Why One Photographer Left Canon for Sony

There are now several manufacturers will fully developed and advanced mirrorless camera lines, and it can be difficult to choose between the many different options. This interesting video features an experienced photographer discussing why he chose to switch to Sony after being a Canon user for over a decade and features some excellent insights into what features and capabilities a modern creative needs and appreciates. 

Coming to you from Benj Haisch, this great video discusses why he chose to switch to Sony cameras after many years as a Canon user. While I am deeply invested in Canon lenses and would have a hard time leaving the system now due to some of the more specialized optics I use, if I were a new user or giving advice to one, I would strongly consider a system like Sony's for one important reason: the lenses. Canon has heavily locked down the RF mount against third-party lenses with autofocus, which is a shame, as there are many impressive and affordable options from a variety of manufacturers that help to lower the barrier of entry for a lot of newer photographers and filmmakers. Check out the video above for Haisch's full thoughts behind the switch. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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26 Comments

And I hope when Canon opens up the RF mount to Sigma and Tamron, that this fellow spends the money to move back to Canon. I love it when photographers switch because they are spending money in the photo industry and we know that camera companies need money to survive.

This discussion point that people are 'stuck' using some adapted lenses is silly. Half my lenses are third party and work better with my R5 than they did with my 5DIV. Same with my L lenses.

If Canon opens up their lens mount why should this photographer switch back? Spending money to constantly switch systems is pointless from a business point of view. Besides, even if Canon opened up the lens mount it will be years before they would be able to match the amount of lenses Sony have in E mount. Also in this video he mentions using older EF lenses wont be able to take advantage of newer sensors as his main reason not to want to use adapted lenses but use more modern native lenses which makes sense.

I guess it depends on what is meant by 'older'. I have a 70-200 f2.8 L II and the images are terrific. I also have a 16-35 f4 L, first edition, that also looks terrific. I have the original 35 f1.8 Tamron that is sharper with my R5 than it was with my 5DIV. Perhaps these aren't considered old?

Again, I'm glad he's dumping more money into the pool. Gotta' keep the camera companies viable. Bad business decision? Not to worry since it's his money.

Question: How many years has Sony had its current lens mount? I know that Canon introduced the R in 2018, so that's nearly 5 years. Did Sony have its lens line up filled within its first 5 years? Nope. Remember when Sony owners were adapting Canon glass? My, how times have changed.

We live in an instant gratification world. Canon didn't fill its EF line in less than 5 years, neither did Nikon, but it seems that some expect Canon to do what has never been done.

The point isn't whether you think the images are terrific or not (that's just a subjective opinion) but the point made in the video that any EF lenses have not been made with modern mirrorless sensors in mind and won't take full advantage of the sensor resolution, nor get any newer updates. I am merely stating his reason for not wanting to adapt EF lenses and this guy is a professional wedding and event photographer needing top notch glass. I'm not sure about the other argument you are trying to make as it makes no sense. This person's main reason for switching to Sony is that he can have all the lenses he wants right now, not sit around waiting for Canon to open up it's lens mount and that was the point I was making in my comment. Not sure why you need to defend Canon so much anyway. I never go out of my way to defend the brand I use and just let people have their opinions as their opinions won't affect my photography.

Question: Which lenses do the vast majority of wedding/event shooters use? I'd be willing to bet an ND filter that Canon's RF line covers those requirements. Well, maybe some event shooters use an 8mm fisheye or a tilt-shift lens but it's probably not too many. 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, 50mm prime, 85mm prime, and now the 135mm prime. Let me know what other lenses that a pro event/wedding shooter needs that Canon's RF line doesn't cover.

What are my options in RF system for a 50mm lens? I currently adapt a sigma 50mm art lens that I m happy with, but I wished to have something without an adaptor for a second mirrorless body. Another adaptor?
As I see it, I have the option for a big and expensive lens, OR a crappy 50mm lens.

Like I mentioned before, Canon didn't fill out its EF line in less than 5 years and that goes for Sony as well. For those that can't wait for Canon to fill out their line, then they go to the alternative. We all have our opinions and the author acknowledged that the adapted lenses work well on Canon cameras. But, he chose to spend the money and move on. I commended him for that, but for a different reason.

At some point, Sigma and Tamron will be making lenses for the RF mount. I don't do paid stuff anymore and my lenses work quite well with my R5. I can wait.

