6D or 5D Mkiii?

I noticed that a similar question was posted a few months ago so sorry for the redundancy but I'd like to get a few more opinions.

I currently have a 7D but want a FF. I mostly shoot landscapes, street, wildlife, some concert and other "miscellaneous stuff" currently but I'm also getting into portraits and outdoor family sessions. I don't really do sports but that's also not off the table either (I'm just all over the map really). And that I think is my dilemma between the two...I don't want to limit myself camera-wise because I want to be able to shoot practically everything if needed. Skill-wise I may be limited in some aspects but that's on me

I like idea of the better higher ISO and lower light focusing of the 6D but I'm wondering if I'll be regretting the more expansive AF of the 5D. One instance I'm thinking of is say I get an 85 f/1.2 or something of the like. I usually just use the center point, focus and recompose but I'm wondering if that's always doable with such a shallow DOF. In which case the better outer focusing of the 5D would be much better. How many times would I be in that situation? I don't know but I'd like ability for the camera to handle it if it arises. Another would be if I did decide to do some sports...Could the 6D handle that for the most part? And this is all assuming the IQ of both cameras is very similar. From what I've read and seen that seems to be the case but can anyone attest to that also?

I've been doing a lot of research and, although I'm not opposed to spending the money, I just want to make sure it's worth it. I'd also hate to NOT spend the money and regret that as well. I know it's all about the glass and I'm slowly working on building that up as well. However I'd like to make the right decision from the get go on the camera. So I guess, put another way...if someone were to offer you either camera, which would you take and why? And no, you couldn't turn around and sell it

Thanks. Kevin

kv968 wrote in post #17464343
I noticed that a similar question was posted a few months ago so sorry for the redundancy but I'd like to get a few more opinions.

I currently have a 7D but want a FF. I mostly shoot landscapes, street, wildlife, some concert and other "miscellaneous stuff" currently but I'm also getting into portraits and outdoor family sessions. I don't really do sports but that's also not off the table either (I'm just all over the map really). And that I think is my dilemma between the two...I don't want to limit myself camera-wise because I want to be able to shoot practically everything if needed. Skill-wise I may be limited in some aspects but that's on me

I like idea of the better higher ISO and lower light focusing of the 6D but I'm wondering if I'll be regretting the more expansive AF of the 5D. One instance I'm thinking of is say I get an 85 f/1.2 or something of the like. I usually just use the center point, focus and recompose but I'm wondering if that's always doable with such a shallow DOF. In which case the better outer focusing of the 5D would be much better. How many times would I be in that situation? I don't know but I'd like ability for the camera to handle it if it arises. Another would be if I did decide to do some sports...Could the 6D handle that for the most part? And this is all assuming the IQ of both cameras is very similar. From what I've read and seen that seems to be the case but can anyone attest to that also?

I've been doing a lot of research and, although I'm not opposed to spending the money, I just want to make sure it's worth it. I'd also hate to NOT spend the money and regret that as well. I know it's all about the glass and I'm slowly working on building that up as well. However I'd like to make the right decision from the get go on the camera. So I guess, put another way...if someone were to offer you either camera, which would you take and why? And no, you couldn't turn around and sell it

Thanks. Kevin

I just made this same decision. I always use center point as well and cannot see myself ever using multiple focus points. So for me the 5D really offered no great advantages for the additional $1000 or so. Using multiple focus points at any aperture setting is still allowing the camera to choose something to focus on rather than you deciding what to focus on.

And no, it's not all about the glass. It's about the person holding the camera.

saea501 wrote in post #17464421
I just made this same decision. I always use center point as well and cannot see myself ever using multiple focus points. So for me the 5D really offered no great advantages for the additional $1000 or so. Using multiple focus points at any aperture setting is still allowing the camera to choose something to focus on rather than you deciding what to focus on.

And no, it's not all about the glass. It's about the person holding the camera.

It's not that I would use multiple focus points (I rarely do) but be able to select a single point away from the center and get good focus using a shallow DOF.

And I totally agree, it is the person holding the camera. The reason I mentioned it all being about the glass is the usual (and probably correct) response is "save the money and buy better glass". I would just like the opinions to be based on the cameras themselves.

