Upgrading 6D to 5D mkIII or D750/D810 for focus

I need some advice. I currently own a 6D with the 24-70 2.8 mkII. My kids are growing up and now running around and I find the focus on the 6D lacking.

I'm using the the center focus point solely and recomposing when possible. However it's becoming more difficult with fast moving subjects.

My question to you would be: should I upgrade to a 5D mkIII or even wait for the 5D mkIV? Or possibly consider switching camps to Nikon with a D750 or possibly a D810? I only have the camera, the 24-70, and a 600 RT flash so selling those and reinvesting in Nikon wouldn't be tough for me. What is everyone's thoughts?

Buy a used 1DIV. You get killer auto-focus and 1.3x reach.

I was in the same boat and went with the 5D3 and couldn't be happier.

There are lots available right now and all at great prices due to the 5D4 coming out sooner than later.

5D3 unless you enjoy landscapes/dynamic range

Bassat wrote in post #18099727
Buy a used 1DIV. You get killer auto-focus and 1.3x reach.

I'd disagree. I've owned the 5D3 for about four years (I bought it right at launch) and I've owned the 1D4 about a year longer than that. I ran these two cameras head to head for about four years and IMO the 5D3 is better for autofocus performance.

It isn't that the 1D4 is bad or anything, but the 5D3 is just a hair better with most lenses in difficult situations.

Presumably the 5D4 will be as good or better.

Finally.....as I said the 5D3 is just a touch better with most lenses. The one specific case though is the very recent Canon lenses like the 24-70/2.8 II and the 100-400L II. These recent lenses are just superb with my 5D3 in a way that they were not with the 1D4. They very nearly never miss on the 5D3. I've just about reached the point where even in tough situations I am going to stop checking shots with these two lenses at 1:1 views for critical focus. I'm not there......I do get a miss her or there, but it is in the low single percentage even while shooting sports.

I see no reason to think Nikon would be better than the 5D3 for autofocus. Nikon has some compelling bodies for various reasons, but AF performance relative to Canon is not one of those reasons.

I agree with you that the 5D3 would be a better choice... for some shooters. I considered both the 7D2 and 5D3 before buying my 1DIV. The 7D2's AF issues, real or not, scared me just a little. Then I read the manuals. Both of those bodies have really complicated AF systems. Better, I am sure, but complicated none the less. I am a center point shooter with my 6D. Venturing into the world of 'real' AI-Servo and tracking with the 1DIV was a conscious decision for me. The AF system on the 1DIV is the best I've ever used, and it is comparatively simple to configure and operate. So far, I am really happy with my choice.

Bassat wrote in post #18101124
I agree with you that the 5D3 would be a better choice... for some shooters. I considered both the 7D2 and 5D3 before buying my 1DIV. The 7D2's AF issues, real or not, scared me just a little. Then I read the manuals. Both of those bodies have really complicated AF systems. Better, I am sure, but complicated none the less. I am a center point shooter with my 6D. Venturing into the world of 'real' AI-Servo and tracking with the 1DIV was a conscious decision for me. The AF system on the 1DIV is the best I've ever used, and it is comparatively simple to configure and operate. So far, I am really happy with my choice.

The 5D3's autofocus isnt tough to use.... it can be as easy or as complex as you want it. You can use 9 points, 9 zones, 15 points, ect.....

fear of taking the 6D off "center point only" can be a debilitating problem, but it's definitely an unnecessary problem, and one exacerbated by reading stuff on the internet that tells you that's what you need to do. I'm not going to lie, i use center point most of the time, but I am also familiar enough with the camera and settings that I will also go with another point or AI Servo when needed. Servo starts with center point and then uses all the points and works wonderfully.

Are you willing to branch out and try it another way? If so you might just find the 6D to work fine for you.

Thanks for the comments everyone. Researching the Nikon systems vs. the Canon systems have led me to want to stay on the Canon camp. I have shot with a 5D3 before and thought it was a very nice camera, albeit at the time pricier than my 6D. However, now with the 5D4 coming soon, used prices are pretty good.

