With the mirrorless camera transition happening around us people have been switching camera manufacturers more than ever. I for one am staying put with the brand I've trusted for years. Am I wrong for doing so?
There are some things that we don't ever consider changing and accept them as fixtures. I prefer Coke over Pepsi and my favorite baseball team is the Boston Red Sox. Now I understand that these examples are a little more static than say a modern day digital single-lens reflex camera, but the commitment to sticking with something you know and like carries merit.
I grew up around what I thought was the neatest camera setup ever. My Dad had a Canon AE-1 with a camera bag and a few lenses. We took it everywhere. I can't help but think that his affinity for Canon may have been passed along to me early on without me ever even realizing it.
When my wife and I got married back in 2005, one of the first things we knew we were going to buy with some of the gift proceeds was a digital camera with a removable lens. The model we ended up with was the Canon Rebel XT. We were about to go on a honeymoon to St. Maarten and were excited to finally be able to capture digital photos with a real camera. We called it that because after coming from film, the lack of megapixels and overall quality of most digital cameras of the time left a lot to be desired. This camera was one of the coolest things we had ever bought. The focus was fast, the frames per second seemed snappy, and even the sound of the shutter compared to everything before it was something we loved.
We enjoyed the camera so much that a number of years later we bought a Canon Rebel T3i. Once again, the updated feel and performance knocked our socks off all over again. It was only then that we started investing in Canon lenses. Owning lenses is one of the main factors keeping people like me from ever switching camera manufactures. Selling a lens that you bought new is an excellent way to waste money.
Once we outgrew the Canon Rebel T3i, it was time to take the huge leap into a full-frame sensor. This came in the form of the Canon 5D Mark III. This time I would have to say the step up in quality was off the charts. This camera knew what we wanted and delivered in every way.
Our Canon 5D Mark III on a tripod. Taken from our Canon 6D. All while thinking nostalgically about the Canon T3i and the Canon Rebel XT.
Once we had one full frame beast, the Canon Rebel T3i was a bit outgunned and outclassed. This eventually lead us to purchase a Canon 6D. Once the spending floodgates were officially opened, a couple of Canon's popular zoom lenses found their way to our porch. By this point, the photographic quality of the images we were both producing went way up. This effectively helped push our confidence to exactly where it needed to be to succeed.
It has been about six years since our last purchase, and I must say the brand new Canon RP looks like a perfect new addition to our squad. While the small size is enticing, the real draw for me is all the boosted specs and being able to finally shoot with a mirrorless system from my favorite camera maker.
Brand loyalty is waveringly these days as technological advances can leave some companies out in the cold. Competition is fierce to gain the spotlight in a time where perception is as important as ever. I think Sony did a heck of a job pushing the industry forward. They put out some great products and created quite a buzz by getting their cameras in a number of talented individuals hands. I will admit there was some curiosity on my end, but at the end of the day, there is only one camera brand for me. Knowing that lets me focus on the important part, taking pictures.
Would you ever switch camera manufacturers? Would that answer change if it didn't cost anything to do so? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
As a buyer of 10 Canon DSLRs and 1 Canon Mirrorless camera- I really understand you. However, you should understand that your decision includes several factors unique to you and therefore doesn't make sense for many other people such as:
1) There are not any new features you need in a camera to get an artistic or business advantage.
2) You don't shoot video, need pro video features, or shoot 4K/60.
3) You don't need to shoot at ISO 6400-32,000.
4) A lightweight camera to you is more important than good battery life or not using an lens mount adapter.
5) You don't need drone or other flyer camera platforms.
For most other pro photographers, 1 or more the these factors are important to their success and has led them to other brands.
I'm a Canon user mainly for stills but also a little video and I tried shooting on a Sony but it felt like a toy, a little cheap and you could get lost in the menus for days. I'm not saying you can't make great images with them because you can and they are just fine for MANY people but for me I know the Canon system, they are built like tanks, I can rely on them to take great images and at this point it would cost me a small fortune to switch over. Since image quality is negligible between the brands these days it would make no sense for me to switch even if I could afford to do so.
Same here. I bought a Canon A-1 in 1981 and over the years, added lenses, a motor drive, and a handle-mount flash. In July 2013, I mentioned that KEH had a used Canon F-1N, with a few accessories, for $400. She asked "That's their flagship camera?" I answered "Yes, for the 80's." She said "Buy it".
