Canon 6D Review by a Professional Photographer | The Best Budget Full-Frame DSLR For Beginners

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The Canon 6D has been around for a while now (since 2012 to be exact). The Canon 6D Mark II is the latest version and is currently pricing around $1399. You might know that I currently shoot with a 5D Mark IV and use a Canon 6D as a backup camera, but I owe a LOT to the Canon 6D. I’ve been a full-time photographer since 2012 and I used the Canon 6D as my main camera for the majority of the growth of my business. It traveled with me around the world. It photographed dozens of weddings. It fell onto gravel driveways and into puddles. It got rained on. It was really like an extra limb to me. One of the main reasons I used it for so long was because I couldn’t seem to find a better camera for the price point! I’m a serious budget shopper, but I’m also serious about my photography. I wanted the best camera I could possibly get with the money that I had. As a beginning photographer back in 2012, spending over $1000 on a camera was terrifying to me. But I knew that if I could shoot just one wedding with it, that I’d have already made back all of the money. I looked at it as an investment for my business and it paid off ten-fold. I loved the 6D so much that I ended up buying ANOTHER one, and began shooting weddings with 2 6Ds with different lenses. When I eventually sold my first 6D in 2022, the shutter count was 279,000, which is apparently 297% of wear! I couldn’t believe I had never run into a problem with the shutter the entire time I had owned it. It was truly a workhorse of a camera and was totally worth every single penny I put into it.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite features of the Canon 6D (and 6D Mark II) so that you can decide for yourself if it’s worth it! In my opinion, the 6D is the best budget full-frame DSLR out there. And make sure to look through my sample photos at the bottom of the post so you can see what this camera is capable of!

1. THE LOW-LIGHT CAPABILITIES


The reason I was originally interested in the Canon 6D was because I photographed a lot of weddings and needed a camera that was amazing in low light. Weddings involve a lot of candlelight, dark dance floors, fast motion and candid moments. I simply don’t have time to worry about my camera focusing or making sure my shutter is fast enough. The Canon 6D had a super impressive ISO range of 100-25,600 (or up to 40,000 for the 6D Mark II), expandable to 50-102,400. If you pair this with a lens like the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II zoom lens or the incredible Canon 50mm f/1.2 L lens, you can pretty much capture any situation with any amount of light. It’s kind of amazing. Of course, I would still bring my Canon Speedlite 580EX II flash with me and use it for fun dance photos, but as a general rule, I prefer to shoot with natural, available light.

2. WI-FI AND GPS FEATURES


When I first got my 6D, one of the most exciting features to me was the built-in Wi-fi and GPS system, which was pretty innovative at the time. I loved that after a shoot, I could transfer images from my camera to my phone and immediately edit them and upload to instagram or share them with others. I ended up using it a lot more than I even thought I would! It also allowed for remote control of the camera from your phone, so I was able to take fun self-portraits without having to use the self-timer. The GPS is so nice too because I travel a LOT, and often forget what town I was in! I love that I can look into the image data and find out exactly where I was when I took the photo.

3. FULL-FRAME FOR A LOWER PRICE


Another reason I opted for the 6D was because I didn’t want to pay the price tag of the 5D Mark III that was also available at the time. The 6D was the more affordable, sister version of the 5D by a long-shot and honestly, offered a lot of the same things, including a full-frame sensor! The 5D Mark III was around $3499 at the time (!!!!) and the 6D was $2099. I managed to get mine for $1899 during Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, and then purchased my second one for $1399 in 2015. Now, the original 6D is actually quite hard to get your hands on unless you get a used one, but the newer version, the Canon 6D Mark II is around $1399 for the body only, or you can spring for a full kit with a 24-105mm f/4 lens for around $2000. I always recommend going for the L series lenses, but if you’re just starting out, a kit lens will help get your feet wet!

4. FULL HD 1080P VIDEO AT 30 FPS, OR FULL HD 1080P VIDEO AT 60FPS FOR THE 6D MARK II

Around the time that I bought the 6D, I was also starting to get into video. The fact that the 6D had full 1080p video was a huge plus for me. I used the 6D to film a handful of wedding videos and even started my YouTube channel with it! Of course, these days the high-end cameras can shoot 4K (or even higher!) but if you’re interested in learning about video and getting some high-quality footage, the 6D has everything you need to get started. I still use my DSLRs for video from time to time and I always love how it turns out. Simply put, both the original 6D and the 6D Mark II have the option to create some amazing video work and plenty of professional videographers and photographers still use them as part of their arsenal. :)

5. COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT BODY


Another important feature of the original 6D was the compact and lightweight body. It weighed less than the majority of cameras out there at the time and just felt a lot smaller and easier to manage in my hand. It weighed 1.7 pounds (or 1.69 for the Canon 6D Mark II) while the 5D Mark III weighed 2.1 pounds. It might not sound like a big difference, but trust me, every little bit counts when you’re standing on your feet for 8 hours at a wedding. Plus, I’m a relatively small person and my body is always beat after a wedding. I typically need at least two days to recover, no joke! The weight of a camera is a huge factor for me when deciding what to purchase. I also bring at least 6 cameras with me to a wedding, so the compact body helps too when trying to squish them all in my bag!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I guess what I’m trying to say is, the 6D is super special to me. It carried me through the early stages of my business and helped me to grow exponentially. Though I am a firm believer that it doesn’t matter what gear you use, it does help when you have a camera that has high functionality in the areas that you need it most. And a photographer that prefers natural light, the 6D just made sense for me. I used it for fashion shoots, portrait shoots, food, music, concerts, bands, events, product photography and so many other types of photo shoots. I still have my second 6D that I purchased and I’m not sure that I’ll ever get rid of it. It definitely holds a soft spot in my heart.

