Canon EOS M Series Cameras

The EOS M5 is the first M I like the look of*, and has probably stopped my Fuji X series plans in their tracks.

Given I'm sat here looking at spending a further £1000 ish on 2 lenses to give me a nice 3 lens system, that'll also need a better body than my Fuji xe-1 at some point.

So a decent priced M5 with a 22mm STM, a converter, my 50mm STM (or possibly a 40mm) and the 85mm is a decent 3 lens miniature (ish) kit. And for less than a Fuji x10, 23mm and 90mm (I appreciate the Fuji lenses are slightly superior but the Canons are far from unusable)

*whilst it might sound shallow, I probably made up my mind to look to Fuji when I read that Canon had no intention to follow the trend for 'retro' looks with analogue dials.
 
Phil V said:
*whilst it might sound shallow, I probably made up my mind to look to Fuji when I read that Canon had no intention to follow the trend for 'retro' looks with analogue dials.
Click to expand...
The dials were the main selling point for the M3 after the M for me. Although I loved the small size and clean shape, I couldn't access the controls quick enough through the touch screen alone. With the M5 canon have taken another shuffle forward with an additional multi-functional dial on top.

I hope they have implemented the option to change Flash exposure compensation with the exposure compensation dial. When using an external flash this dial doesn't seem to do anything and I have to trawl through the menus again to get to FEC. I don't know, maybe I'm doing something wrong, but would have thought this would be a feature you would use as well Phil.
 
TimmyG said:
The dials were the main selling point for the M3 after the M for me. Although I loved the small size and clean shape, I couldn't access the controls quick enough through the touch screen alone. With the M5 canon have taken another shuffle forward with an additional multi-functional dial on top.

I hope they have implemented the option to change Flash exposure compensation with the exposure compensation dial. When using an external flash this dial doesn't seem to do anything and I have to trawl through the menus again to get to FEC. I don't know, maybe I'm doing something wrong, but would have thought this would be a feature you would use as well Phil.
Click to expand...
I don't know enough about the M's yet, I've always been put off by the menus and lack of viewfinder.
But on the Canons I've had with no direct FEC control I've been able to assign a button.

But I'd be looking at this (like my Fuji) as a lightweight alternative system.

I'd like Canon to release a 50mm equivalent M lens, the Sigma Art on an adaptor will look a bit on the big side.
 
Phil V said:
I don't know enough about the M's yet, I've always been put off by the menus and lack of viewfinder.
But on the Canons I've had with no direct FEC control I've been able to assign a button.

But I'd be looking at this (like my Fuji) as a lightweight alternative system.

I'd like Canon to release a 50mm equivalent M lens, the Sigma Art on an adaptor will look a bit on the big side.
Click to expand...

A pancake 17 and 30/35mm would be great addition to the line up a would an m mount 50mm! Sadly canon have chosen to focus on a chunky great slow super zoom kit lens!
 
a1ex2001 said:
A pancake 17 and 30/35mm would be great addition to the line up a would an m mount 50mm! Sadly canon have chosen to focus on a chunky great slow super zoom kit lens!
Click to expand...
So far the M hasn't really had the traction with 'serious' photographers, I feel the M5 could be a turning point.
 
In all honestly canon created the Eos m as a lifestyle camera and it is very good in that role. It sells very well in the family and female markets in Asia. They kind of use it as a gateway for this audience to then progress into Dslr.
It's only in the west that the testosterone fuelled market seem to want any new camera to have the specs of an all conquering camera killer.
 
Phil V said:
So far the M hasn't really had the traction with 'serious' photographers, I feel the M5 could be a turning point.
Click to expand...

There are no serious lenses though beyond maybe the 22mm all the others are a bit slow and clunky! Canon seem to have got this the wrong way round people who have 1k to spend on a body are likely to expect some top notch glass to match!
 
Photopaque said:
In all honestly canon created the Eos m as a lifestyle camera and it is very good in that role. It sells very well in the family and female markets in Asia. They kind of use it as a gateway for this audience to then progress into Dslr.
It's only in the west that the testosterone fuelled market seem to want any new camera to have the specs of an all conquering camera killer.
Click to expand...

Totally agree which is why I find this model confusing it goes against everything they have done with the m to date!
 
