Canon 60D upgrade. 5D3 or 6D?

Morph3ous

Morph3ous

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I've been using my 60D for a few years now and it's really helped me learn. I'm looking for an upgrade and would like some advice on whether I'd benefit in the real world with what the 5D3 offers over the 6D when considering the price.

I currently use the 17-55, 70-200 f4 IS and 50 1.8. Naturally the 17-55 will go with the 60D.
If I opt for the 6D route I will have to contribute very little after selling the 60D/17-55 and I can keep the 70-200. If I'm to afford the 5D3 however the 70-200 will have to go too.

I shoot portraiture mainly, with landscapes often too. The 70-200 doesn't get used that often but I wonder if it's just because of the extra length on a crop. It's a beautiful lens though.
I'm not into sports and I'd only need the AF for when my children are running around. Otherwise I'm not sure I need the fancy AF the 5D3 offers. The low light performance and image quality gains are my cause for full frame upgrades and at some point I'll need to add another prime and/or a 2.8 short zoom.

Advice on the abilities of the 6D for what I'll need vs the real life justification for the 5D3 cost.
 
The 5d3 is built like a tank and has weight to prove it. The build quality on the 6d is good enough.

In a perfect world I'd take a 6d with slightly better AF and 2 card slots, before a 5d with any improvement.

The 6d would be my choice with current spec (what I bought).
 
If I'm going to upgrade I want to try full frame. It's always been my plan following the 60d so no, a 70d isn't an option but thanks for the reply
 
Purely hypothetical question as I have only had my 60D a short period and I am more than happy with it.

All things being equal (lens, picture, light etc) would there be a huge difference between a shot with the 60D and the other cameras mentioned ?
 
tonybassplayer said:
Purely hypothetical question as I have only had my 60D a short period and I am more than happy with it.

All things being equal (lens, picture, light etc) would there be a huge difference between a shot with the 60D and the other cameras mentioned ?
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It depends on the shot.
A landscape with quality glass at 100 ISO? Not a deal (doesn't stop landscape shooters believing they need FF)
Low light shooting? Huge difference

Fast prime lens portraits? Noticeable difference in DoF

Long lens wildlife shot? The crop camera will 'get you closer' and if the light is good, that'll perhaps make for a better image.
 
Many thanks Phil

Very good quick explanation as usual
 
Like you I upgraded from the 60D to FF. from your post I would choose the 6D or maybe a used 5D3, mainly because it's all well and good having a great camera, but if you haven't got any lenses to use on it, it's a bit pointless. BTW I also rarely used 70-200 on the 60D however now I use it a lot on FF, it's probably my favourite focal range
 
For what you say you shoot I'd get the 6D. The main reason for wanting the 5d3 over the 6d is the AF & speed. For what you want the 6D would be fine, for landscapes the lighter weight and maybe geotagging is beneficial. IQ wise the 6d has allegedly got a marginally better sensor. It's also significantly cheaper so you can keep your 70-200.

Whilst I agree with what Phil says an advantage for me with the 6D over a crop with landscapes is not just the low light but the dynamic range, you can pull shadow detail without huge amounts of noise or bracketing.
 
Thanks to all for the advice. I've decided to run with the 6D and so the 60D has gone on the classifieds.
It's a great camera but I'm pushing its limits with the low light abilities. It's time to change.

ChrisHeathcote said:
BTW I also rarely used 70-200 on the 60D however now I use it a lot on FF, it's probably my favourite focal range
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That's reassuring. I have a lovely copy and it would be sad to see it go without ever trying it on a full frame sensor. The 6D seems the best option for a number of reasons.
 
I've just watched a comparison video of the 6D vs the 5D3. The AF in the 6D got slated. Is it really that bad?
 
Phil V said:
In a perfect world I'd take a 6d with slightly better AF and 2 card slots, before a 5d with any improvement.
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Concur, the AF on the 6D is a source of frustration in the buying process. The 2 slots would be preferable but not a deal breaker but the AF on a £1k plus camera is very disappointing and IMO Short sighted.
 
Morph3ous said:
I've just watched a comparison video of the 6D vs the 5D3. The AF in the 6D got slated. Is it really that bad?
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Not bad for what it is but for the money its very limiting and a very basic spec on a camera which is otherwise really good. The High ISO performance is great and that would encourage low light shooting which would benefit from a more versatile set of AF points. The 2 technologies together are at odds with each other. The single cross type central point is very low EV sensitive though which is good.
 
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Brilliant thread. I'm also shooting with a 60D and although I can't afford to upgrade just yet I'm still thinking of which I would get. However, because of what I like to shoot (landscape, portraits and when I get the chance motorsport, aircraft, and zoo) I would keep the 60D. The 1.6 crop with the 150-500 sigy is a good lot of zoom (yes I know crop isn't really zoom, but you know what I mean). And for the money I'd get for it I'm not sure it would be worth selling. One thing that would be really anoying is that I would't be able to use my Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (non IS) with it so what would be the recommended replacement for it for landscape? @Morph3ous I don't understand why your 70-200 would work with the 6D and not the 5D mkIII?
 
Raptor Mike said:
I don't understand why your 70-200 would work with the 6D and not the 5D mkIII?
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It would work great with both. I was getting at the fact I'd likely have to lose the 70-200 to generate enough funds for a 5D3.
 
Raptor Mike said:
Brilliant thread. I'm also shooting with a 60D and although I can't afford to upgrade just yet I'm still thinking of which I would get. However, because of what I like to shoot (landscape, portraits and when I get the chance motorsport, aircraft, and zoo) I would keep the 60D. The 1.6 crop with the 150-500 sigy is a good lot of zoom (yes I know crop isn't really zoom, but you know what I mean). And for the money I'd get for it I'm not sure it would be worth selling. One thing that would be really anoying is that I would't be able to use my Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (non IS) with it so what would be the recommended replacement for it for landscape? @Morph3ous I don't understand why your 70-200 would work with the 6D and not the 5D mkIII?
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I know what you mean, my one regret is that I sold my 60D as there are times I would like that little bit more
 
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