Gear Reviews
Hands-on camera, lens, iPhone accessory, lighting, and editing software reviews by Ely Roberts. Browse the latest reviews below, or use the Reviews menu to explore a category.
Canon R5 II vs R6 III: My Real-World Photography Choice
After using both cameras, I would be comfortable photographing my work with the Canon R6 III.
After using both cameras, I would be comfortable photographing my work with the Canon R6 III. This comparison explains which R5 II advantages matter to me and why the R6 III may be the better value for my own kit.
Originally published on YouTube Feb 5, 2026.
Where the R5 II still appeals
I value its higher-resolution files, viewfinder, and the electronic-shutter performance I have experienced. Its controls also avoid the mode dial I tend to bump on the R6 III. Those differences may justify the extra cost if they matter to your work.
Why I like the R6 III
The files give me enough resolution, the autofocus felt excellent in my use, and CFexpress Type B support made offloading more convenient. Its familiar handling makes it easy to integrate into my Canon workflow. I do not need maximum burst speed or resolution for most of my assignments.
Video and practical value
I found open-gate recording more useful than I initially expected, especially when changing the final framing of studio video. The value decision also includes how many matching bodies I can afford for work and backup. Prices mentioned in the video reflect the recording date.
The scope of this comparison
This is a discussion based on my experience, without a controlled image or sensor benchmark. My electronic-shutter observations should not be read as a guarantee against banding in every lighting situation. Choose around the features you actually need, rather than assuming the more expensive body is automatically the better fit.
Related reviews
Watch on YouTube and view the original product links. Some shopping links in the original description may be affiliate links.
Canon R6 III First Impressions and Photography Setup
The Canon R6 III felt immediately familiar as a Canon shooter.
The Canon R6 III felt immediately familiar as a Canon shooter. This first look covers my early impressions and a detailed menu walkthrough for the mix of weddings, families, portraits, and commercial work I photograph.
Originally published on YouTube Dec 2, 2025.
A promising fit for my kit
I liked the handling and the balance of resolution in the files I had made so far. CFexpress Type B support was especially welcome for faster offloading. My early image use was still limited, so I held off on presenting this as a full image-quality review.
Controls tailored to the way I shoot
The walkthrough explains my button assignments, focus-area choices, subject-detection shortcuts, and separate card-recording setup. I prefer quick access to people detection and a deliberate focus point, rather than cycling through modes I rarely need.
A few early trade-offs
I tend to bump the physical mode dial while changing lenses, which remained a frustration. I also discuss differences from the R5 II and my initial experiments with open-gate recording. Some of those opinions developed with use, so the later R5 II versus R6 III comparison is a useful follow-up.
Using the setup walkthrough
Treat my settings as a starting point for your work. The video explains why I chose them, and the original description includes the settings download when available. Check your camera model and firmware before loading a saved setup.
Original samples or settings: Download here.
Related reviews
Watch on YouTube and view the original product links. Some shopping links in the original description may be affiliate links.
Canon R5 II for Weddings and Menu Setup
Here are my thoughts on the new Canon R5 II. Most of this video contains a menu setup.
Download and use my settings. Put this file on an SD Card and go to the yellow section number 5. Load the file. Download here
Here is my first-hand experience with the Canon R5 II as a wedding photographer.
Canon R6 Mark II Review for Wedding Photographers
A wedding photographer’s Canon R6 Mark II review: 24MP image quality, ISO 10,000 results, autofocus settings, handling, and real-world tradeoffs.
Quick take: The R6 Mark II combines the image quality, high ISO performance, and handling I want for wedding work. Here is what I like, the autofocus setup I use, and the controls that still frustrate me.
What I learned after 22,000 frames
This review follows about 22,000 frames with the R6 Mark II and roughly 400,000 with my original R6 bodies. For weddings, families, and portraits, I value its handling and autofocus more than a larger pixel count. I also prefer working with two matching bodies so I do not have to think about different controls during the day.