She had been wanting me to go digital. December 2013, she asked "What do you think about this deal?" "You buying me a 5D Mk III?" She said "Yes." I said "Thank you. But let me see if B&H has a better deal." I found a better package at B&H for $500 less. Spec wise, the 5D was comparable to the A-1 and F-1N in terms of features that I wanted.
Yea, I could have changed brands since the Canon FD lens mount is not compatible with the Canon EF mount. But I stayed with the brand.
Its a story about a frog in a well... only with canon camera.
sounds like "never knew anything else... never needed to. and dont care"
well, whatever makes you happy man. but than - whats the point of article?
I think a lot of people think new or different gear will fix something. The brand or marginal difference in capabilities will not give you better pictures. There is nothing wrong with using the tool you have and not chasing the latest and greatest.
The point of the article was for you to read so I thank you for taking the time to do so and offering your perspective.
Wait, did I get called a frog?
Sorry, did not meant to offend you. What I meant to say that this article is like that story about a frog in a well... have you heard that one? The one who did not believe that there is a sea bigger than her well :) No one to blame here really. But nothing to be proud of also...
I presume most of the readers on fstoppers dont believe that gear will fix something, the comments here pretty much prove that.
You put "brand loyalty" and "in the end of the day there is only one brand for me"... and than you say that its not about the brand - its about taking pictures. I think youre not entirely honest.
"The brand or marginal difference in capabilities will not give you better pictures."
here is what i dont understand - your article is not about that. its about you and canon. cause if its about pictures - you would knew, that different cameras (and most of all lenses) produce different results - and sticking to one brand - means sticking to the same results or not wanting to try knew or different things. or as it seems to me - you dont expect much from your photography and dont want to grow? "good enough" is all what you need? than i want to see article about that.
i think a better story is about how you use canon in such a way - that your work elevates (for you ofcourse, cause god knows what good or not this days) above all the chatter about brands and lesnses and gear - so that sticking to canon is all you need, no matter what. now that would be honest. but it seems to me - you thought - that lackluster reasoning and a sprinkle of your personal life would make it a buzz worthy article. oh, wait....you made me write all this. so i must admit - your article is a great start for this kind of discussion.
I think you nailed what I was going for in that last paragraph. Some people worry if their gear isn't enough and hinder their development by obsessing about bodies and lenses. While the article might have been a bit thin with mic-drop reasoning, the point is simple: stop making your gear an excuse and don't be afraid to stick with something as a constant so you can work on the rest.
I love our Canon gear. Not because it's good enough or because I don't care about specs, because it yields great results.
Anyone should be able to insert their choice brand into this logic and succeed. Brand agnostic so to speak.
Either way, thanks for reading and commenting!
I've shot Canon for like, 15 years? I like having a repair place I can drive to, I really like the glass I have, the cameras are "ok" I guess. I wanna play with an A73.
Why is this article here? You provide no logical reasons, only brand loyalty, the entire text is a useless waste of time. You're a consumer engaging in anti-consumer behaviour.
I have a Sony PS4, LG television, Google phone, Apple laptop, HP monitor, Honda vehicle. My consumerism is strong and varied.
Sorry you didn't enjoy this time around. Some comments above seem to resonate so to each their own I guess.
He is right...this article is about blind brand loyalty...nothing important here..I have seen all of your responses to your critics...pathetic. I shoot Fuji and Sony..my wife is a Canon devotee each to his own...I think it is fine you like Canon and it serves your purpose..but grow up!
The comments I'm responding to end in questions.
And now insults! :)
#grown
What are you talking about? This is an article that provides no information, useful advice or even entertainment, from a person completely unqualified to write it, on a website meant for professionals and enthusiasts. We don't need our time wasted with long, useless ramblings. The editor (if there is one) should never have let it through.
It is an opinion piece. You have full control over which links (or thumbnails) you choose to read.
That being said, why am I unqualified?
If you'd like a professional opinion I could offer a tip of setting a profile picture to be taken seriously.
As for the meaning of the article it is meant to give comfort to those who feel like they might need to switch because of all the talk these days about switching, but may not want to.
In opinion pieces you're supposed to have a reasoned, well argued opinion. Besides, you are switching, just within the same manufacturer.
I can't decide based on the title or thumbnail whether it's worth reading, I have to read first. That's why there needs to be an editor, and some standards.
You'd be qualified to write about gear and switching if you actually switched and used all these different cameras and lenses. But your experience is limited to an old model of a single brand. What is your opinion worth like this? Absolutely nothing. It's actually harmful due to brand loyalty.
