Looking to add a full frame camera - looking for advice...

JohnN

JohnN

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Hi,

I'm thinking about getting a full frame but know very little about them, so don't really know the difference.

The main things I shoot are birds in flight and my daughter rushing about so need something quick.

I do have the 7D which is pretty good at these anyway, but I'm also thinking about informal portraits as she's getting to an age where she's more agreeable, also I have a baby boy and would like to get some nice shots of him too.

Anyway pre-amble over I'm no looking to get anything too low res as if I do get a stunner I would want a nice big wall mount.

Also coin is a problem and would probably want to swap my Sigma 150-500 that I have for it maybe plus a little cash if needed.

So what would you guys suggest, plus what prices should I be looking for in trade?.

I had thought of posting this in the price check area, but when I'm not sure which one to go for in the first place I thought it best to ask first.

Thanks for any help on this as I really am a littler lost.

Cheers,

John.
 
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Well... if you want anything like the focus system of the 7D, you're going to need the 1Ds series. If you want anything like the pixel density of the 7D, you're going to need the 1DsIII. Last one on here went for £2600 in less than 1 minute...

BTW, the 17-70 isn't suitable for the 1Ds series, so don't forget to factor in a decent 24-70/24-105 lens in too..
 
Keep with the 7d. If it's for family shots it is great and with a prime you can exploit depth if field very nicely. That way you can keep the 150-500 too!
 
I really cant see why you must have FF, My wife recently had a baby girl and it didnt make one bit of difference to me using my 50D or 5DII. If anything it might be your lens choice that determine the shots you get rather than the body. the 7D is ver capable for portraits.

your 17-70mm suffers that it might not be quick enough to focus nor does it have a constant aperture through out the range. (It bugged me a bit when i had mine). However the range on that lens is great, especially with quite a good MFD for those quirky close up shots. The 100mm maybe a bit long indoors and a bit restrictive in terms of moving about alot etc.
 
Good point Andy, I'll have to check the lenses and £2600 is waaaaaaay out :(

Jim, I may well end up doing that, I'm selling the 150-500 anyway as I picked up the 100-400 and it fits my needs. I had just read too many people saying "get a FF" when I was discussing the 85mm.

Lee - Thanks for that feedback - what did you move to and hows the range working out? I see you've both the 17-40L & 24-70 L
 
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TBH, if I was in your situation, I'd be looking for a 17-55 f2.8 or some fast primes (35 or 50 perhaps?)....
 
The 7D is a great camera.
The general rule is glass first cameras second.

Your main criteria of wanting fast AF isn't going to be answered going FF unless you go down the 1D route, which I suspect isn't an option.

You have some nice lenses there, but I would look at adding a high quality prime for your daughter shots. The 24L II is excellent on the 7D and a great focal length, not cheap but any L lens will hold its value much better than any third party lens, apart from Zeiss, but if AF is important to you forget about Zeiss lenses.

I've owned the 24L now for a couple of years and love it. It's a beautiful lens, the 35L isn't bad either, but I replaced my 35L with the 24L as I found the FL better then 35mm on a crop body, but that's mainly because 35mm was my widest lens.
 
i moved from the 50D to the 5DII, I really like my shallow DOF work and FF is jsut a lot nicer for that type of work.

my crop kit was 10-22, 24-70, 70-200, before the 24-70 i had the 17-70. I made the decision to move to FF so got the 24-70 so that the only Efs lens i had was my the 10-22. Once i got the 5DII i pretty much traded the 10-22 for the 17-40 as they were very similar in price.
 
Hmn, interesting stuff - I have a 85mm on route, but obviously that'll be for faces etc as indoors it will just be too close for full body shots.

I'll have to play around with the AF speed on the Sigma 10-20 as I've just done a little landscape with that really so its not exactly been challenged, but range wise that should be similar to the 24.

