It’s finally here – my D6 wildlife photography review!
For this review, I hit the road for just over five weeks photographing wildlife in Theodore Rosevelt NP, Badlands NP, Custer SP, and a final two weeks in Yellowstone NP. During this trip, I really put the camera through its paces for action, stills, low light – you name it. Over 18K shots and counting!
This review was done entirely on the road and the truth is I’m only now heading home. It took far longer than I ever anticipated, but I think it turned out really well. It covers everything – build, ergonomics, new features, autofocus, sensor performance, frame rate, buffer, customization, recommendations and more. Enjoy!
(As always, your comments and shares are GREATLY appreciated.)
Purchase / Support
If you would like to purchase a D6, please consider using my Amazon link by clicking here. If you would like to help support these reviews, please consider a voluntary contribution.
Nikon Setting Guide PDF With AF Info:
Here is the link to the Nikon Sports Shooters PDF mentioned in the video (note it’s in their Support section now)/
FAQs
Q:
How does the D6 AF compare to the Sony a9ii AF?
A:
From what I can tell, they are neck and neck. The trick is, in some circumstances, the D6 is a bit better, in others, I prefer the a9ii.
For example, when photographing black bears, the Sony struggles sometimes with the dark eyes and does a bit more hunting than I like – however, the D6 usually latches right on.
On the other hand, Sony’s tracking is far better than what the D6 offers (3D). Only the fastest of subjects get away from that a9ii! I caught swallows taking off with the a9ii’s flexible spot tracking that were total misses with Nikon’s 3D and Auto AF (the D6 lost the lock instantly).
There are also differences with the AF areas. In some cases, the D6 AF areas are better suited for a subject, in others, I prefer the Sony. I also like that the D6 single point AF area are relatively smaller in the viewfinder than the Sony single point area.
The truth is, both are outstanding and in 98% of the situations, I can get the shot with either AF system.
GPS Battery Drain
Still on the road – I’ll post it when I can.
ISO Tests
Below you’ll find the ISO comparisons mentioned in the video. Click them for a larger view (they’ll open in a new page) and you may need to click a second time to see them at full size. Also, I’ve included B&W versions as well since it’s easier to evaluate luminance noise in B&W.
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
ISO 12,800
ISO 25,600
ISO 51,200
ISO 102,400
Sample Photos
Below is a selection of sample photos from the review. The truth is, this is only a fraction of what I captured; however, there’s only so much time in the day for post-processing. If I were to try and get everything I photographed (and liked) processed, you wouldn’t see this review until late fall, LOL!
Also, whenever someone posts a review with photos, invariably someone always comments with something along the lines of, “Gee, I could have taken that shot with my [fill in the blank] camera!”
And it’s 100% true.
However, it also sort of misses the point of owning a fast, high-end camera.
The truth is that, had you been standing next to me using the same kind of lens, the same exposure, had locked focus, and shot at the exact same moment as I did, then yes, you would get the same shot. You technically don’t need a D6 to get ANY single image shown below – you could, in theory, capture them with any camera.
The bigger question is – could you have reliably captured them ALL?
That’s where cameras like the D6 come into their own. It’s not so much that they captured a single great shot, it’s that they make it easier to consistently capture great moments whenever they materialize in the viewfinder. Their AF speed, frame rate, enormous buffer, and overall performance can help a skilled photographer (or even me) capture a higher percentage of keepers than other cameras. It’s really that simple.
I know I could have captured most of these with my D850 – but I’m willing to admit there are at least a few in there that I likely would have missed too. Especially when the light gets low 🙂
At any rate, here are a few select images from the review. Give ’em a click to enlarge.
D6, 180-400 @ 400mm, 1/2500th, F/4.5, ISO 3200
D6, 600mm F/4 + 1.4TC, 1/4000th, F/8, ISO 2200
PS – If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll REALLY like my e-books and video workshops! Thousands of pages and hours of videos filled with tips, tricks, and techniques – all my best content! Check ’em out – click here (hey, it’s free to look).
No regrets buying the D6 a year ago now. I agree that the upgrades in menu options etc are worth the D6 title. Amazing camera.
Hi Steve,
great stuff, I have the D500, and am thinking of getting a D6, was thinking of the D5, but I want the GPS and some of the other updated features. Thanks a bunch, did not need to see this or the companion video, and I mean this in a good way.
update on battery usage and GPS?
.
