7D to 5D Mk III - Pull the trigger?

[acaurora]

So here is my situation - My primary field of photography that I work in is sports. More specifically, I take pictures throughout northern california at the bicycle races. Lately, though, I have stemmed off into other event photography, such as weddings, triathlons, fun runs, etc. Lately though I have been finding that in smaller areas, specifically indoors, when personal space gets a bit tight, I have been having problems getting the right amount of "space" - i.e., a lot of my shots look cramped/cropped. I feel that I need to change, but I am a bit at a crossroads in terms of what to change. I have taken some time to consider my options, and want to as everybody here if I should go for a 5D MK III and enter the world of full frame.

My only concern with this is that while it may help with my other events, especially indoors, I worry that with my primary focus of sports photography that it will reduce the "reach" that I had with my 7D - in that the subjects will appear further away compared to if I was shooting with my 7D - and as a result I will need to crop the picture to get a bigger version or level of "up close"ness, and therefore be a step backwards.

Help a guy out!

By the way, my short list of lenses are as follows:

50 f/1.4
24-70 f/2.8 L
70-200 f/2.8 L II (I love this lens. A lot.)

 

[U-Type]

How are you on funds?

If u could keep the 7D as a backup camera as well as having the 5Dm3 it would be perfect.

The 24-70L focus speed on 5Dm3 is amazingly fast, and the center AF sensor works way faster, more accurate, and more sensitive in low light than the 7D as well

 

[acaurora]

Monetary wise I am fine. Best Buy currently has a 36 month 0% financing. $90/mo for 3 years... I can handle that.

 

[U-Type]

I think it'll be a worthwhile upgrade for sure.

I've been using the 7D since 2009 and been looking to get the 5Dm3 hopefully sometime this year as well
Have you gotten a chance to try it out in the field yet? Like a rental or borrowed from a friend perhaps?

 

[acaurora]

I actually have not. I upgraded from an XSi to a 7D last year, and after having the 7D for a year it has produced stellar shots outdoors (which is where I take pictures most of the time). I just wanted to see about upgrading as it may prove useful indoors. My original concern remains though in terms of how it will effect my pictures that I take during the bike races - will I need to physically move closer since the zoom effect will be less pronounced as a result of switching to a FF?

 

[U-Type]

Do u find urself often shooting at 200mm with ur 70-200? If not then with the 5Dm3 ull be able to compensate by fully zooming in, then you wont have to worry about cropping. I agree cropping every picture will be a strange thing to do

From what angle do u usually shoot ppl in bike races? Do they move towards u? Or are u on the side and panning ur shots?
Oh another note is that using FF ur DOF will be shallower than on the 7D

 

[acaurora]

I would have to say that yes, a majority of my shots are at 200. How will moving to a 5DIII change that?

In terms of the positioning, they are primarily coming towards me as I am usually on the side of the road. I do take panning pictures every once in a while. I don't think that is a concern for me though.

 

[pdirestajr]

If you are happy with your 7D image quality, why not just get a wider lens?
It's a cheaper solution.

 

[acaurora]

I'm happy with the IQ when outdoors. I'm just not happy with the indoor IQ. I did consider getting a wider (16-35 f/2.8 L) lens, but also am weighing the option of getting FF and how it may have a bigger impact/improvement.

 

[East Wind Photography]

Pull the trigger.... Bang! You will appreciate the extra sharpness, lower noise, and higher useable ISO. I never use the 7d anymore.

 

[bycostello]

If you are happy with your 7D image quality, why not just get a wider lens?
It's a cheaper solution.

+1

 

[RC]

If you can swing it, keep your 7D as a backup. The price has really dropped and still dropping. You will have to decide if a few hundred dollars is worth giving it up.

 

[BrandonKing96]

I would have to say that yes, a majority of my shots are at 200. How will moving to a 5DIII change that?

In terms of the positioning, they are primarily coming towards me as I am usually on the side of the road. I do take panning pictures every once in a while. I don't think that is a concern for me though.

You could find yourself feeling the need to move closer to the action, as you don't have that crop factor anymore.

But I'd still say go for the 5D mark III. It is an absolutely amazing camera.

But if you do keep your 7D as a back-up camera, you won't really need to worry as you can just switch back to your 7D.

 

[JPAZ]

How often do you use your lens at 200 wide open? If you used a 1.4 TC with the 200 mm your FOV would "almost" be like the 7d and that lens without much of an IQ hit. Would giving up the aperture (2.8 would be f4, I think) be a problem in your outdoor work? If not, this is a much cheaper option than a 300 or 400 mm lens (assuming you don't keep the 7d).

Bottom line is the 5Diii is awesome.

 

[acaurora]

I almost always shoot wide open (f/2.8) - I mean you buy the thing specifically with that constant aperture - why not maximize it? . Changing to f/4 I don't think would be a big problem, but am not particularly keen on the use of extenders.

 

[distant.star]

.
This is not a question you should even have to think about.

If you can have a 5D3, go get one today. For sports stuff, you can crop if necessary and still have better image quality. And if you are doing more events like weddings, as you say, with a 5D3, you'll find yourself getting more business.

I used a T2i for three years, used a 7D for a while. Now with a 5D3 I feel like a magician.

Every month when you send a check to Best Buy, you'll seal it with a kiss!

 

[Michaels]

Monetary wise I am fine. Best Buy currently has a 36 month 0% financing. $90/mo for 3 years... I can handle that.

Could you post a link to the 36 month deal, I can't find it on Best Buy's site.
Thanks!

 

[acaurora]

They aren't openly advertising it. I talked to a salesperson I have been working with a lot lately and he said that he can get it done.

 

[Dylan777]

Monetary wise I am fine. Best Buy currently has a 36 month 0% financing. $90/mo for 3 years... I can handle that.

It's hobby or do you get pay for these events? I wouldn't put anything on CC, unless I have the fund for it. The values of these toys are always go south

 

[acaurora]

Hobby. I can afford it.