Canon 7D Mark II or 6D?

[raidendex]

Well since I am asking questions here, I guess I might as well ask this one too

I am thinking about upgrading my T2i camera. From about 20 minutes of research..... lol... I've arrived at 7D2 or 6D. Which would you say be a better choice - I mainly just take pictures and videos on my reef tank with occasional outdoor shot of trees and flowers or perhaps if I'm really bored I may try to shoot the night sky

From what I can see 7D2 seems to have better overall features except for the APS-C sensor versus 6D's full frame. Would going full frame be worth for losing some of the newer technologies of 7D2, such as next version of DIGIC (2 of them in fact - dual core lol).

One thing I think that 6D may do better is video perhaps, with larger sensor 1080 video might look crisper, the thing I am missing atm with my T2i.

Lenses wise, I only have one EF-S lense, in fact only got it yesterday, but it's fairly cheap so won't be a big loss if I can't use it if I do get 6D.

Thank you for your advise!

 

[IPT]

I have both and have used have used a bunch of cropped and full frame rigs over the years.

I use the 7D for wildlife, macro, or anything where somewhat of a telephoto view is ideal or I need fast accurate focusing.

I use the 6D for landscape, wide angle and Aurora photography. If I could only have one I'd take the 6D because I feel i can make up for the reach with a long lens. It's not as easy to make up for the crop factor with just a super wide angle lens. Of course if I were going to Africa to shoot animals I'd take the 7D.

Your right that I think the video might be better on one then the other but I don't do much of that so it didn't matter.

I think the 6D is a Tad cheaper. I think it really comes down to what you're going to use it for. One of the major trump cards of the 7D ('s) especially the newer ones is the AF system. Fast, accurate, and tons of "points" to choose from. If you're shooting static subjects from a tripod or not none of that matters.

It all come s down to what you're going to shoot and also how you plan to shoot it! Both are good, no, excellent rigs.

 

[Reef Bass]

I also have a 6D and I think IPT summed up the major differences well.

I would add that the 6D has exceptional high iso handling that you won't get in the 7D.

 

[jroovers]

I am thinking about upgrading my T2i camera. From about 20 minutes of research..... lol... I've arrived at 7D2 or 6D. Which would you say be a better choice - I mainly just take pictures and videos on my reef tank with occasional outdoor shot of trees and flowers or perhaps if I'm really bored I may try to shoot the night sky

Having both a 7D and a 6D, this suggests the 6D is better for you. The only thing the 7D does better IMO is focus faster and more accurately, and shoots at a much higher frame rate, and you get the extra "reach" of a crop sensor. For this type of described shooting, you'll be much better of with the 6D. The 7D might give you a bit extra "reach" with a macro lens, but the IQ on the 6D is so much better, you'll be just as good with cropping a 6D shot.

From what I can see 7D2 seems to have better overall features except for the APS-C sensor versus 6D's full frame. Would going full frame be worth for losing some of the newer technologies of 7D2, such as next version of DIGIC (2 of them in fact - dual core lol).

I wouldn't get caught up on the semantics of the processors, their speeds, etc. None of that really matters when you actually use the cameras from a functionality standpoint. Both are fantastic cameras, and mark the transition from beginner to hobbyist/professional, so you're getting a good body either way. I haven't looked into it on the 7DII, but the 6D has built in Wifi, I just purchased a used iPhone for birding apps, and plan on getting the free Canon app to use for remote 6D shooting. If the 7DII has that feature too, potentially a nice little bonus, especially for reef shooting where you don't want the camera shaking on a tripod.

I have both and have used have used a bunch of cropped and full frame rigs over the years.

I use the 7D for wildlife, macro, or anything where somewhat of a telephoto view is ideal or I need fast accurate focusing.

I use the 6D for landscape, wide angle and Aurora photography. If I could only have one I'd take the 6D because I feel i can make up for the reach with a long lens. It's not as easy to make up for the crop factor with just a super wide angle lens. Of course if I were going to Africa to shoot animals I'd take the 7D.

Your right that I think the video might be better on one then the other but I don't do much of that so it didn't matter.

I think the 6D is a Tad cheaper. I think it really comes down to what you're going to use it for. One of the major trump cards of the 7D ('s) especially the newer ones is the AF system. Fast, accurate, and tons of "points" to choose from. If you're shooting static subjects from a tripod or not none of that matters.

It all come s down to what you're going to shoot and also how you plan to shoot it! Both are good, no, excellent rigs.

This is my thoughts exactly too, well said :thumbsup:

I would add that the 6D has exceptional high iso handling that you won't get in the 7D.

I would love to try out a 7DII and see how noisy it is at ISOs of 1600 and above. Really to me this is what the 7D needed to improve upon more than anything else. That said, I don't think a crop sensor is going to outperform or be comparable to a FF sensor anytime soon.

 

[raidendex]

Thanks for the replies guys!

