Canon EOS 6D Review

Canon 6D
Canon 6D with Rokinon 14mm/2.8 and 24mm/1.4, one of my favorite full-frame set ups for astrophotography

My review of the Canon EOS 6D: one of the best full-frame cameras for astrophotography

I’ve had the pleasure of using the Canon EOS 6D for over a year. It’s still Canon’s cheapest full-frame camera in production. I would argue the 6D is one of the best full-frame cameras you can buy for astrophotography. This review will be a quick overview of my thoughts on using the 6D as my primary camera for astrophotography. I’ll start with what I don’t like and then I’ll move on to what I love. At the end of the article you’ll find some of my favorite photos from the 6D from the last year.

This isn’t a comparison post or a pixel peeping post, it’s merely my opinions about the 6D. There are plenty of other articles that compare the 6D to its current generation rivals. (Here and here for example.)

The Quirks

  • No tilt screen. This is honestly the most annoying aspect of this camera. It seems like a trivial point to make since tilt screens are usually associated with cheaper cameras and most professional level cameras aren’t expected to have a tilt screen. But when it comes to astrophotography in particular, the lack of a tilt screen makes composition and focusing much harder when the camera is positioned low to the ground. Since astrophotography usually calls for photos with more than half of the frame featuring the sky, it’s very common to place the camera in a low position so that your foreground subjects are situated against the sky. With the 6D you’ll find yourself on your stomach trying to look at the LCD when it’s this low to the ground. Strangely, the cheaper APS-C offerings by Canon, the EOS 60D and EOS 70D both have tilt screens.
  • The buttons are spongy. For normal operation, this is never a problem. When shooting photos in the dark, it’s impossible to know what you’re pressing. I’ve had this camera for a year and you would think that I’d have gotten used to where all the buttons are placed, but it’s surprisingly easy to accidentally press the “Q” button when you mean to press the “Magnify” button, or press the “Magnify” button when you meant to press the “Q” button. All three of these buttons are placed for easy access to your thumb, but all of them are flush with the body and have no tactile feedback whatsoever.

    Canon EOS 6D Rear Buttons
    In the dark it’s really easy to mispress buttons on the 6D.
  • It doesn’t have a built in intervalometer. This is a complaint I could make about most DSLRs. Why camera manufacturers have not made a software intervalometer a feature on every camera is beyond me. It would require minimal development time and needs no extra hardware. What this means is that the 6D requires either an additional accessory for making time lapse sequences or you must install (through some initially daunting steps) a community developed custom firmware hack called Magic Lantern. I use Magic Lantern on the 6D, and it works, but stability is still not 100%, and it’s usage is not the fastest and is a little daunting for some. Furthermore, it adds a lot of menu complexity and the potential to induce some unusual behavior in your camera that may trip you up unless you realize that you may have forgotten having enabled some strange setting on Magic Lantern. If you want to install Magic Lantern on your 6D, you’ll need to follow the directions posted on the forum thread here. If you’re serious about time lapse creation and you own a Canon DSLR, Magic Lantern is essential. I have no clue why Canon has not caught on and offered all the functionality offered by Magic Lantern out of the box.
Magic Lantern Canon EOS 6D
The Magic Lantern firmware hack adds a much missed software intervalometer and other advanced functions to the Canon EOS 6D.
  • Enabling the GPS drains the battery fast. I love the idea of geo-tagging my photos, but if you leave the GPS enabled your battery life will suffer. I’m not keen on reducing my battery life significantly so I try to leave it disabled until I need it. Since it’s one extra thing to enable before shooting, I often forget about it and don’t bother, making it an awesome feature that you’re not likely to use.
  • The Wi-Fi remote control is slow and clunky. It works most of the time, but its operation is not fast enough to be truly practical as a professional tool. The image often lags far behind and the connection will often drop at ranges as short as 20 feet. Furthermore, there’s no way to override the mode dial selection via the remote software, meaning that if you decide to switch from aperture priority to manual exposure mode, you’ll need to go back and handle the camera. Also, given the slow performance of the Wi-Fi remote function, your cell phone or tablet isn’t as practical a replacement for a tilt screen as you may think it could be.

