Your 5D (Is it a Mark I, II, or III?) will not really give you what you expect shooting on fully auto. Try Program (P) and it will give you somewhat better results, but you really need to experiment with the AV, TV, and manual. That's the great thing about digital. If you don't like what you see, try something different. My avatar was taken with a 5D Mark II using Program. The light kept changing, so it seemed the best thing to use at the time. The other thing you need to consider is the lenses you are using. Many professional photographers use 5Ds, but the lenses they use often cost more than the camera. Your 5D will "find" every flaw in a cheap (quality, not necessarily price) lens.

It's nice to see them adding IS to a 35mm.

It is hard to beat a 7D Mark II for any type of action shot and it is far better in low light than my 7D was. Try one and I think you will like it. Keep that 6D for landscapes or other still subjects.

It is amazing how much weight you can put up with when you are having fun. I just came back from the Colorado National Monument, where I was hiking around with a 5D Mark II and a 7D Mark II around my neck. I keep a 70-200L on the 7D and a 17-40L on the 5D. Hiking along cliff edges is no place to change lenses. I suppose I really need to get one of those Cotton Carrier vests, to hook my cameras to. It would balance the weight better.

I think it is a bristle cone pine. I took that in the Colorado National Monument.

I use one on my 7D Mark II and really like it. I wish it would work on my 5D, but the 17-40 works just fine.

You are doing better than I am. I'm spending my days working in the swamp that used to be my yard. When is this crazy rain going to go away? It beats the forest fires, but we got more rain in May than we usually get all year. Had to go to Grand Junction to see the sun. Oh well, it netted me a new avatar.

Very nice shots. What are you using for a lens?

Are you using a soft focus lens or a special filter? Nice effect!

I'm not familiar with the T5, but with the right lens you should have no trouble getting the background out of focus. Select AV on the camera, not one of the fully automatic modes, and you should be able to select the 3.5 you are looking for. That 50mm 1.4 will definitely give you what you are looking for.

Very nice! It's not easy to get a clean shot of those little buggers.

I have a very good Sony DSC-HX400V, that handles most situations very well, but if I was taking a trip somewhere that I might not ever return to, I would want a DSLR to record the occasion. Maybe I'm just too picky!

Even though it's a little heavier, the 6D will give you better low light performance in the museums and cathedrals and has better capabilities as a landscape camera. If you can, I would buy a fast prime for the 6D before you go. One of the new Sigma Art lenses would be less expensive than a Canon.

Very cute pictures. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is a DF?