6D or 5D3 (or wait for 7d2?)

[ScottyP]

Too many variables now. 6D or 5D3 or 7D2?

I have a T3i and the 17-55 Efs lens. I also have the 70-200 f/2.8 mark 2 which is great. I am 90% sure I want to get a FF body for the high ISO ability alone.

Part of me still wants to wait for the 7D2.

But I would not want to buy a super-crop like 7D2 UNLESS it had at least 1 stop improvement in ISO over old crops, preferably 1.3 or 1.6 stops? What are the chances on that?

My PRIMARY goal is improving acceptable IQ at high ISO. I shoot portraits and candids of my girls. Maybe a little soccer. FF is great for that, right? How big a deal should 7D2 be in my thinking?

I have the $$ ready to buy now, but I don't need to buy now.

Please no one post how if I don't make cash on pictures I should not spend money on equipment!


Thanks.

 

[x-vision]

There is a very good chance that the 7DII will be announced in January or February next year.
If you can wait that long, you will be able to make a more informed decision.

I fully expect that the 7DII will have an improved ISO performance.
Still, it's hard to believe that it will be able to match the 6D in ISO.

So, if ISO is of utmost importance to you, getting the 6D makes sense even now (especially if you have a FF itch ).
Good luck.

 

[verysimplejason]

Go for 6D if IQ is more important than reach and your budget can't reach the 5D3. 6D + lens + AF = 5D3 + AF. You decide what's more important and what you really need. 7D2 only if you need the extra reach and FPS.

 

[Marsu42]

My PRIMARY goal is improving acceptable IQ at high ISO. I shoot portraits and candids of my girls. Maybe a little soccer. FF is great for that, right? How big a deal should 7D2 be in my thinking?

That really sounds like you should get a ff camera (and maybe a tc for soccer).

There is a very good chance that the 7DII will be announced in January or February next year.
If you can wait that long, you will be able to make a more informed decision.

Announcement date seems to be April, too - seems more likely to me that this is the on for the 7d2, otherwise it'd be too close to the 6d.

I fully expect that the 7DII will have an improved ISO performance.
Still, it's hard to believe that it will be able to match the 6D in ISO.

But the 7d might up also the mp count for competition's sake, meaning that the iso performance might not make as a large jump as some people expect - the 7d2 will be also a success if they just do a minor improvement with more mp and add all the latest features.

 

[rpt]

If you are not missing (too many) shots, I'd say wait till the summer. Patience and procrastination pays!

 

[ishdakuteb]

i would start with an "if".... if canon 7d mark ii can produce an image like either fuji x-e1 or x-pro, it would be worth to wait... i am still loving my canon 7d even though i have my 5d iii. i like both crop frame and image quality at high iso of full frame....

 

[candyman]

There is a very good chance that the 7DII will be announced in January or February next year.
If you can wait that long, you will be able to make a more informed decision.

.................

That may be true, but as Marsu42 already said, April could be true as well.


@ScottyP
Announcement and actual availability to purchase are two different things. It is highly possible that the 7D MKII may be available in September 2013.
All in all speculations.


Look for what specifications in a camera are really important to you and if you need it now, don't wait and miss those great shots you can do now.

 

[serendipidy]

If you are not missing (too many) shots, I'd say wait till the summer. Patience and procrastination pays!

+1
First in line pay more for their new toys.

 

[Cory]

I'm in the same boat with IQ my main priority, but after lots of thought I decided to not give up the reach advantage of a crop. My current camera's a T1i. I'd probably love a 6D, but my 100 and 200 primes are perfect for indoor volleyball.
Comparing my shots with those in Sports Illustrated, for example, I'm doing pretty well. I think it's a combo of GREAT lenses and learning how to use my camera. Keep in mind I don't know what I'm talking about, but I have a sense that using the best lens(es) possible and constantly improving technique are more important than the body (as long as your body's at least pretty good) and that the main benefit might be high ISO performance. My T1i isn't horrible, but isn't too bad at 6400 and I think the good lenses make up for much of that in the IQ that they offer.
So I've decided to wait for the 7D II. I was going to maybe get a 6D for general photography and a 7D II for sports, but I'd rather focus on one camera and learn everything possible about it than potentially getting confused by two complicated bodies.
Again, I have no idea what I'm saying, but it seems to possibly make sense.

