p.1 #1 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
Ok, I have been quite a bit scatter brain lately. I started thinking about a new camera a couple months ago to compliment my canon system. I've been a canon user for over 25 years. Currently have a R3 with a 28-70 f/2, EF 50 1.2, EF 85 1.2 II, EF 70-200 IS II, 200-400 f/4. I used to shoot only wildlife, had kids didn't shoot much at all, and now my kids are older and been shooting quite a bit more. The kids hate when I pull out the R3 and 28-70 and honestly I'm kind of tired of lugging it around all the time.
I started thinking of getting a Leica Q3 to grab and go and keep the R3 but ditch the 28-70 lens and just really use the R3 for wildlife.
Then I started down the rabbit hole of internet research, have spent hours on this watching different videos and then thought, well what about a Sony. Perhaps an A7CR that could do it all. Much smaller, incredible capture rate, and could just go to a new system. Then I would sell my R3 and Canon lenses.
So now I'm thinking if I'm doing that, why not go "all in" and get a A1ii. My thought would be to get a 24 1.4 GM lens for a walk around lens and program a button on the Sony for crop mode. Then I could also pair it with either a 70-200 2.8 or 300 2.8 for extended reach for wildlife, sports, kids, etc.
Any feedback would be appreciated by anyone that has done something similar or thinks my thought process is flawed. Thank you!
p.1 #2 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
If I have learned anything from all these years in photography and having owned Sony, Nikon, Canon and Leica, it is that little is gained from jumping brand/setups. Sure, I am not going to lie, it is fun, there is always a honeymoon with a new system, and if you have the money, the financial loss isn't all that bad (far less than what people spend on a 2nd Harley or an unused jetski sitting in the garage).
A Sony a1 II is a stellar machine, but isn't all that smaller or lighter than anything else, esp when you put some GM glass on it. The Sony a7CR or a7CII are excellent image producers, but the user-interface and handling is very different, e.g. the EVF is pretty useless thus shooting on the backscreen is easier, etc)
How about renting a Canon R6 III with an RF 35/1.8 or 1/4 to try it out? Or the R5 II?
p.1 #3 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
mattchu wrote:
Ok, I have been quite a bit scatter brain lately. I started thinking about a new camera a couple months ago to compliment my canon system. I've been a canon user for over 25 years. Currently have a R3 with a 28-70 f/2, EF 50 1.2, EF 85 1.2 II, EF 70-200 IS II, 200-400 f/4. I used to shoot only wildlife, had kids didn't shoot much at all, and now my kids are older and been shooting quite a bit more. The kids hate when I pull out the R3 and 28-70 and honestly I'm kind of tired of lugging it around all the time.
I started thinking of getting a Leica Q3 to grab and go and keep the R3 but ditch the 28-70 lens and just really use the R3 for wildlife.
Then I started down the rabbit hole of internet research, have spent hours on this watching different videos and then thought, well what about a Sony. Perhaps an A7CR that could do it all. Much smaller, incredible capture rate, and could just go to a new system. Then I would sell my R3 and Canon lenses.
So now I'm thinking if I'm doing that, why not go "all in" and get a A1ii. My thought would be to get a 24 1.4 GM lens for a walk around lens and program a button on the Sony for crop mode. Then I could also pair it with either a 70-200 2.8 or 300 2.8 for extended reach for wildlife, sports, kids, etc.
Any feedback would be appreciated by anyone that has done something similar or thinks my thought process is flawed. Thank you!...Show more →
Looking at your existing DSLR camera gear, if you were to switch to a mirrorless Sony system, and acquire similar gear, you would be shaving off quite a bit of bulk and weight. The 3 Sony lenses you listed are optically superb and will generate wonderful images. The 2 prime lenses, especially the 300mm GM lens is a stellar lens in the Sony lineup. By itself, or combined with the 1.4X and 2X TCs, it can cover most long lens needs. Plus, it is truly a lightweight and compact lens considering the effective focal length you can reach.
The A7r C is my favorite lightweight camera body, if speed is not required. But indeed I rely a lot on the screen rather than the viewfinder for composing, especially in vertical format.
Good luck with whatever decision you make but the most important aspect is to do photography and enjoy what you're doing!
p.1 #4 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
I have an A1 II and I think it is a fantastic camera. That said, if your kids hate it when you pull out the R3 and 28-70, they will also hate it when you pull out the Sony A1 II and whatever lens you have.