If you’re a beginning professional photographer, dreaming of starting a photography business, the 6D or the 6D Mark II is an absolutely excellent place to start. For what you’re getting, the price is pretty impressive when comparing to other brands. I’ve considered switching to other camera brands many many times, but I always end up coming back to Canon because of the pricepoint and features. It’s just always made sense for me.

Make sure to check out my blog post about the Canon 5D Mark IV if you’re leaning towards the more pro version of the 6D. Or the Canon EOS R if you’re thinking of going mirrorless and prefer an RF mount. The Canon 6D and 6D Mark II has an EF lens mount, so you have to make sure to buy EF mount lenses to pair up with them, unless you decide to buy an adapter. I use EF lenses, even with my EOS R, but I did end up buying this adapter to make it work.

Scroll down to the bottom of the post for more example photos with the Canon 6D!


WHERE TO BUY THE CANON 6D (ORIGINAL VERSION)

Amazon

KEH Camera (used)

WHERE TO BUY THE CANON 6D MARK II

Amazon

Adorama

KEH Camera (used)

LENS RECOMMENDATIONS

Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II Lens

Amazon

KEH Camera (used)

Canon 50mm f/1.2L Lens

Amazon

KEH Camera (used)

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my Amazon storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a lovely day!

<3 Myles Katherine




(click to enlarge photos)

Is the Canon 5D Mark IV worth the money? | Starting a Photography Business with the Best DSLR For Your Budget

 

REAL WORLD REVIEW OF THE CANON 5D MARK IV BY A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

(By using the links and/or codes below it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

I’m not going to lie, it’s not a cheap investment to buy a Canon 5D Mark IV (the body itself is currently priced new at $2099), especially if you want a professional lens to go along with it. But if you’re ready to start a business or to start working as a professional photographer, it’s an absolute necessity to buy an incredible full-frame DSLR camera and lens. And if you buy a used 5D Mark IV on eBay or KEH camera, you can save yourself a LOT of money. I will be the first person to recommend buying used gear, but always make sure that the company is reputable (KEH Camera is great for used gear). eBay is more of a risk but I’ve gotten some amazing deals through eBay. Just make sure the seller has good reviews and ratings, and a LOT of them. Ask the seller questions if you need to and make sure to look at the photos of the item closely for scratches, dings or imperfections and check the return policy. 

The Canon 5D Mark IV is the main camera I use for weddings, portrait shoots, events, etc. For my main lens, I use the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens which currently prices new at $1699. Again, buying a gently used one on eBay or KEH Camera can save you tons! This is an incredible zoom lens with great low-light capabilities and sharp, stunning images. With the 5D Mark IV and the 24-70 L lens, this set-up can set you back $4198. BUT, consider buying gently used options to save some money, or buy one of Canon’s more budget friendly lenses. But in my opinion, the lens is the MOST important part of your camera set-up and the L series lenses are WORTH it. Canon also released an RF line of lenses that are supposed to be EVEN BETTER. I just haven’t been able to justify spending the money on them, especially when I have these amazing L lenses at home!

WHY I LOVE THE CANON 5D MARK IV

My very first full-frame DSLR was a Canon 5D Mark II - an earlier version of the 5D Mark IV. I bought it while I was finishing up college as a studio art major. Immediately after college, I created a website, started uploading my best photos and blogging consistently and before I knew it, I was booking photo shoots in my hometown. However, a year after graduation, I decided to move to Portland, Oregon with my boyfriend and two friends. I was thrown into a sea of photographers and had no idea how I was going to stand out. But I kept blogging and began advertising on Craigslist with low prices, and before I knew it, I had booked 20 weddings for my first year. Back in my hometown, I had been working as a second shooter for a few photographers and was using my 5D Mark II. I used these images to help advertise my business and to be honest, I definitely attribute my first bookings to the 5D Mark II. The images were high quality, professional and straight up beautiful, especially compared to the more affordable line of cameras that Canon offered at the time. 

