6D vs 5Diii today...

[funkboy]

weeel, for me other than the price being below the psychological & financial $2K barrier, for me the main advantage of the 6D is *size*. Weight on my wrists (sensitive from decades of typing & mousing), bulk in my bag, and size intimidating people when I'm shooting in places where a big flashy camera will draw too much attention, or at least make your subject look away.

 

[dlleno]

fyi just to compare numbers I asked Canon product support what EV the 6D's "other" focus points were sensitive to, and the answer came back "2 stops more". that means -1EV "everywhere else" and -3EV in the center. that information seems to contradict what I've seen elswhere can anyone confirm and reveal sources of different information?

As for comparing with the 5D3 I note that all the focus points are -2EV, which means that 5D wins handily for any focus point other than the center. moreoever, given the std deviation numbers posted elsewhere, even at the center point the 5D3 will nail focus a greater percentage of the time , in acceptable lighty of course (granted, not at -3EV).

if I were making the same decision today I would choose 5D3 simply because if I'm shooting anything that moves, in low light, i'm gonna appreciate all those non-center -2EV focus points, not to mention the tracking capabilities and fps. ALso -- I for one am tired of being locked into that center point AF "focus then frame" technique where I know that my center AF point is more sensitive -- which ultimately means I don't use the other ones because the center is more trustworthy. And if I'm shooting under low light conditions, its not likely to be inside a coal mine during a power outage, so the difference between -3EV and -2EV just doesn't seem like a practical wahoo to me (corner case advantage, to be sure, but what scenarious would really make me say "o dern I missed the shot because my center AF point was only -2EV) Ergo I would opt for the greater percentage of keepers in lighting situations that occur most often.

 

[RustyTheGeek]

... the difference between -3EV and -2EV just doesn't seem like a practical wahoo to me ...

I just had to comment on 'practical wahoo', that's funny! ;D I love learning new technical terms...

 

[dlleno]

well, we have to lighten things up once in a while! For perspective, consider that the 5D3 can focus at all AF points in the amount of light requiring a 30 second exposure at f/2.8 (iso 100), or EV -2, while the 6D would trip and fall at that level except in the center where it can acheive AF if the light is low enough to require a 60 sec shutter. How many shots would you loose if the center point could not acheive focus for the longer exposure example? probably important to some and not for others.

Conversely, "off center" the 6D requires EV -1 (15 sec exposure) while all 61 AF points of the 5D3 do the snoopy dance down to EV -2. How many shots would you loose if the "off center" points required EV -1 instead of -2?

oh, and don't forget that the exposure meter itself requires a lot more light than the AF system does, to meet its rated performance and accuracy. Both the 6D and the 5D3 metering systems require +1 EV

 

[MayaTlab]

The one thing that makes the 5D III stellar for shooting events / weddings / reportage i.e. "people in action" stuff, is not just its AF system, but the controls associated to it, and especially the following things :
- The ability to register an AF point (that includes the automatic selection mode), and then bring it up with the AF-on, exposure lock of DOF buttons.
- The ability to go from One shot to AI servo with the DOF preview button
- Custom modes.

Just as an illustration :
In my C3 mode, I use 9 points extended af mode when pressing the shutter button, but automatic selection when pressing the AF-on button. At anytime, I can switch between One shot or AI servo if the subject starts to move, either in manual point selection or automatic selection. The exposure lock button is used as AF stop (if an object blocks the subject view for example). So it's like having two AF point selection modes quickly available, either in One shot or AI servo modes.
In my C1 mode, instead of switching between One shot and AI servo, the DOF preview button serves as a second registered AF mode, so it's like I'm having three AF point selection mode quickly available at the same time : spot AF, extended AF, automatic selection AF.

This is massively powerful for shooting living things, which tend to be, by nature, quite unpredictable subjects. Since I see you're shooting events and weddings, that could be very beneficial.

You'll also benefit from having a second card slot, although unfortunately the SD card slot doesn't support fast cards (why Canon ? WHY ?).

On the other hand, from the files I've been playing with in Capture One, I find the 6D sensor slightly superior at higher ISOs, and at least as good at low ISOs as the 1DX, that is to say, again, superior to the 5DIII.