The Goods

  • It’s the lightest full-frame DSLR. The only thing lighter in full frame is the Sony A7 and A7R, but they’re mirrorless and are super new to the market, so they have a much reduced selection of full-frame lenses. (Although Rokinon just made the awesome 14mm/2.8 and 24mm/1.4 available for the Sony A mount.) When compared to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, the 6D feels featherlight.
  • The build quality is tank-like. It’s been said that one of the benefits of the 5D Mark III over the 6D is better build quality, but I’m not seeing it. In over a year of truly hard use, my 6D looks nearly new. It has no finish loss anywhere, the screen is scratch free and there are no dings anywhere. Sure, it has more plastic in its construction than the 5D Mark III, but it’s super tough anyway.
  • Excellent low-light, high ISO performance. This is what astrophotographers want to know. The Canon EOS 6D makes the cleanest looking high ISO astrophotos that I’ve ever seen from a full-frame DSLR.  They retain a tremendous amount of detail, even when pushed several stops in post processing. I have no hesitation using the camera up to ISO 12800 in any conditions. This means that the camera can make successful exposures of the Milky Way with lenses as slow as f/4.0 (although I would recommend a fast lens with an f/number of f/2.8 or lower). This trait alone makes it one of the best cameras that you can buy. I’m not a pixel peeper, but the image quality from the 6D is nothing short of amazing. It’s a leap beyond my old Canon 5D Mark II and just pulls ahead of most other full-frame DSLRs in the high ISO department.
Canon 6D ISO 12800 Astrophoto
Alabama Hills, California. Even at ISO 12800, files from the Canon 6D are super clean. Canon EOS 6D, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 @ f/2.8, 30 seconds, ISO 12800. Straight from the camera.
  • Quiet shutter mode is nice and soft sounding. I didn’t get the Canon 6D for how quiet it would be but it’s something that I’ve come to love about the camera. When silent mode is enabled, it’s significantly quieter than any other DLSR I’ve used but still has a pleasant level of audible feedback. It’s not silent, but it’s very pleasant.
  • Video performance is excellent. As an alternative to the Canon EOS 5D mark III, it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles. But at $1000 cheaper, the 6D video mode is no slouch. it offers everything you need to make professional quality HD video. Pair that with the excellent selection of lenses that you have available for the EF mount and the 6D is probably the best video DSLR you can buy in terms of price to performance. Furthermore, if you install the Magic Lantern firmware hack, you can unlock some missed functions like headphone monitoring, focus peaking and programmable focus pull.
  • Live-View in low light is very clean. Compared to most other DSLRs and mirrorless cameras alike, the 6D has a very clean live view feed. This makes focusing for astrophotographs very nice even when using extended ISOs in extremely dark conditions. Pair the 6D with a fast lens for astrophotography like the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 and focusing on the stars is rather easy.
  • It’s weather sealed. While I don’t usually like to take my cameras out in the rain, the 6D has adequate weather sealing and in the year I’ve used it, it’s seen its fair share of water and dust and has given me no problems whatsoever. I’ve also never needed to clean the sensor, save for the rare use of a Giottos rocket blower. As far as I’ve seen, the 6D is weather tight.

Keeping with a rather minimalist setup, I primarily used only 3 lenses with the Canon EOS 6D: the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 and Rokinon 14mm f/2.8. For astrophotography, the 24mm f/1.4 is my most used lens and most of the images you see below were made with it. Combined with the 6D, it makes some of the cleanest images of the Milky Way I’ve ever seen. Okay, enough prose. Here are some of my favorite images made with the 6D during the last year:

Canon-EOS-6D Hidden Dunes
Canon EOS 6D, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 @ f/11, 1/400th, ISO 200

The northerly view from Hidden Dunes in Death Valley National Park. 14mm of a full frame camera like the 6D makes for a very wide angle view which is great for large sweeping landscapes.

Canon-EOS-6D Galactic Center
Canon EOS 6D, Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 @ f/1.4, 45s, ISO 1600

Above is a crop of the galactic center and the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex around the bright yellow star Antares. With the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4, the 6D can capture an amazing amount of star detail. Furthermore, the large aperture on the 24mm f/1.4 allowed me to use a relatively low sensitivity of ISO 1600 so the image is practically noise free.