If you want smaller, you could stay in Canon and trade R3 for R5 II, Sell the 28-70, 50mm, and 85mm and get an f2.8 mid-range zoom like the 24-70 f2.8 and that would be smaller and lighter. You could use the money saved and generated from the sales to buy something nice for your kids.
I have been in the Canon, Nikon, Sony do loop, and other than separating yourself from your money and sanity, there isn't much to be gained.
Bill
mattchu wrote:
Ok, I have been quite a bit scatter brain lately. I started thinking about a new camera a couple months ago to compliment my canon system. I've been a canon user for over 25 years. Currently have a R3 with a 28-70 f/2, EF 50 1.2, EF 85 1.2 II, EF 70-200 IS II, 200-400 f/4. I used to shoot only wildlife, had kids didn't shoot much at all, and now my kids are older and been shooting quite a bit more. The kids hate when I pull out the R3 and 28-70 and honestly I'm kind of tired of lugging it around all the time.
I started thinking of getting a Leica Q3 to grab and go and keep the R3 but ditch the 28-70 lens and just really use the R3 for wildlife.
Then I started down the rabbit hole of internet research, have spent hours on this watching different videos and then thought, well what about a Sony. Perhaps an A7CR that could do it all. Much smaller, incredible capture rate, and could just go to a new system. Then I would sell my R3 and Canon lenses.
So now I'm thinking if I'm doing that, why not go "all in" and get a A1ii. My thought would be to get a 24 1.4 GM lens for a walk around lens and program a button on the Sony for crop mode. Then I could also pair it with either a 70-200 2.8 or 300 2.8 for extended reach for wildlife, sports, kids, etc.
Any feedback would be appreciated by anyone that has done something similar or thinks my thought process is flawed. Thank you!...Show more →
p.1 #5 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
patotts wrote:
A Sony a1 II is a stellar machine, but isn't all that smaller or lighter than anything else, esp when you put some GM glass on it.
Exactly. I currently own the A1 II with the 24mm GM and they are not compact. As you raise this combination to your eye, prepare for everyone within a mile radius to pause and stare at you, even horses and crows. Your kids reaction will be the same as with your R3.
When I was moving away from my Canon DSLR system towards something smaller, I went Fuji X route and loved it. The X-T series of cameras offered me everything my old Canons could do, at roughly half the size and weight. And I never reached the dynamic range limits of APS-C sensors.
The problem with the Fujis is that they aren't good at focusing on erratically moving subjects. But if you don't care or can work around that limitation, it's the best system from the size/IQ trade-off perspective.
p.1 #6 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
mattchu wrote:
Ok, I have been quite a bit scatter brain lately. I started thinking about a new camera a couple months ago to compliment my canon system. I've been a canon user for over 25 years. Currently have a R3 with a 28-70 f/2, EF 50 1.2, EF 85 1.2 II, EF 70-200 IS II, 200-400 f/4. I used to shoot only wildlife, had kids didn't shoot much at all, and now my kids are older and been shooting quite a bit more. The kids hate when I pull out the R3 and 28-70 and honestly I'm kind of tired of lugging it around all the time.
I started thinking of getting a Leica Q3 to grab and go and keep the R3 but ditch the 28-70 lens and just really use the R3 for wildlife.
Then I started down the rabbit hole of internet research, have spent hours on this watching different videos and then thought, well what about a Sony. Perhaps an A7CR that could do it all. Much smaller, incredible capture rate, and could just go to a new system. Then I would sell my R3 and Canon lenses.
So now I'm thinking if I'm doing that, why not go "all in" and get a A1ii. My thought would be to get a 24 1.4 GM lens for a walk around lens and program a button on the Sony for crop mode. Then I could also pair it with either a 70-200 2.8 or 300 2.8 for extended reach for wildlife, sports, kids, etc.
Any feedback would be appreciated by anyone that has done something similar or thinks my thought process is flawed. Thank you!...Show more →
mattchu wrote:
honestly I'm kind of tired of lugging it around all the time.
This is a BIG reason why I shoot Sony now. Canon / Nikon flagships have become overly large.
The last reasonably sized Canon flagship was the EOS-1V
p.1 #7 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
old-gregg wrote:
The X-T series of cameras offered me everything my old Canons could do, at roughly half the size and weight. And I never reached the dynamic range limits of APS-C sensors.
