OFFICIAL: CANON EOS 6D - User Thread - Part 2

[Halfmoon]

wow...I'm pleasantly surprised that you said the AF accuracy is much better than 5d2 and 7D (better than 5d2 is expected, but better than 7D... hmmmm :think

I'm still sitting on the fence on this 6D as there aren't alot of people commenting on the outer AF points sensitivity.... But if it proven to be nice, I may throw down the money and get this instead...

I remembered one of the review testing on the AF reported the same thing as bro ricleo mentioned... but I think it is for the center AF point only right???

 

[doodah]

wow...I'm pleasantly surprised that you said the AF accuracy is much better than 5d2 and 7D (better than 5d2 is expected, but better than 7D... hmmmm :think

Here are 2 AF tests which show the consistency of 6D AF vs 7D AF: see here and and here vs this.

My experience with 7D AF is that it's really really really awful in terms of consistency. Worse than the cheaper 60D and 650D.

I'm still sitting on the fence on this 6D as there aren't alot of people commenting on the outer AF points sensitivity.... But if it proven to be nice, I may throw down the money and get this instead...

Have not seen any official tests on AF consistency of outer AF points. It's difficult because there is no off-camera or in-camera AF adjustment tool for AF points apart from that at the centre. Only CSC can calibrate the outer AF points. Anecdotal experience by some suggests it's better than that of 5D.

 

[ricleo]

wow...I'm pleasantly surprised that you said the AF accuracy is much better than 5d2 and 7D (better than 5d2 is expected, but better than 7D... hmmmm :think

I'm still sitting on the fence on this 6D as there aren't alot of people commenting on the outer AF points sensitivity.... But if it proven to be nice, I may throw down the money and get this instead...

I had the 7D for about half a year,and I basically could only use it's centre Af point, or I only trusted the centre AF point. Using the side AF point with 2.8 lenses and 1.4 lenses, the side AF was always not accurate. I never used the full 19 AF auto focus points because the camera will select random AF points, and even when u zoom in to the selected random AF point, nothing is in focus!

but with the 6D, the first test i did was to use the side AF points with my 35 1.4 and 50 1.4, and I am pleased to see that it focused accurately. Whilst the 6D only has a super centre cross AF point which is very sensitive, the "not so sensititve" side AF points are at least accurate from my limited use so far.

 

[SkyStrike]

I remembered one of the review testing on the AF reported the same thing as bro ricleo mentioned... but I think it is for the center AF point only right???

Yes, I read those reviews (by LensRental). Those are on the Center AF...

Here are 2 AF tests which show the consistency of 6D AF vs 7D AF: see here and and here vs this.

My experience with 7D AF is that it's really really really awful in terms of consistency. Worse than the cheaper 60D and 650D.

Have not seen any official tests on AF consistency of outer AF points. It's difficult because there is no off-camera or in-camera AF adjustment tool for AF points apart from that at the centre. Only CSC can calibrate the outer AF points. Anecdotal experience by some suggests it's better than that of 5D.

I think sooner or later (in a couple more months), probably a review on the outer AF points would be reviewed...

My main worry would be the outer AF point when using large aperture lens. If the outer AF points are "not usable", then have to use center AF then recompose method which may cause it to be slightly oof.. (thou the widest aperture lens I have is f1.8).. Anyway, any purchase to be made can only be made in many months time.... overspent abit this year..

 

[user12343]

Yes, I read those reviews (by LensRental). Those are on the Center AF...



I think sooner or later (in a couple more months), probably a review on the outer AF points would be reviewed...

My main worry would be the outer AF point when using large aperture lens. If the outer AF points are "not usable", then have to use center AF then recompose method which may cause it to be slightly oof.. (thou the widest aperture lens I have is f1.8).. Anyway, any purchase to be made can only be made in many months time.... overspent abit this year..

the other AF points apart from the centre one are still very good, altho it is not cross-type at all, either they are vertical or horizontal type.

 

[doodah]

but with the 6D, the first test i did was to use the side AF points with my 35 1.4 and 50 1.4, and I am pleased to see that it focused accurately. Whilst the 6D only has a super centre cross AF point which is very sensitive, the "not so sensititve" side AF points are at least accurate from my limited use so far.

Good to hear that. I normally shoot with my 50 f/1.4 wide-open.

 

[SkyStrike]

the other AF points apart from the centre one are still very good, altho it is not cross-type at all, either they are vertical or horizontal type.

Great to hear that. I have quite a couple of bad experience using outer AF points on my current camera. Especially in dimmer lights (sometimes even in shade also cannot liao..)