I have 60d and looking to upgrade. Leaning towards 5d mark III. But price of 6d is attractive. what is the consensus? I know mark III is a beast but casual photographer is it necessary?

I went through the same thing about a year and a half ago. After I bought the 6D and read opinions on the forum, I was wondering if I should have purchased the 5D3. But after using the 6D for a little while, I realized the I made the right choice. If you're a pro and need all the bells and whistles, fine. buy the 5D3. I'm not a pro, just an enthusiast. The $1000+ I saved came in handy to buy some more glass. The 6D is a camera second to none. I basically shoot the same things you enjoy shooting, plus 3 crazy, little pug dogs. If the 6D can keep up with them, it will keep up with most things I would want to shoot. Buy it and don't look back. You'll be a happy camper!

Thank you for the response, Very informative !!

Thanks eddie. I think I'm leaning towards the 5D just to get it over and done with but the price difference does play a factor. I'm not a pro by any means but would just hate that "shoulda, woulda, coulda..." But then I could always do like you said, just get the 6D and not look back. As long as your pugs are in focus I should be ok as well focus-wise Decisions, decisions.

I've been going back with this as well..

I went witht the 5d3.. truth is its probably overkill for my needs but I didn't want to ever feel like I should have gone 5d3..occasionally I do think I could ve gotten the 16_35 f4 that I want with the difference but what ever I'm happy with my choice

Killer deal on BOTH right now. I'm a serious amateur as well and went with the 6D and have no regrets.

kv968 wrote in post #17464343
...So I guess, put another way...if someone were to offer you either camera, which would you take and why? And no, you couldn't turn around and sell it

Thanks. Kevin

I faced that a little over two years ago. I had the option of getting either the 6D or the 5DMIII; the money wasn't an issue. While I started as an amateur, the goal was to go pro. At the time I had a 60D, still have it, and it was and is a great camera! I selected my AF points as needed, as I was doing fashion photography at the time. When I compared the AF functionality between the two, for me the 5DMIII was the clear winner. I have never regretted the decision!

saea501 wrote in post #17464421
I just made this same decision. I always use center point as well and cannot see myself ever using multiple focus points. So for me the 5D really offered no great advantages for the additional $1000 or so. Using multiple focus points at any aperture setting is still allowing the camera to choose something to focus on rather than you deciding what to focus on.

And no, it's not all about the glass. It's about the person holding the camera.

Actually, with the AF functionality in the 5DMIII, you have much flexibility on which AF point or groups of points to use. When the action is fast, whether sports or a ballet performance, there isn't time to do spot focussing. For a ballet performance last autumn, I sometimes needed to photograph two dancers on stage, both of whom were moving between opposite sides of the stage and the center, in and out. I used AI Servo, Zone AF points (sometimes on the middle right, sometimes in the middle center), and Case 6 focussing, manual shooting mode. It was that or no picture. I chose generally where to focus, but for action like that the camera does better than I can do.

urizzm wrote in post #17464590
I have 60d and looking to upgrade. Leaning towards 5d mark III. But price of 6d is attractive. what is the consensus? I know mark III is a beast but casual photographer is it necessary?

As I mentioned earlier, I had the 60D previously. For me, with how I use the AF points, the 6D would have been a step backward. While the 6D has, as I recall double cross type AF points in the center, the rest are all line AF points; the 60D, few as they are, are all cross type AF points. If I'd had the limited choice of the 6D or nothing, I would have stayed with the 60D.

The 6D is a fine camera that can meet the needs of many people. It just didn't meet my needs.

Is there a clear advantage to the 6D over the 5DIII other than cost?

One small advantage is being able to AF in almost pitch black. I love shooting mine at night.

perhaps this comparison helps
http://www.dxomark.com …-5D-Mark-II___836_795_483

low light focus ability, and noticeably better low light performance past 6400. I dont do flash, takes too much away from the environment. I dont hesitate to shoot ISO 25600 with the 6D.

Charlie wrote in post #17465034
low light focus ability, and noticeably better low light performance past 6400. I dont do flash, takes too much away from the environment. I dont hesitate to shoot ISO 25600 with the 6D.

Looking at the comparison, I thought this feature was on par on both cameras. I will look at it again.