Canon 6D or 5D Mark III

[J.R.]

Well, all I can say it took me years to get to the limits of the 60d af system (and to be sure it's the camera's fault and not mine) - of course if using servo af a lot it's another story, but for general stills shooting the 6d af system might be outdated, but still perfectly usable. And we have to remember that the 5d3/1dx af has to be accompanied by the latest Canon lenses to really shine esp. concerning precision.

Testing the limits of the 6D is fairly easy ... Try the outer AF points. The other way to test the limits of the AF is to try to shoot anything that moves ... I have jammed the AF to the centre point and was having fun this Sunday trying to shoot my kids who were running around. Every shot that was in focus was great but there was just too much wastage.

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

The truth of the matter is that the 6D actually has more modern technology than any other Canon camera at the moment, even if the form factor and AF are not premium.

-1

The technology that you cite mostly consists of the GPS and the WiFi ... Hardly any technological breakthrough. The 6D is also unnecessarily crippled because Canon wanted to put some distance between it and the 5D3.

IMHO, the AF of the 5D3 is a massive factor, leave aside the other modern technology that you mention - if you could get a good sharp shot in a single attempt with the 5D3, why would you want to focus, recompose, shoot and pray with a 6D?

Wow, I hope that isn't what you think I am doing!

Surely not because you are doing this professionally. But can you say that the AF of the 5d3 doesn't and won't make a difference?

I can't and I won't.  The AF system is the one thing that I wish was more robust on the 6D.  That being said, it is FAR from pray and spray.  I find the AF (and all the tests also show) of 6D that it is MUCH more accurate than the 5DII - the camera that until a year ago almost everyone that was a serious hobbyist or professional was using.  The 5DIII is one of the best AF systems out there right now, and so it was a big step up.  The 6D's AF is a step back (other than the super center point), but it is far from a step back to 5dII or 5DC levels.  It is very accurate; it just isn't as flexible as the 5DIII.

I just found your comment lacking nuance.  If I as at least a part time professional find the AF system adequate and usable on the 6D, I suspect that a hobbyist will do just fine with it, too.  In Canada (where I am), the difference in price between the 6D and 5DIII in real dollars (after taxes), is more like $1400.  That is a BIG difference for many people, particularly when one considers that both of these cameras will be outdated by new technology in a few years.

[J.R.]

The truth of the matter is that the 6D actually has more modern technology than any other Canon camera at the moment, even if the form factor and AF are not premium.

-1

The technology that you cite mostly consists of the GPS and the WiFi ... Hardly any technological breakthrough. The 6D is also unnecessarily crippled because Canon wanted to put some distance between it and the 5D3.

IMHO, the AF of the 5D3 is a massive factor, leave aside the other modern technology that you mention - if you could get a good sharp shot in a single attempt with the 5D3, why would you want to focus, recompose, shoot and pray with a 6D?

Wow, I hope that isn't what you think I am doing!

Surely not because you are doing this professionally. But can you say that the AF of the 5d3 doesn't and won't make a difference?

I can't and I won't.  The AF system is the one thing that I wish was more robust on the 6D.  That being said, it is FAR from pray and spray.  I find the AF (and all the tests also show) of 6D that it is MUCH more accurate than the 5DII - the camera that until a year ago almost everyone that was a serious hobbyist or professional was using.  The 5DIII is one of the best AF systems out there right now, and so it was a big step up.  The 6D's AF is a step back (other than the super center point), but it is far from a step back to 5dII or 5DC levels.  It is very accurate; it just isn't as flexible as the 5DIII.

I just found your comment lacking nuance.  If I as at least a part time professional find the AF system adequate and usable on the 6D, I suspect that a hobbyist will do just fine with it, too.  In Canada (where I am), the difference in price between the 6D and 5DIII in real dollars (after taxes), is more like $1400.  That is a BIG difference for many people, particularly when one considers that both of these cameras will be outdated by new technology in a few years.

Well my apologies if that came out wrong. I've learnt English as a foreign language so what I write may differ just a little bit from what I mean.

I guess part of my comment was borne out of my frustration with the 6Ds AF. For any subject that moves, this is a difficult camera.

