EOS 6D launch and effect on 5D MkII & MKIII

[Zv]

Pictures lost from NOT having dual slots in last 2 years - none.

Pictures lost from external hard drive and stupidness - plenty!

I now make 2 back-ups after a shoot, one on laptop the other on external. Then I keep the data on memory card until the day before next shoot. This method has served me well.

If I had dual slots - I'd use them to take more shots without the need to change cards.

 

[dunkers]

The two things that the 6D is lacking that I think are important to a amateur/prosumer photographer are a second memory card slot and a pop-up flash. I just purchased a Nikon D600 for my father, rather than the 6D, because the D600 had the second memory card slot and a pop-up flash.

I could care less about WiFi and GPS....and video for that matter! I think Canon should have designed this camera geared toward purely still photography, and left out the video, which would have kept down the retail price and Canon might have been able to price it around $1,500. The Nikon D700 doesn't have video, and look at how many still love that camera!

I agree regarding the pop-up flash. However, the only reason I want one on my 5D3 is to be able to use it a wireless trigger. Other than that, I see little to no value to it.

As for the secondary card slot...
I don't see why people are complaining so much about it. I have a CF card and an SD in my 5D3, but I never use em both at the same time. I did once, and regretted it during post processing.
I only use the SD card when my CF card runs out of space.

Wifi on the other hand,
Nikon sees the potential of including that technology. In the commercial for the new D3200, they advertised their wifi dongle to go with it. The first guy I met using a D600 (before it became widely available), showed off the wireless dongle to me as one of the features he liked about it. It is a great feature to have when shooting sports b/c you don't have to buy an Eye-fi card to send the photos wirelessly to your computer. His D600 had some kind of compartment on the strap to house the wireless dongle.

Not to mention that a LOT of people out there take pictures and then post them to Facebook, flickr, etc. Canon is going to release a phone app (for iOS and Android) that allows you to control your DSLR with your phone. The phone can function as a wireless release and even upload the your camera's photos online without the need to download them to your computer.

The real kicker would be if you can use your phone as a wifi hotspot. That means you can post the pictures ANYWHERE that you have cell reception. I can see lots of teenagers and young adults using this feature to upload their photos to facebook and whatnot.

 

[Gino]

The two things that the 6D is lacking that I think are important to a amateur/prosumer photographer are a second memory card slot and a pop-up flash. I just purchased a Nikon D600 for my father, rather than the 6D, because the D600 had the second memory card slot and a pop-up flash.

I could care less about WiFi and GPS....and video for that matter! I think Canon should have designed this camera geared toward purely still photography, and left out the video, which would have kept down the retail price and Canon might have been able to price it around $1,500. The Nikon D700 doesn't have video, and look at how many still love that camera!

I agree regarding the pop-up flash. However, the only reason I want one on my 5D3 is to be able to use it a wireless trigger. Other than that, I see little to no value to it.

As for the secondary card slot...
I don't see why people are complaining so much about it. I have a CF card and an SD in my 5D3, but I never use em both at the same time. I did once, and regretted it during post processing.
I only use the SD card when my CF card runs out of space.

Wifi on the other hand,
Nikon sees the potential of including that technology. In the commercial for the new D3200, they advertised their wifi dongle to go with it. The first guy I met using a D600 (before it became widely available), showed off the wireless dongle to me as one of the features he liked about it. It is a great feature to have when shooting sports b/c you don't have to buy an Eye-fi card to send the photos wirelessly to your computer. His D600 had some kind of compartment on the strap to house the wireless dongle.

Not to mention that a LOT of people out there take pictures and then post them to Facebook, flickr, etc. Canon is going to release a phone app (for iOS and Android) that allows you to control your DSLR with your phone. The phone can function as a wireless release and even upload the your camera's photos online without the need to download them to your computer.

The real kicker would be if you can use your phone as a wifi hotspot. That means you can post the pictures ANYWHERE that you have cell reception. I can see lots of teenagers and young adults using this feature to upload their photos to facebook and whatnot.

Yeah, WiFi might be a good idea for an entry level DSLR or point and shoot, but I don't see a lot of teenagers and young adults buying $2,000+ DSLR bodies, and I doubt most people that buy a $2,000+ body will post their photos on the internet without processing the RAW files on their computer first.

 

[Gino]

That is because you are thinking inside the box, start to think outside it and suddenly you have full control over remote cameras on your phone with real time sensor readout for $2,000. I'd get a couple for weddings, think remotes in blimps (soundproof boxes not airships!), just imagine the images we could take that we can't currently, heck some churches still ban photography completely because of the intrusion, we will be freed from all that at a new price point. Also concerts, no more three song nonsense, I can set up a couple of remotes and fire away, adjust camera settings, get playback etc, I can't wait.

