$1,000 between 5DII and 7D?

I've negotiated a good price and now have the money to buy the 7D next week.

BUT...the 5DII is still on my mind. I've read the myriad of threads in the forum, but I'm still as confused as ever!

Solution....attack the 5DII vs 7D argument from another angle.

Lets say we have a portrait photo taken with the 5DII and the 7D, both with the same settings and both by the same photographer.

Side by side would you see that much difference between the photos to justify spending the extra $1,000?

The answer to this question will help me make my decision. Thanks in advance.....

Personally I don't see anything wrong with the 550D. Unless you are shooting sports the 7D should not be a option. T2i and the 7D iq is the same. Now as far as the 5d mark II. Why do you feel you need it?

You'd need almost all new lenses if you went to the 5D2 also. So it would be a lot more than just $1000.

I also noticed you have plenty of ef-s lenses. I don't think its worth it for the 5d also

Downs Photography wrote in post #10533648
Personally I don't see anything wrong with the 550D. Unless you are shooting sports the 7D should not be a option. T2i and the 7D iq is the same. Now as far as the 5d mark II. Why do you feel you need it?

The bottom line is I feel the 550D is too small for my hands. After trialling the 7D and the 5DII I like the viewfinder, the flexibility for faster shots (on the 7D) and the IQ on the 5DII.

TjBowden wrote in post #10533660
You'd need almost all new lenses if you went to the 5D2 also. So it would be a lot more than just $1000.

True, but my next lens purchase will be the 70 - 200 f/2.8 L IS II (4 - 6 weeks)

TjBowden wrote in post #10533660
You'd need almost all new lenses if you went to the 5D2 also. So it would be a lot more than just $1000.

+1 don't underestimate the investment in FF lenses, if you really want to get the most out of the extra IQ. If you have the budget then go for the FF.

I say get a 50D. You will be getting close IQ if not the same of the 7D. You also get that big body plus the extra wheel in the back and faster fps your t2i lacks. and its about 700-800 dollars cheaper then the 7d

Downs Photography wrote in post #10533648
Personally I don't see anything wrong with the 550D. Unless you are shooting sports the 7D should not be a option. T2i and the 7D iq is the same. Now as far as the 5d mark II. Why do you feel you need it?

Great question. And when combined with the observations about the OP having a bunch of EF-S lenses, I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the OP's dilemma.

No offense intended, but I get the feeling this is another case (more clear than most, but still not in contention for the top 100) of someone thinking that buying a body will improve their skills (results) as a photographer.

I can't help but wonder how long the OP has been using an SLR. The 550 is a pretty new camera. The buyer should be aware that other than FPS, it's essentially going to deliver virtually identical images as the 7D. The 5D2 can't use the EF-S lenses at all, so they become useless (and some of the very few Canon lenses that won't hold a great deal of their value).

As to the question, if money is not an object, then the 5D would be more suitable (as per common wisdom) for portraits. But a skilled photographer can get great portraits with a crop camera. The potential for outstanding resolution with 18 or 21MP exists for both. Lens choice may compensate for the full frame vs. the crop sensor. But only as far as depth of field, which isn't the critical issue for portraits so many seem to think. Is having the subject's nose in focus and the ears out of focus a good thing?

I'd put the sensor size a distant third (at best) behind the use of light and composition. Very distant. In real life, for a top notch portrait and for most subjects, a talented make-up artist will be the number one factor putting the equipment (and even the skill of the photographer - except for lighting) almost out of the equation.

Peace,
D.

Downs Photography wrote in post #10533773
I say get a 50D. You will be getting close IQ if not the same of the 7D. You also get that big body plus the extra wheel in the back and faster fps your t2i lacks. and its about 700-800 dollars cheaper then the 7d

I don't feel IQ is the same (close? sure), and what puts the 7D above the 50D is AF speed, AF modes, better high ISO (noise characteristics are much better on the 7D, no discernible banding patterns), more resolution, 40-50% faster burst rates, video, wireless flash control, improved weather sealing, and better control over ergonomics with new additional programmable buttons.

