Jumping from DSLR to Mirrorless for WDW vacations

[DVC Mike]

I posted in another thread that while I was getting tired of lugging down a bunch of heavy photography gear to Walt Disney World, I wanted something that would still allow me to be creative (i.e., a point-and-shoot won't do).

I purchased a Sony A6000 camera to take down to Walt Disney World instead of my larger DSLR gear. Instead of a large Think Tank Photo Airport Airstream crammed with a full-frame DSLR and lenses, I’ll carry a much smaller Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover bag.

I thought I would post a few shots (taken with a Canon S120) of my new Sony A6000 alongside my Canon EOS 5D Mark III (and I really love my 5DM3). The size difference is considerable (as is the weight)!

In these first 3 shots, both cameras have an ultra wide angle lens. Both lenses have a fixed maximum aperture of F/4.0 and both have optical image stabilizers.

The Sony A6000 is shown with the Sony SEL1018 10-18mm f/4 OSS Wide angle zoom, which is equivalent to 15-27mm on the Canon.

The Canon 5DM3 is shown with the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM.

http://i235.*************************************Sony1018_vs_Canon1740_3.jpg

http://i235.*************************************Sony1670_vs_Canon24105_2.jpg

http://i235.*************************************Sony1018_vs_Canon1740_1.jpg


In the next 3 shots, both cameras have a standard zoom lens. Both lenses have a fixed maximum aperture of F/4.0 and both have optical image stabilizers.

The Sony A6000 is shown with the Sony SEL1670Z Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS, which is equivalent to 24-105mm on the Canon.

The Canon 5DM3 is shown with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM.

http://i235.*************************************Sony1670_vs_Canon24105_3.jpg

http://i235.*************************************Sony1670_vs_Canon24105_2.jpg

http://i235.*************************************Sony1670_vs_Canon24105_1.jpg

 

[fractal]

Welcome to the club!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Surprised to see the MK III. I thought you shot Nikon, so the Sony doesn't surprise me much, but the Canon caught me REALLY off-guard.

 

[boBQuincy]

Welcome to the mirrorless club! I predict your large Canon will see less and less use...

 

[DVC Mike]

Surprised to see the MK III. I thought you shot Nikon, so the Sony doesn't surprise me much, but the Canon caught me REALLY off-guard.

Yes, I switched from a Nikon D7000 APS-C DSLR to a Canon EOS 5D Mark III full-frame DSLR a year ago.

At that time, I spent time researching which full-frame sensor camera to get. I looked at the Nikon D800 and D610, the Canon EOS 5D Mark III as well as the new EOS 6D. The 5D Mark III just felt better in my hands, so that's what I ended up with. Since I was getting rid of all my Nikon DX lenses, it wasn't a big deal to switch systems from Nikon to Canon.

If I were making the same decision today, I might have stayed with Nikon and chosen the D750 or D810. Next year, if I were making the same decision then, it may be Canon (based on the supposed 5DM4).

It did seem a bit strange to invest in a big DSLR when the market is focused on smaller gear. I think Sony is doing a lot of innovation in the mirrorless arena (witness the A6000, A7S, A7ii, etc), and when it came time to pickup a smaller and lighter camera for WDW, the Sony A6000 just made sense for me.

I'm still using the Canon for everything else, as the 5DM3 still feels like the perfect camera in my hands.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I understand. I love my 6D. The MK III was just a little OOB since the major things I use mine for are Disney and dance recitals.

I played the Sony mirrorless game up through the 5R but it got a little spendy trying to keep up with Nex of the month. I may have to suck it up and sell out my Nex stuff and buy a 6k. I think I would have loved the Nex lineup with a viewfinder. For that reason, I just never got into any of the 3 I own(ed). The 6000 looks like a nice instrument. You've probably just talked me into it. My wife says, "Thank you. Just what he needs is another camera."

 

[DVC Mike]

The 6000 looks like a nice instrument. You've probably just talked me into it. My wife says, "Thank you. Just what he needs is another camera."

The rumor is that Sony will announce the new Sony A7000 at CES in early January.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

The rumor is that Sony will announce the new Sony A7000 at CES in early January.

Yea. I saw that. Gee, thanks!

 

[zackiedawg]

Welcome Mike - I think you'll enjoy getting to lighten the load around Disney, and fortunately you don't have to compromise much in the way of creative photography. I've been in the mirrorless game for 3 years now, as a second body to my DSLR - at first I had a non-viewfinder mirrorless which I only used on occasion - at Disney it came alongside my DSLR but probably only got 1-day's use out of 4-5 each trip. Then I moved to one with a viewfinder, and started splitting duties between the mirrorless and DSLR about 50/50 at Disney and on vacations. When I added the A6000 early this year, that's when the mirrorless really started to take over on vacations.

