Buying a Canon 6d

by Walter
(NY)

Any thoughts reviews on the 6d?

Hi Walter, thanks for your question about the Canon EOS 6D.

In a nutshell, if you can afford it, it is a great way to get a professional-grade DSLR at a less-than-typical pro digital camera body price.

When I was first looking at full-frame Canons, I just didn't want to spend the huge outlay that was required to get one of the Canon 1D series. I purchased the 5D, which at the time might be the equivalent of purchasing the 6D now.

Because of the time frame, you are getting better technology with the 6D at a cheaper price than I did with the 5D.

I waited about a year after its initial release to get a cheaper price. Now you can get a 6D at a super cheap price because it's a camera that was released in 2012. I didn't want to wait any longer to miss out on finally owning one. Here are the top 3 reasons why a Canon 6D is worth buying.

Canon 6D Advantages

1. PRICE. You can get a brand new Full Frame Canon 60D for less than $800 at the time of this update in 2020.

2. SHOOTING IN THE DARK. The 6D has a 20 megapixel full frame sensor. That means the individual pixels are relatively much bigger than the more recently introduced Canon DSLR cameras where the pixels are smaller because Canon is jamming so many pixels onto the sensor.

That means they are better at collecting light. When you're shooting nighttime skies or photographing in dimly lit scenes, your images will have less digital "noise" and be sharper than the 26 or 30 MP cameras.

3. 6D LENS SELECTION. The Canon 6D takes EF Lenses. That means you have a huge selection of lenses-and I mean huge-both new and used to satisfy every possible picture taking situation you find yourself in.

Here's my complete reveiw of the Canon EOS 6D as well as a post on some of the interesting Canon EOS 6D Accessories


Yes, the Canon 60D is easily worth the price at this point in time. Although its focusing system is not state-of-the-art, it's quite capable for the majority of Canon enthusiast shooters.

Canon 6D remote

by E Marie Livingston
(Bartlesville, Ok. )

"I am trying to find a remote for the Canon 6D for more accurate photos on delay. Cannot find one. Any ideas? email: docliv@hotmail.com"

Hi Marie,

Thanks for your question about a Canon 6D remote.

6D Remote options

I'm surprised that your having troubles finding one. Can you be more specific on what you're trying to accomplish. You have several options, but it depends on whether you want a cord or a wireless way to trigger your 6D shutter.

Canon Wirelss Remote

I am curious about what type of photography are you trying to do. You can get simple shutter release cords for your 6D as well as more sophisticated ones like my remote pictured above. I like the time lapse features on it the best. I hope this helps.

Thanks, Bruce

Canon 6D Accessories

Canon 6D as Webcam?

by Luke
(San Diego, CA, USA)

I see that Canon has released their EOS Webcam Utility Beta, but it doesn't seem like it works with the 6D. Is there any workaround to be able to use the Canon 6D as a webcam?

Hi Luke,
Thanks for asking about using your Canon 6D as a webcam. It's crazy, perhaps due to the Covid-19 restrictions, how many photographers are trying to use their Canon DSLrs as webcams. It is, by far, the most frequently asked question on Canon Geek right now.

With that said, I have no direct experience with using a DSLR for live feed. Here is one solution I found.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to use the built-in camera on my laptop for zoom and skype. The other option is to get one of the newer USB HD (stereo mic) live stream cameras on the market. They sell for around $50-70 and they're highly rated.

I'm just curious if you could share with our readers the exact reason you want to use your 6D as a webcam. Luke,Thanks so much for your inquiry!

Bruce

Canon EOS 5D3 Vs 6D

by Matthew J
(Louisiana)

"Can you stack up the pros and cons of the 5D3 and 6D? I really like the 6D but they are both good cameras!"

Hi Matthew!

Thanks for asking advice about comparing the Canon 5D Mark III versus the Canon 6D. Both of these cameras are full frame and each have a few advantages over the other. On the surface, if you look at the specs of the 5D Mark III and the 6D, the two cameras appear to be very similar except for the whopping big difference in price for new ones.

