The surprisingly good 6d!!

[Frodo]

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.

Depends. No camera is a jack-of-all-trades. We all have different subject preferences and shooting styles and so we all have different opinions on what camera is best for us. The 5DmkII isn't "better" than the 6D (and vice versa) - it's just different.

Hi Crosswind
For my purposes the 6D is a better camera than the 5DII which I had previously. Ultimately it comes down to image quality. Not only is the 6D a solid stop better in low light (I shot some fireside photos at 12800 that were more than acceptable), but it allows you to drag detail out of shadows without causing the awful banding that plagued the 5DII. I find that I rarely use multi-exposure HDR as I can usually get engouth dynamic range out of single images. Add on clearly better AF in low light with the centre AF point, silent shutter (which I use regularly, such as at an event yesterday where the moderator made it clear he did not want to hear shutter clicks), a button placement that I now prefer over my 7D and slightly lighter weight and GPS (even though it is slow to acquire signals at times) which makes it great for hiking.
But it is no action camera, but by 5DII wasn't either - I have my 7D for that.
Only thing is that I bump up against 1/4000 when using wide apertures in bright light.
For me, the 6D is unquestionably better than the 5DII it replaced.

 

[ashmadux]

The 6D is the ultimate combination of a FANTASTIC sensor, and a trash AF system.

Its the first body ive ever used that you dont have to worry about iso. The noise profile just rocks.

It shines in the studio @ f8-f13. Monster images.

But...that AF....just simply trash.

 

[HelderP]

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.

Sweet photos, that 70-200 f/4 L is a beast of a lens. I used to own the IS version and loved it. Can't wait to give the 6D a whirl!

 

[Zv]

The 6D is the ultimate combination of a FANTASTIC sensor, and a trash AF system.

Its the first body ive ever used that you dont have to worry about iso. The noise profile just rocks.

It shines in the studio @ f8-f13. Monster images.

But...that AF....just simply trash.

I wouldn't say AF is bad it's just that it's not fit for a single digit Canon DSLR model. When we are paying in excess of $1000 for a camera we really ought to have some of the very best AF. I would have been happy with something similar to the 70D or even a bit less but what we got was nonsense.

Luckily I, like many others, only really use the center AF point which does a fairly decent job. So, functionally it isn't bad just basic.

 

[ashmadux]

The 6D is the ultimate combination of a FANTASTIC sensor, and a trash AF system.

Its the first body ive ever used that you dont have to worry about iso. The noise profile just rocks.

It shines in the studio @ f8-f13. Monster images.

But...that AF....just simply trash.

I wouldn't say AF is bad it's just that it's not fit for a single digit Canon DSLR model. When we are paying in excess of $1000 for a camera we really ought to have some of the very best AF. I would have been happy with something similar to the 70D or even a bit less but what we got was nonsense.

Luckily I, like many others, only really use the center AF point which does a fairly decent job. So, functionally it isn't bad just basic.

Agreed. 6d has the worst Af of any modern camera, regardless of its age. It was inexcusable then, and inexcusable now.

I tell you, the af on the 5d3 just makes me want to sing. It cost me 2300 but the keep rate is off the charts.

 

[eninja]

The 6D is the ultimate combination of a FANTASTIC sensor, and a trash AF system.

Its the first body ive ever used that you dont have to worry about iso. The noise profile just rocks.

It shines in the studio @ f8-f13. Monster images.

But...that AF....just simply trash.

you are mis leading readers about your comments on AF.

Center AF point can detect horizontal and vertical contrast.
Left and Right AF point detects horizontal contrast.
Top and Bottom AF point detects vertical contrast.

When you AF the way its done correctly, it 100% never missed. Even when you AF on small features.
Keen buyer should read lensrental AF comparison accuracy results.
Compared to 70D, 70D is worst.

 

[Zv]

The 6D is the ultimate combination of a FANTASTIC sensor, and a trash AF system.

Its the first body ive ever used that you dont have to worry about iso. The noise profile just rocks.

It shines in the studio @ f8-f13. Monster images.

But...that AF....just simply trash.

you are mis leading readers about your comments on AF.

Center AF point can detect horizontal and vertical contrast.
Left and Right AF point detects horizontal contrast.
Top and Bottom AF point detects vertical contrast.

When you AF the way its done correctly, it 100% never missed. Even when you AF on small features.
Keen buyer should read lensrental AF comparison accuracy results.
Compared to 70D, 70D is worst.

I think he meant the AF system not the accuracy of the center point. The system as a whole with just one cross type AF point is not up to scratch. We would have liked more cross type points and different AF modes like spot focus and zone.

 

[cpsico]

The auto focus is extremely lacking in flexibility but it's deadly accurate in the center, the sensor is world class awesome. It's a great landscape, family pics, day out kind of camera that can also deliver flawless images. Much like the original 5d it's sensor is equivalent to sticking a Ferrari engine in a Honda. You have a mediocre body with a world class engine. It's up to you to work around its limits if you want to use it for sports and portraits but the images it will give you will be breath taking. They can be pushed, pulled and hammered without falling apart

 

[Sabaki]

I picked up my 6D on Saturday and have spent a few hours with it. This are my initial impressions:

Image Quality: I love it, simply love how differently a full frame image 'draws' compared to crop. I paired the 6D with my 24mm TS-E and shot a familiar scene as a test/reference for it's performance.
Images are sharper and cleaner which lends to an overall more visually attractive outcome. There also appears to be less noise, even at ISO 100 which again lends to a better image.

