Am I the only one who prefers DSLR?

[ruley74]

Hahaha... good read, you're almost a mirror of my situation, possibly a month behind in decision making.

I ordered a Nikon 600 F4 about 3 weeks ago, made the decision to stay with the DSLR for a while and have one eye on the upcoming D850 replacement but want to add a low light option.... so now looking at adding a D5/6. I have zero issues with adapting lenses if the lens performs well on the body, and that's one area that Canon achieved were Nikon still needs work. I base this off starting photography last year with the M50 & EOS R and EF lenses, my 100-400 mkII AF was fast! That was my only consideration when I placed the order for my 600... should I grab the Canon and the R5. I really like my D850 so I was comfortable in the end.

 

[Ado Wolf]

It is quite pleasant to see how many Photographers on this Forum (me included) are sticking with DSLRs. One automatically gets pressure to switch, be it from Influencers / professional photographers selling their gear and switching over to other brands (Jared Polin. Matt Granger, etc.), or be it reviews that Nikon is last in the Mirrorless race..

IMO DSLRs will not die out in the few years to come, as they still outperform Mirrorless (particularly Nikon ones).. but when it comes to the future of Nikon and Z cameras.. that's where anything can happen.. Who knows, maybe Nikon will come out with a Hybrid solution, combining the advantages of both worlds in one Flagship camera! (wishful thinking)..

For me, the only Advantage that Mirrorless has, that I would love to have in DSLR, is silent shooting! Everything else I can live without..

 

[DavidT]

It is quite pleasant to see how many Photographers on this Forum (me included) are sticking with DSLRs. One automatically gets pressure to switch, be it from Influencers / professional photographers selling their gear and switching over to other brands (Jared Polin. Matt Granger, etc.), or be it reviews that Nikon is last in the Mirrorless race..

IMO DSLRs will not die out in the few years to come, as they still outperform Mirrorless (particularly Nikon ones).. but when it comes to the future of Nikon and Z cameras.. that's where anything can happen.. Who knows, maybe Nikon will come out with a Hybrid solution, combining the advantages of both worlds in one Flagship camera! (wishful thinking)..

For me, the only Advantage that Mirrorless has, that I would love to have in DSLR, is silent shooting! Everything else I can live without..

Canon has said they will no longer develop new DSLR or lenses for them and only mirrorless, Sony only has mirrorless and Nikon has bucked the trend and said they will do both for now. Seeing all the responses and how I myself feel about DSLR I think Nikon is making a wise choice supporting both mounts. While it won’t likely attract many new buyers they will sell a lot to their F Mount base if they come out with a D850, D500 replacement and possibly a few more lenses.
I think want of us will slowly adapt mirrorless and as they further refine the Z cameras they will also attract new users.

 

[FB101]

Canon has said they will no longer develop new DSLR or lenses for them and only mirrorless, Sony only has mirrorless and Nikon has bucked the trend and said they will do both for now. Seeing all the responses and how I myself feel about DSLR I think Nikon is making a wise choice supporting both mounts. While it won’t likely attract many new buyers they will sell a lot to their F Mount base if they come out with a D850, D500 replacement and possibly a few more lenses.
I think want of us will slowly adapt mirrorless and as they further refine the Z cameras they will also attract new users.

Your comment made me think about Nikon's announcement that they will more narrowly focus on higher end cameras. Maybe that's the strategic priority they have selected, to be the company for those who need or want dSLR and offer the very best in that segment (easy choice because bye and large they already do) - since they took a major write-off on plants and assets for dSLR production last quarter they will show very rapid profit recovery on future volumes with reduced amortization cost per unit. Risky move if their customer base is not willing to play along and dSLR users in other brands don't consider coming to Nikon to have the best dSLRs available, but based on the highly market influencing crowd here, they may have a path

 

[Marcus Slade]

