Help me pick a new body (Budget is $2000)

I figured I'd post this up in here, hoping some of you have been in the same situation. I would rather spend around $1500, but $2000 is my max. Right now I am shooting with a 30D that I purchased new several years ago, and the shutter is about to go on it. In fact, just in 45 degree weather last weekend.....it would barely take a picture. I literally had to rub it against me to generate some heat in it for it to work. I'll be sending it to Canon for servicing once I select and purchase another body.

I shoot alot of action stuff. From MX to drag racing, from RC cars to wakeboarding. I also do alot of car/portrait stuff, and even dwindle into landscaping types of shots (scenery). ISO performance is something I am lacking with the 30D, so a pro-level body would do me good. Even though some of the consumer level bodies have much better ISO performance than this older 30D, I do know that.

Several people have mentioned I should go for the 1DmkII. I have also considered the 7D as well. Does anyone have any recommendations? If I do decide to go with the 1D, it will obviously be used. What should I limit actuations to when shopping for a used pro-level DSLR?

When I send the 30D off for repairs, I will request an actuation count. I am going to go out on a limb and guess that I might be in contention for highest shutter actuations on a factory shutter.

I would do a used mk IIn. It will give you the speed for those fast arse RC cars(I have shot them for years and if done right, a 20D will be just as good as a 1D is) and high ISO is about the same as the 30D though.

You can upgrade to a 7D or a 50D(uses the same batteries/ grips to it save you a little money).

For shutter count. I would limit it to how ever much the camera looks and performs. If the camera is spotless and has 300k shutter articulations to it I definatally keep it in mind vs one that is beat to hell and back with 50k shutter count. A shutter can go out on a brand new camera or a 20 year old model.

Nick

From what you say you shoot sounds like the 7D is right for you. That would put you on the lower end of your price range and the 7D should serve you very well.

You could get a used 1D Mark III. I've seen some for around 1,800.

Here's one for $1900: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=956656

I shoot a TON of RC as well (check my zenfolio) and the 7D is great. Love the AF, and when you need the 8fps is cool too.

HaroldC3 wrote in post #11268911
You could get a used 1D Mark III. I've seen some for around 1,800.

Here's one for $1900: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=956656

+1

I would go with a used 1D3!

Is the mkIII a significant improvement over the 7D?

Why don't you buy a 7D from the Canon Loyalty Program?
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=918120
If you don't have an old canon p&s or an old canon film camera to trade in, go find one on ebay and you will get the 7D for under $1,200.00

This will give you some spare change to repair your 30D

By the way, you can easily get the shutter count from the free astrojargon software.

Canon 7D, just buy it without much thinking, great camera for the price.

/

SteveJa wrote in post #11268993
I shoot a TON of RC as well (check my zenfolio) and the 7D is great. Love the AF, and when you need the 8fps is cool too.

ummm +1 on that one

Can anyone answer this?

kit lens wrote in post #11269155
Is the mkIII a significant improvement over the 7D?

Chris wrote in post #11269217
Why don't you buy a 7D from the Canon Loyalty Program?
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=918120
If you don't have an old canon p&s or an old canon film camera to trade in, go find one on ebay and you will get the 7D for under $1,200.00

This will give you some spare change to repair your 30D

By the way, you can easily get the shutter count from the free astrojargon software.

Thanks, thats another option for sure to look at. Thanks for the tip on the software too, I'll try it out tonight.

I have another person recommending the 1DmkIIn.....can anyone elaborate on it as an option as well?

I'd go for the 7D. The 50D would be another good option and you would save a few $$$.

- 7D new
- 1d mk3 used ( price varies on #shutters, condition etc )

Chris wrote in post #11269217
By the way, you can easily get the shutter count from the free astrojargon software.

Fwiw, that software doesn't work for my 30D.

The 1D mk III is well, a 1D. Im sorry to anyone that this offends but the 7D is NOT a 1D. The build quality, weathersealing, FPS, and not to mention the AF on the 1D series blows the 7D out of the water. I am not saying that the 7D wasnt a great camera for Canon to manufacture, but it still is just a xxD body with better AF.

OP- I would go with a used 1D mk III and don't turn back. you won't regret it.