Best of autumn '09 (Soccer)

Hi there! Here some of my best pics of this 2009 autumn Canadian Interuniversity Soccer season. I'm the photographer for University of Quebec in Trois-Rivieres and a big soccer fan. Those shots were all taken with a Canon 20D and Canon 300mm f/4 L IS USM.

For the next year, I wan't to upgrade some stuff but I don't know what. I have a 2000$ budget and the two things I looking at is maybe a the new Canon 7D or the Canon 400mm f/5.6L IS USM.

20D still a great camera but when we came in higher iso, quality is suffering. I can do ok with the 300mm but I really think it's not enought to shoot soccer and with an apperture of 5.6 on 400mm, I'm not sure if It would be a great invest. 400mm f/4 or f/2.8 is very too much for my pocket.

Your advice will be very appreciate as comments on my picture too!

Really great shots. I know the 7d has received a lot of positive feedback for sport photography... something I've considered.

I like your shots, especially the colors. For Qs on gear upgrade, you may try asking in the Sports Talk sub-forum.

Crasher, those are great photos. I would go with the 7D. I started shooting sports with a 20D and got great photos. I got frustrated with the auto focus speed. I upgraded to a 40D and it was much faster focusing. The lower noise was also a benefit. Still not satisfied with speed I went and got a used 1D_MK3. Finally totally content. The 7D for most practical purposes is close if not equal to the MK3 in AF speed and noise plus you get a little extra reach. I also shoot with the 300-f/4 and it is a great lens. I use a 1.4 extender probably 50% of the time and that gives you 420-f/5.6 and great shots. Go to the Lens Sample Photo Archive to check lens IQ.
Fun factor? A camera upgrade from a 20D to a 7D for a sports shooter would be about as good as it gets.
Upgrading from a 300-f/4 to a 400-f/5.6. Meh…
Good Luck and looking forward to seeing more of your photos…
Jim