topic EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

Marvin — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:14:11 GMT

There are lots of things I like about the upcoming EOS 6D, but there are also a few things that I don't like so much.

I like:

Full frame
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi smartphone interface
GPS
HDR (maybe?)

I don't like:

Severe lack in AF points
Memory card lacking CF
97% Viewfinder

The price difference is the killer, but maybe it's worth it in the long run.

Is anyone planning to get the 6D, or specifically NOT going to get it for some reason?

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

alain — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:34:56 GMT

I'd say no, save for the 5D3. The AF in 6D is very limited, it is in the continuity of 5D2 ie 5D1 ie 20D ...

Once you try the advanced AF like 1D or 5D3, you'll have real difficulties to go backward to a limited system.

My advice is to try it in real conditions before you buy, so you can feel the difference.

Alain

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

raychen — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:55:17 GMT

I agree about the superiority of the 5D3's AF, but I think it depends a lot on your subjects as well. I still shoot with a 5D Classic next to a 1D X and a 5D3 for sports work. The 5D is the one with the 16-35 and flash, and its toy AF is not a big handicap for my intended purpose.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

uaioming — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:51:19 GMT

It depends on the particular shooter. For me the 6D is more valuable with the -3EV than the multi point Af in the Mk3. WiFi is nicer than faster frame rate, and so on. If I update my 5D2 it would be the 6D, not the Mk3 but most likely is not going to happen. I'll rather wait till Canon offers a FF body with a swivel screen or a totally new generation of FF sensors to compete with Sony Exmor. Whichever comes first.

Eduardo

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

photonslave — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 05:26:13 GMT

Agree with Alain. If 6d is going to be your first full-frame, you will still love it.

If you shoot a lot of fast action, or indoors in low light , then the lack of cross-point sensor might haunt you, but if you are into landscapes, you will be equally happy with 6D

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

aleksdat — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:43:12 GMT

A number of points is not identical to a quality of their work. In real life, 11 non cross points will create a problem when shooting subjects with a large number of smaller objects that are chaotically moving in different planes and do not have contrasting horizontal lines. But how often do you shoot such scenes? Problems with non-Central points of the new camera did not arise even during the street shooting on the move. The camera is not designed for shooting sporting events, but I can't say that she can't do it. The auto focus is much better than the 5DMkII. Compare auto focus Canon 7D with auto focus NIKON D7000. The number of points is not talking about the quality of the work of these points. If you want an inexpensive sports camera: 7D and 5DMkIII cope with this task better; If you want to light the camera for everyday shooting: AF 6D will be enough.

Non-professional photographers rarely recorded images on both cards. If needed, you can save snapshots via Wi-Fi, and even the right to cloud services.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

Marvin — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:02:41 GMT

I'm way behind the times as I'm still shooting with a 30D, so I'm pretty scared that the AF will function similarly to that. I do have to say that I've heard great things about the 6D's AF performance, so that is a plus.

I do shoot lots of landscape and currently shoot real estate for work. No sports, etc. For a difference of $1200 I could get some sweet glass instead of 5DMKIII.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

stevepow — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:55:01 GMT

The biggest advantage for real estate shooting with the 5D III that we have seen (over the 5D I/II) is 5 shot exposure bracketing for use in Photomatix HDR (the on-camera HDR is interesting but not good enough for this). It goes so much quicker this way than doing bracketing manually. If the 6D does that, then is should be fine - and even if it doesn't, 3 bracketed shots are usually more than sufficient for MLS listing shots. And if you don't do HDR, then even less an issue.

We use mostly 24mm and 16mm TSE lenses that are manual focus anyway, so the cool autofocus is nice for other work, but no big deal for real estate...and yes, the TSE lenses will make way more difference than the camera.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

Ralph_Conway — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:36:56 GMT

I am planing to purchase it. Had it in my hands and it felt great. VF looked great, too. AF worked amazing and I do not need neither want the new AF-system of 5D III/1D X.