Wouldn't say I agonized between a Z6/7 (or the mach ii versions) and the D6 but I did deliberate long and hard and truth be told, that deliberation for me actually came down to a 500PF or a D6 rather than the mirrorless options. Notwithstanding the FTZ converter, I only have F-mount glass and reasoned that my existing DSLRs would see service for a good number of years yet. As I've commented before, having a 300 mmPF with 1.4 TC put me very close to the functionality of the 500mmPF. I really kept taking it back to what would help me take better pictures and be additive to my bag. When I look over the past four years, I've taken some of my very best images with the D500/200-500 combo so I have to be pretty disciplined to claim that a new piece of kit will yield me better photos. The D850 has been hugely additive for me the past three years but I don't think enough gets said about just how demanding high megapixel cameras are...particularly for action. IQ is outstanding but it's equally ruthlessly revealing of less-than-ideal technique. Too often on culling a shoot, I've made use of the delete key because I hadn't used enough shutter speed.

So with that said, I did add a D6...have only had it for a couple of weeks. Focus, low-light/high ISO and FPS are definitely additive for me. Using Topaz tools, I've taken a few very serviceable shots at ISO 40000 that I would never have dreamed of with my D500/850. Gotta say, I'm quite smitten with it. Each time out with it so far, I'm impressed with its capabilities. As a walk-around camera with a 24-70 it'd likely be overkill but for what the bulk of us in this forum favour shooting, it's a gem. The only regret I've had in purchasing it is that it will render my D500 more time sitting on the shelf.

I also have every confidence that I will be adding a mirrorless camera (almost certainly a "Zed" body) in due course. I am more than content to wait at the moment...but I still want that 500 mmPF.

Click on.

 

[DavidT]

Wouldn't say I agonized between a Z6/7 (or the mach ii versions) and the D6 but I did deliberate long and hard and truth be told, that deliberation for me actually came down to a 500PF or a D6 rather than the mirrorless options. Notwithstanding the FTZ converter, I only have F-mount glass and reasoned that my existing DSLRs would see service for a good number of years yet. As I've commented before, having a 300 mmPF with 1.4 TC put me very close to the functionality of the 500mmPF. I really kept taking it back to what would help me take better pictures and be additive to my bag. When I look over the past four years, I've taken some of my very best images with the D500/200-500 combo so I have to be pretty disciplined to claim that a new piece of kit will yield me better photos. The D850 has been hugely additive for me the past three years but I don't think enough gets said about just how demanding high megapixel cameras are...particularly for action. IQ is outstanding but it's equally ruthlessly revealing of less-than-ideal technique. Too often on culling a shoot, I've made use of the delete key because I hadn't used enough shutter speed.

So with that said, I did add a D6...have only had it for a couple of weeks. Focus, low-light/high ISO and FPS are definitely additive for me. Using Topaz tools, I've taken a few very serviceable shots at ISO 40000 that I would never have dreamed of with my D500/850. Gotta say, I'm quite smitten with it. Each time out with it so far, I'm impressed with its capabilities. As a walk-around camera with a 24-70 it'd likely be overkill but for what the bulk of us in this forum favour shooting, it's a gem. The only regret I've had in purchasing it is that it will render my D500 more time sitting on the shelf.

I also have every confidence that I will be adding a mirrorless camera (almost certainly a "Zed" body) in due course. I am more than content to wait at the moment...but I still want that 500 mmPF.

Click on.

I just picked up a 500PF a few weeks ago. I only waited so long because I couldn't find one. I am really impressed with the lens!

 

[PhilcTx]

Why does it need to be a one or the other (DSLR or mirrorless) choice? Why not have both?

Each has their advantages. Mirrorless for it's weight and size savings, WSIWYG exposure, etc., DSLR for sport & wildlife AF & BIF performance, legacy glass use, user interface/feature familiarity, etc.

The longer DSLRs & lens are kept the greater the reduction in resale/trade valuations. Reports in other photo forums are the big camera dealers are setting on million$ in new DSLR inventory that they can't sell. What does that tell us about used DSLR gear valuations now and the future?

Keep the old DSLR hardware and add mirrorless when ready. That's my approach - a D500 and Fujifilm X-T4 mirrorless with minimal lens coverage overlap. Old/new glass can many times be used with either via adapters.

 

[Marcus Slade]

I just picked up a 500PF a few weeks ago. I only waited so long because I couldn't find one. I am really impressed with the lens!

