I’ve shot with the Canon R5 on and off for about a year, and I finally got to take it out on a proper commercial shoot. This isn’t a “full review” because I don’t own the camera, but I can tell you exactly why it isn’t for me—while still saying the same thing I said on Instagram: the R5 is a fantastic camera. The point of the video is bigger than the R5 though. I’m trying to show you how I choose cameras as a working photographer/filmmaker, and why “latest and greatest specs” doesn’t automatically mean it’s the right tool. First, I look at workflow. On my late-2017 MacBook Pro, R5 files lag in Lightroom and take significantly longer to export compared to files from my 5D/1DX Mark III. That “split second” delay adds up when you’re culling and editing thousands of images, and buying an R5 would push me into upgrading my laptop, cards (CFexpress), and more—so it’s not just the body cost. Then there’s ergonomics and usability. I come from the 1DX Mark III, and I prefer big bodies because the weight distribution is better—especially with heavier lenses like a 24–70. I also don’t love relying on a battery grip. Lastly, low light matters: my 1DX Mark III stays clean up to ISO 6400, but on the R5 I start seeing noise pop up much earlier, and I’m pretty anal about how that noise affects skin tones and texture.