First light - Canon 6D @ ISO6400

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by Octane

The thing with swivel screens is that they are prone to breaking.

Someone on IIS recently told about coming back to their rig and finding their 60Da screen had crashed with their mount while imaging and it survived the ordeal unscathed. Have you had a look at a 60D yet? The flip screen is surprisingly tough.

A full frame camera is typically considered a prosumer system that needs to be able to take a knock or two without falling to pieces. It's a build/weight compromise.

The 60D/Da's are listed on Canon's site together with the 5D mkII, mkIII, 6D and 7D as 'Enthusiast', which I guess is 'Prosumer'?

A camera with an articulating screen fully retracted falls to the ground and breaks the LCD if it manages to fall on the screen. A typical fixed LCD screen would likely survive; it might smash the cover, but, this can be replaced at minimal cost.

Extended?
Retracted the screen is as flush as any normal body.... even better, as the scratchable cover is facing inside and protected.
Anyone clumsy enough to drop a $1500+ body probably deserves any damage caused

I, personally, hope they never introduce articulating screens on the full frame cameras.

I personally hope they do, but hey, everyone is different.
For me the everyday advantage outweighs the extremely unlikely possibility that I will ever drop it, let alone on it's fully extended screen.

[rogerg (Roger)]

hmm, I am torn on this camera.

I love the features of my 7D but would love the noise control of the 6D. Very hard to decide if the splash of cash is justified on the 6D.

Thanks for the images and discussion Mike.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Sorry, I meant fully retracted.

I have played with a 60Da. I still want one. Maybe after the 6D.

On that camera, the articulating screen makes perfect sense.

It comes down to the right tool for the job.

H

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by colinmlegg

I've uploaded some RAW files comparing 5D2 and 6D...

Colin, out of interest for my own comparisons approx what was the ambient temperature when those shots were taken?

Thanks,
Roger.

[colinmlegg (Colin)]

Originally Posted by rogerg

Colin, out of interest for my own comparisons approx what was the ambient temperature when those shots were taken?

Thanks,
Roger.

Somewhere between 15 and 20 C, Roger. It was almost cold enough to don the jumper.

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by Octane

It comes down to the right tool for the job.

Absolutely. For me the flip screen is the perfect tool.
I'm 6'5" and having to bend over or crouch down to look thru the viewfinder or view the screen when the camera is on a tripod, really starts to be a pain in the a.... back (and/or knees).
The flip-out screen for me is used all the time, not just for astro shots.
When I'm shooting lightning, the screen is out and angled up so I can stand comfortably upright and look down to it, so good!
Grahame may be able to attest to seeing me do it a few times.

I have also read (on dpreview from dodgy memory) of a tog that has a 60D to use the flip screen while shooting macro's at ground level, so not just useful for an astro cam

Anyway, the 6D doesn't have it so pointless to discuss, but it would have been nice and a deal clincher point for me.

Edit: Was trying to find the thread about ground level macro's and found this as an option to flip screens
http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/...pet_tips05.jpg

[pluto (Hugh)]

There have certainly been times in the past when I've wished my 5DmkII had a flip screen but now days I just plug my phone or tablet in and use that as the screen. I generally use a 2 metre USB cable so I can comfortably position myself where ever I want around the camera and, if I'm using my phone, I can just chuck it in my pocket when I'm not looking at it. Plus the screens on my phone and tablet are much higher resolution than the screen on the back of the camera so I find it better for getting focus and reviewing images.
If you wanted real portability, or you have an iDevice, and you don't mind spending a bit of cash you could get that CamRanger WiFi thing.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by pluto

There have certainly been times in the past when I've wished my 5DmkII had a flip screen but now days I just plug my phone or tablet in and use that as the screen. I generally use a 2 metre USB cable so I can comfortably position myself where ever I want around the camera and, if I'm using my phone, I can just chuck it in my pocket when I'm not looking at it. Plus the screens on my phone and tablet are much higher resolution than the screen on the back of the camera so I find it better for getting focus and reviewing images.

Interesting, how do you do this? android or iOS?

[pluto (Hugh)]

Originally Posted by rogerg

Interesting, how do you do this? android or iOS?

I don't want to hijack this thread so I'll keep it short, pm me if you need more info.
I use Android. First you need to get a usb host adapter for your phone/tab, mine was about $8 but I've seen them cheaper.
Then I use an app called "DSLR Controller" which was about $8 also (I think).
This thread has a bit of related info: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=102619
For iOS (and Android) you can get that CamRanger device which looks pretty cool, but for $299, if you don't need wifi, you could buy an Android tab (like a Nexus 7) and the app and adapter and still have enough left over for a couple of cases of beer!

[trek1701 (Mark)]

Originally Posted by MrB

Absolutely. For me the flip screen is the perfect tool.
I'm 6'5" and having to bend over or crouch down to look thru the viewfinder or view the screen when the camera is on a tripod, really starts to be a pain in the a.... back (and/or knees).
The flip-out screen for me is used all the time, not just for astro shots.
When I'm shooting lightning, the screen is out and angled up so I can stand comfortably upright and look down to it, so good!
Grahame may be able to attest to seeing me do it a few times.

I have also read (on dpreview from dodgy memory) of a tog that has a 60D to use the flip screen while shooting macro's at ground level, so not just useful for an astro cam

Anyway, the 6D doesn't have it so pointless to discuss, but it would have been nice and a deal clincher point for me.