[RLPhoto]

On a side note, I wouldn't pay full price for a MK3. Mine were for 2499$ and the other for 2999$. 

[skullyspice]

Since you mention you are looking for a camera you can use for the next 5-6 years I would suggest going with the best technology available which I think would be the 5D3.
I upgraded from the 40D to the 5D3 a few months ago and it is fantastic. get the kit lens 24-105, you'll love it.

[wickidwombat]

I guess part of my comment was borne out of my frustration with the 6Ds AF. For any subject that moves, this is a difficult camera.

This was inevitable since its basically a rehash of the 5Dmk2 AF with 2 more points and more sensetivity
the 5D2 AF suffered the same way

[iaind]

Have handled both and prefer the more rugged 5D3.
Autofocus ia a massive improvement on 5D2. 6D seems to have an upgraded 5D2 set up.

 

[pgsdeepak]

Thanks Everyone for the advice. I decided to wait a little longer save some more money and go for the 5D Mark 3.

[iP337]

Thanks Everyone for the advice. I decided to wait a little longer save some more money and go for the 5D Mark 3.

In that case you should sell your EOS 40D, 70-300/4-5.6 IS(low grade USM micro motor) and 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS(basic kit lens).

Keep the 17-40/4L and 100/2.8 macro (the 100/2.8 Macro is the same as the 100/2.8L macro except without IS) then get the 70-200/4L IS and the 50mm/1.4.

That set up should cover you for most anything.  The 100/2.8 macro should make an OK indoor sports and macro lens and if you have a 17-40/4 (for landscapes) and a 70-200/4(for portraits and outdoor sports) I'd get a fast prime over the 24-105/4L, because it's pointless to use anything between 40mm-50mm or 50mm-70mm so you just need to make up the gap with a 50mm and it looks like you need something for low light situations so the 50/1.4 is a more practical choice.

[pgsdeepak]

Got to try the 5D MIII through CPS equipment evaluation. FIrst impression is "Jaw Dropped". I have not tried it outdoors or  did not do anything which would test its AF system yet, So, waiting to see if it justifies me spending over 1K over the 6D. If if like its AF way over my 40Ds, then I am going to make the move sooner

[Etienne]

I owned a 40D and a 5DII, now i have the 5DIII.

The 5DIII is the 40D speed + 5DII IQ combined + a whole lot of extras. It's worth the the $.
The 6D is lower build quality, poor ergonomics compared to 40D, and much worse than 5DIII

Get the 5DIII, and enjoy the full-frame goodness

[fonts]

I owned a 40D and a 5DII, now i have the 5DIII.

The 5DIII is the 40D speed + 5DII IQ combined + a whole lot of extras. It's worth the the $.
The 6D is lower build quality, poor ergonomics compared to 40D, and much worse than 5DIII

Get the 5DIII, and enjoy the full-frame goodness

I think you have 6D mixed with the 60D.


To OP. I recently had the same question, and went with the 6D. I don't regret it one bit. I am not a professional, and I don't shoot sports nor wildlife. The 6D AF is more than adequate, seriously.

I just want to advise you that don't feel like its not good enough. It's a great camera. I don't think the 5D MIII is worth the $1000 that you can put in lens or accessories. But that's my opinion.

It really comes down to whether you NEED the AF of the MIII. If not the 6D is more than practical. I love it. Honestly think about what your needs are. The 6D will still be around just as long as the MIII. So don't get thrown off by that comment.

[Marsu42]

The 6D is lower build quality, poor ergonomics compared to 40D, and much worse than 5DIII
Get the 5DIII, and enjoy the full-frame goodness

No, don't - the 5d3 has lower build quality, poor ergonomics compared to the 1d4, and much worse than 1dx. Get the 1dx, and enjoy the *real* full-frame goodness - at least if you don't want to think about what you actually need.

[alexanderferdinand]

I liked the IQ of the 5dMk2 a lot.
But the AF was awful not using the centre and/or moving subjects.

The 5dMk3 is an ideal allrounder, you would enjoy a lot taking picutres from erratic moving subjects like your kids.

[azezal]

I'll tell u what we want, we want a camera with 5d3 ergonomics and af with the 6d sensor at the price of a 5d2