Canon 6D Heron

Thought I'd give my Canon 6D a bit of a workout...mainly used for landscapes, but due to its amazing low noise high iso abilities, I thought I'd try some birds in flight yesterday. I manged to get this White-faced Heron. I know it's a little soft, but I just love the fact that I can raise the iso and not have noise...something that the 7Dii is weak at. It's also good that I can heavily crop an image (this one included) and still retain detail. I'm now convinced that full-frame is the way to go. The only weakness of the 6D is the 4.5 fps and the choice of only one focus point...not an issue with landscapes. I guess my choice is the 5Div, 1DX or the move to Nikon's D850 and the 500mm PF (seriously considering that move). The 500mm Canon is just too big and heavy, and I prefer not to have to lug a tripod around. Interesting to see the new cameras coming out this/next year!

Canon 6D, 100-400@400mm, 1/2000th sec, f7.1, iso1000, hand-held. pp in acr and photoshop. No noise reduction anywhere!

nice find Paul, apart from the soft head the wing position isn't that great, the image has a blue/purple color cast too it. lack of details probably due to the heavy crop.

6D isn't really a camera for BIF its decade old AF, slow speed and not so great IQ by today's standards will lead to disappointment if you are quality shots. If I were you I'd dump the Canon and get a D500 + 500PF it is much much better than the Canon bodies and lenses you have.

TFS

Thanks Arash. Actually I like the wing position (different strokes for different folks I guess). I do agree with your other statements though with regards to image IQ, softness etc...I was basically seeing how the 6D went with BIF.
I am definitely considering dumping the 7Dii and 6D for a 5D4...(however...I've see iDX's secondhand...may consider that too). I have a lot of Canon lenses, so still need a Canon body. My bucket list is the Nikon D850 and 500mm PF. Tried a D850 today...bit of a learning curve as far as negotiating the menus etc, but I have to wait until September to see the 500mm PF. I've heard good things about the D500, except for the poor menu system? Is the D850 much better in your view?
Cheers.

Unique "rising" pose. I agree with more sharpening, at least for web presentation. Good luck with whatever gear you end up with...just remember that good photographers produce great images with whatever they have, and lousy ones fail even with the best gear. But I agree that with birds we need "fast" and accurate for action.

Hi Daniel. Thank you for the feedback. yes, i do like the wing position here, but know that many prefer the wings in a drop down position. Your comment re gear vs ability is true, but I'm seeing the limitations of my gear. I know that you have the 7Dii, but the 500mm Canon lens is just too big and expensive (unless secondhand), and the Nikon 500mm PF looks like it may be best for me weight wise , as I prefer to hand hold. My 6D is fantastic for landscape...but I guess the D850 would be too.

The weight factor is true also, and one I had not thought of as I am OK in that department for the time being. I am certain that when I can no longer handhold like I do now I will most likely look for alternatives. No matter what, have fun!

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Originally Posted by Paul Burdett

Thanks Arash. Actually I like the wing position (different strokes for different folks I guess). I do agree with your other statements though with regards to image IQ, softness etc...I was basically seeing how the 6D went with BIF.
I am definitely considering dumping the 7Dii and 6D for a 5D4...(however...I've see iDX's secondhand...may consider that too). I have a lot of Canon lenses, so still need a Canon body. My bucket list is the Nikon D850 and 500mm PF. Tried a D850 today...bit of a learning curve as far as negotiating the menus etc, but I have to wait until September to see the 500mm PF. I've heard good things about the D500, except for the poor menu system? Is the D850 much better in your view?
Cheers.

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Hi Paul the Nikon D500/D850/D5 use more or less the same menu system, it is very similar to Canon. takes 10 minutes to get used too. layout of the cameras are different too, the Nikons have more buttons on them but it is not a big deal to figure it out.

With Canon prices falling, you should be able to get a 1DXII if you wish to stay with Canon, but you won't have the 500PF.

Hi Arash, and thank you for the info. Could you comment on the auto focus of the D500 vs D850? I've read that the D500 is slightly better for BIF? Cheers again.

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Originally Posted by Paul Burdett

Hi Arash, and thank you for the info. Could you comment on the auto focus of the D500 vs D850? I've read that the D500 is slightly better for BIF? Cheers again.

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Hi Paul, The AF performance of the D850 and D500 are quite similar but the D500 shoots faster than the D850 with the grip (bare D850 is a bit slow) and also has a higher burst depth because its files are half the size of D850 so overall it is a more action oriented camera but the D850 makes up for that with 45 mega pixel full frame files that give a mind blowing IQ especially when you can shoot at close range. You can't go wrong with either and of course the D5 trumps both for action and high ISO.

Thanks again Arash...I appreciate your help.