Opinion on Canon 6D
Oct 30, 2014 12:03:15 #
I have a chance to buy a new Canon 6D camera body for around $1,000, and being a full frame camera I'm tempted as my other camera, a 50d, is not.
Your valuable expertise would be much appreciated.
Monte
Your valuable expertise would be much appreciated.
Monte
Oct 30, 2014 12:17:44 #
Considering the Canon authorized dealers are selling it for $1699 (after a $200 rebate) - your package is coming in at $700 less - sounds like gray market...
I would verify it is USA model
Confirm 1-Year Canon U.S.A. Limited Warranty
Look up the unit on the Canon site and see what is included as accessories and verify the same from your source.
I would verify it is USA model
Confirm 1-Year Canon U.S.A. Limited Warranty
Look up the unit on the Canon site and see what is included as accessories and verify the same from your source.
Oct 30, 2014 12:32:18 #
I have had both and shot both substantially. $1,000 is very good price as even here in LA the only ones posted are for new bodies for around $1,500, but little action in used 6D. The 50D is also a super camera although not full frame and does not have the low light or high ISOs of the 6D. It used to be my carry everywhere body although I sold it and I now regret it as it is noticeably lighter than the 7D.
Oct 30, 2014 12:34:13 #
If as noted above, if it's a solid deal with a warranty or your buying it used and it's in good working order, I would go for it - Thats a great deal - I bought a 6D last year and couldn't be happier with it - Possible down sides ? It's not really for sports and other fast action shots and the focus search takes a bit of getting used to in some instances.....
Oct 30, 2014 13:31:09 #
I called the seller and was informed that it is not a USA model. It is, however, brand new; it comes with a myriad accessories and it has a one year warranty? No good?
Thanks for all the responses received.
Monte
Thanks for all the responses received.
Monte
Oct 30, 2014 13:31:09 #
I called the seller and was informed that it is not a USA model. It is, however, brand new; it comes with a myriad accessories and it has a one year warranty? No good?
Thanks for all the responses received.
Monte
Thanks for all the responses received.
Monte
Oct 30, 2014 13:59:19 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
The first question to ask yourself is what you think a FF camera will do for you, that your current crop camera won't or can't do? Full frame would be better in low light (i.e., less noise at high ISOs). And FF is great for big prints... from about 16x20 and upwards you'll see some differences. If all you ever do is make 8x10s and share your images online at Internet resolutions, the FF camera would be sort of a waste.
A crop camera such as your 50D has some advantages, too. If you do a lot of telephoto work, for example, the cropper can be a better choice. You can use lighter, smaller, more portable, handholdable and affordable telephotos with a crop camera, than you'd need to achieve the magnified angle of view with any full frame camera.
6D's AF system is similar to your 50D's, in some respects better, in other respects not as good. Your 50D has 9-point AF, with all nine the "better" cross-type (dual cross at the center point, with f2.8 and faster lenses). The 6D has 11-point AF, but only the center one is cross type. All the others are less sensitive than your 50D's peripheral points. The 6D's center point can still focus in exceptionally low light... down to about -2 or -3 EV, where your 50D is only able to focus down to -0.5 or -1 EV.
6D is sort of like a "full frame 60D"... with similar controls to 60D and, to a little lesser degree, 70D. Instead of the control dial on the back of your 50D, these cameras use a multi-controller. Some folks prefer the 50D style setup, for quicker action in fast shooting situations. For action and sports, your 50D also can shoot at over 6 frames per second, while 6D is only able to do about 4.5 fps.
6D uses SD memory and LP-E6 batteries. So you would need new memory and any spare BP511As you have now, plus your current charger, won't work. You would get some more shots per charge... I estimate I get about 20% or 30% more shots per charge with my cameras using LP-E6, compared to earlier models I used that utilized BP511A batteries. LP-E6 are more expensive, too, especially since cheap clones of BP511A are widely available and work just fine. (I only use OEM LP-E6, but have seen some people have issues with "fakes" or clones. Apparently LP-E6 contain some "smart" circuitry, so aren't as easily copied as "dumb" BP511As.)
