Steve Spencer
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 p.1 #4 · Switched from Canon to Sony | |
pgrillone wrote:
# Why I Left Canon for Sony
People often ask me why I left Canon and switched to Sony.
Was it Sony's autofocus?
No.
Was it the color science?
No.
Was it the frame rate?
No.
The truth is much simpler.
I switched because of a lens.
Years ago, early in my photography career, I became fascinated by the Voigtländer 65mm APO-Lanthar f/2. At the time, it was only available for Sony. I loved everything about it. The build quality, the rendering, and the deliberate, hands-on approach it encouraged. It seemed perfectly suited to the kind of photography I wanted to create.
But I was still building a career. I needed reliable, efficient tools that would help me meet deadlines and serve clients. Manual focus wasn't practical for much of the work I was doing.
Then Canon released the R5.
Like many professionals, I made what seemed like the obvious choice. I switched systems and invested heavily in RF glass. Eventually I upgraded to the R5 Mark II and built a kit capable of handling any commercial assignment that came my way.
For a while, I was completely satisfied.
But over time, I became frustrated by Canon's decision to restrict third-party lens manufacturers from fully participating in the RF ecosystem. It felt limiting. There were lenses I wanted to use that simply weren't available.
And through all those years, I never stopped thinking about the Voigtländer 65 APO.
Then an opportunity appeared.
I accepted a position doing in-house commercial photography for a company that already owned a substantial Canon system. Every camera body, lens, and accessory I needed for production work was already available.
For the first time in years, I no longer needed my personal camera system to generate income.
I was free to choose equipment based on inspiration rather than necessity.
I sold my Canon gear.
Sony had just released the A7R VI, but instead of buying the newest camera, I purchased a new A7R V at a significant discount. With the money I saved, I finally bought the lens I had wanted for so many years: the Voigtländer 65mm APO-Lanthar f/2.
Soon after, I added the Voigtländer 35mm APO-Lanthar f/2.
My kit became remarkably simple.
One camera.
Two lenses.
No compromises.
People often ask if I use the Sony system at work.
The answer is both yes and no.
For high-volume production work, simple white-background product photography, and assignments where efficiency is the priority, I often use the company's Canon equipment. Those tools are optimized for speed and consistency.
But when a project allows me to slow down, experiment, and create something with a little more soul, I reach for the Sony and the Voigtländers.
Those are the projects that remind me why I became a photographer in the first place.
Today, at 66 years old and after more than twenty years working as a commercial product photographer, I've learned something I wish I understood earlier.
The best camera system isn't necessarily the one with the most advanced autofocus, the highest frame rate, or the newest technology.
It's the one that makes you want to go out and create.
The one that keeps photography exciting.
The one that reminds you why you fell in love with the craft.
I didn't switch to Sony because it was better.
I switched because it brought me back to photography.
And at this stage of my career, that's worth more than any specification sheet ever could be.
...Show more →
Thanks for your story. I find it very similar to my own in many ways. I really enjoy using Voigtlander lenses and I loved the 65 f/2 APO when I had it. I also think that Canon's policy of restricting most 3rd party lenses is annoying and problematic. Despite that, however, I went the opposite direction (Sony to Canon) and it wasn't because of spec sheets either. For me the most important part of the decision was the focus aids for Canon. I really like them and prefer to shoot most of the time, although I can still use magnification if I find them useful. For at least 95% of my manual focus shooting I use focus aids now, however. I went from the A7r V to the Canon R5 II, and the other thing I find surprisingly useful is the top LCD, which the Sony doesn't have. I can see all the shooting parameters without having to look at the EVF or the main LCD. I forgot how much I like that.
I still use Voigtlander lenses a lot. I have an RF mount 40 f/1.2, and a Leica M mount 21 f/3.5, and I am going to get the 90 f/4 APO when it comes out. These latter two lenses work great on mirrorless and I can get the focus aids with the Shotun helicoid adapter (which by the way, I like a lot too). I will probably get the Voigtlander 50 f/3.5 APO as well in time as well as a few Cosina made Zeiss ZE lenses, several of which I also love and all of which will benefit from the Canon focus aids.
Good luck with your new kit. I am sure you will enjoy it. In my view all the major players have compelling systems at this point and small idiosyncratic preferences can easily carry the day in an individual case: in your case the desire for the Voigtlander 65 f/2 APO and in my case the desire for focus aids. There are lots of reasonable choices out there.
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! Its hard to describe the feeling I have now, but contentment is a big part of it.
), and the pixelated UI elements. The colors are a bit strange with Sony, so I have to figure out how to process the images, and I need to add a baseplate for comfort (RRS, work faster!).