Canon 7d vs Canon 5D Mark II vs something else?
 

So im looking to get a new camera and a few decent lenses. I have a pretty good size budget. Ive really been looking at the 7D and the 5D Mark Dos but am having a hell of a time deciding. The 7D is cheaper and seems like I would have an easier time learning on it but the 5D is full frame and has better low light capabilities and would be a better camera overall once I have learned the in's and out's. So what do you guys recommend. Just got for the 5D or go with the 7D? I def. want to learn the whole video aspect as well but I know that will take a lot more time. Feel free to recommend any thing else as well.

I have both. I find it extremely hard to recommend one over the other. They are both excellent cameras but they are built for 2 different purposes.

If you're shooting more action/sports/motorsports where you need faster frames per second or better focusing then get the 7D. If you are mainly shooting portrait stills, weddings, photojournalism and you just want the absolute best in image quality, get the 5D2.

As far as low light, both cameras do an excellent job. If you search thru the High ISO thread in this section I have provided many examples of the 7D and 5D2 at ISO 6400, 12,800 and 25,600. With a good noise reduction photoshop plug in like DFine you can get some fantastic results. I would not hesitate shooting either camera at ISO 6400 or higher (7D maxes out at 12,800 and 5D2 at 25,600).

Its a tough choice and I am glad I'm fortunate enough to own both camera bodies. If I had to pick one to keep it would be a hard choice but it would come down to ultimately what I'm mostly using the camera for.

No matter what the 5D2 will always have better image quality due to the full frame sensor but the 7D is not far behind. If you have good glass on the 7D you will get some AMAZING pics. The average person will never be able to tell the difference.

For video, the 7D has a couple more options with more resolutions and frame rates. They both produce awesome video. Just search on Vimeo for both cameras to see some examples. I personally have not got into the video side of it yet but I would like to one of these days.

If you have any other specific questions about either camera just ask.

i actually like this thread

Haha I think the main issue is I would like to do a little of both. I love doing action/motorsports shots but I also love doing nature shots. I havent quite gotten into portraits but am really interested in doing so. To get one thing straight I am going from a Canon Powershot PnS to a Pentax *ist DL to what ever is next. I havent had a really nice camera/lens yet. I just hate buying new glass for my Pentax when I have the money to upgrade and get a few nice lenses.

And Charles, I am glad I can appease you, that is of course unless you are joking. Then FUCKKKK YOUUUUUUUU!!!! haha

"Hey look on the bright side, at least were not a pentax, OHHHHHHHH"

baaaaaaaaaaaaahahahaha ^

Hey, hey, for how much I paid and for what I got with it I have no complaints AT ALL. It's just not worth dumping money into.

Don't be scared, deep down inside I know you're jealous of my gear.

Sounds like the 7D is the better choice for you then. I'd recommend just getting the camera body then grab these 2 lenses: Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS and Canon 70-200 f/4L IS. That is, if your budget can swing it.

Thank me later.

what ever you do dont get 17-40mm f4L

I owned that lens and it was pretty decent. Excellent sharpness and color.

Now, my new 16-35 f/2.8L II is on another level compared to the 17-40 and 17-55.

I must be doing someething wrong, I find it to not be sharp at all in comparison not my nikon kit lens(18-70mm)

Coulda been a bad copy. It happens.

The 2 copies I ever used were sharp as fuck though.

I think so bro, Im posting on CL asap

OP, Big C covered it all from his first post. IMO, my suggestion to you is the 7d. I'm a firm believer in "it's not the gear, it's the photographer" so IMO, your case comes down to what you like to do with this camera and budget. My suggestion to you is the 7d. Take it for what it is.....just my suggestion.


And about the 17-40L, this lens should not be an L lens. LOL. I never was impressed with it the first time I used it and I still am not after using it for my wedding 3wks ago. It just could not compete with my 17-55f2.8IS. I'm sure that's why the "used market price" of the 17-40 is what it is.

ive never had an issue with my 17-40?
then again it hasnt seen much use since the 70-200 was put on

maybe you should consider T2i - i went from Canon rebel (300d) to T2i (550D) and i love it.
of course its not 7D, but close to it. :)

I was looking at the t2i based on the compact size and price but for one I dont like not having the display on top which isnt necessarily a killer but among other things I just dropped it off the list.

7d.

Totally agreed. However I think you and I are the only people on this forum that believe that lol.

i told you you'd like that lense

really? b/c the net worth of my gear now is like 500 bucks LOL

I never had an issue with it either, it just didnt "impress" me for an L lens.

Dame....that's not good.

srsly. i'm starting to get paying gigs here and there, and i have just over $1k invested

yeah, my shit is old and outdated. it was expensive new but it's not worth anything near that now.

Justin, quit playin, your 10-20 Sigma alone even used is still worth about $350-400 by itself.

When I sold mine I got $380 for it.

whoa.. i was WAY off. I just did another look into my gear and apparently my lens still sells for 650-700. I guess sigma makes a 10-20mm f4-f5.6 as well rather than my 10-20 f3.5-5.6

hmm, learn something new everyday. but still, my camera is worth like 250 bucks+ 200 dollar flash + 80 dollar 50mm

ok, ok so 1180.00 ish for my gear. mo fucka, you've got more than that wrapped up in your cheapest lens haha.

Oh oh....I guess I'll post it here. LOL

Amateurs worry about gears, Pros worry about money, Maters worry about light.

<---- worries about getting the money, to buy the gear, that supplies the additional light.

<---- Jedi :rofl:

maters?

Def. feel like I am going to go with the 7D. Going to get a Canon EF 70-200mm lens but I dont know if I want to go with the F/2.8 or the F/4.0. Also what would be a good standard type lens?