New camera decision

[cdi]

so its just about time to get a new body either for a backup or my primary. currently i have a canon 30d and im looking at either getting a canon 1d mk2 or a canon 7d. my main focus is auto-focus and fps, not necessarily megapixels. so my decision comes down to this;
do i get a brand new camera that just came out? or do i go with a older camera but had proven itself in the sports-world?

as for what i shoot, i shoot a lot of sprint car races and off-road races. any input is welcome

[DC Fan]

One camera has generated some good results at sprint car races.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/200907161261a.jpg

The same camera seems to work well at off-road events.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20091025a1004.jpg

However, this camera doesn't offer much to brag about. It's a refurbished XTi, a 2006 design.

[328somewhere]

Xti's are great for sports it seems. With an L lens and some good lighting it can produce unbelievable results. I myself am in the same market as you. But there is no question for me. 1D Mkii or MkiiN for me. When things go fast, get the fastest camera.

[thumper 8]

I shoot a lot of motorcycle racing and love the 1DMkIIn - picked up one w/ a low shutter count (under 20K) for much less than the new 7D - I am keeping my 40D as a back-up body.

The auto-focus of the IIn is fabulous - super sharp images too!

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg304/thumphoto/September20th526.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg304/thumphoto/zzAugust30th2009967.jpg

[Simon Harrison]

I have both a 1D mk II and a Canon 7D. The 7D is at least as good as the 1D mk II in every aspect as far as AF and image quality is concerned. Since I bought the 7D, the mk II hasn't even made it out of the bag. I would buy another 7D before I would buy another 1 series. Make of that what you will. Have a look at my website to see what I shoot and the results the 7D and 1D mk II give.

Simon.

[DC Fan]

John Thawley, who has contributed images to this forum and has generated some outstanding pictures in print, has a gallery of 2009 motorsports pictures online. (http://www.autoextremist.com/autoextremist-image-gallery/2009-year-in-review-john-thawley/) Judging from the EXIF data, those who want to match Thawley's results by using the same camera that generated most of the images should get a 40D, (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-40D-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx) a two-year-old design that is several bodies down from the top of Canon's DSLR line.