Hi Canon fans, I've just joined your ranks with a new 6D and Sigma 35mm f1.4 as my first lens. This is my first DSLR, ever. And my first SLR since I sold a Leica R4sP in 1988 for an M6 which I had until Leica kept whining that a digital M was impossible (and so I reluctantly sold everything off--big mistake). It is also my first Canon since a beloved Ftb I had in college back in 1975.
In the post film era, I've had a Digilux 2, Contax Digital T, GR III and Panasonic LX3 and recently a Panasonic G1 and Sigma DP2M. The G1 was pretty good actually. I liked the compact size and weight. But I wanted a bit more, image wise. The DP2 Merrill gave me IQ in spades but its AF and ISO limitations left a lot to be desired. Interestingly, in BW it does quite well up to ISO 3200 but it requires a little tweaking with their image processing software. I still have it, though.
This year I was determined to get a FF. And boy what a year it was. So many designs, so many choices. I found myself flipping back and forth among many desirous potential makes and models. But each had plusses and minuses that I had to consider. And no sooner was I sold on one than I'd read something or see an image that made me think twice again and I'd start to salivate over some other design, only to return to a previous decision when some other consideration rose to the fore in my decision process.
I liked the D600 but the oil issue was a concern. The D610 SEEMS to have solved that but there have been some reports of the problem returning. Plus as I mentioned in another thread the camera was a just a touch too chubby for my liking and, unlike many, I wasn't wild about the over abundance of buttons and dials. I preferred things that were more spartan.
The 6D was on the radar but because of the ho-hum reaction in light of the D600 at the time, I kinda dismissed it as a candidate.
I looked at Sony's RX1 and RX1r as possible candidates for several reasons: (1) it was very compact, (2) it was very quiet (which I really like in a camera), (3) it had a fixed 35mm f2 Zeiss lens--the FOV of preference since my M6 and R4sP days when I had a Contax 139 Quartz prior to my getting the R4sP I REALLY was quite impressed with Zeiss' approach to rendering an image. But the price was a major point of hesitation and I knew I would want the EVF. When I played with a model at a Sony store I found the brief lag in the EVF after taking a shot a bit disconcerting. The store also had the new A7 and A7r on hand which in addition to being a touch noisier than I was expecting also had the "EVF" lag the RX1 had. I did however really like the form factors of all three cameras. The 35mm f2.8 was a bit slower than I'd like but it certainly was compact and quite sharp.
Finally there was Nikon's new Df which while it had a fantastic sensor seemed to be a bit ho-hum everywhere else. That's when I started to re-examine the Canon 6D.
It, too, was a low light demon. It's shutter I concluded was pretty quiet. VERY quiet in fact. The body, while certainly not compact like the latest Sony E-SLR's didn't feel all that massively bulky like the typical DSLR's (it's about the same size and mass as the Df but with a far better grip). DR has come up as a possible achilles heel but I have to say while it certainly doesn't have the DR of some of the latest Sony sensors (Nikon and Sony), according to the venerable DxO the DR is about the same as the equally venerable A900. An old camera for sure but one that wowed many with it's prowess in the DR dept. 12.4 eV while not 13 or 14.1 territory is no slouch! Certainly capable for my needs.
Finally, there is the surprise of the 6D's built-in wi-fi. With the EOS iPhone App (also available for Android) I suddenly have a more-than-simply articulating LCD (actually a completely detachable LCD) I also have full control by remote up to 300 feet away!
So I pulled the trigger and bought the 6D along with Sigma's fantastic 35mm f1.4 DG (FF) lens. What a combo! IQ is astounding up to 6400. It is quiet enough that it won't disturb a child during a light nap. While it certainly has some heft (with the Sigma attached), I bought the fantastic BlackRapid 'body strap' that lets the camera hang by my side with very little fatigue but due to its ingenious sliding can be pulled to the ready in a fraction of a second.
The controls are superb. The camera is very fluid to operate. The AF while not nearly as elaborate as some other cameras is pretty accurate (as is the metering) and the Sigma is lightning quick and VERY silent.
The wi-fi is incredibly easy to use. I find taking surreptitious shots in public places while appearing to txt someone along with the shockingly silent shutter makes it a great stealth camera.
And while I had gotten quite happy with the EVF of the G1 seeing the world through an OVF again was a fresh revelation. (In fact I used the G1 just prior to the 6D's arrival and a camera that once seemed substantial suddenly seemed like a toy. (The DP2M still has a nice heft.)
The camera arrived the day before my son, his wife and my grandson arrived from Belgium. He is an 'early music' musician and, after seeing his photo in a program at a concert at a church where he performed in Wilmington, DE I realized he needed to have a much better head shot. 6D to the rescue.
Below are some shots of my son I managed to get that I hope he can use. Not sure whether I prefer the color shot or the B/W. The other is of my grandson. After having worked with many slowish cameras for a while I really can't get over the responsiveness of this camera. (I know there are others that are better, but using the 6D has been a joy.
Sorry to ramble. But I can't say enough about this woefully underrated camera.
Here are the shots of my son (ISO 400 lighting provided by a glass door):
And this one:
And now...my grandson (shot at ISO 6400):
6D with Sigma 35mm f1.4