The DSLR is obsolete? Oh.

[PaulWog]

So basically you are saying to shoot for the now and not tomorrow.

Actually, what you wrote was really helpful. Maybe I should just buy ultra wide angle lens I want and just enjoy it instead of worrying about the future or mirrorless cameras taking over.

Though if Nikon comes out with a full frame mirrorless camera, that would be tempting and you'll know they would keep the mounts the same. lol

The whole point of going mirrorless right now, at this moment, is to have something that is compact. Plus there's no mirror to worry about.

If Nikon came out with a mirrorless version of the D610 that did the exact same things as your current D610, there'd be no point in switching.

Purchase a camera based on what it does. The focus system. Resolution. Dynamic range. Etc, etc. Whether or not the camera has a mirror isn't the important bit.

I had the D5200 and 16-85 VR lens originally. I wanted shallow DoF. I got the 35mm 1.8G. I wanted more gear, so I got the 50 1.8G, 85 1.8G. I wanted ultrawide, so I got the 10-20 Sigma. I wanted telephoto, I got the 70-300. I wanted a fast zoom, so I got the 18-35 Art. Now I have what I have in my signature. GAS doesn't help you take great photos. I do prefer what I have now, but I would be delusional to say that any of my old gear held me back from taking great photos.

 

[unpopular]

actually the "no mirror" part is what is so appealing to me. I think the X-mount is currently the closest flange distance in APS-C/35mm. For me this is much more important than compactness.

@nerwin I agree with others. Just shoot with what you have and save up to buy a used mirrorless at some point. Mirrorless depreciate pretty quickly so it's pretty easy to get into a system for a few hundred bucks. Whatever system is gathering dust, whatever system you stop getting excited for whenever new exclusive glass is announced - that's the system to abandon; the one you don't use.

But I don't think you need to worry about either technology going anywhere any time soon, and for the foreseeable future either will be a fine investment.

 

[nerwin]

actually the "no mirror" part is what is so appealing to me. I think the X-mount is currently the closest flange distance in APS-C/35mm. For me this is much more important than compactness.

@nerwin I agree with others. Just shoot with what you have and save up to buy a used mirrorless at some point. Mirrorless depreciate pretty quickly so it's pretty easy to get into a system for a few hundred bucks. Whatever system is gathering dust, whatever system you stop getting excited for whenever new exclusive glass is announced - that's the system to abandon; the one you don't use.

But I don't think you need to worry about either technology going anywhere any time soon, and for the foreseeable future either will be a fine investment.

I have my Sony RX100 M3 when I need compactness, but its almost too small sometimes haha. But man I just miss having my Fuji X100 with the fixed 23 f/2 lens. I really thought about getting a A6000 and the 20 2.8 prime. It really forced me to think.

 

[table1349]

If you are looking for an investment buy bonds. If you are looking to take pictures, grab a camera and go shoot.

 

[cherylynne1]

I think it's also possible that we will eventually have the technology to "apply" a focal length, aperture, etc to a photo after it's been taken. So you'd only

actually the "no mirror" part is what is so appealing to me. I think the X-mount is currently the closest flange distance in APS-C/35mm. For me this is much more important than compactness.

@nerwin I agree with others. Just shoot with what you have and save up to buy a used mirrorless at some point. Mirrorless depreciate pretty quickly so it's pretty easy to get into a system for a few hundred bucks. Whatever system is gathering dust, whatever system you stop getting excited for whenever new exclusive glass is announced - that's the system to abandon; the one you don't use.

But I don't think you need to worry about either technology going anywhere any time soon, and for the foreseeable future either will be a fine investment.

I have my Sony RX100 M3 when I need compactness, but its almost too small sometimes haha. But man I just miss having my Fuji X100 with the fixed 23 f/2 lens. I really thought about getting a A6000 and the 20 2.8 prime. It really forced me to think.

I'm about the biggest Sony fangirl out there, but the a6000 with 20 2.8 isn't a good idea. That lens is just "meh." Now, the a6000 with 24 1.8, on the other hand...

As far as the discussion, I think that mirrorless is just a bridge technology. We're eventually going to get a full frame camera that can fit in your pocket. And with the way that technology is moving, some will probably be able to hold on to their DSLR until they can switch to that future camera. Mirrorless will be leapfrogged, sort of like A-track tapes.

However, in the meantime, mirrorless fits my needs better than DSLRs. So I'm glad it's available for me, and I support it because I want it to continue to receive research and development. In just a few short years, they have done incredible things with this technology and broken tons of barriers that naysayers swore they never could.

Everything will be obsolete eventually. Use what helps you take the best pictures.

 

[table1349]

Let's see now, the wheel is stone age technology that has been refined over millennia. It is yet to be obsolete. I think that the current SLR variants are good for oh a few more years or so.

 

[hdrbyspencer]

So apparently DSLR cameras are obsolete because of mirrorless cameras. Listen, I have nothing against mirrorless cameras. I think they are fine little cameras but the are not the end-all solution, they are simply just another different tool in the bag.

