These $300 Abandoned Cameras Were Actually Awesome
Am I the only one who misses shooting on Canon? Apparently not, judging by all your comments! So, I'm grabbing this Canon M6 and taking it out for a day of photography around Tokyo. We're going to take a closer look at this forgotten camera and a very special lens.
I remember when these EOS M cameras first launched. I was shifting from Canon DSLRs to mirrorless, and these felt like a step backward. But today, considering it as a casual street photography or bonus camera—is it worth it now?
Big Beautiful Screens
The first thing you notice is the screen. Maybe it's because I'm used to bad Sony LCDs, but Canon displays always make everything look great. Beyond that, the touch screen is excellent, letting you change everything, even in the main menu.
With the screen tilted up for a waist-level orientation, you can easily adjust your focus point or settings. It's incredibly intuitive, almost like using a smartphone. However, it definitely lacks the vintage, tactile experience you get from something like a Fujifilm X-T2.
Why the Canon EOS M6
Why was I tempted to try a camera like this? Simple: it's an era of Canon I've never used. I've shot with their old rangefinders, the DSLRs I started filmmaking on, and the later RF mount cameras. I knew I had to scratch this itch. Honestly, I kind of wish they never stopped making them.
Wandering quiet Tokyo neighbourhoods like this is a great way to explore. Carrying a camera makes me pay so much more attention to the smaller details and the differences from what we have back home. And of course, there's always a dog to shoot—like this little one in a tiny cap! I need to shoot more dogs in Japan, and I definitely will in my next video.
Pancake Lens Power
Out of all the gear mentioned in my comments over the past few years, the EOS M line and this specific lens must be number one. But is the hype justified for street photography with the 22mm f/2 lens?
I love a good pancake lens, and this 22mm f/2 is a near-perfect specimen. The images are sharp, and the wide f/2 aperture produces pleasing background blur when you want it. This lens makes the M6 a much more compelling street setup, but the loud shutter kind of cancels out some of the benefit.
Is it worth investing in a mount that Canon abandoned? Even though they left the M mount, the cameras still feel up-to-date in terms of software, interface, and autofocus. You're stuck with a very limited number of first-party lenses, but the M6 does something modern Canon cameras don't: it's a small, compact, and highly capable everyday camera. Maybe one day they'll make something similar—I'm still dreaming of an R6 sensor inside a rangefinder body!
Tokyo First Impressions
My first impressions of Tokyo have been very chill wandering these quieter neighbourhoods. I'm expecting Shinjuku and Shibuya tomorrow, which will be less relaxed! Much like Osaka, the people here have been incredibly friendly and approachable, especially away from the main city centers.
From my experience, pretty much anyone is open to a chat, especially those who want to practice their English. This lovely lady who let me photograph her dog spoke fantastic English, and we had a great conversation. The same goes for the gentleman I met in Osaka who taught me how to make an origami samurai helmet!
