Importance of ruggedness?

Hello all, I'm back in the market for a Canon DSLR. I switched from the 5Dii to the Sony A7r, and although the A7r was an amazing camera, I just couldn't get the hang of non-Canon controls.

So my budget for the body is right in the $1,300-$1,800 range. I've narrowed it down to the 6D and 7DII. Everything about the 6D fits my styles better...I like the focal lengths of the L-series lenses better on a full frame, I like the full frame image quality and DoF, I only ever use the center AF point anyways, and I'm not a sports photographer. I never use a flash or multiple frames per second. I also don't use video. So as far as which camera suits my shooting style, it's a hands-down vote for the 6D.

Where I get to the dilemma is with the ruggedness, weatherproofing, and dust-proofing. I hear nothing but accolades for the "built like a tank" 7DII. I don't trash my gear, but I certainly don't pamper it either. When I carried my 5DII, it often rode in the tank-bag of my motorcycle on long rides, and when I put it in a backpack, it never went in a padded pouch, just the regular nylon pack. It's not like I slam it against rocks, but I don't coddle it either if that makes sense. So long story short, am I buying too much into the hype about the ruggedness of the 7DII, or with my intended uses and style would the extra beefiness be enough to make a difference to outweigh all the other factors?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Doug

Have you considered the 5D3 with that budget? I don't think the weather sealing is any better than the 6D but it's a better camera overall IMO.

tonyxcom wrote in post #17554083
Have you considered the 5D3 with that budget? I don't think the weather sealing is any better than the 6D but it's a better camera overall IMO.

I really hadn't...I thought that the 5D3 was still up in the $2,200 range at a minimum. I prefer to only buy new gear.

Haha. Doug! I'm putting my minty 6D on the market after buying your A7R! I sent it in to CPS for a clean and check. It has a little over 4000 clicks. Ping me if interested. Randy

I would think the 6D is rugged enough for your use. Only the top plate of he housing is made of plastic and not mag-alloy, however it is a very strong engineering polycarbonate which should be up to the task of being bounced around a tank-bag.

As long as it isn't sharing that bag with broken glass, medieval weapons and an anvil.....

Heya,

I fantasize with the idea of ruggedness, to the point of picking up a Pentax system to have a weather proof system with weather proof lenses for when I'm on the water. I currently have a 1D Mk II, so I have a rugged body. But, having a rugged lens is just as important, and not even all the L's are weather sealed which is totally frustrating. So I have some L glass and non-L glass and basically cannot count on weather sealing or ruggedness because if the whole system isn't, then it isn't. I have several APS-C's, a 5D classic which is my portrait camera, and the mirrorless EOS-M.

On the subject of ruggedness, having all walks of Canons, I've yet to really notice the ruggedness of anything over another. I take my EOS-M with me everywhere and it's been dropped several times, on the street even, and it has marks but it works the same and has no problems. Pretty rugged little thing!

My 5D takes knocks all day as it swings from my shoulder. I use it in light rain. Doesn't seem to care!

I take my 1D Mk II on my kayak with me and out when I'm boating and stomping in the marshes of Florida. But my lenses aren't sealed so it's kind of pointless. I mainly use it for the speed of FPS and aggressive AF. Would love to have a sealed 600mm, but if it were that or a new boat, I'd buy the boat. Priorities and all.

I wouldn't get the 7D2 just because it has fabled ruggedness. Is it more rugged than a 1D series? Maybe in some ways, but not in all.

If you truly need ruggedness, and that includes the lens!, then get a 1D series full frame, like a 1Ds Mk III comes to mind in this price range, and only use rugged fully sealed L's (known sealed, not just L, it has to be disclosed that it's fully sealed or it's not).

Otherwise, I think you'll be fine with a 6D and normal lenses.

If you're really worried, get insurance.

***************

The kind of ruggedness my junk goes through:

1D Mk II just sitting on a cooler in the water. Could totally go in for a bath.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/svrk​zN

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/rR2d​ww

Doug, I have a neoprene cover for my 6D... 2 actually (for short lens and long lens), and I find them to be great for tossing the camera on the car seat or in the saddlebag (I'm also a motorcyclist). I'm easy on my gear, but these covers sort of remind me of the leather covers we had for our cameras back in the film days. You have the camera with lens attached, with the cover that snaps over both the camera and lens, and the neckstrap. Whenever I'm using the camera I just yank off the neoprene cover and stuff it in my back pocket. It uses no more room than the camera itself so I also slip the camera with cover into my camera bag for longer trips. That little bit of extra cushioning goes a long way...

The hardest transition for me to the A7R/A7S is the fact that these cameras appear to be much more delicate and it looks like you agree.

Now, if you want a camera to take a beating, you can't beat a 1D series and you can now get a 1D4 in your budget IF you are willing to buy used. I have a gorgeous 1D3 and I love that camera. In fact, I just returned from a track meet with it.

dog rocket wrote in post #17554263
Now, if you want a camera to take a beating, you can't beat a 1D series

I'm not entirely convinced, I have at one stage dropped a 20D on a tripod from eyelevel, I suspect if I had done that with my 1d2 or 1d3 there would have been lumps of magnesium casing on the concrete...

I'll have to second the xxD series. My 40D has taken a couple unexpected beatings and I believe in the long run it's helped it work a little better. It knocked some dirt loose under the shutter button and never a misfire since banging it against the car door the second time with a lens on it.

joeseph wrote in post #17554472
I'm not entirely convinced, I have at one stage dropped a 20D on a tripod from eyelevel, I suspect if I had done that with my 1d2 or 1d3 there would have been lumps of magnesium casing on the concrete...

We have a couple of 30D's in the family too. They are tough but rest assured your 1D will take that drop no problem. These 1D series go through major abuse constantly with pros. Yet have you ever once heard of one flying apart?

Last year I dropped one of my 1DMKIV's from waist level on a concrete sidewalk and saw it bounce twice, barely even scratched it. Picked it up and put on the 100-400 and went right back to shooting. I do not recommend this, but stuff happens.

A friend of mine dropped his 1D3 from about 9 feet on to flat stone and my 1D4 went bouncing across a road. 1D4 = 2 minor scuffs, 1D3 NOTHING - I hate him! Both cameras functioned perfectly and still do.
I wouldn't expect a 6D to stand up to this and I would be dubious about a 7D2, but for the normal rough and tumble of photography I would expect both to last for years.
Having used both the 7D2 and 6D cameras, and I am looking for a landscape camera as my 1DX is a wee bit heavy, I am looking to get a 6D or 5D3 as soon as I can afford one!

I appreciate the input Gents! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I made my decision and bought the 6D. I figure the risks of a slightly less robust camera body were more than outweighed by every other factor (for my style) being in the plus category. I can't wait to try this new camera set-up.

Hehe. One of my friends dropped his 1D while hurrying to a location. It landed on some very nasty rubble, bounced a few times, etc. Bottom line was that it hit just right on something and punched a hole through the body. He dusted it off and tried a few shots - the function was totally unimpaired and it worked fine till he was able to get it in to CPS for repair. They're made to survive accidents out in the field, and that's what saves a working photographer sometimes.

You take most non-"pro" bodies and punch a hole through them, and let me know how that goes.

I didn't go through and read every follow up post, so apologize if someone already covered it.

There's no such thing as weatherproofing, and Canon doesn't warranty their equipment if it gets wet, and no longer works. That even goes for the lightest drizzle outside

Just keep that in mind.