Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Canon EOS 7D

[nannybear Profile Private messageWebsite]

I am having serious thoughts about buying the EOS 7D instead. My concern being the ability to shoot sports or fast shots. I won't be doing weddings but definitely toddlers and don't want to be limited as they move pretty quick. Anyone have any thoughts? cheers Jan

[debngar Profile Private message]

Your ability to shoot fast isn't all in the camera necessarily. Part of it is in the lens. Having the high ISO capability helps a lot though. I think both the 5DII and the 7D can go up to 6400 without fiddling with extra buttons. But I don't know what the noise is like on the 7D since I don't have one.

Many sport shooters use the "expensive" 70-200 f/2.8 L IS lens for action shots. I use that one for my action dog shots.

You'll want some kind of lens that at least lets you go down to f/2.8 throughout. But you may also be able to get the speed you need with a very inexpensive Canon "nifty fifty" prime 50mm f/1.8. It's made of plastic and is noisy to focus but will run you less than $100. You would have to zoom with your feet though.

Maybe if you get the 7D it will leave you with some money left over to buy a fast lens.

[nannybear Profile Private messageWebsite]

We are going to spend around 5K, what lenses would you recommend for everyday/portrait and then telephoto/fast/sports or birds? Thanks for your advice Deb!

[debngar Profile Private message]

After further thought, you could get by with the 70-200 f/4L IS since both cameras will do 6400 ISO. That will free your dollars for a mid-range zoom. The f/4 is a lot lighter. I'm wishing I had one instead of the 2.8 which is really heavy!

Review the prices at B&H. Also look for Canon rebates and the deadlines for those purchases which may save you a few hundred dollars depending on what all you buy.

For $5K you can get all this and still have some money left.

7D - $1700 (camera BODY ONLY)
70-200 f/4L IS - $1135 (until 1-16-10) (telephoto zoom)
24-70 f/2.8L - $1279 (until 1-16-10) mid-range zoom

= $3294.

ALSO think about...
---------------------
An auxiliary flash - $250-425
Extra camera battery ($65)
2 - 8Gb compact flash cards ($80 each)
Lens Bag ($200) to store all of your gear. I love my Boda Dry (NOT the jr - too small) New V3 coming out this month.
If you have any money left, buy Lightroom too.

If you're an NAPP member, shipping is free from B&H.

If you live near a camera store, put those lenses on a 7D and hold the camera, see how heavy it is. If you have any trouble with your wrists, etc. you may have problems holding the camera for long periods of time. The 24-70 is also kind of heavy!

Just my 2 cents.

[nannybear Profile Private messageWebsite]

Really appreciate all your advice!! Will let you know what I end up with. We are going shopping towards the middle of the month if all works out. Cheers Jan

[debngar Profile Private message]

Oops, forgot you are in B.C.

Do you have anyone near the border in the U.S. you can have all that stuff shipped to then pick it up? I don't know if the NAPP shipping deal is free to B.C. That may be a different situation for you in that case as far as shipping is concerned.

If you buy your stuff from a small independent business, the prices are usually higher. Don't buy from some off the wall advertiser in a magazine as they often will open the package and try to rip you off by not giving you everything that's supposed to come with the camera in the box then charge you more for the remaining stuff.

B&H has always been reliable and reasonable for me. Some like Adorama but the times I've bought from them the stuff in the box was not packed that well - packing/padding was deflated and I experienced mix ups with regards to the shipping address. All was ok but I'd rather get my stuff from B&H.

Also, I would not buy the grey market imports. Buy the USA model when possible.

[VernonRobinson Profile Private message]

Having done a lot of photography over the years, I think you will find the focal length for Birding to be quite a bit different then say your typical high school sports. A Birder will be using something in the 300 - 500 mm range or higher. That is part of the reason why the crop cameras (30D, 40D, 50D) are so popular with the Birding crowd.