Nice. I've handled one, just haven't shot with it yet. I should've added in my previous comment that I have a 600mm f4 G that sees a lot of use and with my 200-500 and 300 PF in tow, the 500 PF would just be additive icing on the cake at the moment...and I like cake too

 

[Marcus Slade]

Why does it need to be a one or the other (DSLR or mirrorless) choice? Why not have both?

Each has their advantages. Mirrorless for it's weight and size savings, WSIWYG exposure, etc., DSLR for sport & wildlife AF & BIF performance, legacy glass use, user interface/feature familiarity, etc.

The longer DSLRs & lens are kept the greater the reduction in resale/trade valuations. Reports in other photo forums are the big camera dealers are setting on million$ in new DSLR inventory that they can't sell. What does that tell us about used DSLR gear valuations now and the future?

Keep the old DSLR hardware and add mirrorless when ready. That's my approach - a D500 and FujifilmX-T4 mirrorless with minimal lens coverage overlap. Old/new glass can many times be used with either via adapters.

Well said. Having invested substantially in what I currently have, I would be happy to amortize its use gradually over the years to come, confident there will be further additions...it never ends after all

 

[Letolen]

A very nice read. Thanks.
I have no plans to change from DSLR.
I am still to try the d850, soon to be. Then the D5.
Mirrorless like some DSLR just do not tempt or compel me to own
Maybe in the future I will be tempted.

 

[Yellowboard]

Me...I'm sticking with DSLRs. I fear change...

 

[Flyboy]

I just really like looking through a DSLR, I like the feel, the buttons just everything about it. Frankly the only thing I don't like is not having 100% of the viewfinder focal point selection. Add in animal eye tracking like an R5 and I would be more willing to put up with a mirrorless camera viewfinder.
I appreciate your feedback!

Nah, there are two of us left!

 

[Graham Clark]

Until Nikon release an MILC body that offers an improvement in shooting the projects I work on, I can't see any benefit in ditching the DSLR's.

In addition, 3 out of 5 of my most used lenses don't feature on the "Z" roadmap

 

[Steve W]

Nah, there are two of us left!

Three of us. I just can’t understand the rush to mirrorless. Small isn’t always best. There is only about 150 grams difference between a Z6 II and a D500. Add a FTZ adapter and the advantage disappears. When it comes to minimising vibrations / shake, mass is your friend. In the quest to make things smaller the buttons to access various functions have disappeared into menus. Things like poor battery life and slower focussing just add to the woes.
Before I get torched by the converts, let me say that the latest Z6 / 7 MK II’s are a great step forward. I’m sure another one or two iterations may well change my mind. In the meantime, for my use anyway, the pro’s don’t outweigh the cons.

 

[jeffnles1]

If my D500 and D7200 ever bite the dust I may switch to mirrorless. Right now, I'm intrigued with mirrorless but not quite ready to make the leap. I spent 36 years working in the IT industry and one "rule" we always lived by was "never buy version 1 of a technology, let someone else be the beta testers." I do think mirrorless technology is past the "beta test" realm now. It's is "leading edge" not "bleeding edge" these days. Just for my photography, the D500 still meets my needs. The debate inside my own mind (and it's a dark and scary place ) is if I move to mirrorless, do I stick with Nikon or move to Canon or Sony? I t would cost me a fortune to make the switch and my 105mm Nikon Micro Lens would be very painful to give up.

Oh, first world problems....
Jeff

 

[Whiskeyman]

I liked the speed of the D500 but wasn't very impressed with the files.

How so?

Going back to the OP's question, I'm sticking with DSLRs. The rapid changes occuring in the mirrorless product line did cause me to make one decision, though. I was leaning strongly towards getting a D850, especially if they have another price reduction on them as was offered for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, after reading about the people that have bought and exchanged the early Nikon Z cameras, I'm now inclined to wait for the D850 replacement that's rumored to be out next year. I'll compare its features to the D850's and decide whether it's worth the price difference, but give a lot of credit to the additional features of the new camera. (If it has wildlife eye recognition, I'm in as soon as I can get one.)