Great, useful , to the point presentations of the D6 menus and performances for Wild life photography. I recommended you site to my daughter who is now interested in digital photography. Do you have a D750 presentation? Thanks
Splendid review! Quick question: link to the D6 Professional Setting Guide above is no longer working. Steve, or anyone else who might know, is there an alternate location to obtain the guide from?
Thank you in advance.
Parag
Found it here: https://download.nikonimglib.com/archive4/yRzwM00y6xZQ04DyooV66Ekvq528/D6_TG_AF_(En)02.pdf
Hi Steve,
Thanks for a great video, quite helpful. I used your idea of using the video record bottom for AF-area mode selection. I switch the control to the main command dial since I rather use it (f6, autofocus setting ON), and set the a15, Autofocus mode restriction to disable AFS to avoid switching to it by mistake (from painful experience:)
Thanks again!
Ehud
Hi Steve, Thank you for the detail field review. I find the photos are unusable when shot above ISO 6400, the noise are too much even for noise reduction software to fix. Do you think the hypes of high ISO justified? There is also another surprising thing on ISO. I took my D850 and D6 for Milkyway photography. I used ISO 3200 on both camera, but D850 was at 24mm f/2.8 whereas D6 was at 14mm f/2.8. While D850 gave a perfect exposure of the sky for 25 sec, I was not able to use more than 15 sec in… Read more »
Hi Steve,
I just wanted to run this by you and if you have suggestions to go about getting a fix for it. It seems like firmware, but who knows. When I shoot D6 with 800mm 5.6 wide open which includes using 1.25x everything works fine, but when not wide open, the fps decreases significantly. This happens with both VR on and off. I am not having issue with 600f4. I have logged issue with Nikon and I am waiting for response. Besides this issue, I really have been enjoying using the D6. Thank you for your insight.
This is a wide-spread problem and Nikon knows about it for sure. So far, no fixes though.
Steve, thanks for the quick reply, good know that its not just a few of us.
Btw, Love all of your videos and books, all are so well done. Your info has definitely made my results much better.
Hi Steve, great review! I’m using D850, D500, Z7 – decided to replace my D500 with the Z6… Not a good idea! AF isn’t really exiting using the FTZ-adapter with my 500/5.6, so – after following your reviews about Z-series and D6 decided a few days ago to buy a used D5 (24t shots) replacing the “new” Z6 (wildlife). First time i know what “AF” really means :-))). Next step: Selling the D850 for a D6 :-)). Have a great time!
D6 better than D5
D5 better than D4
D4 better than D3
D3 better than D2
D2 better than D1
But nothing is better than Steve’s techniques nor Steve’s pictures quality 😉
I fully agree
Great review. One correction though, you said you can no longer assign metering modes to the custom functions. I was also afraid this would be a dealbreaker for me however, while you canindeed no longer do this the same way as with the D5, using the updated recall shooting function with only the metering mode selected (and the correct one chosen) you can however still assign metering modes this way.
Hi Steve, great video. I have been using my D6 for about 2 weeks and just finding my way around it. Your video was terrific and gave me lots of new settings to try. I have one question, I have noticed that the multi-selector button on my D6 seems to have more movement or “play” than the button on my D850. I then noticed at 33:53 – 33:56 of the video, yours looks to have the same amount of movement. Have you noticed a difference or am I imagining things?
That’s pretty typical of multi-selectors. They all seem just a bit different from camera to camera, nothing to worry about 🙂
Great review and important to have real world use to compare performance. What struck me was the lack of improvement in AF cross sensor sensitivity with the D6. Evidently the technology is lagging behind other electronic enhancements. I need the TC-14 to get the image size with the D6 that I get without the teleconverter with the same lens on the D850, but with the teleconverter on a D6 one loses the autofocus gain potential of this camera. Oddly the sensitivity of the cross AF cross sensors is better on the D850 than the D5 and D6. At f/8 the… Read more »
The D5 and D850 have the same number of cross types at F/8 I believe. I think the reason we only have one F/8 cross-type in the D6 instead of 5 is that the ones in the D5/D850 are physically smaller and so maintain the necessary line of site through the smaller F/8 aperture. And that’s the biggest problem with the F-mount in general. The reason we get so few cross types (or why they fall off) is due to the physical blockage of the light path by the diaphragm itself. Of course, all AF sensors on the Z series… Read more »
Great review again Steve & thanks for the same.I mainly do birds with my d850 & D 500 with 500 pf.I was waiting eagerly for this review & the question that i have is whether i should go for a D6 or a 500 mm F4 (money is not the consideration) for low light bird photography
Had been eagerly anticipating this, like many others, when I watched yesterday and have rewatched a number of segments. Your qualified or guarded enthusiasm for the D6 speaks volumes, as does imploring everyone to make their own informed decisions. Perhaps the strongest endorsement for me comes at approx. 42:10 when you say “the D5 and D6 are better suited to photographers who lean more to fast action scenarios and frequently shoot in low light…since I tend to resemble that remark…”. I have no illusions that a D6 would make me a better photographer (your books and tutorials have, though) but… Read more »
better than the D500 and D850??
