How Many Times Have You Switched?

I changed from Canon point and shoot to Nikon DLSR, then had some analog old schoolers in between. Regarding the battery life, yes it really varies from what is written, to the reality, if you are not checking each picture after the shot, and enabling sleep mode, I can push out way more pics, then the mentions in the specifics.

I've always had a number of formats, but in 24x36, I started with Canon in 76 for the match-needle metering. Then I got a job where I was given a room full of Nikon and I switched my own gear for the ability to borrow lenses. (I bought some Leica M gear along the way, but that's not the same tool as an SLR.)

After shooting Nikon for exactly 10 years, my focus changed from documentary to studio (large format) and 35mm for annual reports but I didn't like Nikon glass very much. I bought Leica R systems (still had more M, Hasselblads, Sinar 4x5 and 8x10 view cameras, etc.) for 35mm kodachrome. Eventually I flipped to doing design work, and a divorce forced me to sell most everything photo to pay support— and I was a designer then anyway. The rest of my Leica R gear just fell apart.

When I got into digital, I had a clean slate to start from, but chose Canon (1Ds) for the full frame-ness and L glass MTF charts. I was quite disappointed in those lenses, especially 50mm and south, but found Zeiss. I prefer to manually focus anyway.

Funny... people often ask if shoot film (as if thats where true artists should be) — screw 'em. I've shot 50,000 rolls of film and I'm done.

Started with a Canon AE-1P when I was 18 to photograph my son. Still have loads of rolls of Ilford FP4 undeveloped. Digital came along but I couldn't afford it until 2001 when I got an Olympus Camedia C700UZ (2MP, 10x zoom, no less), then a Canon Powershot G5. I loved that little camera. The files were noisy as hell at ISO400+ but there was something about it that resonated. I then tried a Pentax P&S and a Minolta bridge camera of some description, all the while keeping my G5. Got a 10D in 2003 it's been Canon Dslr's since then.

I did have a brief affair with Nikon a couple of years ago but it didn't last. We just weren't compatible, went our separate ways. Now I'm back with Canon.

mike_d wrote in post #18223012
Or a third, fourth, and fifth and hope you don't miss anything important while fumbling with batteries in the heat of battle.

Naw, I think I'll keep my Canon that can do 2000 shots on a single battery.

you are mistaken on the behavior of sony batteries.

The idea that the battery depletes so fast to nothing is false. The battery depletes at a timed rate rather than shutter actuations. For instance, I can do a timelapse and the sony can do 1000 frames on a single battery...... however, the battery *rating* says I can only do 300 or whatever. Shooting over 700 frames on a single charge isnt uncommon. If you shoot fast bursts like an air show, you can probably do the whole show with 1 or 2 batteries, that means 1 single battery change.

Not the end of the world. If changing a battery IS the end of the world, there's a work around that you can use a grip for 2 batteries. If that still isnt enough, strap an external charger to your camera and shoot forever, it's one of few cameras that offer in body charging with typical phone type current. Really great for travel, I dont even bring chargers, just connect to laptop for in body charging.

Charlie wrote in post #18226448
you are mistaken on the behavior of sony batteries.

The idea that the battery depletes so fast to nothing is false. The battery depletes at a timed rate rather than shutter actuations. For instance, I can do a timelapse and the sony can do 1000 frames on a single battery...... however, the battery *rating* says I can only do 300 or whatever. Shooting over 700 frames on a single charge isnt uncommon. If you shoot fast bursts like an air show, you can probably do the whole show with 1 or 2 batteries, that means 1 single battery change.

Not the end of the world. If changing a battery IS the end of the world, there's a work around that you can use a grip for 2 batteries. If that still isnt enough, strap an external charger to your camera and shoot forever, it's one of few cameras that offer in body charging with typical phone type current. Really great for travel, I dont even bring chargers, just connect to laptop for in body charging.

I have not worked with Sony in detail, however, I can agree with you - any camera needs a spare battery in case of travel, as they all wear in time, and can't hold as much. Additionally, in each generation update, they make some improvements, how to improve the efficiency, so I do not see much of a problem. Actually, can anyone share their experiences with lenses and their switches?

I guess by one definition (getting rid of the previous system), I've never switched brands.

