5DmkIII vs 6D

Personally I wouldn't buy a 5d3 or a 6d just to have it when a 70d is still well past my skill level. Spending the money just because is what you want to do, and that's your prerogative.

A 5d3 will be the more advanced option, with more features than the 6d. Learning camera settings, composition, exposure, etc, are what you'll have to learn before you can expect the quality of your work to get better...and none of those have anything to do with the body you're using. You could buy a 1dx and your photos won't look any better than those from a T3i if you don't know how to use anything but the green box mode or how to compose your shots.

Agree. I was going to say 5DIII, but if you can afford one and don't know why it would be worth the extra grand+ then I would advise waiting.

Or by a used 7D (or rent one), try it and it you like it a LOT more than your 70D, consider the 5DIII. If you don't think you'll use all the AF features of a 7D, then the 5DIII is overkill.

I've owned the 6D and now have a 5DIII. Quick breakdown.

6D = IQ, Landscape and Portrait.
5D III = IQ, Sports oriented

Period. Done. Everybody go home.

Unless your investments did brilliantly.
Retirement means you dont want to make mistakes, you have to get it right.

As you do a bit of everything the ultimate all rounder had got to be the 5DIII.
Its very good at sports, and portraits.
I appreciate having loads of Accurate AF points even in Portrait work. I also value the hyper sensitive AF points.

IQ is excellent. OK technically some say the 6D is marginally better, what by a wisker.

Retirement also may mean you will want your investment to last and be reliable.
I feel the build quality of the 5DIII may avoid costly repairs, may last longer.
More importantly it avoids the - oh I wish I had got x - but now cant really justify - selling y .
Get it right first time! Or at least dont have buyers "often unjustified remorse".

The other factor is one has to recognise Canon is a long way behind Sony in sensor technology, so far it makes me feel it may be 2 absolute minimum maybe 4 years befor they come back with something competitive. So this purchase will have to last you some time.
I suspect the 5 will sustain you better for a long period, may hold its value better???
But you will definitely be happier holding on to a 5 build quality for say 4 years, than a 6.

So my advice is get the 5 as you can afford it. But compromise by selling the 70D to help fund the differential.

My advice is a little flawed - on one count - as if you "up your game" and start getting paid work, you are rinning a risk not having a backup body.
Eg today had a 6 hour paid shoot , stopped for a break, recomensed only to find no AF, no AF illuminated points. Shutter would not work! OMG. OMG!!!!!
NB it was a 90 mile drive there, and 90 back ( nb UK petrol prices and a 5 litre car)
Plus the major embarrassment, of letting someone down.
Plus the model has a chance of becoming famous ( can not say how or why for confidentiality reasons ) so part of the deal was my right to sell the images as well.
So if this screwed up I could miss out on a lot! Potentially £000's. I very much doubt if she would have given me a 2nd chance!
Morally would I have to pay her for her time!
Trust me its a nightmare. What only 7 months old and 10,400 clicks on. With a Shutter rated at what 150,000!!!

Total relief ! I was in Portrait mode and had forgotten to switch on the grip power!!!
But is scared me.

But I would still sell the 70d to fund the 5D3 purchase. Maybe Ill do some research and find the same sensor as a 7D and buy the cheapest 2nd hand one I can just as a backup.
Also thinking about the Sony AR7 and a converter.

"- he states that the crop body makes his lenses longer, and that is what confused people, the crop sensor doesn't make lenses longer"

Uggghh this one drives me insane!

Thank You everybody for your input! While I have no intention of ever going pro I do intend to upgrade to a FF at some point. While I am an amateur I am not entirely clueless about photography. Been dabbling in it since the '60's but with retirement looming I know I want to put a lot more effort into it. I wanted user reactions to the 2 cameras because I have received conflicting advice from 2 professional sources that I respect. A number of you have given me some good points to consider and I appreciate that. Thanks again.

LFingar wrote in post #16742982
Thank You everybody for your input! While I have no intention of ever going pro I do intend to upgrade to a FF at some point. While I am an amateur I am not entirely clueless about photography. Been dabbling in it since the '60's but with retirement looming I know I want to put a lot more effort into it. I wanted user reactions to the 2 cameras because I have received conflicting advice from 2 professional sources that I respect. A number of you have given me some good points to consider and I appreciate that. Thanks again.

I have found through the years that the professionals are really good for talking about what they currently use and how they came to that conclusion. They know what works for them for what they shoot, and will recommend it wholeheartedly, with some passing comments about things they don't own.

I have found passionate avid hobbyists actually seem to know more across the board (more breadth, less depth), and can provide more well-rounded answers, especially if they have tried many different models and brands in their gear acquisition journeys.

It is also good to temper professional findings with those from the avid hobbyists.