And a request for advice in buying some more.
Fair warning: Many of my loyal readers will likely have little interest in today’s post. No bird photos are included and it’s heavy on the photogeek. But I need some advice and I can’t see not taking advantage of a resource that I hope is available to me – readers out there who normally seldom comment here but have some knowledge and/or experience with some of the new camera technology and are willing to share it.
For about a year now I’ve been waffling back and forth about buying a new camera. I’ve been shooting mostly with the Canon 7D Mark II for six years now (I have two of them) and camera technology changes and improves fast so I feel like I’m being left behind. But making the decision about which way to go is extremely complex and the parameters seem to change almost daily.
I’ll admit to feeling some guilt about even considering buying more gear. The financial war chest of a retired teacher is far from bottomless and when I consider all the gear I own now it seems like I may have already gone more than a little overboard.
Sorry about the poor image quality – cell phone photo in low light
This bookcase full of camera gear is the source of my guilt and this is far from all of it. Not seen here are things like two tripods, a photo blind, a lens cart, a lens caddy, several computers used almost exclusively for photography and various and sundry other items. I’ve thought about adding up all the money I’ve spent on photo equipment over the years but my psyche just couldn’t handle it. And now I’m seriously considering buying more? Sheesh!
Based on my needs and wants as a bird photographer these are some of the decisions I’ve already made.
- I won’t be leaving Canon. For me switching all my gear including cameras and lenses to another brand such as Sony is out of the question.
- I love my two birding lenses, the Canon Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and the Canon Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM so I won’t be abandoning them either.
- A few months ago I very nearly pulled the trigger on the Canon IDX Mark III but its file size is only 20MP and at $6500 it’s too expensive, especially since it doesn’t have animal eye detection autofocus.
- For a long time I was reluctant to buy a mirrorless camera because that meant using an adapter with the lenses I’ll be keeping. But apparently they work reliably and well so using an adapter may no longer be a deal killer.
- I was also reluctant to go full frame. I prefer cropped frame cameras for the extra reach they provide for bird photography but Canon has abandoned the 7D line and the much larger file size of at least one of the cameras I’ve been considering would allow me to crop more and not pay much of a price in lost image quality, if any.
For the last year or so I’ve been watching camera developments fairly closely but I was sitting on the sidelines until a few days ago when blog reader Ron Thill sent me this link to a video review of the new Canon EOS R5 camera and that got my juices flowing again. Further research suggests that the R5 may be a superb option for me and I’ve been drooling over that camera ever since.
Some of the features of the R5 that appeal strongest to me include:
- 45MP file size so I can crop more without significant loss of image quality
- an advanced autofocus system including animal/bird head and eye detection that according to reviews works incredibly well
- 12 frames/second mechanical and 20 frames/second electronic (my 7DII shoots 10 frames/second)
But no camera is perfect and that includes the R5. The most significant problem with the R5 has been an overheating issue in video mode but at this point at least video holds little interest for me.
So I’d appreciate some advice from any readers out there who have knowledge, experience or just plain thoughts along the following lines;
- potential issues with using adapters to mount Canon’s EF lenses on mirrorless cameras
- cropping larger files more and still getting good to excellent image quality. With my 20MP 7D Mark II I hesitate to crop any more than 50%
- what are your thoughts about the R5? Any experience with it including with the animal eye/head detection?
- any other considerations that I haven’t mentioned
Thanks in advance for any assistance. Back to regular programming tomorrow.
Ron
Note: Believe it or not, compared to some other bird and nature photographers I’m a rank amateur when it comes to collecting camera gear.
I photograph with a Fuji XT3 with my Canon 100-400 II lens. I use a Fringer adapter and this setup has worked great for me. I still have my Canon 500 mounted on my 7D2 and I’m thinking about the R5 as my main setup and the Fuji as my backup. The Fujifilm system is great but I’m liking the reviews on the R5. Decisions, decisions!
I upgraded my 7D2 to the R5 last week. Been out to shoot 3 time so far and am quite happy with the purchase. For perched birds, the 7D2 worked fine for me, but the autofocus was lacking for birds in flight, which is the main reason I upgraded. I can say unequivocally that many of the flight shots I’ve gotten this past week would have been missed with my old set-up. Low-light performance will also be better than your 7D2.
You can contact me if you have questions.
Thank you, Steve. At some point I just might do that.
May I ask what lens you have paired with the R5 for birds in flight?
