Cannon 6D or 5D series? Opinions from the experts?!

[Hreed]

Hey all,

It's been awhile since I have posted in this thread. In the interim however I've started taking on photography as more and more in depth hobby - I love it.

I am going to sell my Rebel T3i. It has been a great Camera but I need to move on. I have arrived at the point where I want to manipulate the camera more and bump my FPS aswell as my image quality. Plus I am working on a Portfolio for one of my classes right now so upgrade will help!

I want to stay Cannon, so:

NEW EOS 6D

or

5D MKII

I can, and might, make the jump to the MKIII. Is it worth it? That for you to debate please! Your opinions and input on all three of these bodys will be much appreciated! Thanks!

[rodi]

definitely go with the newer generation cameras (mark 3 or 6D).

the difference between these two are build quality (most noticeable) and "luxury" features.

[spacemonkey1112]

Originally Posted by rodi

definitely go with the newer generation cameras (mark 3 or 6D).

the difference between these two are build quality (most noticeable) and "luxury" features.

I agree.

image quality aside, you already mention you want higher burst, so I feel like the 5dmkIII is calling out to you.

I've never touched the 6D just yet, but I am in love with my 5dmkIII. I do use a battery grip on mine so its a bit larger; but that doesn't matter to me. without the grip, it still feels great in your hands (pinky finger doesn't roll off the camera or feel squished). You'll get your shots with either camera and there shouldn't be any excuses. I don't really care much for some of the other features that the 6D holds (like GPS & wifi) but thats cause my work hasn't called for those things.

You mentioned that you're a student. If you're on budget, then the 6D is great IMO (I don't see why the 11 point focus for you would hold you back). 61 is great of course, but ask yourself if you really NEED this for what you are doing or what you plan on doing. I don't know if you're planning to pursue a professional career in photography, but the 6D will get the work done. if you're going to be covering events like weddings, then the extra fps is well welcomed.

I say get the 6D, but it can only be more beneficial to go to the 5DmkIII. that is if it doesnt cost you an arm and a leg.

[ddk632]

I'll be interested to follow this thread, as well.

It really comes down to ones needs and photographic wants.

For me, I shoot landscapes and stationary objects, mostly. Probably the biggest exception to that being my kids running around - although I get some missed shots there with my XTi, I have learned to work around the camera limitations and still get the shot.

I don't do almost any burst style shooting, except once in a blue moon.

I DO however like ultra wide angle with the occasional odd perspective from real low at an angle. In this case, sometimes even lying flat on the ground, it's kind of hard or impossible to see the viewfinder.

I also love night photography and go out early in the mornings before sunrise, still basically at night.

So I feel that the WiFi and Remote control live view without the need for a tethered laptop, router, or Eye-Fi cards would be awesome since I will be able to take shots with the 6D using my iPad as a live view controller which would allow me to compose a shot I otherwise wouldn't be able to compose.

Check this video out to see the remote app:

Also, the low light focusing - I am hoping this will help me with some of my night shots, as well, where the XTi is limited, hunts, and generally sucks. And, in those cases, I can barely see myself so even manual focus is very difficult as well. No one knows for sure how this will turn out, because no one owns a 6D yet; however, I am optimistic.

I am also probably one of 5 people who is really looking forward to the GPS. I love the idea of posting geotagged photos to Flickr since I like to notate where my shots were taken. I think this would be awesome for travel.

I did an 11 day photo tour of Iceland in 2008, and I would love to look at those photos now, 4.5 years later, and remember where the hell I shot each one of them on a map!

Plus, if I am going to shell out $1.5-$2k on a piece of electronics, I would rather spend the extra $500 and get one that is current (6D) vs. one that is 4 years old (5DII).

That's my situation and yours might be different, but these are some of the reasons I am eyeing the 6D as my next camera. I will still keep my XTi and my EF-S lenses and just add to my collection.

[JohnathanFB6]

Unless you have a lot of good glass for the 5D mk3, I would go with the 6D and get some good lenses. I like the Carl Zeiss 50mm 1.4 planar a lot. I upgraded this spring from a d40 to 5D mk3 and spent more on lenses than I did on the camera and still don't have a zoom or any AF lenses.

[Rowdy]

Its all about the glass! The 6D would be my choice in your situation and then spend the coin upgrading glass!

I shoot a lot of moving subjects (airplanes mostly) and thus I'll be keeping my 7d as a spare and backup when I pick up the 5dmk3 after christmas

[Ryebread]

What did you decide?

[Hreed]

Just sold my t3i for 750 today! Missed Ebays surprisingly legit sale on the Mk3 for 2500 yesterday........ They had 500 to sell at 2500 haha. Anyway I might jump for the Mk3, wont feel the need to upgrade again! I have done alot of reading on the 6D, and while most people are still unsure of its performance, I rather just take the leap for the Mk3 for everything I get. bleh, I am now without a body. I hope I can find a Mk3 soon enough.

