Canon EOS 6D or 5D Mark iii

[HK71]

Dear friends;

I need your opinion and -if you have any, for both- your experiences about 6d vs 5D markiii. I am planning to purchase of one of these

FF bodies next week. I have 24-70 L f/2,8 and 70-200 f/4 IS. I shoot lanscape, portrait, candid street photography. I do not like carrying

flashgun with me so low light performance matters since I use Leica M8 also for discreet street photography. As I've read before in

several articles, AF speed of markiii is the best around, sure it is important for candid photography.

Please shoot out your valuable experiences, your thoughts matters!

Keep on clicking ;)

H A K A N<div></div>

[lumusphoto]

<p>Hello Hakan, I have been shooting with the 6d for a couple of months now. I debated between this and the 5d mkiii. I was expecting to be disappointed with the 6d's focusing system but the center focusing point is a lot more sensitive in low light so that was a big added bonus as it can focus even when it is almost dark and lock on very well! <br>

What I will say is if you can afford it I would personally go for the 5d mkiii as it has a life span of 150,000 shutter actuations over the 6d's 100,000. 5d mkiii has the higher build quality and better laid out camera in my opinion after shooting with the 6d. Has a far superior auto focus system especially for sports and wildlife shooting. But on the flip side of that the 6d is slightly lighter so it depends what you want from your camera really. Image quality is stunning from both the sensors hence why I opted to save a bit of money and go for the 6d. <br>

Have a full review up on my <a href="http://www.lumusphoto.com">site</a> with high res example images, and have a review on my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/lumusphoto">youtube</a> channel if you want to check it out.<br>

Hope this helps you out, you have some gorgeous glass to shoot with I must say! <br>

All the best,</p>

<p>Leon</p>

[jack_nordine]

<p>The 5D III has the edge in several areas as Leon mentions, but I've read several comparison tests where the 6D slightly outperforms when shooting in low light with high ISO.</p>

[peter_j2]

<p>I own both cameras and have had them for well over a year to two years. You will be disappointed with the dynamic range performance of both cameras in the shadow areas especially at higher ISO's. Both cameras will clip the highlights. If you wish to stay with Canon, buy the 6D without the battery grip as your all around camera. I use the 5D3 with BG-E11 for fashion runway and for any subject that moves faster than what the 6D can handle and is designed for. I am waiting for Canon to announce a new Full Frame body. There has to be something better coming.</p>

[Marcus Ian]

<p>The 6D has perfectly adequate AF speed for candid street photography. We're not talking rugby or football here, unless you plan on trying to capture candid street photography of police/foot pursuits ;) It's center point's ability to lock on in lower light than the 5D3's AF might actually make it preferable for your type of shooting. </p>

<p>It's (marginally) better ultra high ISO output (vs. the 5D3) is largely mitigated by the 5D3's (marginally) higher resolution (which allows slightly improved NR) - 6 of one, half dozen of the other in RL.</p>

<p>If your decision is merely between the 5D3 and the 6D, I highly doubt that you'll see any marked improvement for the extra $1-1.5K you'll spend.</p>

[HK71]

<p>Dear Leon thanks for your comments about the topic and thanks for your compliments about my lenses. I always follow the rule, "have the best glass, instead of having the best box(body)" so I am planning to purchase a 85 f/1,2L as a present for my self in the near future ;) The next body I will purchase, should retire me, so I must decide properly. I was satisfied with my old Canon 1Ds Mk1, I hope I got the best results with my next body.</p>

 

[jamie_robertson2]

<blockquote>

<p>You will be disappointed with the dynamic range performance of both cameras in the shadow areas especially at higher ISO's.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Compared to what? I'm happy with my 5D2, I don't think Canon took a backwards step with the 6D or 5D3. 10 years ago photographers would have killed for the type of high ISO images the 6D and 5D3 can offer.</p>

<p>Hakan, unless you intend to shoot a lot of birds in flight or fast moving sports the 6D will be more than capable for candid photography. It's AF is far superior to the AF on the Leica M8 you've been using.</p>

[peter_j2]

<p>Jamie: I am glad you are happy with your 5D2.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Compared to what?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>There is no need to compare. Presuming you have never post processed images taken with the 6D and 5D3, just take a few images with said cameras and look closely at the shadows when you attempt to lighten the image. The shadow detail will be muddled. Then you will understand.</p>

[HK71]

Dear Jamie, I am totally agree with you... about 6D's performance which would be sufficent for candid photography but

only under one condition: Leica M8 has a manual focus and it is always much more easier with such a top notch

rangefinder to focus than a SLR :)

[JDMvW]

<p>Jamie +3</p>

[jamie_robertson2]

<blockquote>

<p>There is no need to compare. Presuming you have never post processed images taken with the 6D and 5D3, just take a few images with said cameras and look closely at the shadows when you attempt to lighten the image. The shadow detail will be muddled. Then you will understand.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>I don't doubt it, my 5D2 is the same. I just don't understand why you said the OP will be disappointed. What camera would you suggest in order to avoid muddled high ISO shadow detail after lightening? </p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Leica M8 has a manual focus and it is always much more easier with such a top notch rangefinder to focus than a SLR :)</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>I know, I was just being silly... making a point that AF (even poor AF) is usually faster than manual focus.</p>

[peter_j2]

<blockquote>

<p>I just don't understand why you said the OP will be disappointed.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>He will. And I look forward to the OP to return to confirm that.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>What camera would you suggest in order to avoid muddled high ISO shadow detail after lightening?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Again, you are forcing a comparison. I have not tried other cameras outside of Canon to comment. I only comment on what I have experience with. Happy?</p>

[jamie_robertson2]

