staff) could have predicted that I would buy it. I did.
Well pleased with my purchase, but irritated that I am so easily classified by sales staff.
From what I've seen, the R6ii is a bigger body than the Z6/7ii and would suit my hand better.
Maybe a trip out to try an R6 is needed.
size13 said:
Derek Smith said:
Big decision time.
Go to a well-stocked camera shop. Play with the various options. Ask the staff questions. Go home, and then go back and play again.
Essentially, read, but don't take any advice (apart from this of course). The only person who needs to be satisfied is you.
I went to 'my' camera shop. While I was waiting for something, one of the sales staff asked if I had ever used a certain camera. I handled it. It fitted. It felt good. No one (even me, and apart from the sales staff) could have predicted that I would buy it. I did.
Well pleased with my purchase, but irritated that I am so easily classified by sales staff.
That's exactly how I chose Nikon in the first place, it just felt nicer.Go to a well-stocked camera shop. Play with the various options. Ask the staff questions. Go home, and then go back and play again.
Essentially, read, but don't take any advice (apart from this of course). The only person who needs to be satisfied is you.
I went to 'my' camera shop. While I was waiting for something, one of the sales staff asked if I had ever used a certain camera. I handled it. It fitted. It felt good. No one (even me, and apart from the sales staff) could have predicted that I would buy it. I did.
Well pleased with my purchase, but irritated that I am so easily classified by sales staff.
From what I've seen, the R6ii is a bigger body than the Z6/7ii and would suit my hand better.
Maybe a trip out to try an R6 is needed.
Best change of camera ever for me.
But I've got big, and rather clumsy, hands, and the G7 being so small, I was forever inadvertently changing the focus switch. I tried the G9, and it felt as if they had me in mind when they designed it. It's funny how something solid can sort of mold itself to your hand.
I wouldn't recommend the G9, or MFT, to anyone. But if you, like me, struggle with the weight of full size, or even mirrorless full frame, I'd recommend you give MFT a try. I can carry camera, lenses, flashguns, microphone, monopod and stuff around all day. I hardly ever took a tripod but now I I can carry it across my shoulder for a few hours. My gimbal days are numbered though.
Ergonomics are the main thing to look for I think when choosing between brands.
Tech-wise they are on a par, sometimes one model will be a little ahead but soon caught up with by a rival brand.
For this reason I’ve only ever had Canon. I liked it it 1994 and never switched since. Film, DSLR and now Mirrorless (R5); always Canon.
I’ve only had multiple brands for point & shoot, action cams and mobile phones for my photography over the years.
Tech-wise they are on a par, sometimes one model will be a little ahead but soon caught up with by a rival brand.
For this reason I’ve only ever had Canon. I liked it it 1994 and never switched since. Film, DSLR and now Mirrorless (R5); always Canon.
I’ve only had multiple brands for point & shoot, action cams and mobile phones for my photography over the years.
andrewcliffe said:
My last film camera was a Canon EOS 650. It made sense when I bought a digital to continue with Canon and after a 350D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 7D, 1D4, 7D2, 1DX2, R7 I've stuck with then. My father has a Nikon and it feels alien - especially the menu structure.
Conversely if you hand me a Canon I can barely switch it on, never mind use it 
My last five cameras have been Panasonic: TZ 25, FZ100, GH2, G7 (since sold) and G9. Each manufacturer has its own 'feel', which includes the menu, what they stick on dials, and how. I think that, more than anything, is what keeps me loyal. There's also the hope I'll be able to afford the GH6 in a couple of years.
I went from Minolta. But they went from me first.
I went from Minolta. But they went from me first.
Derek Smith said:
I had a Panasonic MFT G7. I've got to the age where a whole day carrying a camera and a spare lens was too much effort, and I could use a gimbal for no more than an hour. I went with MFT because of lightness, not only of the camera, but lenses. I now carry three lenses sometimes, the ones not being used distributed in my 'hunting waistcoat', my gillet of many pockets, together with other kit.
Best change of camera ever for me.
But I've got big, and rather clumsy, hands, and the G7 being so small, I was forever inadvertently changing the focus switch. I tried the G9, and it felt as if they had me in mind when they designed it. It's funny how something solid can sort of mold itself to your hand.
I wouldn't recommend the G9, or MFT, to anyone. But if you, like me, struggle with the weight of full size, or even mirrorless full frame, I'd recommend you give MFT a try. I can carry camera, lenses, flashguns, microphone, monopod and stuff around all day. I hardly ever took a tripod but now I I can carry it across my shoulder for a few hours. My gimbal days are numbered though.
Why don't you recommend MFT, I've got an Om systems Om-1, for nature photography its sublime especially with the big white 150-400, which with the internal TC 1000mm 35mm effective reach and can be handheld too.Best change of camera ever for me.
But I've got big, and rather clumsy, hands, and the G7 being so small, I was forever inadvertently changing the focus switch. I tried the G9, and it felt as if they had me in mind when they designed it. It's funny how something solid can sort of mold itself to your hand.