Keeping control of autofocus
My main adjustment was setting automatic subject detection to None for general work, then assigning eye autofocus to AF-ON. That let me focus on a ring, hand, or flower without the camera pulling attention back to a face. When I am photographing people moving, I can switch people detection back on.
The video includes my daughter running and playing, tested with fast lenses including an adapted Sigma 105mm f/1.4, Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II, and RF 50mm f/1.2. It shows both the tracking behavior and the resulting photographs, rather than relying only on the focus box.
Handling details that matter during a wedding
The relocated power switch makes one-handed operation easier for me. When using the R6 Mark II alongside an R5, I taped over the stills/video switch while adjusting to the new layout. I also taped the mode dial because I shoot manually and did not want it changing accidentally. The multifunction lock does not lock that mode dial.
In my startup comparison, the R6 Mark II displayed its focus point sooner. The R5 could already take a photograph before its indicator appeared, so this is a difference in shooting feedback, not simply a claim that the R5 cannot shoot during startup.
In this review, I am going to talk about the camera's Image Quality, High ISO capabilities, autofocus speeds, and handling. I'll also tell you why I think that the Canon R6 II is currently the best Canon Camera option for Wedding photographers.
I have been photographing weddings since 2007 and I started with the original Canon 5D which replaced my starter kit of the Canon 30D. Cameras have advanced so much from autofocus to High ISO and everything in between. It's amazing what the Canon R6 II is capable of when you compare it to the original 6D or 5D.
Image Quality
As far as image quality goes, the R6 II is perfect. 24 megapixels is plenty of resolution for weddings and most photography. These files edit wonderfully and the dynamic range is more than I could ask for. For a more in-depth Image Quality review head over to my R6II vs R5 comparison HERE, where I show how the R6 II holds up against the Canon R5 when printed.
In my opinion, which is very subjective, the colors out of the Canon R6 II are my favorite Canon colors so far. Fuji will always be my first love when it comes to color, but the R6 II is definitely number two. I use the Neutral profile in Lightroom to achieve my favorite color tones. It's not just the colors but the way the files handle the tone curve, contrast, and natural dynamic range that make me choose this camera over any Sony camera. Sony cameras are phenomenal and usually leading in features, but they just don't have any good profiles and I don't like the way they edit.
High ISO
The high ISO capabilities of this camera accompanied by lower aperture lenses allows you to photograph any scene. I feel comfortable delivering images at 10,000 ISO with no issues.
For a more in-depth review high ISO review head over to my R6II vs R5 comparison HERE.
autofocus System and Speed.
The Canon R6 II autofocus system is insanely fast and accurate. I can't tell a difference between the R6 II autofocus and the Canon R3. The only problem I have faced is that it's too jumpy and unpredictable when you have subject detection turned on. I found that turning off subject detection and setting a button to Eye autofocus, gives me more control of what I am focusing on. I did turn the subject detection back on when photographing my daughter playing soccer and riding her bike and it worked perfectly for those applications.
Handling
First of all, this camera turns on so fast! This may not affect everyone but in order to save battery life and avoid changing settings I turn my camera on and off multiple times all day. This is just something that is necessary with EVFs (electronic viewfinders) and Screens draining batteries more quickly these days. Gone are the days when the SLR would last all day long no problem.
I have larger hands and this camera fits my hand great with no pinky grip needed. The buttons are all in natural places and I like that my thumb rests on the small joystick.
The new joystick is convex vs concave and feels a bit different, but this hasn't caused me any problems or annoyances yet.
The fact that Canon moved the power button to the right side is a huge win for me. Although I am still training my brain on this switch. Now I can turn the camera on with one hand, just like every other camera.
One big advantage that the R6 II has over the R3 (other than price) is the smaller size. The Canon R3 was wonderful for photographing weddings, but when yielding two cameras the size really got to me.
I do wish that they had put a locking dial on the PASM dial. This is something that I accidentally change all the time when pulling my second camera out of my bag with my left hand. Maybe it's just me but it happens enough that I just put tape over the dial and that's a good enough fix for me. I did the exact same thing with the first R6.
