Am I crazy for thinking about doing this?

[Tcapp]

Oh wise and all knowing canon rumors community, I require your insights.

Here's the deal. I have a 5d2, and a 5d3. My longest lens is a 70-200 2.8 IS L. I make 99% of my money from photographing weddings.

I am thinking about trading my 5d2 for a 7d with some cash, then using that cash towards the mighty Canon 100-400 IS L lens. I'm wanting to try doing some sports and wildlife and whatnot. I don't know if I'll be able to profit from these different endeavors, but I'm going to try.

The reason I think I might be crazy for doing this is because im not sure how I'll like the 7D's image quality compared to my beloved 5d3. Is the extra "reach" the crop gives you worth the lower IQ? I know the 100-400 is not a fast lens, but will I be frustrated with it, especially if its on the 7d and I can't push my iso as high?

A friend and colleague of mine had a 7d and got rid of it because he didn't like its IQ compared to the 5d2. That kinda worries me. Plus, having two FF cameras is more beneficial to me for wedding work than a crop would be. But adding that crop sensor gives me more, and different, capabilities. I guess its all about trade offs.

So, people, what do you think? Will I hate the 7d after using the 5d3? Any tips on making money with shooting sports/wildlife? Am I crazy for thinking about doing this? As far as shooting weddings, out of the ~1000 photos I take, about 50 are on the 5d2 for wide angles during the ceremony with the other ~950 taken on my 5d3. So I don't know if I'll really miss the 5d2 that much...

Sorry for writing so much, but I wanted you guys to be able to give me some well informed advice and opinions. You guys know what you are talking about, so I shall defer to your experience! Thanks!

[wickidwombat]

yes you are quite mad 

a cheaper less mad option might be to grab a 1.4 TC and a cheap 300f4L IS (can get for about $800)
that combo with your 5Dmk3 will be enough to give you a taste to see if you like it first
the 300f4L is a brilliant lens for what it costs

[Tcapp]

yes you are quite mad 

a cheaper less mad option might be to grab a 1.4 TC and a cheap 300f4L IS (can get for about $800)
that combo with your 5Dmk3 will be enough to give you a taste to see if you like it first
the 300f4L is a brilliant lens for what it costs

That might be an option, although the 100-400 seems to be slightly sharper center and mid frame than the 300 + 1.4. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=111&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=1&LensComp=113&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=7&APIComp=0

Plus, I might miss having zoom at a focal length like that, no? I mean, I do love my primes. But it might be a little tough to change my framing by moving around at a sports game instead of zooming?

What do you think about adding a 2x to my 70-200? That would be the cheapest option of them all. Although that option looks like crap... at least on a test chart http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=103&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=6&API=0&LensComp=113&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=7&APIComp=0

Where do you like to buy used lenses?

[wickidwombat]

i got my 300f4L off ebay for $800 i keep seeing them pop up from time to time
it's half a kilo lighter than the 70-200 and while the 70-200 with a 2x TC is still ok
i feel maybe the 300 with a 1.4 is better (havent done a side by side comparison)
i've used both setups but at different times and for different reasons
on a 5D body the 300f4L is so nicely balanced and the build in lens hood is great
(why dont they make lenses with these anymore such a good design
IS is noisy and old school though

here is a sample with the kenko and later in the thread tex posted one with the canon tc
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=5105.0

[Bosman]

Dont do it. Your bread and butter are weddings, you cant get the quality from a 7d but if you got into birding and sports its a great camera. Still a 5dm3 is a better option than the 7d. I have shot a marathon with the 5dm3 now. I also hear the 5dm3 is even better at focussing than the 7d, all i know is i work on and edit my shooters photos and the keeper rate is very high on the 7d's. I can't see supporting the 7d over a 5dm3 now though. unless you need a camera to be cheap. i bet the extender version 3 is pretty good on the 70-200 II.
Martin Bailey used to use the 100-400 and he is world renowned. He sold it like 5yrs ago thinking it was going to be upgraded soon, lol, guess not. He shoots birds and nature. I'd get the 300 F4 and extender use it on the 5dm3 and dont worry about having to use a smaller aperture.

[Tcapp]

i got my 300f4L off ebay for $800 i keep seeing them pop up from time to time
it's half a kilo lighter than the 70-200 and while the 70-200 with a 2x TC is still ok
i feel maybe the 300 with a 1.4 is better (havent done a side by side comparison)
i've used both setups but at different times and for different reasons
on a 5D body the 300f4L is so nicely balanced and the build in lens hood is great
(why dont they make lenses with these anymore such a good design
IS is noisy and old school though

here is a sample with the kenko and later in the thread tex posted one with the canon tc
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=5105.0

Interesting. Thanks for the link.