While I still use my DSLR extensively at home, since I use it a lot for birding and wildlife, on Disney trips I either bring the A6000 and lenses exclusively, or bring the DSLR and a few lenses for use on one or two of the days, and the A6000 the rest of the time. I might bring the DSLR and a longer lens to use at AK, for example - but the A6000 for almost all other shooting. It's just so nice to have such a small total bag of kit with me - 3-4 lenses plus camera body in a tiny bag that's smaller than a school lunchbox. On a 7-day cruise last month I brought both cameras - but again the DSLR spent most of the time in the bag - coming out for a few shots around the ship and some birding - probably less than 10% of my total photography...size, weight, and convenience, plus great IQ and few compromises, tends to give the A6000 the win much of the time!

 

[DVC Mike]

Welcome Mike - I think you'll enjoy getting to lighten the load around Disney, and fortunately you don't have to compromise much in the way of creative photography. I've been in the mirrorless game for 3 years now, as a second body to my DSLR - at first I had a non-viewfinder mirrorless which I only used on occasion - at Disney it came alongside my DSLR but probably only got 1-day's use out of 4-5 each trip. Then I moved to one with a viewfinder, and started splitting duties between the mirrorless and DSLR about 50/50 at Disney and on vacations. When I added the A6000 early this year, that's when the mirrorless really started to take over on vacations.

While I still use my DSLR extensively at home, since I use it a lot for birding and wildlife, on Disney trips I either bring the A6000 and lenses exclusively, or bring the DSLR and a few lenses for use on one or two of the days, and the A6000 the rest of the time. I might bring the DSLR and a longer lens to use at AK, for example - but the A6000 for almost all other shooting. It's just so nice to have such a small total bag of kit with me - 3-4 lenses plus camera body in a tiny bag that's smaller than a school lunchbox. On a 7-day cruise last month I brought both cameras - but again the DSLR spent most of the time in the bag - coming out for a few shots around the ship and some birding - probably less than 10% of my total photography...size, weight, and convenience, plus great IQ and few compromises, tends to give the A6000 the win much of the time!

It's glad to hear some positive experiences from others about this. Thanks!

 

[boBQuincy]

Mike,

From 10 years of Canon dSLRs I tested the waters of mirrorless a few years ago with a Panasonic G3 (with viewfinder). After a few years of the Canons not getting any use I stepped up to a Panasonic GX7 (looks similar to Sony A6000) and sold most of my Canon gear. Mirrorless is good enough now that I don't miss the larger SLR.

With a full frame you still have a significant advantage in potential image quality over APS-C but the best camera is still the one you have with you. I would be surprised if your Canon gets much use after a trip with the A6000, the size and weight is likely to make the smaller camera the one you grab first.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Picked up the A6000 with the 16-50 power zoom and a special price on the 55-210. Hey! I'm in WDW and it was raining! BB in Kissemmee kept calling my name! There is no more dangerous situation in the world than that one with me!

Going to the Christmas Party tonight so I'll be lugging the 6D with the 70-200 2.8 but looking forward to seeing what this 6000 has to offer tomorrow.

My wife thanks you, Mike; from the bottom of her... heart, yea, heart; that's what it was!

Wanna buy a 5R with < 100 actuations?

 

[DVC Mike]

My wife thanks you, Mike; from the bottom of her... heart, yea, heart; that's what it was!

Tell her she's welcome. Enjoy your A6000!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Tell her she's welcome. Enjoy your A6000!

 

[DVC Mike]

Well, I'm here at WDW with the Sony A6000, and I don't miss my Canon 5DM3.

Here are some shots I took.


First Ray of Sunshine on Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa by DVC Mike, on Flickr


The lobby at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa by DVC Mike, on Flickr


Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at dawn. by DVC Mike, on Flickr


Dawn at Disney's Contemporary Resort by DVC Mike, on Flickr


DM_141210_071618_Contemporary by DVC Mike, on Flickr


DM_141213_064923_MK_Bus by DVC Mike, on Flickr

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Good stuff! Thanks, Mike!

 

[HPS3]

Great shots Mike! I'm glad to see you're enjoying that A6000.

 

[Cinbride]

Thank you for the pictures of the 2 cameras together!

 

[bob100]

welcome to the mirrorless club

I feel sorry for those that carry backpacks full of heavy camera gear (except for sports & BIF)
www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

 

[dmaxphil]

Thank you for the pictures of the 2 cameras together!

This "Thank You" was long overdue. LOL