Canon 6D EFSC vibration test

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:13 pm

After the unexpected bad experience (*) with vibration blur with the Canon 60D in LV silent mode, a problem not present in most EOS bodies (including my 7D) (**) I was curious about the new relatively affordable full frame 6D, on paper a very desirable camera for macro and micro photographers, so I picked my brother's just bought 6D for few days.
My first impression was not good: the noise at the expossure start is much heavier than the 7D one.

I hooked it to my Zeiss Standard microscope to test it at different magnifications and expossure times. In principle the maximum vibration blur is to be expected around 1/60s to 1/15s while with long times as 2s most vibration must be damped not affecting the image.

All my tests results show the same: no vibration blur with EFSC

This is one of the results:

Taken with a 40X 0.70 NPL Fluotar Leitz objective, total magnification on sensor 100X, Brightfield oblique illumination. 100% (actual pixels) crop. Just converted from RAW with DPP without any aditional PP.
Be aware that the diatom Pleurosigma is a classic test object for 40X objectives. All visible resolution is present in the pictures.

Of course, shotting without EFSC the images are blured as expected.

(*) http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... 6665#76665

(**) http://krebsmicro.com/Canon_EFSC/index.html

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 7:27 pm

Thanks for the test Pau. I have been wondering about the Canon FF EFSC performance. I'm a little confused about one of your first statements:

"My first impression was not good: the noise at the expossure start is much heavier than the 7D one"

Under what conditions did the 6D look worse than the 7D?

Thanks again...Ray

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:34 pm

ray_parkhurst wrote:"My first impression was not good: the noise at the expossure start is much heavier than the 7D one"

Under what conditions did the 6D look worse than the 7D?

I wondered about this too. After several readings, I concluded that probably Pau's first impression was based on the audible sound alone, but then the images looked good despite the louder noise. I'll be interested to learn if that interpretation was right.

--Rik

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 1:54 am

Ray, Rik,
Yes my "first impression" refers to the sound at the expossure start when I hand holded the camera before testing it. Of course it also happens during the tests but after an afternoon testing it I was unable to see any vibration induced blur.
Sorry if I didn't write it enough clear

ray_parkhurst · Post by **ray_parkhurst** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 2:04 pm

No worries Pau, I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something important about your observations. Thanks again for the test...Ray

Guido · Post by **Guido** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 10:54 pm

I did read somewere that EFSC is turned off if a flash is used.

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:36 am

Guido,
Yes, if the camera detects a Canon compatible flash it disables EFSC. With generic flashes it's not disabled but the flash doesn't fire because it needs the shutter signal to synchronise.

Fredlab · Post by **Fredlab** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:42 am

Hello

With flash, you don't need EFSC...
lighting is really short, so it freezes all movements.

Fredlab · Post by **Fredlab** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:44 am

I can confirm : EFSC with EOS 500D & 550D is efficient
(to link with another discussion)

Guido · Post by **Guido** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 1:06 am

Fredlab wrote:Hello

With flash, you don't need EFSC...
lighting is really short, so it freezes all movements.

I often try to get the amount flash and ambient light in balance. In that case a problem could occur.