Photopaque said:
In all honestly canon created the Eos m as a lifestyle camera and it is very good in that role. It sells very well in the family and female markets in Asia. They kind of use it as a gateway for this audience to then progress into Dslr.
It's only in the west that the testosterone fuelled market seem to want any new camera to have the specs of an all conquering camera killer.
Click to expand...
The reason I'm interested isn't testosterone fuelled, I want an alternative to a DSLR, smaller, smarter. But it has to have controls, I'm not interested in a mini computer, I want something I can use like a camera.

I don't really need the big grip, 7fps, high speed video or any of the macho stuff. I do want a viewfinder though, which is why I never bought an M before, I also want quality lenses, preferably small that take advantage of the mirrorless form factor. They don't have to be superfast lenses (though I'd like that too if it's possible).

I could stick an adaptor on and use my EF lenses, but a set of 22, 30, and 85 f2.2 lenses would suit me perfectly,
 
Last edited:
Phil V said:
The reason I'm interested isn't testosterone fuelled, I want an alternative to a DSLR, smaller, smarter. But it has to have controls, I'm not interested in a mini computer, I want something I can use like a camera.

I don't really need the big grip, 7fps, high speed video or any of the macho stuff. I do want a viewfinder though, which is why I never bought an M before, I also want quality lenses, preferably small that take advantage of the mirrorless form factor. They don't have to be superfast lenses (though I'd like that too if it's possible).

I could stick an adaptor on and use my EF lenses, but a set of 22, 30, and 85 f2.2 lenses would suit me perfectly,
Click to expand...
Sorry Phil if my comment came across as a response to your previous post.It was not aimed at you . It was just a general statement of the original concept of the M series. Hope I didn't offend you. :)
 
Photopaque said:
Sorry Phil if my comment came across as a response to your previous post.It was not aimed at you . It was just a general statement of the original concept of the M series. Hope I didn't offend you. :)
Click to expand...
Not offended :p
 
I would like an M5 but will wait until the price drops.

 
Phil V said:
The reason I'm interested isn't testosterone fuelled, I want an alternative to a DSLR, smaller, smarter. But it has to have controls, I'm not interested in a mini computer, I want something I can use like a camera.

I don't really need the big grip, 7fps, high speed video or any of the macho stuff. I do want a viewfinder though, which is why I never bought an M before, I also want quality lenses, preferably small that take advantage of the mirrorless form factor. They don't have to be superfast lenses (though I'd like that too if it's possible).

I could stick an adaptor on and use my EF lenses, but a set of 22, 30, and 85 f2.2 lenses would suit me perfectly,
Click to expand...
Phil

Agree totally. One of the reasons I did not jump to the M3 was there was not the radical 'addition' to it's spec over that of the M/M2. The addition of an overpriced EVF was not the 'gamechanger' I was seeking. The M10 was an impulse buy for the built in wi-fi, I like to review my shots on an IPad 'in the field' and yes I use a flash air card in my M, but the cashback and 15-45 lens (mentioned in an earlier post of mine) was a bargain and will be more so when I sell on a red M body I now do not need (or it lives on my old camera display shelf).

The M5 is a big leap with a look that says to me... "I must try this". It will be a while before I do, but that delay is conditional on actual handling, lens range.

Like you I want to see more lenses. Like an 85mm M

Steve
 
Phil V said:
The reason I'm interested isn't testosterone fuelled, I want an alternative to a DSLR, smaller, smarter. But it has to have controls, I'm not interested in a mini computer, I want something I can use like a camera.

I don't really need the big grip, 7fps, high speed video or any of the macho stuff. I do want a viewfinder though, which is why I never bought an M before, I also want quality lenses, preferably small that take advantage of the mirrorless form factor. They don't have to be superfast lenses (though I'd like that too if it's possible).

I could stick an adaptor on and use my EF lenses, but a set of 22, 30, and 85 f2.2 lenses would suit me perfectly,
Click to expand...

Like you Phil I would consider this as a smaller/lighter alternative to a Second/backup crop DSLR, if for no other reason than the viewfinder (about time). Its why I have never considered many CSCs as worth the expense or worthy replacements to DSLRs and why I never felt compelled to buy another M series as an upgrade to my current original M. It is used as a pocketable carry around and fills the role nicely. This M5 however is a different proposition altogether and would compliment a FF body very nicely (use M lenses for portability or the EF adaptor for L series EF lenses). The only thing that would stop me at the moment though is that price. Yikes ! I will put that purchase off for a bit till either the price becomes reasonable or the used market makes it a viable option. Nevertheless a step in the right direction for Canon users who dont want to go off brand. Agree re: the M series primes. In the meantime the 22mm is a nice little lens as is the 40mm pancake with adaptor. The 28mm macro looks good but its maybe just too slow for some.
 
