p.1 #1 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
I've had an interesting journey the past three years. I started working on the concept of a book about four years ago (which is coming out next year) and am an avid bird photographer and fire photographer.
I tried Sony and Olympus mirrorless gear and was left unimpressed. Specifically with lenses in the case of Sony. So I switched to Nikon Z when the Z8 came out. I spent a ton of hours in the field and on the road. While it made nice images that are very very sharp, it still felt wrong to me somehow. It never felt natural.
I started as a news photographer in 1996 shooting film. In 1999 I became the first student photographer at UNL to switch to digital with the NC2000e. Which if you are unaware was a horrid and mind numbing piece of technology designed by the AP. The flash didnt work, there was no screen, no white balance and only 1.3 mp resolution. I moved to the D100 and D1 and never looked back. While my friends were still souping film after games I was done and sipping a Pepsi within an hour of shooting.
I've shot every Nikon and Canon professional body up to the mirrorless revolution. And have built an archive of millions of images. I recently printed an image of the sower atop the Nebraska State Capitol shot on a D100 6 feet wide on canvas. And thanks to Topaz it looks tack sharp.
I just never took to mirrorless. It felt cold and unwelcoming and burned batteries like they were going out of style. So on a whim I sold it all and bought two D7200's, a D500 and D850. Fortunately I had kept all my lenses. Now my gear travels with me everywhere and I never have low batteries. I top them off once a month. I can track better, the gear is lighter and the button layout is simple and super easy to use. No more diving into menus to change a simple setting.
I'm also not worried about my gear breaking. All of my cameras are low mileage and my friends at Authorized Photo can repair anything. They recently rebuilt my early 2000's vintage 70-200mm 2.8 VR (which no one else has parts for). And if a repair is needed they are fast and much cheaper than Nikon.
I'm wondering if anyone else has switched back or still uses DSLRs as their primary gear. I think mirrorless cameras are great, but not for me. I'd rather keep collecting bodies as people sell them off for pennies on the dollar. Ironically I've sold more freelance work this year then ever before despite using tech from 2015.
p.1 #2 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
Interesting read, and I do understand where you are coming from. I did make the switch to mirrorless (Z9) and am happy with it, but kept my D500 and 850, plus a number of F lenses. Although the Z is my primary camera, will periodically use the 500 or 850 as they just seem a bit more "comfortable" in my hands.
p.1 #3 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
jwolfe wrote:
I've had an interesting journey the past three years. I started working on the concept of a book about four years ago (which is coming out next year) and am an avid bird photographer and fire photographer.
I tried Sony and Olympus mirrorless gear and was left unimpressed. Specifically with lenses in the case of Sony. So I switched to Nikon Z when the Z8 came out. I spent a ton of hours in the field and on the road. While it made nice images that are very very sharp, it still felt wrong to me somehow. It never felt natural.
I started as a news photographer in 1996 shooting film. In 1999 I became the first student photographer at UNL to switch to digital with the NC2000e. Which if you are unaware was a horrid and mind numbing piece of technology designed by the AP. The flash didnt work, there was no screen, no white balance and only 1.3 mp resolution. I moved to the D100 and D1 and never looked back. While my friends were still souping film after games I was done and sipping a Pepsi within an hour of shooting.
I've shot every Nikon and Canon professional body up to the mirrorless revolution. And have built an archive of millions of images. I recently printed an image of the sower atop the Nebraska State Capitol shot on a D100 6 feet wide on canvas. And thanks to Topaz it looks tack sharp.
I just never took to mirrorless. It felt cold and unwelcoming and burned batteries like they were going out of style. So on a whim I sold it all and bought two D7200's, a D500 and D850. Fortunately I had kept all my lenses. Now my gear travels with me everywhere and I never have low batteries. I top them off once a month. I can track better, the gear is lighter and the button layout is simple and super easy to use. No more diving into menus to change a simple setting.
I'm also not worried about my gear breaking. All of my cameras are low mileage and my friends at Authorized Photo can repair anything. They recently rebuilt my early 2000's vintage 70-200mm 2.8 VR (which no one else has parts for). And if a repair is needed they are fast and much cheaper than Nikon.