W

 

[allen]

I have had the z6 for a year and I find setting it up is confusing, especially if I accidentally change a setting. I have always had nikon dx dslr, d70, d300, d5600, and I find I miss the more simplicity of settings on the dslr. I am currently switching to the d500 and will be selling my z6 system.

 

[Drbobcameraguy]

New here since September. Have followed Steve for a couple years. Here is my opinion. Any of us shooting most any modern dslr or mirrorless will not shoot better photos by buying the latest greatest camera. I believe most of our cameras are capable of more than we are. I'm a precision rifle shooter also. I have owned one rifle that was capable of more than me. Usually in that game the operator can be better than the equipment. In this game it appears the equipment available is 99 percent of the time better than the operator. So my advice is learn to become better than your equipment. Then worry about the next purchase. Lol

 

[MYount]

I spent all day Saturday and Sunday out shooting wildlife with my new 500PF. I currently have a Z6 and D850 (sold the D500 a few weeks ago) and the Z6 never came out of the bag.

I have planned on selling the Z6 and upgrading to the Z7II with grip when it starts shipping however I am starting to second guess that decision.

Now I am thinking sell the Z6 and buy a D6. I am also interested in the D850 replacement that seems to be coming next year. I would either replace the D850 with the update or add it as an additional body.

I only have one native lens for the Z system (14-30f4) and would rather upgrade it at some point to the new 2.8 version. I am not invested in Z glass yet and would be more interested in the Z when the 100-400 and 200-600 come out over the next two years. I also wonder what new Z bodies will bring to the table.

I just really like looking through a DSLR, I like the feel, the buttons just everything about it. Frankly the only thing I don't like is not having 100% of the viewfinder focal point selection. Add in animal eye tracking like an R5 and I would be more willing to put up with a mirrorless camera viewfinder.

Am I stupid to invest in a D6 and the D850 replacement in 2021? Should I just not do anything and wait and see?

I mostly do wildlife, macro, landscape and just getting into astro photography (50 f1.2 coming out for Z is exciting which makes me consider just keeping the Z6).

I have a good bit of F mount glass that I wouldn't be in a hurry to have to replace. I am exactly one year into digital photography (I have bought all the cameras and lenses in the last 12 months) and in 2021 I plan on adding a 600 f4 of Nikon, Canon or Sony with a matching body.

Current gear:
Nikon D850 and Z6
Nikon 14-24 f2.8
Tamron 24-70 g2 f2.8
Nikon 105 micro
Nikon 70-200 f2.8 E FL
Nikon 300 f2.8
Nikon 500 PF
Nikon 200-500 f5.6
Nikon TC1.4 II
Nikon TC2 III

So am I nuts to keep investing in F mount with a D6 or should I just get the Z7II with grip (PS I would like an action camera that is good in low light, thinking mostly BIF and in non covid times shoot some local HS football)?

I appreciate your feedback!

when I made my decision I had the available funds to do whatever I wanted to do. Right off the bat I knew it was going to be either the d500 or the d850. The deciding factor in that believe it or not was image size when going into editing. I didn't have the funds to invest in a complete camera system and a new computer system. My laptop was so old that it was crushed even trying to open up Lightroom or photoshop. I went with the d500 and I don't regret it at all. I am looking into a d850 at present because I've since upgraded my computer equipment. But I'm in no rush. The d500 does everything I need a camera to do.I'm 60 years old there will still be dslrs by the time I can't see well enough to do this anymore so I'm not worried about not being left behind.

 

[cohenfive]

All I want is a nikon mount version of the r5.....

 

[DavidT]

All I want is a nikon mount version of the r5.....

I agree

 

[ShaneB]

Don't know about "prefer" DSLRs, but until there's a camera that is actually better than my D850, I'm staying put.

 

[BLev65]

I have read this entire thread, and came away with a few observations as well as a final thought / comment (albeit long).

Observation #1 : The legacy glass of the F-mount serves as a valid excuse to stay firmly anchored in the F-mount system.
Observation #2 : It is clear that Nikon still has the most compelling set of DSLR's as Sony abandoned their SLT efforts, Canon has moved on, and Pentax is dying. The four cameras... D500/D850/D5/D6 have been (and continue to be) the best in DSLR technology.
Observation #3 : There is a lot of money thrown at photography and pursuing tiny birds. The perceived need for the "fastest" autofocus seems to drive these discussion, while the motivation to produce artistically compelling images has become secondary to "best in tech." ( Note: Image boards reflect my comment in Observation #3, as photos with artistic merit seem to be less appreciated than those with frozen wings as a bird flits from one place to another.)

