Do you REALLY need a new camera?

[briansquibb]

From the hobbyist point of view I totally agree with Richard8971 (topic starter).
I find entry level bodies fine for my type of shooting, which includes landscapes, people, wildlife and motorsports.
I am tempted to buy a 7D but I think I can wait for the mkii version. I hope I will have the money to get one when it comes out

If I were a pro, I'd surely go for a 1D-5D combo or something like that..

As a hobbiest I am going the for 1D4, 1Ds3, 5DII combo as I dont really need the 1DX as soon as it is released. Much more interested in buying some good glass - I think 24-70 and 16-35 are top of my list.

 

[akiskev]

From the hobbyist point of view I totally agree with Richard8971 (topic starter).
I find entry level bodies fine for my type of shooting, which includes landscapes, people, wildlife and motorsports.
I am tempted to buy a 7D but I think I can wait for the mkii version. I hope I will have the money to get one when it comes out

If I were a pro, I'd surely go for a 1D-5D combo or something like that..

As a hobbiest I am going the for 1D4, 1Ds3, 5DII combo as I dont really need the 1DX as soon as it is released. Much more interested in buying some good glass - I think 24-70 and 16-35 are top of my list.

Ok my bad.
When I said Hobbyist I meant that "I don't have the money to get a 1D-5D model"

 

[bycostello]

mostly not... most think that a better camera makes them a better photographer, where the money would prob be better spent on training

 

[wickidwombat]

Need? No. Want? Yes Please!

It's a lot of fun to play with new toys! Sure, I agree with most of the previous sentiments. Don't automatically expect a new camera to make you a better photographer blah blah blah. But, it's a lot of fun to think about buying new gear, checking out Canon Rumors to see what's coming out, and picking up the occasional new lens or body to see what they can add. I'm sure most people who visit this site would have a dream list of things to buy. I can't see anything wrong with that.

As with every rule there are exceptions. Moving to a 1d4 gave me full Manual with Auto ISO and good pictures at high ISO. Suddenly I was getting the pictures that my eye saw - so the content improved

The same with the move to the 5D and 5DII for weddings etc - suddenly the IQ significantly improved (yes I already had gone the L route )

My move to Digital from film improved things as I was suddenly able to experiment in a reactive environment - the shoot, view, change loop - so the pictures pushed the boundries and improved again.

So I would say that new kit can improve your photos - but only if it provides function/IQ that was holding you back.

Obvious if you need that function then you need the kit.

PS Am thinking of getting 16-35f/2.8 and 24-70f/2.8 to cover a week long Dickens festival for which I will be the offical tog.

The 16-35 will go on the 1d4 (suspect this will be the most used)
The 24-70 will go on a 7D
My 70-200 f/2.8II on the 5DII

Does this sound about right for what will be essentially a flash free intimate set of events?

I dont expect to change lens in an event, I might slip the 135f/2 on the 7D for some events (makes a good short f2 tele)

I would forget the 24-70
the 16-35 on the 1D4 and the 70-200 on the 5D2 will cover everything, if you really want to carry the 7D around to i would put a fast prime on it
I would consider borrowing or hiring another 5D2 with an 85mm prime f1.2 canon or f1.4 sigma on instead of the 7D though. I absolutly love my 5D2 sigma 85mm combo

 

[briansquibb]

PS Am thinking of getting 16-35f/2.8 and 24-70f/2.8 to cover a week long Dickens festival for which I will be the offical tog.

The 16-35 will go on the 1d4 (suspect this will be the most used)
The 24-70 will go on a 7D
My 70-200 f/2.8II on the 5DII

Does this sound about right for what will be essentially a flash free intimate set of events?

I dont expect to change lens in an event, I might slip the 135f/2 on the 7D for some events (makes a good short f2 tele)

I would forget the 24-70
the 16-35 on the 1D4 and the 70-200 on the 5D2 will cover everything, if you really want to carry the 7D around to i would put a fast prime on it
I would consider borrowing or hiring another 5D2 with an 85mm prime f1.2 canon or f1.4 sigma on instead of the 7D though. I absolutly love my 5D2 sigma 85mm combo

I have just bought a 1Ds3 and the two 7Ds are being sold.

Perhaps this would make it?:

70-200 on 1Ds3
85 f/1.8 or 135 f/2 on 5DII
16-35 on 1D4 (could try my 17-40 to see if it works before buying)

Also have the 24-105 so could try that in 24-70 mode to see it that is the right length as well

Thanks for the suggestions - Brian

 

[wickidwombat]

PS Am thinking of getting 16-35f/2.8 and 24-70f/2.8 to cover a week long Dickens festival for which I will be the offical tog.

The 16-35 will go on the 1d4 (suspect this will be the most used)
The 24-70 will go on a 7D
My 70-200 f/2.8II on the 5DII

Does this sound about right for what will be essentially a flash free intimate set of events?