I'm wondering if anyone else has switched back or still uses DSLRs as their primary gear. I think mirrorless cameras are great, but not for me. I'd rather keep collecting bodies as people sell them off for pennies on the dollar. Ironically I've sold more freelance work this year then ever before despite using tech from 2015....Show more →
(I posted this in another thread) I just traded a Z50 with 2 lens kit and a Z5 with 24-70 f/4 for a D500 with 16-80 f/2.8-f/4. I prefer an OVF and I really prefer the feel and sound of a dSLR. I have several AF and AF-S lenses and I have no interest in changing over to mirrorless and the expense of Z lenses. I can buy all the AF-S lenses I could possibly ever want for a fraction of their original price and happily snap away for the rest of my life.
p.1 #7 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
So for fire photography my kit is 2x D7200 plus a 18-300mm v2 and a 70-200mm 2.8. I forgot how great the files are on that camera. And off camera flash is a snap.
I’m not knocking mirrorless at all. I think it’s awesome! One of my biggest problems is my eyes - the viewfinder just strained my eyes too much.
Longviewer wrote:
I've beemn hearing the siren call of the 7200 myself. We shall see what comes of it.
p.1 #8 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
jwolfe,
If you think you've found a better solution that meets your shooting needs and expectations, I am happy for you. If you are seeking affirmation, I'm not sure I'd be one to check that box.
While cameras like the D5, D6, D850, and D500 all represent the pinnacle of Nikon's DSLR achievements, I personally would never return to that technology. The speed and accuracy of the mirrorless autofocus systems and ability to see the histogram in real time has allowed me to spend more of my cognitive energy on composition and light. Nature photography is my "bread and butter," "passion," and income source. Mirrorless cameras have enabled me to produce more "keepers" per outing than was ever possible with DSLRs. I definitely don't miss focus calibration issues when shooting telephotos wide open, and the level of AF accuracy with a 48MP Z9 & Z8 allows me to shoot with confidence.
With that said, I do have a Leica M240 w/ 35mm f2 lens. When I want to experience a bit of nostalgia or slow down, I pull that camera out... but if I want to produce the best work possible, Nikon mirrorless tics the boxes for me.
p.1 #9 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
If I was making a living or primarily shooting nature I would use the Z8. It’s an outstanding camera. But for me I don’t need that. The birds I shoot are owls and eagles so easy to photograph.
I think for me when my gear is in my mobile unit 24/7 I just don’t think that’s a job for mirrorless. I have to respond on a moments notice and have a camera that’s ready with a full charge. And I also shoot a huge range of subjects for freelance work and books.
But I see where you’re coming from. I’m just sad they can’t be produced side by side. Maybe someday years down the line I’ll feel different but for right now I just don’t need it.
Cheers
JW
OwlsEyes wrote:
jwolfe,
If you think you've found a better solution that meets your shooting needs and expectations, I am happy for you. If you are seeking affirmation, I'm not sure I'd be one to check that box.
While cameras like the D5, D6, D850, and D500 all represent the pinnacle of Nikon's DSLR achievements, I personally would never return to that technology. The speed and accuracy of the mirrorless autofocus systems and ability to see the histogram in real time has allowed me to spend more of my cognitive energy on composition and light. Nature photography is my "bread and butter," "passion," and income source. Mirrorless cameras have enabled me to produce more "keepers" per outing than was ever possible with DSLRs. I definitely don't miss focus calibration issues when shooting telephotos wide open, and the level of AF accuracy with a 48MP Z9 & Z8 allows me to shoot with confidence.
With that said, I due have a Leica M240 w/ 35mm f2 lens. When I want to experience a bit of nostalgia or slow down, I pull that camera out... but if I want to produce the best work possible, Nikon mirrorless ticks the boxes for me.
p.1 #10 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
Just as I read this I am putting my last 2 F mount lenses out for sale (28mm f1.4 E and 19mm T/S)...
Great if you found what works best for you.
Personally I loved my D100/D2x/D3/D3x/D800/D810/D850/D7100/D7200/D500/D5/D6... but find mirrorless much superior (currently Zf/Z6III/Z8/Z9). AF wise, lenses wise,... to me the look I get out of the f1.2 primes and 400mm f2.8 S TC puts a smile on my face the moment I open images in Capture One Pro. The ProStandard profiles are just a wonderful match.
For what I do the battery life of mirrorless is way better than DSLRs. I shoot festivals and dance events that last a few hours. It's super intense and I often end up with 10,000 images. I never could get more than 5,000 per battery on the D5/D6, I get 12,000~13,000 easily with the Z9. And at least twice as many keepers.
