How was your transition to Sony from other camera brands?

[cm88]

Hi all - curious former Canon user here, new to the forum!

I love my mirrorless Sony A7 IV - I use it for both video and stills and yes, it's a different beast than my former Canon EOS 5D Mark IV for sure. The image quality is out of this world! It took some time to get used to the interface for me, personally but now that I'm used to it (didn't take long), I love it. 

I'm just curious about other's experiences in going from Canon or Nikon to Sony, if any, and any tips for using the A7 in general as a new user (I'm just a few weeks in!)

[Pieter]

I think the transition from a DSLR (your trusty EOS 5Div in this case) to a mirrorless system (be it Canon, Nikon or Sony) is a much bigger change than the change of camera brands. There are some differences between brands (notably: Sony being quite welcoming to 3rd party lens producers, difference in ergonomics (wrist angle, button layout, camera bulkiness), difference in AF system), but mostly all latest generation mirrorless cameras are great in their own regard.

[cm88]

Quote

I think the transition from a DSLR (your trusty EOS 5Div in this case) to a mirrorless system (be it Canon, Nikon or Sony) is a much bigger change than the change of camera brands. There are some differences between brands (notably: Sony being quite welcoming to 3rd party lens producers, difference in ergonomics (wrist angle, button layout, camera bulkiness), difference in AF system), but mostly all latest generation mirrorless cameras are great in their own regard.

Thank you Pieter! That's great input, I remember going to visiting stores before purchasing and you're right, it seemed most mirrorless cameras I had a look at seemed like great options overall. I decided to go with Sony for a few reasons, one of them being a good friend of mine in the product photography field has been using Sony only for ages. Another reason was the way Sony did indeed seem quite welcoming to 3rd party lenses, that is important to me.

Appreciate your time and comment!

[tadwil]

Transition, what transition?  I wanted a full frame body for the longest time but all of them were out of my reach new or used, until I found an A7II kit which had less than 100 shutter actuation on consignment at a local camera shop and I jumped on it.  With a lens register distance of 18mm for the Sony E mount bodies meant that I can use just about all of the legacy lenses ever produced let me continue to use my accumulated K mount lenses.

[SonyFF32137]

I just got back into photography after an 8 year break. Before that  I've been a Pentax fan since 1978. I have a bunch of Pentax glass and bodies , both film and digital. When I started back up last year I bought a used Pentax K1 II. I soon realized that it's autofocus system was dated. I then decided to switch to a Sony mirrorless system. I also bought a Monster Adapter to use the Pentax glass on the Sony. I think I can use about 5 of my more expensive Pentax lenses. So far I'm very pleased with the switch to Sony.  

[Springfield-Photo]

I made the move from Canon DSLR  (5D MKIV) to Canon mirrorless (R6) keeping the DSLRs just in case. I was very disappointed with the R6 so I part exchanged it for an A7 IV. After a week using this camera I was so impressed that I packed up all my Canon kit and  part exchanged it for a second A7 IV and a range of lenses and accessories. Now one year later I am still delighted with the change. The move from Canon to Sony was not as easy as the move from Canon DSLR to Canon mirrorless. The main reason for say this is the menu structure of the Sony is so completely different to the Canon structure. Once you understand it and the different terminology, there is no problem. The camera layout is no quite as straightforward but again once you are used to it there is no problem. The most important factor for me is the overall performance of the camera. The Sony is superb, great, super reliable autofocus, high image quality, first class in body stabilisation, light weight and support for great lenses both Sony and a huge range of third party lenses. 

[FunWithCameras]

On 5/1/2024 at 9:43 PM, Pieter said:

I think the transition from a DSLR (your trusty EOS 5Div in this case) to a mirrorless system (be it Canon, Nikon or Sony) is a much bigger change than the change of camera brands. There are some differences between brands (notably: Sony being quite welcoming to 3rd party lens producers, difference in ergonomics (wrist angle, button layout, camera bulkiness), difference in AF system), but mostly all latest generation mirrorless cameras are great in their own regard.

Funnily enough, Canon DSLRs and the EF mount might have been the inspiration for the "open" E mount. There are a lot of third party lenses for EF mount, even if they did have to reverse-engineer some of it. Unlike the E mount, though, there are third party teleconverters for EF mount.

I was a Canon shooter for quite a while, and I found little problem switching to Sony.

[cm88]

Thank you all! This has turned into an interesting thread to read through - I guess the overall takeaway is that the transition seems to be quite minimal, and if anything its the interface / terminology that differs but yeah, its easy to get used to it really. I've been shooting this weekend (I got started with some product photography for my friends hobby company selling baby toys, it was fun!) and yeah, I love my Sony. 😍

[Phormula]

I transitioned from Nikon DSRL to Sony for weight reasons, but I still use my Nikon equipment when bulk and weight are not an issue. The main issue was learning a new menu system, i.e. knowing what to do but not knowing where the option to do it was.

