on the verge of buying, just need some final moral support

[jimjamesjimmy]

hi, ive been waiting to get a FF for a while now, and im pretty sure im going with the 6d.

obviously 5d3 would be great but its just a little too expensive for me, and i think i can get a pretty good deal now on the 6d.

first up ive always had canon so im not interested in nikon (though if sony had a FF i would be v interested in that , shame)

forgetting the cost for a moment, im pretty sure that the 6d is the wiser buy as its a newer camera, id prefer to get a brand new model with warranty etc,

regarding features, im an intuitive shooter, so technicalities arnt really a huge concern, i usually only use single point focus.  now i gather that overall with a good lens image quality is gonna match anything in the same sort of camera range, ill take it travelling. and one day ill get an underwater housing.

im never gonna be a proffesionl studio photographer , but i will use it in a semi professional  fine art environment for a wide range of things . im a keen travel photographer too

can anyone talk me out of the purchase or pat me on the back and tell me im dong the right thing! 

its a bit of an investment, so means alot.

thanks

[rwmson]

JimmyJimJim,

I think you're going to like the 6D with all its features.  Were you going to get the kit lens with it?  It is a great walkabout lens.

[jimjamesjimmy]

hi, yeah i hope so, im just alittle frustrated as the 5d3 doesnt seem too far away in price, but i cant really justify getting it! lol

ill probably get a new nifty fifty, a wide prime, a portrait prime(100mm macro? id like to do some insect stuff aswell) and ill get a longer lens later possibly a zoom!

[RLPhoto]

If you can wait, I scored a brand-new USA in the box 5D3 for 2499$ around holidays. I regularly see them for 2899$ on ebay, perhaps you should re-consider holding out a little bit longer?

[robbymack]

Unless you need the af from the 5diii, which it sounds like you don't, the 6d is every bit the same or better camera. Costs less, lighter, you get GPS and wifi, sounds like that's the winner!  Do it! 

[jimjamesjimmy]

hmm this is the thing about the AF. i do wanna do a bit of wildlife stuff, but i doubt ill be able afford a really long lens soonish. so im thinking id rather have more money for a better long lens than have the 5d3 but cant afford a long lens! if you see what i mean!

[AprilForever]

Just do it. Buy that thing!!!

How's that for moral support?

[distant.star]

.
I don't know you, Jimmy, or your circumstances.

I can tell you I recently put what I believe is a lot of money into a 5D3, and I am not disappointed. Like you I see it as an investment (only partially monetary) and over the next years this will pay big dividends in my personal happiness and life satisfaction.

Good luck with whatever you do. While I'm not a 6D fan, it sounds like it may be just right for you.

[RS2021]

While a camera body is never an "investment" (lenses are more so), I feel 5D3 is likely to hold its value better.

Given only a few hundred dollars seperate it from 6D, 5D3 may keep you growing for longer in the FF world.

As RLphoto said, waiting is always an option. But only you can assess the balance between waiting, value, and your photographic needs. A standing recommendation is to never buy something that you cannot comfortably afford. The fact you are considering an FF, however, suggests you may be within striking range. Good luck!

[papa-razzi]

From what you describe as your shooting style and preferences, you do not need the 5D3. 

The big difference between the 5D III and 6D is the AF system.  If you are shooting sports or birds in flight or small children running around at play, the the 5DIII will make a difference to you.  Otherwise you are spending money you don't need to spend on a body.  The image quality of the two cameras are very similar.  Spend your money instead on lenses and other gear.

Also, the built in GPS feature of the 6D may be of interest to you with your travel photography.  The 5DIII requires an add-on for GPS.

Pull the trigger on the 6D.  Get the kit lens (24-105mm) with it.  Get a 50 f/1.8.  Get a flash.  Use that kit until you have enough experience to know for certain what you want to get beyond that.

[cayenne]

Not really to hijack this thread too badly, but thought I'd ask a somewhat related question.

What's the opinion of buying the 6D as a second camera to the 5D3?  For wedding or other shoots when you really need to have a backup camera? 6D or get an older used 5D2?

cayenne

[papa-razzi]

Not really to hijack this thread too badly, but thought I'd ask a somewhat related question.

What's the opinion of buying the 6D as a second camera to the 5D3?  For wedding or other shoots when you really need to have a backup camera? 6D or get an older used 5D2?

cayenne

6D only supports SD.  If you are using the CF slot on the 5DIII you will have to use both SD & CF.  Not really a big deal as the 5DIII support both CF and SD.  But it is something to consider if you want all one format of memory card.

[Rienzphotoz]

(though if sony had a FF i would be v interested in that , shame)

Sony does have a FF camera ... Sony a99 Full-Frame DSLR

[Vivid Color]

I love my 6D with its 24-105L "kit" lens. I purposefully did not buy the 5DMarkIII, which is a great camera and has some better features than the 6D. But, and this is the all important but that each person has to make own his or her own, its extra cost and weight for ME did not outweigh its extra features. In my case, I put the money I saved toward the 70-300L. One final question: have you picked up both cameras with the same lens attached in your own hands? I ask this because ergonomics is not to be underestimated and should be factored into your decision making too. As with buying many things in life, the choice of which camera body comes down to what do you really want and what are you ok with giving up. Hope this helps and let us know what you get.

[florianbieler.de]

Back to topic then,

I am also only an amateur photographer, started out with Rebel T1i / 500D in 2010, then went full, well almost full ack six months ago after a sudden money shower and bought a 5D3. I must say, if I had waited some more months till it was announced I *think* I might have also gotten the 6D plus a nice lens instead. Image wise that's not that much of a difference, but sure the autofocus system of the 5D3 is better plus maybe a bit more ISO capable. Regardless I do not regret the purchase, it's a great cam even if you only shoot as a hobby - as soon as you learn your way around the camera with all it's settings, you're going to produce great shots. Still it's a whole lot of money for only a hobby, so be really sure you're going to use it regularly.

Two years ago I choked when lenses were more expensive than, say 400$. Today I own the Tamron 24-70, Canon 100L and 135L, which are all around 800$ each. Once you go into that high priced area, you probably won't go back.