Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I'm not married to Canon, I do not own lenses. I learned on a T3i but bottlenecked with high ISO/low light shots.

The proven name the 6D has given itself as a economically reasonably way into a FF camera with good high ISO ability. It's reputation is what has me hot on its trail....

I am aware of it's lack of AF technology compared to other DSLR's. Although not specifics.
You should definitely look into other brands if you're not locked into one system or another, and you should ignore fanboys from either side to convince them that their system is the right one. In the end, it's about photos.

It seems to me you're focussing too much on the body and too little on the lenses. Coupled to the right lens, your current camera can beat the pants off a full frame body with a mediocre lens – and this isn't hyperbole. So when you switch to full frame, you should know that you should invest at least the cost of the body into lenses. Full frame lenses are more expensive and heavier than their crop sensor counter parts. So the kit lenses you have in mind they're not bad, but at f/4 they're slow and they're not great. Initially, you could supplement your f/4 kit zoom with one or two fast primes (e. g. Sigma's new 50 mm f/1.4 or 85 mm f/1.4 lenses which are optically and mechanically excellent). Especially if you are interested in low light photography, f/4 is not going to cut it.

Plenty of people have given you advice on Canon's FF line-up, so I won't repeat what they've said. They're good cameras, but Canon has been lagging a little behind Sony/Nikon in the sensor department (most sensors Nikon uses are built by Sony). Don't worry, these differences show only when you push these cameras to their limits, and they don't prevent you to take great pictures either way. But it's still something to be aware of.

Nikon makes three semiprofessional FF cameras (I omit the D810 and the D4s):
- Nikon D610 (entry-level)
- Nikon Df
- Nikon D750

All of them come with a professional-level AF and lens-wise Canon and Nikon are neck-and-neck (if you are talking about specific lenses, there are cases where one is better than the other, but I don't think there is a clear trend that one manufacturer is better than the other). Probably the Nikon D610 is best in view of your budget. The Df is a bit of an odd duckling, apart from the design and the retro user interface, I don't get how it is supposed to slot into the line-up. The D750 is brand new and takes many features of the bigger D810, and marries them to a “lower” resolution sensor (24 MP instead of 36 MP).

Sony also makes FF mirrorless cameras, the A7 and A7R. Personally, I don't like the concept of Sony's mirrorless cameras (I'm in the process of a conversion from Nikon to Fuji), but you can't argue about image quality. They use the same sensors as the Nikons, and differences due to differences in image processing are small. They also have first-class lenses. Not only the body, but also lenses for mirrorless cameras are smaller (a consequence of the laws of physics ;)), but you have less choice on the used market when you go shopping for lenses.

My advice to you is to focus less on the body and more on lenses. If you are expecting significant improvements by coupling a best-of-breed body to a mediocre lens, you'll be disappointed. Lenses last much, much longer than bodies and anyone who is serious about photography has invested more money into lenses and other accessories than the body. Also, don't underestimate the weight and size of full frame equipment, compared to your T3i the weight of body + lens can easily triple! Moreover, you'll definitely need at least three more essential accessories:
- a good camera bag
- a good camera strap
- one or two protective wraps: they are very cheap and they allow you to put your camera safely into, say, a backpack when you go out for a quick hike.
 
The 6D is the king in terms of ISO performance, even defeating the 5D MIII.
Not according to dxomark.

----------

And even beating the Nikon D610 for the matter.
No...
picture.php


But the 6d does preserve a tiny bit more DR at extremely high ISO:
picture.php
 
Not according to dxomark.


DXOmark numbers can be a good indicator on which camera is better but at the end, the pictures have the last word.

http://www.davidkingham.com/blog/2013/11/canon-6d-vs-nikon-d600-high-iso-night-photography

http://thenewcamera.com/nikon-d610-vs-canon-6d-high-iso-test/

I started off as a Canon guy but was willing to give up Canon for a mid-range FF with great low light but after reading countless articles and comparing pictures, the 6D usually bests the D600/D610. DR seems to be better on the D600/D610 though.
 
DXOmark numbers can be a good indicator on which camera is better but at the end, the pictures have the last word.

http://www.davidkingham.com/blog/2013/11/canon-6d-vs-nikon-d600-high-iso-night-photography
That is one bizarre camera test. Who shoots the night sky at iso 6400. On a ****ing tripod!?

----------

This guy doesn't understand how the dxomark iso rating is determined - at all!

----------

I started off as a Canon guy but was willing to give up Canon for a mid-range FF with great low light but after reading countless articles and comparing pictures, the 6D usually bests the D600/D610.
At very high ISO or for jpeg shooting you are right.

I am not saying the 6d is a bad camera at all!
These tests are obviously not everything that there is to a camera.
But they should be mentioned because they are an objective, scientific indicator for sensor performance and when it comes to DR, Nikon and Sony make quite the difference.
 
That is one bizarre camera test. Who shoots the night sky at iso 6400. On a ****ing tripod!?

----------

This guy doesn't understand how the dxomark iso rating is determined - at all!

----------

At very high ISO or for jpeg shooting you are right.

I am not saying the 6d is a bad camera at all!
These tests are obviously not everything that there is to a camera.
But they should be mentioned because they are an objective, scientific indicator for sensor performance and when it comes to DR, Nikon and Sony make quite the difference.
The Sony sensor does very well relating to DR, but the Canon sensor does better at high ISO. Where DR comes into play is at low ISO speeds.

