With the introduction of a new Vari-angle LCD monitor, you can now capture shots from bolder angles using the EOS 6D Mark II. This new camera, equipped with the DIGIC 7 image processor which produces sharp images with negligible noise, is an ideal camera for landscape photography. In this article, I will outline my first impressions of the EOS 6D Mark II together with some actual landscape shots. (Reported by: Toshiki Nakanishi)

 

Stretching the potential of landscape photography with the lightweight full-frame body and Touch Shutter

It was midsummer when I travelled around the hills of Biei with the EOS 6D Mark II. It is also the most colourful and photogenic time of the year with flowers blooming everywhere, forming vibrant patchwork-like patterns that bring out the character of Hokkaido. The newly-released EOS 6D Mark II did an excellent job in capturing such a lovely season.

EOS 6D Mark II/ EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM/ FL: 400mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/400 sec, EV+1.0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight

I found a field that was filled with a mix of blossoming white buckwheat and yellow sunflowers. To avoid ending up with a cluttered composition, I set focus using Touch AF on the most eye-catching flower in the middle of the field while blurring both the foreground and background.

 

The full-frame image sensor with a resolution of approximately 26.2 megapixels produces a detailed depiction of the scenery, while the enhanced DIGIC 7 image processor delivers a sharp image. Thanks to the allowance in the pixel pitch, the gradation reproduced is also rich and noise is further reduced, so users can now enjoy images with a richer tone than before.

Photographers will be delighted with the addition of the Vari-angle LCD monitor to the compact and lightweight body that characterises cameras in the EOS 6D line. Used in combination with the Touch Shutter feature supported with Dual Pixel CMOS AF, you can now try out even bolder angles. I am certain that the EOS 6D Mark II will help you produce landscape photos from new perspectives.

 

Photo Gallery

EOS 6D Mark II/ EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM/ FL: 28mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/160 sec, EV-1.0)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight

An image that seamlessly incorporates the summer clouds and the wheat field. I had scouted the wheat field earlier for the shoot, and quickly made my way to it upon seeing clouds rising into the sky in the north on the evening of this hot summer day. The timing was perfect – the clouds created shadows that helped to make the sunlight look more intense.

 

EOS 6D Mark II/ EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM/ FL: 18mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/8 sec, EV-1.7)/ ISO 200/ WB: Auto

The orange hue of the evening glory matches well with the sunflower blossoms that are facing the east. I had a hunch that the sky would be this brilliant colour on that day, and therefore chose this location for the shoot. And as the sun started to go down, a spectacular show started.

 

EOS 6D Mark II/ EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM/ FL: 214mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/8, 1/8 sec, EV-1.7)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight

Deep, dramatic colours of sunrise that only appeared for a few minutes before the sun was completely up. You might encounter such a scene on mornings when the weather goes through drastic changes. Such intense colours can be challenging to depict faithfully, but the EOS 6D Mark II was able to reproduce the red tone beautifully without it appearing saturated.

 

EOS 6D Mark II/ EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM/ FL: 176mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/3 sec, EV-0.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight

I made my way to the location of the shoot in anticipation that fog would occur due to the temperature difference between the water and the surrounding air. The EOS 6D Mark II demonstrated its excellent photographic power through both the detailed reproduction of the wet trees and the silky texture of the fog.

 

EOS 6D Mark II/ EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM/ FL: 227mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/16, 1/15 sec, EV+1.0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight

Beer barley grass rustling in the wind. To convey the atmosphere of the location faithfully, I released the shutter several times, intending to create an image that was partially in focus by making good use of the slight motion blur in the subject.

 

EOS 6D Mark II/ EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM/ FL: 93mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/11, 1/250 sec, EV+0.3)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight

It is more difficult than expected to capture the details of the summer clouds. While blowout tends to occur in the highlights of the clouds under most circumstances, the EOS 6D Mark II was able to produce an image that retained the gradation.

 

For more information about the EOS 6D Mark II, check out the following articles: 
What’s New on the EOS 6D Mark II: 13 Key Features (Part 1)
What’s New on the EOS 6D Mark II: 13 Key Features (Part 2)

 

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