Upgrade Dilemma

Ok, so ive and worked my way up progressively through the canon rebel line, T2i, T3, T3i, and now a 60D. As im finally about to get a FF camera for my own use ive been watching the newer models get released. The 7D mark II seems to have everything I want except a FF sense...sigh. Until it was released I had my mind made up and planned on getting a 6D when my 60D failed. Well last week, I began having trouble reading memory cards on my 60D and the market is crazy with options. Ive even considered switching to Nikon and checking out that D610, my first camera was actually a D3100. So heres what I like that im going to lose, just upgrading: on camera flash, articulating screen. I was looking forward to the FF sensor, better iso performance, and better resolution. But now after a close call I realized the benefit of the on camera flash, and the Nikon line has amazing contrast, beautiful glass, and dual SD slots. Neither of these FF units does great video and who knows what canon will put out in the next few months. If the 7D II were FF my decision would be easy but the 1 cross type AF point of the 6D is really bothering me but at the same time the common complaint with the D610 is that the AF points are too close. So my question, if you were looking to upgrade from a REBEL in todays market with a need to do so very soon what would you choose for portrait/product work? Would you just go for the full frame 6D, consider switching to Nikon to get more of the features you want, or consider sticking to a better performing crop sensor which may be a minor upgrade in terms of IQ?

While FF is certainly better (depending on your NEEDS and a lot of other variables), you need to realize you are not jumping just a small step from the 60D to the 7D MKII. They are two totally different cameras and the differences are not to be taken lightly. The 7D MkII is a pro grade camera with pro grade capabilities.

I own a 6D and a 70D and will likely be upgrading to a MkII any day now. As for my FF needs, the 6D fits my needs nicely and while I may upgrade to a MkIII (or MkIV when it comes out) someday, I find the crops do most everything I need. I use them about 50-50 depending on my needs.

If you're asking about a switch to Nikon, don't forget you're in the Canon forum. It's like asking how do you like Chevys in a Ford forum.

You're going to get all kinds of advice and be asked all kinds of questions. Been there. Done that.

What kind of glass do you own? What is the 60D not doing for you that you need to do? What glass do you own? What types of photography do you focus on?

What do you shoot? Full frame has some advantages, but not in every case. Losing the on board flash would actually be a blessing. The 6D will focus as well as your 60D in practical terms.

My glass adds to my dilemma. I was working with a Tamron 24-70, 85mm 1.4 and wanting to get into a 70-200...however on a crop those are all very tight, or atleast tighter than I need for indoor stuff so the jump to FF was going to be huge especially when working around say 50MM. The higher resolution is a big plus as well. I actually sold most of my lenses and have been just working with my 85 temporarily because I was going to build a brand new bag but when my camera started having issues I held off buying the new glass while I figure out how to go forward. while I do mostly portraits the contiguous burst of the 7D II cant be ignored and would really open me up to new possibilities. But the lack of AF spread is killing me, I mostly use one AF point at a time in my work currently and already cringe at the lack of more cross type points, and spread. I made the mistake of choosing the 60D which I love but clearly had some known issues when it was released and thus has already been discontinued and I don't want to make the mistake of choosing the camera that's about to be obsolete again. Plus the cost on these is so close that its just a tough call

Heya,

Product and portrait work is your game, and you're worrying about AF points? You don't even need AF. So I would say get the camera that has the better image quality, better ISO performance ranges that you need, and other features (like wifi, etc).

Sounds to me like you'd be fine with a 70D, 6D, etc.

Very best,

If you want cross-type focus points spread out over the VF, you want the 7DII.

What is the reason you want all cross-type focus points?

I had a 60D, 70D, and now the 7D2. It leaves me wanting for little else. Center point AF, it can do that, down to -3 EV. I got it to focus on a single star in the night sky. Action, those 65 AF points that basically fill the screen have you covered. There is a sick joy in flicking the joystick and picking almost any part of the frame to focus accurately in the viewfinder.

Yes, FF has more detail and ISO performance, but I have never had someone look at a shot from my 7D2 and tell me how grainy or lacking in detail it is. Rattling off shots at 10Fps, flicker detection, etc, all make the 7D2 perfect for me.

Rumor has it that Canon is going to make some sort of product announcement on August 14. Most of the speculation I've seen is either a Rebel SL2 or an 80D, neither of which will help you much if you're interested in full frame. But I have seen some speculation that it may be a 1D. Anything new they announce in August probably won't be available until October though. I guess my point is that if you can hang on for a few months, it may be worth it to at least see what they unveil on August 14.

Canonrumors posted the first "leaked spec" of the 7DII in February 2013. If you're relying on rumors to make your gear purchase you may have a very long wait.

I looked at your tumblr and don't really see anything that screams out for the kind of autofocus or FPS capabilities of a 7DII. For Product/Portrait work I'd go with a 6D, or a 5D3 if you want the better AF.

Is 5D3 out if the question? I did a very similar upgrade path. T2i to 70D and then had a tough time deciding between 6D and 5D3. Decided to sell off some non-photo equipment and splurged a gray market new 5d3.

Bracetty wrote in post #17630247
... The 7D mark II seems to have everything I want except a FF sense...sigh....

The 5D3 IS a full frame 7D2.

If you are getting by just fine with the AF system of the 60D, you'll be fine with the 6D. I use both. There isn't much difference between them. Well, the 6D is bang-on accurate and can focus in the dark. Real performance, really close.

Unfortunately the 5D III is out of the budget but yea that would be the perfect balance. Ive heard all the rumors but the problem for me is that I run a couple online businesses and a working camera is a prerequisite so I cant wait that long, I need to make a decision here in the next few weeks. Right now im forced to reset my camera about 20 times before it finally recognizes my memory card if im lucky, once it even completely erased the data.

The cross type AF points and shutter speed open me up to more possibilities in getting candids at events and street photography as well. I started out using only manual lenses and worked my way up to AF as my budget increased but I definitely love the benefit of having the option to have more AF points to choose from. I don't want to limit myself with my next purchase, even using the IR flash trigger on my 60D was a feature I initially didn't take advantage of but now use quite frequently. It really just seems like there is no clear winner

Try a new memory card. Maybe it is not the camera.

You can use a 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II as flash commanders (I mean on a 6D).

Or better yet, ditch the horrific IR flash control system and get radio triggers.