The surprisingly good 6d!!

[MintChocs]

After using this camera for 2/3 years the only thing I really hate is the methodology of AF point selection. For me to upgrade I would want cross type AF points especially on the outer ones. Whilst more AF points would be good a bit better dynamic range would be even better (good as it is). I rarely shoot sports, action, mostly general street, urban stuff plus now I'm starting to do portraits with fast lenses so accuracy of AF is important.

 

[SUNDOG04]

I find my 6D to focus fast and accurate. It may not be sophisticated as others, but it does what I need it to do and do it well. I hesitated in buying the 6D becasue of all the talk of it being dumbed-down, but eventually realized it has the features I need. It is not a sports camera. I bought it as a landscape and general photography and landscape camera. The most demanding photos I take are runners and it consistently focuses well enough that I can read the hand-written type on the runners tags. If I was doing fast-action, high speed sports, I would have bought a different model. It wasn't intended to compete with a 5DIII. It needs to be judged for what it is, not what it is not. If it does not have the features you need, then look onto to a different, larger, and more expensive model.

 

[DBECK]

JACK, The 1D3 have 10 MP vs the 20 on the 6D, so my concern is IQ.
The 10 fps vs. 4,5 is obvious
I expect that the auto fokusing system in the 1D3 will be better for sport than the 6d.
The little extra weight is not the problem, I always have the 6d griped and shout sport with Canon 70-200 2.8 IS mark 2

I agree with SUNDOG04, the 6d is super for everything other than fast sport, and that is why I am thinking about a small (money) addition my photo bag.

 

[jeffa4444]

Its amazing how different we all are with the same camera, Ive had the 6D for 2 years and can honestly say Ive never found the AF to be a problem. Fast jets, fast cars or landscapes is what I mainly shoot and Im more than happy with the overall results. The one issue and it is an infrequent one is low level banding in very grey scenes like overcast skies, fog etc.

Im sure more AF points would be useful but the 6D IQ makes it the "steal" of the full-frame cameras.

 

[Luds34]

There are a few nitpit things one could complain about with the 6D, however there is only one real issue, and that is the focus system. I find that outside of the center point, the focus points are unreliable. I find this problematic as when shooting fast glass (f/1.4) one cannot simply focus and recompose without completely moving your focal plane, let alone you or subject may move out of focus as well during the recomposition.

Otherwise I love the camera. It takes great pictures. But that focus limitation, assuming it is corrected in the 6D2, I'll be all over the next one when it comes out.

 

[Jack Douglas]

DBECK, the IQ will be a disappointment for you in two cases for sure. You need to crop significantly and you have to push the ISO up beyond 640. I have shot the 1D4 with your lens plus X1.4 with complete satisfaction without the above restrictions. You definitely need light.

This shot is 1D2 and as good as it got. Other times the IQ disappointed more. I believe it was 300 2.8 II with TC . 1D3 will be a better camera for sure.

Jack

 

[Jack Douglas]

Had to hunt but here is the 95% full size jpg with no sharpening or any other manipulations, EXIF included.

So it was 300 2.8 II and 2X III hand held but fast shutter so no shake. I'm no whiz at BIF. FWIW.

I sold the camera for a $50 loss, quite willingly in spite of its VG AF and FPS.

The 6D non-center AF points certainly are not the best contrary to what anyone may claim but yes it is a wonderful FF camera for the price and its size/weight are ideal for portability. I don't think any owner ever disparages it on that account. We all tend to rationalize when it comes to our own cameras and how they perform, sometimes getting overly negative and sometimes too glowing.

I had the Nikon D5100 prior to the 6D and the 6D ergonomics are so much better. Furthermore, with some future fine tuning the "right hand only" button placement on the 6D is better than the LH view and joy stick set-up of the 1D cameras. So much easier and faster but too small of a wheel for a larger finger. Of course those who are totally acclimatized to the 1D won't agree, at least not initially. With a large lens in your LH you can check your shot RH only and that is nice.

Jack

 

[leoyuho]

Its a great camera especially for the price. The older diamond pattern focus points are a bit of a pain, but image quality is great

Hope the new 6D2 comes with a better AF system covering most of the frame so it could be a good all-around travel camera.

Perhaps the old 7d system?