Maybe a 6D is perfect for you... Maybe not. Depends upon what you want to shoot with it and how you use your images. Only you can say
Like some other responders... I would be very, very, VERY suspicious of such a low price on 6D. It's normally a $1500+ camera... hard to imagine a brand new one for $1000.
Plus, depending upon what lenses you already have, there may be significant additional cost to "going full frame"... On the whole, lenses for FF cost more and are bigger/heavier than some of their crop-specific lenses alternatives.
EDIT: You don't mention the seller.... but if they are online you might try looking them up on www.resellerratings.com to see if there is feedback about them. I get even more suspicious when I hear about a seller who is "bundling" a bunch of stuff with a camera. Often it's unnecessary or misrepresented cheap stuff that really doesn't add much value... such as small, wobbly tripods or poor optical quality add-on macro/wide angle/telephoto lenses.
The Canon USA website lists exactly what's included in the box, with any particular camera. If the seller is "bundling" a battery, charger, strap, USB cable, those are usually included anyway.
A non-USA (i.e. "gray market" ) camera will not have warranty coverage in the US. It was bought overseas in another marketplace, then imported through non-official channels. If it breaks, you're liable to be stuck with the cost of repairs. The "one year" warranty is between you and the seller... not between you and Canon. Some of the long-established, reputable sellers offer gray market items and provide their own warranty and are good about standing by it. Not knowing who you are talking with, hard to say if this is a good deal or not, or if they'll be around to cover any warranty claims, should you need them.
There occasionally are screamingly good deals on things.... But most of the time if the price of a camera is significantly below what the largest retailers (B&H Photo, Adorama, and a couple others) are charging, it's just too good to be true and is a rip off in one way or another. A USA-warranted 6D at B&H is $1700 right now (after a $200 mail-in rebate). They (the largest camera retailer in the US) can't get gray market cheap enough to offer them as "body only", so they offer in "bundles" such as with battery grip, extra battery, memory card, etc., with a 2-year "Square Trade" (third party) warranty, for a few $ more than the above price.
So... search online by the seller's name... and at the resellerratings.com website, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, etc. for any info about them. You also might research the seller's location and, if it's in the U.S., check with local D.A. office to see if there are any consumer complaints.
$1000 for a camera everyone else is selling for $1700? Sounds too good to be true... and probably is. But, who knows!
A crop camera such as your 50D has some advantages, too. If you do a lot of telephoto work, for example, the cropper can be a better choice. You can use lighter, smaller, more portable, handholdable and affordable telephotos with a crop camera, than you'd need to achieve the magnified angle of view with any full frame camera.
6D's AF system is similar to your 50D's, in some respects better, in other respects not as good. Your 50D has 9-point AF, with all nine the "better" cross-type (dual cross at the center point, with f2.8 and faster lenses). The 6D has 11-point AF, but only the center one is cross type. All the others are less sensitive than your 50D's peripheral points. The 6D's center point can still focus in exceptionally low light... down to about -2 or -3 EV, where your 50D is only able to focus down to -0.5 or -1 EV.
6D is sort of like a "full frame 60D"... with similar controls to 60D and, to a little lesser degree, 70D. Instead of the control dial on the back of your 50D, these cameras use a multi-controller. Some folks prefer the 50D style setup, for quicker action in fast shooting situations. For action and sports, your 50D also can shoot at over 6 frames per second, while 6D is only able to do about 4.5 fps.
6D uses SD memory and LP-E6 batteries. So you would need new memory and any spare BP511As you have now, plus your current charger, won't work. You would get some more shots per charge... I estimate I get about 20% or 30% more shots per charge with my cameras using LP-E6, compared to earlier models I used that utilized BP511A batteries. LP-E6 are more expensive, too, especially since cheap clones of BP511A are widely available and work just fine. (I only use OEM LP-E6, but have seen some people have issues with "fakes" or clones. Apparently LP-E6 contain some "smart" circuitry, so aren't as easily copied as "dumb" BP511As.)