I did a bit more reading about 7D mark II and so far I am leaning towards that as it seems I would be able to get a decent IQ, of course not as good as ff, but better than say old 7D, and gain the ability to use it in other fast paced situations if the need arises.
Here is some fairly long review of 7D mark2

Not sure if this video backed by Canon, but most other reviews did note much better sensor noise performance compared to older crop sensors.

 

[jroovers]

You're not going to lose with either, that is for sure

 

[BlueCorn]

I loved everything about my 7D but the image quality. I've heard the mk II fixes that.

 

[raidendex]

Yeah from what I hear in videos about mark II, it seems as it is much better as far as crop sensors go.

My T2i with what skills I have hehe >.>

 

[IPT]

I would love to try out a 7DII and see how noisy it is at ISOs of 1600 and above. Really to me this is what the 7D needed to improve upon more than anything else.

Funny you say that, it was probably one fo the primary reasons I choose to upgrade. The focusing too but I could live with the original 7D in that respect. I was taking some reference images of fire the other day. i grabbed the camera on the couch which happened to be the MK ii with the 100mm Macro. I wanted to freeze the frames so went for 1/4000 or 1/8000 shutter speeds.

When I was reviewing them I thought they looked pretty clean. I was almost confused because I recalled bumping the ISO way up. In fact I did. They were shot at ISO 3200 and looked way better or at least as good as ISO 800 on the original 7D.

Don't hold me to that exactly, I didn't do any side by side comparison. I just know looking at the ISO 3200 frames at 100% zoom I was impressed with the amount of noise that was visible.

 

[IslandCrow]

I just picked up a 7D MII, and I have a 5D MII, which is pretty similar to the 6D. The 7D MII is just an awesome camera. You're basically getting the guts of a 1D in the body of a 7D. That said, like IPT, the 5D is still going to be my primary landscape and still life camera. If I did astro photography, I'd also be going with the full frame camera. Either one is going to be an excellent upgrade from your T2i, and it's tough to say which is the better all around camera, because it's a bit of an apples to oranges comparison, but for what you listed as your primary pursuits, I'd lean towards the 6D. Either camera will easily fit the bill, though.

 

[jroovers]

I loved everything about my 7D but the image quality. I've heard the mk II fixes that.

I find the 7D has great IQ. To me it just starts to suffer at high ISOs when you need to crop for composition or enlarge your subject due to distance. I've got some great high ISO 7D shots, but they are ones where little to no cropping was needed.

Very few of my shots are at high ISOs, but this is the 7D at 3200, I have this printed on my wall at home and no noise:

My T2i with what skills I have hehe >.>

[/QUOTE]

Looks good to me! Nice colours.

Funny you say that, it was probably one fo the primary reasons I choose to upgrade. The focusing too but I could live with the original 7D in that respect. I was taking some reference images of fire the other day. i grabbed the camera on the couch which happened to be the MK ii with the 100mm Macro. I wanted to freeze the frames so went for 1/4000 or 1/8000 shutter speeds.

When I was reviewing them I thought they looked pretty clean. I was almost confused because I recalled bumping the ISO way up. In fact I did. They were shot at ISO 3200 and looked way better or at least as good as ISO 800 on the original 7D.

Don't hold me to that exactly, I didn't do any side by side comparison. I just know looking at the ISO 3200 frames at 100% zoom I was impressed with the amount of noise that was visible.

That sounds like a great improvement on the noise. The 7D is so much better than the 6D for focusing, I can't imagine having anything better than the 7D and 400 5.6 in focusing speed, other than in low light - the 6D does a good job of locking on in even those very low light situations.

I just picked up a 7D MII, and I have a 5D MII, which is pretty similar to the 6D. The 7D MII is just an awesome camera. You're basically getting the guts of a 1D in the body of a 7D. That said, like IPT, the 5D is still going to be my primary landscape and still life camera. If I did astro photography, I'd also be going with the full frame camera. Either one is going to be an excellent upgrade from your T2i, and it's tough to say which is the better all around camera, because it's a bit of an apples to oranges comparison, but for what you listed as your primary pursuits, I'd lean towards the 6D. Either camera will easily fit the bill, though.

That is a nice combo!

 

[IPT]

I find the 7D has great IQ. To me it just starts to suffer at high ISOs when you need to crop for composition or enlarge your subject due to distance. I've got some great high ISO 7D shots, but they are ones where little to no cropping was needed.

Cool pic! - what happened to his feet ?

I think you're spot on. I think the 7d is a great camera. However using it for wildlife I found I was, um, sometimes a little un-endowed in the focal length area . I had to crop a lot so the ISO thing did rear it's head. I solved it on both ends now getting a 500mm lens and Mark ii . Now all I have to do is figure out how to make my mortgage payment!

That sounds like a great improvement on the noise. The 7D is so much better than the 6D for focusing, I can't imagine having anything better than the 7D and 400 5.6 in focusing speed, other than in low light.