 

[M.ST]

Wait what is coming next year.

Don´t buy a product directly after the annoncement. You waste a lot of money and you have many errors.

 

[Marsu42]

Wait what is coming next year. Don´t buy a product directly after the annoncement. You waste a lot of money and you have many errors.

You obviously have inside knowledge into this, but summing up 1. "next year" (sometime) + 2. "don't buy after announcement" will shift the next good "window" for a purchase of the yet not announced equipment to late 2013 :-o

If someone doesn't want to wait that long may be smart to at least wait for the next premium/enthusiast announcements because I'd expect the current gear (6d/5d3) to drop in price afterwards - ff is not for everyone because of the tele lens prices.

 

[robbymack]

sounds like a 6d would fit the bill. after seeing the iso comparisons of the 6d and 5diii I think unless you really need all the features of the 5diii (build, af, etc) the 6d is the way to go. If the burst rate on your t3i is good enough for you when shooting sports you won't have any issues with a 6d there other than loss of reach. Then again you can always slap the t3i on there when you'll need the extra 60% in coverage. One thing I would caution you is that you won't find and a FF lens that is comparable to the 17-55 2.8 in terms of being able to go from moderate wide to portrait lengths on both ends. Your ff options either come with the trade off of reach or f stop. That being said I own and love the new tamron 24-70 so if you need a gp zoom and don't want to fork out a small fortune for the new canon go that route or get the 24-105 in the kit.

 

[Dylan777]

As a 5D III owner and I tried 6D for 2days.

When compare to your current t3i
1. 6D = better high ISO
2. 5D III = better high ISO, more precise AF, and better ergonomics, ok fps
3. 1D X = better high ISO, more precise AF, super ergonomics, and top-speed fps(you get to delete more ;D)

4. 7D II = no real spec, weak rumors, especially no hand-on, therefore no comments.

If soccer is not a primary reason, then I vote for 6D. It's great FF for entry level, portrait, and candid. You will see huge improvement in IQ and higher ISO.

 

[Artifex]

Keep in mind I don't know what I'm talking about, but I have a sense that using the best lens(es) possible and constantly improving technique are more important than the body (as long as your body's at least pretty good) and that the main benefit might be high ISO performance.

It seems to me that you know exactly what you are talking about!
Although I love talking about gear as much as the next guy, in the end, what really matters is the talent of the photograph, and not how sophisticated is his camera. For instance, most of my favorite stills where taken before the invention of AF and DSLR, so it seems that it is always possible to take great pictures without perfect AF and high frame rates.

Also, as far as "technical quality" goes, the lens matters much more than the body; for me, you are far better with an low-end body and high-end lens than the opposite. Except for ISO performance, most of the low-end body problems can be overcome by the photograph with a bit more effort, and even for ISO, it is sometime possible to find a solution to use lower ISO and keep a good exposure. Of course, everyone has his own way of taking picture, which is affected by what he is shooting; I personally uses manual focus 99.99% of the time and manual exposure 100% of the time, so I might be bias in my opinion. It is always more about choosing the camera that feels right for you than the one with the biggest numbers in the specs.

 

[Cory]

Keep in mind I don't know what I'm talking about, but I have a sense that using the best lens(es) possible and constantly improving technique are more important than the body (as long as your body's at least pretty good) and that the main benefit might be high ISO performance.

It seems to me that you know exactly what you are talking about!
Although I love talking about gear as much as the next guy, in the end, what really matters is the talent of the photograph, and not how sophisticated is his camera. For instance, most of my favorite stills where taken before the invention of AF and DSLR, so it seems that it is always possible to take great pictures without perfect AF and high frame rates.

