Which is Better For What I'm Looking For? I have a 7D Mark ii for fast moving objects. I am looking for a camera that will give me the best low light picture IQ for under $1500. I...

ofwiah Loc: NC via MD

I have a 7D Mark ii for fast moving objects. I am looking for a camera that will give me the best low light picture IQ for under $1500.

I believe I have it narrowed down to either the 6D or a used 5D mark iii if I can find one for that.

Any advice? All is welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

ofwiah

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

I have the 6D, wonderful camera in low light, highly recommend it.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Go to a good camera store, borrow or rent each body to see which one you feels most comfortable in your hands (advice repeated many times on the UHH forum). Actually you are talking about more than one purchase decision since lenses you purchased to use with your 7DII may not satisfy you on a full frame camera.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Allow me to offer some examples. I recently purchased a refurbished 6D from Canon for around $1100. I am extremely happy with this decision! Did I say extremely? I mean I am overwhelmingly happy!

These examples are from the past week, either at the zoo yesterday morning early or two weeks ago, or the night heron is from the wetlands. Most have been cropped and compressed for the internet.

I have never had the freedom to set the camera on manual mode and just pay attention to the shutter speed and aperture, set the ISO on automatic, and shoot away, knowing that I was going to get an acceptable photo no matter the light! AND - these were all taken with the Canon 100-400 L (version I) lens, hand-held (meaning the shutter speed always had to be high enough to hand-hold the lens!!)

Anteater at ISO 12,000!
Anteater at ISO 12,000!...

(Download)

Cara cara at ISO 8,000
Cara cara at ISO 8,000...

(Download)

Tapir at ISO 10,000
Tapir at ISO 10,000...

(Download)

Black-crowned night heron at ISO 10,000

(Download)

ofwiah Loc: NC via MD

I have more than one lens that will work with a full frame camera. That is not a problem.
SD, your pictures are great.
I am looking for a camera, (Canon), that will take great low light photos and give me the best bang for the $$$$

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

ofwiah wrote:

I have a 7D Mark ii for fast moving objects. I am looking for a camera that will give me the best low light picture IQ for under $1500.

I believe I have it narrowed down to either the 6D or a used 5D mark iii if I can find one for that.

Any advice? All is welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

ofwiah

At your price point your only choice is the 6D. To get better low light performance from a Canon would require the 1DX II or the 5D MK IV, both are MUCH more expensive!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

ofwiah wrote:

I have a 7D Mark ii for fast moving objects. I am looking for a camera that will give me the best low light picture IQ for under $1500.

I believe I have it narrowed down to either the 6D or a used 5D mark iii if I can find one for that.

Any advice? All is welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

ofwiah

Either is a good choice - the low light/high ISO performance is almost identical. You can buy a new 6D for well under your budget (and have some left over for another lens), or a nice used 5D3 - you can pick these up for ~$1600 if you shop carefully. Besides being new, the 6D will have wifi and lighter weight, while the 5D3 has superior autofocus, faster frame rate and more rugged build.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

ofwiah wrote:

I have a 7D Mark ii for fast moving objects. I am looking for a camera that will give me the best low light picture IQ for under $1500.

I believe I have it narrowed down to either the 6D or a used 5D mark iii if I can find one for that.

Any advice? All is welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

ofwiah

Canons are not recognized for great low light/high ISO performance. That belongs pretty much belongs to Nikon. Though the Canon's are getting substantially better. The 5D Mk III is decent.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

The Nikon D500 is excellent in low light and you have the benefit of 10 fps.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

ofwiah wrote:

I have more than one lens that will work with a full frame camera. That is not a problem.
SD, your pictures are great.
I am looking for a camera, (Canon), that will take great low light photos and give me the best bang for the $$$$

The only Canons better in low light then the 6D are the 1DX, 1DX MkII, and the 5D MkIV. None of those meet your budget. The 6D will not disappoint you in low light. It has slightly better performance then the 5DIII, although a less capable autofocus system. A used one or possibly even a refurb would be within your budget. I have my 6D for sale. The only reason I am selling it is because I bought a 5D IV. If you are interested PM me, or check out my listing here on the Hog. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-412668-1.html
You can also check the used listings at B&H, Adorama, and KEH. The Canon site would show any refurbs they have in stock.

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

6d is a great camera,you can find a mark3 for under 1500,you will need to do some searching,but you can find one,try the canon site,last year the 6d refurb,was under $800,good luck

ofwiah Loc: NC via MD

Thank you

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I also have a 6D. I find it great with low light. I purchased the 6D and 24-105 f/4 L two Holidays ago. They were Refurbished and on promotion. I was able to be under the 1500 USD price point. Shop carefully and this is a great time to do that.

J. R.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

heyjoe wrote:

6d is a great camera,you can find a mark3 for under 1500,you will need to do some searching,but you can find one,try the canon site,last year the 6d refurb,was under $800,good luck

Under $800? You should have bought a couple! Currently, Canon lists the refurb 6D for $1,149.
I've never seen it at anywhere near $800.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

L in fact the 6 has been on promotion several times in the sub 1K price point.

J. R.

LFingar wrote:

Under $800? You should have bought a couple! Currently, Canon lists the refurb 6D for $1,149.
I've never seen it at anywhere near $800.