So edgy
There is so much parity in the camera market there's not much logic in switching for incremental differences alone. They're all good at this point and you take a heavy loss when you switch systems (i.e. you can't sell your old gear for what it would cost to switch). Even if a manufacturer comes out with a revolutionary new feature, you're at most a couple of years away from it being offered within your existing camera system.
It's also okay to take an honest look at other options, especially since mirrorless cameras are entirely new systems, and you have to buy new lenses anyway (can't use adapters forever). I've loved my Canon 5D bodies, and even my old film EOS 1N, which is one of the best bodies ever made in my opinion. But from the limited about of time I've spent with a rented EOS R, I didn't like it all that much, and am now a little lost. It's a hassle trying out everything, but like I said, now's the time to be doing just that for mirrorless--the systems are a lot different than their DSLR "parents."
Why you can't use adapters forever. Did they will stop working on expiry date? Use as long as you want your choice.
When you have to declar "Sorry Sony ... " The Sony has won.
L0L, different tools for different strokes.
There is some truth in that. Especially that I didn't choose Nikon.
I started into serious photography as a kid, when my Dad -- a Konica guy -- bought me an S-2 rangefinder. Butwhrn it was time for an SLR, rather than follow his lead, I discovered Olympus and bought an OM-1. That was the camera for me. Ten years later, on a business trip to Japan, I hit the new OM-4.
Of course Konica got out of the business, Olympus switched to P&S. Dad moved to Nikon, I bough a used EOS RT to try out a modern electronic SLR... it was ok. So I followed Canon into digital, first with a Rebel Xt, then a 60D, and finally the EOS 6D. I had a full bag that was close to 25lbs, but I got good results.
About six years ago, I broke a Panasonic P&S and replaced it with an Olympus Pen Mini. I bought a couple of fast prime lenses over the next years. The OM-D E-M5 was introduced, and I eventually broke down and bought one ... nostalgia calling? But I really liked it. More lenses and fewer outings with the Canon. Olympus just fit my brain better, but I was still struggling to like the EVF for stills, even after years of videography.
Then the E-M5 mark II came about, basically addressing every issue I had. The EVF didn't exactly disappear, but it was good enough for me to start enjoying the advantages of mirrorless: shooting "through the film", controls and info in the viewfinder, no "chimping", far better function with those old OM lenses adapted -- actual accurate manual focusing without changing focusing screens, etc. More lenses. A Pen F. My 6D in the closet for a year. Loaned the Canon kit to my niece for another year... didn't miss it.
I gave the kid my 50mm f/1.4 lens for high school graduation, sold the rest. I have not been disappointed with Olympus and m43, though even having bought a new body this year, they do have some needed updates in their lineup. The rest of the world isn't sitting still... well, Canon a bit. I would never buy a new body without IBIS. Once you have the power to shoot handheld at 1-5 seconds or more, you don't give that back!
Find it facinating that photographers have so many opinions about others equipment choices and it has even become a sin to be loyal to a brand or even worse, still use a DSLR and have not jumped on the Mirrorless mania. To the extend that they get personal, stupidity, one track minded, lack creativity, etc. so much is said about other peoples choise of equipment but yet their work never make it past their Lr catalog. Yes I am not a world famous photographer but some of my images hang in a few homes, offices and studios around the world. And the reality is that I could have shot most of those with any Camera. What made those images great? Location, timing, setup and a creative eye. The day equipment can replace this, I will move on to painting houses as an art.
Thank you! Yes. This.
It may not have the best tech around but Canon gears can definitely meet 99% of photographers needs...
Agreed.
So can Nikon, Sony, Leica, Panasonic, Fuji, etc. Sort of a hollow statement.
Oh yeah? Thanks for your hollow reply. The article only mentioned canon didn’t it? Lol
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The manufacturer will thank you for buying their products regardless of their price/quality relationship.
It makes them lazy.
I am happy with Canon. I have to say that I would love to get D850 today, but I am OK with 5D MKIII. The only thing I really do not like is mirrorless, but the new lenses from Canon are extremely tempting.
Brand loyalty means nothing to me. Corporations make money on people. I only use the products I find good, but I would never be loyal to things, only to people.
I don't easily change systems because it is very expensive to sell all my gear and buy new lenses and flashes.
I would certainly trade in my a6300 for a Fuji XT3 but this will cost me a fortune and the end result won't be much different. The problem is not the body, it is the lenses and flashes that will make the change very hard.
