I need help in choosing either a 6d or a 7d mark 2

aratari10 · Jan 9, 2015

Hello, I have been shooting for 3 years beginning with a t3i and now use a 60d. I do photography of events and general news stories for three different newspapers which typically consists of gala events, festivals, and then other small events at restaurants, book stores, and places of business.

I also shoot real estate in which i typically use my 17-40 l lens and my 10mm-16mm which has not so good distortion on corners. I initially wanted to go full frame until i found out my 10mm lenses will not fit.

My other glass includes a 50m 1.4 and an 85mm 1.8 I know only 3 of my lenses will fit on the 6d while all four will work on the 7d mark 2. I also shoot sports often and do weddings here and there.

I am looking for the best bang for my buck based on this info? Things that i am having trouble with the 60d is low iso performance and soft focusing occasionally. What would you do if you were me please.

I know what the strengths and weakness of each camera is by the way, just asking for what you would do in my shoes

jsecordphoto · Jan 9, 2015

The 6d autofocus is nothing to write home about, but excels in low light/high iso. I have heard the 7d2 is good for a crop body in low light but I dont know firsthand, the AF is good though

aratari10 · Jan 9, 2015

I do a lot of group shots so focus is a big deal for me.

TCampbell · Jan 9, 2015

The 7D II is heavily optimized for action & sports. It's has an extremely good focusing system (arguably one of the very best on the market). It's continuous shooting speed is also very fast and it has a huge memory buffer (so you can shoot a while before that buffer fills and slows down your shooting speed.)

The 6D is better for lower light and you'll see less noise at high ISO. It can focus in rather dim lighting. But while it can focus in lower lighting, it's focus system isn't nearly as advanced for tracking action. The focus system is very similar to your T3i (your 60D is technically better). The 60D has an 11 point focus system... but just imagine the 9 point AF system of your T3i... but squeeze in two extra AF points... one just left and right of the center point. And, just like the T3i, only the center AF point is a "cross type" point.... all others are single-axis AF points (the 60D only has 9 AF points... but all 9 are "cross type" points.)

You wouldn't not be able to use your 10-16mm on the 6D. Canon makes an EF-S 10-22mm for the crop-bodies, but they also make the EF 16-35mm (f/2.8 and f/4 versions) for the full-frame bodies (although crop bodies can use these too). But the 16-35mm is basically the identical angle-of-view coverage on the full frame body as the 10-22mm range is for an APS-C camera like your T3i and 60D. You mentioned you have the 17-40 ... which is VERY close to the same angle of view coverage. From that way of thinking about it... I don't think you'd be giving up anything by not being able to use your 10-16mm lens.

goodguy · Jan 9, 2015

You are in a bad time to buy a full frame canon camera.
All of Canon FF cameras are due soon for a replacement.
If you would consider then 5D III then while pretty old is still an extremely capable camera but the 6D is simply old and really best is wait.
From what I am reading you need a camera like the Nikon D750, I have a feeling the next 6D will be close to this camera.

My advice then is wait, the 7D II is not what you looking for and neither is the 6D, either get the 5D III or wait for Canon to come out with their new FF camera.

matthias bader · Jan 10, 2015

Kind of difficult decision here

The 6D is sure good in the high ISO-Range, its a FF. But the AF is simple bad, especially compared to the mostly better ones in the lower pricerange. But on the other hand its a good camera for architecture where you don't need a fast AF and have the full advantage of the fullframe. As TCampbell already wrote, don't bother about that one lens, your covered with that 17-40. and you can use the 60D as backup and use this lens there

The 7DII is an awsome camera for wildlife and sports. You also benefit from the crop-sensor there. It is probably the better choise for the event-photography.

I would recommen you, like goodguy, to wait. This spring Canon will release its 5D4. This means the 5D3 will be much cheaper and/or there will be a lot of secondhand options after the release. The 5D3 is s excellent camera with all the advantage of the fullframe plus an very good AF. Maybe thats the camera you want/need?

If not, i probably would go for the 7D2. Just because of the AF, its also good in high-ISO and more versatile.

ronlane · Jan 10, 2015

I would 3rd the advice to wait. Rumor has started that Canon will announce some new cameras next month (February) and speculation is that it is an upgrade on the 5D mk III. That could mean some price changes.