These are some basic setup instructions for the Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR Camera with EF 24-105mm USM Lens or similar bundle of the 6D Mark II. For more detailed information including user guides, visit the Canon EOS 6D Mark II product page on Canon’s website.
Attaching the Lens
When you unpack your camera, the lens will not be attached. You’ll need to remove the protective cap from the camera body and from the lens in order to attach the lens to the camera. Only do this in a dust free environment, being sure to work quickly but carefully without dropping either the lens or the camera. Make sure the lens cap is on when working. You can set the lens carefully pointing down on a desk, and then with the camera pointing down, attach the lens to the camera. The lens doesn’t screw on, it locks into place. The red dot on the lens close to the camera should align with ‘Canon’ when inserting the lens and then turn the lens clockwise almost 1/4 turn to lock it in place. You can now install the lens shade. Also, be sure to use a high quality filter. This helps prevent UV light from entering the camera and also makes it easier to protect the lens from scratches, and remove dust.
Installing the Battery
Some camera batteries are square, so it’s not immediately obvious which way to insert them. The 6D battery is shaped like a D and fits into the handle/grip of the camera. The metal contacts go in first. The battery will not be fully charged when you receive your new camera. There may be enough power to perform the initial settings and setup, but you may want to charge the battery first.
Date and Time Settings
When you first turn on your camera, you will be promoted to set the date and time, the date format, and the time zone. Use the SET button and then the up/down left/right ring that surrounds the SET button for navigating up and down. With the 6D Mark II the touch screen makes it easier to navigate on screen. The date and time will be updated and kept current using the GPS feature if enabled.
GPS Settings
By default, the GPS feature will be turned off. To enable GPS, follow these steps:
- Press the MENU button on the camera to the left of the viewfinder.
- Press the wrench icon in the top row of icons.
- Choose submenu 3.
- Select GPS Settings.
- Tap GPS – Disable for GPS mode options.
- Choose Mode 1 to have the camera continually track GPS location, and press SET OK.
- The default setting for the Position update interval is to update every 15 seconds. Change this to every 1 second by pressing “Position update intvl” and then choosing 1 second, then press SET OK.
For most smartphones and other devices, the GPS feature will cause rapid battery drain. However, with the 6D Mark II, using the above configuration for the GPS feature, the camera battery should last 3-5 days when not in use.
Leaving the Camera Turned On
The camera has a smart low-power sleep mode so in most situations you can probably just leave the camera turned on for a faster response time when taking a picture. When left turned ‘on’ the camera battery may last several days.
Wireless Setup
You may want to control the camera remotely using a smartphone, or transfer photos wirelessly to your smartphone to share on social media. To do so, you’ll need to configure the wireless feature. Download and install the Canon CameraConnect app for your smartphone. It should be available in the iPhone App Store or the Google Play Store for Android phones like Samsung. Then follow these steps on the camera.
- Press the MENU button on the camera to the left of the viewfinder.
- Press the wrench icon in the top row of icons.
- Choose submenu 1.
- Choose Wireless communication settings.
- Choose Wi-Fi settings
- Tap the Wi-Fi Disable option and select Enable.
- Register a Nickname for your Wi-Fi network name. The default name will be EOS6D2. You can rename it, or just add your initials after the camera name to distinguish it from other 6D II cameras used by other people nearby.
- Now Wi-Fi will be enabled.
- Press Menu to return to the previous menu.
- Select Bluetooth function from the Wireless communication settings, then press Bluetooth function Disable from the menu (it will seem like you’ve selected the same option a second time). Select Smartphone.
- From the Bluetooth function menu, choose Pairing.
- Choose Do not display when asked about a QR code.
- On the smartphone, choose Easy Wi-Fi Connect.
- Select your camera from the list.
- Select Pair when prompted.
- Confirm on the camera by pressing OK.
- “Connecting…” will appear on the camera and then a confirmation message will appear. Tap OK.
- You may now use the software on your smartphone to control the camera or transfer photos.
In the future, you need only to start the CameraConnect app on your phone, and then confirm to join the camera Wi-Fi network to use the app.
Other Considerations
The 6D II should work fine for most photos when set to automatic mode. If you desire a faster shutter speed, different depth of field, or different ISO than what would be automatically selected, then choose a manual mode.
Aperture mode is helpful because you can set the aperture for the depth of field you desire, and let the camera set the shutter speed and ISO automatically.
Sometimes the camera will choose a higher ISO in automatic mode than you’d prefer, and the resulting photo may have too much noise. You can set the ISO manually to a fixed setting. On a bright day, setting the ISO at 100 should work fine. On a cloudy day or in a shaded area, you may need ISO 400 to 800. In low light, higher ISO settings may be necessary.