Basil Loc: New Mexico

I have been pining to get a decent Full Frame camera to supplement my Canon 7D MII crop sensor and, after months of browsing Amazon, B&H, Adorama, EBay, etc., I finally pulled the trigger.

I had been considering buying either a used 6D or used 5D Mark II for non-action stuff like landscapes and portraits, but today I saw that Canon had the 6D refurbished for $1099, $260 off the regular refurb price - the best price I've seen so far for essentially a new 6D. I bought two speedlites from their refurb store and I could not tell they were not new! I have heard that they go through their refurbished items them probably more extensively than the QC new items get off the line. Plus it comes with a warranty (albeit not as long as a new Canon).

I admit this was a bit of an impulse and I went back and forth all day - I actually had it in my cart 2 or 3 times, then got cold feet thinking I'd be better off buying a used FF but finally, late tonight, I decided to just pull the trigger and give myself a slightly early Birthday present (BDay is early August). This was one of Canon's red-price specials where they line out the regular refurb price and put it on sale and I know that those deals are fleeting, so I figured if I didn't jump it would be sold out and I'd be kicking myself.

They also have the 5D Mark III refurbished on sale, but even at the sale price, it was a full $1000 more than the 6D. From everything I've read, the few things you give up with the 6D vs 5DIII (only one card slot vs 2, slightly simpler AF, slower frame rate) are offset by some things the 6D has that the 5DIII doesn't, like GPS and WiFi. Since I'll be using it mostly for things like Portraits and Landscapes, I felt like the 6D was a good option to get my feet wet in the Full Frame world.

Now for the hard part - waiting until Brown arrives!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

To answer your question, you've purchased a really nice "starter" full frame camera. The 6D is a great camera when used within it's capacities. Don't bother trying to use it for any kind of action photography, it's not intended for that and it will just end up frustrating you. For subjects that are stationary or moving fairly slowly, the 6D takes really nice images and it's good in low light. I often use mine indoors with the EF 85 f/1.2L lens without a flash and it does a great job. Remember, since this is your first FF Canon DSLR, EF-S lenses will not mount on that, or any other Canon FF body.
Enjoy your new camera...

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Thanks Morrison. That's exactly why I bought this camera - as a good starter FF for things like landscapes, portraits, etc. Since I have a 7D Mark II for action shots, I was not too concerned about the relatively simpler AF and slower FPS of the 6D. After considerable research and soul searching, I decided the 6D was the best bang-for-the-buck to get my feet wet in the FF world. Yes, I was aware of the EF-S limitation to Crop Frame cameras. Fortunately most of my lenses are EF and will work on either body. I only have two EF-S lenses - a 10 year old 18-55 that came as a Kit lens with my first Rebel and a more recent Canon 10-18 Ultra Wide angle. But all my other lenses listed in my sig are EF.

Can't wait to get my hands on the 6D!

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Speaking of lenses, I find I'm already getting GAS for other lenses, perhaps a nice 16-35mm is in my future. LOL

Budnjax Loc: NE Florida

Rumor is that Canon will soon be announcing replacements for the 5D Mk III and the 6D....so, when that happens except a further price drop on the current models. I think you made a good decision on the 6D which will do 95% of what the 5D3 will do at $1000 less (MSRP) and even has Wi-Fi, which the 5D3 lacks. I'm not one who can afford to jump on everything that's the latest and (supposedly) greatest. My top camera is a 1D MK4 which has been replaced by the 1Dx and 1Dx Mk2 but is still a wonderful camera. You'll love that 6D.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I'd been watching prices for a while now and this was one of the best deals I'd see so far. Probably when the 5D4 comes out, we will see both the 6D and 5D3 price start to drop even further. When the 7D2 came out, the 7D prices dropped a lot! I was about to jump on a used 6D for a couple hundred less, but I was behind another person in the queue. When I saw this refurb deal I went back and forth all night, but finally decided to spend a couple hundred more for essentially a new camera. The used 6D was likely sold, but I'd have had to wait another day to learn for sure. I know these Canon special deals don't last long and I was afraid if I waited that the Canon deal would vanish and I'd be back to square one.

They also have the 5DIII on sale refurbished, but that price, even at the sale price, is $1000 more than the 6D. Considering I have a 7D2 for all the fast stuff, I felt the 6D was a smarter choice for me as a supplement to the 7D2.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Just curious if any 6D users on UHH use the iPhone APP to control their 6D? I read it has that capability, but do you need to be connected to a wireless, or will it work over a cellphone digital signal (Like 3G or LTE?)

By the way, I just got the email from Canon that my New toy is on its way!

skingfong Loc: Sacramento

You will be set. The 6D will be your landscape and portrait camera while the 7DII will be your action camera. They both pick up where the other leaves off. I did the opposite. I bought a 6D now wanting a 7DII for action and better focusing system.

You made the right choice of choosing the 6D over the 5D MKII. I also agree with you. A refurbished is more carefully inspected. Welcome to the FF world. The images I get out of my 6D are stunning. It will produce better bokeh and is great in low light. The high ISO performance is outstanding.

I also like the idea of have a FF and APS-c body. Which is another reason I haven't sold my old camera. You get the best of both worlds. You can get wider with the FF and get more reach with the APS-c.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I've heard that the 6D can produce some really stunning images with much better dynamic range and better low-light performance than the 7DII. The 7DII takes nice pictures, don't get me wrong, but some of the samples I've seen from the 6D just pop!

Now, if I'm going sightseeing in Santa Fe, etc., I'll grab the 6D. Going to a bike race or ski competition, or birding, it's the 7D2. Traveling cross country, I'll take both!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

You've got 3 Canon's to choose from, the 16-35 f/2.8, the 16-35 f/4 and the 17-40 f/4. All are L glass and all are really good lenses. I have the 16-35 f/2.8 lens.

From what I've read and from personal experience, the best bang for your buck is the 17-40.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I've read very good reviews on all three of those. It will probably be a good deal of time before I'm ready for another lens, but the 16-35 f4 is one I've been looking at for a while.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

You are going to love the image quality and high ISO performance of your 6D.
I also have the 7DII and I like it a lot but......unless I'm after birds in flight or need the "extra reach" of a crop sensor, I tend to go with the 6D.
Great for low light with no flash.
Take shots of the same subject in the same lighting with each camera set to ISO 6400 and look at the noise characteristics of each.

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

It's true the Canon 6D doesn't have a fast frame rate but that doesn't mean you can't take birds in flight. Taken with my 6D and my rather slow 24-105mm canon lens.

(Download)

Jer Loc: Mesa, Arizona

The 6d a good camera you'll be happy with it.
And yes you can use it for Action photography. People seem to think just because cameras don't have high frame per second rates but they can't be used for action. In the old days we used cameras that didn't have a frame per second rating and we still took pictures of action.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The best image quality, particularly on full frame, is the 16-35/4L. It's also reasonably compact and the only one of the three with IS.

6D can shoot action... but it's limited to the center AF point only. That's the only dual axis-type point it's got. It's also the best one for really low light, allowing the camera to focus in -3EV light. (1DX, 5DIII, 7DII & 80D can, too... using limited AF points. But most other Canon are -1EV, at best.)

All the 6D's other points are slower single-axis type and not up to either low light or moving targets. However they're just fine for a lot of things. The 6D will be excellent for landscape and portrait work.