Differences Between the 5D Mark III and 6D

1. The 5D Mark III focusing system is more robust and it has two memory cards slots.
2. The 6D has GPS and Wifi capabilities that the 5D Mark III does not.
3. The 6D is much more affordable and makes more sense for advanced photo enthusiasts and beginners.

Canon 5d Mark III and 6D Similarities

Both cameras were released in 2012 and have approximately the same number of pixels (22.3 vs 20.2). The Canon 6D and 5D Mark III have essentially the same viewfinder coverage (97% vs. 100%), flash sync speed(1/200 vs 1/180 second) and video resolution (1920 x 1080), and take the exact same battery.

Both the 6D and 5D Mark III cameras take EF lenses are are capable of taking outstanding photographs. For more information on this comparison, here's an article I wrote a few years ago comparing the features of the 5D Mark III and 6D.

Matthew, I think the 6D is a much better choice for you. Unless you are getting paid as a professional to photograph important events like weddings or other similar situations that can be reenacted, you don't need that 2nd card slot as backup. If you need super fast focusing, then you might want to splurge and go with the 5D Mark III.

PLEASE let me know what you decide to go with. It helps me evaluate the advice I give to my readers and also helps other readers of the Canon Geek website.

Thanks so much,
Bruce

6D Question About Shutter Priority

by Larry
(Rocklin)

My 6D in Tv mode does not control the aperture, but I can set the aperture. This is normally set according to what speed I select. Is there a function that I have changed to prevent the auto settings or do I have a malfunction?

Larry

Hi Larry from Rocklin,

Thanks for asking a question about shutter priority (Tv) mode on your Canon EOS 6D. Sorry, I'm confused as to what's actually happening. "Tv" mode will let you set the desired shutter speed and yes, the 6D camera will choose the correct f/stop to give you the proper exposure, based on the lighting situation and the ISO setting you're using.

Feel free to comment back if this doesn't help.

Thank you,
Bruce

Canon Geek on YouTube

Canon 6D Review
Canon 6D Sensor

6D AE Lock

by Jenny
(Florida)

"I'm having trouble with the AE lock on my 6D. This is a setting/ button that I've never explored previously.

Near the end of a shoot yesterday, I went to grab a few extra shots and noticed that pressing the shutter halfway didn't engage the autofocus. The active autofocus square typically illuminates in the viewfinder while focusing on said point. What I did notice was the AE asterisk...letting me know it was engaged. Not sure how it became activated but I chalked it up to the camera hanging across my body and somehow a button was depressed.

I finish shoot and attempt to figure out what I accidentally made happen when I got home. Upon reading my manual and searching online, it should clear on its own, but that isn't the case. Have any words of wisdom? I'm crossing my fingers that I overlooked something.

BTW, the lens remained in the AF position. I've turned the camera off/ on, removed the battery, cleared the custom functions, changed lenses...

Yikes!"

Thanks Jenny for your question for the Canon Camera Geek.
You've done the right thing by going to the 6D manual as a starting point, followed by searching online.

I've had no personal experience with the Canon EOS 6D with respect to the AE lock, so I can't personally advise you.

I've sometimes gotten good results from telephoning the Canon service center directly when I have a question, although they frequently encourage you to just send in your camera for an overhaul.

You can also post in forums, but that is very time consuming.

You might also try joining one of the Facebook groups , dedicated to the 6D. You can copy and paste one of these groups and request to join. Then you are posting your question in a group that has a good knowledge base on 6D cameras.

Facebook 6D groups:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/434859426571670/ or
https://www.facebook.com/groups/166556263390788/

Good luck and please respond back so I know how you made out and I can post for others to benefit.

Thank You!


All EOS 6D Accessories

This post contains affiliate links and the publisher may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no cost to you.


KEH: WHERE I BUY CANON GEAR
"I've found that the condition of the used equipment from KEH is excellent and a whole lot cheaper than buying new" - Bruce, the Canon Camera Geek