I know that. So do you recommend to me getting another 200 € adaptor for me when I get a second RF body? Sigma could have already made lenses for canon, however they are not allowed to. And if Canon gets this going for them, expect other companies to follow, just as adobe did with their subscription plan. Know everyone and their mother wants us to subscribe to something.
Also it is not that we can not wait, but rather if we can afford to do so. I m also pasting here a comment I have also made on this thread :

''So let me do so simple math here. In Europe ( Greece ) a canon r6mk2 costs 3119euros and an Rf 50mm 1.2 , 2889 euros a total of 6008 euros. A Sony A7 IV 2699 euros and a sigma 50mm DN at 849 e a total of 3549 euros more or less.
That means that as much as I like canon, that my next addition to my kit will be a Sony. Unless of course Canon changes their mind *before I m set to make my purchase.''

If it's in the budget, and it seems to be if you can afford a second body, then yes, get another adapter.

I m afraid you dont even bother to read my argument or even see the video. Everybody has an opinion and is on a different position. Whatever.

I suggest you watch the video instead of just repeating the same nonsensical point. This guy's reasons for switching to Sony are more than just the lenses.

I quote,"The point isn't whether you think the images are terrific or not (that's just a subjective opinion) but the point made in the video that any EF lenses have not been made with modern mirrorless sensors in mind and won't take full advantage of the sensor resolution, nor get any newer updates. I am merely stating his reason for not wanting to adapt EF lenses and this guy is a professional wedding and event photographer needing top notch glass."

You put lenses on the front burner. So I expressed my opinion. There's plenty of top notch glass in Canon's RF lineup that any pro wedding/event photographer would use. But, he wants to save money by buying third party lenses. Of course, he had to spend a fortune to jump ship. Business sense? Hmmmmmmm.....

He mentions unique third party E mount lenses neither Canon or Sony will ever build. Also he owns an FX3 for video so wanted to keep everything compatible using S-Log and not mixing and matching with C-Log (important for video). You'd know this if you watched the video.

Tl;DNR mostly for video.

yawn...

Are we done yet with these "why I switched" articles/youtubers?

Agree. Unless there is a real feature that prompts one to change camera gear (eg. autofocus, dynamic range, etc), doing so will not make the the user a better photographer, despite what he/she believes or wishes. Also, using Canon's decision to protect their intellectual property may seem a valid argument to switch, but in reality limits innovation by the major camera makers when 3rd parties flood the market with cheaper clones (that may not be as good as the original).

No, not yet! I wanna do one, too! :-)

I think this video is mainly done for this guy's subscribers as they clearly follow what he is doing with his photography but I do think it's pointless posting this video here.

Same as me, leaving Canon next upgrade. Been a Canon shooter over 30 years... Lack of 3rd party support

As a canon user, my next body wont be a canon ( unless i really need a backup body and r6s become laughably cheap).

Locked out of sigma glass... No.. that's just no good.

PS - Where's the RF 50mm 1.4? Or should I just buy the two thousand dollar L? Hmmmmmm.... What to do .....

I was in a similar situation, in my case I wanted a 35mm f/1.4 for my R5. No RF version and the Canon EF was already too expensive. So I got the Tamron EF. Works flawlessly. If Canon releases an RF am I switching? Of course not. I’m more than happy with this kit.

Bingo, it's funny to see so many people led around by Sony's marketing dollars...

So let me do so simple math here. In Europe ( Greece ) a canon r6mk2 costs 3119euros and an Rf 50mm 1.2 , 2889 euros a total of 6008 euros. A Sony A7 IV 2699 euros and a sigma 50mm DN at 849 e a total of 3549 euros more or less.
That means that as much as I like canon, that my next addition to my kit will be a Sony. Unless of course Canon changes their mind *before I m set to make my purchase.

The prices on Canon rf Lensa have skyrocket here in Sweden. I shoot professionelly as a side gig only and Will move to mirrorless in a near future and Canon was the obvious choice until the prices went up. R6ii + Holy trinity 2.8 lenses and a 50 1.2 was 10k dollar more expensive then a Sony a7iv witt the same lenses but from sigma and tamron . Hell even if i buy Sonys latest mark 2 versions of the same lenses and a Sony 50 1.2 it was still 3500 dollars cheaper of so . For Those money i can get a second body. If Canon dont chsnge their policy soon they Will loose me as a customer and i dont want to stop shooting with. Canon

100% Agree with you, same situation here