Maybe a 6D is perfect for you... Maybe not. Depends upon what you want to shoot with it and how you use your images. Only you can say
Like some other responders... I would be very, very, VERY suspicious of such a low price on 6D. It's normally a $1500+ camera... hard to imagine a brand new one for $1000.
Plus, depending upon what lenses you already have, there may be significant additional cost to "going full frame"... On the whole, lenses for FF cost more and are bigger/heavier than some of their crop-specific lenses alternatives.
EDIT: You don't mention the seller.... but if they are online you might try looking them up on www.resellerratings.com to see if there is feedback about them. I get even more suspicious when I hear about a seller who is "bundling" a bunch of stuff with a camera. Often it's unnecessary or misrepresented cheap stuff that really doesn't add much value... such as small, wobbly tripods or poor optical quality add-on macro/wide angle/telephoto lenses.
The Canon USA website lists exactly what's included in the box, with any particular camera. If the seller is "bundling" a battery, charger, strap, USB cable, those are usually included anyway.
A non-USA (i.e. "gray market" ) camera will not have warranty coverage in the US. It was bought overseas in another marketplace, then imported through non-official channels. If it breaks, you're liable to be stuck with the cost of repairs. The "one year" warranty is between you and the seller... not between you and Canon. Some of the long-established, reputable sellers offer gray market items and provide their own warranty and are good about standing by it. Not knowing who you are talking with, hard to say if this is a good deal or not, or if they'll be around to cover any warranty claims, should you need them.
There occasionally are screamingly good deals on things.... But most of the time if the price of a camera is significantly below what the largest retailers (B&H Photo, Adorama, and a couple others) are charging, it's just too good to be true and is a rip off in one way or another. A USA-warranted 6D at B&H is $1700 right now (after a $200 mail-in rebate). They (the largest camera retailer in the US) can't get gray market cheap enough to offer them as "body only", so they offer in "bundles" such as with battery grip, extra battery, memory card, etc., with a 2-year "Square Trade" (third party) warranty, for a few $ more than the above price.
So... search online by the seller's name... and at the resellerratings.com website, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, etc. for any info about them. You also might research the seller's location and, if it's in the U.S., check with local D.A. office to see if there are any consumer complaints.
$1000 for a camera everyone else is selling for $1700? Sounds too good to be true... and probably is. But, who knows!
Oct 30, 2014 20:59:41 #
Mr. Myers, all I can say is, WOW!
What an unbelievably, thorough, informative, and knowledgeable reply. You covered the subject to such a degree that quite frankly, no one else needs to respond; how can anyone top that?
From the limited knowledge I have on the subject of cameras, more specifically EOS ones, I know enough to recognize the accuracy of the information you provided. I suppose my interest in the 6D was influenced, yes, partially by the FF feature, as I love low-light exposures. Additionally, I recently purchased my first 'L' lens, and was told that that lens would really work the best when coupled with an FF camera.
Yes, you are correct, I, too, love my 50D. It has accompanied me through many travels, and has never disappointed. As far as enlargements, I typically print larger than 8x10's; usually 11x14s and 13x19s.
As far as the cost, I was willing to purchase the advertised model I saw on line for $1,049.00 from Direct Outlet but do not see sufficient beneficial differences between my 50D and the contemplated 60D to warrant an additional expenditure of several hundred dollars.
Again, my most sincere gratitude fpr the time and effort that went into your expansive response.
Monte
What an unbelievably, thorough, informative, and knowledgeable reply. You covered the subject to such a degree that quite frankly, no one else needs to respond; how can anyone top that?
From the limited knowledge I have on the subject of cameras, more specifically EOS ones, I know enough to recognize the accuracy of the information you provided. I suppose my interest in the 6D was influenced, yes, partially by the FF feature, as I love low-light exposures. Additionally, I recently purchased my first 'L' lens, and was told that that lens would really work the best when coupled with an FF camera.