[FunWithCameras]

On 5/7/2024 at 12:35 AM, Phormula said:

I transitioned from Nikon DSRL to Sony for weight reasons, but I still use my Nikon equipment when bulk and weight are not an issue. The main issue was learning a new menu system, i.e. knowing what to do but not knowing where the option to do it was.

The big issue for me is that Nikon lenses turn the opposite way to mount and dismount - that took some getting used to, and I still got it wrong sometimes!

[Phormula]

On 6/1/2024 at 11:55 PM, FunWithCameras said:

The big issue for me is that Nikon lenses turn the opposite way to mount and dismount - that took some getting used to, and I still got it wrong sometimes!

Actually now I have the problem more the other way round, i.e. when I use my old Nikon stuff. With the Sony I tend to change lenses much less, because I am using zooms and because changing the lens in the field is a recipe for hours of photoshopping if a grain of dust finds its way on the sensor. 

[Springfield-Photo]

I still teach people that are using Canon both DSLR and mirrorless and the problem I find is that they all want to borrow my Sonys. That should tell you something.

[Cameratose]

Late to the party, but for me it was no big deal having shot Minolta Maxxums in film days. The early Sonys I had like the A700 and A350 (Still have that one) had Minolta's DNA all over them. I moved to M-4/3 for a while and had a Sony SLT-65A (hated the SLT tech) but eventually decided I needed better low-light performance for what I shoot and pre-ordered an A7 IV. 

The A7 IV was accompanied by an A7R III for a backup. It was interesting using two different menu systems at the same time, and was probably a bigger challenge than switching entire systems. It took a few weeks to sort the R III out and commit things to memory but once I did it was second nature. I eventually sold the R III and now both of my main cameras have the same menu. 

[richardgb]

I recently bought an A7RV after nearly 5 years with a Lumix S1. I gave myself plenty of time to find out where the must-have features from the Lumix were on the Sony - the Help Guide is invaluable here. Using the Disp[lay] button to cycle through the different display features took a while to work out, likewise finding how to show flashing[= overexposed]  highlights on the playback images.

Other differences lie outside the camaeras themselves. For example the card slots. Yes, both cameras can used SDs, but the Lumix also has an XQD slot whereas the Sony uses CF Express necessitating rather more outlay for the cards themselves and a reader.

Then there's replacing the flash as the contacts are different. I was using happily a Nissin i60A with the Lumix and part exhanged it against another (new) one with Sony fittings. Fortunately - and one reason I bought the Sony - it has a co-axial sync socket, so connecting it to studio lights whould be no different to before.

It's still early days for actual shooting, but initial test and results look OK and I'm getting used to where to find things in the menu without having to consult the Guide.

[XKAES]

I'm always puzzled why so many pricey cameras leave off a PC connection on the body.  Makes no sense to me.  Yes, I know it can be solved with an adapter, but it's like buying a car without headlights.  That's great for people who only drive during the day.  Just DUMB.

[Cameratose]

1 hour ago, XKAES said:

I'm always puzzled why so many pricey cameras leave off a PC connection on the body.  Makes no sense to me.  Yes, I know it can be solved with an adapter, but it's like buying a car without headlights.  That's great for people who only drive during the day.  Just DUMB.

Some don't use them. I haven't connected a camera to a PC for years. I use a card reader for shots, and if I did want to connect there's blue tooth, WiFi, etc. The lack of a hardwired connection doesn't seem to be hurting sales. 

[FunWithCameras]

17 hours ago, Cameratose said:

Some don't use them. I haven't connected a camera to a PC for years. I use a card reader for shots, and if I did want to connect there's blue tooth, WiFi, etc. The lack of a hardwired connection doesn't seem to be hurting sales. 

I'm not sure whether XKAES meant a connection to a PC (as you interpreted it) or a PC socket used for triggering flashes (The P C stands for Prontor-Compur) - the idea being that you can use that kind of PC socket to trigger the flash instead of replacing the flash as richardgb was complaining.

I have to say that I haven't used that kind of PC socket in quite a long time. I just replaced my flash trigger when I switched from Canon to Sony. Gave me a number of advantages that a PC socket would not (including a radio connection).

[Cameratose]

2 hours ago, FunWithCameras said:

I'm not sure whether XKAES meant a connection to a PC (as you interpreted it) or a PC socket used for triggering flashes (The P C stands for Prontor-Compur) - the idea being that you can use that kind of PC socket to trigger the flash instead of replacing the flash as richardgb was complaining.

I have to say that I haven't used that kind of PC socket in quite a long time. I just replaced my flash trigger when I switched from Canon to Sony. Gave me a number of advantages that a PC socket would not (including a radio connection).

Ah, could be. It's been quite a while since I've even thought about one. I rarely use flash at all, when I do it's simply shoe mount. I used to use the all the time with bracket flashes, I think I still have on for my Minolta Maxxum.