Canon EOS-6D Mark II Camera Review and Upcoming High End, Full Frame Mirrorless Model

Mount Denali from Mile 9 inside Denali National Park, Alaska

I am back from my Alaskan Wildlife Photo Tour. It was a good trip but not great. I had to make it shorter this year because my traveling companions have limited time. 

On the bright side, I was able to see and photograph Mount Denali, albeit from a long distance. The Humpback whale action was fair in SE Alaska but the bear action is a bit better. You can follow my travels on Facebook , Twitter , see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Humpback whales bubble net feeding in Auke Bay, Alaska

Brown bear running on water in SE Alaska

Now I have to get back to the daily routine, process the photos and catch up on my blog again. Just a few quick notes on the photography news front while I was away. The TSA has issued new guidelines for travelers passing through airport security with their camera equipment.

Below is a good video review of the Canon EOS-6D Mark II camera. The results are rather predictable. Some good features accompanied by other mediocre performance. Frankly, that's to be expected from an entry level, full frame model that is a very good value in my opinion. In fact, the camera is selling so well to budding wedding, portrait and landscape photographers, Canon has announced a shortage of the EOS-6D Mark II camera kit with the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS lens until further notice. 

Even the EOS-1D X Mark II, which is my workhorse camera, is hardly perfect. I have received word the long expected high end Canon full frame mirrorless camera with EF mount should be announced by the end of 2018. Frankly, I think Canon should just get the camera out ASAP and move on to other projects. Mirrorless camera sales have picked up slightly for them recently but it is mostly the low end stuff and Canon does not need to announce another mirrorless camera but I'm afraid the public will be offered the EOS-M20 model soon anyway.

* * *  DPReview comprehensive Canon EOS-6D Mark II review  * * *

Wildlife Photography - Photo Tour in Alaska

* * *  Read the latest update on my wildlife tour in Alaska  * * *

I am off to Alaska for another wildlife photography shoot. Within the State of Alaska, one can see all three species of Ursus, namely Black, Brown and Polar Bears, majestic Golden and Bald Eagles, many different species of birds (including hummingbirds) and exciting whale species, like the Blue, Humpback, Bowhead, Killer whale, Beluga, other cetaceans, pinnipeds and many other mammal species.

Alaska has been one of my favorite wildlife shoots for many years and I have met many visitors from all over the world, especially Europe and the United Kingdom. My recommendation for them is to prioritize the species they would like to see before focusing on where to capture their images.

Black and Brown bears can be found from Ketchikan in the south, all the way up to the Brooks Range and other mountains in the southern Arctic region. Some great spots to see and photograph them are in the Tongass National Forest, near towns like Ketchikan, Wrangell, Hoonah and Haines. Kodiak Island and the Katmai National Park are prime locations to see the Kodiak Brown bears. Polar bears can be found near towns like Barrow, Wainwright and Kaktovik, deep in the Arctic Circle.

The Alaskan coastline offers many opportunities for whale watching, especially the waters around Juneau, Seward, Kodiak, the Inside Passage and Icy Straits. Bald and Golden eagles are quite prevalent with the former rather ubiquitous around towns close to the water.

The state of Alaska is big - over 663,000 square miles. It is about twice the size of Texas, over three times the size of California and about seven times the size of the United Kingdom. Although Alaska is home to lots of glaciers and snow, the summer months can be pleasantly warm, by Alaskan standards, of course. Protected by the Chugach mountains, the Alaska Range, and warmed by Pacific Ocean currents, Anchorage, the largest city in the state, has a temperate maritime climate. Summer temperatures can reach into the high 70s. Low humidity also contributes to Anchorage's comfortable climate. However, temperatures can vary greatly depending on the region one may visit. Therefore, careful clothing selection is important to anticipate the unexpected.

Will try and stay in touch and update this blog, if possible while I am on the road. You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter and see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com