canon Lee

I am upgrading to a FF 6D and have all the compatible lenses. Since this is an entry level FF and not the 5Dmk3, I realize cuts have to be made somewhere. The cut that I am concerned with is the 11 point AF zones, as well as no CF card. Any experience with this camera and the focusing?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Lee, I've never used a 6. It is a somewhat stripped down version of the 5ll but with newer tech.
If you use very fast lenses, the 6 only goes to 1/4000th. To me that's a concern.
The 5ll is VERY poor and using individual focus points. The 6 might be better because of its better low light capability. In all of those situations, probably not as good as the 7l, but I'm just making an educated guess.
I quite using my 5ll for portraits finding that ultimately, the 7ll was WAY better at portraits because of the superior focus system and MUCH higher keeper rate for portraits, in spite of the crop sensor and fewer mp.
BUT, you have not announced your intentions, so not sure what your trying to get out of the 6 as far as an improvement goes! The truth of the matter is that the 7l was an awfully good camera and still is in spite of its age. Good luck
SS

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Lee, I have the 60D and have shot the 7D. I moved to the 6D and love it. As some have said it is striped down but I wish I could pull of the Wi-Fi, Video. I don't find the 11point a problem. Many use a center only and I have done that also. I love the sensor and find it great for my shooting. I stopped doing athletic when my GD was injured. I bought mine on a promotion and it was a refurbished.. I added a BGE6-13 battery grip. The camera is smaller like the 60D. I used a 24-105 f/4 L with it as a work horse.

J. R.

canon Lee

Thanks for your reply. I have a few F/4 lenses ( EF 24~105mm, 70~200mm) and wondering if, since the FF will give me a faster shutter speed, do I need an F/2.8 then? I am looking to use my lenses by upgrading to a FF for my low light shootings.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Lee, I think the f/4 is just fine. Shooting off hand the IS work great. I do have the 16-28 f/2.8 Tokina & 14mm f/2.8 Korean prime. I do use a tripod a bunch. I have the EFS 10-22 & 15-85 for the crop kit. At this time I don't go long. I do a lot of scenic so the 6D is ideal for me.

J. R.

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

6d is great camera,rated higher than the 5d in most test,focus points are over rated,you only need one,in the center,just my opinion

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I have both the 6D and the 7DII. While there is certainly a big difference between the two as far as auto focus capability, the 6D does a superb job when used in the manner for which it was designed. Landscapes, portraits, macro, anything that doesn't move too fast, etc. I have shot BIF with it with good results, but it is far more challenging then with the 7DII. The speed and accuracy of the auto focus is excellent, but it is just not designed for high speed subjects. On one occasion I used it, with Al Servo and single point focus at one of my nephew's soccer games and it did quite well, but I normally use the 7DII for that with better results. For low light it blows away the 7DII. I often use the 6D, EF 16-35 f/4 L, and no flash for indoor shots with very good results.
It's like anything else, use it in the manner for which it was designed and it is unlikely that you will be disappointed. If it fits your shooting style, then go for it, IMO.

mdphelps Loc: Michigan

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

My daughter used the 6D from when it came out until recently when she aquired my 5D MK III. She used it for action photography quite a bit. Using the center AF point most of the time, she ended up with some great shots.

With a little practice you will do fine with the 6D. I think starting with the 6D was good for my daughter since now she appreciates the AF in the 5D MK III.

canon Lee

Thanks . your answer is what I was looking for.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I am not sure I'd call a 6D an "upgrade", going from 7D. In many respects it's more of a downgrade. You're basically going from top-of-the-line APS-C to entry-level FF.

The 6D has 11 AF points (compared to 19 in your 7D).

6D is -3EV, f5.6 capable at the center cross-type AF point only. The other ten AF points are single-axis type and far less useful for moving subjects or in low light situations. (7D's AF is -1EV, f5.6 capable at all 19 points, with diagonal cross-type at the center).

The 6D has a fixed focus screen (not active matrix, like 7D's). 6D has two focus "patterns": All Points/Auto, Single Point/Manual. (7D has five patterns: All Points, Single Point, Spot Focus/Single, Zone and Expansion. 7DII now has two Zone and two Expansion.)

7D uses a discrete chip to run the AF, much like 1D-series cameras. This is in addition to dual processors that handle image files. The 6D uses a single processor for it all... both for AF and image handling. This makes 6D a much slower shooting camera. It's AF is nowhere near as good as 7D's for speed of acquisition or tracking movement.

One thing 6D truly excels at is low light shooting... both because of it's comparatively low density image sensor and the extra low-light sensitivity of it's center AF point (5DIII, 7DII, 80D now all have similar AF sensitivity).

7D uses Compact Flash and 6D uses SD memory. So, you might need to buy new memory cards, but prices are pretty favorable. Otherwise, it's sort of a wash, CF vs SD memory. In the past, CF memory was bigger and faster. But that's no longer the case. SD memory has largely caught up to CF performance.

Overall, though, the 6D is a much slower shooting camera than the 7D, which has a shorter shutter lag and can do up to 8 frames per second continuous shooting and buffer around 25 RAW files before it needs to pause. 6D shoots at 4.5 frames per sec. maximum and can buffer 17 before it needs to pause.

6D is predominantly plastic and has a control layout similar to 60D/70D (such as multi-directional buttons instead of a "joystick" like 7D and 5D-series use).

7D is magnesium clad and better sealed against dust and moisture. In fact, 7D is slightly larger and heavier than 6D.

6D has built-in GPS and WiFi. 7D does not (separate WiFi and GPS modules are available for it).

6D doesn't have built in flash. 7D does. Neither camera has an articulated LCD screen.

They really are somewhat opposite cameras.... designed and built with very different users and purposes in mind. 7D is a "sports/action" camera and, when it was intro'd in 2009, the most pro-oriented APS-C model that Canon had ever offered. 6D is a "landscape/portrait" camera and the most affordable, entry-level oriented full frame camera Canon has offered to date.

Which type of user are you? If you shoot sports/action a lot... better stick with the 7D. If you shoot landscapes and portraits or are looking for very low light capabilities, the 6D is a good choice.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I would cool my jets for a few months before pulling any trigger. The 6D mark II is coming (Canon Rumors) along with the 5D Mark IV. When these two new bodies are announced, and placed on the market the 5D Mark III will drop in price. That is what I'm waiting for.

B

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Bill they may not arrive for another 18 month. And yes I think that the bodies will drop. I bought mine where I don't think I will be hurt. That was my recommendation make sure you buy right.

J. R.

Yackers Loc: Norfolk, UK

I upgraded from a 7D to a 6D (because the 5D was too much of a stretch) and I have to say I love it. Once you go full frame you'll never go back. I have had no problems with the 11 point AF and my photography hasn't suffered at all. As for using an SD card than CF card, I prefer SD cards to CF because SD cards are cheaper, more readily available, easier to store (they are smaller) and most laptops and the like have an SD card slot - not many have a CF card slot.

canon Lee

I shoot studio. I might go back to shooting weddings, so the low light advantage of the 6D is a consideration. As of now I do not do sports or movement, but portraiture in studio lighting. I was considering having both the 6D for studio/low light, and 7DMk2 for sports. At this time I do 100% studio. Would you recommend the 6D to replace my 6yr old 7D?