If you have only one lens, it wouldn't be so troublesome.
I can understand why some people won't change systems because of cost, but not changing purely out of brand loyalty is really silly. Unless of course you are content and don't care about price/quality.
The word of the day is: IRONY. And it's brought to you by a post talking about not being tempted by something better and being happy with what you have because it works for you all the while talking about upgrading to better equipment when you were already happy and then making use of the better capabilities.
Honestly, it sounds to me like you're looking for people to rally around you and reinforce the decision you're stuck with.
Those purchases were made over 12 years and cover two people, myself and my wife. The 5DmarkIII is our main camera and we've kept it that way even though there have been new offerings. I'm happy to see people rallying around both sides of the topic, but my intention was to simply write and opinion piece about it. I'm very comfortable sticking with our quite capable Canons.
Well, yes and no. I'll stick with Canon as I own a bunch of EF-lenses from Canon, Zeiss and Lensbaby, but I also bought a Fuji X100F for the pocket, as it's much better than the Canon pocket size cameras.
Could imagine buying an APSc from Fuji with adapter, to enjoy the longer equivalent focal length, but that's all. I guess that when my eyesight due to age becomes a problem there'll be a fine Canon mirrorless body to do the job for me with focus peaking. I can wait.
I've heard and continue to hear a lot of good things about the Fuji offerings. Might have to play with one.
I am not a professional photographer, but have been in the scene since the 1960's and have done many projects. Cannon was my brand in those days; having owned the AE1 and A1 along with all the lenses. I switched to Nikon in the 1980's and it has been my brand since. I own more Nikon lenses that I care to think about.
However, I wanted to move, carefully at first, to the mirrorless camera and Sony was the only obvious choice. Nikon and Cannon simply were lagging behind in the development of mirrorless cameras.
Now I continue to use my Nikon D500 for landscape work and my Sony's for Street Photography and other small assignments.
I want a camera that will perform well for the various types of photography I do. Currently, Nikon and Sony meet that requirement. I might add that I have grown children who are also interested in and do a lot of there own photography. As I add new cameras to my arsenal, they are the recipient of older cameras. Oh, lucky them.
Ironically it was Canon that got me to switch to Sony Mirrorless.
Years ago, unwilling to carry my Canon DSLR kit with heavy lenses on an upcoming vacation, I bought a point and shoot travel camera, a Canon SX260 HS. It was a great little camera that rekindled my interest in photography. Alas without RAW and the tiny sensor it was not up to the image quality I wanted. I began to look around for something small but with a better sensor - Canon offered nothing at the time, but Sony had just introduced the NEX-6. I have not looked back.
I should point out that I have since added the Sony RX100III, and have found the camera a comparative disappointment. Plenty of light, it is fantastic - indoors or lower light situations (precisely when I typically seek out a pocketable camera), it has nowhere near approached the a6000. So all is not milk and honey.
The only company that temps me to switch presently is Fuji.
You make a great point that timing, specific needs (light and compact for travel), and what's available in the market play a huge role in the choice to switch.
I will also admit the Fujis look tempting. A lot of comments here reflect happy customers.
Thanks for commenting!
I enjoyed the article, thanks for posting it!
I shoot Canon 5DSR and the Olympus OMD EM1, mkII. Both are great cameras, but a different tool for different jobs. I love both brands, been with Olympus for many years, Canon since I bought the 5DSR when it first came out.
The Olympus is a joy to shoot, has many more "user" features that I like having available for what I use the camera for. The image quality just doesn't compare to the 5DSR. The 5DSR is a workhorse and demands that you know what you are doing, or it will give you garbage.
Do I choose one brand over the other, no. I will stick to both brands for my needs as I am happy with why I have them both. I love the quality of images from the 5DSR, but truly it is a love/hate relationship. It is not a "fun" camera to shoot, but delivers the images. Doesn't mean I jump ship though to another brand, just means I need to learn the camera to allow it to deliver the best that it can.
My considerations for cameras is not what the other guys came out with, its more am I missing any features that would improve my work if I had those features. And its always better to really know your camera and weakness's than to jump brands all the time for the latest and greatest, IMO.
I'm definitely on the side of, "find the right tool for the job" argument here. While I can appreciate brand loyalty (hey, it's cheaper in the long run), I've found that there is no one-camera or system that does everything I need.