Canon would have my money then!

 

[Pixel]

The 6D is a capable camera but it has far too many shortcomings for me. I'd take a 5D Mark II before I'd take a 6D.

 

[jeffa4444]

The 6D is a capable camera but it has far too many shortcomings for me. I'd take a 5D Mark II before I'd take a 6D.

The 6D has two more AF points, Higher sensitivity in the centre cross points, higher usable dynamic range,higher frame rate, GPS, Wi-Fi, newer processor etc. apart from better weather sealing and a few more cross point AF points how is it a better camera?

 

[Sporgon]

The 6D is a capable camera but it has far too many shortcomings for me. I'd take a 5D Mark II before I'd take a 6D.

The 6D has two more AF points, Higher sensitivity in the centre cross points, higher usable dynamic range,higher frame rate, GPS, Wi-Fi, newer processor etc. apart from better weather sealing and a few more cross point AF points how is it a better camera?

I think you'll find they have the same AF points, its just that two of them on the 5DII are hidden and can be activated in AF Servo mode. (Probably got that wrong; only been using one for 7 years . ).

Higher sensitivity in the centre ? Yes, on paper. I think the whole 6D AF is slightly more precise to be quite honest, not just the centre.

The 5DII has better ergonomics - thumb toggle etc, 8000 top shutter which is useful for very fast lenses in bright conditions. Auto brightness on rear screen, alloy top plate - doesn't scuff and scratch as easily as the 6D.

6D is much more pleasant to hold. Whoops the 5DII in high ISO. If you're into under exposing and lifting in post the 6D is better and so it goes on, tit for tat.

I would say that weather sealing on them both is about the same.

However apart from the obvious, headline differences I would say that in low light and at low ISOs the greater QE of the 6D gives its data a little more brio than the 5DII.

 

[Jack Douglas]

The 6D is a capable camera but it has far too many shortcomings for me. I'd take a 5D Mark II before I'd take a 6D.

The 6D has two more AF points, Higher sensitivity in the centre cross points, higher usable dynamic range,higher frame rate, GPS, Wi-Fi, newer processor etc. apart from better weather sealing and a few more cross point AF points how is it a better camera?

Can't imagine that was a serious assertion.

Jack

 

[timmy_650]

I have the 6d and is very happy with it for portraits, travel and landscapes.

But I do some kids soccer pictures and find the autofokus to be a problem.
I am not getting paid for that. I am thinking of buying a used 1d mark III to use for that (600,- USD) any thought ?

I am in the same boat. I have the 6D and wanted something with better AF. I started with the 1D but for the cost. I thought I would be happier with a 7D or 70D. It has more reach and i can get a new/refurbished/lightly used over a heavy used 1Dm3. At first I wanted the 7D but I am leaning now to the 70D bc my battery and memory would be the same. Where the 7D is CF cards which is kinda annoying I have a 40D and I don't care to carry another set of cards around. Not a huge deal.

 

[tcmatthews]

For those that constantly cite better Ergonomics of 5D/7D and 1D models don't forget that not everyone has the same sized hands. For me the Ergonomics are much better on the 6D/60D cameras. The 5D series is just to big. They are not so big that I cannot use them but the are large enough that some common actions are an uncomfortable stretch. I had only two real complaints when it came to the 6D.

• 1/4000s max shutter speed
• No articulating screen.

I would have liked better auto focus but that was not really a complaint. But maybe I am a bit strange because I bough the 60D over a 7D primarily because of the size difference.

 

[sunnyVan]

I have the 6d and is very happy with it for portraits, travel and landscapes.

But I do some kids soccer pictures and find the autofokus to be a problem.
I am not getting paid for that. I am thinking of buying a used 1d mark III to use for that (600,- USD) any thought ?

I am in the same boat. I have the 6D and wanted something with better AF. I started with the 1D but for the cost. I thought I would be happier with a 7D or 70D. It has more reach and i can get a new/refurbished/lightly used over a heavy used 1Dm3. At first I wanted the 7D but I am leaning now to the 70D bc my battery and memory would be the same. Where the 7D is CF cards which is kinda annoying I have a 40D and I don't care to carry another set of cards around. Not a huge deal.

