Which New (used) Camera?

I currently have a modest kit of 40D + SIgma 17-70, Canon 50/1.8, 85/1.8 and 55-250. Mostly use for sports, but would like to again make it my primary kit (just sold my E-M5 kit).

I'm thinking about either a 5D or a 7D. I don't need either, but I have some money in the camera fund and I hate to let it just sit there. I'll be looking for some new glass as well, depending which way I go.

I like the 5D because I really want to experience "full frame goodness". Portraits are my second priority after sports, so that would presumably be a good fit.

I like the 7D for obvious upgrade reasons over the 40D, though I am a bit hesitant regarding my ability to effectively use AF to it's fullest capabilities.

I'm also sort of considering the Nikon D7000 .

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks.

I know nothing about Nikon, but I went from a 40D to a 7D and never had a single regret. Any new piece of equipment takes a little time and practice to get used to, but this isn't rocket surgery. Read the manual, maybe buy a dedicated guide book (I like David Busch), and go out and shoot! As far as the 5D is concerned, unless you are considering the Mk III, I would stay with the 7D.

I would throw a 1D3 in there for consideration with your budget and intentions. You really can't go wrong with any of the three, but I don't think the 5D2 (assuming it's the II) is the best of the three if you intend to shoot sports.

I'd also start thinking about some longer f/2.8 glass for most sports, if you're going to start throwing money at it.

Whatever you decide (excluding the Nikon) you should consider using the Canon Loyalty Program. That will get you a refurbished camera (or body) and at some attractive prices. Most people feel these cameras are "near" new and the come with a 14-day exchange privelege and 90-day warranty. My 60D body, at $640, had something like 45 shutter actuations on it, at least as reported by software available via this forum.

You do need a Canon product to trade in but that can be a P&S 35mm film camera or P&S digital. Working or non-working is fine.

Do a search for Canon Loyalty Program for the details.

OK. Since portraits are secondary to sports, skip the 5D unless you go for the 5DIII. The 7D is perfectly capable of outstanding portraits and any talk otherwise is nonsense. Take a look at the 7D portrait thread. https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1146910 It's been slow getting it going and some of the examples posted by users aren't perhaps the best examples, but there are plenty of shots to give you a good idea of what it is capable of. If you really want to focus on portraits, some good lighting and modifiers will take you a lot further than switching to full frame.

There has probably never been a better time to get something like the 7D. The thing is absolutely incredible and Canon is really going to have to step outside their comfort zone to improve it.

Oh. And regarding the concern about "using the 7D AF". Don't sweat it. Get David Busch's book on the 7D. It is certainly worth having. The main thing to keep in mind on the 7D is that the AF will pick up areas of contrast outside the box you see in the viewfinder. The center spot is EXTREMELY sensitive compared to anything on your 40D. And then you have some new AF modes that you can experiment with or turn off at your leisure. Here's some information on the focus points on the 7D. http://blogs.stonestep​s.ca/showpost.aspx?pid​=54

Pay particular attention to this statement: "Note that the cross extends well beyond the red square marker in the viewfinder, which means that if there is more detail outside of the AF point marker, the camera will focus on that detail." This is what I believe to be the source of most 7D AF complaints. But once you are aware of this little nuance, you know what to look for and this will greatly increase your keeper rate.

And as one posted above, I got my 7D through the CLP for $1069 and it was as good as new.

I would either buy from CLP or used, and I'll definitely keep the 40D if I buy a 5D.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

I went through a similar decision process that you are, but then I bought a 5D for a short period of time. I ended up selling it and buying the 7D and never thought about it again. It is only with the 5DIII that I have even contemplated going back to full frame. I really didn't see a "need" for 8fps or any of the advanced AF features on the 7D until I bought my Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG OS HSM and my daughter joined the color guard in marching band. The difference is simply incredible. 8fps with back button focus and the DOF preview button reassigned to Servo AF is just awesome. I can't tell you how often the difference from an OK shot to a great shot in sports is just a fraction of a second. With the custom user settings I can set my camera up for sports on C1, and setup a completely different group of settings on C2 for portraits. Also, when the light gets low, an f2.8 lens activates the higher sensitivity sensor on the 7D. That same pair as I pointed out above just nailed AF almost instantly at my daughter's sweet 16 party and it was a gymnasium at night lit only by a DJ booth.

Don't get me wrong. Full frame has its place. If you are printing really big, shooting a lot in low light, or shooting landscapes that require a wider field of view, they are nice to have. If you have an obsession with creating the most background blur possible, then a full frame will give you about a stop and a half more for the same focal length/aperture combination because the wider field of view causes you to have to be closer to the subject. But frankly I feel that the narrow depth of field is often over-used.

Don't take my word for it though. See if you can borrow or rent one. Try it out.

I've had the 7D and 5D together, I liked the images off the 5D a lot. I still have the 7D, but haven't used it in awhile.

Yno wrote in post #15093799
I know nothing about Nikon, but I went from a 40D to a 7D and never had a single regret. Any new piece of equipment takes a little time and practice to get used to, but this isn't rocket surgery. Read the manual, maybe buy a dedicated guide book (I like David Busch), and go out and shoot! As far as the 5D is concerned, unless you are considering the Mk III, I would stay with the 7D.

I made the same 40D to 7D upgrade a couple of years ago and feel the same way. While the 7D's auto focus system does require an investment of your time to learn, it is not that difficult and there are online tutorials available to guide you.

Even after buying a 5D3 this year, I kept the 7D to use as a 2nd body for wildlife. It's still the best APS-C sensor body in Canon's lineup.

OK, you all convinced me. Just bought a 7D.

It is in excellent condition w/low shutter count.

Now I'm gonna need some new glass...

The 7D is probubly the best all around body out there, it kinda just does anything well

Including portraits:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …unetsukiphoto/8​068989144/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …unetsukiphoto/7​653691894/

KenjiS wrote in post #15096377
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As for glass, Maybe upgrade your 55-250 to a 70-200 f/4L or a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM since you like sports and portraits, Both would be a nice upgrade and are not that expensive

Yep, as much as I like the 55-250 it just doesn't seem appropriate for the 7D.

The 5d makes amazing files. But it's old and slow. The 7d is a beast, a real all around camera. If you do a lot of work outside and don't need to spend the extra dough, for $150 the 55-250 is a crazy good lens.

All that said, if its a typical portrait session, I'm grabbing the 5d and any prime - magic happens...

Some with the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG OS HSM:

Night time marching band competition: (around 50% crop on all three)

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/kevinfreels/8​069487057/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/kevinfreels/8​069481666/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/kevinfreels/8​069480824/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/kevinfreels/8​025679300/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/kevinfreels/7​706460738/