Not a conclusion, but the next steps forward
Canon EOS R Long Term Review
In this series:
- Introducing the Canon EOS R
- City and Street Photography in Brussels
- Urban Exploration with a Model (featuring the RotoLight NEO II)
- Aviation Photography in Manchester
- Night time Model Photography
- The British Airways BOAC Boeing 747-400
- Living pains with the EOS R
- Studio Photography Life
- Not a conclusion, but the next steps forward
Well, I’m going to bring this mid-term review to a close… mainly as I’m going to tread over a lot of subjects again and again, and that’ll be boring. Rather, I’m going to be doing something everyone should do with their camera – Shoot with it.
There is no point keeping any camera mollycoddled and in pristine condition, if you aren’t getting out there and shooting photos or video with it (and that applies to you Lecia and Hasselblad owners… whose kit is actually worth something compared to us mere mortals with Canons, Nikons, Pansonics, and so on).
A camera – after all – is only a tool that can capture what you see… and save that information onto film or a sensor.
What you do with that content, is another matter completely. I share online. I do a bit of printing, I use a lot of B-Roll and archival footage.
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Quick notes in use
Let’s look at some to the roles I’ve put the Canon EOS R through in this review.
Travel Photography
Travel Photography has been a key driver of this camera, and it’s adapted to the environments very well when I used it initially in Chicago, the Brussels, Madrid and so on
Aviation
The 8fps can be a limitation, as well as some of the decision logic. But combined with the right lens and a bit of time, the EOS R can be a valuable addition to your aviation photography arsenal.
In the studio and model photography
Again, once you experiment with it, and get to learn how to use it – it becomes a fast and important partner in the studio
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Lastly – in this review – I’m going to answer a few questions if you’re thinking about jumping to the EOS R, and how I live with it.
Is the EOS R my primary camera?
Put it simply – yes. It’s my daily driver when I’m travelling, in the studio as well as doing a few other things.
As you’re learning to use a camera, using Automatic modes is never a bad thing.
Is it worth the cost?
It’s still an expensive body at the moment. If you’re coming from the Rebel family, the 6D, older Canon 5D, it should fit your need. But check if the frame rates, AF and other functions meet your needs.
There are also Canon cashback offers too, which can ease the burden if you need to buy.
What about the EOS RP?
It’s a feature-cut down version of the EOS R. I’ve played with it and it’s good in the hand. It even gets rid of the annoying touch bar. There are some major differences including:
- Lower burst speed (5fps)
- A Slightly smaller electronic viewfinder
- Lower resolution display
- Lower top shutter speed
- A lot less weight at 485g when loaded with a battery and SD card
- No top-plate LCD
- Different Control dials
- Different video implementations.
I recommend catching up with The Digital Picture’s review of the EOS RP . I won’t be adding the RP to my collection for various reasons – mainly as I have two good EOS bodies to hand.
The RF mount. Help!
Canon has created the RF mount which has a wider diameter than the old EF mount. In the initial line-up, four lenses (three L Series and one macro lens) was announced.
Thankfully, there is a lot more choice on the way, including telephoto, portrait, travel all in one lens and so on.
The upcoming EOS RF Lens Lineup at The Photography Show.
There is good news however if you need to hang on to your EF glass…
Can I use my old Canon EF Glass?
Oh yes! You’ll need an EOS RF to EF Converter. There are three:
- A basic RF to EF adaptor
- An RF to EF adaptor, with a control ring
- An RF to EF adaptor, with a control ring and drop-in filters
Depending on the bundle will depend on what you get. EU Markets are offering the EOS R with the basic adaptor. US Markets are offering the camera and mount individually.
Is the world worth living with a single SD Card socket in my camera?
If you want dual SD Cards, buy a Sony or a 5D Mark IV. The world will carry on like it always does.
Is it worth switching from my full frame Cannon camera?
The following are my opinions only
In bullet points:
- 1D Family – No – You won’t be happy.
- 5D Mark I, Mark II – Yes – There’s a lot of room improvements here that can swing the balance in your favour
- 5D Mark III – Maybe – This camera is still one of Canon’s best. It will be case of suck it as see here
- 5D Mark IV and R/Rs No – The sensors on these are the same, if not superior. The only real benefit are the weight savings
- 6D – Yes – The 6D’s primitive focusing system is its biggest fault sadly.
- 6D Mark II – No – Not enough improvements compared to the EOS R
Is it worth switching from my Crop-Frame Camera?
- 7D – Maybe – All dependant on frame rates
- 7D Mark II – No. The 7D Mark II blasts everyone away with the frame rates it can capture.
- 80D/77D – Maybe. You’ll need to test for yourself
- 70D/60D downwards – Maybe to Yes. If you’re stepping up your photography game, this could be the camera to do it
- Rebel Family – Consider the EOS RP instead as your next step.
- EOS M Family – If you’ve gone for M, you’ve gone for weight savings. Bear in mind you can’t bring your EOS-M glass with you.
Will a Canon Mirrorless camera be everything I dream?
Of course not. It’s a camera. But if you can live with some of the compromises and issues, it is a fine additional to a photographers arsenal.
Should I wait for the next generation one with promised Image Stabilisation?
Depends. Are you in a position to constantly wait, or are you in a position to move to the new technologies. If you’re ready to jump now, jump. If you’re not sure – hire one for a day and see if it suits your workflow.
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This isn’t a conclusion
I’m putting the EOS R review on hold after this post – least of all, I’ve got a pile of other content to write up. But it isn’t a conclusion in any sense of the form. Least of all – a conclusion has some sort of finality. This isn’t that by a long stretch.
I will be revisiting this over year as I spend time with it (for example, I have a couple of weddings lined up, more model shoots and I’ve got plans to add to my glass arsenal over the year), and maybe update it with some experiences
Whilst the Canon EOS R has its faults (like any product), I personally recommend the Canon EOS R if you’re a photographer. It can give you new possibilities in your photographer, and some new flexibilities. If you’re a videographer, consider other platforms if your goal is 4K footage.
For me – each time I pick up the EOS R – it’s not with pain, but with happiness as I get to work behind a great Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens camera that fits my workfolow and needs.
Yours of course may vary.
If you have questions on the EOS R and how I’ve used it – please ask in the comments section. I’ll try to get to them when I see them!
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