EOS 6D Focusing System

<p>I am looking at buying my first digital body, probably the 6D. My EOS 3 has a great focusing system, 45 points, eye control and was Canon's flagship focusing system at the time. I'm reading reviews of the 6D, people stating that you should be moving up to the 5D Mark III for good focusing. So 18 years on, is the 6D not capable of focusing on moving subjects...cyclists for example? pairing with a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 LUSM</p>

<p>The 6D is a nice camera, but while it's focusing system works pretty well I found I was doing a lot of focus and recompose, it is not close to 45 points. The 6D has 11 autofocus points the center one is cross-type. The 5D Mark II has 9 auto-focus points with center cross type. The original 7D (crop sensor has 19 auto=foucus points. If you really want a jump in the AF system on a Full Frame Canon above the 6D, you will have to go to a Canon 5D Mark III. The Canon 5D Mark III has 61 auto-focus points with I believe 28 cross type. The Canon 5D Mark IV has 61 auto-focus points with 48 cross type and the have a wider dispersion.</p>

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<p>The Canon 5D Mark III has 61 auto-focus points with I believe 28 cross type.</p>

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<p>41 cross-type, not 28. The central 21 are sensitive with the original firmware to 5.6 in both directions, while the outer 20 are 5.6 vertical but require f/4 for horizontal. The newer firmware upped the center point to f/8, but I don't know whether it had any effect on the others.</p>

<p>The 6D is just fine for cyclists, although the central point is the only one really worth using - but this point is very good. I think you will be happy with the 6D: but for more sophisticated focusing and if you don't want to do too much focus and recomposing, the 5DIII would be a better choice. I think the image quality of the 6D is just a shade better actually, but this should not be an important consideration.</p>

<p>I just find it hard to believe that after 18 years of development; a similar priced body, the EOS 3 in its day and the current 6D, has a much poorer focusing system? I'm having to pay an astronomical amount to equal the quality.<br>

If I think I'm going to get 100% keepers of 'action' shots of kids running about or cyclists at decent speeds with the 6D, then I'll not need to spend an unnecessary amount due to Canon marketing. I can live with the stigma of not owning a semi pro camera! </p>

<p>The EOS 3 was and is considered by some to be the greatest 35mm SLR ever. Its AF has always been known for its sophistication and quality. It's almost a case of once you get it right, why mess with it?<br>

see my appreciation of the camera at<br>

<a href="/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00WyuM" rel="nofollow">http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00WyuM</a><br>

Canon's own summary of its features can be found at http://www.canon.com/c-museum/en/product/film206.htm</p>

 

<p>I agree with Robin. Cyclists are not a real tough target for an AF system and the 6D will be up to it.</p>

<p>True Gary, but of course the equivalent today of the EOS 3 is the 1DXII ($6000) or the 5DIV ($3500) depending on how you look at it. Specification inflation.</p>

<p>Canon markets their DSLRs in a similar fashion to the way they did for film cameras. In going to the 6D from a EOS3 several steps downwards are being taken. The 6D is an entry level Full frame camera, the EOS 3 one step down from the top tier.<br>

The good news is that the 6D has a sensor that delivers images close to those of higher specification cameras and it's low light capabilities, when introduced, were excellent. Even today the IQ and ISO capabilities still remain very good.<br>

Canon chose to offer a basic auto focus system in the camera, but once again what is there is very good. The centre focussing point is very accurate and capable of focussing on objects in very low light. In this respect the auto focus is again very good. Unfortunately the off centre points are average and I don't use them on my camera. Also the engine that tracks fast moving objects is also average, but still good for larger birds in flight and moderately fast objects.<br>

The camera's strengths are its image quality, low light imagery and the surefooted centre focussing point.<br>

It is a relatively simple camera and that, for some, is also a strength.<br>

I would not buy one now, there is a mark II version due in a few months, that should build on the 6D's strengths with more recent AF and even better IQ.</p>

<p>I went to the store to look at a 6D and a 5D Mark IV. The 6D felt too small in the hand whereas the 5D IV fitted just right. I didn't like the tracking focus on the 6D, it only nudged when in focus and didn't light up for confirmation.<br>

How does the 5D Mark III light up when focus tracking (AI)?<br>

But when the 6D and a grip is GBP 745 / USD 930 cheaper than the Mark III, I can probably live with its compromises. I think I've talked myself into the 6D....but not excited about buying it!</p>