I understand the idea of having all those nice features, but they should be in the 5D MarkIII. In my opinion, Canon could have left out many of those "nice to have" features in the 6D, so they could price it around $1,500....that is all I'm saying.

I really don't see Canon having strong sales in the 6D priced at $2,099....especially since you can now get a 5D Mark III for around $2,700. Plus, you can find great deals on the Nikon D600....I purchased an open box from Crutchfield for $1,800!

 

[darrellrhodesmiller]

the wifi option in this camera isnt just meant for just uploading pics to the web.. much like the gopro helmet cams, you can completely control the camera from a remote or from your smart phone. you can set and control every aspect of the camera from it. It could be an incredibly powerful feature if Canon ever opened up the SDK (software development kit) to software developers. If they were to ever do that, a developer could write an application for a computer or smart phone that could completely control the camera and add new modes of shooting or different functionality. This is just the start i hope.

 

[tron]

I usually shoot RAW to the primary card slot and jpeg to the secondary. I'd hate to lose a priceless moment to a memory card failure....

In that case you should shoot RAW to both cards...

 

[Area256]

the wifi option in this camera isnt just meant for just uploading pics to the web.. much like the gopro helmet cams, you can completely control the camera from a remote or from your smart phone. you can set and control every aspect of the camera from it. It could be an incredibly powerful feature if Canon ever opened up the SDK (software development kit) to software developers. If they were to ever do that, a developer could write an application for a computer or smart phone that could completely control the camera and add new modes of shooting or different functionality. This is just the start i hope.

+1

This is actually one of the major reasons I want this camera over the 5D2. I often shoot things at odd angles or locations, and being able to control the camera remotely would be awesome. Also I carry around a iPad most of the time, and being able to review photos quickly on that without any cables, adapters, etc, would also be a fun feature to have. I process RAW before I upload anything, but still for checking the images it would be good.

From a consumer point of view, I could see this being the ultimate self-portrait camera. Using a phone to get your framing and focus right while away from the camera would be awesome.

From a pro point of view, being able to wireless transfer images to a computer in studio would also be handy.

I would love it if they would release the API, or if someone could reverse engineer the API. I could see doing some really cool things with that.

Is WiFi a need to have feature? I actually don't think so, but it could sure be a nice to have feature.

 

[TAF]

So answer this question, do you ever back-up your computer to make sure you don't lose the important files/photos you have saved??? Having a 2nd memory card slot is the same thing when it comes to a camera! I guess we're not going to agree on the importance of having back-up files!

My point is from a retail price standpoint, I'd much rather have a camera with a 2nd memory card slot and pop-up flash vs. a camera that had one card slot and no pop-up flash, but had GPS and WiFi. If you talk about the "wants v. needs", how many people really need GPS and WiFi?

WiFi = The ultimate 2nd memory card slot, without taking up space in the camera body, and with a great many other benefits as well.

Computer back-ups are great, if you keep them off site. If they're in the same building, then they're only so-so, since if the place burns down, everything goes. Same with having two card slots in the body - drop the camera over the side of the boat, and it doesn't matter if you copied to both cards. But with WiFi, your laptop sitting safely in the corner can still have your images.

Sounds to me like Canon is trying for a paradigm shift in this area.

 

[Chuck Alaimo]

So answer this question, do you ever back-up your computer to make sure you don't lose the important files/photos you have saved??? Having a 2nd memory card slot is the same thing when it comes to a camera! I guess we're not going to agree on the importance of having back-up files!

My point is from a retail price standpoint, I'd much rather have a camera with a 2nd memory card slot and pop-up flash vs. a camera that had one card slot and no pop-up flash, but had GPS and WiFi. If you talk about the "wants v. needs", how many people really need GPS and WiFi?

Also, I don't think most people who own a DSLR bought it because they wanted the video feature, so it is also a feature that Canon could of left out of the 6D, and that would have kept down the cost.....it would have drove those that wanted video toward the 5D MKIII.

Ok, will say it again ....not saying I don't think it's an important feature...just putting the want/need in context. I don't think the casual user cares/knows/will use/is concerned with dual card slots - that's more of a pro worry/concern/need/must have or else. As was pointed out, some may not even know/care that its there or read the manual enough to know how to use it! Also, dual cards was a luxury only given to uber pro bodies in earlier generations. And we all (pro, am, general consumer) didn't make much of a fuss about it. dual cards is trickling down now, by next round of up grades in 3 year it will just be expected. But as of now, I just don't see it as something the general consumer is going to care about.