[Rowdy]

There are TWO reasons I like the thought of the 6D. wifi connectivity is one and the other is the lower price. To purchase a wifi transmitter for the 5d3.. you're looking at +700$!

Sounds like you've already made up your mind

I'm debating 1dx now! haha OY!

[enojgreb]

Just to put in my two cents. The main things to consider are:
- What lenses do you plan to use? Fullframe: go with 5d
- The 5d is more sturdy (more of the casing is metal) and the mechanical parts are rated for a lot more exposures. Do you need this?

I have no fullframe lenses and take less than 10000 photos a year, so I'd go with the 6d, and spent what I saved on good lenses. Good lenses, cheap camera > cheap lenses, good camera

[M_Six]

You won't see much of a gain in FPS going from the T3i to the 6D. 3.7 vs 4.5. But all other specs should be better.

You really got $750 for your T3i?? Lucky you. I need to find someone like that to buy my T1i.

[rodi]

Originally Posted by M_Six

You won't see much of a gain in FPS going from the T3i to the 6D. 3.7 vs 4.5. But all other specs should be better.

You really got $750 for your T3i?? Lucky you. I need to find someone like that to buy my T1i.

mark, how much you want for that t1i?

[M_Six]

I'm not sure it's sellable (is that a word?). There's a fair amount of dust in the viewfinder (not on the sensor, though). I was going to package it up with the 18-55 kit lens, the 55-250 lens, a couple of SD cards, wired and wireless remotes, and a Lowepro Sling bag and see what I could do with it. Maybe $500 for the lot?

[rodi]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I'm not sure it's sellable (is that a word?). There's a fair amount of dust in the viewfinder (not on the sensor, though). I was going to package it up with the 18-55 kit lens, the 55-250 lens, a couple of SD cards, wired and wireless remotes, and a Lowepro Sling bag and see what I could do with it. Maybe $500 for the lot?

yikes. i'll give you $250 for the body and SD cards.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by rodi

yikes. i'll give you $250 for the body and SD cards.

No love for those lenses, eh? <sniff>

Thanks, but no, I think I'll hang onto everything for a bit. I may give it my younger brother or nephew later.

[rodi]

ooookay. :[

[Rowdy]

Originally Posted by enojgreb

Just to put in my two cents. The main things to consider are:
- What lenses do you plan to use? Fullframe: go with 5d
- The 5d is more sturdy (more of the casing is metal) and the mechanical parts are rated for a lot more exposures. Do you need this?

I have no fullframe lenses and take less than 10000 photos a year, so I'd go with the 6d, and spent what I saved on good lenses. Good lenses, cheap camera > cheap lenses, good camera

Both the 5D and 6D are full frame. Its the 7D that isnt.

Great glass makes all the difference in image quality.

[enojgreb]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Both the 5D and 6D are full frame. Its the 7D that isnt.

Thanks for clearing that error out of the way!

My opinion is still that better lenses will make your photos a lot better than a better camera.

[ddk632]

Originally Posted by enojgreb

Thanks for clearing that error out of the way!

My opinion is still that better lenses will make your photos a lot better than a better camera.

How about better lenses AND a better camera?

[vachss]

Better lenses are more important than a better body... BUT, I really did notice more of an improvement in image quality jumping from crop bodies to the 5D2 than I had in any of my upgrades before or since. Lenses just work better when you don't magnify the image as much. (Of course this was for everything but bird photography - which got harder until I picked up a crop body just for that).

On to the original topic. I'd get whatever full frame body you can get cheapest then spend the rest on glass. If the 6D and 5D2 are close on price then I'd always go for the newer model, but I suspect you can find some pretty good deals on an older 5D2 these days. Of course the 5D3 is a better camera, but I am not at all convinced it's a $1500 better camera.

[dcstep]

I'd recommend the 6D over the 5D MkII, due to the newer sensor/processor technology. The thing that separates the 5D MkIII from the 6D (besides obvious build quality) is the MkIII's superior AI Servo mode AF system. Most people really don't need that, but if you shoot lots of sports or birds and wildlife, then you'll need to consider it seriously.

Looking on Flickr, I see some excellent files produced by the 6D. For most people, it's all you'll need and it'll be a huge upgrade from your Rebel. Buy the 6D and focus on buying quality lenses, which, BTW, includes AF lenses and zoom lenses.

[danniexi]

I seem to be in the same situation as OP.

I am by no means a professional. This is only a hobby. I was looking into getting the 5DMKIII until Canon announced the 6D. But what was disappointing about the 6D was the 11-point AF system, whereas the new 5D has 64. Huge difference, no? Or does that have to do with the AI Servo? I am looking to upgrade to a full frame and these two are the only ones within my budget.

A lot of my shooting consist of action shots, portraits, and indoor/low light photography. The newer 6D should be fast enough, correct?