When I need to shoot for a long time, what I do with my Z8 is turn it off immediately after having shot. This keeps the battery up way longer and has become second nature. Since it turns up instantly I have never missed a shot because of that. But our usage patterns are quite different obviously.
I expect Exceed 8 to consume less power than Exceed 7 while being significantly faster, so the need to to do this may decrease with the Z9II.
p.1 #11 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
I remain in both camps and have enough f mount lenses that I can say I still have a full DSLR setup. Although they adapt well I still enjoy the f mount lenses ergonomically more on the D5 than on mirrorless.
Having said that, I primarily use mirrorless now but will likely keep my DSLR setup. The utility value and enjoyment of the lenses is worth more to me than their resale value.
p.1 #12 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
I also came back, to a degree. I left the DSLR world when it just seemed to get too big and too heavy —I went from a D810and D500 then to a D3s and D7100 for back up, with 24 1.4, 35 1.4 and 50 1.4 for the D3s and a 28 2.8 for the D7100. Couple of years ago I said this is really too much and went with the tiny Ricoh GR iii — which I just love. I went from nine pounds of gear to 1 1/2 pounds including the case lots of extra batteries. The GR is truly enjoyable —making up custom recipes to simulate blasts from the past: Impresa 50, Optima 200 etc. And then I back-slid and got a D7100 and a 35 1.8 DX and a 35-105 AFD all practically unused and incredibly inexpensive. As back up, I tell myself. And sometimes at night I still hear the dulcet sound of that D810 shutter.
p.1 #13 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
I too miss the long battery life offered by DSLRs and generally I prefer to see the world though an optical viewfinder, but I can't go back to them due to:
- Weight. Even the Z8 is better than my last DLSR. It sucks that Z-primes are NPCs, I only use adapted Sony lenses now.
- Manual focus. DSLR focusing screens have always been awful. EVFs make manual focus just as enjoyable (if not more) as film cameras.
- AF accuracy. For macro and reproduction work, DSLR autofocus was never accurate enough.
p.1 #14 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
Been shooting with a Nikon D850 for 1.5 years now after selling my Nikon Z7 that I also shot with for about 1.5 years. I sold it for a couple reasons but the main one was because I was shooting infrared with it and it had PDAF banding. But the Z7 felt like a toy compared to the D850. I had actually bought a D700 and played with that for a bit and ended up buying a D810. I had my D810 converted to full spectrum and I shoot infrared with it for now and normal color with a D850. To me, the price / performance ratio is immense. I love all of the button, the ergonomics and the build quality. I like the OVF for one main reason. These days, we spend so much time looking at screens that looking through an OVF is refreshing. I honestly wish there was a way to do a waist-level finder like the F3 but that would affect the weather sealing.
I will say this though. It doesn't really matter mirrorless or DSLR as long as you have the tool that works best for you and you enjoy shooting.
p.1 #15 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
Wide-to-normal Z primes seem to be designed for compactness and sharpness at the cost of either vignetting or greater optical complexity, which flattens the image. I picked up a used 24/1.8G which strikes a nice balance of low vignetting with good sharpness.
I also don't see myself parting with my 105E any time soon. Both lenses are bulkier than their mirrorless equivalents but have a more natural image to my eye.
p.1 #16 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
It's a great time to enjoy photography
For me, who never developed any deeper feelings for DSLRs, the mirrorless Zf is like coming home. I thought that I'd dislike EVFs but they make manual focus easy and makes me even more present in the moment when I take pictures.
Sep 26, 2025 at 03:28 AM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.1 #17 · Why I sold all my mirrorless gear and went back to DSLR's
I was arguably an early adopter of mirrorless since I bought a m4/3 in 2010, using it as a primary camera for awhile several years later, I'm still DSLR though.
I think a big part of that is the condescension and nonsensical "mirrorless is the future" and DSLR'S are dead!," you used to hear vs real debate of positives and negatives. Got sick if hearing about it. Mirrorless isnt really lighter my 85mm 1.4 rokinon is only about a pound, vs the new behemoths, for one.
5fps got on my nerves as too fast the other day, dont need fast frame rayes very often (ever?) and I don't really do much people photography that might utilize eye af. The iq hasn't changed much over several years, mirrorless vs DSLR'S, in some cases going backwards, even
