So I've had a 20d since high school and it's about time I upgrade the camera. I haven't shot hardcore in months maybe even close to a year. But my buddy has started an action sports clothing line, FEPIC, and is always calling to get me to come out and take shots.

I've figured I will probably jump up to the 5D MK II...I have a 17-85mm IS EFS (which will not work on the FF 5DMKII) 50mm 1.8 II, and a 70-200mm 2.8L IS II.

I'm thinking the 5D MKII because we will be doing a good bit of night shooting with strobes and I have read tons of reviews that the 7D isn't the best at low light performance. On the other hand I have read that the 5DMKII is pretty incredible at high ISO and with Lightroom 3 it will only look better.

My question is do you think that is a good justification for a $800+ increase? I will also have to pick up a 24-70 2.8L as well but I will be able to shoot with the 70-200mm 2.8 for a while considering we will be wakeboarding for a while.

Thanks!

 

Yes. In addition to the higher performing sensor, you'll also be getting more weather sealing and a better built body. Besides, if you buy the camera now, once you've been shooting with it for a month or two, you'll wonder why you didn't spend the extra money for the camera sooner.

At least that was my experience when upgrading from a D200 to D700.

 

If you're using strobes you really don't have to worry about the low light performance. 5D2 does have better ISO than the 7D I think, but...with strobes, you won't be turning the ISO up very much at all. In reality, you could easily work with like a 50D and be totally fine. 5D2 does have a full frame sensor though. Pretty sweet.

I think the 7D is supposed to have a more modern metering and autofocus system. Although again, with strobes, it probably won't matter. 7D is MUCH faster for continuous shooting though and if you're doing wakeboard shots you would benefit from that. I suppose that's where the 7D's benefits in AF would help you out a bit more.

If you find yourself wanting to shoot at night outside of your fashion shots, then the 5D2 will be awesome.

That said, the 5D2 is an awesome awesome body. I've used it, I love it. Performs great in low light, and the full frame is killer. However, it really depends on your purposes though. If you plan on shooting sports with it, I don't think it's the best bet...but portraiture or candids or landscape, it's amazing.

I guess if I were to pick between the two, since you want to do sports photography with wakeboarding, save yourself some money, go with the 7D as it has a much better AF system and since you're going to be in a very controlled environment with strobes, you won't really have to worry about ISO performance. However, if you want to save even more money, perhaps consider the 60D - significantly cheaper, and performance wise, the 7D is only a little bit better. Save the money and spend it on some more glass.

Humble opinion though. I'm sure someone with a lot more experience than me can weigh in soon enough.

 

Thanks fellas, much appreciated...I'm still stuck with the idea that when I'm not using strobes I'll be depending on post-processing a lot!

Decisions decisions....Thanks again.

 

Good glass will help you with that. The 70-200 2.8 II is a FANTASTIC lens, so you won't have to worry so much about that. Get your settings right and know exactly how you want to shoot each shot. The more you can do in-camera, the better - a friend of mine who does high fashion tries to do as much as possible in camera. Lightroom helps, but if you can manipulate your shot with your equipment and in-camera, your shot is gonna look that much better.

Good luck shooting! And remember, it's not the camera that's gonna make your shot awesome. Get very familiar with your equipment, but know what you want to shoot and how you want to shoot it. You'll be fine with whatever choice you make.