5dII or 7d?

[djchuckles]

Lurker for a while but my first post - so go easy on me

So I can't really justify the cost of the new 5dIII, great though it looks as I'm only a casual photographer.

I had been thinking about getting the 7D as an upgrade from my 50d for months, but wanted to hold fire until this news

So should I try and get a good deal on a 5dII now the III is along, or save the cash and get the 7d? I already have some great glass (24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 IS) and my main hobby is shooting action sports (snowboarding, surfing, skate, wake, motor racing etc.) and I would like to get more into music/club/venue photography. I would also like to start shooting HD video on whatever body I get (as my 50d doesn't have this)

The higher fps of the 7d over the 5dII certainly appeals, and i don't think I need FF so 7d seems like a smarter buy?

Thoughts?

 

[jrista]

Well, for the music, club, and venu stuff, I'd think the 5D III would be better by miles. Such events are often indoors, where available light is very low. The 7D is a great performer for its time, but relative to the likes of the 5D III, D7000, etc. its high ISO performance is rather wanting. A full-frame camera would probably be better for those types of events as well, as it offers thinner DOF for any given subject framing as an APS-C sensor.

The 7D is a great camera, and I plan to own and use mine for years to come (alongside a 5D III if it ever hits a street price around $3000). When it comes to outdoor action shooting (or even indoor sports), the extra reach it gives is extremely handy. All things being equal, the 5D III would be better at everything the 7D does except for reach. It will always offer about 40% less reach than the 7D can offer.

For hobby use, I would recommend the 7D. It is more than adequate for such endeavors, and will serve you well for years to come. Its extra reach will also be a boon, making telephoto lenses more effective for sports action.

 

[djchuckles]

Thanks for the reply

Mk III is definitely off the cards due to price - but I could maybe stretch budget to a Mk II

In the music venue/low light situation - would the diff between the 7d and 5d2 be as great as the 7d and the 5d3?

In terms of frames per second - I believe the 7D shoots about 8, and the 5d2 just 4 - that's pretty important for me for faster moving sports stuff.

 

[Loswr]

Short version: get the 7D.

Longer version: for what you shoot now (action sports) the AF and frame rate of the 7D will be a big step up from your 50D. But, with the 5DII both would take a big step down, and you'd struggle to get the shots you're getting now. For clubs/concerts, the improved ISO performance of the 5DII would be good, but I think the disadvantage of the 5DII for sports will outweigh the advantage of the 5DII for venue shooting, unless you plan on switching your shooting focus away from sports.

 

[djchuckles]

Thanks mate - as I said, it's all hobby stuff for now - though would like to get more into it in the future

Sounds like you've confirmed my thoughts on 7d 8)

 

[Kernuak]

For fast moving sports, the 5D MkII won't be ideal, but with some compromises and "misses" it could be made to work. However, for low light work, then the 5D MkII is the better option, provided the subjects aren't moving around too much. It won't match the 5D MkIII judging by the samples so far (although until we see some RAW files, we can't be sure), but it will certainly produce cleaner images than the 7D. I would go with the one that is best for your main shooting.

7D:

Badger by Kernuak, on Flickr

5D MkII:

Pine Marten in Tree Trunk by Kernuak, on Flickr

 

[mjp]

For what you are shooting, I would also suggest the 7D. For the 8fps alone, it will be worth it for you. You'll also get greater zoom range (than the 5dII) from your current lenses, which will benefit your sports and music related photography. Cheers.

 

[crasher7]

Another 7D vote. Get the body for what you need the most and the glass to make it work otherwise.
A good example of this is what the 10-22 does for a crop. Gives you the FF 16-35. Plus then you'll save money for that club glass.

 

[djchuckles]

Another 7D vote. Get the body for what you need the most and the glass to make it work otherwise.
A good example of this is what the 10-22 does for a crop. Gives you the FF 16-35. Plus then you'll save money for that club glass.

I did have a 10-22 but never used it so sold it on

Thanks for the advice

 

[ronderick]

Yeah, a 7D would be a better choice at this time. Unless you're thinking of investing in the 1D4, the 7D is probably the top choice for handling action photography in the Canon lineup.

If you are interested in a good deal for 5D2, I'd suggest waiting for a while and see what happens after the 5D3 hit the market. I think there's still some room for maneuvering, depending on Canon's plan for the older body.

 

[MikeHunt]

Another 7D owner/user here, and I have to echo the sentiments of everyone above, I bought the 7D rather than a used 5D2, because I wanted the faster shooting with my 70-200 f/4L IS, but I do a lot of video too and don't know if you have the 50 f/1.4 or not, however, I've found it great to use in low-light situations. So fast primes could balance out the difference to a degree.

If you're really unsure still, then if I was in your shoes, I would opt for the 7D, try it out for a few months, then come the summer if you're still hankering after a FF body, then go get a 5D2. It will only cost you around 100 bucks, as the 7D has the 'best' (highest residual vs new) resale price of any canon HD dslr with video capabilities. The price of the 5D2's can really only go one way from here - down!

Based solely on economic/financial considerations, go and get a 'new' 7D (so you can look after it, keep box, receipts etc. for when you decide to trade again) right now. ;D

 

[djchuckles]

Thanks

I guess the only thing stopping me is if a 7dII comes out any time soon - if it's Photonica as rumoured then i'm happy not to wait and to get the 7d now

 

[Warninglabel]

I have the 7D and love it for sports (soccer/ 8 fps) You can go to my website to see examples @ mitchellparson.com

But I hate it in low light. I recently took some photo's with my little girl ice skating at night. The 7D did well but didn't focus that great, due to the low light in and around the ice rink. I had to do a lot of touch up work in lightroom, these photo's are also on my site to look @

The 7D will most likely be closer to the end of the year or early next year around about this time.

 

[optasia]

I have the 7D and use it for weddings. It's awful. Period. The noise at anything over 250 is unacceptable. I should've returned it. Hoping the 5d Mark II is an improvement.