topic Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

denomane — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:33:31 GMT

Hello,

I'm looking for some thoughts on what mirrorless Canon camera I should upgrade to. I am a professional lifestyle product photographer, primarily using natural light and have been using a Canon 6D Mark ii for about 6 years. I know it inside out and it works well for me but I know it's time to upgrade!

I need a camera that:

- works well in low light conditions

- has a flip screen

I mainly shoot still products so I don't need a camera for fast moving items/long distance etc.

As I transition to new kit, will my existing lenses work as well with an adaptor or is it not worth doing?

Thank you so much in advance.

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

Tronhard — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 08:43:25 GMT

Hi and welcome to the forum:
Given you have been using the 6DII for some years, the direct equivalent of that would be the R6II, but since you are not seeking to track moving subjects and likely will be shooting from some camera support, then the R8 would be a very good FF body to consider. It shares the same excellent 24MP sensor with the R6II, and has the same focusing system.
Side by Side Comparison: Canon EOS R8 vs. Canon EOS R6 Mark II: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

The main differences are the R8 has no In-Body Image Stabilization, a smaller capacity battery (LP-E17), and does not take a native battery grip. However, in a scenario such as yours, for the considerable price differential I suspect you will not miss those. If you are in the US (this being an international site), you can get a great deal from Canon's Refurbished camera page: Refurbished EOS R8 Body (canon.com). These cameras may simply have an opened box, been used for a demonstration or similar, but will be good as new and come with a warranty and saving).

You can use EF lenses on your R bodies via the Canon EF-RF adapter. There seems to be no issues with Canon native lenses, especially post 2009 vintage units.

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

denomane — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 09:06:37 GMT

Hi Trevor, I really appreciate your reply. Thank you so much for your time.

All your assumptions are correct! Appreciate hearing the two possible price point options. I'm in the UK so unfortunately cannot benefit from that refurbished website but I will look for similar in this country.

Another quick question if you have some thoughts, please: Do you think it's worth me upgrading? I guess I am complacent with my equipment because it works for what I do but have a nagging feeling it's time to go to mirrorless as feels like everyone else is. I don't want to be spending lots of money because of the influence of others but also assume that, as technology is changing, I know I need to change at some point. Is now the right time for me, do you think?

Thank you again, so much. Georgia

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 09:29:16 GMT

@denomane wrote:

Hello,

I'm looking for some thoughts on what mirrorless Canon camera I should upgrade to. I am a professional lifestyle product photographer, primarily using natural light and have been using a Canon 6D Mark ii for about 6 years. I know it inside out and it works well for me but I know it's time to upgrade!

I need a camera that:

- works well in low light conditions

- has a flip screen

I mainly shoot still products so I don't need a camera for fast moving items/long distance etc.

As I transition to new kit, will my existing lenses work as well with an adaptor or is it not worth doing?

Thank you so much in advance.

Welcome.

If your 6D Mark II is performing well for you, and you don't have a need to purchase additional lenses I wouldn't see a need for upgrading. The 6D is listed by Canon for a service life of 2025 and the Mark II as TBD, which means if you have a problem it can be serviced.

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

p4pictures — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 10:36:49 GMT

Hi Georgia,

As you are in the UK, you might want to make use of the Canon UK test drive scheme to try a camera for 48 hours before you buy. After completion of a test drive you usually are provided with a discount voucher if you buy the tested item from a UK dealer.

Canon UK test drive scheme is here: https://www.canon.co.uk/testdrive/

You could even do multiple test drives, with both EOS R8 and R6 Mark II and lens adapter.

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

Tronhard — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:47:50 GMT

Hi Georgia:
Nice to meet you - Georgia is one of my favourite names!
One question to ask yourself is what is your gear not doing for you? To be honest, if it is doing what you require of it to do, then I would not upgrade. You seem to have answered that with "I am complacent with my equipment because it works for what I do"

A camera is a tool, so if the tool works, the rest is down to the operator. If the conditions of your operation change - what you shoot, the client demands, conditions under which you operate, mean that the camera system is constraining you, then you will gain a benefit from an upgrade. In the meantime if it works, stick with it - the technology will continuously improve and prices drop and new gear will be there in the future for you.

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

denomane — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:04:50 GMT

Please accept my apologies for the slow reply. I'm glad you like my name! I really appreciate you taking the time to write your comments. I think I fear that I may be missing out on new technology that may make my shooting easier/nicer. As someone else mentioned, perhaps I can hire a new camera to try it and see if I feel it would benefit me or not, before I jump to upgrade.

Thank you for all your time and input. It means a lot.

Georgia

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

denomane — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:08:26 GMT

Hi John, many thanks for your reply and sorry for the slow response. This is interesting to know regarding service life, thank you for providing this information. I may try a mirrorless camera by hiring one, just to see if I think it will improve/speed up/work better for me before I jump to upgrade.

Thank you again for taking the time to reply, Georgia

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

Tronhard — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:14:10 GMT

You are most welcome! FOMO is a common challenge for us all. What I will say is that if you decide to move to mirrorless, I would reinforce what my respected colleague Brian has alluded to: namely the EOS R6II and R8. Personally, I would favour the R6 for its more rugged construction, bigger battery (your LP-E6 will work) and the ability to add a battery grip of required. It has IBIS (in-body image stabilization) that will make any hand-holding work more stable.
While you can bring your glass over from the DLSR platform, you may well find that the quality of the new RF lenses will eventually persuade you to invest in them too. Mirrorless is now the established platform and the DSLR line is on life support and shrinking.

Re: Canon 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

denomane — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:09:14 GMT

Hi Brian,

Thank you so much for your message and my apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I had no idea this existed and really appreciate you sharing the information. I think it's definitely worth me taking advantage of this scheme so I can either fall in love and feel sure about making a new purchase, or perhaps realising that my existing set up is perfectly adequate and I'm not missing out!

Thanks again, Brian.

Georgia

Re: EOS 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

TomRamsey — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 01:00:22 GMT

Being that you are shooting professionally, I assume you may have a backup. But if you do not have a backup it would definitely be a good plan to buy a new camera and relegate the old one to the backup spot. Then it could be very nice to be able to use two setups with different lenses and backdrops to improve your workflow.

Re: EOS 6D Mark ii Upgrade Suggestions for Professional Product Photography

denomane — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 11:43:38 GMT

Thanks Tom, yes I have two Canon 6D Mark ii and whilst I prefer to have my backup the same as my main, it might be worth me taking that initial step by just purchasing one new camera and not stressing about buying two!! I'm going to do the 48 hour trial and see how I get on. Thanks for the help!