5d2 vs 6d

[leolol]

Dont want a general discussion for this topic but much more of a specific thing-

I´m mostly shooting landscapes, nature (no wildlife yet), studio (stock and people) and some high iso events.
I dont need fast FPS but i need a good enough autofocus which can lock on in dark locations. Both the 6D and the 5d2 only have one crosstype so it would be a downgrade from my 40d, would it?

For stock 21 MP are better then 20 because they reach a bigger size to sell (2o MP are just under the edge), the 5d2 also has the PC-Sync port...

High ISO: I think we can all agree that the 6d will be better in those situations?

Money: I can get a new 5d2 for 1500€, or a slightly used one for 1300 with the BG and i wouldnt need new Cards because i got the CF Cards. 6D+BG+Cards would be over 2200€. Do you think it´s worth it for what i shoot?

PS: Wlan and GPS are both interesting for me but i didnt miss them in the 40D.

 

[steliosk]

Well you won't be needing high iso levels for landscape photography, but however both cameras would perform good IQ.

I'm facing the same question, and canon doesn't make it easy. After 4 years canon hasn't developed any better sensor in terms of IQ and many are still thinking to buy the 5D 2 over the 6D and 5D 3 which i can't say it performs any better until 6400 iso in RAW mode.

The 6D would probably perform better but don't forget it has 2mp less!!! why?

I'm seriously thinking of selling everything and change to nikon d600 which is a monster and provides a largest headroom for editing rather those canon craps which costs A lot of money.

 

[Zv]

Well you won't be needing high iso levels for landscape photography, but however both cameras would perform good IQ.

I'm facing the same question, and canon doesn't make it easy. After 4 years canon hasn't developed any better sensor in terms of IQ and many are still thinking to buy the 5D 2 over the 6D and 5D 3 which i can't say it performs any better until 6400 iso in RAW mode.

The 6D would probably perform better but don't forget it has 2mp less!!! why?

I'm seriously thinking of selling everything and change to nikon d600 which is a monster and provides a largest headroom for editing rather those canon craps which costs A lot of money.

The 6D does have a completely new sensor btw. I would wait until some hands on reviews come out. Shouldn't be long, maybe another month or so. I think, IMHO, that the 6D is not designed to be a studio camera or a pro photographer's first choice body. It is rather aimed at the serious enthusiast looking to enter the FF world for the first time. The 5D II AF is limited, but the center AF point works well and really, if you're doing product and studio you'll mostly me using MF with live view.

It's a tough decision, the 5D II is looking old but the 6D doesn't seem to be the replacement we were hoping for either. If low level light AF is a issue, you could use a speedlite with the AF assist to help out.

I'm pretty happy with the 5D II AF, though I haven't had to use it in low light situations yet. I use my 7D if AF and low light are the order of the day!

 

[leolol]

@steliosk
Yeah and that 1 MP is so shitty for me. on iStock i can go to XXL with 21 but only to XL with 20.

@ZV
Yeah new sensor.. but the 5d3 also ahs a new sensor and as long as they dont use the new making (180nm) in the 6d sensor i dont see a big possibility for an improvment.

 

[Zv]

@steliosk
Yeah and that 1 MP is so shitty for me. on iStock i can go to XXL with 21 but only to XL with 20.

@ZV
Yeah new sensor.. but the 5d3 also ahs a new sensor and as long as they dont use the new making (180nm) in the 6d sensor i dont see a big possibility for an improvment.

I take it the 5D III is out of your price range? Sounds like it would fit your needs though - 22mp, great high ISO, low light sensitivity and great AF. Plus CF cards. Could you stretch to a 5D III? It might be worth the investment. Sounds like your already making money from photography. That to me is justification for the price.

 

[leolol]

Yeah.. it´s pretty hard. I can get a used ("used") 5d3 for 2500€. For that price i would have to sell the 40d (but i would keep the speed) and i wouldnt be able to get the battery grip. I have to think about that one.

@steliosk
Yeah and that 1 MP is so shitty for me. on iStock i can go to XXL with 21 but only to XL with 20.

@ZV
Yeah new sensor.. but the 5d3 also ahs a new sensor and as long as they dont use the new making (180nm) in the 6d sensor i dont see a big possibility for an improvment.

I take it the 5D III is out of your price range? Sounds like it would fit your needs though - 22mp, great high ISO, low light sensitivity and great AF. Plus CF cards. Could you stretch to a 5D III? It might be worth the investment. Sounds like your already making money from photography. That to me is justification for the price.

 

[Marsu42]

I dont need fast FPS but i need a good enough autofocus which can lock on in dark locations. Both the 6D and the 5d2 only have one crosstype so it would be a downgrade from my 40d, would it?

The 6d center af will probably the best one in the whole Canon lineup for really low light af - the 5d2 is only -0.5ev and the 5d3 @-2ev has been reported to be very slow at it. So if you are ok with center point only, it'll be a big step forward from the 40d-type (and also my 60d).

For stock 21 MP are better then 20 because they reach a bigger size to sell (2o MP are just under the edge)

That's interesting - is that for stock in general or just for your specific stock service? Thx.

 

[leolol]

@Marsu
Thats only for iStock, which is the only company where i´m selling. They made those new sizes with the introduction of the 5d2 so... you see where they come from

I honestly think that the 6D is going to be great but the body is sooo tiny!
5d3: It´s like Tofu. It isnt fish, it isnt meat. Great AF but not fast enough for sports or action (wildlife). Good build but not as sturdy as 1D. Good for landscapes and studio but not enough MP. Good for video but no clean hdmi out till next year.

