Canon 6d

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Jamie perks

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Jamie
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Hi, has anyone been using a 6d that can give their thoughts. I am thinking of upgrading soon from 50d. Thanks.
 
Just so it's a little less vague, I don't really shoot sports. Mainly landscape, portraits and maybe some macro.
 
Depends what you're looking for - it has low FPS, and only one really good AF point (but it is very good, even in low light). Mine has excellent image quality for a (Canon) camera of that generation, and certainly for landscapes, portrait etc it's good. For me it's unique point at the time was it's outstanding high ISO capability, so it's great for night time shots etc. That is less of a selling point now obviously that all cameras have much improved sensors with regard to noise. So I guess the question is why a relatively aging 6D as opposed to something like the 80D which will be much more in keeping with what you have, but with better AF overall and sensor, and which can be bought at a reasonable price from time to time with cashback deals etc?
 
fred_bt said:
why a relatively aging 6D as opposed to something like the 80D
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APS-C sensors are still way off scoring 2340 on a dxo test. Even the best new Sony ones are like 1340.

And the 15 or so cameras I have owned all match the findings of those tests. i.e higher the score the better the iso performance was
 
For what you want to shoot the 6D is an excellent camera. I'm about to get rid of mine as I bought a Sony however the 6D has been great if you aren't interested in super tracking AF for birds/sport, etc. I actually bought it in favour of a 5D3 as I didn't need the AF or the extra size and weight. The only other consideration switching to FF is what glass do you have and will it fit or do you need to change your existing glass if you have a lot of EF-S lenses. In which case a switch to Nikon and a D750 might be worth an investigation.
 
Thanks all. I have only canon L lenses. I had a 5d3 for about 6 months and absolutely loved the way it performed in low light with high iso. I had to give that back and really love the full frame sensor but I don't think I will use the 5d3 to anywhere near its potential in terms of features.
So in terms of canon full frame I guess that leaves me with the 6d. I appreciate hearing from those that have lived with this camera. It seems to get a pretty raw deal from a lot of review sites.
 
The 6D is a great camera IMO. I used mine for the occasional paid job along with landscapes etc with no issues.
I'm currently selling mine as I'm switching to a Nikon setup. I'd happily keep it as a second shooter as it's very low activations but can't justify two different SLR systems.
 
Jamie perks said:
I appreciate hearing from those that have lived with this camera. It seems to get a pretty raw deal from a lot of review sites.
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When it came out everyone just looked at the headline stuff and not the pics. On paper the D600 was much better, what a lemon that turned out to be. If you've already got the L glass then it's probably a no brainer unless you stretch to a Sony and adapter which is where I've gone. Not that that set-up isn't without issues.
 
Got one and love it.

IQ I find is a lot better than the 5DMK2 I had before it.

If you want a really wide dynamic range then chop your Canon gear in and go for the Nikon D750 but I'm liking the 6D a lot. Pair it with a 17-40 F4L and a 25-105 F4L and it works great.

Does all I need (studio & landscape mainly).

And forget these chart and rubbish like that.

Take a memory card to a shop who's selling one and do some test shots.
 
6D MkII looks pretty good - but obviously the price is a lot more!
 
I love my 6D.
I upgraded from a 60D (ie a slightly newer model than your 50D) and found the transition fine.
The 6D is practically the same weight and size as the 60D, so no problem there.
The 6D and 60D have a very similar AF system with similar number of AF points (it's also very similar to the 5D2) so if you find the 50D's AF system ok for what you do, then the 6D will be fine too.
Ok, it's not going to set the world on fire with fast sports or wildlife, but it can hold it's own.

The low light capability is brilliant. I don't ever worry about going above ISO 6400 now. (Some say that it's slightly better than the 5D3, but take it with a pinch of salt)
If you already have L glass, then, it's a no brainer really.
Considering a s/h 6D can be had for £700ish, it's a very good buy.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
Got one and love it.

IQ I find is a lot better than the 5DMK2 I had before it.

If you want a really wide dynamic range then chop your Canon gear in and go for the Nikon D750 but I'm liking the 6D a lot. Pair it with a 17-40 F4L and a 25-105 F4L and it works great.

Does all I need (studio & landscape mainly).

And forget these chart and rubbish like that.

Take a memory card to a shop who's selling one and do some test shots.
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This^
Except I use mine for portraits / weddings.

As long as you don't need blistering AF capability, it's excellent.
 
