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

[RS2021]

Ok, so here's the thing about trying to justify gear purchase.  Just don't do it.  Instead, pick any feature of a piece of gear and arbitrarily define that feature as a necessity for a particular near-term purpose... after a few days or weeks you will start to integrate that thought into your conscious and subconscious mind and, voila, you no longer need to "justify" anything because it's a necessity.  I have plenty of gear I rarely use but I don't regret a single purchase because they were and are necessities.  Most recently it was necessary that I purchase a 5D3 and 24-70mm f/2.8 II.  And so I did.  I now have a 5D2 and a 7D that I rarely use but I'm glad to have them because they are necessary.  When the 7D2 comes along I will buy that too.  And my 5D2 will be the backup for the 5D3 and the 7D will be the backup for the 7D2.  See, it's awesome.  Enjoy.

Edit... I'm kidding.  Kind of.

LOL. How true...

[Aglet]

If you can afford it, get the 5D3.  If not, get the 6D and start shooting!

I disagree.
OP states he doesn't need the 5d3's AF abilities,.
6D has a slightly cleaner raw file, more suitable for whatever post-processing they may wish to do.

Go with the 6D.  It's so good I'll likely buy one myself as soon as the price drops down to the $1600 or so level...
Unless Pentax brings out their FF before then because I just bought a big ol' box of gorgeous SMC primes the other day and now I'm ready to go FF on K-mount too! 

[AudioGlenn]

I say go for the 6D (and I'm a 5d3 owner).

Buy what you need when you need it.  It doesn't sound like the mk3 is a MUST. 

If you find you outgrow the 6D, sell it and go for the 5dmk3 when that time comes.  In the meantime, you'll have a great camera that you can afford and you can start shooting today.  There's value in that (shooting now, instead of shooting later), too!

[DocMo]

the 5d3 doesnt seem too far away in price, but i cant really justify getting it! lol

Ok, so here's the thing about trying to justify gear purchase.  Just don't do it.  Instead, pick any feature of a piece of gear and arbitrarily define that feature as a necessity for a particular near-term purpose... after a few days or weeks you will start to integrate that thought into your conscious and subconscious mind and, voila, you no longer need to "justify" anything because it's a necessity.  I have plenty of gear I rarely use but I don't regret a single purchase because they were and are necessities.  Most recently it was necessary that I purchase a 5D3 and 24-70mm f/2.8 II.  And so I did.  I now have a 5D2 and a 7D that I rarely use but I'm glad to have them because they are necessary.  When the 7D2 comes along I will buy that too.  And my 5D2 will be the backup for the 5D3 and the 7D will be the backup for the 7D2.  See, it's awesome.  Enjoy.

Edit... I'm kidding.  Kind of.

  You had me going. Lol

[RustyTheGeek]

Most of what I'm reading so far I agree with.  The 6D will do you fine.  I have both the 6D and the 5D3.  I honestly gravitate toward the 6D more often.  It's lighter, focuses better in indoor/low ambient light and is less complicated.  I do enjoy using the 5D3 but if the next firmware update doesn't improve the low light AF, I'll probably sell it.  The 5D3 dominates the 6D in fps speed in good light so if you are planning any sports shooting, it's the one to go with.  I don't shoot birds, etc but if that is part of your shooting, the 5D3 is the better choice.  IQ is about the same so don't worry about that.  At the moment it's pretty nice having both but since most of my shooting is ambient light journalistic style shooting, the 6D works better for me.

Either wait to see if the price drops more due to the Yen or go for it now and start getting satisfaction from your purchase.

I also strongly agree that you should get the 24-105 + 6D Kit.  It's a great deal.  You won't regret it, but you might regret later when you want the 24-105 for $200+ more price.  And you will, trust me.

[iaind]

If you have the money go for the 5D3. You wont regret it.

[zg08]

I found this thread while looking for some reviews, I think it might help you decide/justify your choice.


http://www.digitalrev.com/article/canon-6d-vs-5d-mark/NTczODM1ODc_A

[FatDaddyJones]

Do it! We all got your back, man. We're behind ya. Cheering you on! JIMMY! JIMMY! JIMMY! Go for it. Get it. Buy it now! Time's a-wasting. It's sittin' there on a shelf all lonely, wishin' that you'd buy it. Just think of that camera in your hands.... shutter clickin' away.... You could make beautiful pictures together. You know it in your heart. You need it. Life just isn't complete. Do it, Jimmy. Get it. Get it now.

[rsheath08]

The 6D is awesome!!!  Just got mine (upgraded from a 550D) and love it!

[skitron]

I had a 6D for a week and sent it back for a 5D3 because I wanted the AF (and my 6D was apparently a dud). That said, if you're hung up on the price of the 5D3 I'd say get the 6D with the 24-105L as a kit. It's a good deal since you end up paying about $500 for the lens and can eBay it all day long for $750. But it's a decent little zoom, so why not get it and keep it for that price?

[skitron]

I also strongly agree that you should get the 24-105 + 6D Kit.  It's a great deal.  You won't regret it, but you might regret later when you want the 24-105 for $200+ more price.  And you will, trust me.

Yup.

I bought my 5D3 body only and was kicking myself in the head for passing up the 24-105 for an additional $500...

But luckily got a "redo" when a family member wanted a 5D3 body and already had the 24-105. So we "collaborated" to buy the kit, and family member took body and I the lens.

[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

sorry i meant pentax!!

I don't want to get you even more torn out, but it seems that Pentax have confirm that they plan to make a FF camera.
Source: http://photorumors.com/2013/02/03/pentax-confirms-their-full-frame-dslr-camera-plans-again/

Pentax Full Frame will be a very long wait ... from what I read in that article, they've been talking about it since 2009

[Artifex]

(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

sorry i meant pentax!!

I don't want to get you even more torn out, but it seems that Pentax have confirm that they plan to make a FF camera.
Source: http://photorumors.com/2013/02/03/pentax-confirms-their-full-frame-dslr-camera-plans-again/

Pentax Full Frame will be a very long wait ... from what I read in that article, they've been talking about it since 2009

Yes, I see that! It's a shame Pentax doesn't have a FF body yet; heavier competition for a same market often mean better products and smaller price (though the oil market doesn't quite follow this logic). I would personally love to see a good quality, not to expensive Pentax FF body; since their camera current are backward compatible with lens from the film era, I can hope the same with a FF body.