Also, as far as "technical quality" goes, the lens matters much more than the body; for me, you are far better with an low-end body and high-end lens than the opposite. Except for ISO performance, most of the low-end body problems can be overcome by the photograph with a bit more effort, and even for ISO, it is sometime possible to find a solution to use lower ISO and keep a good exposure. Of course, everyone has his own way of taking picture, which is affected by what he is shooting; I personally uses manual focus 99.99% of the time and manual exposure 100% of the time, so I might be bias in my opinion. It is always more about choosing the camera that feels right for you than the one with the biggest numbers in the specs.

Thanks for saying. I was fishing for that.
On a side note, I'm undecided between a 70-300L or 300 4.0 IS to complement my 100 2.0 and 200 2.8. The zoom or 300 prime would be for outdoor sports/events. The 100 and 200 are PERFECT beyond belief for indoor sports.
Much appreciated.

 

[scottkinfw]

If you look at your needs/desires as stated, you are more interested in portrature, with some sports. A full frame would be the better bet. If you are primarily interested in sports/wildlife, the 7DII (depending on specs) would be the way to go. I have the 5D3 and haven't followed the 6D so can't comment.

I would also advise against being first adopter. You get bragging rights and the undiscovered problems that go with it. Plus, price will drop if you wait a few months.


sek

 

[bdunbar79]

If you are not missing (too many) shots, I'd say wait till the summer. Patience and procrastination pays!

Especially procrastination

Soccer is tough to shoot even with an effective focal length of 200mm. It is sometimes tough even with my 300mm lens. However, if you're not doing it much, and your main focus (gosh I crack myself up) is candids and portraits of your girls, then I would personally go FF and shoot RAW. Those photos are priceless, and you can't get them back. Each day is a day farther away from when they were that age.

 

[Dylan777]

If you are not missing (too many) shots, I'd say wait till the summer. Patience and procrastination pays!

Especially procrastination

Soccer is tough to shoot even with an effective focal length of 200mm. It is sometimes tough even with my 300mm lens. However, if you're not doing it much, and your main focus (gosh I crack myself up) is candids and portraits of your girls, then I would personally go FF and shoot RAW. Those photos are priceless, and you can't get them back. Each day is a day farther away from when they were that age.

+1....I have a 4yrs daughter. Last week she did a ballet recital with her class mates on stage. I carried 24-70 and 70-200 with me. I only have one 5D and decided to stay with 24-70 for wider shots. Her performance was 3mins long, there was no time to switch lenses. Moments like this, I wish for 2nd body to mount my 70-200.

Hope BH & Adoroma will have some deals on 5D III this coming X-mas. If the price is around $2500 - $2700, I get another one.

Like you said "Those photos are priceless, and you can't get them back"

 

[ScottyP]

I think you are correct that I would be a perfect candidate for FF. I have almost no interest in wildlife unless it is kind enough to land on my patio for easy shooting. Not too serious in the sports either. What I do shoot is my kids, and often indoors with less than perfect light, and I don't like to mess with flash when I can avoid it.

I also like the idea of keeping the T3i and even using 2 bodies at the same time. I would, however, probably sell the 17-55 if I got a FF with a 24-105 or 24-70.

I very, very nearly bought a 5D3 during the Monday sales a couple weeks ago. The one thing that stopped me was a.) wondering if the 6D could do the job just fine, and b.) worrying what the heck is the deal with 5D3 focusing in low light?

Has a consensus been reached on that 5D3 AF assist lag question? Some say it is the somewhat weak AF beam on 580 and 600 speedlites, but others say it is bad with the 430's too. Some say a Chinese speedlite may (will?) fix the problem. Some suggest you ignore focus confirmation and just mash the shutter button all the way. No one seems to be sure a firmware fix could do anything or not. Still others say they don't even notice a problem, or that maybe there is only a "bad batch" of bodies out there.

Has anyone specifically tested the 6D for af-assisted focuing speed? Can anyone say for sure it is faster with AF assist than the 5D3 or not?

 

[RS2021]

There is a very good chance that the 7DII will be announced in January or February next year.
If you can wait that long, you will be able to make a more informed decision.

So... Even the potential announcement is a rumor ... that means canon will have it soon on shelves in 2014... and he can have those awesome pictures in time for christmas sometime-to-be