The price is considerably lower than the Fuji XT-2 which shares the same resolution, and has similar specs in most other areas too. I'm certain that both will come down in price over time although on past experience that's more likely with the Canon than the Fuji.
 
I can see it being attractive at around £800 whether grey or s/h.

But like I said, it's a saving for me personally, as I'm about £1300 ish away from my dream Fuji kit, and already £450 in. In fact it's a veritable bargain looked at like that.

I still won't be paying the early adopters tax though. :D
 
I can really see this updated M system being the start of the replacement for the current APS-c range of mirror cameras. Full frame will probably follow next year! Watch this space!! :)
 
Gazamonk said:
Like you Phil I would consider this as a smaller/lighter alternative to a Second/backup crop DSLR, if for no other reason than the viewfinder (about time). Its why I have never considered many CSCs as worth the expense or worthy replacements to DSLRs and why I never felt compelled to buy another M series as an upgrade to my current original M. It is used as a pocketable carry around and fills the role nicely. This M5 however is a different proposition altogether and would compliment a FF body very nicely (use M lenses for portability or the EF adaptor for L series EF lenses). The only thing that would stop me at the moment though is that price. Yikes ! I will put that purchase off for a bit till either the price becomes reasonable or the used market makes it a viable option. Nevertheless a step in the right direction for Canon users who dont want to go off brand. Agree re: the M series primes. In the meantime the 22mm is a nice little lens as is the 40mm pancake with adaptor. The 28mm macro looks good but its maybe just too slow for some.
Click to expand...

I had a wander through YouTube earlier when I found a free wifi hotspot, some useful hands-on previews of the M5 with the new lenses and also the 28mm macro lite. What was very interesting was the AF speed with the new DIGIC 7 that M5 is shipping with. I am impressed so far and the EVF looked comfortable in use. If the final retail product is as good as it looks then Canon may just crack the CSC market and cheer us up, whilst keeping us l board. The M3 did not stop me from throwing my looze change into a savings bottle marked "New Fuji Kit". I love the M series but it really needed to mature. The M3 was not that flush of youth into matufity.

The M3 with the the add-on EVF was OKish but not enough to tempt me at the then circa £700 price. It's now £499 with the 18-55 kit lens and bolt on EVF.

I am now more tempted to go 'early' on the M5 body with the 28mm macro as an add on buy. Still not convinced about the 18-150 lens...... yet. There's a review of the M5 with it being used for 'stand out' shots of the photograpber's daughter. The 18-150mm did not look ridiculous on the M5. I am happy with my EF-M 55-200 lens which was £157 off the bay if I remember correctly.

Roll on November, with early uptake, I can see December delivery being more likely. The 15-45 'kit' lens is a good lens for new and those with the 18-55 lens who have and will keep their M/M2/M3/M10 bodies. Other than that I wouuld say the EF-M 22mm f/2 pancake is a must get if you see one on the bay at sub £100. If the M5 takes off, as I think it will, then the 'grey' stock holders will push up prices. It is a bargain lens and yes, I got one in a white M body kit when Amazon were selling them cheap with the EF adapter, 90EX speedllight. and the 22mm. I got anotrer fot £62 off EBay. It is a cracking lens.

All I would say, with the M10, which came with the 15-4t lens, I use my M series kit much more than my DSLR kit

Steve
 
Last edited:
It would be great if sigma would release m mount versions of the 19/30/60 with AF.
To give us a little bit more choice.
Maybe if the M5 sell well they might consider it. It can't be that hard for them to do.
 
Photopaque said:
It would be great if sigma would release m mount versions of the 19/30/60 with AF.
To give us a little bit more choice.
Maybe if the M5 sell well they might consider it. It can't be that hard for them to do.
Click to expand...
Agree with that. Tamron and Samyang have dipped their toes in, but as yet, unless the ef-m market takes off, will they invest to grab a piece of it?

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-...duct=1606765&gclid=coponfffmm8cfusz0wodlmknpa

Still premium price for a zoom range that may be a bit too far, that Canon have not offered. The link is for a used item which IIRC is around the retail price for new.

I do use a Helios 44 on an M..... would be less than £40 for lens and Fotga adapter - lots of swirly bokeh. I also have an adapter to mount my Pentax K mount M lenses to my M bodies. The standard f/1.7 and f/2 kit lenses are available for under £30 and adapters are cheap.... the M series primes are suitably small too. 20/35/40/50/85/100/120/135/150/200 Pentax primes are still to be had for creative types. The earlier Takumar Pentax 42mm screw mounts are fairly cheap too.