 

[Marsu42]

I honestly think that the 6D is going to be great but the body is sooo tiny!

I have the 60d, medium-large hands and when holding it for a prolonged time with a heavier lens it is a hassle - but the solution is to either get a battery grip to have something for the last finger to old onto or I just use a handstrap all the time which 99% compensates for the tinier grip size and is nice for walking around anyway.

 

[leolol]

For me 40D without BG is a bit to small, with bg its perfect.
6D is for sure better than the 5d2 but it is worth it?
Do you think Magic Lantern can bring clean hdmi to the 6d?

 

[Marsu42]

Do you think Magic Lantern can bring clean hdmi to the 6d?

We only will know for sure if the 6d will run ml *at_all* only after the first 6d firmware upgrade - and of course the ml dev (alex) needs a 6d sponsored. After the recent 1dx/1dc hassle Canon might be annoyed and disabled running ml :-o

 

[K-amps]

I would suspect that unless Canon cripples the 6D, it should have better high ISO performance than the 5d3 but below the 1dx purely on the basis of the smaller pixel pitch it's sensor may have. Have there been any test done on proto-types yet.... we are a rumor site after all...

 

[Marsu42]

Have there been any test done on proto-types yet.... we are a rumor site after all...

I haven't found anything, the only guy posting downsized 6d jpg shots w/o exif is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotois/collections/72157632030095841/

But I'm really keen on the first real review because I wonder why Canon is so shy about it - either the 6d sensor leaves a lot to be desired or it is even a little better than the 5d3 and Canon doesn't want to hurt their current sales.

 

[leolol]

I can afford the used 5d3 but i would also need a new PC. I build this thing myself so it´s going to be around 500€. I cant do that with the 5d3, maybe possible with the 6d and i can shure do that with the 5d2.

But my main complain: Does the focus of the 5d2 really suck balls in low light (sorry for the words)?
I know how good High-ISO is and i love the body and the button layout but i never handled one in low light.

@Marsu I hope the second thing is the truth

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

But my main complain: Does the focus of the 5d2 really suck balls in low light (sorry for the words)?
I know how good High-ISO is and i love the body and the button layout but i never handled one in low light.

Up until the 5D MK III, the 5D MK II with center point was the best low light AF body Canon made. Its wonderful. This is a well known fact. its also well known that the 5D MK II does not do nearly as well with other than center points, don't even bother with them.
I loved the 40d, I had five of them, and have had two 5D MK II's, which are a much better camera. I also noticed that the 2nd 5D MK II had a much lower sensor noise than my first one, I think Canon's sensor manufacturing quality has improved over the 4 years its been out.
The 5D MK III is better. I have no issue with low light AF speed and the 5D MK III.
We just do not know about the 6D yet, but Canon has cut some features to justify the lower price. I think you will be very happy with a 5D MK II. As they begin selling out, the price will rise, much as it did with the original 5d a few years ago.

 

[Marsu42]

I can afford the used 5d3 but i would also need a new PC.

I'm deciding if the 5d3 is "worth it" to me - but going beyond your budget for a camera body imho is a very bad idea - try to do a "total cost of ownership" calculation" including what you expect to buy in the future like memory-cards, flashes, lenses, filters, tripods, a little saving for repairs because things break and then think again :-o

I don't have a 5d2 but what I've read in the "5d3 slow low light af" threads is that the 5d2 at least works good with an af assist beam if that's ok for your applications. The the 5d2 is rated up to -0.5lv, I don't know what your current body is - my 60d (up to 0lv) definitely struggles in dim light and low-contrast scenes w/o af assist, so I'd like a vast improvement like on the 6d.

 

[leolol]

So you say it´s not bad. Thats good to hear

@Marsu 40D has the same rating as the 5d2 -0,5LV. Yeah you are right i would never spend money which i currently dont have on gear. 5d2+PC+Accesories is the same price as 6D+Accesories.

 

[Standard]

But my main complain: Does the focus of the 5d2 really suck balls in low light (sorry for the words)?
I know how good High-ISO is and i love the body and the button layout but i never handled one in low light.

No. Not at all.

Sure. It may not be as good as the Mark III but I've gotten plenty of great captures in extreme lowlight with it. Honestly, I don't know what all the gripes about the Mark II's AF being slow are all about. Take a look at either my Website or my Flickr stream and you will find plenty of good examples. I think too many photographers these days rely too much on technology and less on common sense and technique.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Honestly, I don't know what all the gripes about the Mark II's AF being slow are all about.

Most of those comments come from those who do not own one.
The low light AF with the 5D MK III requires you to read the manual. Many users turn on spot AF which reduces low light AF sensitivity considerably. Use the center point without spot for the best sensitivity just as in any camera.

I also note that if I wait for the AF indicator to flash in the viewfinder, there is a delay before it lights. AF is actually achieved much sooner. just hold down the shutter button while in one shot mode, and the shutter opens as soon as AF is achived, which in near darkness is remarkably fast and accurate. Its the same story with the AF assist beam, just take the photo, don't wait for the AF confirm to flash.

 

[Marsu42]

Most of those comments come from those who do not own one.

Well, my gear is in my tag and I tried to point to and quote what multiple 5d3 users wrote in the "af assist lag" threads, so I hope I am not spreading FUD :-o

just hold down the shutter button while in one shot mode, and the shutter opens as soon as AF is achived, which in near darkness is remarkably fast and accurate. Its the same story with the AF assist beam, just take the photo, don't wait for the AF confirm to flash.

But that technique makes focus & recompose impossible, and the af points of the 5d3 are not all over the viewfinder ... so in low light, you're actually always picking the exact af point you want to use before pressing the shutter?