I was Minolta-centric for many years with MF and film, and adopted Canon when AF really took hold (still film). I had some family members that went down the Minolta path with their AF gear and I ended up with some of it. Didn't like it. I didn't like the Minolta system because the menus were not intuitive to me. (Funny, Sony seems to have inherited that same problem.) Also, with Minolta many "features" (like bracketing?) were sold as separate cards. (Really? Not built into the body?) For that reason, I definitely walked away from Minolta in favor of Canon.

When digital came along, I was already enjoying the Canon system and stayed with it. In those early days, the Nikon members of my family offered some equipment to me, which I still have. Regarding Nikon, I still use that body when teaching classes (which I do a lot of). In general, I like the Nikon system but just happen to use Canon much more.

Even though I've not gotten rid of much, there's certainly stuff that I don't use anymore. Most of it sits in boxes in the basement.

With Sony's latest mirrorless stuff, I got an a6000 and I like the light weight and size for travel and when I'm not doing any "serious" photography. However, I still don't like their menus.

By the "other" definition, I definitely went away from Minolta. Minolta eventually became Sony and I still don't like their menus. So even though I didn't get rid of my Minolta gear, I've definitely walked away from it.

I like the question above about lenses... Now that I have a problem with. I've just accumulated lenses and now have lots. Several of which I don't (or can't) use. I can't seem to get rid of them. I should probably join some group or go through some kind of 12-step program...

jp3ters wrote in post #18226743
I have not worked with Sony in detail, however, I can agree with you - any camera needs a spare battery in case of travel, as they all wear in time, and can't hold as much. Additionally, in each generation update, they make some improvements, how to improve the efficiency, so I do not see much of a problem. Actually, can anyone share their experiences with lenses and their switches?

You missed a point... In a lot of cases you don't even need a spare battery with sony.

You can recharge it with a phone charger, or a car or external battery.

In January/February when I go shooting eagles I only have one battery. I drive up and down Mississippi River near lock and dam 14. And each time I go to different locations I just plug the camera in my phone charger in the car. It's always charged.

nekrosoft13 wrote in post #18226883
You missed a point... In a lot of cases you don't even need a spare battery with sony.

You can recharge it with a phone charger, or a car or external battery.

In January/February when I go shooting eagles I only have one battery. I drive up and down Mississippi River near lock and dam 14. And each time I go to different locations I just plug the camera in my phone charger in the car. It's always charged.

Yeah I've actually done when travelling....I have a 2000mah battery pack that I keep in my camera bag to charge my phone or whatever, but I would also plug my a7rII or rx1rII into it when packing it. It worked really well, particularly for the RX1RII, which has a point and shoot battery and horrid battery life.

That said, I've also shot lots of long events with my a7rII and rx1rII...and seriously...changing batteries is not a big deal at all. It takes less than 10 seconds.

Nikon D40
To
Canon 60D
Canon 6D
To
Sony a6000
Sony a7r
Sony a77ii

The D40 was a good camera to learn on, but I switched to a Canon 60D for all-around PJ use. High school football and LAX, some hoops and baseball. I loved having affordable fast glass options. Added a 6D when I phased out of PJ, and I loved it.

I sold the 60D, added the a6000, and I really found myself taking it y. At the time I was mostly using the 6D with the 50A, so I figured I could lighten my bag by replacing it with the a7r/FE55.

I added A-mount after I decided I wanted to shoot out to 200 2.8 natively--picked up a used a77 for cheap and I really enjoyed it. Upgraded to a77ii for about $200 more and it is a fantastic body for my needs.

Nikon really got my attention with the D500 and D810, but I'm pretty happy with the shooting experience and quality of my files with Sony.

The battery stuff is overblown IMO. Getting 500-600 shots is no big deal on e-mount, and I've gotten nearly 900 out of the a77ii. Nobody will confuse that with what Nikon or Canon flagship bodies get, and if you need 3,000 shots out of a battery that is obviously the way to go.

One thing regarding e-mount that is surprising is Sony's omission of a second card slot for wedding and event shooters. Now that the GM lenses are out (and even sometimes available), it seems like they have to make that happen.

mickeyb105 wrote in post #18228124
Nikon D40
To
Canon 60D
Canon 6D
To
Sony a6000
Sony a7r
Sony a77ii

The D40 was a good camera to learn on, but I switched to a Canon 60D for all-around PJ use. High school football and LAX, some hoops and baseball. I loved having affordable fast glass options. Added a 6D when I phased out of PJ, and I loved it.

I sold the 60D, added the a6000, and I really found myself taking it y. At the time I was mostly using the 6D with the 50A, so I figured I could lighten my bag by replacing it with the a7r/FE55.

