Upgrade: Mirror or Mirrorless?

I'm an avid Canon 5D shooter. However, last year I sold a lot of my gear and kept a 5DII and a few lenses. Now that I have time to shoot again, I started looking for a 5DIV, but I keep seeing a lot of fanfare for Canon R.

So now, I wonder if I should just wait for the R5, get me a 5DIV or really wait for the 5DV.

I mostly shoot pictures (Portrait, Landscape and Beauty).

Or if the 7R a better way to go for mirrorless?

THe 5DIV is an outstanding body, so much better than the 5DII in all ways. It's about as perfect as a Canon mirrored body can be. You can't go wrong with the 5DIV. That said, from the looks of things, the new R is almost as good and is mirrorless. If you are leaning towards a mirrorless body and want to stay Canon, it's a much less expensive way to get 5DIV image quality with almost the same feature set. The R5 I suspect is the 5DV. The camera isn't out yet and we still haven't seen the full list of features but from what has leaked, it looks like a very nice body indeed. I would be surprised if Canon followed up with a mirrored version but you never know. Some rumor sites are saying that the brother of a friend knows someone who went to lunch with a guy that peed next to a guy whos wife worked with the sister of a Canon rep and leaked out that they saw a 5DV on some internal Canon roadmap.

gjl711 wrote in post #19012526
Some rumor sites are saying that the brother of a friend knows someone who went to lunch with a guy that peed next to a guy whos wife worked with the sister of a Canon rep and leaked out that they saw a 5DV on some internal Canon roadmap.

...did somebody see that roadmap? where does it lead? I don't want to waste money buying something when I have to sell it soon after (at a loss) in order to rebuy the better one!
Especially if 16k video is just over the horizon, along with pet eye focus tracking.

gjl711 wrote in post #19012526
THe 5DIV is an outstanding body, so much better than the 5DII in all ways. It's about as perfect as a Canon mirrored body can be. You can't go wrong with the 5DIV. That said, from the looks of things, the new R is almost as good and is mirrorless. If you are leaning towards a mirrorless body and want to stay Canon, it's a much less expensive way to get 5DIV image quality with almost the same feature set. The R5 I suspect is the 5DV. The camera isn't out yet and we still haven't seen the full list of features but from what has leaked, it looks like a very nice body indeed. I would be surprised if Canon followed up with a mirrored version but you never know. Some rumor sites are saying that the brother of a friend knows someone who went to lunch with a guy that peed next to a guy whos wife worked with the sister of a Canon rep and leaked out that they saw a 5DV on some internal Canon roadmap.

I dont want to upgrade to a 5DIV if the R5 is going to be better.

I never really have thought about getting a mirrorless, but it seems like the inevitable. I hate the day I give up my viewfinder. However, looks like body and lenses might be lighter without compromising the IQ. Just dont know what to do.

So at the moment you just compared the current R to 5DIV?

ExperiencedN00B wrote in post #19012567
I dont want to upgrade to a 5DIV if the R5 is going to be better.

I never really have thought about getting a mirrorless, but it seems like the inevitable. I hate the day I give up my viewfinder. However, looks like body and lenses might be lighter without compromising the IQ. Just dont know what to do.

So at the moment you just compared the current R to 5DIV?

The RP and the R and the soon to be announced R5 and R6 mirrorless lines are parallel to the lines of dSLRs
Rebel, nnD, 5D, 6D. Trying to come the R to the 5D would be like comparing the nnD to the R5 (ignoring the sensor size)...entry level vs. 'pro' level!

Wilt wrote in post #19012535
...did somebody see that roadmap? where does it lead? I don't want to waste money buying something when I have to sell it soon after (at a loss) in order to rebuy the better one!
Especially if 16k video is just over the horizon, along with pet eye focus tracking.

Absolutely. It was the Canon rep who told his sister who told her friend who told he husband who just happened to be relieving himself next to some guy who went to lunch with a rumor site author. Therefore, it must be true.