I shot Canon for years, but eventually became frustrated with the lack of dynamic range in my shots (the shadow "details" where horrible) and moved up to a 645z from Pentax. I absolutely loved that camera (still do) and it's an absolute pleasure to use in the studio. However, it's a bit of a beast (in a bad way) when I'm not in the studio; it's heavy, it takes up a lot of space, and it draws a lot of unwanted attention.
I ended up buying a Sony A7RII later that year (yes the "day job" allows me to do such silliness) as my walk around camera. While not as "good" as the Pentax, the files (in my opinion) are pretty close and I'd probably mothball the Pentax altogether if it weren't for the Sony's less than stellar focusing in a studio environment (seriously, try nailing focus with a strobe system in a dark room and shooting at f/11), but for most of my needs the Sonys are great (I'm now primarily shooting with the mark 3 camera).
All that being said, I still prefer to shoot video with a GH5 (yes, I have that system too....I have a problem), though that could change with the eventual release of the A7SIII.
In summation, my dad was a carpenter and not every hammer was ideal to pound a particular nail; you can use a framing hammer to do finish work, but it's a hell of a lot more difficult.
Most cameras are better than most photographers...
That being said, I change more than most people.
I had Nikons for a long time until Canon got a few steps ahead in AF technology. Then I used Canon because of the full frame 1Ds. But I always wondered why my friends Nikon AF was so much better than Canons at the time. three or four years ago I was due to update pretty much my entire Canon system, at the time they were still making their sensor larger but not better. I tried Sony and bought into the a7 series. So far very happy, and happy that Nikanon is giving Sony some more incentive to update.
As far as MF film I started with Mamiya C330, Bronica S (big mistake), Hasselblad 500cm, and ended with RZ67 which I sold to finance the $6000 1Ds.
Nope no brand loyalty here...but a friend's family is very brand loyal. At family dinners the driveway is filled with white Corollas of various years.
Brand loyalty will always come back to bite you in the end. NEVER put any "faith" in a camera brand to "have your back", or anything of that nature. They're a corporation that needs to make a profit.
Chose a camera/brand based on how well the system itself seems to work with your own brain. Intuitive ergonomics and menus are something that fanboys will never be able to quantify on paper, so they'll always get pushed to the side while the arguments highlight the latest "dumb move" about a new camera or lens, or a feature or aspect of performance that is sub-par to the self-proclaimed expert camera geeks. It's all meaningless, as long as the camera takes good pictures.
Yeah, if you shoot both photo and video, you'll get more bang for your buck out of Sony.
Yeah, if you shoot hardcore landscapes and timelapse, you'll get more bang for your buck out of Nikon.
And yeah, if you shoot a lot of portraits and love gorgeous skin tones and creamy bokeh, Canon's a smart move.
But it's not like any of these three full-frame brands can't still get the other jobs done, too. Especially if you feel truly familiar (and confident) with the camera.
Literally, the ONLY time I ever recommend that someone switch brands, is if they are truly frustrated with the results they're getting, and it is in fact not their own fault.
Well stated! Thank you for taking the time to do so.
"Brand loyalty is waveringly these days as technological advances can leave some companies out in the cold."
Brand loyalty only serves the brand it's a one way street where the easier you make it for a company to suck dollars out of your pocket, the less inclined they are to provide you with a quality product because... well... you're loyal. Having a healthy buyers market requires there to be a large number of people who want to spend their money on the better product in a cost effective way. So while you might never jump brands because the marketing and brand executives at Canon did their job by creating a loyal customer, you should understand that those of use who would walk away from any brand and to the one that provides us what we want are what keep Canon competitive with a good product.
Honestly, this article sounds like it should have #ad #sponsored.
In all honesty, this is just how I feel. I'm looking to put out some more opinion based articles like this and this seemed like a comfortable place to start.
By sharing my opinion I've also learned a lot about other's perspectives which is awesome.
Thanks for commenting. I wish Canon paid me :)
After owning 4 different Canon DSLR models I am underwhelmed with their slow and sometimes nonsensical tech progression. Recently purchased a Fujifilm XT3, it knocked my socks off! It outperforms my 5dMK4 in every way. If I had the cash to put into a full selection of lenses it would likely become my go to for professional work. The little guys are making a lot of noise while the dinosaurs creep quietly along...
Another high praise of Fuji coming off the 5dMK4 is quite a statement. I had no idea I'd be hearing so much about Fuji. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I've only had the chance to shoot with Fujis a few times, but was very impressed. In fact, whenever a new shooter asks me what camera to get, I tell them to check out the XT-20 (now 30) to see how it feels in their hands.