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nopantsben
climber
europe
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 12, 2016 - 11:54am PT
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So, I am a happy owner of an olympus omd em10 with the 9-18 mm zuiko digital lens.
I would now like to upgrade this to a full-frame camera, something like a canon 5D mark III (which I have filmed and taken photos with a bit and really liked), or the Sony Alpha 7 II.(I am open for other suggestions :) )
The Alpha 7 II is my favourite because price and portability also play a role (For anything where I would like to climb quickly and not carry weight, I would not take this camera though, so size is not a very important consideration.). What puts me off the Alpha 7 II is the electronic viewfinder and the weird way the controls are accessed (same thing as with my omd!)
Is the Sony better for filming than the Canon? What do you think about image quality?
My friends have sony and canon lenses, so that speaks agains Nikon/Fuji/etc. I will probably buy one nice lens with the camera and then wait and borrow stuff occasionally before getting more glass.
To sum up how I feel about it: my heart tells me to buy a 5D mark iii because I like it so much, my head says the Sony A7 II is the better camera for less money. Am I right on the letter?
Thanks a lot for making my decision easier :)
I will buy everything second hand.
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Dec 12, 2016 - 01:17pm PT
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Is the Sony better for filming than the Canon?
Are you planning on doing more video work, or still photography?
Sony has been making video cameras forever, and Canon has been making still cameras for ever, but the Canon DSLRs make very good videos.
FYI, you can buy cine lenses from a company called Rokinon. Cheaper, than brand name lenses, and they are pretty good.
Note: can't really help with your decision as I shoot with Nikons.
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Srbphoto
climber
Kennewick wa
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Dec 12, 2016 - 02:10pm PT
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I know this is cliche but there is a reason it is:
It's the photographer not the equipment(to a point haha). Unless one of them does something especially better for your needs (ex. shooting video) go with the one you feel most comfortable with. The level of camera you are talking about are all pretty darn good.
Also, what is your output? Web images or 20x24 prints?
If I was in your shoes, I would consider the Canon if your friends are willing to let you borrow lenses. They are proven to the nth degree and you can save some bucks. Plus, if you need to rent a lens, you can find Canons easy.
I have a friend who is in love with the Sony. I wasn't impressed with the images I saw (mountain biking) but that probably was more a function of my first point.
As far as the controls, once you start using them it will become natural.
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
13,000 feet
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Dec 12, 2016 - 02:31pm PT
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You did not mention what you are shooting.
I sold a canon 6D and 60D, and two L (highest canon quality) lenses, to switch to sony.
far superior results in low light performance, color read, clarity, and resolution. Continuous tracking focus of the a6500 provides superior video, or 11 frames per second stills. The results are not just barely discernible but stunning..
if you are a heavy video shooter, please consider the a6500 at 1300 dollars. yes it is a crop sensor, but look at the results. Sensor image stabilization paired with a gimball yields stability enviable by a chapman.
the a7 at 1650 new is a tremendous value if you are hellbent on full frame.. both are 24 mp or 4k video.
if you have the duckets the a7s is intended as a video camera, and sees in low natural light like nothing seen. iso above 5000 without noise.
I shoot stills. i am using an a6300, and saving for an a7r2
i have two lenses, a G master 85mm 1.4, and a Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8. years ago i used a hasselblad with the 100mm 2.2, results are comparable. and yes i am amazed that results are so demonstrably much better than with canon.
a quantitative lens comparison can be seen at https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Ratings
here you can see, just in glass, sony is far superior, look at the 55mm 1.8 at 1000 dollars compared to the 2000 dollar canon..
Sony does make a "cine" lens, huge zoom range, huge lens, 2,300 dollars.
sony is less user friendly just in menu layout, feels like switching from mac to pc, but the results are worth the inconvenience and sometimes frustration.
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thebravecowboy
climber
The Good Places
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Dec 12, 2016 - 03:03pm PT
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I cannot recommend Sagemax protection plans (insurance) for new hardware highly enough. I have brutalized my cameras over three (caseless!!) GC oar traverses, etc., and they have always happily replaced my sand-logged cameras.
Ooops, missed this in the OP
I will buy everything second hand.
if you do buy anything new, go with Sagemax. I think that they replaced two cameras over the course of ONE $150 policy
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hooblie
climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
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Dec 12, 2016 - 03:10pm PT
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"saving for an a7r2" ... me two.
a6000, a7r, a7II here. hand held freedom with that in body image stabilization. bought the a7r used from a pro going back to nikon mostly due to battery life on expeditions. i haven't tamed that one yet. the mark II is thriftyer on battery life. i've got kit glass, kind of a bottom feeder without much modern experience with other cameras, but the mark II sure seems like a keeper.
any specific question?
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
13,000 feet
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Dec 12, 2016 - 04:17pm PT
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look at the data on the edge of this photo.
look at images with different lenses at dxo
above is a cropped section from the photo above it.
with the file size limit this is the only way i could show you a result..
a6300 with Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8
the Canon algorithm has no hope of reading blues in the sky, or all tones in low light, like this.
note that an a6300 does not have sensor stabilization, addition on the a6500.
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nopantsben
climber
europe
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 15, 2016 - 09:05am PT
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thanks for the replies! I am considering reviewing my full format idea ;-)
-b
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Dec 15, 2016 - 09:16am PT
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what are you using it for?
a camera is of no use to you if you won't have it out when an image appears...
