6D ?

Hey Birders, do any of you use the 6D for our "addiction"? I need a body that's better in low light and noise control than my 7D plus really want a full frame. Thinking 5MarkIII. At +/- $1500. less, the 6 is tempting, but as far as I can determine from various reading, my needs are where the 5 shines. And then there's the AF. So... Now unless someone wants to give me 7 big ones, this is where I'm contemplating.

Thoughts?

Thank you.

I picked up a 6D just a few months ago, but kept the 7D. The 7D stays for the birding and wildlife shots, but when the light gets low the 6D comes out.

With the 6D I miss the extra reach and the AF may be a little slower but still works fine for me. I usually shoot center point any way. Kind of a personal thing for me but the 8 fps for me is too much I usually keep the 7D on "Slow" continuous so the 6D at 4-5 fps is fine for me.

At times for general Outdoors walk-around I am tempted to carry both; the 6D/24-105 with the 7D/70-200. That gives me a reach of 24-320 so I am prepared for anything

Lumens wrote in post #17082898
I picked up a 6D just a few months ago, but kept the 7D. The 7D stays for the birding and wildlife shots, but when the light gets low the 6D comes out.

With the 6D I miss the extra reach and the AF may be a little slower but still works fine for me. I usually shoot center point any way. Kind of a personal thing for me but the 8 fps for me is too much I usually keep the 7D on "Slow" continuous so the 6D at 4-5 fps is fine for me.

At times for general Outdoors walk-around I am tempted to carry both; the 6D/24-105 with the 7D/70-200. That gives me a reach of 24-320 so I am prepared for anything

Hmm. OK, thanks for your input, Lumens.

I would not say that the 6D is ideal for birding! However it depends on what you are after. If you want static portraits of birds then it is pretty good. It will AF (center point only) in lower light than my 1DX and has a superb sensor giving clean images at ISO 6400 or so. The AF isn't the fastest to lock on and the frame rate is a little pedestrian, also the af tracking is not the best - so not the best camera if your subjects are moving around a bit.
As to "Reach" well this is a bit of a myth from my experience. Every time I have moved up in the camera body stakes I have found that I get as much reach despite the fact that I used larger sensors which many tell me have theoretically less reach. A lot of people get hung up on crop factors and "Pixels on target" and other such theoretical factors instead of looking at the images. A few good (large) pixels on target are better than a whole bunch of lesser pixels.
Looking at your gear I would suggest that you consider selling both your bodies and going for a 5D3. Whilst it is not quite as good at high ISO as the 6D it is very close and it's AF system is far superior + it has a decent frame rate, also for general photography the 5D3 is excellent as well.
Whichever you decide on (6D/5D3) I don't see your other cameras getting much use which is why I suggest that you sell them and go for a 5D3. However if you are a speed freak the a used 1D Mk4 costs a little less than a new 5D3 - now we are talking a birders camera!

I upgraded my 40D to a 6D and also kept the 7D as my primary body for birding. There is no way I'd use a 6D for my primary body for birding. The less reach and fps are deal breakers for me, especially the fps. Going from 8fps to 4.5fps (or whatever the 6D is) is quite significant.

Thanks John and Badams. Think I've ruled out the 6 for my needs. But John has me looking at used 1D Mk 4's! Not a full frame but sounds like a killer w/ low lite and low noise. Probably end up w/nothing for now but what the hey! Maybe should buy a lottery ticket

The 1D4 will not match the 5D3 in ISO performance and it has an older (but awfully good) AF system. However it is a more responsive (faster) camera that will respond and lock on to a subject VERY quickly. Many feel that the APSH (1.3 crop) sensor is the ideal size as it allows a decent area for larger pixels and still gives a worthwhile crop factor.
Not having used the 5D3 extensively I could not say which is better. Having had the 1D4 I can say that is an excellent camera by any standards, and I think I would prefer it over a 5D3 - but that is probably down to build quality and responsiveness. The 5D3 is smaller, lighter and offers better IQ and high ISO but it is a fraction slower (note I am not talking about frame rate). In the case of these two cameras the sensor size makes little difference for wildlife work but the 5D3 has definite (full Frame) advantages for landscapes etc.
I found my 1D4 to be fine up to 3200 ISO and 6400 if needed, I would expect the 5D3 to be 1/2 to 2/3 of a stop better. However, personally, I prefer 1 Series cameras where practical.
Try them both and see what you think - they are both excellent so you won't go wrong!