Ross - I had considered the 1D II (suddenly ruled out as I've just noticed its a 1.3 crop, although the 1Ds could still be an option) as its sort of in the right price range second hand, but now I'm just wondering if it more a buying bug than an equipment shortfall :)
 
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JohnN said:
Ross - I had considered the 1D II as its sort of in the right price range second hand, but now I'm just wondering if it more a buying bug than an equipment shortfall :)
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The 1D series isn't full frame, it's the 1Ds that is full frame.
 
lol, thanks I was just editing my post having found that out :)

Very good to know though, thank you.
 
I would be interested in what the OP thinks they are going to gain by getting FF? I ask this as it sounds as though there is a belief that the FF will give you much better shots / portraits. Perhaps too much reading has been done instead of getting to grips with the 7D and what it is capable of producing.

I am almost hearing a belief that by getting a FF camera you will be able to get better shots of your kids - I think you will be very disapointed, as you will take out your shiny new FF camera and probably not be able to see very much of a discernable difference.

I think new glass would be better in this instance. Do you have a 50/1.8? That would give you some nice background blur, or try a 85/1.8 - A very well considered lens for the price.

By all means get a FF camera, but I think from your initial post that you will wonder why you ever did it. It's not the holy grail and short cut to great images - practice, practice and some good glass goes a long way.
 
Get a second hand 5D !!

A 5d mark 1, with a nice 50mm 1.8 lens will be perfect and cheap enough to fit your budget

Best thing I EVER did was go full frame

I have a 5d and a 7d and ALWAYS choose the 5d for family stuff

Do it - I promise you would not regret it
 
Sara, funnily enough its post just like Neil's here (posted just after you) that makes me wonder about a FF, especially the 5D :)

I do have a 50mm 1.8 but its on perma-loan to a friend so haven't used it in ages, possible never on the 5d its been that long! I also have the 85mm on route (I was hoping it would arrive today) and feedback on another forum about that lens is what set all of this off, I also have the 85mm on route so hope to have a good play with that when it lands.

I'm certainly seeing a lot of love for the 17-55 out there too, although it looks like in every respect apart from pure AF speed the Sigma 17-50 OS HSM beats it - would be intersting to see how it compares to my 17-70.
 
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JohnN said:
The main things I shoot are birds in flight and my daughter rushing about so need something quick.

I do have the 7D which is pretty good at these anyway...
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Hi! It sounds like you have the perfect camera already for the type of shots you want to take / improve.

FF may give you a slightly higher resolution but the 7D is big enough for enormous prints already.

I would definitely recommend spending the money on some good lenses. Either an f2.8 zoom or some primes. You will notice the biggest difference. I went from a 40D to a 5D Mk II, and while I love the 5D, the images aren't markedly different to the 40D. But changing the kit lens for an L lens was a revelation. The same feeling again when using fast primes like the 135 f2.

I'd only think about changing camera when you feel some aspect of its performance is holding you back.

Maybe demo or rent a top quality lens and see if it makes a difference before you make a decision?

Mat
 
I went FF from a nikon D60, and the difference was amazing, however, think about it.

The D60 was an entry level basic camera and I went to a pro camera, even if it had not been FF it still would of been an amazing difference.

I don't know Canons very well, but I do know every one is raving about the 7D. Personally, unless you are going professional and think you 'need' a FF for that, I really wouldn't bother. Stick with your 7D, get a new prime or fast lens and maybe invest in some off camera flash goodness if you haven't already :)

You don't need FF, you've just been told you do :)

I upgraded because I wanted to go pro, the D60 while fine for home and family shots and prints, just wouldn't have cut it. I upgraded because the equipment was holding me back.
 
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arad85 said:
TBH, if I was in your situation, I'd be looking for a 17-55 f2.8 or some fast primes (35 or 50 perhaps?)....
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Have to agree, keep the 7D and spend your money on the Canon 17-55 f 2.8 IS, and maybe an 85 f1.8. That should see you right on the portrait front.

Steve
 
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