Best field sports two camera combo?

[Tandem]

I've been shooting a lot of soccer games using the 70-200 f/4 and 300 f/4 on a 5D with a 1.4x. I switch lenses depending on whether I want to get midfield action or close in. The lengths are good for me but I'm not real happy using f/5.6 and it isn't fast enough after the sun sets and the lights come on. Then I'm limited to shooting from the sidelines with my 135 f/2 + 1.4x. The photos I get with the effective 189 f/2.8 look great, though.

I'm thinking about getting another 5D and going to a two camera setup with a 400 f/2.8 and a monopod on one body and a 70-200 f/2.8 non-IS handheld on the other body.

What do you think?

[Tareq]

you have 5D and you think to get another 5D
and i am still confusing between 1D series and some crop bodies as 30D
i think really i will get crazy and pull a trigger and get 2 or 3 bodeis

[Tareq]

not that only, but you want to get 400 f2.8 or you have it?
so you get all great gears, what should i buy then?

[coreypolis]

why the 5d? the 1dII is a much better sports camera and has better AF ability

the 300 2.8L is also about as good of a lens as they make, and on a 1.3x body will give you a 400 2.8, and you can even put on a 1.4x extender and have a true 400 f/4 and not lose anything

[malla1962]

I totaly agree with the above comments:D

[liza]

why the 5d? the 1dII is a much better sports camera and has better AF ability

He's right. The 5D is only 3fps. While the 5D great for weddings, portraits, and landscapes, the 1D MkIIN would be much better suited for sports.

[Tareq]

great, another votes for 1D series

[Tandem]

I was just thinking out loud and I appreciate the suggestions. This is a great group!

I hadn't considered the 1d series at all. I had thought of a 30D but considered it a step backwards.

So... use a 70-200 f/2.8 on the 5D and a 300 f/2.8 on a 1dII, right?

How is the 1dII at high ISO's? As good or better than a 5D?

[coreypolis]

iso 1600-3200 samples http://polisphotography.com/Flash/Saviour%20Concert/index.html

its up there with as good as they get for high iso performance

having the 300 on a 1dII will give you the fastest focusing combo available. However there may be times where its too long, so you could put it on the 5d to reduce the effective focal length etc

[Tandem]

It looks like this thread has become more of a camera discussion than a lens discussion. :oops: I apologize for it being on the wrong forum.

After some consideration, it occurs to me that the 1dII has capabilities that would make it ideal for using with a zoom lens while the 5d would shine with a prime.

The 1dII has better focusing abilities and a much higher frame rate. That makes it outstanding for close-in action like around a soccer goal. The 5d with its higher pixel count is better with a prime where I tend to do more cropping. A little slower focusing doesn't hurt the 5d as much on long shots.

That leads me to go with a 1dII + 70-200 f/2.8 and a 5d + 400 f/2.8. Or 5d with a 300 f/2.8 + 1.4x realizing that I'll have to switch the camera/lens pairing or do some other compromise for night games.