Am I the only one still using DSLRs?

[Whiskeyman]

I'm still using my D850, D500 and D700. Of the three, I'll likely keep the oldest, the D700, longer than the others due to it's portrait rendering. The D850 and D500 are just as good as they were when they were released, and I still enjoy not only using them myself, but watching my children use them as well.

The modern mirrorless cameras make it easier for more people to get more good exposures, but they don't do much that a modern DSLR in the hands of a skilled user can also do.

 

[Doug Herr]

The modern mirrorless cameras ... don't do much that a modern DSLR in the hands of a skilled user can also do.

There's nothing a skilled user can do to make a DSLR silent while using the viewfinder or to pre-capture or to get a burst @ 30+ FPS or make the AF system track an active bird's eye. For some this isn't important, for others it's critical.

 

[bleirer]

Most photo journalist Pros are still using DSLRs...

Wondering how you know this?

 

[Cameron T]

There's nothing a skilled user can do to make a DSLR silent while using the viewfinder or to pre-capture or to get a burst @ 30+ FPS or make the AF system track an active bird's eye. For some this isn't important, for others it's critical.

Having the camera be completely silent and still 100% functional (no slow down, rolling shutter, etc) due to the stacked sensor is huge for me, in part because now I can enjoy nature more and not ever have that quiet interrupted by camera sounds.

 

[StefanSC]

now I can enjoy nature more

But with mirrorless you are enjoying it filtered through a screen

In my experience the "silent" part of mirrorless is overrated. While undeniably useful if you are shooting something that requires silence (e.g: a classical music concert or golf) for wildlife rarely will you set off a stampede by rattling a 10fps burst (more often than not it will actually help the shot as the subject might turn it's head to look at the direction the sound came and catch the light in they eye ).

 

[jeffnles1]

I haven't read through 5 pages of comments. My thoughts on the original question is, 1) you're not the only one, and 2) use whatever makes YOU happy. Your gear choice should be for what you enjoy, what you want and what makes you happy to be out taking photos. f it is DSLR, than that is exactly what you should use.

 

[Doug Herr]

In my experience the "silent" part of mirrorless is overrated.

In my 50+ years' experience it's the difference between one photo before the passerine or peep flees and a series of photos of an oblivious bird. I've even seen them react to the slap of the mirror flipping up before the shutter opens so the one photo is blurred.

YMMV, but I'd rather not influence my subjects' behavior and if there are occasions when the sound would help it can be enabled by using the mechanical shutter.

 

[bleirer]

Don't cameras like the d850 have live view, when needed for silent operation? Of course mainly would work for tripod use. Mirrorless stripped down is just live view through the viewfinder. Or a cell phone camera is mirrorless too, ultimate live view.

 

[Tiago C]

But with mirrorless you are enjoying it filtered through a screen

In my experience the "silent" part of mirrorless is overrated. While undeniably useful if you are shooting something that requires silence (e.g: a classical music concert or golf) for wildlife rarely will you set off a stampede by rattling a 10fps burst (more often than not it will actually help the shot as the subject might turn it's head to look at the direction the sound came and catch the light in they eye ).

I have had plenty of animals scared of mechanical shutter sound.
With mirrorless you can choose silent or noisy, it's a clear advantage for my use.

 

[Tiago C]

Don't cameras like the d850 have live view, when needed for silent operation? Of course mainly would work for tripod use. Mirrorless stripped down is just live view through the viewfinder. Or a cell phone camera is mirrorless too, ultimate live view.

Advantages of shooting through a viewfinder and without a tripod shouldn't be underestimated.
Also, switching to live view with DSLRs in itself makes an audible noise.

 

[Doug Herr]

Don't cameras like the d850 have live view, when needed for silent operation? Of course mainly would work for tripod use. Mirrorless stripped down is just live view through the viewfinder. Or a cell phone camera is mirrorless too, ultimate live view.

A DLSR's live view is impractical to the point of being useless for an active subject, and a cell phone's sensor and lens can't compare with a flagship mirrorless and its 600mm prime.

 

[bleirer]

A DLSR's live view is impractical to the point of being useless for an active subject, and a cell phone's sensor and lens can't compare with a flagship mirrorless and its 600mm prime.

