The Canon EOS 6D Mark II Mentioned [CR1]

[zlatko]

That's one angle for sure. But a very different approach. For me, Canon doesn't have a proper entry level "pro" camera. They made sure of that by giving the 6D an old AF system and one card slot.

"Entry level pro camera" is a bit of an oxymoron. It sounds like you want pro features for a consumer price.

The 6D's center point AF is fantastic for events (weddings, etc.). You can call it "old" but it's spec'd for lower light than any of their older cameras.

How do you figure? Entry level doesn't mean $600 Rebel.

At release, the 5D4 is likely to be around $3,800. We all know the 1D series will always be up there high.

If the 5D is Canon's "entry level" for Pro gear, then that is unfortunate, as they have surrendered a whole segment of the market place to Nikon. Because Nikon is offering PRO features and quality in the D610 and D750 for under $2,100!!!!!
.....

There are entry level cameras and there are pro cameras. Two different categories. Entry level does mean $600 Rebel.

Pros use all sorts of cameras. If they are just starting out, it will be a cheaper model, or perhaps a used copy of a more expensive model. I shoot full-time and the 6D is pro enough for me. I also use other Canon models, but could do everything with the 6D.

I don't need every feature that Nikon offers at some particular price. I know that with Nikon I'd lose some features — something that people never seem to mention. Nikon doesn't match a lot of things in the Canon system, and I don't expect Canon to match every price/feature of the Nikon system.

I bought one 6D in early 2013 at $1,879 and another one more recently when the price dropped to $1,450. If you are in the US, the 6D price is now as low as $1,149. And the 5D3 which I bought at $3,500 in 2012 is now as low as $1,999 in the US. So Nikon's sub-$2,100 price on the D610 and D750 aren't that impressive.

 

[ahsanford]

If the 5D is Canon's "entry level" for Pro gear, then that is unfortunate, as they have surrendered a whole segment of the market place to Nikon. Because Nikon is offering PRO features and quality in the D610 and D750 for under $2,100!!!!!

Yes, recognizing that this is an imperfect comparison, I roughly peg...

...the 6D to the D610 at the $1200-ish price point
...nothing to the D750 at the $2k price point
...the 5D3 to the D810 at the $2700-ish price point

I recognize -- for a host of reasons -- the comparison is not perfect. The key thing is not getting wound up with "but the D810 has 36 MP" or "the 5D3 has way better video" and so on. Canon has an offering at the entry-level FF and pro-level FF trimlines. The two companies may offer different features, but those price points are 'contested', if you will, with another option that is arguing for the same money.

What Nikon did that is clever is take the #1 limitation of the entry-level model -- it's AF system -- and replace it with the high-end version. There's more going on with the D750, but it strategically represents Nikon saying that there is a camera between entry level and pro, and there is huge value in giving photographers an 'upgrade' from entry-level that doesn't cost another $1200 to get. That's not a bad idea.

- A

 

[jc7222]

My improvement wish list: 1) At least 30 AF points with all being cross-type and the center being dual cross-type 2) 2 SD card slots would be gr8 3) Improved dynamic range 4) 7 fps 5) built-in intervalometer 6) improved noise at high ISO - 6D's strength

 

[NancyP]

The 6D does what I want it to do. It fits in my hand. I would move to a 6D2 if the sensor had a stop or two more dynamic range and resolution in the 20-24MP range. I think the 6D is a darn good basic full frame camera.

 

[zlatko]

If the 5D is Canon's "entry level" for Pro gear, then that is unfortunate, as they have surrendered a whole segment of the market place to Nikon. Because Nikon is offering PRO features and quality in the D610 and D750 for under $2,100!!!!!

With the 6D we can have interchangeable focusing screens and autofocus rated down to -3 EV. What a shame that Nikon doesn't offer these PRO features at the price of a 6D. Nikon have surrendered a whole segment of the market place to Canon! Also how unfortunate that Nikon doesn't offer a radio-controlled flash like the $499 600EX-RT ... a nice PRO feature that will work even with a Rebel.

These comparisons always fail to convince because we pick & choose the features in a subjective way. For one person it's a lot of AF points and dual cards that matter. For another person it's something else.

 

[ahsanford]

If the 5D is Canon's "entry level" for Pro gear, then that is unfortunate, as they have surrendered a whole segment of the market place to Nikon. Because Nikon is offering PRO features and quality in the D610 and D750 for under $2,100!!!!!

With the 6D we can have interchangeable focusing screens and autofocus rated down to -3 EV. What a shame that Nikon doesn't offer these PRO features at the price of a 6D. Nikon have surrendered a whole segment of the market place to Canon! Also how unfortunate that Nikon doesn't offer a radio-controlled flash like the $499 600EX-RT ... a nice PRO feature that will work even with a Rebel.

