Question for super-experts

[FramerMCB]

6D is a great buy for landscape full format. See if you can have a good deal. The updates for the 6DII will be visible - but are they worth 1000 USD? 6D plus 24-70 L 2.8 is an awesome combination. Add the 16-35 L f4 IS and you have a wonderful landscape FF kit.

I'm surprised you know the price of a camera that has not even been announced!

Ina body it is the sensor that defines quality and if you look at the BH photo video about the 5DmkIV, they say the improvements are small but noticeable. I anticipate the changes to the 6D to be in the same vein. But given that the date of the 6DII is not yet known then how long do you want to wait? A year? 2 years? And in the meantime you are taking photos with a camera you seem to be convinced is not up to the job for landscapes.

And while people are talking about a 6Dii there is also talk of a 'brand new' DSLR as well. So will you prefer the 6D2 or the 'brand new' one?

So I say buy the 6D now and enjoy taking photos and see what comes along. If the 6D proves to be the improvement you want then you have been using it. if the 6D is not the improvement you hoped for you have had a shot of realism for when they next cycle of bodies is released.

I think the poster is "guesstimating" the new body will at least exceed by $1000USD what one can currently buy a 6D for. You can get a refurbished on sale at the Canon USA store (online) (comes with same 1-year warranty as new bodies) for just over $1000USD (I've seen them at $1099USD). It is a good camera body. And for the price difference between the current and the guess to where the new model comes out (and I do believe it will be in the first quarter of 2017) one could invest in more glass. And as others have suggested to the OP. One wouldn't take much of a hit by buying a 6D now. In fact, if the OP buys one now, he can use it for a few months to see if the gains for his style of shooting are what he's looking for. If not, he can sell it at not much loss (if any) prior to the new version being released.

I don't see much downside for the OP in picking up a 6D now... (my 2-cents)

 

[Mikehit]

I read on some forums that the 6D would have some problem in autofocus (especially for me accustomed to the extreme speed of the EOS 7DII), but I do not believe that this is relevant for the landscape, macro, portrait or photo in studio.

I have been doing comparisons of focus between the two bodies using the centre focus point with 100-400 Mk II, focusing on small birds (sparrows) in a clump of bamboo from a distance of about 15metres , which means the background is both complex and very close to the bird.
The AF point for both cameras barely covers the bird's chest and the 6D is more assured. If you get placement of the AF point slightly wrong on the 7D it can hunt a bit more often but the 6D just hits it. The more I try this the more I am sure that this is because on all cameras the AF area is often a bit bigger than the point shown in the viewfinder and with more pixels the 7DII is more likely to try and focus on something else.

But of course for moving subjects the 7Dii is far superior.

So as you say for landscape, studio etc the 6D loses nothing. In fact I am tempted to say you may find benefits depending on the subject.
My one caveat is that on the 6D I am less convinced about the accuracy of the outermost focus points but I can live with that.

 

[BlurredShot]

I read on some forums that the 6D would have some problem in autofocus (especially for me accustomed to the extreme speed of the EOS 7DII), but I do not believe that this is relevant for the landscape, macro, portrait or photo in studio.

I have been doing comparisons of focus between the two bodies using the centre focus point with 100-400 Mk II, focusing on small birds (sparrows) in a clump of bamboo from a distance of about 15metres , which means the background is both complex and very close to the bird.
The AF point for both cameras barely covers the bird's chest and the 6D is more assured. If you get placement of the AF point slightly wrong on the 7D it can hunt a bit more often but the 6D just hits it. The more I try this the more I am sure that this is because on all cameras the AF area is often a bit bigger than the point shown in the viewfinder and with more pixels the 7DII is more likely to try and focus on something else.

But of course for moving subjects the 7Dii is far superior.

So as you say for landscape, studio etc the 6D loses nothing. In fact I am tempted to say you may find benefits depending on the subject.
My one caveat is that on the 6D I am less convinced about the accuracy of the outermost focus points but I can live with that.

I'm not a "super expert" or really much of an "expert", but I have been in a similar situation.

I currently own the 7d (mark i) and it has been pretty much lost to my daughter and her photography class. So I've been on the hunt for a new camera body since the launch of the 1Dx ii this past spring. I ended up deciding to wait, and wait, and wait for the 5Div, which I have on pre-order.

In the meantime I invested in some L series glass which breathed new life into my 7D, and watched as my daughter got an A in the class, while I ended up using a film based Eos 1v to take 2 rolls over the summer. (72 pictures when I'm used to way way way more.

Where I'm going with this is do not under-estimate what good lenses will add to your photography, but also don't let tomorrow's camera keep you from taking the pictures you want today.

 

[GP.Masserano]

...and if instead got in sale of some old lens and seek this ? (Used, of course)

 

[IglooEater]

My answer as super-expert is to stop using slash on the lens names and use dash like it's supposed.


