Canon 6D or Nikon D600

Devonlad

Devonlad

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I have just taken ill health retirement so i now have the time to return to Photography.

My head is spinning through reading so many reviews and conflicting information, i simply cant find a sensible answer to this question.

If you had no existing equipment and do not favour either Canon or Nikon and wanted either a Canon 6D or a Nikon D600 for just walk about landscapes, pics of the Grandchildren and general photography which one would you buy and why?

I have decided full frame over crop, i have decided to rule out a D800 or 5D MKIII as i need the other cash for lenses plus dont think i would need anything they offer.

If i buy the D600 then lenses would be Nikon 24-70 F2.8 and Sigma 70-200 f2.8 both used to start

If i buy the 6D lenses would be Canon 24-105 F4 and Canon 70-200 f2.8 L both used to start

I have read conflicting reports on the D600 having dust issues and this is a concern as i will obviously be changing lenses on the move.

Any help would be very much appreciated.
 
When I first made the choice between Nikon and Canon, it was back with the D200 Vs the 40D - I chose the D200 because I preferred it ergonomically, plus it was cheaper to find used. It was that simple to start. Maybe head to a camera store and hold both, see which suits you best. Both will give excellent end results.

If I was to scrap all i have now, and start again ... I'd still opt for Nikon and the D600. Every comparison review I've seen between the 2 has the D600 out in front.


It's got a few things going for it over the 6D - built in flash for starters, which is very useful to use for CLS when starting out with off-cam flash, it's got more AF points with more cross type [39/9 vs 11/1] 100% viewfinder over 97% on the 6D, it has continuous auto focus for video if that's your thing, higher frame rate 5.5 v 4.5, 2 SD card slots vs just 1, and the shutter is rated good to 150K cycles over the Canon's 100K.

The 6D has ... gps ... that's about all it's got over the D600 really.

http://photographylife.com/nikon-d600-vs-canon-6d

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Pu...-value-for-money-in-the-EOS-range/Comparisons
 
There is nothing between then, thats why you can not find a definitive answer. Like cagey says go to a shop and have a feel of them.
 
rjbell said:
There is nothing between then, thats why you can not find a definitive answer. Like cagey says go to a shop and have a feel of them.
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Becoming harder to do this now though...

Does it have to be new? Based on your requirements, you could consider one of the last 5dmk2's out there new, or a low mileage used one.. Coupled with a 24-70mm 2.8 mk1 lens... and mk1 70-200mm IS 2.8.. Would give you enough cash left over for a decent flash and a few other accessories..
 
if I were to start off afresh but still doing landscapes, the 6D is such an easy choice.

wifi and GPS are such obvious add-on's, the next camera I'm getting HAVE to have it. hopefully 5D mark 4 will get it. I've got eye-fi card for similar, but very fragile wifi capabilities; I've got GPX logging apps on my phone for similar capabilities. Having them all in-camera is a massive step forward for landscapes.


Cagey75 said:
It's got a few things going for it over the 6D - built in flash for starters, which is very useful to use for CLS when starting out with off-cam flash, it's got more AF points with more cross type [39/9 vs 11/1] 100% viewfinder over 97% on the 6D, it has continuous auto focus for video if that's your thing, higher frame rate 5.5 v 4.5, 2 SD card slots vs just 1, and the shutter is rated good to 150K cycles over the Canon's 100K.
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430ExII are pretty cheap now. paired with the very reliable Yongnuo 622 TTL makes it great for off camera lighting. granted, it's one more thing to buy.

more AF points or higher FPS hardly means anything for landscape. it's all single shot mode, manual focus and calculating hyper-focal distance.

100% viewfinder would be useful, but then, taken post processing lens distortion correction into the equation, 100% doesn't really give an advantage

Canon can also AF in video mode, but indeed it's not as fast as my previous Nikon, so that's one valid point for D600.

2 SD card slot could be useful. eg. one for eye-fi to overcome its lack of wifi. But I've never had a card corrupt on me and a 32GB can save over 1000 photos anyway. really depends on whether OP has the need for 2 card slots. for hobbyist, it's not really needed.




end of the day, I think 6D is a fantastic landscape photographer's camera, with 5D3 as all round camera. D600 is a general purpose camera, jack of all trades, with D800 being a studio megapixel monster.

also remember, you are buying into a camera system. the lens selection is slightly different, and other accessories are also slightly different.
 
OP wants it for general photography, photos of the grand kids, as much as landscape. You can get GPS on any phone these days.

I wouldn't recommend the D600 just because I shoot Nikon - I'm thinking if I was on no system atm - the D600 is clearly the better choice all-round. You are free to convince yourself otherwise, but it's the OP needs to choose, not us ;)
 
Indeed, hence I have pointed out it's less about the camera, more about the system OP will be buying into.

Have to look beyond the camera.
 
Sure, but OP has mentioned the lenses he may buy for each system, so I guess he's done the research, knows what he wants or thereabouts. Just wants help choosing the body.

