6D or 5D3 for companion with 5D3

I use a 5D3 and love it. I want a second body to use instead of changing lenses. I shoot sport, landscape, functions.
The only reason I am considering the 6D is for the WiFi, and less so the GPS. Being able to control via iPhone is something I would find very useful for a lot of landscape, tripod stuff. But my reason for the second body is so I can use 2 different focal length, I find I change between my 35mm and 70-200 lenses frequently my two preferred lenses.
My concern with getting the 6D is the AF, I use off centre quite a bit on the 5D3. Particularly with wide apertures.
Cheaper cost is always better of cause, but is not a deciding factor in this case.

I have read countless reviews, but just can't make my mind up.

Which would you get?

If it was me I would rather have the same camera so that when I was shooting event I wasn't having to try to factor which AF system I was working with or which control layout I was using.

In your case I'd probably go 5D2, usually I tell people the opposite... But the control layout of the 5D2/3 is basically identical so it'd make switching between the two cameras very easy.

I always have the same models. Same settings, same file sizes, same quality.

Primarily I'd get something with the same type battery and preferably the same memory card. A shared grip will also be a nice bonus.

If you do any portrait work, the wifi function of the 6D is very nice though. Can easily show images on ipad.

TweakMDS wrote in post #15950120
Primarily I'd get something with the same type battery and preferably the same memory card. A shared grip will also be a nice bonus.

If you do any portrait work, the wifi function of the 6D is very nice though. Can easily show images on ipad.

Either one works based on those requirements.

Thanks for your comments, a 5D2 is out, if similarity is the deciding factor, I may as well get another 5D3.
The 6D and 5D3 share the same battery and both take SD cards although I use CF in the 5D3 at the moment.
I use a EyeFi card, but find it a bit of pain at times. I have used an Android tablet via USB cable to remote operate my old 7d, and found it hand, but the software buggy, so haven't continued using it. Being able to do the same wirelessly would be very handy.

The main purpose of wanting a second body is to save lens changing, and would account for most of its use. There for the 5D3 is probably the best choice, but I would love having the WiFi feature, which would open the door for more creative shots plus other benefits like showing and being in the picture.
If the 6D had a better focus system, in particular, cross type focus points at the 1/3 frame marks, I wouldn't hesitate buying it.

Has anyone use the 6D, how well do the off centre focal points work?

Has anyone got both a 6D & 5D3?

7D & 5DIII. The 7Ds give reach and slightly faster high speed rates for shooting action ( sport or wildlife).

If you want two FF bodies, go for two 5DIIIs if the budget allows and program them the same so you are really only changes lenses if you swap bodies at a shoot.

Being able to do F8 AF center point via the 5DIIIs latest firmware is a nice bonus shooting wildlife. I think the only other body that can do that is 1DX.

Get a refurbed 5DIII from Canon USA store for around $800 less. You can probably swap an old Canon body for some credit. We had no problem with the refurbed 5dIIs we got from Canon and the same goes for refurbed L lenses.

I find the 6D to be noticeably lighter than the 5D3 so makes for a good family vacation camera. My wife uses facebook to share photos with her family so for her to be able to connect to the 6D wifi browse photos and upload them while they are happening is a great great feature.

If it was me I wouldn't hesistate to have a 5D3/6D combo.

I'll have to do the firmware update, keep forgetting about it.

I sold my 7D, I found I wasn't using it, I do shoot quite a bit of my kids football, I really didn't don't find the extra frames per second any benefit. I have the reach covered.
I found it wasn't very usefull for using as a companion using two different lenses, due to the crop factor.

I would definitely want a FF body, the 1DX doesn't offer any thing I would particularly benefit from, and it's lower res and heavier, not to mention a lot more expensive, so I rule it out.
I actual had ordered the 1DX, prior to release, but they kept extending the ETA, then the 5D3 come available, so I changed the order, save some money and believe its actually a better camera for my needs


BTW, what is F8 auto focus?

Thanks Talley, my wife does a lot of cake decorating, and takes photos for her Facebook page regularly, but I usually do a bit of PP and watermark them as a way of advertisement for her. So I'm not sure if that is going to be a real benefit for me. However, for other Facebook, family stuff etc it may be hand. I have used the EyeFi card for this one, kind of reporting on a kids sports game live.

Your comment gives me more confidence in the 6D, do you use off centre focus point at all?

DamianOz wrote in post #15959445
BTW, what is F8 auto focus?

Allows you to focus on lens/TC combos that equals F8 minimum. Like a 400mm 5.6 with a 1.4x TC gives you a what 560mm F8 lens. The camera will still focus.

Or you can stack them with both your 2x and 1.4. Take your 120-300 put the 2X and then put the 1.4x also and make a 840mm F8 lens and the 5D3 will still focus.

Dah ... Sorry, I did know that. For some reason I'm thinking F8 as in a key board function, not aperture lol

DamianOz wrote in post #15959470
=

Your comment gives me more confidence in the 6D, do you use off centre focus point at all?

Actually I have. This was my BIGGEST hold back on buying the 6D. I had a T3i for 6 months and could NOT rely on the outer points so I upgraded to the 60D and all that went away, I could. Then had the 7D and again could rely on any point.

I've only had the 6D for 2 weeks but i've taken photos of my baby in the NICU mostly all at iso 3200+ and photos around the house and so far I'm extremely impressed with the outer points. I mean really impressed. Haven't missed focus with this camera once and I've taken 1407 photos in 2 weeks using a 85 1.8, sigma 70-200 2.8 OS, 40mm pancake and tamron 24-70 and also borrowed my buddies 24-105 for a few days.

Edit: I will say that you have to know where to point the outer point. If I aim the point and something that has a line going with the way the point sensor is then no it won't focus but soon as you get it onto something that crosses its path it does lock on quick and accurate. So you just have to know it in advance and shoot accordingly... which hasn't affected me at all.