6D VS 5d3 - Hard Time Deciding

Hi guys,

Just looking for a little advice. I'm looking at upgrading my 60D to either a 6D or a 5D3. Now I've been doing a lot of reading between the two cameras and I'm leaning more towards the 6D, however I don't want to wind up in a months time wishing I had purchased a 5D3.

I shoot mainly at dog shows - indoors in low light. I've gotten along fine, but I need a camera that can handle higher iso's. I usually use center focus, and don't really have any trouble with catching my targets in focus. How does the 6D focusing compare to the 60D? I'm assuming it would be compairable or better but still lower than the 5d3.

I mainly shoot with a 70-200mm f2.8 or a 24-70mm f2.8

So my main question I guess would be is the focusing on center dot will be fast enough in low light arenas on the 6D?

Thanks!!

There is a lot of detail already posted about this: http://*******/1f5TiSW​. The AF is the biggest difference. As you probably know, the low-light performance of the 6D is a bit better, and the 6D is a lot cheaper. it's a trade-off, and what is better for one person may not be better for you.

Looks like we are having similar issues. I also started a thread this morning, you might want to keep an eye on. https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1361189

I've had my 6D for just a few days and so far the focus looks to be pretty close to the 60D's. The center point really grabs focus in just about any light with either my 200 2.8 or 100/2. I'm borrowing a 40mm pancake right now and it doesn't focus as fast as my other two EF lenses--or give me the same IQ--but it is still decent for a non-USM lens.

The two most striking things about moving from the 60D to the 6D so far have been:

1) How clean my images are up to 12,800 ISO. They are possibly as clean as the 6D at 2000 ISO in RAW, although I haven't done a ton of comparison.

2) How much shorter my 100 and 200mm lenses are on a FF body. The 100 becomes much more workable indoors and the 200 is shorter to the point of me knowing that I'll need to invest in a 300mm of some sort if I want to shoot field sports in the future on the 6D. I still haven't decided if I'll keep the 60D as a second body for sports or sell it to upgrade my glass.

The 6D would give you nice results, I think, but the 5D3's AF is supposed to be a game changer. I would think you would get a noticeably higher percentage of keepers with the 5D3, but then again you may end up needing something longer than 200mm for your dog shows . . . so you definitely have plenty to think about.

Equi.
With the lenses you have I would marry up to the best of the two bodies.
For me a no brainier, the 5D Mark III. The AF system of the 5D Mark III is top notch. The 6D AF system is going back in time for me.
Why buy a new product with older features?

I am in a similar position to you, except I am wanting to go full-frame from my 7D. I would go 6D, however, the AF system would be a downgrade from my 7D. I shoot a lot of my daughter's dance routines, so a relatively quick AF system is needed. Having seen some of the closest things to action shots on the 6D, I will continue saving my money for the 5DIII.

I agree with mickeyb105. The AF system of the 6D is comparable to that of the 60D. I own and shoot both. If you can do what you want with a 60D, the 6D will step up nicely, and give you the high-ISO results you are looking for.

Once you shoot a 5D3, you won't go back to 6 or 7 series anything. I kept my 7D for the reach when shooting wildlife. But the 5D3 is what I always grab first.

If you got money and need good AF, get 5dmk3. If center point ok, then 6d.

If you are just using the center point anyway, get the 6D.
If there is the possibility of shooting indoor action (autofocus multiple points) get the 5D mkiii

Nick5 wrote in post #16695969
Equi.
With the lenses you have I would marry up to the best of the two bodies.
For me a no brainier, the 5D Mark III. The AF system of the 5D Mark III is top notch. The 6D AF system is going back in time for me.
Why buy a new product with older features?

Because it's about half the cost of the 5D and gives you most of the features/performance..​.

MCAsan wrote in post #16696340
Once you shoot a 5D3, you won't go back to 6 or 7 series anything. I kept my 7D for the reach when shooting wildlife. But the 5D3 is what I always grab first.

I shoot with my friends 5D3 on occasion and have never once wished I owned his camera over mine. The 6D is more than enough camera for the vast majority of shooters.

If you find that you are not struggling to catch focus with your current setup then the 6D will be fine for you. The center point is extremely good even in very dim condition. I have had my 6D since it came out and have never felt that the autofocus has been a limiting factor, save your $ and put it towards new glass or something.

If money is no problem, go for the 5DIII. If it is an issue you could buy the 6D. Or you can buy the 6D and a good lens for the price of the 5DIII.

Center point on the 6D is very good, at least good as the 60D, and I'd even risk saying that it is virtually as good as the center point on the 5DIII. As for tracking speed and accuracy, probably the 5DIII is better (should be better for about $1200-1500 more).

I have a 70D, had a 7D also which I just sold, and also have a 6D. Center point AF performance is about the same, actually I did some controlled tests and my 6D focused a hair faster than my 7D in medium light on a static subject.
My 6D also focuses in lower light than any other camera I've had in my life (about 14 different Canon bodies, but no 5DIII though )

I just tested my 6D and my 70D under low lights with my fast AF 85 1.8, and they are the same speed, except the 6D is more accurate (tested center point).

By the way, here are the AF speed measurements as tested by Popular Photography's lab. Numbers are in seconds, tested from 12 EV down to -2 EV, gradually:

5DIII:
0.37, 0.42, 0.49, 0.45, 0.57, 0.69, 0.89, 0.96, 0.99, 1.15

Same test with 6D:
0.39, 0.43, 0.45, 0.49, 0.54, 0.62, 0.75, 0.95, 1.17, 1.32

So down to 0 EV they are virtually neck and neck, the 6D actually winning in lower lights from 4 EV down to 0.

For reference, 0 is like a very dim interior. +3 is a street at night. A nicely lit stadium or arena is about +8. -3 is full moon.
So as for lab measured AF speed the 6D is virtually the same as the 5DIII, that is I presume done in One-Shot mode.

Do the dogs move quickly at your shows? Do you have to track a lot? Do they move toward you or across the frame? You may benefit from the many cross type focus points on the mark iii. I am sure the 6d will do fine but you may have more keepers if the object is moving across the frame with the markiii. Also the lowlight performance of the 5d is pretty damn good. Its really the only thing in my opinion tjat the 6d can hold over the 5d. Just my 0.02 cents

Yeah, the nature of tracking action plays a critical role here, decision should be made largely based on that.