Would I "get away with" a 60D + 70-200 f2.8 IS

Good evening.

I am currently a nightlife photographer/portrait-esque stuff and have managed to save enough cash for the rather lovely 70-200mm f2.8 mkii IS canon lens.

Thing is, I have a 60D...I want to use the lens for my portrait and also sport.
I know the 7D AF is apparently superior...but how much so?
Would I "get away with" the 60D or will I end up kicking myself with frustration till I give in and end up buying the 7D?

Good glass > decent body everyday.

For the last two years I've been using a T1i for shooting birds. I've gotten many shots that are good enough to hang on the wall. I just got my 7D, and it's been raining every day since, so I can't tell you how much (if any) it will improve my keeper rate.

I know this has come up before here but to me a Good lens is more important than what body you use in most situations..

Johnny010 wrote in post #15422017
Good evening.

I am currently a nightlife photographer/portrait-esque stuff and have managed to save enough cash for the rather lovely 70-200mm f2.8 mkii IS canon lens.

Thing is, I have a 60D...I want to use the lens for my portrait and also sport.
I know the 7D AF is apparently superior...but how much so?
Would I "get away with" the 60D or will I end up kicking myself with frustration till I give in and end up buying the 7D?

The 60d is a very capable camera. The 7d is going to give you more fps, and a more sophisticated focus system, but the 60d can do it, and if you search on here you will see great examples. I would get the 70-200, but also pick up a 85mm f/1.8 for indoor sports. The f/2.8 on the 70-200 can be very challenging in dim gyms.

It all depends on how much you want to ellivate your game. I wasn't happy with my 7D when I jumped from the 50D to the 7D. It doesn't do well in low light conditions like a lot of high school gyms. There is a lot of noise when you get above 1600. Ijust recently got the 5D III and it night and day to the shots I am able to get with that camera. I can shoot at 6400 with minimal noise. I can get up to 10000 and the noise is the same as my 7D. I don't know how the new 6D does for sports, but it's only a few $100 more. Don't know how it performs with high ISO. The frames per second may be its only draw back if you use burst to shoot sports. I don't so it would work for me. I can say you will love the lens. I use it to shoot all of my basketball shots.

Here's an example with a 85mm, I shoot a 50d, so I keep iso under 3200, this was at 2500..
This gym is very dark, but the 85mm works well, great focus and fast. I could not use a f/2.8, gyms are to dark.

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Czbrat271 wrote in post #15423225
It all depends on how much you want to ellivate your game. I wasn't happy with my 7D when I jumped from the 50D to the 7D. It doesn't do well in low light conditions like a lot of high school gyms. There is a lot of noise when you get above 1600. Ijust recently got the 5D III and it night and day to the shots I am able to get with that camera. I can shoot at 6400 with minimal noise. I can get up to 10000 and the noise is the same as my 7D. I don't know how the new 6D does for sports, but it's only a few $100 more. Don't know how it performs with high ISO. The frames per second may be its only draw back if you use burst to shoot sports. I don't so it would work for me. I can say you will love the lens. I use it to shoot all of my basketball shots.

Agree, if you want to drop $3000 plus on a body, the 5dmkiii does a fantastic job. I still don't understand the noise thing, people say the 50d is horrible, I shoot upto 3200"and am happy, and I believe the 7d does a better job? I am going to pick one up in January and will find out, I figure for $1100 for a new 7d is worth a try. I just can't justify over $3000 for a body unless you are making money on them, but everyone spend the $$ differently. I go to aruba twice a year, so go figure.

Don't bother with the 7D quite yet. If you have to ask the question, you probably still have a lot of room to grow. The 60D is a very capable camera! Don't replace it until you're totally certain you've learned your camera inside and out and actually need more. Just my 2 cents. I used to have a 30D that I shot snowboarding with for years. Worked like a charm. Then it died and my extended warranty got me the 7D as a replacement.

Johnny010 wrote in post #15422017
Good evening.

I am currently a nightlife photographer/portrait-esque stuff and have managed to save enough cash for the rather lovely 70-200mm f2.8 mkii IS canon lens.

Thing is, I have a 60D...I want to use the lens for my portrait and also sport.
I know the 7D AF is apparently superior...but how much so?
Would I "get away with" the 60D or will I end up kicking myself with frustration till I give in and end up buying the 7D?

Here's what happens when a Canon 60D is used with a 70-200mm lens for sports pictures.

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DC Fan wrote in post #15423565
Typically, the camera reflects nothing more than the photographer's ability. There's little that a 7D can do that can't be performed by a 60D.

Yes and no. That really boils down to who's hands its in.

Thanks guys.
Will definitely be having a go on the 60D (seeming as I already use one). From the looks of things, it doesn't seem to matter too much. Luckily in the UK, most sports seem to be outdoor. I will mainly be shooting cycling and triathlon (when i am not in it). Also some hockey (not ice...normal hockey).

Johnny010 wrote in post #15423878
Thanks guys.
Will definitely be having a go on the 60D (seeming as I already use one). From the looks of things, it doesn't seem to matter too much. Luckily in the UK, most sports seem to be outdoor. I will mainly be shooting cycling and triathlon (when i am not in it). Also some hockey (not ice...normal hockey).

Glad we helped persuade you to hang onto what you have since it's a solid tool for sports shooting. Question though: Normal hockey?! Sorry, I'm from Canada and hockey is normally played on ice. Do you mean floor hockey? Roller hockey? I'm curious what is normal in the UK. Enlighten me

Field hockey you may call it?