Opinions please. Thinking of selling dslr & switching to compact camera.

As you guys know, I'm a professional photographer. I currently have a Nikon D7100 & various lenses. seriously considering selling all my dslr stuff & switching to a Sony alpha or a nikon PP900. Reason for this is several but one of the main ones is I have a really big issue with changing lenses fast enough for the shot. Say for instance, I see a hawk in a tree, i have my camera with a 50mm lens on it for landscape shots. I don't have my macro lens because it's at home. Even if I bring this lens, I usually can't switch the lens fast enough to get the shot I want. Second reason is its very heavy &- carrying it &- my lenses everywhere is just cumbersome for me. I've been thinking about this for a month or so. I seem to enjoy getting pics more with my phone than my dslr because of the convenience of it. The cameras I'm considering are the 2 I mentioned & possibly some others as well. It's not as easy decision & it kind of breaks my heart, but I need to make it. They need to have manualmode for certain. Thanks so much! Also please know, I'm NOT making this decision lightly under any circumstances. Photography is my world & a dslr is just not what is good for me anymore,
 
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hrstrat57

Senior Member
The latest Sony RX100 is killer.....I almost swopped all my Sony/Minolta/Maxxum gear for one a few years back (before I opted for Nikon pair of DSLR s and the amazing Nikkor D glass) and the new one is better.

It is a possiblility worth investigating ......
 
A coolpix is not what "a professional photographer" would be using. You really need to be considering moving to Full frame cameras and not moving to an even smaller sensor. Part of being a professional photographer is doing what it takes to get the best quality photo you can get.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
As you guys know, I'm a professional photographer. I currently have a Nikon D7100 & various lenses. seriously considering selling all my dslr stuff & switching to a Sony alpha or a nikon PP900. Reason for this is several but one of the main ones is I have a really big issue with changing lenses fast enough for the shot. Say for instance, I see a hawk in a tree, i have my camera with a 50mm lens on it for landscape shots. I don't have my macro lens because it's at home. Even if I bring this lens, I usually can't switch the lens fast enough to get the shot I want. Second reason is its very heavy &- carrying it &- my lenses everywhere is just cumbersome for me. I've been thinking about this for a month or so. I seem to enjoy getting pics more with my phone than my dslr because of the convenience of it. The cameras I'm considering are the 2 I mentioned & possibly some others as well. It's not as easy decision & it kind of breaks my heart, but I need to make it. They need to have manualmode for certain. Thanks so much! Also please know, I'm NOT making this decision lightly under any circumstances. Photography is my world & a dslr is just not what is good for me anymore,

I don't understand how a macro lens is going to help you with a hawk in the tree. I'm guessing you meant telephoto.
If this is a problem for you, then you might be better off with a second body. The one thing that I have learned is that one body and one lens will not solve this problem. Trust me I went through the same stage, looking for an all in one solution.

There is no all in one solution unless you are willing to give up considerable quality.
I have resigned myself to the fact that if I value quality in my shots, then sometimes I might have to miss a shot due to not being able to switch lenses fast enough.
if I go out to shoot landscapes, then that is what I will concentrate on and do the best that I can. If I go out shooting birds, then I'll have my telephoto attached and just worry about birds.

If you want quality shots, I'm afraid you will not be happy with any all in one solution.
 

Deezey

Senior Member
Um. No. No offense but it you are a pro...I see moving back to a consumer compact camera as business suicide.

If you want a walkabout camera just for those times you are shooting for just for the joy of shooting then I guess you could. But if weight is an issue go mirrorless.






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Daz

Senior Member
Mirrorless is actually heavier than a DSLR so dont be fooled that because it is a smaller body it is lighter... You need a decent backpack and a second body so you can have a telephoto on one and a standard/wide angle on another ...
 

Deezey

Senior Member
You may have missed what I said. I 4/3 camera with a super zoom is what I am talking about. This is a walkabout option.

To be honest, mirrorless camera systems are just as bulky as dslr systems. You still need all the gear and stuff just like a dslr.

But I am talking as in a walkabout system it will be smaller and less of a burden. One lens one body situations


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wornish

Senior Member
Mirrorless cameras with aps-c size or full frame sensors are just as heavy as DSLR's because the lenses are the same size as a DSLR lens its just physics.
but....

a Micro 4/3 camera has a smaller sensor and much smaller lenses and therefore are a lot lighter.

You do still lose out a bit on dynamic range though.
 