Am I wrong in saying that fine detail from a scene draws better with full frame?

Ergonomics: The button layout is not entirely alien to me as Canon's cameras have a familiarity to them which makes navigating the menus easier.
That being said, the 7Dii has spoilt me for ergonomics. The viewfinder size, brightness is better on the 7Dii, as is the performance of the LCD in bright light. As I experienced the 7Dii first, these features seem lesser on the 6D.
I also find the scroll wheel to feel less robust than the one on the 7Dii.

But the 6D for me wasn't about competing with the 7Dii on ergonomics, it was all about an improvement in IQ, which the 6D delivers (for landscapes, as my journey with it has only gone that far)

Very, very happy with my FF/APSC combo

 

[addola]

I have Canon 6D...

I love: Image quality, good high ISO performance, GPS & Wifi built-in comes in handy when I want to geotag & remotely trigger the camera with the phone.

Hate: AF is only 11-points and only center one is cross-type., no button for white balance (have to go through menus to do it)

Overall, it's a great purchase. But Canon should update it already!

 

[PhotographyFirst]

I have Canon 6D...

I love: Image quality, good high ISO performance, GPS & Wifi built-in comes in handy when I want to geotag & remotely trigger the camera with the phone.

Hate: AF is only 11-points and only center one is cross-type., no button for white balance (have to go through menus to do it)

Overall, it's a great purchase. But Canon should update it already!

Classic Canon AF crippling. LoL

The same Rebel that came out the same year as the 6D, had all cross type AF points. It's obvious their marketing department was too worried about people wanting to use the 6D for their work over a more expensive 5D3. They gave it an awesome center point to make the casual shooters happy in low light, but knew the experts would gawk at the outer points and go 5D3.

I would expect the 6D2 will have the 70D AF system and nothing more.

 

[NancyP]

On the other hand, I use the "crippled" AF for focus confirmation only, as I tend to shoot manual focus lenses, often on tripod. The ability to swap out the stock focusing screen for superfine screen is worth more to me than additional focus points. 6D is a great landscape, macro, general use camera.

 

[tomservo51]

I'd like to swap out my focus screen on my 6D, can someone make a recommendation?

 

[bradfordswood]

To those who are commenting on the 6d's autofocus...are the negative comments based on action/sports type of shots, as opposed to static/still subjects? I'm mostly curious about the outer points, wondering if they do a sufficient job for non-moving subjects?

 

[NancyP]

The outer points work well.

 

[sunnyVan]

To those who are commenting on the 6d's autofocus...are the negative comments based on action/sports type of shots, as opposed to static/still subjects? I'm mostly curious about the outer points, wondering if they do a sufficient job for non-moving subjects?

Outer points are fine if your subject is still and has high enough contrast.

 

[cpsico]

To those who are commenting on the 6d's autofocus...are the negative comments based on action/sports type of shots, as opposed to static/still subjects? I'm mostly curious about the outer points, wondering if they do a sufficient job for non-moving subjects?

They work well in good light or with a higher end flash with infra red assist

 

[the.unkle.george]

The far left and right points are disabled in Servo mode.

Overall, It's a major crippling compared to the 70D for moving subjects. Even for still subjects I've resorted to focus and recompose because the points are so clustered in the center.

Yes, the rule of thirds is an over-done composition, but I'd much rather have a 5 point focus system with 4 cross type points in the corners.

 

[tcmatthews]

I have never had any difficulties with any of the 6D autofocus points. All of them work better than my 60D and I did not really have many issues with it. I wish there were a few more autofocus points but doesn't everyone.

All cameras have trouble with low contrast subjects. Really the only way you will really notice any autofocus issues with a 6D is if you are used to the autofocus system of the 7D,7D2, 70D, 5DIII, or 1Dx. I do not think it was worth the initial price but once it came down it is a steal.

Servo mode also works better than my 60D. So I never seemed to miss the cross points in practice.

 

[Zv]

I have Canon 6D...

I love: Image quality, good high ISO performance, GPS & Wifi built-in comes in handy when I want to geotag & remotely trigger the camera with the phone.

Hate: AF is only 11-points and only center one is cross-type., no button for white balance (have to go through menus to do it)

Overall, it's a great purchase. But Canon should update it already!

If you shoot RAW do you really need a WB button? I can see why Canon decided to leave that one out now and one press of the Q button takes you into the menu where WB can easily be changed. I usually set WB before a shoot so changing it mid shoot isn't a priority. Also, I figure that Canon's Auto WB algorithms must be getting better as some people can just leave it there.

What would be nice is if the top LCD displayed what WB mode it was in.

How about the rest of you guys? Is no WB button an issue for you?