Canon-EOS-6D Milky Way Galactic Center from Death Valley
Canon EOS 6D, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, 60s, ISO 6400

The above image from Panamint Valley in Death Valley National Park is a single frame from my Lonely Speck teaser timelapse sequence used the beginning of my YouTube videos.

Canon EOS 6D Milky Way from Trona Pinnacles
Canon EOS 6D, Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 @ f/1.4, 13s, ISO 3200

The galactic center from Trona Pinnacles, California. This is also another single frame from a timelapse sequence made during an astrophotography workshop.

Canon EOS 6D Milky Way from Alabama Hills Mobius Arch
Canon EOS 6D, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 @ f/2.8, 30s, ISO 6400

The above image was made during an astrophotography workshop in Alabama Hills where my participants, a young couple, decided to get engaged under the Milky Way.

Canon EOS 6D Santa Monica Sunset
Canon EOS 6D, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 @ f/1.4, 1/640th, ISO 1600
Canon EOS 6D Santa Monica Levitation
Canon EOS 6D, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 @ f/1.4, 1/60th, ISO 6400
Canon EOS 6D Wake Levitation
Canon EOS 6D, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 @ f/1.4, 1/60th, ISO 6400

The three portraits above are from a series of daily photography that I started at the beginning of the year: 50 image with a 50mm lens. All three were made with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 shot wide open which is my favorite lens for portraits with the 6D. The levitation shots are simple composites where I removed a small chair used to support the subjects.

Canon EOS 6D Pumice Valley
Canon EOS 6D, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 @ f/1.4, 1/4000th, ISO 100

The above was made in Pumice Valley near Mammoth Lakes, California. In 2010 a brush fire swept through the valley leaving behind clear ground for bright red buckwheat plants to grow in the ashes. It made for a surreal setting of burnt black and white sculpted sagebrush scattered on a blanket of red.

Canon EOS 6D Milky Way from Joshua Tree National Park
Canon EOS 6D, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 @ f/2.0, 10s, ISO 3200

It turns out the a 50mm lens, although rather narrow angle of view for astrophotography, works quite well at capturing the stars. This image is a stitch of three 10 second photos with the Sigma 5omm which made for an angle of view very similar to a 35mm lens.

Canon EOS 6D Milky Way from Joshua Tree National Park
Canon EOS 6D, Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 @ f/1.4, 15s, ISO 6400

Finally, from the same location as the previous photo, this is a wider view made on the following day with a 24mm.

Conclusions

The Canon EOS 6D is one of the the best full frame DSLRs for landscape astrophotography. Even with relatively slow lenses, it’s capable of producing exceptionally clean and noise free images of the Milky Way. While I wish it had a tilting LCD for easier use with low camera positions and wish that the buttons were raised and gave more tactile feedback, it more than makes up for these quirks with its clean and color rich images. If you’re considering a full-frame camera particularly for low light images and astrophotography, the 6D is one of the best choices especially for it’s relatively low price.

You can buy the Canon EOS 6D from B&H here: (Body/Kit) Note: The kit lens is very good for most situations but if you’re serious about astrophotography, buy the body only and pair it with a fast prime like the Rokinon 24mm.

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We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also a participant in the B&H Affiliate Program which also allows us to earn fees by linking to bhphotovideo.com.

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Astrophotography 101 is completely free for everyone. All of the lessons are available on the Lonely Speck Astrophotography 101 page for you to access at any time. Enter your email and whenever we post a new lesson you’ll receive it in your inbox. We won’t spam you and your email will stay secure. Furthermore, updates will be sent out only periodically, usually less than once per week.

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Believe it or not, Lonely Speck is my full-time job. It’s been an amazing experience for us to see a community develop around learning astrophotography and we’re so happy to be a small part of it. I have learned that amazing things happen when you ask for help so remember that we are always here for you. If you have any questions about photography or just want to share a story, contact us! If you find the articles here helpful, consider helping us out with a donation.

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Thanks so much for being a part of our astrophotography adventure.