<blockquote>

<p>Happy?</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Always, especially with my camera's performance.</p>

[Robin Smith]

<blockquote>

<p>You will be disappointed with the dynamic range performance of both cameras in the shadow areas especially at higher ISO's</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I too don't understand this comment. I have been using the 5DII and 6D and remain non-disappointed. If you are disappointed then the D800 or the Sony A7R are the cameras for those obsessed with dynamic range.</p>

<p>For all the things you photograph the 6D will be great. I picked it over the MKIII because it is considerably smaller and lighter and yet provides the same (+ or -) image quality. The AF is just great for normal use, but the mkIII will be better for fast moving subjects.</p>

[peter_j2]

<blockquote>

<p>obsessed</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Hardly. </p>

[mark from thailand]

<p>Seems to be some pretty poloarised views here.</p>

<p>I, too, have both bodies, married with the same lenses as the OP, with the 6D as my back-up.</p>

<p>Both are great. I have had no issues with dynamic range or muddied shadows in either. However, I do not have a Nikon or Sony to compare against.</p>

<p>The AF and build quality is significantly better in the MK III. The Wifi, GPS and lighter body better in the 6D.</p>

<p>I think, unless you have specialist, high end needs, you will be happy with either.</p>

[david_wu6]

<p>Unless you will shoot BIF, 6D's focusing is fine with candid shootting. 5D3 is over priced.</p>

[Spearhead]

<p>The DR of the cameras is fine. Nobody is presenting any proof of anything different. Don't worry about that.</p>

<p>However, there are reasons to get the 5D3 besides better focusing, but they may not be applicable to the OP's shooting. For example, dual card slots is important for shooting in a lot of professional situation.</p>

[HK71]

Dear both body owners, are we talking here a huge difference in AF performance between two bodies? If not, then 6D

seems to be ok for the job. Do I really have to pay extra 1200 Usd price difference for a better build body quality and

slighty faster and accurate AF? And one more question, are both bodies sealed against wet weather conditions?

Thanks in advance for your valuable opinions.

 

Hakan

[peter_j2]

<p>Hakan:</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>I shoot lanscape, portrait, candid street photography.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Both cameras will autofocus to your hearts desire for your intended use. Save your money and just buy the 6D.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>are we talking here a huge difference in AF performance between two bodies?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>There is a difference. The 5D3 is designed for speed. You will get more keepers with the 5D3 when you are photographing fashion runway, speeding animals and whatever else fits into that speeding category. The 6D is better designed for dimly conditions where the 6D's centre AF point will lock onto a subject with less hunting than the 5D3. </p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>are both bodies sealed against wet weather conditions?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yes. But the 6D lacks a full weather seal at the SD card's sliding hinged hatch.</p>

<p> </p>

[model mayhem gallery]

<p>The 6D has wireless right. So that may be a big deal. However, Since you are saying this camera will be the last, I would wait until the next series comes out. Both cameras have been out for a couple of years now so the next generation of one or the other may be out soon. </p>

[king_rosales]

<p>I had the same debate before I bought my 6D. One of the biggest factors for me was justifying the price up to the 5D Mark III. I do portraits and landscape, no street random shots. One of the biggest advantages that the Mark III has is more autofocus points; the 6D only has 9. I think for street photography, you'll probably like Mark III better. The 6D has WiFi which is really useful; I find it useful when reviewing my photos on my iPad especially on portrait shoots. the 6D can do a lot. I don't think the Mark III is worth an extra $1000, but its your money.</p>

[Mark Keefer]

<p>I own a 6D. The 6D has 11 AF points, the 5D MK III has 61 AF Points. I went through this same decision if I should go 5D MK III or 6D, my plan turned out being 6D would be my back up camera and a 5D MK III will be my primary body. After doing a lot of reading up on both, IQ between the two didn't seem to be an issue.</p>

<p>I haven't picked up a 5D MK III yet but it is on the list. I am pleased with 6D.</p>

<p>The 61 AF points on the 5D MK III would be nice, there are times I wish I had more on the 6D. My 7D has more than the 6D and the more focal points come in handy if your shooting a reception taking a lot of shots of action and don't want to keep doing the focus and recompose. Only 11 focal points is not necessarily a deal breaker, but something to consider if that is important to you. Keep in mind the 5D MK II had 9 AF points is still being used by a lot of Pro wedding shooters.</p>

<p>The 5D MK III has both CF and SD memory card slots. The 6D only the SD card slot. To me this is not a big deal, but memory speed and shots per second could be important to some.</p>

<p>The 6D also has WiFi, to send images to your smart phone, it only does jpeg, also if you use any WiFi remote control Apps on smart devices or computer, it only works for photos and Video is disabled. But at least it has WiFi. It also has built in GPS. These features are neat, but suck battery so I usually turn them off, but they are there if I want them. Just some features to consider. For me not having them on the 5D MKIII wouldn't be a deal breaker. </p>

<p>Either way you go, IQ is great. You just need to choose if you want to pay more for the extra features.</p>

<p> </p>

[peter_j2]

<blockquote>

<p>It also has built in GPS.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>The GPS on my 6D takes several minutes at times to lock onto a satellite. Far longer than the Garmin mounted in my car. Therefore, I don't bother with the GPS in the 6D.</p>

[Mark Keefer]

<p>One more thought to consider, the 6D max shutter speed is 1/4000 sec, the 5D MK III max shutter speed is 1/8000 sec. if that is important to you. Could be why they put ISO 50 on the 6D to give you a little more for wide aperture lens use in sun light if you want that f/1.2-f/2.8 bokeh in your sunny day shots. You could always use an ND filter too on the 6D.</p>

<p> </p>