FF upgrade - Used 5D MKII or New 6D

ChrisCW

ChrisCW

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As the title says, I am planning to upgrade to Full Frame in the next 12 months and had originally planned on buying a used 5D MkII, but given I could get a new 6D for a little more what is everyone's opinion?

What does the 6D offer that the 5D Mk2 does not and vice versa, I have heard the argument that the 5D is a pro camera and the 6D isn't, but I don't buy that, neither are pros in my opinion?

I suppose the bottom line maybe what I use it for and what new features the 6D may have. I must admit, I am mainly a landscape or wildlife snapper.
 
ChrisCW said:
As the title says, I am planning to upgrade to Full Frame in the next 12 months and had originally planned on buying a used 5D MkII, but given I could get a new 6D for a little more what is everyone's opinion?

What does the 6D offer that the 5D Mk2 does not and vice versa, I have heard the argument that the 5D is a pro camera and the 6D isn't, but I don't buy that, neither are pros in my opinion?

I suppose the bottom line maybe what I use it for and what new features the 6D may have. I must admit, I am mainly a landscape or wildlife snapper.
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Firstly I doubt you'll pick up a brand new 6D for a little more than a used Mark II?
Very lightly used ones on here go for around £900 and the 6D body was nearly £1600 (UK Price at least) last time I looked.

5D has maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 in comparison to 1/4000 I believe for the 6D (Who cares :) )

6D has a very good low light focusing capability down to -3 stops (Can't remember the 5D's but it's not that low!) and also has a very significant noise handling advantage over the 5D II at high ISO.

Ergonomic wise the 5D is a bigger body than the 6D. That's a subjective matter only you can answer. Although personally I prefer the 5D's size.
 
James Thomas 75 said:
5D has maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 in comparison to 1/4000 I believe for the 6D (Who cares :) )
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That's one thing that puts me off so many cameras. If you like wide aperture lenses, and I do, you may want to use them in good light and juggling lens hoods and ND filters is a PITA. On for one shot... Off for the next... Back on again... PITA.
 
As has been said already the 6D has an edge in better noise handling at high iso and improved focussing in low light. It also has a built in wireless function so offers this if you have an ipod touch / iphone / ipad.
 
Not sure I agree that a 5D MkII is NOT a pro camera.

The Camera of choice for Obama's official portrait.
Many Pro's use 5D MkII's
 
Good points, not sure the shutter speed would effect me that much. I had seen the 6d for £1078 on procamerahop.co.uk (I think) but I suspect they are imports?

What about number of AF points? I think size wise I prefer a smaller body, the less weight the better when lugging kit up the hill.
 
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ChrisCW said:
Good points, not sure the shutter speed would effect me that much. I had seen the 6d for £1078 on procamerahop.co.uk (I think) but I suspect they are imports?

What about number of AF points? I think size wise I prefer a smaller body, the less weight the better when lugging kit up the hill.
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Try using a fast prime with a wide aperture like f1.4 or f1.8 in reasonable light and you'll be overexposing with a max shutter of 1/4000 without an ND filter.
 
I get your point, but I cannot afford a fast prime, I am planning on getting a 16-35 mk 2, but mainly used for landscape (F8+)and my zoom is a Sigma 50-500 OS, so no worries there. I must admit I was looking at the 5d as it is an excellent body and with the mk iii out now, bodies are coming down in price. I am only concerned with the fact that the 5d is getting on now, does any of the new features of the 6d warrant the extra money? Thanks again for all the info and opinions.
 
Depends on how close a price you can get hold if one compared to a decent used 5D really and whether the features people have mentioned will benefit you more personally?

I'm not too sure how the 6D AF points fare against the Mark II with regards to tracking moving subjects for your wildlife side of things though.
While I was very happy with my old one,the outer points can be a little temperamental :)
 
I skipped the 5D II and went straight to the 6D, due to its smaller size and more advanced sensor which provides very clean high ISO capability (way more important to me than a fast shutter speed). The other thing to note about the 6D is that it uses SD cards which are easier if you are on the move.

Here's one from the 6D thread at ISO 5000:


Mark Morriss 3 by <<BackToTheFuture>>, on Flickr

Some other snaps:


Watcha looking at? by <<BackToTheFuture>>, on Flickr


Spring Fair 6 by <<BackToTheFuture>>, on Flickr
 
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