6d questions...action and any other concerns

I have been considering buying a 7dii as an upgrade to my 40d. However, I have read a bit about the 6d and how it is a great low light camera, which is my biggest desire as far as upgrading goes. There's nothing wrong with my 40d, but I would like higher ISO options since I will be taking a lot of photos indoors and I don't like to use flash for candid photos. I mostly take photos of people, and my main concern for upgrading is that I want to be able to take good, sharp photos of a baby and small children inside when there's often not the best lighting. I also love random macro with my 100L. Right now, I can get the 6d on sale for less than the 7dii.

However, I do sometimes take action photos (sports--kids and adult fun leagues; birds and wildlife outdoors). I'm hoping anyone who has used a 6d can comment on its ability to perform for action photography when it needs to, because I've read only the center point is very good for this. I don't do a lot of action photography where I'm actually using Servo and high speed burst, but I do occasionally and don't want to buy a camera that will not allow me keepers in those situations. I did recently purchase a Sigma 150-600c for birds, etc. and although I don't go out for that specifically very often, I don't want to "waste" that lens. If you've used it for action, do you get good results if you use the centre point? I'm assuming cropping afterwards if needed would be okay for me, since I'd be moving from a 10mp 40d up to 20mp the quality will probably still be what I'm used to.

Also, are there any other issues I should be concerned about with choosing the 6d over something like the 7dii? This is a big decision, and I will have to sell either my 17-55 2.8 if I buy the 6d or my Tamron 28-75 2.8 if I stick with a crop camera. (Planned on selling one or the other anyway, but I'm nervous about going back to using the Tamron after using a 17-55 for 2 years!)

Any advice would be appreciated.

I personally have photographed at very dark race tracks and stadiums, the 7D2's ISO and AF performance is amazing. The photo below was taken at ISO4000, I personally like it because I refuse to use flash's at dirt tracks because of how it highlights the dust in the air. Photo besides a little crop has no noise reduction applied. I'm not too familiar with the 6D but I know that there are 5 custom AF settings and then one you can adjust yourself as well for different situations.

This is a tough one to answer. I have a 7D and yes the AF and fps do make difference. Not to mention the added reach with the crop frame. That 150-600 becomes a 960. These are big advantages outdoors and shooting wildlife. I picked up the 6D though as I was tired of the poor low-light performance of the 7D. Yes there are those who brag about how they can PP the noise out, but I just feel noise reduction should not be the majority of Post Processing activity. PP should normally require a minimal effort in my book.

The 6D is fantastic for Image Quality and can't be beat for low light situations. The fps is slower but enough to do the job. I always shoot single point anyway so the 6D does a great job for me. I am much happier using my 6D over the 7D. The 6D just produces much better images.

The question comes in that we need to compare the 7DII which I understand is a great improvement over the 7D. I have not used the 7DII so I cannot speak to it's performance. I have no doubt it is number one for AF performance and speed, but IQ I do not know. As is typical on the discussion groups one says it is better than cotton candy and the next says it is only a marginal improvement over the 7D - so it is a subjective question. There are many photographers out there that love the IQ of the 7DII so whether that will make you happy is hard to say.

I believe the best thing to do is rent each for a weekend and find out for sure before making the investment.

Unfortunately, if I rent both cameras, I will use up a lot of my budget! However, I have seen a 7dii in action for a full day when I shot alongside someone that was using it, and although it was an amazing burst rate, I don't think I'd be using that feature all that much. Even when I'm taking action shots, I don't use bursts very often.

I know I'd probably be happy with either camera, but for the lowlight strength, I think I've decided on the 6d. I figure it's autofocus can't be any worse than my old 40d, and the autofocus has never seemed limiting for me on that camera. I've been reading several 6d threads on here, and I found a motocross with 6d thread that convinced me that it's obviously possible to get action shots with the 6d...I will just have to learn the camera well. I've had my 40d as my main camera for over 7 years, so I feel I will stick with a new camera long enough to learn it well!

I'm going to be nervous either way that I'll want the opposite camera after my purchase (which I will not be able to afford 2), but I figure full frame is a big enough change that it will be worth the difference from my 40d for sure. I'm looking forward to being able to use my 100 and my 70-200 f4 IS more often in everyday situations, since they'll be "wider" on the 6d.

I use a 60D and a 6D. In AI-Servo, there isn't much to distinguish them... as long as you have good light and high-contrast targets. I took my 6D and 100-400L (overkill) to my grandson's T-ball game last week. They were playing in the shade and wore solid one-color shirts. Center point was just fine. Peripheral points were near-total fail. The 60D has all-cross points. That is the second time I shot action with the 6D, and the second time I was certain the 60D would have handled it better. Love my 6D, but it isn't designed for randomly scattering 5 year-olds. It does fine with linear movement in AI-Servo. You know, something you can keep the center point on. Perhaps that is as much me as the camera, though.

EricaC wrote in post #17618983
Unfortunately, if I rent both cameras, I will use up a lot of my budget! However, I have seen a 7dii in action for a full day when I shot alongside someone that was using it, and although it was an amazing burst rate, I don't think I'd be using that feature all that much. Even when I'm taking action shots, I don't use bursts very often.