The problem with the Fujis is that they aren't good at focusing on erratically moving subjects. But if you don't care or can work around that limitation, it's the best system from the size/IQ trade-off perspective.
p.1 #8 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
@aCuria I never touched the X-T5, but owned the X-T3 which was 200g lighter than my A1. Once you add a lens, the difference grows further. At the time my go-to X-T3 lens was the 35mm f/1.4 at just 185g, so essentially the Fuji body with a f/1.4 lens was a bit lighter than just the A1 body alone. Obviously these things are subjective, but I love the small form factor, carried the camera with me everywhere, and didn't care for FF sensors.
These days when I want light, I mount the 40mm f/2.5 G on the A1 or A7RV. The resulting combo is not as portable, and not as good optically, as my X-T3+35mm R setup. But it focuses well on my running kids.
But in terms of bags, you're right. The same small shoulder bag could be used for both.
p.1 #9 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
old-gregg wrote:
@aCuria@ I never touched the X-T5, but owned the X-T3 which was 200g lighter than my A1. Once you add a lens, the difference grows further. At the time my go-to X-T3 lens was the 35mm f/1.4 at just 185g, so essentially the Fuji body with a f/1.4 lens was a bit lighter than just the A1 body alone. Obviously these things are subjective, but I love the small form factor, carried the camera with me everywhere, and didn't care for FF sensors.
These days when I want light, I mount the 40mm f/2.5 G on the A1 or A7RV. The resulting combo is not as portable, and not as good optically, as my X-T3+35mm R setup. But it focuses well on my running kids.
But in terms of bags, you're right. The same small shoulder bag could be used for both....Show more →
The A1ii is ~150g++ heavier, but this extra weight buys you a ton of additional capability. The better viewfinder alone is worth carrying an extra 100g imo.
If you dont care about the additional capability, the A7Cii / A7CR are even lighter than the XT-5
p.1 #10 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
In all honesty, I have yet to find a small and light travel camera that I enjoy shooting with and comes at a fair price. With fair price, I mean under $2,500 -$3,000 with lens.
I photograph a lot of people so I want reliable, fast and accurate AF, incl eye-AF.
Since I shoot people I want a lens that 35-50mm, as fast as possible.
I want it as small and light as possible, but with a good and bright viewfinder.
Ideally, I want to be able to shoot video as well, with sound, but photography is the main focus (pun!)
I've tried Fujifilm, not loving the colors through my Adobe-centric workflow and processing, I prefer FF, and I don't really trust the AF system. Sony's RX1R III is kind of an option, but I don't want to spend $5,100 + tax on a camera that is not my main camera, and I would much prefer a faster reading sensor that is not 61 MP (36-42 mp would be ideal). Leica Q3/43 is in the same boat - too expensive.
I think Sony a7CII comes the closest. I tried living that thing twice, last time for 10 months. The image quality (minur rolling shutter) is very good, so is the AF. But I don't enjoy using it, esp since the EVF is so small and dark, at least to my eyes.
I have no idea where that leaves me. Without a small people-centric photography camera, I guess. Someday...
p.1 #11 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm going to end my madness today and go with my initial gut feeling. Take the plunge on the Leica Q3. If it's a fit, I will sell my 28-70 f/2 lens for my R3. I'll keep the R3 for wildlife and fast action stuff and use the Q3 for my walk around/travel family camera. My wife reminded me yesterday that I would miss my canon body given how much shooting I have done with that system over the last 20 years. I'll let you know how it goes. At the end of the day, there is no perfect one and done solution without sacrificing some aspect. It's funny, when I was younger I never explored all options, just bought the best glass for my canon and rocked it. I used to walk for hours in rivers in Alaska carrying my 600 2.8 V1 on a tripod to boot! Oh to be young again!
p.1 #12 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
patotts wrote:
If I have learned anything from all these years in photography and having owned Sony, Nikon, Canon and Leica, it is that little is gained from jumping brand/setups. Sure, I am not going to lie, it is fun, there is always a honeymoon with a new system, and if you have the money, the financial loss isn't all that bad (far less than what people spend on a 2nd Harley or an unused jetski sitting in the garage).