I added A-mount after I decided I wanted to shoot out to 200 2.8 natively--picked up a used a77 for cheap and I really enjoyed it. Upgraded to a77ii for about $200 more and it is a fantastic body for my needs.

Nikon really got my attention with the D500 and D810, but I'm pretty happy with the shooting experience and quality of my files with Sony.

The battery stuff is overblown IMO. Getting 500-600 shots is no big deal on e-mount, and I've gotten nearly 900 out of the a77ii. Nobody will confuse that with what Nikon or Canon flagship bodies get, and if you need 3,000 shots out of a battery that is obviously the way to go.

One thing regarding e-mount that is surprising is Sony's omission of a second card slot for wedding and event shooters. Now that the GM lenses are out (and even sometimes available), it seems like they have to make that happen.

the battery life issue can be compared to smart phones.... when they hit the market, people with dumb phones had days of battery life, however people slowly warmed up to phones that could do a crapload of stuff on top of just calling...... now they're used as GPS, text messages, email, social media, and gaming devices. If you're a casual shooter, the battery will get you by 99/100 days. If you shoot a lot like I do, then a single battery will get you by 98/100 days

it just changes your behavior and you adapt. Turns out, I carry my camera around more than my DSLR setup, which I was carrying around A LOT. If you like it you'll find a way to use it, no different than the moment you start shooting a DSLR over a point and shoot, or the time that you switched from JPEG to RAW. If the benefits are worth it, you adapt, if not, you simply go back to your old method.

the battery issue exists, sure. You're going from a camera that could do 1000+ frames to one that does 400-700... You may find out that adapting is hardly an issue, or find out it's too tough to overcome. You really wont know till you try. Many of my older uncles and aunts still use an older dumb phone. It does the trick for them.

I shot the Orange Bowl tonight from my seat with the a77ii--1800 shots on one battery. The Minolta 200 2.8 HS with a 2xTC was a champ civilian combo.

Charlie wrote in post #18226448
Not the end of the world. If changing a battery IS the end of the world, there's a work around that you can use a grip for 2 batteries. If that still isnt enough, strap an external charger to your camera and shoot forever, it's one of few cameras that offer in body charging with typical phone type current. Really great for travel, I dont even bring chargers, just connect to laptop for in body charging.

I started with film, changing a battery every few hundred shots is not that big of a deal to me. Cameras are so good now that people have to nitpick for something to complain about.

Can't agree more, this thing is really common, and hey, the only thing that matters is to find what you like, what suits your needs, fits the hand, and is pleasant to the eye!
However, I like to see these discussions, in that way, I learn a lot new about systems I do not own.

KenjiS wrote in post #18213182
THIS.

300 or so shots from what I heard and your battery is flat. Carry 3-4 batteries to equal 1 of the batteries in my 7D Mark II... (I get 1200+ shots on a charge!) then risk missing something fumbling to trade batteries

I ponder if Sony is intentionally doing that because they probably make more on batteries

Battery life on Sony mirrorless is only bad if you chimp every shot, spray and pray, and have wifi and all that other nonsense turned on. I had an A7 last (and supposedly battery life is better now on the new models) and I would regularly get ~600-700 shots per battery...rarely would I need to change out even after shooting a full day. The last one that had so-so battery life that I used was the NEX-3, which actually did get around 300 shots per charge. Then again, that is the very first generation of Sony mirrorless...so there's that. YMMV though, I understand that the extra 1.5oz of weight from a 2nd battery could be an issue in some extremes, or if you need to shoot 3,000 images in a single day then the constant changes would be annoying or even affect the job. For most people I would wager 700 shots in a day is enough, and 1400 with a 2nd battery should be more than enough.

The biggest issue with mirrorless (Sony especially) is that they're trying to be a niche product like Leica or Hasselblad has been for many years. Yes, the sensors are amazing, and yes the AF is getting much much better...but the prices are ridiculous compared to what you can get compared to a comparable DSLR and lens setup. I love mirrorless for what I can be, but not enough to fully delve back into it (at least not Sony...m4/3 seems to hold some promise)

I've been shooting for over 40 years ... Film days, Pentax 6x7 for weddings/high-school/studio/etc..
Nikon 35 for faster (had um all lol ...) Digital days, Canon and never looked back. I've owned just about everything
from the 300D to my now very capable 1Ds MkIII