 

[LewisShermer]

I went for the.........


5Diii


I went down to the shop, had a play with both. the 6D with the controls set out as they are feels kinda like going back to the 500D. also the menu system is a lot lot nicer on the 5Diii. I know both those things are pretty superficial but I'm sure I'll reap the benefits of going for the 5. I'm going to have to stay in for a few weekends now...

 

[Hillsilly]

Plus if I get a 6D I'll just get the piss ripped out of me by "pro's" tottering around with their 5Diii's

Congratulations on your purchase! I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.

Not that I'm overly persuaded by peer pressure, but I've been considering the 6D vs 5Diii, too. Its a tough call. Realistically, I'd be happy with either. I'm leaning towards the 5Diii as it seems to be a camera that I'd be happy to own for a very long time. Whereas if I went with the 6D, it will only be because its cheaper. I'd probably always regret not buying a 5Diii and would worry about what I'm missing out on. Wifi, GPS etc will be handy but aren't deal makers for me. For me, the question is $800 vs 3 to 4 years increased happiness.

But then, I'm in no rush. Maybe I'll sit back and wait for the sub $1000 FF that everyone's talking about.

 

[tron]

Good choice! Congratulations. I believe 5D3 will serve you for many years.

 

[RS2021]

I went for the.........


5Diii

Smart call.

6D is a stop-gap body from Canon when you strip away the noise and iso babble among some. At best it may tie 5d3 here... Canon is not in the business of selling better performers for less money. Also, we should expect more frequent updates for the 6D than the 1 and 5 series as the market moves to more FF load and competition on the lower end; perhaps similar to the T3i or 10 series (gasp, I know!). I am not knocking the 6D here, it (and its successors) may well emerge as stable, competent entry ff bodies for the canon line.

But near term, once you move out of the narrow box of iso claims for the 6D with limited data from few sources, the higher end FF bodies simply offer more on AF, build, and other pro-friendly features. If you are entering the digital FF arena and you can afford them, they offer more room to grow, whatever your level of expertise. They will also hold their value once they settle into their market-bearable target price.

Congrats!!

 

[dlleno]

... noise and iso babble among some.
...narrow box of iso claims for the 6D with limited data from few sources.

good to see I'm not the only one with such a perspective. I wouldn't call it babble necessarily, cuz its necessary dialog and part of the discovery/vetting process, but I do agree that the theoretical merits of the 6D have been stressed over the practical. That said, I suspect the 6D will fill an important gap in the price/performance lineup and represents a brilliant marketing move on Canon's part. It may even become a proving ground for features that may end up in the higher end bodies. The Wifi features themselves pack a lot of wahoo and are very well received.

the higher end FF bodies simply offer more on AF, build, and other pro-friendly features. If you are entering the digital FF arena and you can afford them, they offer more room to grow, whatever your level of expertise. They will also hold their value once they settle into their market-bearable target price.

+1. moreover, without seeing some actual photos where the 6D "gets the shot" and the 5D3 does not, the -3EV center AF point isn't so much about improving upon the 5D3. It may be a preview of a 5D4 with a boatload of AF points all at -3EV or lower [/quote]

 

[rpt]

I went for the.........


5Diii

Great! However, you forgot to add the "TaDaaaaaaa!" between the first and second text line!
So do it again from the top!

I am sure you will have fun! Remember, the hole in your wallet will mend.

 

[RustyTheGeek]

I went for the.........


5Diii

Great! However, you forgot to add the "TaDaaaaaaa!" between the first and second text line!
So do it again from the top!

I am sure you will have fun! Remember, the hole in your wallet will mend.

No, actually all those dots are supposed to be.......... (DrumRoll!)

And I think you will love your decision. Do us all a favor, test out the low light focus for us. See if it focus locks quickly in a dimly lit room with and without AF assist. (With and without a flash attached and/or powered on.)

Since some folks have had horrible problems with low light focus and others haven't had any problems at all, which camp do you fall into? If you have problems, you'll know it immediately. Then just return the camera and get another until the problem is gone. That's what I had to do, return my new 5D3 and get an exchange. The 2nd 5D3 works fine.

 

[skitron]

I went for the.........