Final comment (I'll try to keep it short )... Both mirrorless tech and DSLRs have there place in nature photography. There are clear advantages to both systems, and in some ways I think Nikon blew it with their D6. Nikon demonstrated the "power" of mirrorless integration into a DSLR w/ the D780, but they came up short with the DSLR specs on that camera (by not including the best DSLR AF spread). Had the D6 included the Z6/Z7 mirrorless tech in LiveView (per the D780), they would have really produced an amazing body. Short of that, it is an incremental upgrade on the D5.
Personally, I use my DSLRs with when speed is my priority, and I use a D500 because I abhor teleconverters.
Were I to do most of my shooting from a car, at national parks where photographers form a line to catch a bear/wolf/..., or at destinations where wildlife has accommodated to humans, DSLR's would meet my need into the future. Sadly, I don't live where wildlife is accessible, so I must hike into the woods, sit in a blind, or paddle to my destination. Low light defines my shooting period, and silence enhances my capacity to prolong a shoot. In these instances, mirrorless tech has created opportunities that would otherwise be impossible for making images. In addition to silent shooting, low light AF, and in-camera histograms, I have found that the mirrorless tech brings out the best in my F-mount lenses. Some optics that struggle with consistency on my DSLRs (zoom or focus distance) are far more consistent because of the on-sensor AF system. Furthermore, when one picture is in focus, they are all in focus. Furthermore, lack of mirror-slap allows me to shoot at low shutter speeds and maintain acceptable detail.

While neither system is perfect, together they offer something larger that Sony can not match (legitimate access to legacy glass + future proofing as Nikon expands its system). At this point, only Canon competes with Nikon on the latter, but they have expanded faster. While Canon's R5/R6 are compelling, their DSLR's (save the 1DxIII) lack the benefits of Nikon's system.

In the end one should make these decisions based on their needs rather than emotion... I often wonder if I made the right call splitting my efforts between F & Z-bodies, fortunately Nikon maintained a consistent interface that allows me to switch cameras without thinking about the location of buttons, switches, and dials.

regards,
bruce

 

[Cristobal]

I have read this entire thread, and came away with a few observations as well as a final thought / comment (albeit long).

Observation #1 : The legacy glass of the F-mount serves as a valid excuse to stay firmly anchored in the F-mount system.
Observation #2 : It is clear that Nikon still has the most compelling set of DSLR's as Sony abandoned their SLT efforts, Canon has moved on, and Pentax is dying. The four cameras... D500/D850/D5/D6 have been (and continue to be) the best in DSLR technology.
Observation #3 : There is a lot of money thrown at photography and pursuing tiny birds. The perceived need for the "fastest" autofocus seems to drive these discussion, while the motivation to produce artistically compelling images has become secondary to "best in tech." ( Note: Image boards reflect my comment in Observation #3, as photos with artistic merit seem to be less appreciated than those with frozen wings as a bird flits from one place to another.)

Final comment (I'll try to keep it short )... Both mirrorless tech and DSLRs have there place in nature photography. There are clear advantages to both systems, and in some ways I think Nikon blew it with their D6. Nikon demonstrated the "power" of mirrorless integration into a DSLR w/ the D780, but they came up short with the DSLR specs on that camera (by not including the best DSLR AF spread). Had the D6 included the Z6/Z7 mirrorless tech in LiveView (per the D780), they would have really produced an amazing body. Short of that, it is an incremental upgrade on the D5.
Personally, I use my DSLRs with when speed is my priority, and I use a D500 because I abhor teleconverters.
Were I to do most of my shooting from a car, at national parks where photographers form a line to catch a bear/wolf/..., or at destinations where wildlife has accommodated to humans, DSLR's would meet my need into the future. Sadly, I don't live where wildlife is accessible, so I must hike into the woods, sit in a blind, or paddle to my destination. Low light defines my shooting period, and silence enhances my capacity to prolong a shoot. In these instances, mirrorless tech has created opportunities that would otherwise be for making images. In addition to silent shooting, low light AF, and in-camera histograms, I have found that the mirrorless tech brings out the best in my F-mount lenses. Some optics that struggle with consistency on my DSLRs (zoom or focus distance) are far more consistent because of the on-sensor AF system. Furthermore, when one picture is in focus, they are all in focus. Furthermore, lack of mirror-slap allows me to shoot at low shutter speeds and maintain acceptable detail.