I recently photographed my grandmother-in-law's 90th party and the rate of keepers was around 1 out of 3. Which isn't too bad on burst mode, but I found that for the non-keepers, I missed focus. Of course, some of it I attribute to being accidentally at f/2.8 and the shallow DOF. However, for the posed group shots there were no issues there.

I also rented a 85 L mkII for some pictures of my kids and even relying on the center point, the focus left much to be desired. I found myself using the lens on manual mode more often to make sure that I could nail focus.

And to add, I think the 1D4 would be a bit of a beast for me. Having at least had some (minor) experience with the 5D3, I feel I could comfortably make the jump from the 6D->5D3. The other thought that has crept up is considering the 7D2. The only issue with that is the fact that it's crop and I like some of the aspects of having full frame.

Cobaltforge wrote in post #18101178
I also rented a 85 L mkII for some pictures of my kids and even relying on the center point, the focus left much to be desired. I found myself using the lens on manual mode more often to make sure that I could nail focus.

outside of the 50L this is possibly the very worst lens to evaluate focus on, especially considering it was a rental.

at the risk of sounding like a jerk, I looked back at a thread you started a year ago ... you were having focus issues back then too. Unless your camera is messed up, i think you need to reconsider your technique.

Not sure why you would be using burst mode at a 90 year old's birthday. Again, not trying to be an ass, but i'm also not going to sugar coat it. I shoot events regularly with the 6D and might miss focus on one in 20 shots, probably much less than that but i've never thought to even consider it. It's just not an issue.

If you are interested in figuring it out I'm sure with some effort some of us on the forum could help you out. If you're not, that's fine too.

Cobaltforge wrote in post #18101178
And to add, I think the 1D4 would be a bit of a beast for me. .

It is heavy, but otherwise simpler than the 5D3.

In any case, I still recommend the 5D3. It is to date the best all around Canon body and it is not really all that hard to master. The new 5D4 will doubtless be a bit better, but I'm getting the feeling that the main advantage of the 5D4 will be 4k video, and the introduction will make used 5D3 bodies very affordable.

Unless you need 4K video, I think the 5D3 will remain a very competitive body for still shooters, and it is better than the 7D2 and 1D4.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18101148
fear of taking the 6D off "center point only" can be a debilitating problem, but it's definitely an unnecessary problem, and one exacerbated by reading stuff on the internet that tells you that's what you need to do. I'm not going to lie, i use center point most of the time, but I am also familiar enough with the camera and settings that I will also go with another point or AI Servo when needed. Servo starts with center point and then uses all the points and works wonderfully.

Are you willing to branch out and try it another way? If so you might just find the 6D to work fine for you.

Fear? Methinks not. My 60D was better at AI-Servo than the 6D. I tried it for outdoor sports in broad daylight. I got as many OOF shots as in-focus. On my first outing with the 1DIV, I got almost 300 shots. One of them was OOF, and that was more than likely my fault. The 6D may well be capable of AI-Servo. It is not good at. Of the two Canon's the OP puts forth, certainly the 5DIII is the body of choice.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18101199
outside of the 50L this is possibly the very worst lens to evaluate focus on, especially considering it was a rental.

at the risk of sounding like a jerk, I looked back at a thread you started a year ago ... you were having focus issues back then too. Unless your camera is messed up, i think you need to reconsider your technique.

Not sure why you would be using burst mode at a 90 year old's birthday. Again, not trying to be an ass, but i'm also not going to sugar coat it. I shoot events regularly with the 6D and might miss focus on one in 20 shots, probably much less than that but i've never thought to even consider it. It's just not an issue.

If you are interested in figuring it out I'm sure with some effort some of us on the forum could help you out. If you're not, that's fine too.

I was using burst mode for action shots. Even though she's 90 she's quite spry for her age and was making sure to dance with everyone. However, here are 2 pictures that I took. The first solo one seems better than the group one. The cake seems to be the focus point on the group shot even though I was aiming at the people.

focus recompose, 24mm has a lot of dof. Shutter speed 1/125 would be preferable.

Your 24-70 mk ii needs IS All kidding aside, probably needs MA. Have you tried that?