These comparisons always fail to convince because we pick & choose the features in a subjective way. For one person it's a lot of AF points and dual cards that matter. For another person it's something else.

Agree the 6D is a fine camera, but the D750 is impressive as well. Sure, it lacks you things you say (and I'll tack on that it is limited to a 1/4000 shutter), but it also has a comprehensively better AF system than the 6D and has a very strong sensor.

- A

 

[Crosswind]

Since to realize the full potential, one will need pro level glass. And none of the pro level glass is light or small. What sense does it make to save a few grams on the body if one is going to lug around huge pro optics?

Put some crappy travel lens on it, you just wasted the IQ of the camera. Better off with an APS-C.

---
You're wrong. There are high quality light-weight FF primes. I can do soooo much with just a 50mm when traveling. You can make wideangle shots by stitching images, you can have a 100mm by just moving forward or cropping a little bit or both. A camera like the 6D and a good light-weight 50 is ideal for traveling and almost anything you want to capture... without a compromise in IQ.

 

[jarrodeu]

Why this obsession with dual card slots on the 6D Mk II in order to make it "pro". Didn't the 5D Mk II only have a single slot? Seems like it was used successfully by a few pros including a handful of wedding photographers.

Jarrod

 

[9VIII]

...the 6D to the D610 at the $1200-ish price point
...nothing to the D750 at the $2k price point
...the 5D3 to the D810 at the $2700-ish price point

You must be a fan of the DXO method of counting.

www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1062499-REG/nikon_d_810_digital_slr_body.html
D810 $3000

www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847545-REG/Canon_5260A002_EOS_5D_Mark_III.html
5D3 $2500

The D810 is as different from the 5D3 as the 5D3 is from the D750.

 

[Crosswind]

Why this obsession with dual card slots on the 6D Mk II in order to make it "pro". Didn't the 5D Mk II only have a single slot? Seems like it was used successfully by a few pros including a handful of wedding photographers.

Jarrod

So true. Btw. I use SanDisk cards and never ever had any problems. Anyone here that had problems with SanDisk in particular? I don't need dual slot on a 6D.

 

[Hellish]

Come on canon lets roll out the 4k on this Camera.

 

[dsut4392]

It seems silly asking for features when the spec is already long decided, but this is the internet, so here is my wish list. A 6D2 (or 6D3) with 1-3 from my wish list would be a tempting upgrade, but without those there's not much in it for me.

#1 Articulating screen. If you've never used one, just shut up already about it not being 'pro' enough, or prone to damage etc. For macro & landscape articulating screen + live view is a huge benefit, something I really miss from my old 60D. Tempted to dig out & adapt my old Olympus Varimagni Finder, except that the focusing screen in the 6D (or basically any modern camera) isn't much chop for critical focus...
#2 Better AF, including DPAF and usable AF tracking. Live view AF on the 6D is a sad joke, and without Magic Lantern installed manual focus is basically crippled. I don't care how many AF points it has, as long as it can track focus reliably across the central 2/3 of the frame after I focus with the centre AF point & recompose. Obviously I would like this to work for video as well as stills.
#3 Improved dynamic range. Not saying the current sensor is bad (I used to shoot velvia ;D), but an extra stop or two would eliminate 95% of the times I bracket & HDR in post.
#4 Touch screen. The buttons all fall to hand nicely when the camera is held up to the eye, but with the camera at waist or ground level on a tripod controlling some functions on a touch screen would be convenient.
#5 Pop-up flash. Once or twice a year I go to use the flash for a little fill, only to realise it isn't there. Not a big deal, and would be fixed by #3 above anyway.
#6 Better wifi implementation (& better iOS app). Maybe if it was less rubbish I would use it more?
#7 Smaller & lighter would be nice in theory, but I do find the grip size & ergonomics of the current 6D much more comfortable than the smaller APS-C bodies. I often prefer to carry the camera in-hand rather than in a bag or around my neck, and without a decent grip this is much less practical.