I had my first 6d for two years and was happy with it most of the time until my son grew up enough to be running around all the time. Then i thought it's time to graduate to 5dmk3. Excellent IQ and AF tracking which is perfectly for photographing my son in the park.

Repurchased a 6d recently. It's my secondary camera and i bring it everywhere i go. 5d is great but it's just a tad heavy to bring everywhere. Been spoiled by full frame quality and it's hard to go back to cropped.

 

[HelderP]

Everywhere I go and every review I watch or read, people have nothing but great things to say about this awesome camera.

I'm in the market for one right now, I'm also very interested in getting the kit version, that 24-105 L 4.0 looks sexy as hell, how can an all-around glass be so damn good?
If anyone here knows of a good deal used or otherwise, let me know.

Also, I'm new to this community, seems like you all know your stuff! I've learnt a lot already, so thank you!

 

[sunnyVan]

Everywhere I go and every review I watch or read, people have nothing but great things to say about this awesome camera.

I'm in the market for one right now, I'm also very interested in getting the kit version, that 24-105 L 4.0 looks sexy as hell, how can an all-around glass be so damn good?
If anyone here knows of a good deal used or otherwise, let me know.

Also, I'm new to this community, seems like you all know your stuff! I've learnt a lot already, so thank you!

You can check out www.canonpricewatch.com and look at "street prices." Or you wait for holiday deals coming up soon these coming two months.

 

[Omar H]

6D was ticket into full frame. I had the endless decision making of 5DIII vs. 6D, at the end I had to let reason and money win the argument, I don't make my living out of the camera (even if I have billed for a job or two) so i just wasn't ready to spend that additional $1,100 (at that time) for a camera.

Since it's my all-purpose camera, I have to use it for whatever I decide to shoot and that includes my kids basketball games in a poorly lit gym, I make whatever pics I can and normally end up with more pictures than I'd like anyways. I prefer the autofocus of my prior 60D as with that one I could use focusing points closer to the left of right thirds lines, not with the 6D. And since I had it perfectly clear that the 6D was not a sports/wildlife/action camera, I'm still ok with my decision at that precise situation.

Now where I was truly disappointed by the autofocus, understanding that it's not meant for action, when taking pictures of people just posing, the other focus points can't focus!!! We're talking a non-moving subject and I can't use any focusing point other than the centre. That makes the other focusing points completely useless, at the end you can only use the central point and either recompose or crop all the time.

 

[jeffa4444]

When I got this camera in 2013 it was shipped with a DVD showing portrait & landscape photograhy. One of the photographers was David Clapp a landscape & travel professional photographer another was a professional studio portrait photographer in both cases they got high quality images using this camera and thats exactly how Ive found it to be. Yes sometimes the AF is frustrating, yes sometimes the metering gets fooled if you solely rely on it, and yes particularly with overcast grey skies it shows some low level banding but overall considering the price difference between it and the 5D MKIII its a bargin and Ive never regretted buying it. Considering its cost and the price I paid for the 7D which did disappoint in IQ people should see ther camera for what it is an entry level full frame camera.

 

[Spokagrapher]

Everywhere I go and every review I watch or read, people have nothing but great things to say about this awesome camera.

The 6D is a great camera. While it lacks some features of more high-end cameras, it does the job.

If you don't mind me doing some shameless self-promotion, I invite you to see some photos I shot a few days ago using the 6D and a Sigma 24-105 f/4 Art lens and the Canon 70-200 f/4 L (non-IS). See them here: www.spokographer.com/blog. Most of the images on my web site are off a 6D (all the portraits and head shots); some are off a 60D. There might be one from the 70D.

I realize that an EOS 5DS or a Nikon D810 can give me more detail and perhaps more dynamic range, but for what I shoot, those aren't top considerations. The 6D simply works, and you can get professional-quality images from it.

If your budget doesn't allow a more expensive camera, the 6D is a great choice. Even if you have a budget that allows for a more expensive camera, you might consider buying the 6D anyway and investing in high-quality glass instead of a more-expensive camera body.

I like the 6D and will continue to use it and make the best of it until Canon offers a camera that compels me to step up to something more expensive and more capable than the 6D. Nothing Canon makes right now has a strong-enough pull for me to switch from the 6D, so the 6D is it for while. And I'm happy with that.