RP for travel decision

JPAZ

If only I knew what I was doing.....
CR Pro
Sep 8, 2012
1,163
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Southwest USA
I've got real world experience with just this dilemma....Was in Scotland (TREKKING in the Orkney Islands) last year. I too have a 5Div and an RP (wound up selling all of my M stuff and got the RP with the RF 24-105). After lots of consternation, went on that trip with the RP, 4 batteries, the RF 24-105, my EF 100-400MKii, and EF 16-35. I have the control wheel EF-RF adapter. All fit into my backpack but I also brought a lightweight non-camera messenger bag for times I would be walking around towns.IMG_2498.jpg


My bottom line: The EF lenses were a bit heavy but the size and weight savings for the camera was welcome. Except for things like "bird-in-flight" photos, I never missed using the 5Div. The in-viewfinder histogram was very helpful. The RP focus was dead on. Any issues with sharpness were my fault, not the camera. The high-iso shots are quite reasonable, and in my experience, I feel like I am able to raise the shadows in post with better outcomes than when I use the 5Div. The RP never used more than 2 batteries on any given day (but the battery life is certainly not as good as with the DSLR. We had a bit of "weather" because this is, after all, Scotland. I kept the camera in a Lenscoat Raincoat and, if the weather was truly awful, carried an umbrella. Maybe I was lucky, but never worried about the lack of weatherproofing in the RP.

Did about 1200 shots with the RF 24-105, 200 shots with the adapted 100-400, and 14 shots with the WA, but that will vary with you interests and styles. My point is, based on my experience, the RP makes a very reasonable travel option.

For me, I will someday give up the DSLR and go totally mirrorless. Just not "there" yet. Do enjoy the trip.
 
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AlanF

Desperately seeking birds
CR Pro
Aug 16, 2012
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Travel means many things to many people
Very true. I tend to shoot wildlife, landscapes and street scenes in reasonable light when I travel. I know it is heresy but when I have to travel with a single camera, it's the Sony RX10IV as it has an effective range of 24-600mm, is tack sharp throughout the range and is superb for BIF. Although Canon is my main gear, I'm increasingly using other brands for specialised uses.
 
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Quirkz

CR Pro
Oct 30, 2014
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Funnily enough, this is exactly the decision that faced me earlier this year. I left my 5d4 behind, and took and RP with the RF35 and the RF24-105 on a trip to Japan. Also took along the light tamron 17-35 and the EF 100-400 II, and fuji e-x3 with a 28mm on it. these last 3 I hardly used. The RP with RF35 was small and light enough that I mostly took it in the situations I'd have taken the fuji, and the rest of the time the RP plus 24-105 was so light and good that I didn't miss the 5D4
Had zero regrets. Lighter, fun to use, great image quality. the 24-105 especially is magnificent.

A month ago, I realised that I'd not picked up my 5d4 in 8 months, so so, during all the post thanksgiving sales, I sold it, and picked up an R instead.

As for the weather sealing - It's really quite good - Yes, it's not up to the standard of the 5D4, but it's pretty good IF you're using the right weather sealed lens of course. Only you know the kind of weather you like to go out taking photos in. If you don't want to miss a single moment, and are happy dealing with scottish rain, then maybe the 5D4 might be a better choice...
 
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Quirkz

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Oct 30, 2014
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A couple of the negatives I did notice on the RP:
1. High iso was excellent, but I didn't like the noise pattern as much as I liked the character of the noise the 5D4 for some reason. Pushing shadows at base iso was pretty dodgy compared to the 5D4 as well, but still generally decent unless it was an extreme push.
2. I missed having the GPS geotagging while travelling.
 
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May 4, 2011
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Regarding the RP on high ISO: I also noticed more color noise creeping in above 3200, noticeable on skin tones. Disappointing TBH, as this is a worse performance than the 5D4. Reminds me of my old 5D3 which was similar.

Noise pattern I think is ok though. Frankly I don’t think the 5D4 is that great in this particular realm. Blotchiness is an issue from time to time.
 
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