Now, sensor manufacturers will continue increasing the high ISO capabilities of sensors. There is no turning back. And yes, night photography is all about the highest ISO speeds possible and low noise. Why not using much higher than 6400 ISO for taking photos of the stars if that was possible?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the input everyone. I made my choice.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0387.JPG
    IMG_0387.JPG
    1.4 MB · Views: 142
That is one bizarre camera test. Who shoots the night sky at iso 6400. On a ****ing tripod!?


a guy without an autoguider?

6D and 24-105 is a great package =) im using that lens alot and with a filter hoya hd cir-pl. 24mm is wide enough and 105mm is "close" enough. not a bad choice at all!

Have fun!
 
last night when playing around it seemed a longer shutter speed with a tripod such as 2-2.5" versus ramping up ISO brings superior coloring?

of course if no tripod is available and your street shooting quick shots then the alternative would be a quick shutter and high ISO.

(im intermediate and coming from a rebel so feel free to comment)
 
Last edited:
last night when playing around it seemed a longer shutter speed with a tripod such as 2-2.5" versus ramping up ISO brings superior coloring?
That's why I wrote:
Because noise, DR and color depth are always significantly better at lower ISO.

You want to take into account that with very long exposures, every small movement matters.
Maybe use mirror lockup and stabilize your tripod.
 
Ambient outside is 25*F, was going to do a few hours of winter shots here in the northeast.

Aside from bringing a freezer bag for heading back indoors (condensation), is 25* a safe ambient to be shooting in for DSLR's?
 
Ambient outside is 25*F, was going to do a few hours of winter shots here in the northeast.

Aside from bringing a freezer bag for heading back indoors (condensation), is 25* a safe ambient to be shooting in for DSLR's?
Depends on the DSLR. Mine was advertised for being able to withstand arctic temperatures and moisture. I've taken it out at the temperatures that you described with no problem, but I dunno about the 6d.
 
I have been using my cam (400D/60D) on -20 - -25C (-4F - -13?). Your camera should be fine. And what comes to the condensation just keep it in your bag and let it warm enough before opening the bag at home.

Some people have destroyed their lenses because of the condensation and they didnt let them warm when they came from outside. If there is high cold, i keep a plastic bag with me to where i put my camera before I come back home. I place the camera in the plastic bag, close it and then keep it in my rugsack. Then I let it to warm about an hour before I open the bag.
 
Last edited:
DR always comes into play.

----------

Because noise, DR and color depth are always significantly better at lower ISO.

There is nothing wrong with the tests above (links). In all the high ISO tests posted online, the 6D does better than the D600, while the latter does better at low ISO speeds used for landscapes.
-----------
To the OP: The 6D will do fine at cold temperatures. When shooting under subzero temperatures, put the camera in the backpack or camera bag when you go indoors, and leave it there until both the bag and camera warm to room temperature. I take photos at the local sled dog races (Yukon Quest, The North American, etc.), and let the cameras dry with the heated air in the car.
 
Last edited:
There is nothing wrong with the tests above (links). In all the high ISO tests posted online, the 6D does better than the D600, while the latter does better at low ISO speeds used for landscapes.
The 6d does indeed better at very high ISO, but you wanna avoid iso that high at all cost.
In the second test the reviewer complains about dxomarks ISO rating and claims that dxomark is biased toward sony and nikon. He doesn't understand what the dxomark ISO rating means.
 
The 6d does indeed better at very high ISO, but you wanna avoid iso that high at all cost.
In the second test the reviewer complains about dxomarks ISO rating and claims that dxomark is biased toward sony and nikon. He doesn't understand what the dxomark ISO rating means.

When taking photos at night, I have no choice but to use high ISO and fast lenses. And yes, higher ISO speeds increase digital noise, but the 6D is real good for taking photos of the Auroras and the sky because of the way it handles noise at high ISO.
 
Last edited:
About to go hike up a trail that brings you up to a ledge that overlooks the area. It's roughly 300-350 in altitude but it still gives a decent view.

Best part is it's snowing out.

Check back tonight and critique my shots, it would be appreciated.
 
About to go hike up a trail that brings you up to a ledge that overlooks the area. It's roughly 300-350 in altitude but it still gives a decent view.

Best part is it's snowing out.

Check back tonight and critique my shots, it would be appreciated.

Just keep the snow from melting on the warm camera and lens.
 
About to go hike up a trail that brings you up to a ledge that overlooks the area. It's roughly 300-350 in altitude but it still gives a decent view.

Best part is it's snowing out.

Check back tonight and critique my shots, it would be appreciated.
Enjoy your new gear. The 6d is a great dslr :)
 
Kind of an agrivating trip camera wise, the hike was nice but once at the top it seemed 90% of my concentration was protecting my camera, whether or not I was being too anal I can not answer, I'm too green when it comes to exposing gear to the elements to answer that.

What I ended up doing was stuffing the 6D inside a freezer bag as a condom but the lens was obviously exposed and even with the hood on got a little wet but I just kept blowing it off the hood/lens.

Like I said almost all my attention was worrying about the camera thats less than 2 days old, but I did manage to pull off a few shots. Not very ideal conditions for someone just introducing themselves to advanced camera controls.

I was able to get some decent long exposures with very low ISO and arpeture around 8.

Ill post a few soon.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.