How about a 7D and a 400 F4 . Or an F2.8!!

Yes, i think the noise gains were quite good. However, that is off the cuff. I have not taken the time yet to really compare apples to apples.

The 7D is so much better than the 6D for focusing, the 6D does a good job of locking on in even those very low light situations.

I may be mistaken but I think the 6d's center focusing point is one of the best made. Even among the pro bodies. It's highly accurate, and as you mention good even in very low light. it's just that other then the center one it has very few other points. Those it does have, I don't think have great sensitivity or accuracy. If you can focus and recompose - like for a reef tank shot, or landscapes that's a non-issue. For moving stuff it's a big draw back.

 

[BlueCorn]

I find the 7D has great IQ. To me it just starts to suffer at high ISOs when you need to crop for composition or enlarge your subject due to distance. I've got some great high ISO 7D shots, but they are ones where little to no cropping was needed.

Looking at it, I think my comment probably came across harsher than it was meant. I've sold nice images from the 7D. It's not like it sucks. It's just that at the time I was shooting with a 5D, which was just buttery smooth and clean, and side by side the difference was glaring. It was a fine camera, I just found myself not using it so I sold it off. Nice shots btw. That bear is awesome.

 

[raidendex]

Do you think it would be worth getting the kit lens with 7D Mark II? The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens. It's extra $350 with it.

I currently have 24mm, 40mm, 50mm, and 100mm lenses.

 

[BlueCorn]

Given your lineup I'd skip the kit lense. Save the money and spend it on a wide prime.

 

[jroovers]

Cool pic! - what happened to his feet ?

I think you're spot on. I think the 7d is a great camera. However using it for wildlife I found I was, um, sometimes a little un-endowed in the focal length area . I had to crop a lot so the ISO thing did rear it's head. I solved it on both ends now getting a 500mm lens and Mark ii . Now all I have to do is figure out how to make my mortgage payment!

How about a 7D and a 400 F4 . Or an F2.8!!

Yes, i think the noise gains were quite good. However, that is off the cuff. I have not taken the time yet to really compare apples to apples.

I may be mistaken but I think the 6d's center focusing point is one of the best made. Even among the pro bodies. It's highly accurate, and as you mention good even in very low light. it's just that other then the center one it has very few other points. Those it does have, I don't think have great sensitivity or accuracy. If you can focus and recompose - like for a reef tank shot, or landscapes that's a non-issue. For moving stuff it's a big draw back.

Jasper Grizzly 2 by UpOnTheRoof, on Flickr

He was on a downslope in grass, so his feet were buried... in hindsight, the further away those paws were from me the better! My wife wasn't too happy with me when excitedly I started this bear and was trying to get in closer as opposed to moving in the opposite direction lol.

I think what you said about the 6D is fair focusing wise, the moving target part being superior on the 7D. The 7DII and 500 f4 is a heck of a combo, green with envy!

Looking at it, I think my comment probably came across harsher than it was meant. I've sold nice images from the 7D. It's not like it sucks. It's just that at the time I was shooting with a 5D, which was just buttery smooth and clean, and side by side the difference was glaring. It was a fine camera, I just found myself not using it so I sold it off. Nice shots btw. That bear is awesome.

That sounds like a pretty fair assessment to me The 6D compared to the 7D the improvement in IQ is pretty evident.

Do you think it would be worth getting the kit lens with 7D Mark II? The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens. It's extra $350 with it.

I currently have 24mm, 40mm, 50mm, and 100mm lenses.

Given your lineup I'd skip the kit lense. Save the money and spend it on a wide prime.

I would agree with Bluecorn. Having had that lens it is a nice all around everyday lens, but I wouldn't bother unless you are planning on getting rid of your primes.

 

[IPT]

My wife wasn't too happy with me when excitedly I started this bear and was trying to get in closer as opposed to moving in the opposite direction lol.

I think what you said about the 6D is fair focusing wise, the moving target part being superior on the 7D. The 7DII and 500 f4 is a heck of a combo, green with envy!
.

LOL, I've done it within reason myself. I can understand your wife's thoughts though. More than one photographer has got a little too close (according to the pics they recovered) and realized too late it was too close.

Ha, yeah I haven't had time to post about the lens yet, but you'd be less envious if you had to foot the bill :uhoh3:. It was more monsterous then the lens!

 

[jroovers]

Ha, yeah I haven't had time to post about the lens yet, but you'd be less envious if you had to foot the bill :uhoh3:. It was more monsterous then the lens!

At least the hold their value relatively well and you will get back some of your investment on resale... at least that will be my argument to my wife when the time comes Looking forward to some pics and your review.

 

[whatnot45]

I have a 6D its amaze balls. I love it.

 

[raidendex]

Well got the 7D Mark II. So lost in all the buttons and menu options lol, will need to read the manual. Definitely a lot more going on that on my old T2i

Quick picture of the new tang, will see how he will get along with the old one.