What I did not like is the missing joystick and SD-card. Everything else is what I wished one year ago as a 5D II follow up.

If the new sensor is on par or even better (what I expect) than 5D IIIs this camera is mine!

Ralph

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

BrickR — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:21:31 GMT

I'll wait until reviews are out on the 6d before I consider it. The 97% viewfinder was an odd bird to throw in, why couldn't they do 100%? It is a full frame after all!

The shutter max sync speed is a real issue to me personally (and strobist aren't too happy about it either) but it might not be a total deal killer.

I think the AF will be more than sufficient in practice and will surprise a lot of the nay sayers. It's not impressive on paper but quick, actual hands on reviews say its very good.

Canon had a chance to really create a camera that got the masses excited to spend some money, but instead look like they tried to purposely shoe horn the 6d inbetween the 5d2 and 5d3 and got an inigma that get overall lukewarm response.

GO FOR THE JUGULAR CANON! Stop worrying about stealing sales from other bodies and work on getting people into a Canon. They'll be less likely to switch when their collection gets big enough 😉

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

london_roadhog — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:43:45 GMT

I have a 5D III, I managed to get it used... Yes a buddy was into wildlife, and the 5DIII didn't meet his demands. So he sold it. I managed to buy it. Love it. I'd not change it... But I do like that the 6D has the wifi, and gps built in. I got the gps unit for the 5d, but I have to remember to put it on the camera, and also to turn it on. Sometimes I forget one or other. As for wifi, it would be nice, but not something I'll go crazy over. I intend to keep my 5DIII for a very long time.

I think the best thing is to weigh up whether the 5D or 6D is best for your usage. I also have a 60D for backup, but since getting the 5D I haven't used the 60D, so I have been letting my daughter use it.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

jayhas — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:45:19 GMT

I agree with BrickR "Canon had a chance...."

I wanted the 6D but held off just because of one single feature missing that is important to me, the swivel screen. The 60D with magic lantern stays for now and may be a lot longer if Canon does what it kept on doing just like what BrickR said "top worrying about stealing sales from other bodies..".

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

benedictlaig — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:34:38 GMT

Well, I'm wishing it will be affordable when it comes out. This will be a good update to my 550D and will compliment my 7D. Most likely though I will have to wait until a year for the prices to normalize.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

JPop3000 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:19:48 GMT

I'm also planning to upgrade to the 6D from the 30D. I had the opportunity to buy a 5D3 but I'd rather put the price difference towards the new FF lenses I'll need for the 6D (Can you say 24-70 f2.8 II?)

Any word on specific release/shipping date for the 6D? Hoping to get before my end of December trip to the Carribean!

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

BrickR — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:36:51 GMT

I would guess Canon didn't put the swivel screen on the 6d because of the wifi. You can now make your smartphone or even your tablet a touchscreen that will not only show what you're shooting but will control the camera as well.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

mikegrados — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:15:36 GMT

@BrickR wrote:
I would guess Canon didn't put the swivel screen on the 6d because of the wifi. You can now make your smartphone or even your tablet a touchscreen that will not only show what you're shooting but will control the camera as well.

This. This exactly. The wifi and pairing capabilities of smartphones and tablets is going to be huge - it's such a 'new' concept that I don't think a lot of folks are considering the creative applications this brings to the table. Before, I would never have considered purchasing the separate wifi attachment.

Think of how easy it will be to shoot self portraits...by yourself:

1. put camera on tripod

2. sit youself in front of camera

3. focus, pose, and release shutter via smartphone

Think of image review prior to moving on to the next setting

1. sync camera w/ tablet

2. chimp focus and exposure on a 10" screen rather than the 3" LCD

3. if happy w/ results, move to next spot

Think of having a 2nd shooter at a wedding pushing a constant stream of photos to facebook or an app like ImageCircle:

1. don't attend wedding because you are deployed

2. still enjoy the sense of 'almost' being there

That's just the top of my nugget...what's another good application?