I did not think was so important...shall recall in the future

It's not that important-it's just confusing on the eyes to read. My eyes expect to see an f-number around a slash such as f/2.8, so my brain gets fuzzy when used for focal lengths.

 

[Refurb7]

My current equipment: Canon EOS 7DmkII + 8/16 Sigma + 24/70 f4 L + 100 macro f2.8 L + 100/400 L mkII + 24/105 STM for photos of nature and travel.
I would like to broaden the kit for the landscape with Canon EOS 6D (for use in particular with 24/70 or 24/105 STM) and 70/300 USM IS L (that i prefer to 70/200 F4 L is)
Questions for super-experts : it is a good choice?
Canon has intention to leave in the near future a MK2 version of 6D ?
(I would NOT buy a camera FF to 1300euros and then discover that is going to be a version MK2...

Thanks for your answers!

Of course Canon has the intention to create in the near future an MK2 version of the 6D. That is almost certain to happen with the 6D, as it is with many other cameras. Pretty much all cameras are on an upgrade cycle — so a new version comes out every few years. You can look up when the 6D was introduced and guess that an MK2 version will be out about 3 years later.

But the MK2 version will almost certainly have an introductory price that is much higher than the current price of the original 6D. That is called introductory pricing. Then the price comes down as each year passes.

No one, no matter how expert, can tell you Canon's true future intentions. But it is easily guessable based on past conduct.

 

[chauncey]

You are suffering from the want/need scenario...you can take every picture imaginable with the camera
that you have, albeit, with maybe different glass. Want wider...learn how to photo-merge images.

 

[KeithBreazeal]

There is not substitute for good glass.
When I transitioned from video to still photography, I had a lot of photographer friends and followed their advice- invest in glass and grow with bodies. I bought a 40D kit from COSTCO(now my sons) and started adding L glass.
Bodies are really about what you shoot. Back then, I shot mostly daylight subjects. Now I'm into nightscapes, sports, and whatever interests me. My 50Ds have new homes and my 7D is still here for some reason. My 5D III has been awesome and is going to a new home as soon as the mark IV arrives.
I have the 5DS and use it for everything but night or low light work.
So, my advise is to go with really good glass first. All Canon sensors perform well in daylight but it's the glass that will make a big difference. My old 7D with the 300 2.8 produces amazing results, so why upgrade? Some people want the latest and greatest for their ego or bragging rights. Upgrade to your needs, not peer pressure.

 

[rfdesigner]

I own a 6D

6D FF advantages

1. Low light
2. Wide angle shots can be had with shallow DoF. Something you can't do anything like as well on a crop. (24mmf1.4 on FF ~= 18mmf0.9 on crop, which you simply can't buy)
3. Of the old gen sensors the 6D was the best having almost zero banding (I've only found banding in a couple of shots with my camera now on about 3000 shutter count) It's also VERY sensitive.
4. The DR of the 6D is better than the 7DII at base, which you might just use for landscape.

The 6DII if it has a sensor as good as the 5DIV will make a big difference in DR.

As has been said, the 6DII will be substantially dearer than the 6D, so yes it will be better, almost certainly having a reasonable AF system as opposed to the fairly limited one in the 6D (which is still a step up on the 5DII AF) But for landscape you've got liveview AF so this doesn't matter.

The other thing you'll find with a 6D is for low light action the 7DII will nail the AF but 100% will be poor images, the 6D AF will miss 75% of the shots but the 25% that are good will be keepers.

 

[GP.Masserano]

You are suffering from the want/need scenario...you can take every picture imaginable with the camera
that you have, albeit, with maybe different glass. Want wider...learn how to photo-merge images.

Probably you are right... :
But you must admit that in our hobby, many of us are continuous research (perhaps hidden) of "photographic philosopher's stone"...

More seriously: sometimes I produce prints 50 x 75 for furniture (as those attached) and consequently i need extra sharpness and detail even in shadow zones.
Lately I am working much in HDR, but I would like to make a step forward.

After reading many post, I'm deciding for the 6D or do a..."mortal jump" and step to medium format

 

[GP.Masserano]

For example: a friend want a 50 x 75 of a scottish harbor.
The photo was taken with a 24mm Leitz to f8.
Then I applied little sharpening with PS and the print has become quite well, I would say (annex the original file)

 

[bholliman]

I think the 6D is a terrific bargain now. For landscape, portraits, and slow moving subjects it's still an excellent camera nearly 4 years after introduction. You can pick up a refurb for around $1,100 or a good used one under $900 in the US. For me that's a lot of camera for this amount of money. Yes, a 6D MkII will probably be introduced in 2017, but it will be considerably more expensive. I don't think 6D used prices are going to get much lower in the next year or two, so your risk buying one now is minimal.