 

[trd2970]

B&H shaves off $100 for 6d at USD1999.... http://m.bhphotovideo.com/mobile/detail?R=892349_REG&BI=2466&KBID=3296

Malaysia price is pretty good. Saw from photomalaysia forum some folks bought for rm7599 for 6D & 24-105 kit which is slightly over sgd3k.

 

[user12343]

Great to hear that. I have quite a couple of bad experience using outer AF points on my current camera. Especially in dimmer lights (sometimes even in shade also cannot liao..)

I think the point to take note is, which AF points are horizontal and which are vertical type, so one needs to determine that particular area to be focused has vertical or horizontal details that would work best with the periphery AF points. Without cross-type AF points, cameras are real dumb machines that needs to be told which AF point it "sees" has sufficient horizontal/vertical details to achieve focus.

B&H has a very good 3-part presentation on how Canon AF works by Canon USA Rudy Winston

Part 1
[video=youtube;iAx86nblZ2g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAx86nblZ2g[/video]

 

[user12343]

Part 2
[video=youtube;3_F7lCvp5DI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_F7lCvp5DI[/video]

 

[user12343]

Part 3
[video=youtube;1WTWiN9kLts]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTWiN9kLts[/video]

 

[Castlesinthesky]

looking fwd to your travel thread.

Your images of paris was one of the reasons why i was "swayed" towards to 6D as well

Thanks mate, it's comforting to know that I'm helping canon sell their "basic" FF camera.:bsmilie: But it sure doesn't feel basic to me in IQ.

Totally, Castlesinthesky needs to be hired as Canon's 6D Ambassador already!! Fantastic pics

Lynn

No need la... Canon should just invite me for their product launches. I'm more than likely to make the first purchases from them :bsmilie:

Anyway and seriously, looking at the latest responses on the AF system, my own opinion is-everyone can speculate all they want and do 1001 scientific tests and look at videos and reviews, but at the end of the day-field test the camera and put it through its paces is all I can say.

As a user of the 6, I can only comment that I had used the other AF points as well in low light situations and it certainly didn't let me down. I never ever felt frustrated with it and am pleased surprisingly even in AI servo mode as well.

In case, you guys think I sound like a fanboy for the 6, let me say this, i rather sing praises on the X if I could.:bsmilie: I'm certainly looking forward to the X MK 2 down the road.

 

[Learnphotography]

all this talk on af, actually i could nail focus everytime with 550D. LOL

 

[Castlesinthesky]

all this talk on af, actually i could nail focus everytime with 550D. LOL

There you go! That's why I'm always scratching my head when people go in depth big time on AF systems on the entry/prosumer class.

Come on, it's not as if there's anything wrong as compared to the fiasco that the 1D3 had with its AF servo.

 

[SkyStrike]

I think the point to take note is, which AF points are horizontal and which are vertical type, so one needs to determine that particular area to be focused has vertical or horizontal details that would work best with the periphery AF points. Without cross-type AF points, cameras are real dumb machines that needs to be told which AF point it "sees" has sufficient horizontal/vertical details to achieve focus.

B&H has a very good 3-part presentation on how Canon AF works by Canon USA Rudy Winston

Part 1
[video=youtube;iAx86nblZ2g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAx86nblZ2g[/video]

Thanks for the videos (will watch them later when I have more bandwidth...)

all this talk on af, actually i could nail focus everytime with 550D. LOL

I think the issue I normally face is because not enough contrast/light in the low light to focus. No issues when using it under sunlight.

 

[Castlesinthesky]

Thanks for the videos (will watch them later when I have more bandwidth...)



I think the issue I normally face is because not enough contrast/light in the low light to focus. No issues when using it under sunlight.

Don't say 6D, 5D3 or any other canon. Even the current X also has issues under low contrast areas. I've never saw it as a big problem though.

One thing though. The 6's central AF point really works as advertised under the worst of lighting conditions.

 

[doodah]

There you go! That's why I'm always scratching my head when people go in depth big time on AF systems on the entry/prosumer class.

That's how Internet Myths and Mayhem begin. :bsmilie:

Based on actual owner field experience, I can also confidently say my old 450D focused like a pro camera in single shot mode after extensive calibration work by CSC. But sadly, I cannot say the same for the 7D.

 

[ManWearPants]

sure or not. So many singing praises of 6D. unprecedented in the history of Canon launches. Thanks Lynn for making your presence felt

 

[ylchee]

I've just my 6D kit 24-105 for RM7599 at lowyat KL and is very satisfied with the high iso and focus. Very big improvement compare with my 40d.

 

[esoeij]

Cheapest price I found in Hong Kong this week for 6D body only (local, not grey set) was HK$13800-14300 cash price, add another 2-3% for payment by CC.