Seriously, want a great camera now? Go with the 5DIV or R. Willing to wait a few months and are leaning mirrorless, wait for the R5. Else, it's a complete guess of what Canon has on te map past the R5.

ExperiencedN00B wrote in post #19012567
I dont want to upgrade to a 5DIV if the R5 is going to be better.

Kind of depends on what you value. I'm pretty sure IQ is going to be significantly better with a new sensor and all. Features at least from what we know look great but until you see the camera in action, it's all speculation

ExperiencedN00B wrote in post #19012567
I never really have thought about getting a mirrorless, but it seems like the inevitable. I hate the day I give up my viewfinder. However, looks like body and lenses might be lighter without compromising the IQ. Just dont know what to do.

So at the moment you just compared the current R to 5DIV?

Wait until the R5 is anounced, we see samples, then compare all the options unless you are in a hurry. Then either the 5DIV or the R.

ExperiencedN00B wrote in post #19012515
I'm an avid Canon 5D shooter. However, last year I sold a lot of my gear and kept a 5DII and a few lenses. Now that I have time to shoot again, I started looking for a 5DIV, but I keep seeing a lot of fanfare for Canon R.

So now, I wonder if I should just wait for the R5, get me a 5DIV or really wait for the 5DV.

I mostly shoot pictures (Portrait, Landscape and Beauty).

Or if the 7R a better way to go for mirrorless?

What's wrong w/ the 5Dii? The IQ is still phenomenal, even by today's standard. For what you do, the subjects are pretty much static, don't required modern AF.

If you're competent with the physical architecture of 5Dii and like it, then you may not like the Canon R because the design significantly different. Putting the technical features aside, the body design of Canon R is more toward a rebel or 90D camera.

ExperiencedN00B wrote in post #19012515
I'm an avid Canon 5D shooter. However, last year I sold a lot of my gear and kept a 5DII and a few lenses. Now that I have time to shoot again, I started looking for a 5DIV, but I keep seeing a lot of fanfare for Canon R.

So now, I wonder if I should just wait for the R5, get me a 5DIV or really wait for the 5DV.

I mostly shoot pictures (Portrait, Landscape and Beauty).

Or if the 7R a better way to go for mirrorless?

I rate the 5D4 over the EOS R in many ways, so owning both, I'd not choose the R over the 5D4.

The R5 is likely going to be 180 opposite, and surpass the 5D4 in most regards. I think the R5 is all we are going to see in a "Mark 5" of the 5 series,.

ExperiencedN00B wrote in post #19012515
I'm an avid Canon 5D shooter. However, last year I sold a lot of my gear and kept a 5DII and a few lenses. Now that I have time to shoot again, I started looking for a 5DIV, but I keep seeing a lot of fanfare for Canon R.

So now, I wonder if I should just wait for the R5, get me a 5DIV or really wait for the 5DV.

I mostly shoot pictures (Portrait, Landscape and Beauty).

Or if the 7R a better way to go for mirrorless?

Your subject matter is not going to require any high tech modern AF. The one thing you will find is that shooting portraits on 1 subject matter at a time is the "eye AF"advantage in fresh technology.

I'm looking forward to the new Canon FF mirrorless. It's easy to assume that it'll surpass the 5dmk4 in many ways on top of the benefits of mirrorless systems.

I primarily use Sony these days for majority of my photographic needs. When I shoot an event I still do not grab my mirrorless. I will use my 5dmk3/4 during challenging light events. Since I still have my full Canon kit I will use it with complete confidence using "one shot" while bouncing flash/remote flash work at venues.

I was just discussing my preference to mirrored obdies with one of the counter sales guys I often talk to at my favourite camera store. He's been a Fuji xt1 shooter then transitioned to Nikon d500. He now sold the nikon and shoots Fuji X-t3. Interesting how he fully agrees how mirrored for events work with red focus assist /bounced flash provides absolutely rock solid AF performance. Using mirrorless systems for me makes my stomach turn due to the focus hunt I get even with native glass. I simply NEVER miss a shot with my Canon mirrored gear.