Pop up flash on the other hand, now that is something a general consumer coming from a low level DSLR or a P&S will desire - basically because to quote the thought bubble of a potential random consumer "why does my cheap cam have one and this uber expensive one not? And now i have to buy a flash... f this, I will go for something else, the 7d has a flash, and a lens for cheaper!!!!!" This kind of person may bail on any FF body after that. Again, who is the 6d marketed towards? I really don't know/get/understand that side of it ---It's got pro features that the average joe doesn't care about but not enough of the features average joe does care about.

Now wifi and gps, those are selling features the average joe does care about.

And the there's video, take the video out and this would be a dead in the water camera unless it was priced waaaay lower (like $1400). Many using crop for video will buy this cause its a cheap and easy way to FF. And, the average joe, average joe will want video and see any camera without it as pointless. Unfotunately, bundling video into SLR's, that the kind of thing that once it happened once has to happen now --- it's expected.

 

[Chuck Alaimo]

The two things that the 6D is lacking that I think are important to a amateur/prosumer photographer are a second memory card slot and a pop-up flash. I just purchased a Nikon D600 for my father, rather than the 6D, because the D600 had the second memory card slot and a pop-up flash.

I could care less about WiFi and GPS....and video for that matter! I think Canon should have designed this camera geared toward purely still photography, and left out the video, which would have kept down the retail price and Canon might have been able to price it around $1,500. The Nikon D700 doesn't have video, and look at how many still love that camera!

I agree regarding the pop-up flash. However, the only reason I want one on my 5D3 is to be able to use it a wireless trigger. Other than that, I see little to no value to it.

As for the secondary card slot...
I don't see why people are complaining so much about it. I have a CF card and an SD in my 5D3, but I never use em both at the same time. I did once, and regretted it during post processing.
I only use the SD card when my CF card runs out of space.

Wifi on the other hand,
Nikon sees the potential of including that technology. In the commercial for the new D3200, they advertised their wifi dongle to go with it. The first guy I met using a D600 (before it became widely available), showed off the wireless dongle to me as one of the features he liked about it. It is a great feature to have when shooting sports b/c you don't have to buy an Eye-fi card to send the photos wirelessly to your computer. His D600 had some kind of compartment on the strap to house the wireless dongle.

Not to mention that a LOT of people out there take pictures and then post them to Facebook, flickr, etc. Canon is going to release a phone app (for iOS and Android) that allows you to control your DSLR with your phone. The phone can function as a wireless release and even upload the your camera's photos online without the need to download them to your computer.

The real kicker would be if you can use your phone as a wifi hotspot. That means you can post the pictures ANYWHERE that you have cell reception. I can see lots of teenagers and young adults using this feature to upload their photos to facebook and whatnot.

+1! this, the take a shot direct to FB crowd is the crowd I am taking about in terms of caring about dual card slots. I am betting for most of this crowd too, they will prefer jpeg, smaller sized because its the crowd that wants better than cell phone quality but has zero intention of making prints...shoot, wifi to phone, instagram it to FB.

 

[Myth]

Interestingly, a UK retailer is offering a £194 price drop on the 5D MkII for today only. With the 6D perhaps arriving next Monday in the UK could this be the start of a big price drop for the 5D MKII towards its eventual end of production?

 

[Chosenbydestiny]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the advantages of built in wifi for videographers. We fly a 60D on a crane sometimes and being able to see what I'm recording wirelessly on any of my pocketable screens, or even a tablet will be ground breaking for that kind of work. Or how about those shots where the camera is hidden? I've done a shot with a dslr that was inside a fridge and though its a rare shot, the convenience of less takes is always welcome. Directing via cell phone? Man... I'm betting anything the magic lantern guys are already thinking of ways to play with the wifi function.

 

[Myth]

Canon EOS 6D in stock in UK at Wex Photographic. Interesting times ahead...

 

[Myth]

UK customers should have 6D delivery by Friday...

 

[WhoIreland]

the wifi option in this camera isnt just meant for just uploading pics to the web.. much like the gopro helmet cams, you can completely control the camera from a remote or from your smart phone. you can set and control every aspect of the camera from it. It could be an incredibly powerful feature if Canon ever opened up the SDK (software development kit) to software developers. If they were to ever do that, a developer could write an application for a computer or smart phone that could completely control the camera and add new modes of shooting or different functionality. This is just the start i hope.

+1

This is actually one of the major reasons I want this camera over the 5D2. I often shoot things at odd angles or locations, and being able to control the camera remotely would be awesome. Also I carry around a iPad most of the time, and being able to review photos quickly on that without any cables, adapters, etc, would also be a fun feature to have. I process RAW before I upload anything, but still for checking the images it would be good.