As you do, I shoot with the 500mm ii, coupled with the 1.4 TC.
Yesterday I tried using the 2.0 TC with the R5 on some nearly-static mergansers with good results.
I also noticed that I can rescue an under-exposed photo better than the 7D2 files.
Thanks for getting back to me Steve.
Ron, not sure if you will see this today or not, but thought I would weigh in. I’m that guy who must have the new widget right after it comes out and its a fault I work on constantly. I could use a 12-step group for this affliction…
Anyway, I’ve always thought your 7D was meeting your needs totally (assumption, I know) so my advice would be to purchase another one (or two). That Canon seems to be moving away from that series is probably irrelevant and you should get the same usage out of a next one that you have historically gotten. Admittedly I haven’t studied the mirrorless cameras that much, but it seems like you have some doubt that it will meet your needs. Unless there is a way for you to test one out for a while, it seems like a gamble to move to another platform in my view.
I shoot 6DIIs and just purchased another one last weekend. I love the camera and have settled into all the features and functions. If Canon ever closes this series down, I will probably go out and by several more. I love a trusted platform, especially for photography, and like the comfort that familiarity gives me.
I hope you find this feedback useful.
David, sounds like you’re a creature of habit just like me.
There’s definitely some merit in what you say. Thanks for providing your take on it.
I’m learning a lot from you and your readers. While I can’t add anything to the discussion, I can say that I like your ‘scope and balance. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has science decor. 😂
Thanks, Marty. Old school science stuff but I think that’s part of their charm.
Ditto on the “Ugly Hedgehog” I’m surprised that you haven’t found them !!
🙂
Ron: Look out for needing upgrades to your software to handle the RAW format for your new camera. Also, I suggest giving video a try. I started very slowly and not very interested, but learned to love it – a new and exciting dimension.
Yeah, I know Richard. I’m not even sure Adobe RAW supports the R5 yet. That might be another reason to wait for a while.
I don’t dismiss video out of hand but at this point it’s far from a priority for me.
I have been hearing Canon will be adding another mirrorless camera to their lineup specifically for wildlife and sports. Perhaps to replace the 7D line. If that is correct it might be good to hang on for a few more months.
Wendy, I’ve heard the same thing. Waiting is always an option.
I would love to see Canon offer a full-frame mirrorless camera built on the large beefy chassis of the 1Dx series, including that big high-capacity battery.
Will I have to upgrade my computer to see the results from the new camera?😉
Seriously, though, will the lack of an optical viewfinder be a hindrance?
Would the .76X magnification of the R5 viewfinder be acceptable?
Will 2 more frames per second enable you to capture significantly more “action”?
Will you be frustrated not having the 1.5X magnification?
Lyle,
1. Apparently not, not from the reviews I’ve seen.
2. Possibly a slight one.
3. Yes. It’s 20% better than I have now and I have the option to go much faster electronically
4. Not if I can crop more and get equivalent quality with the larger file sizes. Btw, with Canon it’s 1.6 not 1.5.
Good luck.
I know it isn’t a decision that you will make lightly, but my ignorant self will love the results. Whatever camera you buy.
Thanks, EC.
I will be following this discussion and your progress. I am not in the market, being unemployed for a while makes extras out of reach for a bit.
I hope we both learn something, April. I already have.
I always learn from your tech discussions. I’ve got a 7D. As long as I’m shooting from the 4Runner, I’m fine; however, I lugged it along on a vacation and nearly threw my back out.
While any new camera you pick up to use your current lenses isn’t going to be much lighter, please do let us know what you buy and how it works out. I keep looking for some sort of sweet spot between quality and lugability. My husband bought a RX10 for me. It was a great vacation camera, but my wildlife shots with it aren’t comparable to the 7D.
Catherine, for me camera weight isn’t much of an issue since I’m usually shooting from my pickup. In fact I actually wish the R5 was physically larger. If I buy it I’ll probably be getting a battery pack so the entire bundle feels more comfortable in my hands.
VERY interesting discussion – way beyond where I’m at with photography BUT good to hear what is “out there” as well as pros and cons……😀
Good. Thanks, Judy.