Since your application typically is in good lighting or adequate for the AF system.....you'll appreciate jumping to mirrorless.

If you're diving into Canon mirrorless FF I'd say wait....... for the R5. This way you can adapt EF glass with native performance.

If you go Sony A7r3/4 you will benefit in high resolution for your portrait/landscape photography. You have Sony OE glass or you can really enjoy the IQ from Tamron and Sigma ART 3rd party glass. I've been using my sigma 24-70 f/2.8 ART and feel it's just as good as my 5dmk4 with 24-70 f/2.8mk2 !!!

Cheapest route is to buy an R5 and RF to EF adapter. The body possibly be expensive but you already sounds like you have Canon glass.

I really cannot complain about my Sony system. Canon is catching up but as it stands Sony is still the leader in mirrored bodies and fantastic lens offerings in Native OE and 3rd party.

ExperiencedN00B wrote in post #19012567
I dont want to upgrade to a 5DIV if the R5 is going to be better.

Don't forget that the Canon R5mk2 will in all probability be better than the R5, and that the Canon R5mk3 will in all probability be better that the R5mk2.

Out of all the cameras the you listed in your opening post, which do YOU prefer and why? Once you have answered that you will know what to buy.

john crossley wrote in post #19019060
Don't forget that the Canon R5mk2 will in all probability be better than the R5, and that the Canon R5mk3 will in all probability be better that the R5mk2.

Out of all the cameras the you listed in your opening post, which do YOU prefer and why? Once you have answered that you will know what to buy.

I'm more concerned about dynamic range, I almost sold all my Canon stuff for Nikon, but had to think rationally. Now before I buy a MK4 again, the. R5 seems like on paper a hell of a camera.

In trying to navigate, should I wait should I not. Advantages vs not, etc. Like I always stayed away from sony because of the body being to light in comparison to lenses etc, but I think that's no longer a problem. I'm also getting older so do I want to carry more weight. All this stuff comes to mind.

Ultimately greater dynamic range and IQ are my biggest wants. Follow by bells and whistles ...

Every year more and more of the development is focused on the mirrorless cameras. I think that the DSLR is going to be paired down to a very limited number of models sooner than later. For example Alan mentioned the AF assist in low light and that works great a lot of the time for sure but I was shooting with a new mirrorless camera last night during a gig & it will snap on focus (with PDAF) in a very low light of -6EV (with a 35mm lens at f/1.4) and has 6.5 stops of OIS. Zero issues getting fast AF in the low light, no assist needed so I could use continuous tracking too. That's epic as far as I'm concerned.

But if you don't need the fast AF and are looking for good IQ you have loads of choice. If it were me I'd try to make a list of what is important to me in a camera including it's use and lenses to see if there is something close to what I'm looking for. For good IQ medium format is very attainable now a days too.

Two Hot Shoes wrote in post #19019308
I was shooting with a new mirrorless camera last night during a gig & it will snap on focus (with PDAF) in a very low light of -6EV (with a 35mm lens at f/1.4) and has 6.5 stops of OIS.

Some time ago I did a test of AF at -3EV lighting (measured by my handheld incident light meter). It took my 69 year old eyes nearly 15 minutes to acclimate themselves to the very dark conditions of -3EV lighting in order to even detect where to point the lens to focus!!! shooting at -6EV...I assume that requires inanimate objects to be the subject, so subject motion is not a consideration (even if the camera is tripod mounted) for the long shutter times?!

"Human eyes take several hours to fully adapt to darkness and reach their optimal sensitivity to low light conditions. The quickest gains in vision sensitivity are made in the first few minutes after exposure to darkness. ... The cone cells adapt within 10 minutes but then are overtaken in performance by the rod cells."

I don't know the answer to that Wilt, all I know is the AF was might snappy for the environment I was shooting in.