Ty Harper

I wholeheartedly agree with where this sentiment is coming from - but I think the pressing/prudent thing to spend that leave on is wrapping our heads around generative AI (etc) and how that tech will likely transform/disrupt our current creative media workflows and the creative media economy.

But, imo, you/me/we are only capable of looking at this from our particular idea of art and what it means for art to have a soul. The next couple generations of kids will have different reference points for that same idea/measurement. This is why the big corps pushing AI don't care how we feel about it - bcuz they're looking at the long game. So they understand that we are not their target audience (bcuz we'll be dead, lol). Their target audiences are the generations coming up who will be born into a world where AI, etc is just the norm. So you're absolutely right that there will still be people who value art that has a soul - but again, what will prob be different is the criteria they use to decide what art with a soul looks/feels like. It will be different - but just as essential to their existence as it has always been throughout human history. There is no technological advancement that will ever result in humans losing their desire to make/consume art with soul. What can and is happening is that we are losing our ability to monetize/exploit/make a living off art with soul on a large commercial scale. But that really only matters bcuz we currently live/work/exist within a capitalist system that is exploitative by design.

You're absolutely right, but the creator of the future will likely be wired differently than us. Specifically when it comes to how we perceive/capture/synthesize/translate the real world into different visual/audio mediums for the purpose of telling/expressing a story/POV. So it is understandably hard for us to fathom how AI will change things. But that could be the "difference" you're sensing. But that doesn't mean the core thing(s) that drive humans to create will change. But I could also be completely wrong too, so there's that, lol.

I could be wrong that I feel like we've arrived at a place where video quality is technically pretty solid across the board in new gen mirrorless cams. But if we're talking about R50V vs 5D MKIII ML RAW, it's less about better and more about 'different'. The 5D MKIII ML RAW definitely offers something aesthetically different than the R50V, but all things considered, I don't know that it offers better video quality, overall.

Yes, there has always been those who gravitate to a piece of kit for other reasons than the prudent ones that revolve around basic specs and price point - but if you're a beginner looking for an affordable/pocketable cam that will let you tell stories by capturing photos/videos with reasonably solid IQ and the standard bells/whistled (like DPAF, Digital IS, exposure tools and a camera mount for vertical-friendly shooting), there is no reason to go beyond a used R50V at the moment. Especially bcuz it is being marketed to that younger YouTube generation - and there are a number of comprehensive videos on setup/settings etc by guys like Josh Sattin. Again, this is coming from someone whose career was launched thanks in no small part to ML, and will not sell my 5D MKIIIs, still has an OG 7D that my little cousin tinkers with, has two R5Cs that are my future proof workhorses - but that is still seriously eyeing the R50V+RF 16mm combo as a fantastic pocketable travel/walk around option. In fact the only thing stopping my from picking one up now is the fact that I don't actually need one, but that I'm also waiting to see if Canon will be releasing a higher end version later this year. But also, we're forgetting the elephant in the room - which is AI and the way it might change what it means for younger generations to capture/tell visual stories.

Always great to hear the ML community is still pushing along. I cut my teeth on the 5D MKII ML and still have two 5D MKIIIs with ML that I refuse to sell! All that said, the R50V is $650 brand new and once those hit the used market they'll be $500 and under vs the 5D MKIII which is still going for roughly the same price. So nostalgia aside, the R50V's price, specs - not to mention form factor and access to RF and EF lenses - really makes it hard to argue that anything ML related is the prudent way to go in 2025, imo.

Totally agree! Bcuz one of the R5Cs main strengths is how feature/option-rich it is. But that also means you constantly need to be making sure you have the right featues turned on/off, etc. For example, I use the S35 crop mode and/or the digital teleconverter for added reach - but if you don't manually set the cam back to full frame or take it out of TC mode, the cam won't go back to the default mode when you turn it off 🤷🏾‍♂️

I've got three LP-E6Ps at the moment and a mix of LP-E6NH and older LP-E6N ones. If I recall correctly, a battery strategy that allowed you to run off batteries for a 24 hour day would maybe revolve around: (i) minimum 5-7 LP-E6P batts (ii) 2 dual portable USB-C powered LP-E6P chargers (I was gna go with the simulataneous dual chargers but if I remember correctly, the ones on the market at the time I checked still took longer to charge two batts simultaneously than if I just had two reg dual chargers going at the same time). I think I have this one: https://ca.neewer.com/products/neewer-2-pack-2400mah-lp-e6p-lp-e6nh-replacement-batteries-usb-dual-charger-66606258 (iiii) 1-2 V-mount batts Let's say it takes like 2-3 hours to charge one battery in a dual charger - then the rough math is you'd need at least 5-7 batteries to comfortably keep the use/swap/charge cycle going. Definitely more expensive on the front end. Especially if you're adding a battery grip BUT I'd rather invest $1K on this power management strategy than ever have to pay $1K or more to repair a USB-C port that could break again, and again. Hope this helps tho!

As an R5C user for a minute now, who has dabbled with pretty much every external powering option, I will say this: (i) The R5C's USB and micro-HDMI ports are a known weakness in this camera (like many cams). (ii) There have been R5C users who reported their USB-C ports going even though they have been using port protectors. Not a lot but enough for it to be a concern if you are a shooter who doesn't have CPS or insurance, etc. (iii) The cost for Canon to replace the USB-C port is at least $1K So the prudent math would be to minimize use of those ports. Bcuz you are paying $1KUS to 'repair' something that will likely go again, and end up costing you more than the cam itself. Especially now that the LP-E6P batteries can get you 1.5 hours on a charge. So I no longer use my V-mounts or even the Dummy batt/D-Tap option. I use LP-E6Ps and for anything that requires more than 1.5 hours, I use the OEM battery grip for 3 hours of record time.

@QuickHitRecordI seen the R7 mentioned in this thread. And while it may not overheat, the reports of failure rate of its mechanical shutter that I was seeing on one of the bigger R7 FB groups in a 2-4 month span (I was researching it as a potential C cam to my two R5Cs) was enough for me to say, no. This coming from a cam that still isn't even three years old (released June 23rd 2022). All that to say, if you do decide to go with an R7 then do not buy it used - definitely buy brand new with an extended warranty. As far as price goes the new R50V ($650US) seems like it could be a valid option for your needs.

Josh Sattin has done his review/tests of the R50V. The biggest revelation for me was that the cam did indeed overheat when used in the sun (reportedly around 85 degrees) and lasted 48 mins before shutting down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx_q36Cyqgg

This is the most comprehensive review/test of the R50V I've seen so far. Key takeaways (i) 75 mins runtime on a battery (ii) apparently no overheating issues over that runtime (iii) rolling shutter is not good (iv) I like that it has a second tripod mount for vertical shooting. Overall seems like a good option for certain use cases, particularly travel/walk around. That said, I might wait to see if Canon releases a more pro version before squeezing the trigger but for $700 seems like a good option. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCEN1qW0f3s&pp=ygUPY2Fub24gcjUwdiB0ZXN0

Absolute game changer for me personally. I haven't had to use my V-mounts in a minute since buying the LP-E6Ps and I got the grip when I went to go longer.

Already seeing used cameras going up in prices in my neck of the woods. Specifically the R6 MKII, which has been going for around $2K CAD used for a while, is now going for $2700-$3K CAD.

Nice!