I wouldn't recommend the G9, or MFT, to anyone. But if you, like me, struggle with the weight of full size, or even mirrorless full frame, I'd recommend you give MFT a try. I can carry camera, lenses, flashguns, microphone, monopod and stuff around all day. I hardly ever took a tripod but now I I can carry it across my shoulder for a few hours. My gimbal days are numbered though.
I've got a Mk1 R6 paired with a Sigma 150-600 which I love!
The AF is staggering for wildlife photography. It uses AI to lock onto the eyes of animals and track them, so I'd say with things like raptors in flight, I've gone from maybe one shot in a hundred being truly worth printing out and hanging on a wall to more like one in three or better!
The AF is staggering for wildlife photography. It uses AI to lock onto the eyes of animals and track them, so I'd say with things like raptors in flight, I've gone from maybe one shot in a hundred being truly worth printing out and hanging on a wall to more like one in three or better!
Kermit power said:
I've got a Mk1 R6 paired with a Sigma 150-600 which I love!
The AF is staggering for wildlife photography. It uses AI to lock onto the eyes of animals and track them, so I'd say with things like raptors in flight, I've gone from maybe one shot in a hundred being truly worth printing out and hanging on a wall to more like one in three or better!
I find the new AF AI subject recognition modes available in new cameras almost feel like cheating, I went from a Lumix G9 to an OM-1 and now can actually get sharp photos of birds in flight!The AF is staggering for wildlife photography. It uses AI to lock onto the eyes of animals and track them, so I'd say with things like raptors in flight, I've gone from maybe one shot in a hundred being truly worth printing out and hanging on a wall to more like one in three or better!
rs4al said:
Derek Smith said:
I had a Panasonic MFT G7. I've got to the age where a whole day carrying a camera and a spare lens was too much effort, and I could use a gimbal for no more than an hour. I went with MFT because of lightness, not only of the camera, but lenses. I now carry three lenses sometimes, the ones not being used distributed in my 'hunting waistcoat', my gillet of many pockets, together with other kit.
Best change of camera ever for me.
But I've got big, and rather clumsy, hands, and the G7 being so small, I was forever inadvertently changing the focus switch. I tried the G9, and it felt as if they had me in mind when they designed it. It's funny how something solid can sort of mold itself to your hand.
I wouldn't recommend the G9, or MFT, to anyone. But if you, like me, struggle with the weight of full size, or even mirrorless full frame, I'd recommend you give MFT a try. I can carry camera, lenses, flashguns, microphone, monopod and stuff around all day. I hardly ever took a tripod but now I I can carry it across my shoulder for a few hours. My gimbal days are numbered though.
Why don't you recommend MFT, I've got an Om systems Om-1, for nature photography its sublime especially with the big white 150-400, which with the internal TC 1000mm 35mm effective reach and can be handheld too.Best change of camera ever for me.
But I've got big, and rather clumsy, hands, and the G7 being so small, I was forever inadvertently changing the focus switch. I tried the G9, and it felt as if they had me in mind when they designed it. It's funny how something solid can sort of mold itself to your hand.
I wouldn't recommend the G9, or MFT, to anyone. But if you, like me, struggle with the weight of full size, or even mirrorless full frame, I'd recommend you give MFT a try. I can carry camera, lenses, flashguns, microphone, monopod and stuff around all day. I hardly ever took a tripod but now I I can carry it across my shoulder for a few hours. My gimbal days are numbered though.
MFT is just what I want. Suits me perfectly, at least in G9 form. My G7 was just that bit too small for someone who's as clumsy as me.
I'm with you on stabilisation. I've got the 100 - 300, 200 - 600 equivalent. I thought I'd be clever and take photos with tripod, monopod and handheld at 200 (400 equiv). Images A4 size were indistinguishable. I use my tripod for video occasionally, and sometimes for stills if I want to 'book a space'. I find I get treated with more consideration with a tripod. Most people are great, but the 10% or so who can't be bothered to detour to walk/stand behind me seem to be reluctant to do so when I've got my tripod.
I've got the hang of the menus now. I'm very quick to choose what I want, and to change parameters.
The viewfinder on the G9 is a treat. Really impressive.
I've taken an 80mp image of a tulip. I mean, it's great, but I've got no use for the process.
I think MFT is great. Perfect for me. It might be perfect for others, but it's best to play with one at a camera shop to see. Don't take my word for it.
andrewcliffe said:
My last film camera was a Canon EOS 650. It made sense when I bought a digital to continue with Canon and after a 350D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 7D, 1D4, 7D2, 1DX2, R7 I've stuck with then. My father has a Nikon and it feels alien - especially the menu structure.
On the other hand, I shot with various Canon bodies for over 10 years, then switched to Fuji. 6 months later I borrowed my dad's camera, which was the same body I had traded in, and it felt totally alien as if I had never used it before.
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