While neither system is perfect, together they offer some larger that Sony can not match (legitimate access to legacy glass + future proofing as Nikon expands its system). At this point, only Canon competes with Nikon on the latter, but they have expanded faster. While Canon's R5/R6 are compelling, their DSLR's (save the 1DxIII) lack benefits of Nikon's system.

In the end one should make these decisions based on their needs rather than emotion... I often wonder if I made the right call splitting my efforts between time F & Z-bodies, fortunately Nikon maintained a consistent interface that allows me to switch cameras without thinking about the location of buttons, switches, and dials.

regards,
bruce

I find your observations and conclusion very interesting!

 

[DavidT]

I have read this entire thread, and came away with a few observations as well as a final thought / comment (albeit long).

Observation #1 : The legacy glass of the F-mount serves as a valid excuse to stay firmly anchored in the F-mount system.
Observation #2 : It is clear that Nikon still has the most compelling set of DSLR's as Sony abandoned their SLT efforts, Canon has moved on, and Pentax is dying. The four cameras... D500/D850/D5/D6 have been (and continue to be) the best in DSLR technology.
Observation #3 : There is a lot of money thrown at photography and pursuing tiny birds. The perceived need for the "fastest" autofocus seems to drive these discussion, while the motivation to produce artistically compelling images has become secondary to "best in tech." ( Note: Image boards reflect my comment in Observation #3, as photos with artistic merit seem to be less appreciated than those with frozen wings as a bird flits from one place to another.)

Final comment (I'll try to keep it short )... Both mirrorless tech and DSLRs have there place in nature photography. There are clear advantages to both systems, and in some ways I think Nikon blew it with their D6. Nikon demonstrated the "power" of mirrorless integration into a DSLR w/ the D780, but they came up short with the DSLR specs on that camera (by not including the best DSLR AF spread). Had the D6 included the Z6/Z7 mirrorless tech in LiveView (per the D780), they would have really produced an amazing body. Short of that, it is an incremental upgrade on the D5.
Personally, I use my DSLRs with when speed is my priority, and I use a D500 because I abhor teleconverters.
Were I to do most of my shooting from a car, at national parks where photographers form a line to catch a bear/wolf/..., or at destinations where wildlife has accommodated to humans, DSLR's would meet my need into the future. Sadly, I don't live where wildlife is accessible, so I must hike into the woods, sit in a blind, or paddle to my destination. Low light defines my shooting period, and silence enhances my capacity to prolong a shoot. In these instances, mirrorless tech has created opportunities that would otherwise be for making images. In addition to silent shooting, low light AF, and in-camera histograms, I have found that the mirrorless tech brings out the best in my F-mount lenses. Some optics that struggle with consistency on my DSLRs (zoom or focus distance) are far more consistent because of the on-sensor AF system. Furthermore, when one picture is in focus, they are all in focus. Furthermore, lack of mirror-slap allows me to shoot at low shutter speeds and maintain acceptable detail.

While neither system is perfect, together they offer some larger that Sony can not match (legitimate access to legacy glass + future proofing as Nikon expands its system). At this point, only Canon competes with Nikon on the latter, but they have expanded faster. While Canon's R5/R6 are compelling, their DSLR's (save the 1DxIII) lack benefits of Nikon's system.

In the end one should make these decisions based on their needs rather than emotion... I often wonder if I made the right call splitting my efforts between time F & Z-bodies, fortunately Nikon maintained a consistent interface that allows me to switch cameras without thinking about the location of buttons, switches, and dials.

regards,
bruce

Well said!