50D -> Used 1D IV or new 7D II - Cannot decide

I am looking for an upgrade to my 50D which will complement my 6D, and despite reading every comparison I can find on here and elsewhere on the net I cannot decide which way to go.

The 6D has the Landscape, portrait and school assembly/presentations​/concerts, night shots covered...what I am looking for is something for sports - junior athletics, tennis, netball, cricket and action - motor sport, airshows and general aviation spotting.

I do not need to be able to shoot a wren or a sparrow at 25 metres - 99% of my static/flying subjects are much larger than that, so the 1.6 crop of the 7D II is that much of an advantage over the 1.3 crop of the 1D IV.

What I am looking for is faster and more accurate focus than both 50D and the 6D, better IQ at 400-6400 ISO than the 50D, and a higher burst rate rate.

The main lenses I will be using on this body will be the 200F2.8 and Tamrom 150-600, with or without a 1.4x converter.

I have dismissed the 7D, 70D, 5D3 and have narrowed it down to the 7D II and 1D IV

Weight and size of the 1D IV is not an issue as both the 50D and 6D have grips attached.

Locally I can get a 7D II or a low milage used 1D IV for about the same price - though I would then have to add the price of the grip for the 7D II.

Any input/suggestions to help me get off the fence either way would be appreciated.

Go with the newest technology. Smaller easier to handle body. The 7D Mark II

Up front - I am not in the market for a new camera. If I were, and the choices were 1D4 and 7D2, I would not hesitate to go with the 1D4. I grip all my cameras and the 1D4 has it built in. The 1D4 is proven technology. All of the focus issues surrounding the 7D2 and 70D scare me, more than a little. Currently I am happy with my 60D/6D setup.

I'm sort of on the same page as GeoKras. I would go with the 1D IV, in fact I was a heartbeat away from pushing the buy button on Adorama for it, but stepped back for now, since I can't justify the purchase as I already have the 5D3. If it's between the 7D2 and the 1D IV, and the prices are so close, I would choose the 1D IV for it's proven track record and it's beastly build.

I have been following the 7D2 since it came out and it looked amazing, but the focus issues showed up, and whether it's a mechanical, firmware or operator issue, it's still an issue. I am waiting to see if they sort it out. I know that many many many users with the 7D2 absolutely love it, and I see now that there is a nominal amount of shooters who have issues with it, and return it, exchange it or send it in to be adjusted/repaired.

As I said earlier, the 1D IV is tried and true and works very well according to everything I've read.

Just my 2¢ tho...

I'd go 1D IV also the build quality of the 1D series is insane as well as the color depth. I upgraded from a 50D to a 1D III and I'm very happy with the switch but I'm thinking of getting a 1D IV so I can take sports photos with out a flash.

1d4 hands down Pro camera 7d2 prosumer

Heya,

1D4 is where I'd go for what you're shooting. Spend all day at high ISO. Take a beating.

Very best,

Selling my 1d4 in favor of the 7D2. ISO performance is a push in my eyes, build quality to the 1D4, IQ slight advantage to 1D4, but AF system to the 7D2.

AF and reach made the decision.

huntersdad wrote in post #17325589
Selling my 1d4 in favor of the 7D2. ISO performance is a push in my eyes, build quality to the 1D4, IQ slight advantage to 1D4, but AF system to the 7D2.

AF and reach made the decision.

That pretty well sums it up! Go with the newer technology.

Thanks for the comments - though at 5:3 in favour of the 1D IV neither is standing out as the obvious choice.

However, what is interesting is the reasons given for going with the 7D2 are not actually my 'highest' highest priorities...ie size, reach and newer technology (never have been a fan of leading/bleeding edge).

Maybe it is becoming clearer the for me the overall IQ, build and proven technology of the 1D IV is more important to me than the reach, size and newer tech of the 7D2 ( the 'issues' with the 70D and reported 'issues' with the 7D2 are niggling the back of my mind ...)

OR

Maybe not....

I would vote 1D4 I love mine and have owned it for 3 years now. I have thought about a 7Dll but the image quality and detail at high ISO is better with the 1D4. Even if I ever get a 7Dll ( although so far I am not convinced ) it would never replace my 1D4. The image quality overall from the 1D camera bodies just can not be duplicated with other bodies. I also prefer the added customization offered in the 1D camera line. From what I jhave seen so far as ISO increases the advantage goes to the 1D. Detail seems to take a much larger hit on the 7Dll from everything I have seen so far.

1D4 for sure,.......Looking for a decent one now to replace my 7d.

Much better weather proofing,
Much Better Build Quality
Better Battery life
Better Image Quality
Sensor 50% larger
Takes 2 memory cards
Good for 300,000 + shutter actuations
Will hold its price much better than 7d2 (Will not depreciate much more)

Have seen some really nice condition 1d4's go for £1500-£1600 with 30-40,000 shutter actuations (Barely broke in).

My friend has been plagued with focussing issues on his 7d2 and now looking for a 1d4,.....Can't beat proven technology

PCousins wrote in post #17326162
1D4 for sure,.......Looking for a decent one now to replace my 7d.

Much better weather proofing,
Much Better Build Quality
Better Battery life
Better Image Quality
Sensor 50% larger
Takes 2 memory cards
Good for 300,000 + shutter actuations
Will hold its price much better than 7d2 (Will not depreciate much more)

Have seen some really nice condition 1d4's go for £1500-£1600 with 30-40,000 shutter actuations (Barely broke in).

My friend has been plagued with focussing issues on his 7d2 and now looking for a 1d4,.....Can't beat proven technology

Not sure you can say the 1D4 has better weather sealing or build quality. The 7D2 is built like a tank and is said to be as well sealed as any Canon camera. The 7d2 also has two card slots and two processors of the very latest type. The shutter is rated for 200,000.

I have recently added a 7d2 to my 50D (and a retired 30D). I considered a 6D at the time. My thought was just like others have posted here - get the newest technology. I expect this camera to last as have my others and do not care much about re-sale because it will be outdated technology before it is sold.

The posts here would lead you to believe that everyone off the line has focus problems. That is not the case. Mine seems fine and I have done a good deal of testing just because of the reports here. I don't question those who have reported problems, I just don't think that's anywhere near normal.

OP, in your situation my question would be do I need a crop camera and, if so, will my 50D continue to fill that need. Or does my new camera need to replace the 50D. If you want to replace the 50D, I think your choice is obvious. Otherwise, you will need to decide between the obvious advantages of the 1D4 and the advantages of the 7D2. In any case, I don't think you need to be concerned about focus issues with the 7D2

Concerning IQ and high ISO - the 7D2 is significantly better than the 50D, especially with respect to high ISO. It's not as good as your 6D, but it is quite good and ISOs up to 3200 or more are very useful.

Hope this helps. Tough choice.

My vote goes to the 1D IV as well. I don't have a 7D II, but a buddy does. After a few thousand shots with it, the conclusion we came to is that the focus system is really quite good. But the IQ is just not there. There is still more detail in the 1D IV shots. Especially at higher iso's.

I'm going to eat my words here from my previous post. Took some time tonight to compare files from the 2 bodies at ISO 800-6400 using the subject and distance. Even after pushing the 1D4 files 6/10 of a stop and cropping evenly, the noise, color, details and overall quality was better.

While I believe the 7d2 has the better AF system and drives my 600ii better, I'm sticking with my 1d4 for the image quality.

My apologies for having to recant.