I dont expect to change lens in an event, I might slip the 135f/2 on the 7D for some events (makes a good short f2 tele)

I would forget the 24-70
the 16-35 on the 1D4 and the 70-200 on the 5D2 will cover everything, if you really want to carry the 7D around to i would put a fast prime on it
I would consider borrowing or hiring another 5D2 with an 85mm prime f1.2 canon or f1.4 sigma on instead of the 7D though. I absolutly love my 5D2 sigma 85mm combo

I have just bought a 1Ds3 and the two 7Ds are being sold.

Perhaps this would make it?:

70-200 on 1Ds3
85 f/1.8 or 135 f/2 on 5DII
16-35 on 1D4 (could try my 17-40 to see if it works before buying)

Also have the 24-105 so could try that in 24-70 mode to see it that is the right length as well

Thanks for the suggestions - Brian

if you are prepared to lug 3 cameras around i would totally go with that setup
the 16-35 on APS-H is awesome you get 20-48mm effectively you will use it alot and it is super sharp use the 17-40 to check you ranges but the sharpness of the 16-35 is in another league. I think you will end up using the 85 most often for portraits and the 70-200 would be used mainly at the longer end for candid sniper shots. i also have the peak designs capture system on a thinktank belt which i can lock my modified l brackets into for the camera i'm not using, so for long shooting it really helps take the load off your shoulders even using a double rapid strap. saves you back bigtime!

 

[erda]

Currently have a 30D along with 17-40L and 70-200L F4. Am planning a motorcycle trip though Wyoming and Colorado this summer. Was thinking about adding an ultra-wide angle (either Canon or Tokina).
And in keeping with this thread, was also contemplating a different body. A 5D would save me from having to buy that ultra-wide! So, is my old 30D up to the task or ...?

 

[briansquibb]

PS Am thinking of getting 16-35f/2.8 and 24-70f/2.8 to cover a week long Dickens festival for which I will be the offical tog.

The 16-35 will go on the 1d4 (suspect this will be the most used)
The 24-70 will go on a 7D
My 70-200 f/2.8II on the 5DII

Does this sound about right for what will be essentially a flash free intimate set of events?

I dont expect to change lens in an event, I might slip the 135f/2 on the 7D for some events (makes a good short f2 tele)

I would forget the 24-70
the 16-35 on the 1D4 and the 70-200 on the 5D2 will cover everything, if you really want to carry the 7D around to i would put a fast prime on it
I would consider borrowing or hiring another 5D2 with an 85mm prime f1.2 canon or f1.4 sigma on instead of the 7D though. I absolutly love my 5D2 sigma 85mm combo

I have just bought a 1Ds3 and the two 7Ds are being sold.

Perhaps this would make it?:

70-200 on 1Ds3
85 f/1.8 or 135 f/2 on 5DII
16-35 on 1D4 (could try my 17-40 to see if it works before buying)

Also have the 24-105 so could try that in 24-70 mode to see it that is the right length as well

Thanks for the suggestions - Brian

if you are prepared to lug 3 cameras around i would totally go with that setup
the 16-35 on APS-H is awesome you get 20-48mm effectively you will use it alot and it is super sharp use the 17-40 to check you ranges but the sharpness of the 16-35 is in another league. I think you will end up using the 85 most often for portraits and the 70-200 would be used mainly at the longer end for candid sniper shots. i also have the peak designs capture system on a thinktank belt which i can lock my modified l brackets into for the camera i'm not using, so for long shooting it really helps take the load off your shoulders even using a double rapid strap. saves you back bigtime!

The 17-40 is very sharp between f/8 and f/11 - ideal for landscapes - but soft wide open, so not good for portraits

At the moment I am using the 70-200 f/2.8 II a lot on the 5DII for portraits - proving very good

I use a Black Rapid double strap for carrying. Will get another strap for body #3 - thanks for reminding me ;D

 

[wickidwombat]

http://www.peakdesignltd.com/

these are what i have modified and mounted on the think tank belt, with my modified RRS L brackets and black rapid TR-1 mounting points i can clip the cameras to belt to secure them without removing the rapid strap, it gives total protection against the cameras swinging and hitting something and redundancy on both systems if anything fails. i can also take any camera off by simply uncliping the strap and pop the l-bracket onto the tripod in portrait or landscape. it really works well especially when you are shooting for 10 to 12 hours straight with multiple cameras

 

[briansquibb]

Currently have a 30D along with 17-40L and 70-200L F4. Am planning a motorcycle trip though Wyoming and Colorado this summer. Was thinking about adding an ultra-wide angle (either Canon or Tokina).
And in keeping with this thread, was also contemplating a different body. A 5D would save be from having to buy that ultra-wide! S, is my old 30D up to the task or ...?

A 5D would certainly mean no ultawide as the 17-40 would be it. The 70-200 will also become very usefull for landscaped too - it is tack sharp - perfect for manual focus.

If you are talking of a 5DII then your photos will definitely improve as it has liveview - enabling accurate manual focussing

 

[mitchell3417]

I upgrade if I have to. I don't see needing to anytime soon. Right the IQ and fast AF of the 7d is all I can afford. I love having the fast AF because I take a lot of pictures of babies and toddlers. If my needs change, then so will my camera. But I am completely satisfied with the 7d.