5D mark III vs 6D Image Quality

Zephyr

Zephyr

Messages
373
Name
Graeme
Edit My Images
No
So, denizens of both, what are your thoughts? I figure since I have a 1D Mark IV as my primary bird photography and wildlife camera, i'm debating either getting a 5D Mark III as a secondary camera, which i could put my 800mm on at times where i'm not distance limited to maximise image quality, i know the autofocus is lightyears ahead, FPS and build quality which are the two prime defining features which separate this range, but for those with hands on experience, for a secondary camera, am I better off saving the best part of a grand and getting a 6D? Could use it as my primary landscape camera, too. So for times i do wildlife cgrab the mark IV, and landscape grab the 6 - I have read that the ISO is fractionally better on the 6 as opposed to the 5 and that the files can take more pp, also that there is no colour banding, or am i better off putting more on the outlay, getting a 5D Mark III as my secondary camera as a great all-arounder ? Hmm ...

Just curious on people's thoughts. :) This is slowly becoming my favourite part of the TP forums just as i have some questions worth getting off my chest, haha.

Best wishes

Graeme
 
Last edited:
sensor is similar in both... that's where the similarities are over. 5DIII will get stuff in focus quickly and accurately; 6D - not so much. You like fast moving things so that should be easy. There are size and weather protection issues too.

5DIII vs 1DIV - I don't know why you don't see that once you crop 5DIII image to 16mp you get pretty much the same magnification, just better IQ. 1DIV only has more fps and better build quality in its defence. IMHO 1DIV < 5DIII < 1DX. 6D is sort of all over place in that placement depending what you need.
 
daugirdas said:
sensor is similar in both... that's where the similarities are over. 5DIII will get stuff in focus quickly and accurately; 6D - not so much. You like fast moving things so that should be easy. There are size and weather protection issues too.

5DIII vs 1DIV - I don't know why you don't see that once you crop 5DIII image to 16mp you get pretty much the same magnification, just better IQ. 1DIV only has more fps and better build quality in its defence. IMHO 1DIV < 5DIII < 1DX. 6D is sort of all over place in that placement depending what you need.
Click to expand...
Thing is from what I've seen, it isn't better where i need to crop, but there's no doubt in situations where i'm not distance limited, and ISOs beyond 1000 are used that the 5D3 comes up trumps, and this comes from owning a 5D2 beforehand when you crop that much - photographing a raptor on the coast for example, even with my 800 on my 1DIV I had to crop extensively, and i'm sure if that had been the 5D3 i would have even lost more detail. My path has been 5D2>7D>1D4 so far. The FPS was important to me too, like for example next week I'm off to Gordon's Osprey hide where the 10 FPS will be super handy for catching the action, though i do wish the ISO were better, and I know the 5D3 in this area is far superior. Horses for courses they say.
Maybe the 5D3 is the beast I need as a secondary camera after all.
 
I too have been down this road, and another mkiv would be my choice tbh... My mates have just come back from Mull doing eagles and one has a dx and the other with a mkiii and he's missed the fps.
 
Cheffievrs said:
I too have been down this road, and another mkiv would be my choice tbh... My mates have just come back from Mull doing eagles and one has a dx and the other with a mkiii and he's missed the fps.
Click to expand...
Well I already own a Mark IV, and don't want a 2nd one, my 2nd camera i want to be full frame so i can use it more as a hide camera / landscape camera, if that makes sense.
 
5dmk3 will focus at F8, which means you can add a TC to make up distance if required.
 
D810 :p Lots of cropping.

Just get the 5D3, the 6D sensor is only marginally better at hi iso and the AF isn't great imo.
 
Last edited:
Buy the 5D3. Then you'll have a far more versatile set up than you would with a 6D. The MkIV is really limited to around ISO 2000. Much more than that it starts to suffer a bit. 5D will go much higher and even if you crop the 5D3 image to the same as the MkIV the noise that is there doesn't seem as intrusive. I understand your need for the MkIV for distance work but the 5D3 is a better camera. The 6D nice though it is isn't in the same ballpark.

What days you at gordons ?
 
Last edited:
Gaz J said:
Buy the 5D3. Then you'll have a far more versatile set up than you would with a 6D. The MkIV is really limited to around ISO 2000. Much more than that it starts to suffer a bit. 5D will go much higher and even if you crop the 5D3 image to the same as the MkIV the noise that is there doesn't seem as intrusive. I understand your need for the MkIV for distance work but the 5D3 is a better camera. The 6D nice though it is isn't in the same ballpark.

What days you at gordons ?
Click to expand...
week after next, monday 21st july, wednesday 23rd july &
thursday 24th july. you? how do you find it? any tips/ advice for a first time go-er?
 
Ok I'm there 18th onwards for a few days. I will drop you a line later.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top