Upgrading from 40D

Hey friends, I'm a long-time lurker here to pick your brains. I have owned my Canon 40D since 2007. It has served me well through the years, but I'm pondering, if finances allow, upgrading to full frame (maybe) with better low-light capability and more MP, because I tend to crop pretty freely in post.

This week I'm renting a Canon 6D Mark II. I'm blown away by the quality of high ISO shots--I rarely shoot over ISO 800 with the 40D--and am pleased with the photos in general. (Of course.) I'm surprised that the 6D2 is a smaller camera--that's a plus, though I never had any complaints about the size of the 40D.

What other camera might I be looking at? 5D3? 80D (staying with a crop sensor would save me money on lenses)? I hang on to cameras a long time, so if I bite the bullet, it will have to last a good long time. The budget likely won't go over or much over $3000, so no 1D series for me.

I shoot some wildlife and landscapes, but mostly portraits (non studio) and events. I do car shows for a local non-profit as well as indoor events for the same folks.

Thanks for any input!

Laura
Canon 40D, 85 1.8, 50 1.8, 15-85 3.5-5.6, 100-400 3.5-5.6, 24mm pancake

The 5DIII, apart from being FF, is a bit of a step backward especially from the 6dII (and the 6D) in terms of high ISO low noise performance. It predated the 6D, which was pretty much unmatched for low noise only until the 5DIV was launched. While a step up from your 40D, coming from a 6DII rental, this can be a disappointment for you.

Wilt wrote in post #18610552
The 5DIII, apart from being FF, is a bit of a step backward especially from the 6dII (and even the 6D) in terms of high ISO low noise performance. It predated the 6D, which was pretty much unmatched for low noise only until the 5DIV was launched. Coming from a 6DII rental, this can be a disappointment for you.

There is little difference in ISO performance between the 5d3, 6d, and 6dii. The best money is spent on a 6d for somebody coming from a 40d, very little expended up front and easy to upgrade later.

Based on statistical info, the 6d2 is very, very much in lockstep with the 5d3 ISO and DR. In real use the 6dii might just barely edge out the 5d3.

My comments were based upon side by side comparison of 6D and 5DIIIimages at high ISO on dpreview.com
The 6DII was not a leaps and bounds apparent improvement over the 6D, which was the king of high ISO low noise until the 5DIV came along...

Run the 3 cameras on photonstophotos, you can see the analysis between the 3, the 6D2 nearly matches the 5D3 in all regards. What you are seeing in your sample above is that the 5D3 had a poor JPG engine (the old one shared with all the other old models), where both 6D versions have a better JPG engine, however when you compare the raw, the 3 will be very close, within about 1/3 stop.

Around 2012 or so, the bodies started to come out with a better NR and JPG engine, like the 6D, 80D, 7D2, etc

Have you ever owned 5d3 or 6d ?

tongard wrote in post #18611977
Have you ever owned 5d3 or 6d ?

No. Just the 40D. I used the 6D2 this past week, but other than that, the 40D is the height of my DSLR experience (and it was my first DSLR).

He was asking Wilt.... If you look in the upper right, you can see whether the post was in reply to another, provided the right buttons are used to generate the post.

Oops, thanks!

DP Review Studio shot comparison 5D3, 6D, 6D2

I've linked the actual studio shots of the 5D3, 6D, and 6D2 at high ISO. There was a lot of internet hype about how the 6D was better at high ISO then the 5D3, but as you can see, it's pretty minuscule. The main feature of the 5D3 from your 40D is it keeps the magnesium alloy body, has the same function buttons on top as well as more customizable buttons, was very revolutionary for improved AF system (the AF spread is also wider compared to the 6D2), and includes both the microphone and headphone inputs for video recording. The 6D2 is good value for money for a Canon FF, has better AF then the 6D, and has a tilt touchscreen. The 80D is a very good upgrade and doesn't require the possibility of replacing EF-S with EF lenses. It actually offers better dynamic range at low ISO then the 6D2.

Thank you, all! I decided on the 6D2. Once upon a time, I had a Canon p&s with a flippy screen, and I loved it, so that was a factor along with everything else. I ordered a refurb from Canon while they're on sale. Can't wait!