I know I'd probably be happy with either camera, but for the lowlight strength, I think I've decided on the 6d. I figure it's autofocus can't be any worse than my old 40d, and the autofocus has never seemed limiting for me on that camera. I've been reading several 6d threads on here, and I found a motocross with 6d thread that convinced me that it's obviously possible to get action shots with the 6d...I will just have to learn the camera well. I've had my 40d as my main camera for over 7 years, so I feel I will stick with a new camera long enough to learn it well!

I'm going to be nervous either way that I'll want the opposite camera after my purchase (which I will not be able to afford 2), but I figure full frame is a big enough change that it will be worth the difference from my 40d for sure. I'm looking forward to being able to use my 100 and my 70-200 f4 IS more often in everyday situations, since they'll be "wider" on the 6d.

Oh, you will love the 70-200 f/4L IS on a 6D. I had a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS, but found it large and heavy. When I bought the 6D, I discovered that 70-200 was just made for full frame. It is a much more practical range on full frame. I found myself using the 70-200 OS more, which means I started hating the size and weight of it. I sold it and bought a 70-200 f/4L IS USM. Really nice combo!

I have both a 6d and A7d my II. About a week ago my friend and I shot a rodeo. The light was horrible. I was using my 7d mk II and he was shooting with his 6d. I can't really say that his photos of rodeo action were better or worse then mine. He was shooting center point and I shot center point some of the night. Of course there are action situations where the 7d mkII will leave the 6d in the dust focusing wise but for the occasional action photography you describe the 6d will be fine.

Good to know about the lens! My 70-200 and 100 are a big part of my decision, because I love them, but do not use them enough because it's often too narrow a view. I used my 70-200 mostly as a long lens with a 1.4 extender, but now that I have my 150-600, I don't want the 70-200 to be ignored!

I've been reading the 6d Owners Unite thread, and there are several examples there of sports and action, so I'm confident now it will work in any situation I need it to. If I have to use center point, then I will. I'll have to get used to switching points without the joystick button anyway.

Thanks Larry, it's good to hear from someone who knows both cameras. I have a feeling I need to practice my technique when photographing movement anyway, no matter which camera I'm using! Might as well practice on one that I know will allow me to get the great low light/high iso shots that I will be taking more than action shots.

Lumens wrote in post #17618555
This is a tough one to answer. I have a 7D and yes the AF and fps do make difference. Not to mention the added reach with the crop frame. That 150-600 becomes a 960. These are big advantages outdoors and shooting wildlife. I picked up the 6D though as I was tired of the poor low-light performance of the 7D. Yes there are those who brag about how they can PP the noise out, but I just feel noise reduction should not be the majority of Post Processing activity. PP should normally require a minimal effort in my book.

The 6D is fantastic for Image Quality and can't be beat for low light situations. The fps is slower but enough to do the job. I always shoot single point anyway so the 6D does a great job for me. I am much happier using my 6D over the 7D. The 6D just produces much better images.

The question comes in that we need to compare the 7DII which I understand is a great improvement over the 7D. I have not used the 7DII so I cannot speak to it's performance. I have no doubt it is number one for AF performance and speed, but IQ I do not know. As is typical on the discussion groups one says it is better than cotton candy and the next says it is only a marginal improvement over the 7D - so it is a subjective question. There are many photographers out there that love the IQ of the 7DII so whether that will make you happy is hard to say.

I believe the best thing to do is rent each for a weekend and find out for sure before making the investment.

I was in the same situation. I was torn between upgrading in January to the 7d2 or 6d, since I had a 7d I decided to get the 6d for low light performance and image quality. I was a little concerned about shooting action with the 6d but here are some examples and you can see, the autofocus is pretty good

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/raQe​Uw

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/rzg8​tv

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qCzM​3K

Thank-you for the examples! I ended up buying a 6d on Friday night, and I spent the weekend shooting my dog and two small kids running around backyards. I am SO impressed with the quality of images from the 6d, and from my quick testing this weekend, I'm happy with the performance for the types of action shots I'll likely be taking (mostly dog and kids!). Being able to use higher ISOs was one of my main reasons for upgrading, and I'm definitely pleased with that! I will post some of my shots in the 6d thread when I get some time to do so.

You are right! I absolutely LOVE using this lens and the 6D together. I tried each of my lenses with the new 6D this weekend, but the 70-200 stayed on most of the time. It is a perfect focal length now for my most common type of everyday use.

your 70-200 paired with a 24-70 would be a perfect combo for you. I just picked up a Canon 24-70 2.8L and that lens on a 6d is amazing

That sounds like a great combo, but I won't be buying another lens so soon after the camera purchase! Since I'm trying to keep things light and simple, so I actually carry my equipment more often, I'm actually thinking of eventually adding a 35 f2 IS to add to my 70-200, 100L and nifty fifty (so I can use the 35 instead of the cheap 50 in really low light...although my 2.8 and 4 lenses don't seem to be a problem so far with the 6D!)

EricaC, I think you made a good choice. Last fall when I was looking to buy a new camera the 6D and 7D2 were in the running. I settled on the 7D2. More than anything I was lured by the 10 FPS, 65 AF points and the supposedly killer AF system.

Like most people you see posting here I rarely use 10 FPS or all the 65 points and am still waiting for the killer AF system to perform as claimed.

Rod