For around the $650 price difference in the used market between these two, I personally believe it is worth it.

Delija wrote in post #10533783
Great question. And when combined with the observations about the OP having a bunch of EF-S lenses, I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the OP's dilemma.

SO DID I

No offense intended, but I get the feeling this is another case (more clear than most, but still not in contention for the top 100) of someone thinking that buying a body will improve their skills (results) as a photographer.

AT LEAST I'LL BE KNOWN FOR SOMETHING!

I can't help but wonder how long the OP has been using an SLR.

19 YEARS (I HAD A 5 YEAR BREAK)

The 550 is a pretty new camera.

I'M SELLING IT TO FUND THE 7D

The buyer should be aware that other than FPS, it's essentially going to deliver virtually identical images as the 7D. The 5D2 can't use the EF-S lenses at all, so they become useless (and some of the very few Canon lenses that won't hold a great deal of their value).

VERY GOOD POINT ON THE LENSES

As to the question, if money is not an object, then the 5D would be more suitable (as per common wisdom) for portraits.

TRUE

But a skilled photographer can get great portraits with a crop camera.

I KNOW MY LIMITATIONS

The potential for outstanding resolution with 18 or 21MP exists for both. Lens choice may compensate for the full frame vs. the crop sensor. But only as far as depth of field, which isn't the critical issue for portraits so many seem to think. Is having the subject's nose in focus and the ears out of focus a good thing?

NOT AT ALL!!!

I'd put the sensor size a distant third (at best) behind the use of light and composition. Very distant. In real life, for a top notch portrait and for most subjects, a talented make-up artist will be the number one factor putting the equipment (and even the skill of the photographer - except for lighting) almost out of the equation.

Peace,

D.

AND PEACE BE WITH YOU BROTHER...THANKS FOR THE POINTERS...

TeamSpeed wrote in post #10533795
I don't feel IQ is the same (close? sure), and what puts the 7D above the 50D is AF speed, AF modes, better high ISO (noise characteristics are much better on the 7D, no discernible banding patterns), more resolution, 40-50% faster burst rates, video, wireless flash control, improved weather sealing, and better control over ergonomics with new additional programmable buttons.

For around the $650 price difference in the used market between these two, I personally believe it is worth it.

The main question is will he use all of the bells and whistles? Op stated he wanted a bigger body and he wanted the 7d to take faster pictures.

Downs Photography wrote in post #10533852
The main question is will he use all of the bells and whistles? Op stated he wanted a bigger body and he wanted the 7d to take faster pictures.

Good question, but we are not in the position to make that assumption. All we can do is point out the differences that the extra cash gets Sportidi, and he/she has to make that decision.

To simply state that there is no real difference between the IQ of the 50D and 7D is a very vague and misleading statement. When you are shooting different events in different lighting, the IQ differences (because of these so called bells and whistles like the AF speed, AF modes, burst speeds, and ISO performance) are vast. In other situations, they are very similar. Plus what you consider to be bells and whistles may be somebody else's bread and butter.

5Dmk2 + 70 - 200 IS 2 = IQ Heaven

TeamSpeed wrote in post #10533870
Good question, but we are not in the position to make that assumption. All we can do is point out the differences that the extra cash gets Sportidi, and he/she has to make that decision.

To simply state that there is no real difference between the IQ of the 50D and 7D is a very vague and misleading statement. When you are shooting different events in different lighting, the IQ differences (because of these so called bells and whistles like the AF speed, AF modes, burst speeds, and ISO performance) are vast. In other situations, they are very similar. Plus what you consider to be bells and whistles may be somebody else's bread and butter.

That sounds like a challenge guys!!! I go out quite regularly with a bunch of mates on Harley's and many of the shots are taken whilst we are moving.

I like taking portraits as well and I figure the 7D will give me the best of both worlds.

The defining point so far....being able to purchase the 7D for $1,875 AUS.

The 5DII......$2,899.....