SIX FOR A HIT
It all started in 1959 with the revolutionary Nikon F, a camera that undoubtedly had as much impact on photography as the original Leica and introduced the concept of a 35mm SLR system. It took Canon 10 years to come up with a rival, by which time Nikon was onto the F2 and the legend had begun. Since then, Nikon’s pro-level cameras have always had a certain cache even in the digital era, although Canon has certainly made sure it never lagged behind again.
A little over 60 years later, it looks like we’re coming to the end of the line for the reflex camera, which will mean no more ‘big banger’ DSLRs. It certainly feels like Canon’s EOS-1D X Mark III and Nikon’s D6 could well be the last hurrahs, but as the distillation of everything these camera makers know about designing a top-of-theline DSLR, they’re undoubtedly the best of the breed. Get one while you can.
Traditionally, the flagship model was essentially a specialist product built primarily for speed and extreme durability, and priced accordingly. But, as with the EOS- 1D X Mark III, the D6 is much more of an all-rounder – albeit still an expensive one – combining all the appealing bits of both a DSLR and a mirrorless camera. If you’re looking for an interchangeable lens camera that will do absolutely everything effortlessly then this latest (maybe last?) generation of pro DSLRs are it. And you don’t have to worry about lens systems either – Nikon’s F mount is arguably the best served there is, not just by Nikon itself, but by all the independent brands. So, ironically, as the top-end mirrorless cameras start to really hit their stride, arguably the best ILCs currently on the market are still DSLRs – the EOS-1D X III and the D6. Both represent the pinnacle of DSLR design and, jaw-dropping price tags aside, also represent a sound investment given the combination of durability, capabilities and performance.
The D6 carries on where the D5 left off and, indeed, is virtually identical on the outside, while anybody still using a D4 or even the first-generation D3 will also feel right at home. This commonality is important for professionals who may be using a combination of bodies on a shoot, but
