Upgrade time, opinions?

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Mark
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Hi all

My current kit is a 30D, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and a Canon 70-200mm f/4. I'm considering an upgrade in the near future, but I'm not massively sure whether to go body or lens.

I tend to shoot motorsport as my main subject, and while the 30D is good, its AF can be a bit off sometimes. I assume this is due to 9 AF points, with only the centre being a cross type.

On that note, I was considering the 7D. I have no doubt that it would last me 5+ years, as I've been fairly happy with my 30D for the last 2 years.

Of course, the other option is glass. Now, I do occasionally do fashion/general photos of people, as well as the odd portrait shoot, but these tend to be secondary to my sports shooting. I assume a prime or 2 would be the obvious call here, as I'm incredibly happy with the quality of my 17-50 and 70-200.

I've had my eye on the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for a while, so that would be an obvious choice. Aside from that, I'm not entirely sure which options would suit best.

Any input/questions/advice would be hugely appreciated! :thumbs:
 
I think budget would be an overriding factor. The 7d would certainly be a step up focus wise, but so would a 40/50d (albeit less so) as all AF points are cross type (at least they are on 50d, I assume they are on the 40d too?).

As for lenses, you would be looking at the Canon 100-400 L or Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 with a TC, those would be my preferences but they are both very expensive!

Primes of course are a lot cheaper if you intend to do more fashion shooting.

How much do you have to play with?
 
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Hah, can't believe I left out budget!

Around £900-1000, though I'd rather spend a little over budget buying a new 7D, for example, than £900 for a used one.

The 100-400 doesnt appeal, as I never find myself having an issue with range (and any that I do, I tend to crop). This would be even more true with the 7D, due to the jump from 8mp on the 30D, up to 18mp on the 7D.

At the moment, I'm leaning towards a 7D within a month or so, and then looking at primes over the summer/autumn time, but even then I'm not sure what else I'd want bar the Sigma 30mm
 
The 7d would definitely keep you going for a long time!

Prime wise, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a gem, a lovely lens. Also consider the less expensive Canon 35mm f/2, a great little lens. If you fancy a 50mm check out the Canon 50mm f/2.5 (not as fast as the f/1.x variants but IMO sharper, and has a useful macro ability as a bonus) or the Sigma 50mm f/1.4.

Last but not least, the very very good and reasonably priced Canon 85mm f/1.8.

They should definitely all be on your list!
 
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If motorsports is the primary thing you're doing, the 7D is a very good upgrade.

All of the 19 focus points are cross-type sensitive too, even with f/5.6 lenses. Will work a treat with the 70-200/4. With a f/2.8 lens you get extra sensitivity for the center point.

The extra FPS is a big difference (went from 40D to 7D myself) and though I rarely burn the shutter through longer burst, I often do burst of 3-4 shots and the camera chews through those instantly, I never have to wait.

And of course better high ISO will let you stop down to get more DoF if shooting groups of cars, bikes whatever and still maintain high shutter speeds.

If we talk lenses, there's oh so many options :) To cater for motorsports and portraits alike, I'd swap the 70-200 for a f/2.8 version first, if you're not intimidated by the size & weight.
 
The 7D sounds like an excellent choice, in that case! The only negative that seems to be mentioned regarding the autofocus is it being a pain to switch through modes quickly, but I have no doubt I'll pick it up fast!

I was almost considering switching to Nikon, for the D7000, but stock shortages recently, along with the prospect of changing all my other kit made me knock that idea on the head!

I do occasionally use my 30D to burst shoot for motorsports, so 8fps would be a lovely feature!

Regarding ISO, I never found the 30D too bad at 1600, but I imagine the 7D is an improvement, being such a newer sensor. Saying that, I don't think I've ever shot motorsport higher than 400-640. (I do the occasional band shoot for my friends band, however, so primes and better ISO performance will be useful there!)

I don't think the 70-200 f/2.8 is on the horizon any time soon. It's very rare I found the f/4 lacking in aperture, so in that way I'm swinging more towards the primes.

Going to get myself a 50mm 1.8 very soon, and I'll probably look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 later this year.

Cheers for the advice!
 
Just pulled the trigger, so to speak...7D ordered!

I'm going to be like a child at christmas now until it arrives!
 
congrats on your purchase!! where did you buy from in the end?
 
Hdew cameras, 3 year warranty and £910 shipped, UK stock :)

A few crap reviews form years back, but recent opinion seems to be good. That, and I ALWAYS buy big purchases through my credit card for the extra security if someone tries to screw me over :p

And along with that, I just ordered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 from Amazon. Safe to say that I'll be having some fun this week!
 
Hi Mark, I've just seen your post and have just copied the link to Hdew cameras for the 7D as you can pick them up for your budget new. After buying my 5D2 from Hdew last november I always check them first as they do seem to have the cheapest prices at the moment. Their service is very good also, mine only took 3 days from order to delivery. I'm sure you'll be very happy with your camera for a long time to come. It's an outstanding camera and with some good glass it takes excellent photos and don't worry too much about the focussing system, you soon get used to it with a bit of practice.
 
Hi Stuart

Yeah, I ordered from Hdew yesterday afternoon, just got a text saying it will be with me by midday tomorrow. Can't fault that!

Plus it was £909 shipped, whereas even digitalrev were £940, and with 2 years less warranty.

Safe to say I'll be having some fun this week!
 
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