The EVF and flip screen is great. They are not the highest resolution but I find them to be sufficient. One big noticeable difference between Fuji and Sony is that they are very bright screens.
Conclusion
I think that this is the best current Canon option for wedding photographers when you add up all the features that it offers at such a great price. Check the price here👇
Canon R6 II vs R5 Image Quality Tests
A real-world print comparison of the Canon R6 II and R5 at ISO 100 and ISO 10,000, with downloadable RAW and JPEG samples.
For this test, I compared the 24 Megapixel Canon R6 II to the 45 Megapixel Canon R5 to see how they compared when printed at 100 ISO and 10,000 ISO. I have used cameras over the past 17 years ranging from 20 to 102 megapixels and looked through well over 1,00,000 images in thousands of different environments. I wanted to see how different these two cameras were when it comes to ink and paper and not just pixels on a screen.
Download the RAW and JPEG sample images to draw your own conclusion: Download here.
I cropped 22x17 and recomposed the crops so the images would look as close as possible for print. I used the Canon Prograf-1000 with 22x17" Canon Pro Luster Paper and Ink Owl's refill kit for the ink.
Resolution Comparison When Printed
For the first test, I used the Canon RF 70-200mm @ f2.8, 100 ISO and 1/400th. I photographed and composed as identically as possible. I enhanced the Canon R6 II photo, which doubles the resolution on the short and long end, quadrupling the overall pixel count. Some Adobe magic... So in the end the pixel resolutions are R5 5465 x 8192, R6 II 4000 x 6000, and R6 II "Enhanced Super Resolution" 8000 x 12,000.
High ISO Comparison When Printed
For this second test, I wanted to compare the high ISO capabilities when printed. These images were taken with the Canon 28-70mm at 70mm, F2.0, 1/200th, and 10,000 ISO. The room was pretty dark and we both held really still. I've also included an enhanced noise-reduction photo of the R5 in the sample images. The Canon R6 II holds up against grain a bit better in these images, but once you apply the new Lightroom Denoise feature they both look amazing. I still think that they don't look bad at all for 10,000 in their original state. It's all very impressive when you compare it to the original Canon 5D that I started with in 2006.
My 2023 Canon Wedding Photography Gear
The Canon cameras, RF lenses, lighting, memory cards, bags, and straps I used for wedding photography in early 2023.
This is my early-2023 kit, preserved as a historical gear list. Availability and product lineups have changed.
Best Canon Wedding Photography gear from lenses to camera bodies. I also include some other tools that have helped me over the years.
Here is the gear that I have been using since the fall of 2020 until now in early 2023. I am currently using Canon Cameras and Lens. There is also some other gear in here that I find to be helpful.
Canon Bodies that I recommend.
Canon Lenses that I recommend.
Samyang RF 14mm 2.8 (now hard to find)
Samyang 85mm F1.4 (now hard to find)
Lights
Flashpoint Zom LI-ON X R2 C
IViSii G2 RGB Light
Softbox AD-S60S Sony
SD Cards
Camera Bags
Tenba DNA Bag I use
Tenba Slim is also a great option
My Canon Wedding Photography Kit: Cameras, Lenses and Lighting
Inside my early-2023 Canon wedding kit: R5 and R6 bodies, RF lenses, flash, portable lights, bags, and the gear I relied on through two years of weddings.
Quick take: My Canon wedding kit was built around reliable bodies, the RF 28–70mm F2 for most of the day, and a few specialist lenses for portraits, ceremonies, and wider scenes. Lighting, a comfortable harness, and a practical bag mattered just as much as another camera specification.
This is a retrospective of the kit in my early-2023 video, covering my experience from fall 2020 through February 2023. It is not a claim that this is my current kit.
Watch my Canon wedding kit walkthrough
The camera bodies I relied on
The original Canon R6 did a huge amount of work for me. Across two bodies, I photographed weddings in Oregon, elsewhere in the United States, Mexico, and Istanbul. I had delivered 83,778 R6 photographs by the time of this video, and my clients had made large prints from its 20-megapixel files with good results.
