There’s nothing like the thrill of adding a new camera body to your kit bag, and this month as a late birthday present to myself, I treated myself to something pretty special: the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. For me, this isn’t just about splashing out on a shiny new toy (though I won’t lie, it does feel like Christmas came early). It’s about investing in my photography, my business, and my ability to capture those moments that happen in a split second on track.
Motorsport is fast, unpredictable, and packed with drama, and your gear has to keep up. Let me give you a little insight into why the R6 Mark II is already proving to be a game-changer for my work behind the lens.
Low-Light Confidence
One of the biggest challenges in motorsport photography is working in less-than-ideal lighting. Whether it’s a gloomy day at Castle Combe or chasing golden-hour shots in the paddock, the Canon R6 Mark II’s low-light performance is stunning. With an ISO range that spans from 100 to 102,400 (expandable up to 204,800), I can continue shooting long after most people have packed up. What this really means in practice is cleaner, sharper images with less grain – even when the light is fading. For me, that’s huge.
In-Built Image Stabilisation (IBIS)
Canon have taken things up a notch with its in-body image stabilisation. Paired with RF and EF lenses, the R6 Mark II offers up to 8 stops of stabilisation. Translation? Pin-sharp images, even when I’m handholding in tricky conditions. For fast-moving cars, this means I can pan smoothly without worrying about shake ruining the shot. For pit-lane portraits, it means I can dial down the shutter speed and still get crisp results. And let’s be honest, anything that makes life easier when you’re carrying gear all day is a win.
Autofocus That Thinks Faster Than You
The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system is one of the features I was most excited about. This technology tracks faces, heads, and eyes with incredible accuracy – and yes, that includes animal eyes too (so I can still chase around the family dog with it!). On track, this means the camera locks onto moving cars with ridiculous precision. When cars are blasting through corners at Oulton Park or weaving for position down the straights at Anglesey, I can trust the autofocus to keep up. That frees me to focus on framing and storytelling, instead of stressing about whether the subject will be sharp.
Video for the Win
While photography is my main love, I do dabble in video occasionally, and the R6 Mark II handles this brilliantly. It shoots 4K 60p footage that looks sharp, detailed, and smooth. Add the stabilisation and autofocus into the mix, and you’ve basically got a camera that’s as ready for video as it is for stills. I’m already plotting some behind-the-scenes clips for my Instagram (@ijagphotographyservices), giving you all a closer look at race weekends through my eyes.
Staying Connected with Canon Cloud
Another feature that makes a photographer’s life easier is the built-in Wi-Fi and Canon’s cloud service. I can transfer images straight from the track to the cloud, which means quicker turnarounds for clients and sneak peeks on social media before the day is even done.
Shooting Power
If you’ve ever stood trackside and listened to the machine-gun burst of a pro photographer’s camera, you’ll understand why the R6 Mark II’s continuous shooting is a big deal. This camera can handle up to 20 frames per second with autofocus. That’s more than enough to capture every stage of an overtake, a wheel lifting mid-corner, or even sparks flying as cars scrape the curbs.
Why This Is an Investment, Not an Expense
Buying new gear is never cheap, but I see it as a smart investment. The R6 Mark II isn’t just about upgrading my kit – it’s about giving my clients the absolute best. It’s about being confident that I won’t miss the shot, no matter the conditions. And, if I’m honest, it’s about giving myself the tools to enjoy what I do even more.
Photography is about freezing moments that might otherwise be gone forever. With this camera, I can do that better, faster, and in more challenging conditions than ever before.
First Impressions
So far, I’m loving the feel of the R6 Mark II, it’s comfortable in hand, intuitive to use, and feels like a natural step forward from DSLR to mirrorless. It’s already joined me at a couple of events, and the results are exactly what I hoped for: sharp, dynamic, and full of energy.
If you’re curious to see the R6 Mark II in action, keep an eye on my socials. From pit lane portraits to full-speed track battles, I’ll be putting it through its paces – and I can’t wait to share the results with you.
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