A Sony a1 II is a stellar machine, but isn't all that smaller or lighter than anything else, esp when you put some GM glass on it. The Sony a7CR or a7CII are excellent image producers, but the user-interface and handling is very different, e.g. the EVF is pretty useless thus shooting on the backscreen is easier, etc)
How about renting a Canon R6 III with an RF 35/1.8 or 1/4 to try it out? Or the R5 II? ...Show more →
What? The a1II is massively smaller, and quite a bit lighter. Sony GM lenses prioritize size and weight, so should give similar benefits there, which stack(you seem to be under the impression that gm lenses are heavy...most are shockingly light, like the 300, and almost al of them are lighter and smaller than the nikon and canon equivalents...). Then you have the 200 third party options, many of which are small and light. You are way, way off.
p.1 #13 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
mattchu wrote:
Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm going to end my madness today and go with my initial gut feeling. Take the plunge on the Leica Q3. If it's a fit, I will sell my 28-70 f/2 lens for my R3. I'll keep the R3 for wildlife and fast action stuff and use the Q3 for my walk around/travel family camera. My wife reminded me yesterday that I would miss my canon body given how much shooting I have done with that system over the last 20 years. I'll let you know how it goes. At the end of the day, there is no perfect one and done solution without sacrificing some aspect. It's funny, when I was younger I never explored all options, just bought the best glass for my canon and rocked it. I used to walk for hours in rivers in Alaska carrying my 600 2.8 V1 on a tripod to boot! Oh to be young again!...Show more →
I only own the Q3M, but hard disagree. The sony system is a massive upgrade when it comes to smaller and lightweight vs canon, not to mention diversity of choices with 200 third party lenses. The Q3m is cute, and great for monochrome, but the system is slow and clunky. And extremely restrictive if it was to be the entirety of your photography.
p.1 #14 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
old-gregg wrote:
@aCuria@ I never touched the X-T5, but owned the X-T3 which was 200g lighter than my A1. Once you add a lens, the difference grows further. At the time my go-to X-T3 lens was the 35mm f/1.4 at just 185g, so essentially the Fuji body with a f/1.4 lens was a bit lighter than just the A1 body alone. Obviously these things are subjective, but I love the small form factor, carried the camera with me everywhere, and didn't care for FF sensors.
These days when I want light, I mount the 40mm f/2.5 G on the A1 or A7RV. The resulting combo is not as portable, and not as good optically, as my X-T3+35mm R setup. But it focuses well on my running kids.
But in terms of bags, you're right. The same small shoulder bag could be used for both....Show more →
This is all strange to me, The Xt-3 doesn't even have basic IBIS. It is old tech. If we are going to consider old tech, then the a7iii should be the comparison, less than 100 grams heavier, and with IBIS. And sony has a ton of lightweight options for lenses.
p.1 #15 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
aCuria wrote:
I have tried these cameras in person, the XT-5 is not that much smaller.
I don't agree with that. I have a large Canon system and a Fujifilm XT5 system, and the XT5 is a very small camera and much smaller than my Canon full frame body. And because it is APS-C and gives me the same angle of view with shorter focal lengths, lenses with comparable features and coverage are also significantly smaller. (If you want really small and light, you can use some of Fujifilm's dedicated smaller lenses, including some excellent pancake primes.)
In my case, the bag for my Fujifilm gear literally is smaller and lighter than my Canon gear bag.
shadow9d9 wrote:
This is all strange to me, The Xt-3 doesn't even have basic IBIS. It is old tech. If we are going to consider old tech, then the a7iii should be the comparison, less than 100 grams heavier, and with IBIS. And sony has a ton of lightweight options for lenses.
The XT3 is two generations old. The XT5 is current, and the word on the street is that the XT6 is likely coming later this year. The XT5 and later (and plenty of other Fujifilm cameras) do have IBIS today.
The weight of the A1ii is "743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)."
The weight of the XT5 is 476g (1.05 lbs.
BTW, I'm not writing this as a Fujifilm or Canon fanboy — in fact, there's a very good chance that I'll be moving half of my photography to a Sony system within the next year. There are plenty of good reasons to choose to use Sony gear, and the Fujifilm system is not for everyone... but I think it is important to get the facts straight.