From a consumer point of view, I could see this being the ultimate self-portrait camera. Using a phone to get your framing and focus right while away from the camera would be awesome.

From a pro point of view, being able to wireless transfer images to a computer in studio would also be handy.

I would love it if they would release the API, or if someone could reverse engineer the API. I could see doing some really cool things with that.

Is WiFi a need to have feature? I actually don't think so, but it could sure be a nice to have feature.

Excuse my ignorance here guys, but my understanding of a wifi camera is that it is WIFI enabled
i.e. can connect to a wifi network
So all the features of wireless control,viewing on ipad instantly,and writing to laptop, are all only available if all items are on the same wifi network i.e. at home !

if you're in the field,so to speak, they won't be on wifi....
it's not like bluetooth where one item can communicate with another

or am i missing something.......?

 

[7enderbender]

With the 6D due to be launched in the coming weeks what does everyone think will happen to the 5D MK II? Will it disappear? Quickly, or be phased out gradually? Possibly a reduction in price for the MK II so that it is not too close to the 6D price and competing with it?

The 5D MKIII has been gradually dropping in price but must be about to reach a limit so that it doesn't compete with the 6D? Presumably this limit will need to hold for a good 6 months to allow the 6D to capitalise on profits from initial sales? i.e., no further price drops on the 5D MKIII for a while...

Is there a market that can support all 3 cameras? !

I recently spoke to a sales person at a camera event who suggested that there may be a market for all three cameras and that Canon had no plans to cease production of the 5D MKII. But at a relatively close price point to the 6D this surely cannot be good for sales of either camera?

I think there may be a market for it, but it's not very likely that Canon will keep it up like this. But I sure hope the MarkII will still be available throughout 2013 since I'd be the kind of customer who still wants another one of these as backup. I'm not interested in the 6D whatsoever while the MarkIII is really nice but the added cost are not justified for my needs. The Mark II does the job more than fine.

 

[ktabes]

I'm still confused as to why people don't think there is a market for this camera. Of course there is!!

As someone who enjoys the outdoors and traveling, the gps and smaller body is awesome. And as an enthusiast I am completely bored with what my t3i had to offer and am excited about upgrading to a full frame.

The low-light capabilities and wifi is also a big bonus for those in media who need to shoot photos/videos on the run. Even with no headphone jack, those traveling light with an h1 will be fine.

I think this/or the d600 is a great option for those leaping into full frame, and need something that gets straight to the point.

Besides, its not out yet, so who cares?

 

[MarkII]

So all the features of wireless control,viewing on ipad instantly,and writing to laptop, are all only available if all items are on the same wifi network i.e. at home !

if you're in the field,so to speak, they won't be on wifi....
it's not like bluetooth where one item can communicate with another

Many mobile devices can create ad-hoc WiFi networks. For example, my (Nokia) phone has several apps that can be used to create a WiFi network to allow 3G connection sharing with a laptop. Many PC or Mac laptops have the ability to create adhoc WiFi networks too.

I also think that this is one of the most positive developments in the 6D. I wish that the 5DIII could do this out of the box, as it could be very useful for macro/wildlife shooting, and it opens up a host of possibilities for using apps to provide smart triggering (eg on a sound) or remote live-view monitoring.

 

[wookiee2cu]

I don't see the 6D hurting the 5D MIII as the 5D MIII is a more advanced body. However, I do see the 6D affecting the 5D MII and would be surprised if it continued much longer but it sounds like Canon does intend to keep it around for a while so we'll have to wait and see. As far as 5D MIII pricing, as of November 1st Canon put in place MAP pricing for all authorized Canon dealers which is the $3,499 minus any rebates Canon has on the body. You will see other stores advertise below this price but they are not Canon Authorized dealers (and if they are Canon will probably catch them sooner or later), supposedly they still come with a warranty and everything so technically there shouldn't be a risk purchasing from them but as with anything it's a gamble. Should these non-authorized stores continue to discount the bodies heavily I wouldn't be surprised to see their shipments from Canon to start to shrink in quantity.

 

[cinema-dslr]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the advantages of built in wifi for videographers. We fly a 60D on a crane sometimes and being able to see what I'm recording wirelessly on any of my pocketable screens, or even a tablet will be ground breaking for that kind of work. Or how about those shots where the camera is hidden? I've done a shot with a dslr that was inside a fridge and though its a rare shot, the convenience of less takes is always welcome. Directing via cell phone? Man... I'm betting anything the magic lantern guys are already thinking of ways to play with the wifi function.

It would have been great for videographers only wifi doesn't work in video mode.!!
maybe ML will fix this in the near future