Yes, you are correct, I, too, love my 50D. It has accompanied me through many travels, and has never disappointed. As far as enlargements, I typically print larger than 8x10's; usually 11x14s and 13x19s.
As far as the cost, I was willing to purchase the advertised model I saw on line for $1,049.00 from Direct Outlet but do not see sufficient beneficial differences between my 50D and the contemplated 60D to warrant an additional expenditure of several hundred dollars.
Again, my most sincere gratitude fpr the time and effort that went into your expansive response.
Monte
Oct 31, 2014 07:09:00 #
I saw a post the other day saying that the 6D had been marked discontinued in Europe. Could be a reason for the discount: replacement on the way?
Oct 31, 2014 08:22:27 #
I sold my Mark II for a 6D and never looked back. It's a wonderful camera with unbelievable ISO performance. If it's an honest deal, get it, but there's a lot of good advice above!
Oct 31, 2014 11:17:00 #
Oct 31, 2014 11:35:43 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Quote:
I saw a post the other day saying that the 6D had been marked discontinued in Europe. Could be a reason for the discount: replacement on the way?
I suppose that's possible, but would suspect it rather unlikely.
Don't you think Canon would give their largest retailers a heads-up first, so they could discount and clear out stock of 6D? There's been no sign of the now 2 year old 6D being discounted heavily at B&H Photo, Adorama, etc. There's a $200 mail-in rebate on them currently, making the body-only cost $1700, instead of the usual $1900 at the long established, widely known-to-be-legitimate retailers.
Digitaloutlet.net? Well, they have some positive feedback on resellerratings.com... but I would bet that most of it is fake. "Scott" appears to be their only employee, and boy is he fantastic! (Or just maybe he's the one writing the reviews.)
"Scott inquired about my camera, explained the lens I was buying was for film not digital cameras."
""I'd purchased a new 55-300mm lens for my Nikon D5200 early this morning... the young man who answered only wanted to verify that I'd purchased the lens that I'd truly wanted, as the model was for film, vs. my camera."
There has never been a Nikkor 55-300mm "for film". And this problem seems to happen a lot with this vendor...
"Just had a great conversation with a customer service representative regarding an incorrect order I placed. I ordered a lens that turned out to be for a film camera instead of digital..."
"I purchased a lens from digitaloutlets, they require a phone call verification after the order- first I thought that was redundant. CSR Scott inquired about my camera, explained the lens I was buying was for film not digital cameras. Showed me the correct one- but went even further to recommend a different lens around the same price point that he felt would serve my needs better. "
I wasn't aware there were so many "film lenses" still around or that most of the "film lenses" that are still in production don't work perfectly on DSLRs, too! But, hey, you learn something new every day! (heavy sarcasm)
And this sounds like the usual bait & switch upsell...
"At the end of the day I got what I needed from Digital Outlets. I did get the upsell originally when I found out the camera I had selected didn't come with a recharger or battery or warranty so I upgraded to the full package. The website supposedly indicated the item I had selected was the "international" version somewhere but I never saw it. I got my camera order quickly but the two memory cards I ordered didn't make it into the box. I called customer service and they were very helpful about correcting the error and sending my two cards. However, when the two 16 GB cards I ordered arrived, I found I was sent one 32GB card. Not a huge problem but would have preferred the 2 separate cards. Overall Im satisfied with the products I received and the folks at Digital Outlets were very helpful but on the whole I think I might look elsewhere when I order camera equipment in the future."... would you give this vendor four stars out of five?
Gee, I thought pretty much every camera came with a battery and charger. I wonder how much the "upgrade" cost?
Or would you give five out of five for "I did not return a product for refund or exchange." ?
But - hey! - they do appear to have been in business since at least July of this year! (Note: sarcasm) That's the earliest review posted.
Too many of their "reviews" on resellerratings.com look fake (i.e., self-posted under free email accounts) to me... Not sure I'd feel comfortable giving them my credit card number!
EDIT: This seems to confirm my suspicions.... http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-227661-2.html
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