Canon body upgrade - help appreciated.....

[dinners]

I've pondered a while but now I've managed to get a bit of spare cash together so I'm considering a slight change in body.

Why ?

I have a gripped 40D body and a 1D Mark II body both of which I like however I find I'm chopping and changing depending on what I'm shooting but don't really need 2 cameras.

If it helps - where I find I'm limited with each...

I struggle with the 40D when the subject challenges the AF but find the AF on the 1D2 copes with anything I shoot.

The modest resolution of the 1D2 combined with the larger 1.3 sensor means that if I need the extra 'reach' or need to crop - I go back to the 40D.

Both are a bit long in the tooth compared to modern ISO standards. In good light the higher ISO settings enable me to shoot higher speeds without too much noise (where folk often wrongly show off high ISO) but when the light drops and I need to use higher ISO speeds to retain normal shutter speeds - noise does become an issue. f5.6 is my limit @400mm as a guide.

So - I'd like to get rid of the chopping and changing for a single body.

7D and 1D Mark 3 are the obvious contenders. (I'm excluding FF just now)

So

1D3:

Will I still have the cropping issues despite the slight resolution increase on the 1D2 ?
Would higher ISO noise (in poor light) be better than the 1D2 ?
AF - I'm happy with the 1D2 so not concerned unless I get a problem one.
Screen and menus seem improved over 1D2
Love 1D so really hope it would be my answer.

7D:

Not really sure I want to give up that 1D feeling
Noise - I hear so many conflicting stories
AF - no doubt better than my 40D but on a par with my 1D2
1.6 Crop - No problems at all with the reach and super resolution for cropping
Video - not bothered really

Lenses - all OK with FF, 1.3, 1.6 crop so no issues there.

If it makes any difference - both 40D and 1D2 will have to be sold to help fund the single body - 7D might not need too much cash on top but 1D3 might need a bit more.

Any help or pointers towards one or the other appreciated :bonk:

Or is it more sensible to stick with what I have and replace my lawnmower or oven instead.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

It looks like your main subject is wildlife, and good reach is very important. On those grounds, I'd pick a 7D, any noise issues aside (expose to the right, and don't crop too much)

1D3 is an improvement over your both cameras - still great AF, and works better in dim light. The pixels are sharper and less noisy than in 40D, so probably you'll get a similar resolution. And the battery actually works. 400mm might need a 1.4x +ISO in some cases

 

[dinners]

Thanks daugirdas

I do enjoy landscape photography however your correct in that wildlife is my issue in terms of this question. I'm happy to landscape with a cropper but not wildlife with full frame. Landscape does lean me toward the wider 1.3 though.

In terms of a TC - I have one just now which gives me AF to f8 (centre point) on my 1D2 which I hadn't considered. This would be OK with a 1D 3 but not a 7D should I wish to use it.

 

[arwesa]

Im learning as I go at the moment, however seems to me you may be best off stepping up to the 7d for now and then once youve outgrown that the 1DX will be about, you wont have spent much extra cash and can start saving up for the 'beast'

 

[dinners]

I think I'd be trading in the wife if I went for a 1DX.

 

[dinners]

I'd hoped for a little more in the way of help but I've been doing some £ sums and I think I'll try to change the 40D for a used 7D and keep the 1D2 as I really like using it.

I'll be a few quid down swapping the 40D for a 7D but if the 7D comes up trumps AF wise and stops me reaching for the 1D2 - I'll get shot of the 1D2 which should just about balance the books.

If the 7D doesn't get on with me - I can probably then change the 7D and 1D2 for a 1D3 at no cost.