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

Ralph_Conway — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:12:44 GMT

@mikegrados wrote:
@BrickR wrote:
I would guess Canon didn't put the swivel screen on the 6d because of the wifi. You can now make your smartphone or even your tablet a touchscreen that will not only show what you're shooting but will control the camera as well.

This. This exactly. The wifi and pairing capabilities of smartphones and tablets is going to be huge - it's such a 'new' concept that I don't think a lot of folks are considering the creative applications this brings to the table. Before, I would never have considered purchasing the separate wifi attachment.

Think of how easy it will be to shoot self portraits...by yourself:
1. put camera on tripod
2. sit youself in front of camera
3. focus, pose, and release shutter via smartphone

Think of image review prior to moving on to the next setting
1. sync camera w/ tablet
2. chimp focus and exposure on a 10" screen rather than the 3" LCD
3. if happy w/ results, move to next spot

Think of having a 2nd shooter at a wedding pushing a constant stream of photos to facebook or an app like ImageCircle:
1. don't attend wedding because you are deployed
2. still enjoy the sense of 'almost' being there

That's just the top of my nugget...what's another good application?

Another good application imo is switching wifi off and doing a great portrait of a gitar playing singer at 2 ó clock in the morning at a dimm fireplace at the seaside, using the excellent working center AF point (-3 EV). 😉

Ralph

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

mikegrados — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:51:38 GMT

@Ralph_Conway wrote:
@mikegrados wrote:
@BrickR wrote:
I would guess Canon didn't put the swivel screen on the 6d because of the wifi. You can now make your smartphone or even your tablet a touchscreen that will not only show what you're shooting but will control the camera as well.

This. This exactly. The wifi and pairing capabilities of smartphones and tablets is going to be huge - it's such a 'new' concept that I don't think a lot of folks are considering the creative applications this brings to the table. Before, I would never have considered purchasing the separate wifi attachment.

Think of how easy it will be to shoot self portraits...by yourself:
1. put camera on tripod
2. sit youself in front of camera
3. focus, pose, and release shutter via smartphone

Think of image review prior to moving on to the next setting
1. sync camera w/ tablet
2. chimp focus and exposure on a 10" screen rather than the 3" LCD
3. if happy w/ results, move to next spot

Think of having a 2nd shooter at a wedding pushing a constant stream of photos to facebook or an app like ImageCircle:
1. don't attend wedding because you are deployed
2. still enjoy the sense of 'almost' being there

That's just the top of my nugget...what's another good application?
Another good application imo is switching wifi off and doing a great portrait of a gitar playing singer at 2 ó clock in the morning at a dimm fireplace at the seaside, using the excellent working center AF point (-3 EV). 😉

Ralph

Take it one step further...yes, nail the focus, but also be able to set an aperture and shutter speed that truly compliments the scene - not just wide open with razor thin DoF, and as slow as you can hand-hold shutter speed - because the high-ISO is gonna be überclean.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

JPop3000 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:02:31 GMT

WiFi/Mobile Device integration is great but doesn't replace the need for a swivel screen.

If you're outside a wifi hotspot and want to shoot from down low (without getting on the ground) or want to shoot bird's eye (without a ladder), you need the swivel screen.

Plus, maybe it's just me, but using (and lugging around) a tripod is annoying.

Re: EOS 6D - Worth the toys or save up for 5d MKIII?

Ralph_Conway — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:13:55 GMT

@JPop3000 wrote:
WiFi/Mobile Device integration is great but doesn't replace the need for a swivel screen.

If you're outside a wifi hotspot and want to shoot from down low (without getting on the ground) or want to shoot bird's eye (without a ladder), you need the swivel screen.

Plus, maybe it's just me, but using (and lugging around) a tripod is annoying.

As far I understood you do not need a wifi hotspot to comunicate. The Camera itself is one.

Concerning tripod I am with you, but I did not understand what you wanted to say with this.

Ralph