The higher burst rate on the 7D gives it a plus for sports photography. However, the full frame sensor on the 5D will give you better low light performance. The weather sealing on the 7D is better. More resistant to rain/dust/etc. Also, with the approx $700 worth of savings, you could buy better glass. For sports shooting, general photography, etc. I would be inclined to purchase the 7D.

I am not normally a fan of combo devices. However, it would be nice to occasionally shoot some pretty decent video without having to lug video gear around.

I realize that the 70-200 F2.8 I.S. is a heavy lense, but being able to isolate the image with the shallow depth of field the F2.8 provide is what makes it shine. I would keep the F 2.8.

[nannybear Profile Private messageWebsite]

Thanks Vernon!! I won't necessarily being shooting sports (maybe) but toddlers who don't exactly stay still. My birds are in a feeder that I will only be about 12 feet from most of the time, and hummingbirds as close as 5 feet. As much as I love the idea of the 5D I think the 7 is a better bang for my buck,like you both mention, in being able to afford more lenses and gear. Going to focus mostly on portraits, landscapes and agree I will probably go with the heavier lens as it will be on a tripod most of the time. Will let you know what I end up with. I am trying to be patient and do my research! Cheers Jan

[VernonRobinson Profile Private message]

If landscapes are going to be a large percentage of what you do, then I would tend to lean toward the 5D. The full frame capability will get the most out of your wider lenses. But only if landscapes are the primary focus.

Regards,
-Vernon

[debngar Profile Private message]

Landscape are different than shooting portraits, toddlers, birds or sports. You may want a wide angle lens of which the 70-200 or 24-70 are not.

Now you're talking more choices ....

16-35mm f/2.8 L ($1,420-$1,520) = 25-56mm on a 7D

or the 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 EF-S = 16-35mm on the 7D ($720-$770) but that only fits crop sensor cameras like the 7D, NOT the 5DMII.

If you get a 5DMII you could buy a 20mm f/2.8 prime for about $459. It will fit both cameras but does not translate to typical wide angle reach on a 7D.

(I don't think you want to spend $2120 for the 14mm)

[nannybear Profile Private messageWebsite]

landscapes are the least so I think I will stick with the 7D. Have a great day guys!!!

[VernonRobinson Profile Private message]

Hard to make a bad choice between the two. Also, I would second the B&H recommendation. Reliable, trustworthy, and fairly priced. They may not always be the lowest, but they are consistent and stand behind the merchandise.

Regards,
-Vernon

[Jan*D*Photography Profile Private message]

I do NOT like my 5D for shooting sports...I actually prefer my old Nikon
For me (I shoot mostly baseball) the 70-200 L Canon lens is not nearly long enough for me. You might could get away with it on a short field, but not on a big one.
Shooting sports and shooting portraits, people, or landscapes are two totally different things and I use completely different equipment for sports than I would for the other stuff.
For portraits and such, my 50 1.4 and my 24-70L 2.8 rarely come off my 5D. The 50 1.4 is a great,sharp lens for the money and good in low light...it's as sharp as my L lens and good for all kinds of things (not sports though). You could spend a ton more money and buy the 50 1.2L...but the 1.4 is really a good lens.....and I don't mind zooming with my feet

Jan:)

[nannybear Profile Private messageWebsite]

Well just placed the order and now the fun learning curve will start! Sorry I have been so gone, but so much going on, with settling the estate, building and marketing the website side etc...and bulk cooking to fill our new freezer! Just don't have time to cook during the week with everything else....
Product Description Qty Unit Price Price
245748
Canon EOS 7D Body
208654
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Zoom Lens
204265
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens
Will slowly pick up all the other stuff and accessories as time goes by. By summer I should be up and running and have the studio built.
Thanks for everyone's advice and help! Totally appreciated. will post examples of pics once I have some..cheers Jan

[VernonRobinson Profile Private message]

I know you won't be disappointed. Great gear and great glass.

All the best,
-Vernon