General Full-Frame Second Body

[BobU]

Been shooting more shows and it is clear I need a second body. Changing lenses is just too inconvenient.

I have an R3. Could not be much happier (2 CF slots would have helped, but....) Its like it was made for me. Balanced with any lens. Cusotmized to fit my hand and mind.

I really do not have budget for a second camera and concerned about "wearing" 2 bodies and lenses. So, the choices are:

1. R6 II - Refurb at $1700 is attractive. I'm sure it would do the job, but would I be foolish not to move to ...
2. R6 III - Seems a noticeable improvement. A big stretch of budget. Too new for refurbs or used., and then ...
3. R5 MKII - Would seem to match me best, add higher pixel shots, useful in other ways than concerts, sports, motion. Maybe even a bit better AF? Really just do not want to spend that much, but... is there a compelling reason I might be missing?

Thoughts? I'm researching. Even though higher pixel density except for RR6 II, I'm sure high ISO should be fine. I always styed 20-24 MP for just that reason. Think EOS 6d, for example. Or 1D MK III. Both served me well. I do shoot up to ISO 12,800

Thanks.

 

[Only RF]

I did very well with my R6II. Handles high ISO well and I could crop more than I expected. You are familiar with that sensor count so it won’t be a surprise.

The R6II has advanced subject detect and sub detail set options for more fine tuning. It also features Eye Detect AF in all AF zones. I mapped the F-Mn to cycle through Whole Area, Zone [1], Single Point and Spot AF.

 

[BobU]

I did very well with my R6II. Handles high ISO well and I could crop more than I expected. You are familiar with that sensor count so it won’t be a surprise.

The R6II has advanced subject detect and sub detail set options for more fine tuning. It also features Eye Detect AF in all AF zones. I mapped the F-Mn to cycle through Whole Area, Zone [1], Single Point and Spot AF.

Thanks. Do you feel the MKIII would be worth the step up?

 

[Only RF]

I did upgrade to the R6III last fall. Subject detect is better as was advertised. AF while shooting swifts was insane but nothing my R6II couldn’t do. It was just more work on my side.

I also like some of the menu changes. Canon got rid of Subject to Detect. I think it is only available for video which i never use. I never thought much of it anyway. They also simplified the case numbers. They added user control to Tracking Sensitivity in Case Auto. That was long overdue IMO. I use Case Auto 90% of the time now. Less mucking around in the field.

I’d have no problem going back to the R6II if I had to. When I get home I’ll post a video of the R3 vs the R6II.

 

[Only RF]

Thanks. Do you feel the MKIII would be worth the step up?

I never held an R3 in my hands so I’m the wrong person to ask this. I will post that video I mentioned.

 

[Only RF]

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[Only RF]

I downloaded a few RAW files before the R6III was released. It's not a 45mp sensor but not bad IMO. Some say it was not worth 15% linear improvement. I see it as a 30% improvement. I rounded out the percentages.

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But then again my R6II

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[Only RF]

With the R6III you are getting into R5II territory but a budget is a budget. I have not shot a lot with my R6III. In the fall when it was released the weather got bad the next day after I got it. Usually all the interesting birds have migrated.

Then in Portugal (mid January to March 31) it and other European countries were battered by about 5 huge storms in a row. An entire month. Later friends came so I didn't get out much. We got back on April 2 and two weeks later had shoulder replacement surgery.

The times I got out it was pretty amazing I didn't close enough for something decent but it picked out these swifts with ease in all types of background clutter. I could probably sharpen this up a little more but it's the example that I showing.

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This is a very tight crop as well.

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Another example with the original

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[Only RF]

Decisions - decisions

 

[BobU]

I never held an R3 in my hands so I’m the wrong person to ask this. I will post that video I mentioned.

Sorry, not the R3 - I know that well, the R6 MKIII vs MKII.

 

[BobU]

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Interesting. For what she does, I understand. For me, may not be the same. For example, the "mouse" in the AF button is so useful for me. Made me almost forget the days of focus and recompose I'm imagining the R3 with 70-200 F2.8 and the Rxxxx with 24-70. Maybe 14-35 in the bag.

I keep reading. Its likely between R6 MKII and MKIII. I just do not see an R5 in my future. Maybe if I were a portrait or landscape shooter.

 

[Only RF]

I have not enabled the multi-controller or LCD to move AF points around for about 5 years. Too slow for my shooing style. AF point/s area always centred. If override Eye Detect AF, lets say using single point. I physically move the camera so it lands on the subject, go back into eye detect and after the eye is in focus I recompose.

The R6II can also use Eye Detect AF in all AF modes like the R6III can. I was comparing that feature to the R3 which may have. It's a major benefit, to me anyway. I had no issues with the R6II. You won't go wrong either way.