I would agree that neither is a bad choice.
 
Thanks so much everyone for your input.
I am confused as even Mr Rockwell says the 6D is hnds down a better camera then another review says the 600D is better as it has a flash and auto focus on the video (if very slow). the real turn off for me was the dust issue if indeed there is one?

Nikon lenses are more expensive and maybe in the long term this should be a consideration as now i have retired money will be tighter in the future however if the D600 were a better camera i would just buy third party lenses in the future to compensate.

Thanks again and feel free to keep the advice flowing.
 
Devonlad said:
Thanks so much everyone for your input.
I am confused as even Mr Rockwell says the 6D is hnds down a better camera then another review says the 600D is better as it has a flash and auto focus on the video (if very slow). the real turn off for me was the dust issue if indeed there is one?

Nikon lenses are more expensive and maybe in the long term this should be a consideration as now i have retired money will be tighter in the future however if the D600 were a better camera i would just buy third party lenses in the future to compensate.

Thanks again and feel free to keep the advice flowing.
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I wouldn't say nikon lenses are more expensive.
 
Devonlad said:
Thanks so much everyone for your input.
I am confused as even Mr Rockwell says ...
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I would advise not to take him very seriously, on anything, ever :D

He also tells people the best camera/lens out there is the D40 and humble kit lens. If we took him seriously we'd all settle for using just those.
 
I would recommend just trying them out. I found the ergonomics very different when I wanted to switch from Sony. I just couldn't a comfortable hold on Nikons. Canons just happen to
Suit my hands. I am sure you could adapt to both eventually but as noted the specs of the two cameras are pretty close so nobody will be able to give a definitive answer.
 
manualfocus-g said:
Definitely go and try both first, if you can. They handle differently.

I've been delighted with my 6D, but the D600 has better dynamic range. That said, the dust/oil issue would put me off if I were starting afresh.
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Yes my point exactly, i will go with the 6D if there is a issue with dust on the D600 but i cant find a definitive answer to if there is a issue or not?
 
wuyanxu said:
end of the day, I think 6D is a fantastic landscape photographer's camera, with 5D3 as all round camera. D600 is a general purpose camera, jack of all trades, with D800 being a studio megapixel monster.

also remember, you are buying into a camera system. the lens selection is slightly different, and other accessories are also slightly different.
Click to expand...


Surely with the D600's better dr it would make a better camera for lanscapes?
 
The problem is i dont have a camera shop near me and i cant drive, so unable to go and hold both and want to order tomorrow.
I have used a 7D and a D7000 and believe both are similar to their big Brothers, i found the cameras both easy to get around, i think the Nikons menus offer more functions but not sure if thats good or not.

I think the 7D felt a better built camera but i liked the AF on the D7000.

So i think playing with both would possibly confuse things more as i am sure i would prefer different things on both cameras and that might make the decision harder. if i only ever get to hold one ill never know what i am missing on the other
If the D600 has a definate dust issue then ill go down the 6D route and having now found Panamoz ill get a 6D with 24-105 F4 L lens and 70-300 IS L lens which i can buy all new for my budget and get a used flash on ebay.
 
If you are buying from panamoz you can pay a little extra and get a replacement warranty, so if there is any problems with dust you will get a free replacement.
 
Both are good cameras but I think the d600 edges it and its slightly cheaper too

I was thinking about a d800 or 5d3 but ende up with a d600 and I'm very happy with it
 
I honestly think the D600, without the dust/oil issues, if you could get one with neither, is a street ahead of the 6D in most areas.
 
I personally think the D600 is the better overall camera between the 2 however the dust problem in the sensor would put me off especially as it gathers even without removing the lenses.

If I were to start again I'd go with Canon as I think Nikon have dropped their guard over the past year with poor quality control & pricing errors. Canon seem to cater more for everyone whereas these days Nikon seem to be only interested in beginners and top pro level shooters.

I'm sure either camera would please you but I'd be going for the Canon 6D as it's more than capable plus it's not famous for having a common problem.
 
JBuk said:
Both are good cameras but I think the d600 edges it and its slightly cheaper too

I was thinking about a d800 or 5d3 but ende up with a d600 and I'm very happy with it
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So have you experienced any problems with dust or oil on the sensor?
 
When you read something like this it puts me off the D600 Totally,
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/11/29/the-oil-spots-on-the-nikon-d600-sensor-seems-to-disappear-after-3000-shots.aspx/

for a little more i could get a new D700 but it has no video, to go up to a D800 is a big price difference, you would think if you are paying £1,200 for a camera it should come without serious issues like Dust or oil on a sensor.

Looks like it will be the 6D for me as i dont think i could live with the issues plus i really like the look of the Canon 70-300 IS L lens teamed up with a 24-105 IS L and a Tokina 17-35 F4 FX, i will try a 50mm f1.8 instead of a flash and see how i get on with that to start.
 
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