I think the 6D is an ideal compliment to the 7D2, between these two bodies you can shoot about anything. I use my 6D as a backup to my 5DsR and when shooting in low light. I also like to carry it with my 35mm f/2 IS when I want a lightweight setup.

 

[symmar22]

Hello, I think your equipment is very adequate, but I understand your desire to switch to full frame. The 6D is not a bad camera, but it's ending it's career, and the sensor technology is a bit outdated. Canon new line of sensors, featured in the 80D, 1Dx2 and 5D4 are an important improvement. One can guess the 6D2 that will likely arrive within a year will use such a sensor.

My opinion is that if you want a real jump in image quality, you should wait a bit. If you want to start experimenting with a full frame now, I would advise to try to find a second hand 6D, that you can resell without too much loss when the next one is coming.

As for a lens addition, I would go for the 16-35 f4 IS L, that is one of the best bargains in Canon's lens range. The 11-24 that was mentioned is in my opinion a very specialised lens. It requires excellent skills to compose an interesting image with super wide angles. It's heavy, bulky, doesn't take front filters and costs 3000 Euro in Europe. For that money, I think you could get a 6D2 AND a 16-35 f4 IS that would serve you well for landscapes.

Lots of people are attracted to super wides for landscapes because they think that putting everything in the frame is the way to go, when on the contrary, it is very often selective framing that make landscapes interesting. Aside from being on location at the right moment for the light, the most challenging part in landscapes is the framing, since, contrary to architecture, there is no real limit to what has to be in the frame, only the photographer can decide.

I find that reasonable wide angles (20-35mm) and short to medium telephotos (85-200m) are often the best tools for landscapes. There is of course cases where you need more extreme lenses, but in my opinion it is the exception more than the rule.

 

[GP.Masserano]

Lots of people are attracted to super wides for landscapes because they think that putting everything in the frame is the way to go, when on the contrary, it is very often selective framing that make landscapes interesting.

I agree 100%!
When I used the rollfilm (many years ago...unfortunately), my favorite wide angle lens was a 24mm and seemed to me to be excessive even in certain situations.

But we are at the point of departure : there is who tells me that the 6D is perfect for my usage (landscape in particular) and who tells me that it is old and outdated and wait for an imaginary 6DII which will be released when nobody knows.

I begin to regret the times in which there was less choice...

Anyway thank you for the answers

 

[GP.Masserano]

I think the 6D is a terrific bargain now. For landscape, portraits, and slow moving subjects it's still an excellent camera nearly 4 years after introduction.

CANON EOS 6D BODY 1334EURO (New, packaged, by reliable seller)

 

[Sporgon]

I just shot this on the original 5D from 2005. I got my first 5D in 2005 when they first came out, then ran one alongside the 5DII and 6D before selling it a couple of years ago. Just got another mint, late serial number one now for a snip.

5D + 28m f/2.8 IS, 100 iso, 1/50th, f/5.6.

So much for 12 bit vs 14 bit, 10 stops DR vs 12 etc !

(Incidentally I'd quite happily put a 6D up against an a7rII anyday. But did I mention I sold the 6D ? Oooops.)

 

[candc]

this is a comparison shot taken with a 70d + sigma 8-16 @ 10mm and 6d + 16-35 f/4 is @ 16mm. in good light there is not a big iq difference. the 6d combo has some advantages (takes filters, has is)

 

[candc]

crops

 

[YuengLinger]

You do not need a new camera...start buying prime canon lenses and learn how to take pictures in manual mode.

Note that the OP asked for "super-experts." :

 

[mb66energy]

Coming from 40D / 600D I was always interested in the FF world but:
(1) was unshure how the quality would improve and
(2) how the tele sector would be crippled

5Ds wasn't the allround camera I was searching for. DPAF is interesting for me to be open for video. To check (1) and (2) I bought a 5D classic for 500 Euro (now ~300 Euro) from a dealer second hand.
(1) quality improvement was stunning. The smooth transitions and the per pixel sharpness/clearlyness was stunning. Also expanding the contrast in low contrast scenes gives much cleaner results compared to the APS-C cameras mentioned
(2) wasn't a big deal. My allround lens was the EF-S 60mm and now it is the EF 100mm (depends on shooting style). 5.6 400 is much more versatile on FF.
+(3) 24mm (old EF version) is stunning to shoot
+(4) the camera itself is a joy to use. Great ergonomics and ... such a simple set of features + menues which is dedicated to ... classic shooting.

Maybe a 5D classic if available for low price is a good "decision helper".

As you can see from my signature I have a 2nd one - one remark if you consider buying a 5D classic: Check if the serial number begins at least with a 2 (better display) and if it has the mirror reinforcement strips. There was a problem with loosing mirrors. I had my two 5D classics "upgraded" by Canon for free but this service isn't any longer for free.

Some remarks from a "non-super-expert" who is physicist, doesn't make his living with photography but is interested in high photographic quality at reasonable effort.