I agree, just making the point that all mirrorless is not equal. A top dslr can exceed a midrange milc.

 

[fcotterill]

Mainly as an experiment, I attached a Hoodman Loup over the LCD of my D780 with a system of interlooped, strong rubber bands. I used it freehand with a 500 PF or on a monopod with the 400 f2.8E and a TC.

It allowed me to use the rig as a hybrid MILC-DSLR within limits the silent shutter and lowlight performance of its Z6 sensor was excellent. The main hassle was moving the cumbersome Hoodman out of the way to use the OVF.

The D780 is a most capable camera, except that Nikon crippled it IME. They left out the Menu settings I consider vital for wildlife photography - to toggle between AF modes.

 

[Doug Herr]

I agree, just making the point that all mirrorless is not equal. A top dslr can exceed a midrange milc.

Might be useful when comparing a top DSLR and midrange mirrorless to be a little more specific. Which DSLR, which mirrorless, and what application? I can think of several features commonly available with a midrange mirrorless camera that is prevented by DSLR technology.

 

[Woodyg3]

Maybe I'm wrong but SOME (not all) of you seem to be taking this personally. This doesn't need to be a "my camera is better than your's" thread. LOL.

 

[abc123brian]

A DLSR's live view is impractical to the point of being useless for an active subject, and a cell phone's sensor and lens can't compare with a flagship mirrorless and its 600mm prime.

My understanding is that Canon’s DSLRs using dual pixel AF have very good live view af and I would think the Nikon D780 would rival the Z6ii. A subject being active within the frame should work ok but trying to track a flying or running subject with a telephoto lens through the rear screen can be difficult. So depending on what you mean by useless it is possible.

I agree, just making the point that all mirrorless is not equal. A top dslr can exceed a midrange milc.

When you say “can exceed “ I think you could pick specs that could go either way. Midrange mirrorless, such as Z6iii or R6ii exceed the performance of flagship DSLR. There are things DSLR does better but for most things mirrorless is as good or better, even modern midrange.

 

[David Berry]

A top dslr can exceed a midrange milc.

Perhaps… but now that mid-range mirrorless cameras offer features — pre-capture, for example — that you might actually want, then it is perhaps time to take a giant leap into the present.

… David

 

[ssheipel]

I still have and won't be getting rid of my D6. And I ultimately bought the Z9, which I love using, btw, simply 'cause I'm as big a victim of 'oooh look shiny and new, gotta have' marketing and consumerism pressures as the next amateur -- as in, as a non pro I could simply have stuck with my D3 even and just bought long f mount glass when I jumped into wildlife shooting and been happy. Anyway, as I've mumbled about before, when I use the D6 there's a 20 minute step back learning curve as I might actually have to pay more attention to tracking the animal myself and get confused when the viewfinder exposure doesn't change when I change exposure, etc. but what shots are produced comes down to me not whether I'm using the DSLR or the mirrorless. Looking ahead, not that at my age as an amateur I'll ever need a new camera, but I think all indications are the next level of 'pro' cameras will be so cranked up with AI (more than now I mean) that I won't be interested in shooting with them; it's just never been about the 'perfect' shot for me, most certainly with wildlife, since I'm first out there to be out there, the camera comes along for the ride and it's added fun to try to grab some 'great shots'. THAT is fully gettable with DLSR, or mirrorless. In fact very gettable with a film camera, too which I've been shopping for (as I expect a sun spot to wipe us out digitally soon LOL).

 

[Flyboy]

While the photography world has shifted to mirrorless technology, I've not yet made the transition myself (call me an old fogey ), and I'm wondering if I'm the only holdout among serious and committed amateur photographers? Yes, I do understand the many advanced features of leading edge mirrorless cameras, and that using them would likely improve my keeper rate. However, as an amateur wildlife photographer, would acquiring a Z9 or Z8 really increase my imagery and personal satisfaction enough to warrant the investment required? Here's my rationale for sticking with my tried and true D850s and FX lenses, at least so far:

1. I'm an amateur, not a professional, and my wildlife photography is for my personal satisfaction only, not for any commercial purpose.
2. My images are reproduced mainly on social media, my website, for family and friends, and for occasional printing and charitable donations.
3. The last time I checked, my D850s and FX lenses are still considered top quality equipment, and arguably are capable of producing images as good as any mirrorless camera and lens.
4. Changing to a mirrorless platform would require a significant investment of money, and of time to relearn the new system. While I have both sufficient money and available time to make the change, would it really be worth it given my primary photographic purposes?