Over the next 5 years in Portland, the 5D Mark II made ALL of my money. I was photographing weddings, portraits, fashion, music, food, events. Because of the 5D Mark II, I was able to be a full-time professional photographer, pay all of my bills AND have fun doing creative shoots. Flash forward to today, my 5D Mark II was feeling outdated and it was time to sell it. I’d found myself choosing to use my Canon 6D over my 5D Mark II, simply because the low-light capabilities of the 6D were much better. While I was incredibly sad to let go of my beloved camera, I was so excited to upgrade my main camera to the 5D Mark IV. And I’m 100% glad I did. I also tried out the Canon EOS R for a bit, to see if that would be a sufficient replacement for the 5D Mark II, but I was never able to feel comfortable with the controls and set-up within the camera. There was something not so intuitive about it. When I finally got the 5D Mark IV, I felt right at home again. It felt exactly like the 5D Mark II, but better. Better quality in low light, dual memory card slots, sharp and beautiful images and that professional quality that I love. While overall, I would say the EOS R is technically better in low light, and tends to have sharper images, the 5D Mark IV creates images that are more balanced, natural and eye-catching, in my opinion. Especially when paired with the 24-70mm L lens, that camera set-up is flawless. I use my EOS R as my secondary camera at weddings, with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens. I find this set-up to be best for the EOS R anyway, because the combination of the low-light capabilities and sharpness of the camera with the extra wide aperture and quality of the lens, is an amazing portrait set-up. It’s taken me years to determine what my ideal dual camera set-up is, but THIS is it. Just know that you will need an RF adapter for the Canon EOS R if you plan on using EF lenses with it.

from a professional standpoint, is the CANON 5D Mark IV worth the money?

If you’ve been dreaming of starting a photography business and committing yourself fully, then yes, 100% this will be the BEST investment you can make for your business. These cameras last FOREVER. They’re incredibly sturdy and reliable. I’ve dropped my cameras onto a concrete floor and they’ve survived. In my opinion, they are worth every penny. Think about it this way, if you were starting a restaurant or boutique or other small business, you would need to make an initial investment into the business. I’ve made thousands and thousands of dollars with my camera over the years and have gotten my investment back ten-fold. Now, if you’re looking for a camera just for hobby purposes, there may be more affordable options that can yield amazing results - like the Canon EOS R ($1399) ( check out my video about the Canon EOS R here!), for example, which is substantially cheaper than the 5D Mark IV. Or the Canon 6D ($1399), which I place below the EOS R in terms of quality and sharpness. The 6D is now my back-up back-up camera and is typically used by my second-shooter at weddings. You could even get a 5D Mark II or 5D Mark III - both incredible cameras that are SUPER affordable now, as they are earlier versions of the 5D Mark IV.

WHY DIDN’T I GO WITH OTHER BRANDS?

My first 35 mm film camera was a Canon, so I’ve definitely always had an affinity and loyalty to the brand. However, before purchasing the 5D Mark IV, I spent DAYS comparing every brand and model of camera in a similar price range to see if I wanted to completely switch over. I was truly considering selling all of my lenses and cameras and converting to a new brand. However, for my personal needs as a photographer, none of the cameras were up to par. For example, one of the features I cannot go without is a multiple exposure feature. This cut out all Sony cameras for me, which was one of the bigger contenders for my possible switch. Then there was Pentax, but overall the battery life with the pro level Pentax cameras aren’t great and the cameras themselves were typically quite heavy. And lastly, I was seriously considering switching to Nikon. However, Canon is generally cheaper and in comparison to the Nikon D850, is lighter in weight, does better in low light AND has better video features, which was important for my YouTube channel. And, maybe I’m biased and missed the comfort of the 5D Mark II. I could use that camera with my eyes closed. After years of using that camera under stressful conditions like a wedding, your fingers learn how to quickly switch between settings. Anyway, I finally feel at home again with my 5D Mark IV and I know this camera will last me many more years before I feel the need to upgrade or change again. And I feel better knowing that I weighed every single camera option and brand out there and still ended up coming back to Canon. I don’t think Canon is the best brand for everyone, but in my world it’s the best for me, hands down.

WHERE TO FIND THE CANON 5D MARK IV

NEW:

Amazon 

For used options:

eBay

KEH Camera


MY FAVORITE LENSES

Canon EF 24-70mm F 2.8L II USM and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens

NEW:

Amazon 

For used options:

KEH Camera

eBay 

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

NEW:

Amazon 

For used options:

KEH Camera 

eBay 

MORE AFFORDABLE CAMERA OPTIONS

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera

For used options:

eBay

KEH Camera

NEW: 

Amazon


Canon 6D Mark II

Used options:

KEH Camera

eBay

NEW:

Amazon

CANON 5D Mark II

KEH Camera


Canon 5D Mark III

KEH Camera

I hope this helps in your quest to find the perfect camera! I recommend writing out a list of what your ultimate needs are with a camera BEFORE you start hunting for one. That way, you can immediately start crossing some off your list when they don’t meet the necessities. It can be overwhelming when you consider every brand and every camera out there all at once. As a full-time professional photographer for the last 11 years, the Canon brand has been my bread and butter. You definitely can’t go wrong with the 5D Mark IV. People will argue that there are better cameras out there, but not for me and my personal aesthetic and technical desires as a photographer. Everyone is different and I wish you the best in finding your perfect camera set-up!

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!

Thank you for stopping by! Feel free to leave questions & comments below!

<3 Myles Katherine