Steve, Your review of the D6 was well done and to the point on features and menus. As a D5 user I was curious about the D6. I appreciate your professional review and you have piqued my interest in the D6. The price tag of the D6 even with an offset of selling/trading my D5 is still considerable. For the time being I will be keeping my D5 as it really suits all my shooting needs and I do have a D850 as my second body. Again, your review was just the type on information I needed to make an… Read more »
Glad to help 🙂
Steve
Not in the market for a D6 which is too much camera for me to be honest but always watch your videos and have several e-books, the main draw for me is your wonderful photographs and these are exceptional !
Thank you!
Steve,
Looking at the comparison in ISO performance between the D5 and D6, it seems to me that the D6 is not as good which is disappointing to me. If this is true, how would you rate these two cameras against each other on other specs and performance? Thanks.
The ISO difference – I think – is because the D6 files seem to have more contrast. The rest of the specs are covered in the video 🙂
Steve, a very timely review as I am agonizing over what to choose to upgrade my beloved D500s. Excellent job as always and very insightful discussion. Thanks again for all the hard work… Given the shrinking market share, the reduced market size, and the competition from Sony (which as a chip maker is in better position) do you see a D7 ever? And, if the 850 is the best general wild life camera, how much better is it than the D500 when it comes to low light? I really do not see the point of full frame if many of… Read more »
I tell people that if you think you’ll always (or mostly) crop the D850 to DX size, just get a D500 and save the $$$. You’ll get the same results, save cash, and have a higher performance camera (frame rate / buffer / and a little better AF).
My Sony A9 mark 1 and A7R III regularly fail to AF on a small bird in medium ground and others have the same experience. The D500 reliably locks on by contrast. Do you find problems with the A9 II?
I haven’t encountered that problem (or situation) yet – but – sadly I haven’t had much field time with the a9ii either. So, gotta say I don’t know on this one.
Terrific review of the D6. As always, not only do you talk about what the setting is, but you put it into real use in the field. Your discussion of the AF system and customization alone is worth watching the entire video.
The D6 has lots of potential customizations. Great job with the review and all the examples.
Thanks for the great field review. User impressions supported by the how’s and why’s are far more telling than just a spec sheet.
Greetings from Costa Rica. I watched twice not to miss a thing. Superb and comprehensive explanation of field work. One question regarding the teleconverter. Do they deliver soft focus on a D6 or you did not notice the difference with or without it?
It performed exactly the same as on the D5. You take a little hit with it attached and need a bit of extra sharpening. It gets the job done though.
I have the greatest respect for Steve Perry and continue to believe he is the best photography expert anywhere. Certainly the D6 is a technical tour de force. Now, the rest of us should just get back to making great wildlife (and other subjects) with our quite adequate, existing equipment. It’s a breathtaking review, but is more about Steve’s fascination with technical aspects of an expensive camera.
Awesome shots. How do you manage to always get the perfect exposure?
Lots of experience (and following my own advice in the Exposure & Metering book too). Plus, most of these subjects were pretty middle-toned.
Steve, Great review and beautiful images. I always enjoy your informative and easy to follow reviews.
It looks like you had a wonderful trip to the parks. Nice to hear your +1 for the future of Pro DSLR’s.
Steve,
That swallow picture at 10,000 ISO just blows my mind. My little D7500 has ISO envy.
I did use a bit of noise reduction 🙂
I think that’s an issue with this review (and many others), you are showing your skills with post processing as much as what the D6 can deliver. I think we would understand more of the D6 capability from seeing your raw D6 images, if you want also side by side with the post processed. But clearly showing this is what the D6 delivered & this is what I did with it in post.