New Camera advice

[Darrell Riggins]

I currently shoot using a Canon 50D. I also have a 40D and 30D as back-ups. Here's my question; If I sold them would I be better off purchasing a Canon 7D or 5DMKII? I like shooting birds and also do lots of landscapes and other wildlife. Secondly, the 40D and 30D , while being older, are very lightly used. Are they even worth trying to sell? Any input would be appreciated.

[David Stephens]

What lenses do you own and use? Will you need any new lenses if you switch to full frame with the 5D2?

If you like your current lenses, then the 7D is the obvious choice because of its superior AF to the 5D2 and it high fps rate, which is very useful for BIF and certain wildlife shooting (like a deer jumping a creek or fence). I own both the 7D and the 5D2, but plan to move up to the 5D3 with its greatly imporved AF and fps. Given the right lenses, both the 7D and 5D2 are excellent cameras.

I'd sell two of your cameras just to get rid of clutter. Don't plan on receiving a lot, but maybe you could buy a flash or lens with the proceeds.

Let us know what you decide.

[Roger Clark]

David,
Why not a 5D3? That gives the AF and frame rate of the 7D and full frame 20+ MP like the 5DII. Seems like the best of both. (I own both 7D and 5DII) (and 1DIV) I do a lot of landscapes and if I was where you are at today, I would choose a 5D3.

[Darrell Riggins]

I use my 500mm f4 a lot for birding and wildlife. Shooting landscapes I rely on my 24-135. I also sometimes use a Sigma 170-500.

[arash_hazeghi]

agree 5D3 is the best choice if you can squeeze a bit more cash. Wouldn't buy a 7D now, the replacement model is long overdue, might come out in the next few months

[Alan Stankevitz]

I have to agree with the 5D Mark III option but if money is an issue, the 7D is a great camera for bird photography. You can pick up good used ones for about $1k, which is a lot less than a 5D Mark III right now. I do not recommend the 5D Mark II due to its sub-par autofocus and 3fps.

Alan
www.iwishicouldfly.com

[arash_hazeghi]

5D2 shoots at 4fps not 3 and its AF is excellent for flight if you use the center point with expansion. It's much better value for money than the 7D IMO, the 7D AF struggles for demanding flight shots IMO. I would not spend more than $800 on that body at this time...

[Alan Stankevitz]

5D2 shoots at 4fps not 3 and its AF is excellent for flight if you use the center point with expansion. It's much better value for money than the 7D IMO, the 7D AF struggles for demanding flight shots IMO. I would not spend more than $800 on that body at this time...

Are you suggesting that the 5DM2 is a better camera for bird photography than the 7D at 3.9fps vs 8fps? Do you believe the 5DM2 is better at autofocusing for BIF photography compared to the 7D?

[arash_hazeghi]

Are you suggesting that the 5DM2 is a better camera for bird photography than the 7D at 3.9fps vs 8fps? Do you believe the 5DM2 is better at autofocusing for BIF photography compared to the 7D?

Frame rate is sluggish but Yes, I do believe that 5D2 AF is better than 7D for demanding flight shots when used by a competent photographer. 7D AF does not meet my standards for critical flight performance and I don't recommend it to anyone unless they can't afford a better body.

The 5D2 center point AF + 6 expansion point rocks for flight.

Also, 5D3 for that matter is not really fast enough for critical action either, but it's better 6 vs. 4. These are some samples of what 5D2 can do:












Attachment 111081

[Alan Stankevitz]

Frame rate is sluggish but Yes, I do believe that 5D2 AF is better than 7D for demanding flight shots when used by a competent photographer. Attachment 111081

Very nice images Arash. I'm sure there are plenty of competent 7D photographers that can show you just as many tack-sharp, in-focus images taken with the 7D. I too have many nice images taken with both cameras (5D Mark II and 7D) but found my keeper rate higher with the 7D compared to the 5D Mark II, plus if you are attempting to catch a high wing-beat bird such as a Green-Winged Teal in-flight, the 7D's 8fps will have a much better chance of catching the wings in the correct position. 3.9 fps is just too slow for BIF in my opinion.

I believe competency comes with practice.

Alan
www.iwishicouldfly.com

[Alan Stankevitz]

Darrell,

As far as selling your cameras, you can usually get a fair idea of what they will sell for by going to Fred Miranda's web site. (No disrespect to this forum.) FM's buy/sell board is crazy busy and by doing a search there, you should get a good idea as to what your cameras are worth.

Here's a link to their buy/sell board:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/10

Alan
www.iwishicouldfly.com

[arash_hazeghi]

Very nice images Arash. I'm sure there are plenty of competent 7D photographers that can show you just as many tack-sharp, in-focus images taken with the 7D. I too have many nice images taken with both cameras (5D Mark II and 7D) but found my keeper rate higher with the 7D compared to the 5D Mark II, plus if you are attempting to catch a high wing-beat bird such as a Green-Winged Teal in-flight, the 7D's 8fps will have a much better chance of catching the wings in the correct position. 3.9 fps is just too slow for BIF in my opinion.

I believe competency comes with practice.

Alan
www.iwishicouldfly.com

I disagree, the 7D just does not have critical AF performance IMO for flight, no matter how good the photographer is or how much you practice. None of the flight pros here uses a 7D. Of course if you accept soft flight shots, it's an OK camera.

When I was shooting with Doug Brown and Jim in Florida, Doug's 1D4 broke. He pulled his 7D but in a few minutes the keeper ratio dropped so significantly that he drove about 200 miles to rent a MK4.

Any ways, I suggest OP not waste his money on 7D and wait until the replacement comes out or buy a 5D3 now. that's my advice

[Alan Stankevitz]

Well, I guess I'm the only one then. I respectfully disagree with your BIF assessment of the 7D. I have plenty of excellent quality BIF images taken with the 7D and and yes, I do sell my work professionally.

I disagree, the 7D just does not have critical AF performance IMO for flight, no matter how good the photographer is or how much you practice. None of the flight pros here uses a 7D. Of course if you accept soft flight shots, it's an OK camera.

When I was shooting with Doug Brown and Jim in Florida, Doug's 1D4 broke. He pulled his 7D but in a few minutes the keeper ratio dropped so significantly that he drove about 200 miles to rent a MK4.

Any ways, I suggest OP not waste his money on 7D and wait until the replacement comes out or buy a 5D3 now. that's my advice

[Colin Knight]

Arash, I guess Doug changed his mind significantly from this: http://www.deepgreenphotography.com/...-new-canon-7d/

[arash_hazeghi]

Arash, I guess Doug changed his mind significantly from this: http://www.deepgreenphotography.com/...-new-canon-7d/

No Collin that stuff is old (2009). Doug sold his 7D. I sold mine after 3 months.

[Colin Knight]

But the 7D AF hasn't changed just do to the date. I agree its AF isn't up to par with BIF. I just find it odd that his opinion changed so much. He said it was "probably better than the 1D III." And I assume he wasn't talking about a lemon. haha

[arash_hazeghi]

But the 7D AF hasn't changed just do to the date. I agree its AF isn't up to par with BIF. I just find it odd that his opinion changed so much. He said it was "probably better than the 1D III." And I assume he wasn't talking about a lemon. haha

Sure it was a relative statement. AF performance is relative, all Canon camera's can deliver very sharp files even the lowest end Rebels can do that but what matters is the overall percentage of critically sharp photos in demanding conditions. When Doug wrote that article MK4 did not exist yet and he hadn't tried the 5D.

I had plenty of sharp frames from 7D myself but IMO overall keeper ratio is below acceptable threshold, here are a couple of samples...