What do you suggest?

Hi guys

I need a little help and I need to narrow down some choices and decide on a camera body.

Firs of all, I will be shooting sports, baseball, soccer, ice hockey, cricket and also indoor sports such as basketball. I also want to make sure I am able to use the camera in low light situation, for example, weddings, b-day events. I was thinking that 1D mark III might better suit my needs or even 7D. 5D MKII may not due to AF being very slow. Unless there's something else that might suit my needs better please do suggest. 1D MKIV is out of my range at the moment. Lenses that I will use are: 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 MKII. My current camera is xsi.

So what do you guys suggest. I would really love to get your input on this.

Thank You,
Karim.

I'd suggest the 7D!

1DIII unless you need the full frame camera, 7D is also an option. If you are shooting indoor sports a faster prime should be a consideration even with the better iso performance of those bodies.

7D will be my pick. With your extensive sports shooting, the 8fps and advance AF will for sure help you out.

If the 1D MkIV is out of your range, the 1Ds MkIII most certainly is, too! The 1Ds is the more expensive model.

7D would be your best option for sports and should give you approx. another stop of low light capability, compared to your XSi.

But the 60D would too, and is fast enough to shoot sports... and might leave some more money in the bank, perhaps for some faster prime lenses such as 135/2, 50/1.4, 85/1.8.

it's not impossible to shoot sports with 5DII.... Not ideal, perhaps, but it's not as if it's AF is impossible to use for the purpose. It's a great wedding/portrait camera. And an excellent low light shooter. And it would be good for approx. two stops higher ISO than your current camera... maybe even a wee bit more.

But another thing, a 1.6X camera would give you the most "reach" with your current lenses. I know, I know... this is a fallacy, but in the real world it works out that way. With a 5DII you might want an even longer lens to compliment what you have. The 1.3X 1D series is in between.

for what you described, the 7D should be ideal.

Sports? From the ones you listed, 7D for sure. You didnt mention wanting to shoot video, so if thats the case Id even consider spending a bit more and finding a perfect condition 1D Mark III.

And was that a typo? You said you were considering the 1Ds Mark III but the 1D Mark IV was out of the price range? Did you mean the 1D Mark III in the first place?

How soon do you plan to buy it? Isnt there a newer 5d coming soon?

1D3.

ben_r_ wrote in post #12641034
Sports? From the ones you listed, 7D for sure. You didnt mention wanting to shoot video, so if thats the case Id even consider spending a bit more and finding a perfect condition 1D Mark III.

And was that a typo? You said you were considering the 1Ds Mark III but the 1D Mark IV was out of the price range? Did you mean the 1D Mark III in the first place?

ben_r_, I did mean ID MK III . Regarding video, I dont think I will shoot videos at all, mainly to shoot sports and weddings.

I am just about to make the purchase for the 70-200 lens right now, camera I can still wait it out, no rush as I am okay with xsi. I am researching a little more on the IDs series as well and am wondering if it will be a better buy even for long term. I am only a hobbyist and have a full-time job that is paying the mortgage just fine but I do plan on doing this on the side by next year hopefully getting few events such as weddings and local sporting events. I will be shooting with a friend who is a photographer and has decided to take me under his wings for couple of events this year.

Thank you to everyone so far for their suggestions and please I would like to hear some more. To be honest, my max budget for a camera is anywhere from $3500.00-$4000.00, but I want to make sure I don't go crazy as this is simply a hobby but I want to make the correct investment as I would want to keep the gear for long term rather than buy and sell.

Karim.

Silverstonev8 wrote in post #12641046
How soon do you plan to buy it? Isnt there a newer 5d coming soon?

Some people think so.... Others don't. At best, it's a guessing game.

Just looking at the replacement cycle for the 5D Mk II, it would seem a Mk III is about due. However, the last two 5D models were introduced approx. a year after their respective 1Ds models. Some people think that was very deliberate, so that the cheaper FF model wouldn't cut into the sales of the top of the line model too much.

If Canon sticks with that game plan, then we likely have a long wait for a new 5D... The 1Ds Mark IV hasn't even been announced yet... It's overdue by roughly 6 months, based upon the previous 3 models replacement cycle.

Some rumors have it that there will be a new Canon DSLR announced in July or August. Those are just rumors, but if true I'd think it most likely to be a new 1Ds Mk IV. If so, then we might expect the 5D Mk III to show up Summer 2012... 13 or 14 months from now.

But of course Canon can do whatever they like, change around the introduction cycles if they wish. And, we can only speculate what they'll change in any of the new models. It's all just rumors.

Karim, if you will be shooting weddings with a mentor/friend, that's great. Hopefully they shoot Canon too. If not, or if you will be shooting any weddings by yourself, you really should plan to have two cameras of your own. If necessary, buy a less expensive camera model in order to have two. A backup camera is very important for wedding shoots, in particular. There are no do-overs with weddings... Any equipment failure can put you out of business in a hurry!

1D II or III

1D MKIII