Judging from the many posts on Backcountry Gallery over the past couple of years, I'm beginning to feel very much in the minority, and so my overriding question is am I missing something obvious that everyone else has already gotten? Am I alone in the photographic universe?

Naah, there are two of us!
I have watched the controversy Digital vs. Mirrorless, and I am not convinced that high-end Digital cameras and lenses don't provide Image Quality equalling mirorless cameras...Of the SAME price range!
My cameras don't match the claimed IQ of Full frame or the latest Mirrorless offerings, but in the Photo Competitions I have entered and won, between my prize-winning entries and others, the difference is small. Fact is, on a fixed income, I can't afford more than I have, but don't feel "undergunned" in any "Contention of Photographers!" I watched a friend struggle with his Mirrorless camera for a year or so, so don't feel much inclination to "upgrade. YMMV.

 

[Danforth]

i have considered mirror less,and if it was the cost of just a body, i might have gone for it. but its not, its a major shift in all your equipment. as an amateur i'm happy where i am.

 

[Danforth]

yes i agree to much animosity. mirror less is cool but not in my budget.just saw tracks on my driveway, thinking two bobcat kittens.i need a picture, dose not matter what camera.

 

[MEhampshire]

I'm still using 5D MKIII which I got last year but I've been eyeing the R5 lately only because I want the subject tracking and higher ISO. Being in the UK it's always grey and gloomy . I'd still keep my 5D MKIII as a backup even if I get a mirrorless

 

[Danforth]

going to throw this out there, i have old deer stands not in use. great photo blinds. my deer hunting days may be done.

 

[Agustin]

Judging from the many posts on Backcountry Gallery over the past couple of years, I'm beginning to feel very much in the minority, and so my overriding question is am I missing something obvious that everyone else has already gotten? Am I alone in the photographic universe?

I have just got from B&H a very very clean, second hand D500 with a shutter count of just 3700 to replace my D7500 for the next trip to Serengeti, so....you are not alone at all!....I love my DSLRs and don't think to move to mirrorless for the next decade...my cameras are excellent (D850, D500, D810 and D7500), I have an excellent set of lenses (500PF, 300PF, 70-200 FL, 200-500 f5.6, 18-35 AFS) and I don't plan on spending a lot of money just to be on the front line of top cameras. Although I see the advantages of ML cameras over DSLR, I don't think that such a change will improve my pictures 80%...or even 60%. I am not a pro, so I don't need the very best tools for what I do....if some pictures have to be discarded because the eye of the subject is not perfectly in focus, I have no problem: I am not an artist that sells pictures for living, I take the best pictures I can just for my pleasure...and I print at home the ones that I like best.

 

[MEhampshire]

I have just got from B&H a very very clean, second hand D500 with a shutter count of just 3700 to replace my D7500 for the next trip to Serengeti, so....you are not alone at all!....I love my DSLRs and don't think to move to mirrorless for the next decade...my cameras are excellent (D850, D500, D810 and D7500), I have an excellent set of lenses (500PF, 300PF, 70-200 FL, 200-500 f5.6, 18-35 AFS) and I don't plan on spending a lot of money just to be on the front line of top cameras. Although I see the advantages of ML cameras over DSLR, I don't think that such a change will improve my pictures 80%...or even 60%. I am not a pro, so I don't need the very best tools for what I do....if some pictures have to be discarded because the eye of the subject is not perfectly in focus, I have no problem: I am not an artist that sells pictures for living, I take the best pictures I can just for my pleasure...and I print at home the ones that I like best.

Same, I don't sell photos and photography is more like a escape from a boring web development 9-5.

However doing ground level photography with a non tilting screen is a pain, so that'd be another + for me if/when I decide to move to mirrorless torn between r6 MK2 and R5 MK1 ATM definitely won't be going for newer models as they cost an arm and a leg.