And my DO NOT WANT list:

#1 - Mirrorless. I don't discount that one day someone may make an EVF that approaches the feel of a good pentaprism SLR viewfinder, but it hasn't happened yet. The effect on battery life is also significant
#2 - Shorter battery life. I can reliably get by with one LP-E6 per week in the current 6D while travelling/hiking. I don't want to have to buy 3 or 4 batteries for hiking, or remember the charger + power cord + adapter every time I go on holidays overseas.
#3 - Eleventy gazillion megapixels. From a nerdy aspect, I find ultra high resolution sensors ridiculously tempting, but in reality most of the time I would just be wasting space on my hard drive. Please save me from myself!
#4 - 4k video. If you have any current real need for 4k video, you should be looking at one of the new Blackmagic rigs. Also see #3.
#5 - dual card slots. I don't want the camera bumped up a price bracket simply to add features I have no use for. Go buy a 5D3/4;-p
#6 - bigger buffer +/- faster write speed. See #5
#7 - High FPS. See #5

 

[eninja]

DPAF touch screen and all cross type AF point upgrade will do for me. Built in rt is bonus.

 

[Luds34]

DPAF touch screen and all cross type AF point upgrade will do for me. Built in rt is bonus.

Yep, for sure the focus system is the biggest lacking feature of this camera. One has to think it will take a nice bump with even Rebels coming with the 19 point system.

 

[The Flasher]

Why this obsession with dual card slots on the 6D Mk II in order to make it "pro". Didn't the 5D Mk II only have a single slot? Seems like it was used successfully by a few pros including a handful of wedding photographers.

Jarrod

So true. Btw. I use SanDisk cards and never ever had any problems. Anyone here that had problems with SanDisk in particular? I don't need dual slot on a 6D.

Too many reasons for dual slots to list here, but I've been shooting long enough to know that it's not if but when cards fail. The 6d is used by pros for its low light performance, light eight, and for me the wifi - huge asset when shooting on location with the client reviewing images as we go on the tablet, without having to transfer to laptop or having to shoot tethered. .. At least not every 15 minutes. . A dual slot is liability prevention on projects where a loss of images could spell financial losses due to reshoots etc.

I'd like to see this model upgraded to the same level and feature set as Nikon's d750, including the articulating screen.

 

[Masa@CanonRMRs]

Sorry for interrupting the debate, guys. (-_-)/

Quick question from Japan:
Is "Articulating LCD" right way to call the system in U.S. (or any English-speaking countries) ?

In Japan, we call the 70D/Rebel type of screen "Vari-Angle LCD" and EOS M3 type "Tilt LCD".
Is there different name for each kind of flip-or-hinged-or-whatever-you-called LCDs?
Or you just call all of 'em "Articulating LCD" ?

Me and my friends are wondering when we read this 6DII article on CanonRumors.
I will appreciate if you guys give us some answers.

 

[Sportsgal501]

As long as they don't screw ergonomics, Im down with a lighter smaller body. With the battery grip, two LP-E6 and big lens like the Sigma 50mm Art, the thing weighs so much that at some point I cannot withstand it no more, even using a Blackrapid strap.

I really hope they upgrade the focus points to at least 19 or implement the 70D system on it, recomposing in full frame with that few focus points it's a nightmare.

Did someone say lighter?
That would be a blessing, have no understanding why Canon can't make a lighter camera to save some of us nerve damage...lol.
I definitely would be interested in a 6D II that is lightweight but still rugged/sturdy.

 

[e17paul]

The 6D2 isn't what you require. What you require is a 5D3 and/or 7D2.

This pretty much summed up the thread for me. Well said zlatko!

Or a 5DS, whose crop mode allows it to magically switch between (higher res) 5D3 and 1.6x crop 7D2 mode

 

[super_newbie_pro]

I dont understand the last line... What could be the release date ? Q4 2015 or Q4 2016 ?

I hope the price will not be more expensive that the D750 ! With sony A7 (II) and D750, the A6 II need to be good...

 

[scyrene]

Why this obsession with dual card slots on the 6D Mk II in order to make it "pro". Didn't the 5D Mk II only have a single slot? Seems like it was used successfully by a few pros including a handful of wedding photographers.

Jarrod

So true. Btw. I use SanDisk cards and never ever had any problems. Anyone here that had problems with SanDisk in particular? I don't need dual slot on a 6D.

Too many reasons for dual slots to list here, but I've been shooting long enough to know that it's not if but when cards fail. The 6d is used by pros for its low light performance, light eight, and for me the wifi - huge asset when shooting on location with the client reviewing images as we go on the tablet, without having to transfer to laptop or having to shoot tethered. .. At least not every 15 minutes. . A dual slot is liability prevention on projects where a loss of images could spell financial losses due to reshoots etc.

I'd like to see this model upgraded to the same level and feature set as Nikon's d750, including the articulating screen.

I don't know enough about the way you work to make too detailed a comment, but I do wonder... if the work is so critical, why go for the entry-level camera at all? If time is money, I imagine you could build into your margins the cost of a slightly more expensive camera? Just curious.

And of all the things to fail, I wouldn't have thought the card/slot is the most likely. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had a problem with that.