-Ian

59 Replies to “Canon EOS 6D Review”

  1. Hi! Great stuff here. One thing I have noticed with my Canon 6d is that I get purple bottom corners. I assume this is due to sensor heating. It gets really noticeable @iso 6400 or above. It looks pretty much non-existent in your shots, but it looks like you have done something to your corners where I have that issue. I noticed it mainly in the

    “Canon EOS 6D, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, 60s, ISO 6400 The above image from Panamint Valley in Death Valley National Park is a single frame from my Lonely Speck teaser timelapse sequence used the beginning of my YouTube videos”

    image. I was wondering if you experience those purplish corners. You photos are amazing BTW.

    Thanks!

  2. Great article Ian. I have owned a 6D for a year or more now and it is the best camera I have ever owned. Although I have always loved low light shots, I have only recently started gaining an interest in astrophotography and I am still learning (and yearning for a Rokinon 24mm f1.4).

    Any thoughts on the little 40mm f2.8 as an astrophotography lens? I have tried it once or twice but it seems to suffer from coma a lot unless you stop down a lot.

    You mentioned the lack of intervalometer. If you plug into a laptop, the software that comes with the 6D has an intervalometer that controls the camera from the laptop. I’ve not tried it yet but it looked useful.

    I had the CHDK hack on my little Canon SX40 and found the intervalometer a bit unreliable in its timing. Sometimes it seemed to leave a longer gap between shots.

    Thanks again. I am a new Lonely Speck fan from down under (Australia) and looking forward to getting out there more often.

    1. I’ve used the little 40mm a bit and it’s actually not bad, particularly for panorama stitching. I think it’s a good compromise between speed and portability.

  3. Great article! I have a question about which Sigma 50mm f/1.4 you used in the levitation photos? The link to B&H takes you to two Sigma lenses, a less expensive EX DG HSM lens and a more expensive DG HSM Art? Thanks!

    1. I used the 50mm EX DG HSM but the Art version is much improved for night photography in particular.

    2. I’ve got one more question, how would you compare the 6d to x-t1 in terms of timelapse sequences? I’ve got a x-e1 now and i’m looking to upgrade to something a little more rugged. I’ve taken a friends 6d and a couple lenses on a 3 day hike and after a day or so you can definitely feel the heft. After reading your x-t1 review I was pretty impressed with its quality and would absolutely appreciate the weight savings compared to the 6d but I haven’t really been able to find many examples of it being used for timelapse work. Thanks!

    3. I prefer the X-T1 for timelapses because of the built-in intervalometer. You can install Magic Lantern on a 6D to do the same but it’s not as easy to set up.

  4. Hey Ian,

    Would you recommend using the handheld night scene mode on the 6d for casual night shots of, say, a nighttime city landscape shot, Or casual handheld night shots within a city. Or is there a better way to get sharper less noisy images with these types of shots in mind?
    Also would you recommend the rokinons for city night shots as well seeing as how the city itself would have a lot more light but I would still want the night sky to be noise free.

    Thanks!

    1. When we’re not in a photon limited environment (like a bright city), pretty much any lens will do, it doesn’t need to be a fast prime like most of the Rokinon lenses I recommend here on Lonely Speck. For any night shots I would always recommend a tripod. That said, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t be able to shoot handheld, provided you are using a high enough ISO or low enough f/number. I’m not sure what the handheld night scene mode has in its programming but it’s likely something similar. For the cleanest shots, instead use a tripod and shoot a nice bright exposure at a low ISO.

      At night in a city, when using a tripod, it’s possible to stop down a bit (to about f/5.6 – f/8.0) for maximum sharpness since there is so much more light. Using the higher f/number, a longer exposure and a lower ISO will usually make for some very clean results. This can be done in aperture priority (Av) or manual mode (M). One of the “benefits” of stopping down to a slower aperture for a shot of city lights is that the brightest lights will usually appear to have starbursts around them due to the diffraction of light around the closed aperture blades. This phenomenon usually looks really cool (in my opinion). All lenses will behave this way when stopped down, including the Rokinons. The number of points in the star is usually determined by the number of blades in the lens aperture diaphragm. An even number of aperture blades will have an equal number of points in its starbursts. An odd number of aperture blades will have double the number of starbursts. For example: a lens with 8 blades (like most Canons/Rokinons) will have an 8 pointed starburst on bright lights when stopped down. A lens with 9 blades (like many Sigmas or Zeiss Lenses) will have 18 pointed starbursts.

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