Should I switch from Sony A-mount to Canon if I already own several lenses?

Question

I currently use a Sony A580 with several A-mount lenses and a Sony flash. I mostly shoot portraits and macro, and I’m worried about the long-term future of Sony A-mount, especially since used Sony gear is harder to find where I live.

I’m considering switching to Canon because of a limited-time deal on a Canon 6D with a 50mm f/1.4, but if I switch I would likely have only that lens for a while before rebuilding my kit. My alternative is to stay with Sony and continue investing in A-mount lenses.

How should I evaluate whether switching systems is worth it when I already have a decent lens collection? Is concern about a mount’s future a good enough reason to switch, or is it better to keep using the system I already own unless it no longer meets my needs?

user1943 · Answer

Is it wise? Well, probably the wise thing to do is to sell all of your electronics, camera gear included, and live a quiet life of mediation and peace.

Or, is it a smart investment? Again, neither of these options is really the best. Better to sell it all and pick up a nice low-overhead index fund.

But, photography is an art. Art is not wise (even if it can reflect wisdom). And it's not an investment (even though it takes money). You should follow your passion, here. From that perspective, I think you should decide how much you personally weigh the following things:

Is the worry of obsolescence or abandonment your main concern? If so, my advice is to let it go. Enjoy what you have — you say there are a lot of key features you like and would miss, and I bet there are others that haven't even occurred to you — and in the event Sony ditches the system entirely or doesn't grow it to meet your future photography... make the change then. For now, you've got the lenses, and everything you need.
If it's about losing money because the value of the gear will go down.... again, I suggest letting this go. There are a few things in photography that you can buy and which will hold monetary value, but in the most part, the value is in the photographs you can extract from the equipment. It's true that you may be able to get less out of reselling your gear in the future, but in the meantime, you'll get more use.
If it's because the desired new platform provides something you really are interested in in order to grow your photography, on the other hand, I suggest seizing the day — life is short, and no point wondering if you would be happier when you can just do it.
But, if you have the sort of personality which is attracted to new and shiny gadgets, and find yourself often dissatisfied with a purchase because something else came out with better specs... if, in general, you suffer from "grass-is-greener" syndrome... well, then, you probably won't really be happy with whatever you do. (Hmmmm; in this case maybe the idea of selling everything and moving to the mountains isn't so bad after all.)

Should I switch from Sony A-mount to Canon if I already own several lenses?

2 Answers

Your Answer

Related Questions