I’m kind of in the same boat, Ron. I am still on DSLR with a 1Dx2 and a 7D2. my wife shoots a 5D3. But I have a friend that gushes over his new R5 and its AF system. And he has had all the same Canon equipment I have, including the 1Dx2, 5D3 and 7D2 and is very tech savvy. He says the adaptor works very well with his big lenses like the 500mm F/4L. But he’s slowly replacing the shorter lenses like the 20-200mm with the R variety. There’s so much to consider, including the memory cards. I have over $1,500 invested in CF cards alone. It’s a hard decision, but at this point I can’t really see investing further in any direction other than mirrorless. Also, I don’t think you will regret going full-frame. My 1Dx2 gets way more use than the 7D2. About the only time the 7D2 gets any work is when hiking or something I really want to travel light and am using the 100-400mm with 1.4x tc or the Sigma 150-600mm.
You make some interesting and valid points, David. Complicated isn’t it!
I love the ‘modern’ calculator that you keep nearby your collection to check the balance in your gear budget!
Yeah, the symbolism of that proximity hasn’t been lost on me, Joel. It’s actually an ‘antique’ manual adding machine I inherited from my dad. I’ve always loved it and the memories it brings back.
Besides using it for taxes Dad always used it to balance the monthly budget for our Montana farm. As a young boy I remember one time while he was struggling over that budget as he punched buttons on that noisy adding machine I asked him how much ‘we’ made in a year. I still remember his answer – he said on a year when crops were good we might make almost $3000 profit but some years we lose money.
Sobering, especially considering the fact that if I buy the R5 I’ll be spending more on it than we made back then in a good year. Farming is a tough way to make a living.
Ron – I know nothing about the higher end of photography that you are in, but I would look at it from another angle. How old are you and how long do you picture yourself being able to get out there in the truck taking photos? Do you see yourself being physically capable to really utilize the investment? One of my younger brothers 77 was recently talking to a solar salesman. The salesman said this investment will pay for itself in 20 years. My brother replied, do I look like I am going to be here in 20 years?
I believe from getting to know you over these past years that your photography is mostly for your own pleasure and satisfaction and not for commercial gain. Is the investment worth it for your purposes? How much better will your already outstanding photos be by moving up to the next level?
All good questions, Everett and I think I’ve already considered them but it goes without saying that the answers to some of them are completely unpredictable.
I ordered the r5 3 months ago and am still waiting, so don’t get too excited yet. I was worried about the same issues as you. I have read that there are no issues with Canon’s adapters to mount EF lenses on the r5. I have seen pictures on websites that cropped r5 pics are better than 7d2 (link below). The battery life is my remaining worry. I don’t care about video, but if you do, there’s a lot to read about its overheating-related issues. There are rumors of an “r7”–a fabled(?) crop-sensor mirrorless body coming “some day”, but….
https://tinyurl.com/y3xacdnr
Here’s the “r7” rumor: https://petapixel.com/2020/10/27/canon-will-release-an-aps-c-sensor-rf-mount-camera-in-2021-report/
Ha, I’ve been waiting for “some day” for far too long already… 🙂
I always buy my camera gear from my local dealer. He says he should have his next shipment by early Dec and I have one reserved that I can take or leave.
I have no interest in video either, at least not at this point. Thanks for the links, Brad.
Good article, Ron.
I am in a similar quandary. My 1DX-1 is old, my 7D-2 is getting old, my 5D-3 and 5DSR are doing ok. Even though I have so much Canon gear, I really do not Canon as a company. I have had trouble with them on repairs, sensors, and warranties.
If I had more income right now (COVID-19 has hurt my photography business a lot) I would switch over fully to Sony. That is not an option for me at the moment.
The Canon R5 does seem very good for wildlife photography. New batteries and new CF Express cards are another expense to consider.
The overheating issue does seem to bother some non-video shooters (see the reviews on Amazon).
For me, I am going to wait on the R5. With the overheating issues being widely complained about, Canon will likely resolve this with the next version (although, sometimes Canon does seem very slow to respond to the user communities complaints). My assumption is that there are older, ego driven engineers at Canon, who do not embrace new technology. Perhaps I am wrong, and perhaps their venture into mirrorless will change this?
Could you wait a bit on the R5 to see what is done to resolve the overheating issues?
Ed, I’ve always had pretty good luck dealing with Canon. Do you belong to CPS?
Yes, there are several extra expenses with the R5. For me another one would probably be a battery grip. I don’t think I’d be very comfortable with that small camera in my hand mounted on my 500.
I’ll check out the Amazon reviews. I was unaware the overheating had any affect on those who only shoot stills.