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Srbphoto
climber
Kennewick wa
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Dec 16, 2016 - 08:23am PT
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the Nikon D500 sounds pretty nice. Weather sealed is nice touch.
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/best-products-2016-photography-111541570.html
Winner
Nikon D500
This year has been another good one for camera advancements, from every manufacturer. But members of DT’s photography team are in agreement that the D500 is the best camera of 2016, garnering not only an Editors’ Choice award but also a near-perfect score. The enthusiast DSLR introduces several features, combined with excellent performance, that makes it the best APS-C sensor DSLR to date.
The weather-sealed camera is constructed out a magnesium alloy frame, making it highly durable for use in harsh weather and terrain, like rain or sand. The D500 is also one of the first to use Nikon’s new Expeed 5 image processor, and if you like shooting action, this camera is for you, thanks to a burst speed of 10 frames per second. It can also shoot up to 200 JPEG images before it slows down; has a top shutter speed of 1/8,000th of a second; 180K RGB metering; and 153-point autofocus system.
The D500 shares similar components to its more expensive full-frame sibling, the D5; in fact, image quality from the 20.9-megapixel cropped sensor is so good, you don’t really need to go up to a full-frame sensor. And if you like shooting in low light, the camera can hit a top ISO setting of 1,640,000 (not that you would want to; the camera performs well up to a more manageable 51,200, which is still impressive).
Since many photographers are now dabbling with video, the D500 supports 4K at 30p, and we found the quality to be very good with accurate colors and detail. But the video autofocus could be stronger – the only notable blemish, in our eyes. But set the camera into manual focus, and the D500 will perform admirably.
Nikon, along with other camera makers, have received criticism (justifiably) for being slow to adopt wireless. The D500 introduces a new system called SnapBridge that uses Bluetooth for low-level functions. It allows the camera to maintain a constant connection with a smartphone or tablet, and only using Wi-Fi for more intensive tasks, like remote shooting or full-size file transfers.
Picking a winner for 2016 was far more difficult than in previous years, but the D500 won us over with its balance of new features, performance, and price
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Dec 16, 2016 - 08:31am PT
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the Nikon D500 sounds pretty nice. Weather sealed etc.
I am in the process of replacing my cameras. I shoot with a Nikon D5300, but just bought a D750(full frame). Once I sell my 5300' the D500 will be my next purchase.
In regards to taking a camera on a climb, you want to consider the weight factor, and you probably won't be switching out lenses. I've always used a point and shoot on climbs.
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c_vultaggio
Trad climber
new york
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Dec 16, 2016 - 09:25am PT
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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Sep 22, 2017 - 05:04pm PT
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I have a couple full-frame bodies
the camera that gets it done is an old PowerShot s95, bought circa 2009 or 2010
great photos. small package.
FAKT: most climbers climb in pairs. Thus the photographer is either climbing or belaying. So the question that needs to be answered is: are you going to carry that big, fat FX? Di'nt think so.
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nathanael
climber
CA
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Sep 22, 2017 - 05:16pm PT
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Consider well what specifically you lack currently that you would require from a new camera. Upgrading to a full frame system is quite a large investment in both cost and size/weight from your current setup.
The micro43 (Olympus/Panasonic) system is pretty versatile and you may well be able to fill your needs with an additional lens or a new camera body instead of a complete change. Or upgrading to full frame might be necessary, but that will all depend on what you want to achieve. Best of luck.
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Dropline
Mountain climber
Somewhere Up There
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Sep 22, 2017 - 05:31pm PT
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I shoot a D800e and a D500 with fast glass mostly, but only when the only thing I'm doing is shooting. For anything other than dedicated shooting they are just too cumbersome When climbing or when I have my toddler in tow I use my cell phone. The cameras in the most recent cell phones are truly phenomenal: iPhone 7,8, X, Samsung S8.
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Sep 22, 2017 - 07:09pm PT
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Canon G7X for climbing and knock around pics.
Canon 5D IV or 7D II with L series glass for more 'serious' pics.
Click away!
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tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
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Sep 22, 2017 - 07:44pm PT
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Canon EOS Rebel XS w/Tokina 11-66mm AT-X Pro and Canon Zoom 75-300mm
Fuji XP for climbing shots
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 22, 2017 - 07:45pm PT
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Ed will cringe ;-)
I just got a Nikon D810 and the 24-70 f2.8VR lens. It was recommended by two pro's I know. Pro's, as in they support families nicely.
Pros: The body is light, and easy to use once you practice a bit.
The lens is great. a really good "walk around" lens. A beautiful
piece of glass.
All the old Nikkor lenses going back to Nikon F fit this body. Of course everything is manual, but I don't see myself doing much action photography. Some of those lenses are great, and pretty affordable now.
Cons: The 24-70 lens is big and a bit heavy. But then it's f2.8 all the way through it's range. Haven't found any cons about the body.
edit, my lightweight rig is a Canon G-10. 1 lb., a bit much for climbing but a lot of bang for buck weight wise. When it wears out I'll get whatever the newest G series is unless they quit making them.
Camera for climbing? Whatever my partner has :-)
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Sep 22, 2017 - 10:55pm PT
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OK, so Henri Cartier-Bresson used a Leica but that wasn't that big a deal back then. He almost always used a 50mm lens and occassionally a wide angle. My brother has one of his photos. You can't take yer eyrs off of it when yer in that room.
It ain't the meat...
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Sep 23, 2017 - 07:40am PT
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