Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

I currently have a Canon Rebel T6. I'm looking to upgrade to another Canon body so I can continue to use my lenses (EF100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II). I want to upgrade because the T6 has only 1 cross focusing point. I've been continually using the center point to focus cause I want to be sure to be sharp. This becomes inconvenient to try to get the shot "in camera" when shooting fast moving objects cause I can't lock focus and recompose fast enough. Also recomposing with a shallower depth of field can be tricky. Any suggestions or thoughts?

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Not sure why you are not getting any replies. Anyway, for moving targets, I don’t think there is a better canon consumer grade camera than the 7d mark2

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Since 2 of your 3 lenses are EF-S lenses and you wish to use them going forward, I’m assuming that you’re considering a crop body. I would suggest considering the T7i, the 77D or the 80D (unless you want to make a move to the 7D MKII). Her’s a link to an article comparing the 3 which may prove useful: https://www.dpreview.com/articles/5322759563/buyers-guide-canon-eos-rebel-t7i-800d-vs-eos-77d-vs-eos-80d

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Pysanka I too have the T6, new to DSLR, the T6 is only a beginning camera very good but still has some draw backs. Is yours a T6i or just the T6? Did you just get recently? Only had mine 1 year still learning what it is capable of. Mine came with starter kit. Did you get the same way? The lenses for these have a lot to be desired. Just recently got Tamron 18-400mm, amazed what the camera can do with this lens. For fast moving objects need to SET the AF operation to Al Servo and Continuous Shooting not One Shot helps a lot also. And recommend a faster lens would help certain situations.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Upgrading to the 7DmkII would give you all the things you wish to have. It is superb for fast action shots in sports or birds in flight. Plus it has great low light capabilities. The pricing is around $1000 for new, $800 for used. I have had one for a few years now and can highly recommend it. I recently acquired the 5d mk4 to use for landscape photos, but I will always have lenses & uses for the 7dII.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Personally, I agree and would choose the 7D MKII if it will fit the OP’s budget. While there are some dealers advertising new 7D2s for $1,000, I’d be very careful, as the reputable dealers such as B&H and Adorama are selling them new for $1,399, so one must be concerned about warranty, grey market, bait and switch, etc. from cut-rate dealers.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

I purchased a T6 2 1/2 years ago as a “learning” camera. Although it is a starter camera it is very capable of shooting moving subjects. Not the fastest frame rate, but adequate for most circumstances. About 6 months ago I did purchase a 77D and am very pleased. My T6 remains my grab camera sitting close by in my man cave. Your current situation I think is how you have the camera set up.
Mine is set as follows: First - back button focus. The shutter now is just the shoot. Second - Focus method, AI Servo. Once you focus on a moving target and hold the back button down the camera will track and continuously stay focused on the subject. I stay with single point focus most of the time. Third - Continuous shutter. It is slow enough on the T6 that you can easily fire off just one shot, but usually I take a 3 or 4 shot sequence and then pick the best shot.
Of note: The 77D is much faster, but has a setting for slow continuous which reset it for. I still use my T6 to shoot my pups running in our yard and they are fast :)

The attached is a shot with my T6 of a Norfolk Southern intermodal through Duluth, GA. This is one shot of about 20 as the whole train went by. I estimate it was moving about 50 mph as a road runs parallel and I have paced trains.
Canon T6: EFS 17-85 IS USM @ 72mm. F10.0, 1/500, ISO 800

(Download)

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Nice shot Dave, I knew somebody could explain it better than I The T6 is a good camera - just have to know where to set it up!! Thanks for sharing

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Dave, if this photo is a keeper, I’d remove the cable in the upper right corner.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

I would recommend looking at either the 77D or the 80D as a significant upgrade to the T6. Either choice would be a big step up in features. Not only will the 77D give you more cross focus points, it focuses faster. The 77D has the newer Canon Digic 7 processor, the 80D has the Digic 6 processor, which are both considerably more advanced than the processor in the T6. Low light performance is significantly better. The 77D is smaller and lighter than the 80D. However, the 80D is weather sealed, and has a true Pentaprism viewfinder, instead of the smaller Pentamirror viewfinder. If the smaller form factor is appealing, and weather sealing is not important to you, the 77D will save you some money. I have a 77D and am very pleased with its performance. The 7D Mark II is great if you need a higher frames per second burst rate. It is also a much larger camera than the other two. You may want to handle the different bodies at a camera store before you make a decision.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

Nice catch, I will do that! It is a keeper, but I am going to post it with more shots in “trains” with focus on the history of intermodal trains. OK, I’m a train nut:)

I was replying to the cable in the upper right of the loco photo.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Sounds good. It is a great shot btw.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The macro lens you have is a great lens. The other two are OK, but not great.
Others have mentioned improved bodies (prices are Canon store refurbished - same warranty as NIB)
77D - $720 30sec-1/4000, 45 focal points up to 27 at f/8 Digic 7 processor 24 mp
80D - $800 30sec-1/8000, 45 focal points up to 27 at f/8 Digic 6 processor 24 mp (all AF points are cross type)
7DII - $1200 30sec-1/8000, 65 focal points with center point dual cross type at f/8, Digic 6 (but it has two, one just for focus so it is blazing fast) 20 mp (all AF points are cross type)

I have owned and used the 7DII and now 80D - I traded to get the 24 mp and 27 f/8 focal points - I wish I hadn't, I miss that 7DII. The 80D is very good, but not as fast and I do a lot of small birds. For still subjects, landscape, macro etc the 80D equals and in some of those things exceeds the 7DII. But for birds in flight, planes, races, sports, wildlife and anything that moves the 7DII with its dual processors is the tops. The 7DII in spite of an older processor also seems to handle high ISO/dim light better.

The number of f/8 focal points varies depending on the lenses for the 77D and 80D, they get 27 with the 100-400L mk II ($2,000 lens) and the 200-400L ($10,000 lens)

My "other" camera is a 5DIV.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Can't give you any advice on the canon camera but, have you tried back button focus? ( if your camera has this )

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I use Nikon's, locking focus on a FAST moving target and recomposing is difficult with any camera. I use a D500, I've never tried to recompose a BIF after lockuibg focus.