Why can't it ever be simple?

Life IS simple - get a 1DX! Paying for it might get complicated though.............

johnf3f wrote in post #17087811
Life IS simple - get a 1DX! Paying for it might get complicated though.............

YA THINK?

5D3 or 1D4.
If FF is important than 5D3.
Refurbs go for about $2700.00 when the sale is one.

I recommend and endorse the 6D all the time on the forum, but as a birder, I know it's not for me.
The 5D3 on the other hand is a dream come true. Does everything you expect a high MP FF camera to do, and it' AFs like a 1D. How can you go wrong?

I shoot with a 1D4 side by side with the 5D3 and feel that they are very comparable IQ wise and AF wise. The 5D3 wins at low light, but for birding this will not come into play as the ISOs won't ever be like what I do in a dark concert hall.

Obviously, the 1D4 wins for frame rate and "industrial strength"

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #17087871
5D3 or 1D4.
If FF is important than 5D3.
Refurbs go for about $2700.00 when the sale is one.

I recommend and endorse the 6D all the time on the forum, but as a birder, I know it's not for me.
The 5D3 on the other hand is a dream come true. Does everything you expect a high MP FF camera to do, and it' AFs like a 1D. How can you go wrong?

I shoot with a 1D4 side by side with the 5D3 and feel that they are very comparable IQ wise and AF wise. The 5D3 wins at low light, but for birding this will not come into play as the ISOs won't ever be like what I do in a dark concert hall.

Obviously, the 1D4 wins for frame rate and "industrial strength"

And the waters get muddier. Seriously Jake, appreciate your input. Maybe just wait for that "perfect opportunity" to present itself...hopefully.

They are $2,700.00 now, I understand the sale price is now about $2,350.00
Note the 30% off tags on the 7D now, sometimes there's a 15% next to the 5D3 (that's when I got mine)
Also there's the loyalty program trade in applicable on normal prices which also brings it down to $2,379.33
http://shop.usa.canon.​com …d-eos-digital-slr-cameras

Canon customer loyalty program info

Canon 5D Mark III - $2,447.28 - (As of october 2013)


Enrolling into this program is simple. The two requirements are that
1.) You do have a broken or out of warranty Canon product to return to them.
2.) You have not used this program more than 3 times.

Now to use this feature, you simply call the CLP number that is 1 (866) 443 8002. Then select Option 2. This number is open 7 days a week, 8:00AM til Midnight Eastern Time.

At that point, they'll tell you the availability of which camera you’re seeking and likely get a serial number for the broken camera gear you'll be sending in. (Tip - eBay and Craigslist is always filled with broken Canon digital cameras for under $50). Then they'll get a mailing address from you, and a credit card number (if one is not already on file) to process your order. You can expect your refurbished camera to arrive in the mail within 5 business days.


https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=948785

ardeekay wrote in post #17087859
YA THINK?

Just messing about!
Seriously though the 1DX is a cracking piece of kit and I am very happy that I bought mine! There is no way that I can justify it, I just wanted one and I found one going very cheap by UK standards.
Back in the real world your best choices are the 5D3 and the 1D4, I prefer the 1D4 but a friend preferred the 5D3. You can make a list a hundred lines long and there will be pros and cons to either body but it will probably come out fairly equal for both bodies. If possible get your hands on both, try them out and see what you think for yourself - both are excellent, just different.