Sorry I meant telephoto. I am a professional, I just want something lighter in weight. I have a full spinal fusion & a lot of fatigue from Graves Disease, so unfortunately I get tired very quickly & the heavy weight of a DSLR really kills my shoulders & back. Is there Amy lightweight body that still has the same capabilities of a dslr? What about the leicas? (Not that I have the $ for those). But I want something that can give the same or similar quality of images but smaller/less weight. Sometimes, I put up with my pain & just do it for the images but I can't do it forever unfortunately. :( kinda in a rock & a hard place with this honestly.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Very true. But you do keep a bit more bit more flexibility and creative freedom.


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No matter what system one chooses, one can not cover all the bases with one camera and one lens, and still produce professional results all around. Something or even everything will suffer. This ,after all what this thread is about.

If the op was just into landscapes or just into portraits or just into wildlife, then yes. But, to cover the full range, it will not happen with any system.
Most of us spend a lot of money before we figure this out.
 

captain birdseye

Senior Member
If you are still considering ditching the DSLR for something more convenient the Sony RX10 mk iii is worth a look.
It has a focal range of 24 - 600mm with fairly decent close up capability and uses a 1 inch sensor.
Image quality may not be quite up to APS-C standards but is good enough for most people.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Sorry I meant telephoto. I am a professional, I just want something lighter in weight. I have a full spinal fusion & a lot of fatigue from Graves Disease, so unfortunately I get tired very quickly & the heavy weight of a DSLR really kills my shoulders & back. Is there Amy lightweight body that still has the same capabilities of a dslr? What about the leicas? (Not that I have the $ for those). But I want something that can give the same or similar quality of images but smaller/less weight. Sometimes, I put up with my pain & just do it for the images but I can't do it forever unfortunately. :( kinda in a rock & a hard place with this honestly.

What about a Fuji system? If I was to move to mirror less, that is what I would be looking at. You would still need more then one lens to cover all your bases however.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
As you guys know, I'm a professional photographer. I currently have a Nikon D7100 & various lenses. seriously considering selling all my dslr stuff & switching to a Sony alpha or a nikon PP900...
Personally I prefer to prep for what I want to shoot and then go shoot the chosen subject matter with focused intent. If I wanted to get shots of BIF's I'd go out prepared to shoot BIF's, focus on shooting BIF's and not worry about shooting macro shots of mushrooms. On the other hand, if I planned on getting macro shots of mushrooms, I'd prep my bag for taking macro shots of mushrooms and not worry about getting shots of BIF's. I plan the hike and hike the plan.
...
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Personally I prefer to prep for what I want to shoot and then go shoot the chosen subject matter with focused intent. If I wanted to get shots of BIF's I'd go out prepared to shoot BIF's, focus on shooting BIF's and not worry about shooting macro shots of mushrooms. On the other hand, if I planned on getting macro shots of mushrooms, I'd prep my bag for taking macro shots of mushrooms and not worry about getting shots of BIF's. I plan the hike and hike the plan.
...

Exactly!! I'm going out to shoot some sunsets later. Not going to take my 200-500 with. Just my 24-120and my 20mm . (Oh yea, and taking Max as well.):)


http://nikonites.com/general-compac...dslr-switching-compact-camera.html#post587239
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Personally I prefer to prep for what I want to shoot and then go shoot the chosen subject matter with focused intent. If I wanted to get shots of BIF's I'd go out prepared to shoot BIF's, focus on shooting BIF's and not worry about shooting macro shots of mushrooms. On the other hand, if I planned on getting macro shots of mushrooms, I'd prep my bag for taking macro shots of mushrooms and not worry about getting shots of BIF's. I plan the hike and hike the plan.
...

SOP for me.
 

Deezey

Senior Member
Ok. Time to clarify some of what I said. To stay in the realm of professional type shots....4/3 is the smallest size I would go. Yes I know this is still a system, and yes one lens will not cover all. BUT as the OP stated they need to shed weight. Te best option in MY OPINION would be to get the wides range super zoom lens and use that as my walking lens. For PROFESSIONAL shoots you still will have the creative flexability of changing lenses to suit your goals.

Stepping all the way down to basically a point and shoot will not be percieved by clients as something a professional should be using. And since you have to sell yourself before you can sell an image, image is everything. c:

A 4/3 system will get you close to an APS-C image, but be lighter and easier to carry. And a superzoom on a 4/3 sensor can give you a huge range to use. Will it have flaws? YES. But I believe the trade off is more worth it in the long run.
 

JH Foto

Senior Member
I think you should look at the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 or even the newer FZ2000. Long zoom and a Leica lens with a 1 inch sensor it has to be an option.
 
I agree but I usually go out & shoot either landscape or macro. That's pretty much all I shoot. I go out to shoot, say some mushrooms & I see a hawk land in a tree nearby. Well, I don't have the correct lens for the hawk & I miss the shot.
 
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