Planning to Upgrade to a Mirrorless Camera? Why You Should Buy a DSLR Lens Instead
Are you tired of lugging your heavy DSLR around? Are you planning to upgrade to a mirrorless camera? Before your delve in and buy one, answer this question: Have you considered buying a lens for your DSLR instead? It may suit you more than a new mirrorless camera. Curious? Read on.
A mirrorless camera is a great tool to own for many reasons, but if you’re buying it for the sole reason of improving your photography, think again. A lens is a better option for that. Here are some compelling reasons to choose a DSLR lens over a mirrorless camera.
1. Image Quality Depends More on the Lens Than the Camera
You can buy one of thebest mirrorless cameras, but it will not enhance the quality of your images. If you use a basic kit lens on a high-resolution camera, you will essentially get an average photo with high resolution.
A sharp lens, on the other hand, can give better image quality on any camera. So if you are a stickler for quality, look for a well-made lens for your existing camera. There are several DSLR lenses that have stood the test of time. You can find a suitable one for your camera atDXOMARK.
2. A New Lens Can Drastically Improve Your Photography
When you change the lens on your camera, you change the viewpoint and perspective. For instance, the images from a wide-angle lens look very different from a telephoto lens. Buying a fast, prime lens, like an 85mm f/1.8, will push you to try different things creatively.
you’re able to also buy special lenses like macro, tilt-shift, fish-eye, and so on. If you buy a camera, you get the bells and whistles, but it won’t push your creative boundaries.
3. You Probably Don’t Need All the Extra Megapixels
The main reason you may want to upgrade your camera is for the resolution. Of course, you need decent resolution so your images don’t look pixelated, but you really don’t need 50 megapixels for that.
It is also easy to forget that you need a heavy-duty computer and hard drive to manage all your images. If youshoot in RAW—which you should—the photos can take up a lot of space. A lens will allow you to be more creative without all the additional hassles.
4. Mirrorless Cameras Are Not as Light as You Think
The major selling point for mirrorless cameras is their weight. But not all mirrorless cameras are slight—it depends on the model. The beginner models without electronic viewfinders are the lightest.
Also, mirrorless cameras are notorious for their battery life. So, you have to factor in the additional batteries or a battery pack you must carry. If you’re planning to use your DSLR lenses, you need to buy an adapter too.
Check the specifications carefully if you’re solely upgrading to a mirrorless camera for its weight. Here are somethings to consider before buying a mirrorless camera.
5. Frame Rates Don’t Matter for Everyday Photography
The other advantages of mirrorless cameras are the electronic shutter and high frame rate. Those are helpful things to have if you’re a sports or wildlife shooter.
If you use your camera for general photography, portraits, or for taking product photos for your website, you don’t need them. In fact, getting a fast prime lens will serve you better than a brand-new camera.
6. Lenses Will Last Much Longer
You can often see photographers still using old manual focus lenses on their latest cameras. This is because the lenses always stay relevant. Cameras come and go, but certain sharp lenses will always remain a favorite for photographers. For instance, the manual 50mm lenses are still popular.
Even if you decide to upgrade to a mirrorless camera after a few years, you may still use your DSLR lens with it by using an adapter.
7. Used DSLR Lenses Are Easy to Find
The mirrorless camera market is booming, and that is excellent news for you because many people are selling their DSLR cameras and lenses. So you can get a secondhand DSLR lens for a fraction of the cost. You can save money to buy a couple of strobes or get other accessories like a tripod or shutter release. These items are sure to improve your photography than just a camera.
You can expect a well-maintained lens from a reputed camera brand to work perfectly, even if it is a few years old. Here’swhat to look for before buying a used lens.
Also, many manufacturers are concentrating on making mirrorless lenses and stopping their DSLR lens production. So you can expect to find offers on DSLR lenses as they clear their stocks. Since mirrorless technology is fairly new, you will only find a few used lenses. The thriving DSLR lens market will also help you when you want to upgrade; you can easily sell your lenses.
Some Valid Reasons to Upgrade Your Camera
Does this mean you should never buy a mirrorless camera? Of course not. Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) is real, and we tend to believe that buying the best gear will make us better photographers. But the reality is far from it. You need practice, patience, and persistence to master the art of photography.
That said, there are some valid reasons to buy a mirrorless camera. You can benefit from owning one if you are developing your video skills. Most mirrorless cameras can shoot in 4K, and some can even go up to 8K. The quick autofocus is convenient for capturing videos.
Also, if you’re a wildlife or sports photographer, you will appreciate the high frame rate, fast autofocus, eye tracking, and electronic shutter. The features exponentially increase your chances of getting in-focus images. So a mirrorless camera is a worthy investment for you.
It is also suitable for people with health concerns like arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome. An entry-level mirrorless camera without an electronic viewfinder can be small and easy to carry for them.
Invest in a Lens to Take Your Creativity to the Next Level
The camera and lens you use are just your tools. The real artist behind your photos is you. But you should know what tools you need to enhance your art. So don’t buy a camera to follow the trend. Check the specifications closely and weigh the benefits and drawbacks before buying.
If you don’t see any benefits, go ahead and use the money to buy a lens. It will let you see things differently and take you out of your photography rut.
Wondering if you should buy a mirrorless or DSLR camera? Here’s what you need to know about the differences.
It’s not super flashy, but it can help to keep your computer up and running.
Quality apps that don’t cost anything.
Your phone is a better editor than you give it credit for.
Some subscriptions are worth the recurring cost, but not these ones.
Who asked for these upgrades?
