5D mkII or 7D

I have decided to make the plunge and try to go pro. I hope to do weddings, senior portraits, landscapes, and some work for the local papers. I have about $8k for equipment. My problem is I can't decide if I should go with a 5DmkII or the 7D. I like the better metering on the 7D and it will leave more funds for lenses and lighting. I am going batty debating myself. Lol Additionally can't seem to make my mind up between a canon 70-200 f4 IS or a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS

Any suggestions would be welcome.

I have a 7D, awesome body, love it to bits... i think id upgrade to the 5d III when it hits but other than that im very happy at the mo, and the Canon F4 IS is a fantastic lens, very very sharp, unless you need f2.8, its alot lighter too! And on the pocket lol

A good advice for you: If that is your goal try to secure a few assignment such as weddings or similar, than buy the equipment. You might be a good photographer but it is not a main requirement to become a pro. If it does not work for you you can save some good money. Of course if you intend to use the equipment for yourself no matter how your pro aspiration goes that another story.

I have both cameras but I only use the 7D for sports and birding for everything else I use the 5DMII. Both cameras are good but the 5D has better IQ and ISO which comes very handy with the type of photography you want to do. 5DMII, a 70-200 IS f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, a wide angle (8-15 or 16-35), and a 580EXII.... Good luck.

For your needs, Mark II.

Definitely the 5D II over the 7D for the intended purpose. My 7D hardly ever comes out of the bag unless it is for sports. If you are doing senior portraits and weddings, you should get the 70-200 f2.8 IS MK II rather than those listed.

With that budget I would get the 5D II with 24-105 as kit lens and the 70-200 MK II, at least one 580EX flash , then maybe add a fast prime or 17-40 if you want ultra wide.

I vote 5D II for the kind of work you plan to take up.

Szxk23 wrote in post #11695183
I have decided to make the plunge and try to go pro. I hope to do weddings, senior portraits, landscapes, and some work for the local papers. I have about $8k for equipment. My problem is I can't decide if I should go with a 5DmkII or the 7D. I like the better metering on the 7D and it will leave more funds for lenses and lighting. I am going batty debating myself. Lol Additionally can't seem to make my mind up between a cannon 70-200 f4 IS or a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS

Any suggestions would be welcome.

If you're going pro, my suggestion would be to learn how to spell "Canon" correctly.

5D² all the way if you plan on covering weddings. With $8k of budget, I'd get the 5D², 35L and Sigma 85. That should be enough for 90% of your shots. Then some flashes, triggers etc ...
And I'm sure you can still get a 7D on top of that

gibbit1 wrote in post #11696823
If you're going pro, my suggestion would be to learn how to spell "Canon" correctly.

Ha, nice catch.

Going "pro" usually means the person knows what equipment they need for what jobs.......that said, the full frame sounds reasonable. You can even go 5D....as it doesn't sound like you will be doing high ISO work in general ( except low light weddings). I had the 7D...great camera. I have the 5D2...great camera...both are good tools which will cover your needs! Used 1D3's are going for 1800-2000 so consider a "pro" camera if you will.....which gives you great focusing and good solid general use. Get good glass and a good flash (580). Remember....going pro with weddings means 2 bodies, 2 flashes, multiple lens's, basic lighting ability, and good techniques.....wedding​s by far are the toughest and most stressful. Really....you just have to go out and shoot..... alot.....and you will know what you need!

I have a 7D and love it, but I have to agree w/ the others, from what you said you want to shoot, the 5Dii sounds like the better tool for the job.

I'd pick up a couple of 5d classic cameras. Shooting weddings requires a backup camera and you can get two 5d's for the cost of a 5d2.

Szxk23 wrote in post #11695183
I hope to do weddings, senior portraits, landscapes, and some work for the local papers.

for these type of work the 5d2 seems like the best for the reason that it is full frame. great high iso performance and better use of wide/normal lenses. You'll also get more out of L lenses which you should get in the first place if you're planning to do paid work.

7D is great for wildlife and sports for the extra reach and focusing ability, but not nearly as used in the shooting genre you suggested.

Szxk23 wrote in post #11695183
Lol Additionally can't seem to make my mind up between a canon 70-200 f4 IS or a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS

70-200 f4 is a wonderful piece of glass, light and sharp. on the other hand, if you're already thinking of getting a 2.8 sigma OS, just opt out and buy a canon 70-200 2.8L IS mkI for about the same price as the sigma OS or maybe even less


the suggestions for 5D classics are also great. You don't really need the 5D2 right away especially of you're just starting out. Many pros have shot weddings and portraits using 5Dc and didn't have a problem with it, unless if you definitely need high ISO in your type of shooting say 3200 on pitch black weddings

I'd get the 5D. Good luck with your photo work.