7Dii or 100-400II?

The time has come to upgrade my setup. Currently use the version 1 combination of the above.

I have the funds to replace only one for the Mk2 version and want to make the decision based on which one will bring the largest gain on iQ.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

That is a really tough question right there,.......I had to have the Camera but was it the right choice.......Mmmmmm I don't know I guess I was ready to move on to better iso, noise, and I wanted more clarity,.. did I get it ?? not so easily as you may have seen. If the lens had of been out at the same time it would have been very hard to decide. some days I feel I got it right but I still know I have to have that 100-400II as well so its as clear as mud.

Since you already have both of the Mark I versions, then I would recommend buying the camera body. Although the low light capability might not be what people would have liked, I would say that the Autofocus system makes up for that. I have the 3 of the Mark I's and the new Mark II and am loving the Mark II. I have gotten the best birds in flight shots that I have ever gotten and I will attribute it to the the Autofocus system.

The 100-400 lens is still a great lens (although my Mark II is being delivered today ), there is nothing wrong with the workings and capabilities. I bought the MARK II lens because my wife and I shoot together and it would be convenient to have two of the 100-400 Lens.

Thanks for the replies.

This is proving to be as you quite rightly say a real tough decision to make.

Travelling to Japan at the beginning of next month so I really need to make my mind up before then. Hoping to get a few more real world examples of the said combos to help me decide.

Aaaarrrgghh

It took me years to figure this dilemma out, but always upgrade the lens first, then camera body. Reasoning is that the lens will be around a lot longer than the body.

Lens first

That rule works great until you take into consideration already owning the ver 1,... I think I would get the camera,..buy the lens after a short time of saving and sell the ver #1 to help finance the ver #2.

This thread is now doing exactly what my brain is.

I think I am going to be ok whatever I end up choosing.

lol....which one do you really want.. lol.... Do that .....The lens will be nothing but positive result's while the 7D mark II is going to be a big learning experience......maybe lol ...I haven't had as much trouble as some

Interesting comments, and as is becoming clear, no 'right'' answer.

I have just bought the 7D Mk2, and use my tried and trusted lenses. Getting used to the camera is far more involved than just adjusting to a new lens. I have the original 100-400 which I have happily used for about 5 years and I know how to use it, and I have good results to compare the new camera against.

The camera is good, but not as good as I had hoped. I am comparing it against my old 7D and my 1DX. Tracking moving subjects is much better, but I am struggling a bit with higher ISO. Mainly because I am not used to how the camera works best.

So what ever you do, do it one item at a time.

Enjoy!

Becky

I am around 80% decided that it's the lens I will go for.

Rationale being that I know the limitations of the 7D very well and I have decided that I can live with those. For now.

I am a generalist wildlife shooter and come summertime love my bugs and butterfly photography. I find myself always stepping back with the current 100-400mm to achieve mfd. This will not be the case with the revised version.

Still 20% of indecision to go though!

Good choice,..You cant go wrong with the lens

I'd go the lens first.

Get the lens.

Your logic is spot on for insects.

Oh good god; curve ball time.

Just wondering what those in the know think about another thought that has just crept into my ever more confused mind.

What about ditching both lens or 7d2 upgrades and going for a 5d3? I am chasing overall image quality.

What would you do now?