60D vs 70D vs 7D - Low Light purchase?

I want to buy a body I'll be using for the following scenarios and would like the thoughts and feedback of actual owners of these cameras.

1. Low Light - I want to shoot available light in dark environments (think churches, abandoned buildings, etc.) where the people might be active with decent depth of field. So I'm thinking f/4 - f/8, ISO 12800, 1/200. I want the best detail possible (hence the desire for a full frame).

2. Absolute razor sharp focus accuracy in good light/flash (ISO 100, f/1.8, 1/120). Not Live view or Manual, just standard auto-focus.

2. Ability to keep focus on moving objects that might shift away from the center focus point (BIF, football, car racing).

Budget-wise, the 60D seems the best choice, since it's available much cheaper. But it doesn't allow microfocus adjustments, which I would LIKE to have. The 7D has a reputation for great focus accuracy, but is older and I'm not sure how good the ISO 12,800 will compare to the 70D in real world situations. I have no idea how well any of these can focus in dim/dark environments (churches, etc.) with just available light.

Any thoughts? Experiences?

I don't own any of the mentioned cameras, but to be honest your description screams "5D3" because it ticks all the boxes.

You are 100% correct. But I'm looking for a budget alternative. Goal is to stay under $1500, which can be done on all 3. 6D is close, but the lack of focus points and supposed poor BIF focus drop it out of the running. So I'm looking at the 3 potential crop sensors instead.

70D

yea, but even a full frame sensor wont guarantee razor sharp, crisp images at high ISO when the light is terrible.

gnome chompski wrote in post #16686884
yea, but even a full frame sensor wont guarantee razor sharp, crisp images at high ISO when the light is terrible.

thats right

+1 for the 70D
or wait for the 7D Mark II

6D or 7D for your price range + add good glass, but it really rest in the hands of the person using the equipment.

I,had a 60d and now shoot a 7d.....if your talking iso12800, I would look into a used 6d....and some fast glass, f/2.8 stuff and primes f/1.8.....maybe a 85mm f/1.8

As jocau said, I'd keep saving for the 5Diii in your case. Otherwise the 70D is your best bet.

If you live in the states, go open a credit card with Best Buy. They will give you 18months zero interest financing and they price match Amazon. Pay the $1200-1500 you have now upfront, then put the rest on the card and enjoy the camera you really want.

I want a ferrari for the price of a yugo too. Your ISO desires are pretty much out there, even for the existing state of the art. The other two are more in the province of the 5dIII, but the 7D would get you the focus you want but the 7D wont have the ISO you want. Decide whether ISO or focus is the primary factor and then let that lead you to something within your budget. .

12800? Not usable on any of those bodies, IMO. I'd only use it on my 6D if I was in a bind. I'll go up to 6400 if it is urgent on my 70D, but I really prefer not to go above 3200 with the 70D (6400 is my prefered max on the 6D).

If those really are the only options you're considering, the 70D seems like the clear choice to me. But, I don't actually think any of them are the right choice for you.

neacail wrote in post #16687078
12800? Not usable on any of those bodies, IMO. I'd only use it on my 6D if I was in a bind. I'll go up to 6400 if it is urgent on my 70D, but I really prefer not to go above 3200 with the 70D (6400 is my prefered max on the 6D).

If those really are the only options you're considering, the 70D seems like the clear choice to me. But, I don't actually think any of them are the right choice for you.

I whole-heartedly disagree. I don't hesitate to use 12,800 on my 6D and have even used above that a few times and been satisfied with the results.

OP, browse this thread, you'll see that any of the bodies will be capable with a little PP (some more than others). I personally have been very impressed with what I've seen from the 70D, though I haven't shot with one.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1308983

If I knew I would be shooting 12800 I wouldn't even consider the 3 you mentioned. A used 6d would be my 1st choice. The 70d would be #2 if I absolutely couldn't get the 6d (but the price between the 2 is only a few hundred bucks used 6d vs new 70d). The 6d has the much better low light center AF point.

What good will razor sharp focus be if you get an image so noisy you can't use it? You would have ETTR with a crop sensor and do some serious work in post to try to save the image, where as with a 6d, the work will be minimal even properly exposed.

I'm not planning on spending a lot of time using 12,800. But I've seen a few times where I had to use 6400 and then push it in post, so would like 12,800 as an option.

Thanks for all the comments so far! It sounds like the 70D is the best choice, with the 7D and option. It's funny no one is even mentioning the 60D. I thought it would at least have a few positives. But at least this narrows down the choices.

The mentions of 5D3 bring up an alternative. (5D3 isn't an option now. I don't do credit cards. Cars and homes are the only things I buy on credit) What would you say comparing a used 5D2 to the 70D or 7D? Again, the biggest question being available light focus and shooting at high ISO. I think it's past what I want to spend, but every so often one pops up at a good price, so I figure I'll toss it in the mix for opinions.

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #16687085
I whole-heartedly disagree. I don't hesitate to use 12,800 on my 6D and have even used above that a few times and been satisfied with the results.

OP, browse this thread, you'll see that any of the bodies will be capable with a little PP (some more than others). I personally have been very impressed with what I've seen from the 70D, though I haven't shot with one.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1308983

Don't get me wrong . . . the 70D is a great camera (I love mine). I use it mostly for shooting ice hockey in dimly lit arenas, and it is a great performer. But, the noise can be quite time consuming to clean up nicely at 6400. Especially when processing a lot of images.

I find the noise from the 6D much less offensive and cumbersome to deal with. I'd much rather clean up 6D noise at 12800 than 70D noise at 6400.