Edit: Was trying to find the thread about ground level macro's and found this as an option to flip screens
http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/...pet_tips05.jpg

Perfectly worded Simon


I’m 6”2” and I also find the flip screen useful for my beach shots at ground level.
Plus for planetary, I’ll lose the crop feature in movie mode.
It’s a difficult choice, get the benefits of full frame and lose two others.
It would be nice to keep both but I’m not prepared to double up on lenses.

Cheers Mark

[colinmlegg (Colin)]

Originally Posted by trek1701

Perfectly worded Simon


I’m 6”2” and I also find the flip screen useful for my beach shots at ground level.
Plus for planetary, I’ll lose the crop feature in movie mode.
It’s a difficult choice, get the benefits of full frame and lose two others.
It would be nice to keep both but I’m not prepared to double up on lenses.

Cheers Mark

Mark, I think you'll still get the 1:1 pixel if you grab the 5x live view via Backyard EOS. 6D hasn't been tested for this yet, but I see no reason why it won't work like earlier full frames. Check this link -

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTRO...Resolution.HTM

[colinmlegg (Colin)]

Originally Posted by colinmlegg

I've uploaded some RAW files comparing 5D2 and 6D. Included is 1 5D2 file at ISO 3200 (our favourite setting ) and 6D from 3200 -> 12800. All NR off and Colour Temp set to 4300.

Based on similar tests last year between 5D2 and 5D3 I concluded 5D3 was around 0.5 stops better at 3200 in terms of noise size and improved quality in terms of less red.

Looking at the attached RAWs, I'd say 6D is now 0.9 stops better at 3200, with similar quality improvement cw. 5D2 (less red).

Interested in other opinions.

http://www.yousendit.com/download/UW...d0l0QTA5WThUQw

(file is ~ 195 Meg)

The 6D also seems to have way less amp glow than my 5D2. A good thing!

[iceman (Mike)]

Originally Posted by colinmlegg

The 6D also seems to have way less amp glow than my 5D2. A good thing!

Agree!

[trek1701 (Mark)]

Originally Posted by colinmlegg

Mark, I think you'll still get the 1:1 pixel if you grab the 5x live view via Backyard EOS. 6D hasn't been tested for this yet, but I see no reason why it won't work like earlier full frames. Check this link -

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTRO...Resolution.HTM

Hi Colin

But not at quite the same frame rate

640 x 480 (SD): 30p (29.97) / 25p for the 6D

640 x 480 (SD) at 50/60fps for the 60D

Not to be confused with live view resolution


http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...Specifications


My understanding it’s a great feature only on the 550D, 60D & 60DA's



Cheers Mark

[colinmlegg (Colin)]

Originally Posted by trek1701

Hi Colin

But not at quite the same frame rate

640 x 480 (SD): 30p (29.97) / 25p for the 6D

640 x 480 (SD) at 50/60fps for the 60D

Not to be confused with live view resolution


http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...Specifications


My understanding it’s a great feature only on the 550D, 60D & 60DA's

Cheers Mark

Not sure Mark. The 5x live view capture happens on your PC and gets saved as an AVI. That's how the guy writing the article got this shot -

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/Planeta...r_20121017.HTM

[gregbradley]

6D has wifi and will show images on your iphone as I understand it. You can control it from an iphone remotely. Have a look at the digitalrev you tube review of the 6D.

This is a very handy feature of the 6D for astro and I think its superior to a flip screen as most phones screens are better quality than camera LCDs.

You can also get a similar thing for Nikon but its an accessory and costs $600. There is also the 3rd party camranger that works on both brands and as mentioned below is about $299.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

[QUOTE=rogerg;948641]hmm, I am torn on this camera.

I love the features of my 7D but would love the noise control of the 6D. Very hard to decide if the splash of cash is justified on the 6D."



Roger you may want to hold off for a tad longer as a 7D mark 2 is on the horizon and if the rumours are true it would be a pretty hot camera.

Per Canon CEO its the last pro DX body they will make as its all going to be full frame after this next 7D 2.

Greg.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Roger you may want to hold off for a tad longer as a 7D mark 2 is on the horizon and if the rumours are true it would be a pretty hot camera.

Per Canon CEO its the last pro DX body they will make as its all going to be full frame after this next 7D 2.

Greg.

Interesting Greg.

Sure going to be hard sitting back watching these great 6D shots roll in, but there's upsides to the 7D. Going back to full frame would be nice but makes the 8-15L fisheye less versatile and means I need a new portrait lens. Love the 7D's buttons and features for nature photography. 7D2 sounds promising but I'd guess it's noise is never going to match up to a full-frame.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Roger,

An 85mm f/1.8 USM lens (perfect portrait lens on a 35mm system) can be had for about $360 (if not less). A pittance compared to what we spend on gear.

It's also one of the sharpest non-L-series lenses available. As I've mentioned before, fashion magazine covers have been shot with that lens.

H

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Octane

Roger,

An 85mm f/1.8 USM lens (perfect portrait lens on a 35mm system) can be had for about $360 (if not less). A pittance compared to what we spend on gear.

It's also one of the sharpest non-L-series lenses available. As I've mentioned before, fashion magazine covers have been shot with that lens.

H

Yes, well aware of your love for the lens and it's availability just an extra cost in the equation, and extra factor I need to convince my wife of There are bigger factors to consider I guess. Like the cost of the camera in the first place and what that means I can't buy instead