Wesam

Good morning,

Any ideas about the Canon EOS 7D Mark ii performance for wildlife ? there are plenty of contradicting opinions about the effectiveness of its focus system.

Would picking the 6D over this for wildlife be a mistake ? I l know that the later doesn't have enough fps or a sophisticated autofocus system.

Any ideas would be highly appreciated

Thanks

RRS Loc: Not sure

Welcome to the forum. I have the 7D and the 7D MK II and although there was a focusing problem with some of the first released MK IIs' I do believe that problem has been resolved. I use both bodies for BIF and many other wildlife shots and the MK II does everything I want it to do, yes better then the 7D. About to buy the 1 DX due to the drop in price with the release of the 1 DX II. I also have a FF (5D MKII) but not enough FPS for what I shoot but an all around good camera.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Welcome to the Hog Wesam. Within the past year I upgraded to the 7D MKII from a 60D and the camera is phenomenal. The fps are what I was after due to tremors, and this powerhouse fills the bill for me. I can get crisp, clear shots in that mode, that I was struggling with before. If you are into action wildlife, this would be a good choice for you. Focusing has never been an issue with mine. It's fast, smooth and quiet. Unfortunately, I have no experience with the 6D, so cannot comment, however there are several members on the forum that have both, and hopefully the will chime in. Again, welcome.

Wesam

Thank you very much. that was very helpful

Wesam

Thank you very much. I'm leaning toward the 7D Mark ii.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I have a 60D and did sports swimming of my GD. She was injured and I don't do wildlife much. I upgraded to the 6D as I am focused more to landscapes. I love this camera. I had an opportunity to buy a 7D2 at a killer price but it just did not make sense with what I shoot. At 72 with health issues WL is not a focus. If situation was different I would go with a 7 and long glass! You have my blessing!

J. R.

Wesam

Thank you very much J.R for the nice guidance. I believe you are right about the 6D as it seems to be more suited for landscape photography.
I now feel more comfortable buying the 7D Mark ii

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The 6D is not really meant for wild life, but I have used it for birds/BIF a lot. It just takes using the old school pre AF tricks, a lot of patience and you will get a lower keeper rate. I have done some very good shoots with the 6D. See below, yes it has been processed for an illustration look, but the basis was a 6D shot of a BIF.

However, due to the "extra reach" on a crop factor (APS-C) I would recommend the new 80D. 24 MP, new sensor tech, excellent AF etc. The 6D will blow it away in low light and of course is FF. Do you need FF, or will APS-C do? In the vast majority of cases, unless you are going for huge prints, APS-C will do the job.
I use a 6D and a 7DII. If I was buying today I would probably get the 80D, I baby my gear, don't shoot in bad weather (it's a hobby, not my income, bad weather I play on the computer or read) and the sensor is newer tech than my 7DII.

I was using the 6D with a 100-400L, tracking the bird as it circled in to land, used burst to catch the right moment/pose, this is the instant the bird flared out to touch down. It took a lot of practice to do this right. A simpler method is to observe the birds/wildlife, note movement, places they pause etc. Pre set the camera, including focus and then wait until the subject moves to the spot. In the old days even large sheet film cameras did some outstanding shots that way.

If you are thinking of sitting, browsing/eating wildlife not moving much or very slow the 6D will do fine.
As to the 6D vs 5DII, about the only things where the 6D does not come out on top are shutter speed, lag time etc. (It is newer tech than the 5DII, of course it is not the built like a tank and totally weather sealed like the 5DII) In IQ they are almost the same with the 6D being a hair better.

This is the full frame

(Download)

Cropped to a close up

(Download)

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

It isn't right to be TOO comfortable - LOL

I have both the 6D and the 7D Mark ii. If by wildlife you mean "action shots" where rapid focus and burst is important then the 7D Mark ii absolutely is right. However, the 6D is full-frame and has better low-light ability. A nice thing about having both is doing less lens swapping. Also, (depending on how important that action is to you), the lesser/older 7D for your long lens can be had for bargain basement prices and might make a nice sibling camera to a 6D. You know what you are after! The 6D isn't just landscape... it is a great general purpose camera.

Wesam

pfrancke, thank you very much. I'm glad that I was able to find someone who owns both cameras.
I cant agree anymore, it is difficult to get the best out of both ( full frame & great auto focus system with high burst speed).
I thrive to shoot wildlife in action (not big on birds though). So based on your analysis I would be better off with the 7D ( wished it was full frame though:)
The 6D is definitely not for landscape only but doesn't sound like a perfect fit for me.

Appreciate it

Wesam

Wesam

robertjerl many thanks for the comprehensive analysis. I'm really going to look into the 80D and see if it fits me.

Really appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

Wesam

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

it is all a compromise/trade off - money vs how new and how good vs your desired features. New cameras just keep coming out. If your budget were larger, you need to see what Regis (who shoots many birds - beautiful eagles) has been doing with a 5DSR. And that camera is often described as "strictly landscape". He gets amazing detail.

No matter what you choose, it will have "right" and "missed" in it - but rest assured, today's cameras are very good. Don't let GAS get you.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I have both the 6D and the 7DII. I have shot wildlife with the 6D but there really is no comparing the two for that type of shooting. The 7DII blows away the 6D for just about any kind of action shots. It just makes everything easier and much more efficient. You will get far more keepers with the 7DII then you will with the 6D. The 6D just wasn't designed for that type of work. The 7DII is.

Wesam

100% correct. Many thanks

Wesam

LFingar very nice feedback indeed. I'm glad that I'm getting hands-on feedback from people who owned and used these camera.
Such feedback is way more important than those paid /commercialized opinions that I see all over the internet.
Cheers