I've started rediscovering photography again after a multi year break, and I've currently got a decision to make. I've started doing some more macro photography recently, and I'm to the point I would like to purchase a macro lens. However, I now realize that new DSLR cameras seem to be on their way out and mirrorless is what the major manufacturers are moving to. My current gear is a budget Canon DSLR with a kit lens, and a basic 75-300mm.
My question is this. Should I switch to a mirrorless camera before I spend more money on lenses? I don't have a huge amount of money invested so far, and whatever lens type I buy is most likely what I'm going to have to stay with for many years to come. My hard limit would be $1000 for the body, but preferably $700 or less. Since I would like to stay with Canon, that leaves me with the R100, R50, and RP at the very top end. I am open to other options however, especially if there are good aftermarket lenses and accessories.
Although I know there will still be new and used EF lenses available, I do worry a bit about future camera body upgrade options. I know I'm overthinking this a bit too much, but I'm just curious what other people think.
Canon's mirrorless lens ecosystem is only good for people with high budgets, which $1000 isn't in the world of camera gear. APSC RF mount is in a particularly bad place with very few native lenses and nothing third-party. If you're looking at switching systems, why not look at switching brands at the same time?
EF has a ton of lenses, and used ones lose value slowly. If you buy used EF lenses, you'll likely get most of your money back if you decide to sell them to switch systems.
I know one of the advantages of mirrorless is the potentially shorter lens flange distance, so changing the lens mount makes some sense. But couldn't there be a passive adapter (with wired passthrough) similar to a macro tube to use the old lenses? Maybe there is idfk.
I expect mirrorless to continue to grow (at least with respect to DSLRs), and frankly I'm happy with that.
As far as changing brands goes, I agree with that. There are a fair few good options in the mirrorless space and I daresay most of them aren't canon
There are indeed many active and passive adapters that will let you use DSLR glass on a mirrorless body! You do lose some of the size advantage, but DSLR glass is still pretty solid in terms of performance and is getting cheaper by the day.