[Tcapp]

Dont do it. Your bread and butter are weddings, you cant get the quality from a 7d but if you got into birding and sports its a great camera. Still a 5dm3 is a better option than the 7d. I have shot a marathon with the 5dm3 now. I also hear the 5dm3 is even better at focussing than the 7d, all i know is i work on and edit my shooters photos and the keeper rate is very high on the 7d's. I can't see supporting the 7d over a 5dm3 now though. unless you need a camera to be cheap. i bet the extender version 3 is pretty good on the 70-200 II.
Martin Bailey used to use the 100-400 and he is world renowned. He sold it like 5yrs ago thinking it was going to be upgraded soon, lol, guess not. He shoots birds and nature. I'd get the 300 F4 and extender use it on the 5dm3 and dont worry about having to use a smaller aperture.

I guess I'm just kinda lusting after that 640mm equivalent focal length with the 400 on a crop. And since I only take a few photos on my 5d2 during a wedding, I don't feel I would be giving too much up...

I just don't know what to do! You guys make a good case for not getting the 7d and for the 300 F4.

But when shooting birds or sports or whatever, I guess I could stick my 70-200 2.8 on my 5d3 and a 300 or 400 on a 7d if i go that route and get the best of both worlds...

So many possibilities! I really want to try to add sports photography to fill in any days that I don't book up with weddings... AHH!!

[wickidwombat]

well if you really want 600mm

i got a FD 600f4.5 and the edmika adapter obviously it manual focus so takes full advantage of the 5Dmk2 AF system

here is a sample
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=5103.0
shot on a 1Dmk3 though but even better on the 5dmk2 with a brightscreen to aid MF
paid $1400 for that lens off ebay and its in mint condition not a spec of paint missing and crystal clear glass

thats handheld but better on a tripod and gimbal

i've basically set my 5Dmk2 up now for MF lenses and getting more of the sweet FD's and adapters from edmika
(great bloke and super helpfull)

[Tcapp]

well if you really want 600mm

i got a FD 600f4.5 and the edmika adapter obviously it manual focus so takes full advantage of the 5Dmk2 AF system

here is a sample
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=5103.0
shot on a 1Dmk3 though but even better on the 5dmk2 with a brightscreen to aid MF
paid $1400 for that lens off ebay and its in mint condition not a spec of paint missing and crystal clear glass

thats handheld but better on a tripod and gimbal

i've basically set my 5Dmk2 up now for MF lenses and getting more of the sweet FD's and adapters from edmika
(great bloke and super helpfull)

Although I'm weary of buying off ebay, that is a very tempting lens. I will have to consider that one very carefully.

[PhilDrinkwater]

I understand why you're thinking like this, but I don't know if I'd be keen to put my bread and butter on the line for this.

How about you rent lenses for a while? Or cope with the lens you have a crop? Just until you get a feeling for the subject and whether you like it or can get anything useful from it? Or, as has been mentioned, get a TC which will get you at least some extra reach?

[bycostello]

i think they make a perfect pair of cameras

[Heavyweight67]

I have 5Diii and 7d...I think the two together make a perfect couple...the 7D and 70-200 f4 are my day time combination, my 5Diii and 70-200 f2.8 are my night combination...the best of both worlds I think.
Have yet to try either with 1.4x....

If you have the finances and are happy to let the 5Dii go, then why not do it, you can always go back...

Variety is the spice of life...

[ruuneos]

Mmmm why not 5D3 with 100-400L, 7D and 5D3 burst rate difference is only 2fps should work just fine.

[pwp]

If you want a quality body with crop, how about the +1.3 crop 1D Mk4? I'm finding the 5D3 & Mk4 are a brilliant combo. Good pre-owned Mk4 bodies are showing up now. While the 7D is a terrific camera with definite attributes, the Mk4 is a killer. For weddings it's high iso competency will knock your brides socks off.

If you can wait, the 7DII may be arriving sometime between September 2012 & January 2014. In other words, if you need to upgrade, for the sake of your business do it now.

PW

[ianmacd]

The question you need to ask yourself is really, if your 5d3 was not usable for some reason, could you use a 7d to carry on earning money or would you/the client be upset with the resulting output?

Personally, I would have thought the 5d2 was a better backup to the 5d3 than a 7d would be (especially for wide shots) but its your livelihood on the line.

Ian.