The delivery counts I shared also included 28,425 photographs from the R3, 26,550 from the R5, and 3,147 from the EOS R. These are delivered photographs, not shutter counts. I had taken many more images than I delivered.
At the time of recording, I had the R5 and an R6 Mark II arriving the next day. That means this video does not contain a long-term R6 II assessment. You can read my later Canon R6 II wedding review and Canon R3 review for those experiences.
The RF 28–70mm F2 was my everyday work lens
The 28–70mm was easily the most-used lens in this kit: I had delivered 70,667 photographs made with it. I valued its sharpness, autofocus, background separation, and ability to cover changing moments without a lens swap.
It is a large lens, and that weight is part of the decision. For me, the flexibility justified carrying it. The main limitation was the wide end: sometimes 28mm was not enough, so I still carried wider options. See my RF 28–70mm F2 wedding review for sample photographs.
Portraits and ceremonies: 50mm and 70–200mm
The RF 50mm F1.2 was my choice when I wanted stronger subject separation, portraits, or a different feel from the standard zoom. I had delivered 25,841 photographs with it. I liked its sharp center detail and sometimes enjoyed its flare, while noticing changes in color and contrast wide open. Read my RF 50mm F1.2 review.
The RF 70–200mm F2.8 gave me ceremony reach and a way to make distant mountains more prominent through my choice of framing and shooting position. I also used it for stitched panoramas. Its compact size was a major benefit compared with the larger telephoto zooms I had carried before. My delivery count was 14,171 photographs. The 70–200mm review and sample gallery shows more of that work.
Why I also carried a 24–70mm
The RF 24–70mm F2.8 served two purposes. I often supplied it to a second photographer so our equipment and files were easier to work with together. It also gave me the extra width I needed in certain locations.
At Smith Rock, for example, there was a ceremony viewpoint where 24mm let me include the canyon more comfortably than 28mm. That small difference could matter more than the overlap between the two zooms. Read my RF 24–70mm review.
Specialist lenses I used less often
The Samyang 14mm was my occasional ultra-wide option. I preferred carrying a smaller dedicated lens for those situations instead of investing in a larger ultra-wide zoom that I would use less often. I had delivered about 2,400 images with it. My Rokinon RF 14mm review covers the lens sold under the related branding.
The Samyang 85mm F1.4 had produced 6,315 delivered photographs. I used it for portraits and stitched panoramas, while noticing warmer rendering and some sharpness tradeoffs compared with the Canon option I had tried. I used it less once the GFX 100S and GF 80mm became part of my work. See the Samyang 85mm review.
I also owned the RF 35mm F1.8, but it saw very little use. Across the RF lenses, I rarely used the customizable control ring because its position changed from lens to lens.
Reception flash and portable lighting
My Flashpoint/Godox flash handled the reception work I needed. I generally worked around ISO 1000 with low flash power. In the video I describe it keeping up with an R3 burst at very low power; that experience should not be read as a promise of the same performance at higher output.
I also used small RGB lights to add color and atmosphere around a reception, aimed toward walls or the dance floor. For portraits and slower scenes, my Godox ML60bi with an AD-S60S softbox provided portable continuous light with adjustable brightness and color temperature.
Harness, bag, and memory cards
The Clever Supply Co harness with Peak Design anchors felt quieter and lighter than my previous straps. I added a chest strap to help keep it positioned comfortably.
My Tenba bag had useful side pockets, and a BYOB insert helped it retain its shape. Batteries went in the front, with spare wedding timelines and cards kept accessible. I generally tried to work with one camera as much as possible, while keeping the second body available.
I was using Sony Tough SD cards and Angelbird CFexpress Type B cards at the time. For the later transfer-speed comparisons, see my SD and CFexpress card tests.
Original gear links
The Adorama links below are affiliate links from the original video description. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This historical kit list does not assume current prices or availability.
