7d & 24-70 f.28

I am seriously considering adding the 7d and 24 - 70L f2.8 to my equipment list in the next month or so. I shoot mostly horses (show jumping, dressage, etc) but like to do portraits and nature/landscapes as well. I'm challenged with low light situations in indoor areans often as well as getting the shot of the horse in mid air over the jump.
I'm not professional by any means, but I've been asked by a few friends to do some shots for them and there may be a small financial reward afterwards . Is this a good combination to go with my other equip, is there something else I should consider? Or just some general input would be helpful...Thx for reading.

Sounds good to me. I suspect you will get a bunch of people with other lens recommendations but I love the 24-70 on a crop body. it's a great length for portraits. I can't speak to the horse stuff.

As for the 7D, I was playing with one today and it is pretty slick, I really like the way the focusing system works. You might want to check to be sure that the frame rate is fast enough to get off several shots of a fast moving horse.

Looks like a good investment to me! If you find yourself staying in one spot while shooting events and not really using your zoom, I'd suggest an alternative to the 24-70L. Prime lenses are great for low light stuff. The EF 85mm f/1.8 or EF 50mm f/1.4 would do well for shooting horses at a good distance and great for portraiture. As far as landscapes, the 24-70L might not be ideally wide enough. You could check out the 17-40L it's pretty wide on crop cameras and extremely wide on full frame.

I'm sure the 7d + 24-70L will do just fine though!

I have that combo and love it, the 24-70 is awesome and the 7d is no slouch either.

Sounds like a good investment, if i had to choose I think it would be better to go with a used 5D classic (going for around 1100-1300) and a 17-40 since you have the 70-200.

I would upgrade the 70-200 to a f/2.8 model before anything. Then maybe spring for that 24-70. Both better returns then a new body will have.

bigjon0107 wrote in post #9610187
I would upgrade the 70-200 to a f/2.8 model before anything. Then maybe spring for that 24-70. Both better returns then a new body will have.

He could just not want to carry around that extra weight.

_method wrote in post #9610304
He could just not want to carry around that extra weight.

I somehow doubt "Horsegirl" is a he.

What about the 17 - 55 on a crop body? That might be a better range for the landscapes, at least.

For indoor sports action f/2.8 may still be too slow. Most shooters would go with fast L USM primes instead.

tehshocker wrote in post #9609153
Sounds like a good investment, if i had to choose I think it would be better to go with a used 5D classic (going for around 1100-1300) and a 17-40 since you have the 70-200.

Even though the 5D classic is a great camera I don't think its focusing system is fast enough or would provide enough frames per second for the OP's purposes.

For speed body wise it would have to be the 7D or a nice used Mark IIn for the body. Now with light issues I would go with anything 2.8 or faster. I have the 7D with a 70-200 2.8 non is and I shoot a ton of indoor action such as gymnastics, Comp Cheer, and basketball where Flash is not allowed. With proper manual settings the combo works really good. I too am also looking at the 24-70 or even an older 28-70. You will really like the combo. For what your talking about I don't see where you need any more wide angle based off of your description. BTW I love my 7D and the video feature has become a nice bonus.

I shot the 50D +24-70mm L for weddings.

Love it!
I am waiting for the 7D to be delivered.

You should have a blast with this combination.
Really nice contrast/colors with nice-nice sharpness.

Should match really well w/ the 70-200 you have.
Don't be afraid to jump to ISO 3200 if needed on the 7D.
If exposed right - even 6400.

Later,
_Mark

Don't worry about the comment about upgrading the 70-200 2.8 if you think yours is good- I guess there occasionally are some out there that need recali rating bit that lens is regularly used by tons of working professionals with rather fantastic results, I loved mine.

Personally, I think you might be asking just a bit too much of a 24-70L. It's going to do great for portraits and probably make you happy shooting landscapes as well. Not sure though you'll have the reach for the horse events. Unless of course you're setting up shop INSIDE the arena.

Like any other moving sport, you can't go wrong with a 70-200 f/2.8L IS lens, which BTW WILL do portraits in a pinch!

dave

Horsegirl,
If the lighting is decent, you might get away with your 70-200 f/4 IS.

I have no experience with pictures of horses, but I would imagine, if you need to stop action, the 70-200 2.8 would be the way to go.

Since you already have a crop(30d), then you would know if you need the 24-70 or not. Most of us cannot figure out what you are likely to shoot based on a forum. Since you are considering an expensive piece of equipment, maybe try renting the lens (or lens combo 7D, 24-70) first to see if it is worth the money to you.