Going from an older Canon crop to a full frame is what I did. It was like night and day, ok not quite but you get the point. As you have tried the 5Dmkiii and aren't interested in it then yes the 6D is a good option. I don't use mine for sports or tracking just general stuff and portraits. My slowest glass is f4 so even with the outmost AF I rarely have problems achieving focus albeit sometimes it just takes a little longer compared to the centre. It can be fiddly to change/select a single AF point but ymmv. Whilst the sensor is decent it won't compete with Sony/Nikon but that hasn't been an issue for me as I don't shoot professionally. To be honest I don't have anything really bad to say about it that's why I am not upgrading to the 6Dmkii as only a better sensor would have tempted me! The only caveat I would mention is that once you commit to Canon and EF glass you tend to get stuck so no whinging in the future about Canon! Unless you are willing to shell out big buck for the latest and greatest don't expect much major improvements in future releases. Canon is very conservative. Just my opinion.
 
I had one for about 4 years. Great camera. People are really hard on the AF system, but I never really had any problems with it. It tracked kids and animals fine, and the centre AF point could lock onto a blackbird in a coalmine.

Lovely images from it, especially with good lenses. It underexposes a bit at times but all the Canons I've used do that. I went from 60D to 6D so a pretty similar path to you. I'd say give it a try, if you buy carefully you'll probably be able to get 90% of your money back if you don't like it, but I'd be surprised if it came to that.

I think the biggest difference in actually learning to manage DoF differently when you move from APS-C to FF, but that's all part of the fun!
 
Thanks for that, I guess it probably gets a hard time from people who's needs it doesn't suit. I will most definitely look out for the right used body.
 
Jamie perks said:
Thanks for that, I guess it probably gets a hard time from people who's needs it doesn't suit. I will most definitely look out for the right used body.
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I don't think you'd be disappointed in one for your needs.
Having just switched to Nikon, I'm selling mine in the classifieds if you're interested. Less than 3000 actuations.
 
fred_bt said:
Depends what you're looking for - it has low FPS, and only one really good AF point (but it is very good, even in low light). Mine has excellent image quality for a (Canon) camera of that generation, and certainly for landscapes, portrait etc it's good. For me it's unique point at the time was it's outstanding high ISO capability, so it's great for night time shots etc. That is less of a selling point now obviously that all cameras have much improved sensors with regard to noise. So I guess the question is why a relatively aging 6D as opposed to something like the 80D which will be much more in keeping with what you have, but with better AF overall and sensor, and which can be bought at a reasonable price from time to time with cashback deals etc?
Click to expand...

The 80d doesn't have a better sensor. The 6d is far more capable in that area.

Edit - reading back you're referencing it against the 50d I'm guessing?

OP - the 6d is a great camera and a massive step up from the 50d (which incidentally I also still own) in image quality.
 
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Wayne Els said:
For what you want to shoot the 6D is an excellent camera. I'm about to get rid of mine as I bought a Sony however the 6D has been great if you aren't interested in super tracking AF for birds/sport, etc. I actually bought it in favour of a 5D3 as I didn't need the AF or the extra size and weight. The only other consideration switching to FF is what glass do you have and will it fit or do you need to change your existing glass if you have a lot of EF-S lenses. In which case a switch to Nikon and a D750 might be worth an investigation.
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The 6d is fine for sport too, just use the centre AF point :)
 
Jamie perks said:
Thanks for that, I guess it probably gets a hard time from people who's needs it doesn't suit. I will most definitely look out for the right used body.
Click to expand...

I think it probably gets a hard time from people who've read the spec sheet or an early review and have never actually owned or used one regularly? I've had my 6D for about 3 years now and have been very pleased with it and the results I've had from it.

Yes, there are better cameras out there now, but they are almost certainly still going to cost you more money than a good, used, 6D with 12 month warranty from a reputable shop/dealer! And in two or three years time there will be better cameras out there than the 'better than a 6D' alternative someone has scrimped and saved (or hocked themselves to the hilt) to buy... it's the way things are. The problem with waiting for a better bus to come along is that you can end up never making a journey! :)
 
odd jim said:
The 80d doesn't have a better sensor. The 6d is far more capable in that area.

Edit - reading back you're referencing it against the 50d I'm guessing?
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I know, I own both, and wouldn't part with my 6D, but I initially replied before Jamie clarified what he was after with his second post. I'd agree in this case a 6D is a decent choice.
 
Mr Badger said:
I think it probably gets a hard time from people who've read the spec sheet or an early review and have never actually owned or used one regularly? I've had my 6D for about 3 years now and have been very pleased with it and the results I've had from it.

Yes, there are better cameras out there now, but they are almost certainly still going to cost you more money than a good, used, 6D with 12 month warranty from a reputable shop/dealer! And in two or three years time there will be better cameras out there than the 'better than a 6D' alternative someone has scrimped and saved (or hocked themselves to the hilt) to buy... it's the way things are. The problem with waiting for a better bus to come along is that you can end up never making a journey! :)
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Trouble is I keep catching the wrong bus lol
 
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