Yes I could wait a while – that’s always been an option.
Ron, yes, I am a platinum CPS member. I have had ok service with CPS, some good, some terrible.
I would like to learn more about the overheating issue and if it is really an issue for non-video. Perhaps at 20 fps it can be an issue?
Eventually, I too will likely buy an R5
Ron: I’ve not purchased a R5 yet, but it’s definitely on my wish list. Earlier this year I purchased a lightly used 5DM4, which has a 30MP sensor and much better low light performance than my 7DM2. With my 7DM2 I constrained the Auto ISO to 800 or 1600. I now constrain the ISO to 6,000 on the 5DM4 because I know I can remove any objectional noise with Topaz Lab’s wonderful DeNoise AI plug-in software.
Thanks again for sending me that link, Ron. It may end up draining my bank account but that’s the way it goes with addicted bird photographers isn’t it.
Ron – I found your post today interesting & I want to share a website with you. I found it several years ago & set up to get an email every Monday. It’s a wonderful site with armatures to real pros. The site is called “Ugly Hedgehog” and here is their website. Ugly Hedgehog Team,
news@UglyHedgehog.com.
There are several different areas on the site – Upcoming Topics – Main Photography Discussions (the one you would want to check out.) – Photo Contest & Challenges – Photo Gallery – Member Buy/Sell/Trade – Links & Resources. There is no charge for membership & they are all just photographers. I’ve used in for help with equipment & LOVE to see all the photos posted by members. You might want to check it.
I’ll check it out, Jo Ann. Thanks.
The main issue you raise for me would be backup. You often use old photos, so I imagine you have a lot of backup of smaller files. How much backup would you need for these files? Would you risk tossing files you later miss? I suspect you are a good and quick editor, so this may not pose a lot of problem.
If graininess is not a problem at the ISOs you’re likely to need, the R5 sounds ideal for your purposes. I strongly suspect you will immediately use a new camera enough that you can return it if it isn’t as good as you hope.
If I were still strong enough to manage the Canon equipment, I might be kicking myself for not waiting for this innovation.
You’re right Nancy – there’s definitely a downside to such large files. I may eventually have to buy more computer equipment to manage them but it’s getting time to do that anyway.
Hi Ron, I have a 7D II as well and use it for birds and nature/wildlife photography primarily. Being a camera gear junkie as well I also have a full frame 5D IV. My 7D II has seen a lot of action and is in line for retirement. I have been looking at the R5 and R6 for a bit now and to me other than mp and cost is video capabilities. I currently don’t shoot any video so I am leaning toward the R6. I also don’t do much printing so don’t need the pixels. With the money I save I will probably reinvest or get an R6 that comes with a lens. My hope is it will be a solid replacement to my trusty ol 7D II.
Garrett, I’ve loved my 7DII for years now. For my purposes it’s been an excellent camera.
But for me it’s time to move on if I can do it sensibly and the R5 tempts me more than the R6.
With those superb lenses, you’d be crazy to switch platforms! How much better can your photos be with those other platforms? That should settle your doubts. Thanks for sharing your passion & work.
Elmer, actually I never had any doubts about my lenses nor did I ever consider abandoning them. The dilemma is my choice of a new camera.
I bought a Nikon Z7 and the adapter for the DSLR lenses. The this combo does focus more slowly. Also the camera goes to sleep between shots like a DSLR but the view finder is blacked out until it wakes up, while the mirror on the DSLR is always available. Not great for flight shots. The image quality is great but the speed of handling is not. But maybe Canon works better. If you buy from someone like B&H you can return it if it doesn’t work for you.
Bruce, at leas one of the reviews I read mentioned a slight lag time for the camera to wake up after it goes to sleep and that would be a problem for unexpected flight shots in particular. But if I remember correctly (I may not) it only does it when you’re using the electronic shutter. If that’s the case in those situations I can live with only 12 frames/sec mechanical.
As someone who shoots with my brother, Bruce, flight shots with the Nikon Z are shots he missed. He was a former Canon (5d, 7d,1d, and everything in between). He changed to Nikon because of the lightweight of the new 500 lens. Of course, that meant he got the D500 and D850. See, your not the only one with loads of camera gear. If we go for serious bird photography I notice he does not take the mirrorless any more.
Jonelle, all my bird photography is ‘serious’ so that’s something I’ll investigate more closely with the R5 before I pull the trigger.