BTW, I also agree strongly with the earlier poster who stated that brand switching is over-rated.
p.1 #16 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
I don't quite get why one would compare the aps-c Fuji xt-5 to a full frame Sony flagship camera body. Complete mismatch of two entirely different camera types which appeal to different priorities and applications. The appropriate comparison might be between the xt-5 and the aps-c Sony a6700. Even comparing the xt-5 to the very compact A7Cxx cameras seems like a mismatch.
p.1 #17 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
Yes, everything is smaller than Canon and its behemoth design. That is why this is about switching to Sony.
The Xt3 was compared to the a1ii, and I said that if you were going to compare the xt3, it should be to something like the a7iii, which shows the differences as insignificant.
If you want to compare to the a1ii, it'd be the Xhs2, which is about 100g difference, and a much weaker camera.
Fuji lens choices pale in comparison to sony with its 300 options, with sony prioritizing size and weight. Fuji has very few options that compare to sony's 12-24 on the wide side, and less tele options as well.
gdanmitchell wrote:
I don't agree with that. I have a large Canon system and a Fujifilm XT5 system, and the XT5 is a very small camera and much smaller than my Canon full frame body. And because it is APS-C and gives me the same angle of view with shorter focal lengths, lenses with comparable features and coverage are also significantly smaller. (If you want really small and light, you can use some of Fujifilm's dedicated smaller lenses, including some excellent pancake primes.)
In my case, the bag for my Fujifilm gear literally is smaller and lighter than my Canon gear bag.
The XT3 is two generations old. The XT5 is current, and the word on the street is that the XT6 is likely coming later this year. The XT5 and later (and plenty of other Fujifilm cameras) do have IBIS today.
The weight of the A1ii is "743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)."
The weight of the XT5 is 476g (1.05 lbs.
BTW, I'm not writing this as a Fujifilm or Canon fanboy — in fact, there's a very good chance that I'll be moving half of my photography to a Sony system within the next year. There are plenty of good reasons to choose to use Sony gear, and the Fujifilm system is not for everyone... but I think it is important to get the facts straight.
BTW, I also agree strongly with the earlier poster who stated that brand switching is over-rated....Show more →
p.1 #18 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
mattchu wrote:
..........
Any feedback would be appreciated by anyone that has done something similar or thinks my thought process is flawed. Thank you!
I have had a similar journey... have R3, R5ii and great RF glass.(still have them) , but lately for casual family and friends pictures, as well as for travel, bringing out canon started feeling like an overkill / cumbersome due to weight /size.
So picked up fx30 along with sigma 18-50 f/2.8 and viltrox f/1.2
This is been such a relief. It no longer intimidates people, and is such a welcome change from size perspective. If a person doesnt care about video as much and size is primary concern, a6700 with crop lenses will be a reasonable option. If AF quality is equaly important, then move to A1ii and find smaller lenses. The moment you start adding good full frame sony glass, size weight advantage start to disapear a bit.
p.1 #19 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
Unless you print very large, MFT will give you the best combo of size and capability.
I don’t think the R3 is that large for what it is. That 28-70/2, however, is crazy large. I don’t know why anyone who doesn’t earn money with it would consider that lens.
Everything but the A1 II (or the Olympus OM-1) will feel slow compared to your R3.
p.1 #20 · Potential Newbie Sony A1ii User - From Canon
chiron wrote:
I don't quite get why one would compare the aps-c Fuji xt-5 to a full frame Sony flagship camera body. Complete mismatch of two entirely different camera types which appeal to different priorities and applications. The appropriate comparison might be between the xt-5 and the aps-c Sony a6700. Even comparing the xt-5 to the very compact A7Cxx cameras seems like a mismatch.
Maybe compare the Q3 to the A7CR.
I thnk that buyers can consider APS-C cameras (from Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, and others) in comparison to full frame cameras based on their needs and intended usage.
There is no question that a larger sensor with more photo sites can produce excellent files that can hold up to larger reproduction, for example. But most people buying cameras today are never going to present their photographs large enough to reveal the differences — that’s certainly he case for people who generally share their photographs online or perhaps in emails/texts to friends and family.
So for them, the potential IQ pluses of the larger format are fairly meaningless.
On the other hand, the potential for a smaller, lighter, and less expensive system to satisfy their photographic goals can lead them to a smaller-than-full frame option such as APS-C or even MFT.
It isn’t as simple as “bigger is always better.” (If it were, we’d all be shooting Phase One…)
