Author’s Newish R5 MkII with EF Mount Adapter and 50mm f/1.2L
I love SLR cameras. I was a slow convert when film gave way to digital. Similarly, when mirrorless cameras became the standard, I resisted for several years. Earlier this year, I finally pulled the trigger on an R5. There were a series of preceding events that catalyzed the shift. First, the dial that controls shutter speed on my 5d Mk IV started glitching. My guess is that too many instances of shooting in heavyish rain caused the contacts to oxidize or something. At any rate, I would have to scroll it 5 or 6 clicks to adjust 1 or 2 positions. Not ideal. Around the the same time, my knock around rig just generally shat the bed. If I had it’s power switched on and popped the battery in and out, it would work. But… not something I really had time to mess with.
My frustrations started to mount in May when my amigos and I were starting to put together the agenda for or annual Adirondacks moto trip. Historically, I would bring my Fuji side slung for quick snaps from the saddle. The Fuji is great, in terms of weight and being able to operate with one hand. But it has limitations, including massive shutter lag and a 23mm lens that I always wished was just a liiiiiitle bit wider. After many (at least 4) minutes of thinking long and hard about what to do, I went to the MPB website to get trade-in quotes for both of my malfunctioning 5D bodies. They offered slightly more than I had expected. I sent them both in, and applied the proceeds towards another low-shutter count working 5D MkIV…. as a backup body.
Next on the list was researching which mirrorless body to snag. So I texted pretty much everyone I know who takes nice photos for a living. The consensus was that I should convert to a GFX system for the massive resolution, if nothing else. As much as I love and respect what the folks at Fujifilm are doing, I have invested a chunk of change into Canon glass over the past two decades, and I could not really justify starting over in that area, especially since my photography side hustle is a net-negative on the balance sheet these days. Based on the above (and the fact that the power switch is operable by the right index finger), I opted for the Canon R5.
Note the Convenient Placement of the Power Switch.
I went to the B&H site and after too much scrolling/reading accidentally ordered a brand new R6. Whoops! I sent the R6 back a day later and order the correct body. It’s fine, since I just have my employer contribute 12% of every paycheck directly to my B&H tab. J/K, that would be way too convenient. I’m happy to report that along with the initial errant R6 order, I also received an EF to EOS-R adapter, so that all of my existing glass would still be relevant. Additionally I snagged a 16mm f/2.8mm lens for the impending Adirondacks trip. What I’m less happy to report, is that when the new R5 body did arrive, I learned that CF cards are no good with the R series, nor are the multitude of Canon batteries that I have amassed over the years. Mitigating factor is that the R battery will actually charge when the camera is tethered to a USB-C (and the new battery works in the 5D). Win some, lose some.
TLDR; I took the R5 and 16mm on our ADX trip and loved it. A few examples from the trip below-
A couple more from a ride we did this fall-