Another reason the M5 is growing on me. Better manual control though I will keep an M body for playing with old glass.

S
 
I also picked up a used Eos M also for about £89 from Wex basically new. I keep that for messing about with video using magic lantern. I bought an M2 kit from the classifieds here with 18-55,22 and adaptor. The good thing is my wife also really likes the camera so it's always with us when we go out with he kids. I snagged the 11-22 from eBay for £165 which is an amazing lens.
I am tempted by the macro lens because my wife loves taking pictures of plants and flowers. I just need to wait for some used bargains to appear because even though £280 is a good price for it new at the moment it still seems expensive because of the cheap cost of the rest of my kit.
The one thing I can say about the Eos m is that in my opinion it gives me some of the best SOOC Jpegs from any camera system and even though some may say the AF is slow it is very accurate.
 
Photopaque said:
I also picked up a used Eos M also for about £89 from Wex basically new. I keep that for messing about with video using magic lantern. I bought an M2 kit from the classifieds here with 18-55,22 and adaptor. The good thing is my wife also really likes the camera so it's always with us when we go out with he kids. I snagged the 11-22 from eBay for £165 which is an amazing lens.
I am tempted by the macro lens because my wife loves taking pictures of plants and flowers. I just need to wait for some used bargains to appear because even though £280 is a good price for it new at the moment it still seems expensive because of the cheap cost of the rest of my kit.
The one thing I can say about the Eos m is that in my opinion it gives me some of the best SOOC Jpegs from any camera system and even though some may say the AF is slow it is very accurate.
Click to expand...
The benefit of picking up the cheap M kit is the ease at which you can pair it with full size lenses and add-ons (Speedlights, RC kit, etc). The disbenefit is the perception that the dedicated lenses are very expensive but are they? I would contend that, for the size and build quality, the market impact being relatively low, the tooling up costs etc, Canon are probably investing for a break even product. The late arrival into the CSC market did not help as is seen by many Canon users went down the MFT route through a lack of Canon product except their high end compact range. The innovation of the M with backwards compatibility with the EF and EF-S lens catalogue is a makor feature and, rare in the market place, a major benefit. Good marketing as well for Canon (intended or not) - their users could buy new kit but might not flood the market with unwanted lenses and bodies as all were usable and (1 direction) interchangeable. It also gave a generic learning path.

From toe in the water to, perhaps, a full on market assault? I for one am 55 years into my photography and a full Manfrotto 350/400 size kit bag full of DSLR kit is getting too much for me. Now able to use a 150 size messenger bag......

Final thoughts, for now, there has been a rise in the fear of the poorly termed 'P**** on every street' anti-culture. The suspicion of carriers of 'big lenses' continues to be an issue. The smaller kit size does not negate it but it is more discrete (excepting a 600mm L on an M body naturally). Sad that we have to think like that but the ill educated, self righteous and downright moronic do live and walk amongst us.

Time for some camera time......
 
Canon EOS M5 looks ace :)


I was thinking of buying a Fuji XT-1 or a Panasonic G7 or GX8, this has made me stop for now :)
 
Last edited:
It's crazy though. They announce it but you have to wait until November for it!
Apple launch new iPhone and you can buy it in less than a week.
 
Ah yes, the "I don't care how much it costs I just have to be first" Retail Lemmings. [emoji23][emoji23]
 
Still really disappointed by the lack of a non pro body it seems like canon have abandoned the existing m users!
 
a1ex2001 said:
Still really disappointed by the lack of a non pro body it seems like canon have abandoned the existing m users!
Click to expand...
There's more lacking in the lens line up for a
Pro system than there is in the M5 body IMHO

Metal body, focus speed, and some neat software make this a decent camera I would happily take on a job, but where are the fast primes I'd like to attach?
 
Phil V said:
There's more lacking in the lens line up for a
Pro system than there is in the M5 body IMHO

Metal body, focus speed, and some neat software make this a decent camera I would happily take on a job, but where are the fast primes I'd like to attach?
Click to expand...

That's my point the m5 is a pro body in a consumer lineup but they haven't announced a new consumer model this ditching the existing user base for now at least.

