DSLRs a thing of the past?

The question around here at one time was what do you need/want to do that you can’t do with what you have? For me the answer is nothing.

True. I was getting perfectly good A3 prints using a Canon 5D mki and later a Nikon D700 - both 'only' 12 megapixels or so. (The Canon was quickly put aside when Nikon produced its 'affordable' full-frame D700, since I had many legacy Nikkor lenses and only 3 decent Canon ones).

However, the 5D definitely had severe dynamic range limitations, not to mention a dire menu interface. While the D700 quickly showed it's inability to handle low light without strange colour patches and high noise levels. It also had the flakiest light metering I've ever encountered.

The call of an 'upgrade' beckoned, and I succumbed. Did I need a D800? Probably not, but I was certainly wowed by it once I'd used it. Could I see a difference in those A3 prints? Yes, but only if I looked quite close.

Sadly, that D800 is now falling apart, and I was faced with the choice of getting a D810 or D850, or a much lighter weight MILC. And not impressed with Nikon's Z mount lens selection at the time, nor with the lack of longevity of the D800, I went with a Sony. Plus with a simple adapter or two I could still use all of my Nikon glass, and almost any other lens out there.

Anyway. You get the picture. One thing leads to another... and suddenly you find yourself with the 'latest and greatest' camera. That, admittedly, doesn't stay latest and greatest for long!

I don't regret the purchase at all. But it was kind of accidental, rather than a 'gotta have that' decision. And certainly not swayed by advertising hype or a burning desire to spend a load of money.

Long story short, the advantages of a MILC have grown on me, and continue to do so. Especially the unfailing accuracy of the AF and ability to magnify the viewfinder to an insane degree in manual focus.

EVF or ground-glass? Gimme the EVF every time. No turning back! An optical viewfinder just seems quaint and primitive now.

I finally read through all of this and it’s kind of funny. I don’t think there has ever been a practical need for mirrorless but people finally quit buying the latest dslr every time it came out so the manufacturers had to come up with something new to talk us into buying it. The question around here at one time was what do you need/want to do that you can’t do with what you have? For me the answer is nothing. I can and have shot sports, news, weddings, reunions and more with the same camera body. Gone are the days when I needed medium format to make bigger prints but the D4 and D8XX bodies do everything. Mirrorless? Why bother unless you just want to but if I’m ever forced to go mirrorless I expect I’ll just walk away.

 

Rick H

There are quite a number of things that I can't do with my equipment but it has nothing to do with mirrorless. I just don't have a lot of gear. Hoping if the longer lenses for the DSLR will go down in price when they are things of the past. However, I am afraid the prices will go up.

There are quite a number of things that I can't do with my equipment but it has nothing to do with mirrorless.

Me too. In my case, to paraphrase Ansel Adams, the primary problem seems to be the 12 inches behind the viewfinder. I checked at B&H, but I couldn't find a replacement for sale.

Me too. In my case, to paraphrase Ansel Adams, the primary problem seems to be the 12 inches behind the viewfinder. I checked at B&H, but I couldn't find a replacement for sale.

Yeah I learned a lot from Adams. Picked subjects that are suitable for your gear. Adams never shot birds in flight I don't think so.

Yeah I learned a lot from Adams. Picked subjects that are suitable for your gear. Adams never shot birds in flight I don't think so.

I think you've got that backwards. He chose gear for his subjects not the other way round.

I think you've got that backwards. He chose gear for his subjects not the other way round.

I think you're right.

He chose gear for his subjects not the other way round.

Might not someone like Adams work with a more symbiotic relationship between subject and gear? I imagine him thinking of it in a kind of gestalt or holistic way rather than having to be only in one direction or the other.

My guess is also that there are some photographers who have a wider range of flexibility in terms of what gear they might use in specific situations. It may just be that using gear that is typically not associated with particular subjects or circumstances might produce something different enough to be more interesting than what's normally produced with camera or lens x,y,z. Of course, that won't *always* be the case, but I suspect it is the case in enough important situations.

"My guess is also that there are some photographers who have a wider range of flexibility in terms of what gear they might use in specific situations." Sam.

"might not someone like Adams work with a more symbiotic relationship between subject and gear?" Sam.

So, Ansell's symbolic relationship with gear.....without which....not the Ansell, we know today.

There you go, a photographer without the proper gear...all that Art of imagination, just lost into a world of banality.

Me, I have a proper posh camera ,which enables me, to have symbiotic relationship with it.

We are together, as one....symbolic, together. A intelligent lifeform, and a lump of plastic and metal.

"And his socks!£ Sandford.

A symbolic relationship?

I have heard that in later years, Ansel (one "L") Adams used a microwave oven to dry his prints.

And his socks!

"I have heard that in later years, Ansel (one "L") Adams used a microwave oven to dry his prints.

And his socks!"...

A symbolic relationship?

Lots of socks in this thread

I have these bushings: 3/8th < > 1/4

These are for SOCK ettes.

Not sure what category I fit in but I'm producing far better results under more difficult lighting conditions with the Z6 than I ever did before. It's the EVF that makes that possible, because I can see what I couldn't see before.

If you believe your Z6 will give you better results, you just won the battle.