I have a little story to tell you from my experiences this past weekend. I attended this HUGE car show in Carlisle, PA which almost had 4,000 cars (by the way, we placed second!). Saturday was a really long humid gloomy day but it was packed full of people like it always is every year.

I brought my D610 + 24-120 f/4 VR and walked around all day using my blackrapid strap, I didn't have a single problem. It was comfortable. Why do mirrorless vs DSLR debaters ALWAYS insist that us DSLR shooters carry our camera hanging around our necks?

When I was sitting behind our car we had on display and watching it put smiles on peoples faces, I decided to observe how many were using a mirrorless camera. Guess how many? NONE. I didn't not see one out of the 20,000 people that probably walk by our car. Okay, I'm exaggerating and sure there were some but they were few and far in between. Most of the time I saw people using their smart phone or a cheap point & shoot from Nikon and Canon. But what I did see a lot of is people using DSLRs, some are using full frame bodies, some are just your entry level bodies. I saw one guy walking around with a 70-200 2.8, others with fish eyes, others with just a 18-55 and everything in between.

If DSLRs are "obsolete" why do I see more of them over mirrorless cameras? I'm sorry...but DSLRs are not obsolete, not yet anyways. Maybe they never will. Who knows.

A lot of these mirrorless vs dslr debate articles you find are clickbait. I read one this morning and he was writing about how DSLR are dead because they are big and heavy, but yet he personally uses one of those Sony A7 cameras....lol, they are pretty much the same size as a DSLR. What a joke.

I'm just tired of this mirrorless vs dslr debate. Who cares anymore? Just shoot with what you have.

/rant

Rant accepted!!

I have heard and been intrigued by mirrorless and that is as far as it goes. Currently, I am invested in my Nikon D600, plus several lenses, tripod, flashes, filters, etc. To decide to switch from my DLSR to Mirrorless seem like a large investment. And quite frankly I am happy with met equipment.

Even my D600 has been awesome, even with all those sensor troubles. I just keep it clean and have had no troubles.

So I hear you about "who cares about mirrorless." I agree. Just go out and use your current equipment to create beautiful photographs and practice daily getting better.

Thanks for an awesome post.

 

[hdrbyspencer]

So I had a large DSLR with grip and many lenses. I thought Mirrorless were compact, the future, the next best thing - so I got one - the OMD-EM1 from Olympus - I had 5 lenses for it. It was a great little setup. However, the images were limited in terms of size, and the colors weren't that great. The auto focus was sluggish compared to a DSLR, and the noise was pretty apparent.

So I switched BACK to a DSLR. I carry a few lbs extra, but at least I know that I now don't have to worry about any limitations outside of myself.

However, that said, I can see them being the future when they nail down their flaws.

But back to post - I see many DSLRs out and about - and the only "mirrorless" I see are Leica replicas - such as the fujis!

The only way I might consider a mirrorless and give up quality would be if I were going on vacation and needed to pack light. And really I would not even do that because I have captured some awesome images while on vacation and actually sold some of those images. Sounds like the mirrorless camera has some image color issues. Thanks for a great post.

 

[unpopular]

I do not think color is a general issue with mirrorless. The A7 and Fuji mirrorless cameras are held in high regard in this area.

There can be some issues with some rangefinder lenses producing weirdly-colored vignette due to shallow retrofocus.

---

The sub-APS-C sensors in my opinion have their calling, but there are drawbacks, relative noise being one; this is sort of inevitable, as is the case when comparing APS-C to 35mm or 35mm to medium format within similar resolutions and technologies.

I have to admit though, the Pentax Q looks like a ton of fun.

 

[table1349]

Come now people. Of course the new generation thinks that the mirrorless is the next god in photography. Remember they are the same generation that gave us the Suitsy.

 

[minicoop1985]

Come now people. Of course the new generation thinks that the mirrorless is the next god in photography. Remember they are the same generation that gave us the Suitsy.

I clicked that link. I have no idea why.

I'll weigh in. Mirrorless is probably the way of the future, just like Betamax.

 

[table1349]

Don't you just love the idea of getting dressed with a onesie for a board meeting. That's the trend in thinking with the current generation.

 

[nerwin]

I have to admit though, the Pentax Q looks like a ton of fun.

It is a cute little camera. If it had been a 1" sensor, i would buy one...but the sensor is pretty small for a ILC in my opinon....But it would be fun and totally different.

 

[chuasam]

Don't you just love the idea of getting dress with a onesie for a board meeting. That's the trend in thinking with the current generation.

Hey! I would love to wear my kigurumi when travelling by air.

 

[astroNikon]

Come now people. Of course the new generation thinks that the mirrorless is the next god in photography. Remember they are the same generation that gave us the Suitsy.

yeah, spend more money on a fake suit-thing than a real suit, shirt and tie.