Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Canon T6s Review


It was with great sadness that I boxed up my latest camera rental, the Canon T6s, from Borrowedlenses.com last week and returned it to them via Fed-Ex. I rented this camera for a ten day period, just as I had done with my first camera rental, the Fuji X-T1.


This time instead of taking the rental on a trip, I used it just as I would in my everyday life, which meant lots of mornings spent at the beach.


I tried a variety of my lenses on it, capturing some of my normal things like tug boats in the harbor, but I also put my underused telephoto lens on it and did a little wildlife shooting.


Now, I must admit that Canon is my comfort zone, as opposed to the Fuji that I tried the first time, and that may have flavored my happiness with the camera somewhat, but there were still some pros and cons to it.


First of all, the thing that I disliked the most about the Fuji X-T1, the LCD screen, is the thing I loved most about the Canon T6s. The ability of the Canon's screen to fully flip out and rotate 180 degrees was a big selling point for me. It was so much easier to compose a low to the ground shot with the Canon screen, and the ability for it to flip 180 degrees made my self-portraiture work so much easier. The Fuji screen only tilted, instead of flipping out and around. There is still a regular viewfinder, so once the shot is composed, I can set my focusing point through the viewfinder, having to bend only once instead of ten times, making my back so much happier.


Some additional pros - very light weight, and a locking button for the mode selector. My current Canon does not have that and I am always finding myself in Manual Mode or TV mode unintentionally.


Some cons - I did not like having the movie button grouped together with the on/off switch. More than once when it was dusky outside, I accidentally put it in movie mode, and then I wondered why when I got home and loaded my photos, I had some weird movies as well. Also, while I love that the body is lightweight, I wonder about the durability of it long term. I noticed already, this being a rental camera and used by a variety of people, that the latch for the battery compartment was starting to break. Speaking of batteries, I found the battery life to not be as long as my current five year old camera.


I was super happy with the image quality though, and noticed a nice improvement from my obsolete, five year old Canon T2i.

After renting the T6s, my decision was made, the articulating screen sold me, and in the two days that I waited for my new camera to arrive, there were a multitude of times that I wished I had that screen to use for a composition or low to the ground shot.


While you might be thinking I got the T6s, in spite of some of the cons, that would be incorrect. I bought one step up, the highest level Canon I could get with the articulating screen, the Canon 70D. The screen sold me, but I wanted a sturdier body, and a few more bells and whistles, including a dedicated AF Lock button, and a separate movie button. Also the battery life reviewed much higher than the T6s, an important factor when I am out and about all day.


There is a learning curve, as there is with anything new and different, but thus far, I am enjoying my new camera immensely.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

A great review Sarah my Panasonic FZ1000 has an articulated screen and it is so useful.

beth said...

other than the the flip screen which i am envious of, i think our cameras are very similar on so many levels. i use a pentax k-3 and love it, so i know you'll be happy with your purchase...especially the light weight of it. i have used snap sort.com when looking at other cameras…but i love your idea of RENTING first….simply brilliant!!!

Nancy said...

Your review is so complete that it makes me want to run out and buy this camera. I too am envious of the flip screen as that would be a great feature. Renting was certainly a great idea as now you have just the right camera for shooting your adventures. I hope you have a wonderful week, Sarah.....

Unknown said...

You DID it! Some great features for me to keep in mind as I start exploring the possibility of an upgrade in the next year or so.
Great review!

Dotti said...

I think you'll like the 70D. I got the 60D more than three years ago, before the 70D came out, and I love it. The battery life is superb.

Anonymous said...

One of the reasons I chose my Nikon d5100 (several years ago now) was its articulated screen, which I absolutely love. Great review, Sarah. Renting those two cameras so you could see how they functioned for your life and style of shooting was a brilliant idea and obviously paid off well.

Cathy H. said...

Congratulations on your new camera!! My Sony has the articulated screen and I 100% agree, IT'S WONDERFUL! Has saved my back and knees many ups and downs and I no longer have to lay on the grass or should I say get up from laying on the grass! I've been thinking about upgrading lately. My camera seems to be getting a little worn out and outdated. I'll stick with Sony since the lenses I've purchased are Sony and I've been very happy with the camera I have now. Also, love the shots you've taken, especially the old house in the weeds!

Nicki said...

Congratulations. I am sure you will enjoy it - I love the idea of renting first. Maybe one day I will take a dance with a Canon - just to test the water. (though between house appliances and kids, I'm pretty b.r.o.k.e.)

Suburban Girl said...

Congratulations, I hope you enjoy your purchase. I sure can see the point of that articulating screen with self portraits. That sure would make life easier! I just bought another camera and lens too. :)

sweetbriardreams said...

Brilliant idea to rent out first. I've got the Fuji HS50 EXR bridge camera and that has the articulating screen. One day I'll go for the Canon though (when I can seriously treat myself). Beautiful shots Sarah x

Angela said...

Buying a new camera is so exciting. With film cameras, you kept them for 20+ years, now it's 5 years and time to get a new one! Have fun with the new toy!!!!

Unknown said...

BIG congrats on your new baby!!!

Ahayes1225 said...

Yeah! you got your new camera. I was wondering. Did you decide on you lens yet?

Deanna said...

Aha, you made the big decision. I can certainly see why you decided on upgrading your Canon instead of going with the mirrorless. And so so brilliant of you to rent them both to help in your decision making. Lovely images!!

Vivienne said...

SO exciting you got the 70 D! I hear such good things about it and I'm totally jealous of the articulating screen.....SO good for selfies for sure! Loving hearing about all the pros and cons of the T6 too!

Beverly said...

Your process is really great....rent to test out, and find what fits your needs. This is a great review and helpful insight for others in search of new/different cameras. Enjoy!! Love your photos Sarah!

Lynne said...

Love this renting to try out camera thingy . . . such a great idea!
Love the Learning Curve final photo . . .
Congrat's on your "newbie!"

Lissa Forbes said...

Great review, Sarah. I'm so happy for you that you got a new camera that you like. You deserve it. I found it very funny to read you thoughts on the articulating screen. I had to pull out my Nikon and look at it because it's been so long since I used that that I forgot my camera had one ... and I actually laid down on one of the boardwalks at Yellowstone to take a picture!!! Haha!

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Sarah!
I am looking forward to all of the wonderful images you will make with it.

DETONA SHOP said...

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Canon T6s

Michelle B said...

Congratulations on your new camera! It is a hard decision, there are so many out there to choose from. Renting is a great idea to 'try before you buy'. All of your images are beautiful, I love the depth of field in the bird and deck image and the last one is my favorite.

Jeanne said...

Very exciting to get your new camera. I loved getting my new Nikon D800 last year and have had so much fun with it. Enjoy! Love your images and the lighting you have captured is lovely

Electric | Journal said...

Congrats on the new camera! The articulating screen is a must-have for me, too... my first digital camera had it, and I was hooked. So when I moved up to a dSLR, that was a required feature. I use it every day for shooting, and I also like that it protects my screen when not in use. I look forward to seeing the images you shoot with it.