It would be so simple for them to stick the 80d sensor and latest digic in an m1/2/3/10 body and have a great camera ready to go! Sometimes I find big business bizarre!
 
a1ex2001 said:
That's my point the m5 is a pro body in a consumer lineup but they haven't announced a new consumer model this ditching the existing user base for now at least.

It would be so simple for them to stick the 80d sensor and latest digic in an m1/2/3/10 body and have a great camera ready to go! Sometimes I find big business bizarre!
Click to expand...

Just be pleased your not a Nikon user:D they invented bizarre marketing IMO.
 
Phil V said:
There's more lacking in the lens line up for a
Pro system than there is in the M5 body IMHO

Metal body, focus speed, and some neat software make this a decent camera I would happily take on a job, but where are the fast primes I'd like to attach?
Click to expand...
Phil

Absolutely. The other way to look at it might he to see it as a type of 'hybrid' pro/am solution. Whilst the pro market demands/needs the very best, the price is a business expense to realise value through turnover. If that happens then success follows. So more success = more income = quicker replacement as the cycle continues. Without knowing the ratio of those who earn their livelihood from photography (pro) to the mass of the potential general consumer (non-pro) market it is hard to follow the investment/return purchaser profile the manufacturee sees.. The big companies will 'swerve' their offering to the biggest market and therefore their 'margin' (the tame word for profit).

I am just on the cusp of reaching the 3 month point of a trip along the 'Wild Atlantic Coast' of Ireland and I have been surprised at the number of people using mobile phones and compact cameras to take shots of some really incredible places. Very few have anything approaching 'serious' kit.

As I have wrritten earlier to comment on one of your posts, I would dearly love at least an ef-m 85mm around the f/2 mark. No interest in it having IS like the new Tamron 85mm has, my EF 85mm lives on a camera firmly attachef to a tripod, but an M 85mm on an M5 body in the field would be a huge temptation for me, even as a non-pro.

As much as I could go straight to pre-order for the M5, I will not. It is what I have waited for but an 18-150 lens is not enough and pushing the M5 with just 2 primes at 22mm and 28mm at a pro market is naieve. So the simple way to look at it would be to drop a pro/am divide and see it as an aspirational purchase for those than afford, and those who will aspire to own it. I am enjoying the lighter walk about EOS M kit bag......

A late sneaky flourish from Canon for a mid length range prime or 2 would be a game changer. So here's to a compact M 85mm f/2 and maybe even a nifty 50mm f/1.4.....

Steve
 
Hugh Jarse said:
Phil

Absolutely. The other way to look at it might he to see it as a type of 'hybrid' pro/am solution. Whilst the pro market demands/needs the very best, the price is a business expense to realise value through turnover. If that happens then success follows. So more success = more income = quicker replacement as the cycle continues. Without knowing the ratio of those who earn their livelihood from photography (pro) to the mass of the potential general consumer (non-pro) market it is hard to follow the investment/return purchaser profile the manufacturee sees.. The big companies will 'swerve' their offering to the biggest market and therefore their 'margin' (the tame word for profit).

I am just on the cusp of reaching the 3 month point of a trip along the 'Wild Atlantic Coast' of Ireland and I have been surprised at the number of people using mobile phones and compact cameras to take shots of some really incredible places. Very few have anything approaching 'serious' kit.

As I have wrritten earlier to comment on one of your posts, I would dearly love at least an ef-m 85mm around the f/2 mark. No interest in it having IS like the new Tamron 85mm has, my EF 85mm lives on a camera firmly attachef to a tripod, but an M 85mm on an M5 body in the field would be a huge temptation for me, even as a non-pro.

As much as I could go straight to pre-order for the M5, I will not. It is what I have waited for but an 18-150 lens is not enough and pushing the M5 with just 2 primes at 22mm and 28mm at a pro market is naieve. So the simple way to look at it would be to drop a pro/am divide and see it as an aspirational purchase for those than afford, and those who will aspire to own it. I am enjoying the lighter walk about EOS M kit bag......

A late sneaky flourish from Canon for a mid length range prime or 2 would be a game changer. So here's to a compact M 85mm f/2 and maybe even a nifty 50mm f/1.4.....

Steve
Click to expand...
I know I may not be their 'target' audience (though I may actually be as they're luring me from Fuji), but I'd like a 23, 30 and 85 all at f2 ish (anything between 1.4 and 2.4 would do, but the faster the better) I'm no fan of 50mm on crop (but I know that's not a universal view).

If necessary I'll use my 35mm and 85mm EF with an adaptor, but smaller EF M lenses would be better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top