5Diii

LOL, so did I after getting a 6D and it not being my cup of tea.

 

[Nazareth]

The 6D is a tough camera to chose- on theo ne hand you have the crop sensor that offers more features for a bit less money- but is a crop sensor- on the other hand you have the 5D's which offer more but for more money (not sure hwat hte 5D2 is sellign for htese days, might be near the price of the 6D) The geotagging of hte 6D is nice- as is the wireless stuff- and from what I'm seeing, it appears to shoot good photos on par with 5D? but personally I think I'd go the 5D route (and pick up a 7D as secodnary camera both for reach with hte logner lenses, and for speed fps-- but in the end I went with hte 1DX as my primary and 7D as secondary- the way I figured it was that while the 1DX is 2x's the money it's also rated for 400,000 shutter actuations, is built like a sherman tank, is reaqlly weather sealed, has excellent low light (as does the 5D3) and is blazing fast and has a built in voice recorder, and since I love lsitenign to my own voice, I lsiten to recordings over aqnd over again because I can (just kidding)- I woudl however have liked it if it included geotagging-

I had briefly htought abotu savign my inheritance money and buying the 6D- but as rough o ncameras as I am, I figured I would need the toughness of the 1DX, and when the shutter does eventually go out, I can have it repalced reasonably and be hopefully set for aniother coupel of hundred thousand shots as the camera might be rugged enough that it's still in fairly good shape by then whereas the 5D3 might not be (I tend to trip a lot when otu in the woods walkign htrough tangled brush etc- and slippiong on rocks crossing streams etc- Of course though, I suppsoe you coudl get insurance for around $150 or so a year that woudl cover a replacement of the 5D3 shoudl somethign happen to it-

 

[LewisShermer]

I did my first shoot with it yesterday, it's totally rad! It shoots like a dream. Image quality is amazing. Nothing low light though. Just a friend who needed a set doing for suicide girls... so full lighting set up. It reminded me of why i loved the 7D but it's so much more. even down to the dial on the back, the click is so soft yet satisfying.

do you think we'll be looking back in years to come with all new technology and think "how did we ever put up with the 5Diii???"?

It's bonkers just how amazing it is.

bonkers!!!

 

[LewisShermer]

I quickly processed one image, stuck it on my blog. it's not 100% processed and scaled down so not zoomable for pixel-peeping but it looks pretty spot on to me. IQ and stuff anyway. maybe the quality of the photography/photographer isn't up to standard...

here's the link anyway http://wentdownfighting.tumblr.com/

 

[Nazareth]

lol yup- we'll probably look back and htink these new cameras today are dinos- and laugh at hte 'technology' that we thought was so innovative today- although, cameras have coem a very long way today compared to film days- makign hsots where film cameras could only dream of- very little noise- auto everythingg- etc etc etc- we really do have it good today- and even if we preferred the grains of old film, we can simulate it soemwhat today if we so choose-

If you ever get a chance- try otu hte shutter button o nthe 1DX- it's so sensitive and smooth I have to be careful not to breath on it or it will fitre off a couple of rounds lol- Much different htan my 7d for sure- Can't beleive how much better my photos look from the 1DX- it's almsot liek you have to try really hard to take a bad photo- as opposed to tryign relly hard with hte 7d to take good photos=- Coupled with my 85 1.8 it's quite hard to take a bad photo- everything just really looks nice- I imagine hte 5D3 is the same too- perhaps even a bit better IQ wise- You've got a great camera there-

 

[RustyTheGeek]

I quickly processed one image, stuck it on my blog. it's not 100% processed and scaled down so not zoomable for pixel-peeping but it looks pretty spot on to me. IQ and stuff anyway. maybe the quality of the photography/photographer isn't up to standard...

here's the link anyway http://wentdownfighting.tumblr.com/

That shot looks really great/fun/cute, etc. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Dylan777]

I went for the.........


5Diii

Congrats on your new toy

I played with 6D for 2 days and decided not to have 6D as 2nd body. Maybe another 5D III or 1D X....if I get an approval from the boss at home ;D

6D reminded me why I jumped from 5D II to 5D III, AF system is not there :-\ :-\ :-\