5D or mirrorless

5D MK IV or should I go mirrorless. Shoot mostly motorsport

Im currently shooting 5d III’s for wildlife and birds. I’ve chosen to pass over the 5d IV in favor of mirrorless for my next bodies. The AF upgrades that the R5/6 provide is substantial as well as the frame rates of the R5. However, I am waiting for the R1 release to understand how Canon will separate their mirrorless pro lineup from what seems to be an extremely strong R5.

Here are my thoughts. I have shot motorsports for 12+ years. I use a 7D2 for that and a 5D4 for other shooting. I find the 5D4 frame rate and the lack of reach advantage available with the 7D2 to be limiting.

Now for some more practical issues. The R5 is relatively unavailable and carries a $1,600 premium price over the 5D4. Plus, you’ll need an RF to EF adaptor ($100 - $200) to use your existing lenses. It is brand new, which means there will be teething problems (think overheating during video, etc.) and there are very few everyday photographers that have any real world, hands on experience. Not being an early adopter in general, I’d suggest waiting to make any decision for a year or so. See how it is perceived by a few thousand others willing to jump in with deep pockets.

Why not buy a 7D2 for $1,400 now and shoot your motorsports for a year or two. You will get great results with a proven camera. Let the dust settle, the hype subside and the prices for not only the bodies drop, but the overinflated lenses, as well. If the R5 still looks like the way you want to go, sell off the 7D2 and maybe your current lenses and move fully to the RF future. There is no real reason, that I can think of, to rush into buying into a new system right now. It’s not like we cannot get excellent images with our current cameras. YMMV

I've never understood the obsession that the only way to get a good image was to have a full frame camera. I never had issues capturing images with either a 7D or the original 1D mk IIs that were a form of crop camera as well. For somethings, I agree... full frame has it place and advantages. But its like people feel if a F150 can get you to work well... then a F250, or even better F350 would be keener (sorry non-North Americans - very localized example). Or if an A320 works to fly you from London to Paris...an A380 must be way better. As we now know, the world airlines know better from experience.

Crop cameras were the bee's knee's for sports ohotographers for a real long time. Now... the holly grail is full frame or your just not worthy. The 7D mk II, 80D, 90D all can do a good job. I used an a6300 as camera B for a long time. What will make you a great photographer for motorsports is "REACH"... and picking your lines. Camera body really has little to do with it. Motorsport normally provides lots of contrast and color for a camera to grab onto.

Go cheaper.... get a big lens... and go to more races. Its worked for me.

Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated

Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated

I’ve a 90D and 5D4, use both for motorsport and Rugby. Mostly with a 100-400LII. IMO the 5D4 has the edge quality wise though the frame rate is a tad marginal for me. Depending on the circuit the longer reach is missed on occasions. The 90D is a great camera and I kept hold of it for the higher frame rate and longer reach. I wouldn’t mind having a go at the R5 with a 100-500. Potentially it would be the best of all worlds for me. I’ve also seen some great motorsports images taken with a Sony 7IV and 200-600 lens. Though I would stick with Canon due to familiarity with the user interface and general product quality.

Unfortunately I’m in too deep with relatively new canon bodies and glass to make the swap though I think it’ll be inevitable given time.

I do love the reach of the crop bodies but since getting a R6, the AF of the ML is pretty amazing. The 7DII is good but the R6 is in another league

There is no advantage of the mirrorless for Motorsport other than maybe 20fps in ES, but if you’re panning, the ES effects won’t be pretty.

The 7d2 or 5d4 are good options, and the answer depends on your desired reach and burst rates, most likely.

Emce wrote in post #19163303
I’ve a 90D and 5D4, use both for motorsport and Rugby. Mostly with a 100-400LII. IMO the 5D4 has the edge quality wise though the frame rate is a tad marginal for me. Depending on the circuit the longer reach is missed on occasions. The 90D is a great camera and I kept hold of it for the higher frame rate and longer reach. I wouldn’t mind having a go at the R5 with a 100-500. Potentially it would be the best of all worlds for me. I’ve also seen some great motorsports images taken with a Sony 7IV and 200-600 lens. Though I would stick with Canon due to familiarity with the user interface and general product quality.

Unfortunately I’m in too deep with relatively new canon bodies and glass to make the swap though I think it’ll be inevitable given time.

The 7d2 or 5d4 are good options, and the answer depends on your desired reach and burst rates, most likely.

As an update to my previous post, I’ve now made the jump to mirrorless. The autofocus is also critical especially speed and the ability to lock in and follow objects. I’ve an R5 now with a 100-500 rf lens and it surpasses anything the 5D4 or 90D can do, including the excellent autofocus. I understand the R6 has a similar system which should also be excellent. Frame rate at 12fps mechanical, is great.

There are a few cases where my 5D4 is still better than the R6, but yes the AF in this round of mirrorless from Canon is very good indeed.