30D to Mark II experiences

I'd like here from anyone whose gone from a 20/30D to a Mark II(n) for sports shooting. I've got a 30D now, and am thinking of upgrading to a used MkII or MkIIn. Did you notice a big increase in the quality of your photos, particularly in terms of sharp focus? Anything else good or bad?

Thanks,

- Sean

Do it now! I run a small event photography business and I personally specialise in martial arts. We had 1 X 1d MKII N and 2 X 30d. Now we have 1 X 1d MKII N, 2 X 1d MKII and 1 X 30d. Your keeper rate will change dramatically with the focusing on the 1d.

.......get used to the weight or buy a monopod. I can shoot hand held all weekend with a 70-200mm 2.8 L IS but my staff always use a monopod with the 1d.

FCP wrote in post #4211353
Do it now! I run a small event photography business and I personally specialise in martial arts. We had 1 X 1d MKII N and 2 X 30d. Now we have 1 X 1d MKII N, 2 X 1d MKII and 1 X 30d. Your keeper rate will change dramatically with the focusing on the 1d.

Just what I was hoping to hear.

FCP wrote in post #4211358
.......get used to the weight or buy a monopod. I can shoot hand held all weekend with a 70-200mm 2.8 L IS but my staff always use a monopod with the 1d.

Yep, already using one. The 30D with the grip, 70-200 2.8 and 1.4x isn't the lightest setup.

Thanks for the input.

The difference is night and day. The Mark IIN is far superior to a 20/30/40D.

How about the 5d?

A major difference between the two. I have both and really don't like the 30D for shooting ice hockey. Between the faster AF and the higher burst rate you are far more likely to capture a great shot with the IIN.

As far as weight, there really isn't much of a perceived difference between the 30D w/grip and the 1D MIIN. I just shot 3 hockey games this weekend with the IIN & 70-200 f/2.8IS combination and didn't find it challenging to hand hold at all. Having the Canon wrist strap makes a big difference though.

ok, I have the 10D but I got to borrow a buddies mk2n for a couple matches of vball and it was a big difference! i came out with a bit more usable shots than i would have normally. the af is just nice.

The 5d is a nice cam but not for sports. At 3 shots per second compared to 8, you will be kicking yourself when you miss the shot. I don't use the 1d as a machine gun but I do shoot in twos and threes.

FCP wrote in post #4211996
The 5d is a nice cam but not for sports. At 3 shots per second compared to 8, you will be kicking yourself when you miss the shot. I don't use the 1d as a machine gun but I do shoot in twos and threes.

I do the same thing with my 20D - 2-3 shots at a time rather than the capable 5.

I have covered college hockey with my 20D - will the AF difference be that big?

Yep. You will not be looking at a massive difference in quality or light sensitivity but the focusing and the ability to take 8.5 shots a second is a missive plus. When it comes to getting the puck on the end of the slap/wrist shot, you need the extra speed.

The mk11n is a great camera, I can't fault mine. I just need to get out and shoot stuff, other than motorsport

My keeper rate has increased no end

I weighed up the mk111 but opted for a used mk11n for half the price, so glad I saved the money for glass

I much prefer the 1Dm2n to the 20D. It's much better to use, in my opinion, really for every kind of shooting. For sports the AF is unbeatable, the FPS is great for catching split second action that even the best timing would have trouble with. Take a look at my most recent soccer gallery here is a fairly good sale of the 1D.

As an aside, the weather sealing is a huge plus. I shot all day outside last week in driving rain, with nary a problem other than being miserable.

Big Ant. I was looking at upgrading my 1dMKIIN to a MKIII but in the end i spent the extra cash upgrading one of my 30d to a 1dMKII. There seems to be quite a few floating about at the moment.

It is hard to go back to my 30 when I use it every once in a while. The 2n's viewfinder is so nice compared to the 30. You won't regret it.