6D for $2,100 or 5D2 for $1,583?

boerewors wrote in post #15044666
But in the end i wouldnt go for either because of a lack of outer cross focus points. I never use the center point, who composes a portrait with the eyes over the center point lol!

You can say all you want about how bad the 5D2 is with AF and how the outer points aren't as good as the center, etc...
shooting a portrait with an outer point shouldn't be an issue

For landscape and lowlight events; 6D should win hands down for built in GPS and supposed better lowlight (high ISO+AF). but of course we have no real reviews yet; so it's all mute at this point.

It'd be extremely convenient to have the map in LR4 auto populated with locations; especially while on vacation (Where 6d will really shine i think; as it's smaller)

gjl711 wrote in post #15045083
This is not quite true. Referb simply means that the camera has gone to some Canon authorized location and brought back into spec. The camera can be one that was pulled off of the production line for quality testing (likely early in a cameras life cycle), or it can be a returned camera, or it can be a store demo that has been returned. There is no way of knowing what you get.

Well, based on more than 40,000 posts by you, I must bow to an expert.

But, my comment - which I stand by - is based on personal experience with refurbs, statements made by Canon and internet research - some of which could be small sample or plain lying I suppose.

However, when you receive a 5D2 that has less than 100 shots on it and it appears to be spanking new, I doubt you will return it. But, you have 14 days in any case to make up your mind. Such is not the case when buying a used model of anything off Craigslist or ebay. Plus, you get a 90 day Canon warranty. I point all of this out because of recent comments made on this board with refurb paranoia.

I think if the 6D turns out to have a greater dynamic range at the lower ISOs, the pictures could be superior to that of the 5D2.

w0m wrote in post #15045144
For landscape and lowlight events; 6D should win hands down for built in GPS and supposed better lowlight (high ISO+AF). but of course we have no real reviews yet; so it's all mute at this point.

For landscapes I wouldn't be using high ISO or AF, 5D mk2 is a proven quality landscape camera so I'd go for that over the 6D and spend the saving on a 17-40mm

binliner wrote in post #15045292
For landscapes I wouldn't be using high ISO or AF, 5D mk2 is a proven quality landscape camera so I'd go for that over the 6D and spend the saving on a 17-40mm

6d should have at least equal picture quality to 5d mk2; and the GPS would be really nice for landscape shots. (Where did I take that again? looking at shots later if you want to go back at a different time of day/etc). The ISO/AF is useful for OPs want of low light even shooting.

Bonus of 5d is you can buy it today (if you are debating to buy now or wait) and use it for most before 6d would ship, and cheaper. Bonus of 6d being GPS,better in low light, and better warranty. Size difference could go either way (personal preference; though I've heard lack of af joystick hurts 6d; i haven't shot with a joystick to have an opinion yet)

Everything is a trade off.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #15044581
if both were on the shelf right now, and I had to make a decision right now, the 5D2 would win because of these:
- CF card (I have a ton of them, don't want to buy/manage a 2nd set of cards)
- Joystick for AF point selection
- 1/8000

The WIFI/GPS offerings in the 6D are intriguing, but they're no substitute for me on the above...

and then you'd have an extra $500 to spend on other gear

I completely agree here! I have a very large "collection" of CF cards, so if both of these cameras were staring at me on the shelf, the 5DII would win.

Plus, you save money. And who doesn't like that??

-Nick

The 6D is going to be an entry level fullframer and its parts and features were selected to keep costs down.

i just bought a 5d2 through CLP, it was good enough for pros for years and sans a few neat features of the 6D it will continue to perform as the pro camera it was designed to be.

I'd take the 6d. I'd be willing to bet the ISO will be a little better and the DR will be a little better than the 5d2. AF will be better as well. As said before, I'd take new over 4 yrs old as well.

BrickR wrote in post #15045673
I'd take the 6d. I'd be willing to bet the ISO will be a little better and the DR will be a little better than the 5d2. AF will be better as well. As said before, I'd take new over 4 yrs old as well.

I'm not so sure. Though the MkIII does improve on ISO performance, DR was a little worse than the MkII at least to ISO 1600.

5d II is a proven quality ! and magic lantern works well on 5d II. I doubt 6D would be good enough to justify the extra cost. In fact, unless you are or will be doing sport, action photography professionally, 5d II is the best value in the entire full frame universe right now.

vaflower wrote in post #15045798
5d II is a proven quality ! and magic lantern works well on 5d II. I doubt 6D would be good enough to justify the extra cost. In fact, unless you are or will be doing sport, action photography professionally, 5d II is the best value in the entire full frame universe right now.

But the MkII is EOL an no longer being manufactured. Once stock runs out you'll only have used cameras. But I do agree, the MkII is one hack of a value for those not needing fast AF.

Just a comment about the lack of joystick for AF-point selection. Everyone seems to think this is a tragedy. I use a 500D and a 60D. All I have to do to change AF-point is press the AF-point selection button and rotate the front wheel. Quick, easy and I don't need to look at the back of the camera to do it. Hopefully the 6D can be managed this way. Is the 5D2 NOT capable of this type of adjustment?

TSchrief wrote in post #15046328
Just a comment about the lack of joystick for AF-point selection. Everyone seems to think this is a tragedy. I use a 500D and a 60D. All I have to do to change AF-point is press the AF-point selection button and rotate the front wheel. Quick, easy and I don't need to look at the back of the camera to do it. Hopefully the 6D can be managed this way. Is the 5D2 NOT capable of this type of adjustment?

Yes, that is available to the 5D2... might even be the default setting... but it is much slower than using the joystick...
and you don't need to look at the back of the camera to do it...

SMP_Homer wrote in post #15046383
Yes, that is available to the 5D2... might even be the default setting... but it is much slower than using the joystick...
and you don't need to look at the back of the camera to do it...

i have set my 60D so that you dont use the wheel to change the AF point but instead you just press the direction you need on the 8 way pad. 8 directions equals the 8 outer focus points and the center button is the center focus point. I think this is very easy to use and i actually prefer it to having a joystick on my camera. There is no need to remove your eye from the view finder and the AF point can be selected with one thumb press in the direction you need.