- Camera bodies: Canon R3, Canon R5, Canon R6, and Canon R6 II
- Lenses: RF 28–70mm F2, RF 50mm F1.2, RF 24–70mm F2.8, and RF 70–200mm F2.8
- Lighting: Godox ML60bi
- Cards: Sony Tough 128GB and Sony Tough 256GB
- Bags: Tenba DNA, Tenba Slim, and Tenba BYOB inserts
- Clever Supply Co Anchor Camera Harness
Canon R3 Wedding Review After 50,000 Photos
Canon R3 wedding review after six months and 50,000+ photos: image quality, high ISO, autofocus, ergonomics, and why I decided not to keep it.
Quick take: The R3 impressed me with its image quality, high ISO performance, and ergonomics. After using it for weddings and other assignments, I decided its price, size, and features were not the best match for my workflow.
Why I sold the R3 despite liking the images
The larger grip made big lenses such as the RF 28–70mm easier to handle, but the body also took more room in my bag. I prefer using two matching cameras throughout a wedding season so the controls feel the same in a fast-moving moment. Size, price, and that preference ultimately mattered more to me than the R3’s extra features.
Autofocus and controls in my workflow
Subject tracking was quick and effective, but the focus indicator could feel jumpy. Eye Control AF—the feature that follows where I look in the viewfinder—did not work reliably for me despite repeated calibration. That is separate from the camera detecting a subject’s eyes. I also preferred the joystick to the touch-sensitive AF-ON control.
The electronic-shutter burst choices in my original setup felt awkward for wedding work: 3 fps was slower than I wanted, while 15 and 30 fps created more frames than I needed. These observations reflect the camera and settings during my review period. I remained impressed by the image quality and usable color at ISO 10,000.
Howdy Photographers,
Here are my thoughts on the Canon R3 after 50,000+ Clicks. I've been using it since June for a variety of photography needs, including weddings, elopements, families, portraits, headshots, engagements, and even a music video.
When it comes to the camera itself, the things I really like about the R3 are its focus and high ISO capabilities. However, I do find the autofocus to be a bit jumpy and unpredictable when compared to the R5 and R6. The ergonomics are great and the image quality is amazing. But, I have to say, I wasn't a fan of the new feature of eye focus point tracking. It didn't work for me and I found it to be distracting.
The camera is larger than others I've used, so keep that in mind when considering a camera bag. It's not a lot heavier than the R5 and R6 just larger. The size of the grip does allow you to work more efficiently with bigger lenses like the 28-70mm and the 70-200mm or the 100-500mm, making them more manageable when held by hand. With the R5 and R6, you will start to notice more wrist strain when using larger lenses on a long day. I personally use an L-bracket pinky grip to help with this issue with those two cameras.
Another thing to consider is the number of buttons on the camera. There are tons! Which I do love. I like the front buttons, but I don't generally use them because I don't want to disrupt my muscle memory for the buttons I usually use. Overall, the ergonomics are great, but the size is something to keep in mind.
When it comes to shooting a full wedding season, I generally prefer to have two of the same camera, if not three for my second shooter. This allows me to be more efficient and consistent with my shots. However, I do mix in the GFX 100s for certain shots, but that's a different story. Using two Canon R3 cameras would be a bit too much for me.
In terms of image quality, I've compared the R3 to the Fuji GFX 100s and the Canon R5 and R6 and I can confidently say that it's great. The colors may not be as true as the R5, but they're still fantastic. And while nothing beats the GFX colors and film simulations.
In conclusion, the Canon R3 is a great camera for wedding photography. Its focus and high ISO capabilities are impressive and the ergonomics are great. However, the autofocus can be jumpy and the eye focus tracking feature didn't work for me. Keep in mind that the camera is larger than others and may require a different camera bag. And if you're thinking about shooting a full wedding season, consider having two of the same camera for consistency.
I decided not to keep the camera due to price, size, and features that didn't really suit me.
I sold the camera through Gear Focus and had a positive experience with their community and customer service.