Need Advice From Pros For System

Started 5 months ago | Discussions thread
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RJSecoy
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Need Advice From Pros For System
5 months ago

I need Pro help to recommend a system.

What I do NOT do:

(1) Studio or anything indoor;

(2) Weddings;

(3) Video; or

(4) Low light, except animals in deep forest shade.

What I do:

(1) Wildlife including birds in flight;

(2) Nature landscape;

(3) Outdoor portraits & candids on the beach for tourists;

(4) Dog portraits & candids, often fast action shots running on the beach (an under-appreciated market);

(5) Ad shots for local tours, real estate, etc.;

(6) Macro flower & abstracts; and

(7) Gallery availability for up to 16 x 20".

I think I can justify a higher end system because I've been able to produce captures sufficiently compelling to market, even though people have to overlook the IQ of a Panasonic 24x Superzoom/Bridge with fixed Leica lens.  Obviously, with resolution people laugh at, there have been huge limitations on what I can do; I've depended on less discriminating customers and used lots of LR4.  How I wish I had resolution on many wildlife images I'll never get again!

Spring, Summer and Fall I go out 5-6 days per week; during our 2-month Winter, I'm out 2-3x/week.  I "hunt" up to 3 hours; work on some of the same wildlife and landscape subjects over a long period; then keep distinctive images but replace similar shots with better ones.

Wildlife: we've had 10 ft. 'Gators, Herons, Anhingas, Woodpeckers, Mergansers, Piebald Deer, Kingfishers, Bluebirds, Hawks and more - in our backyard! (Bet you didn't see that coming!)  Much of my wildlife is taken within walking distance, and it's 15 mins. to a long private beach with few people.  Wildlife is plentiful enough for me to take whatever I run into; I don't need to set up and wait, though I plan to do so.

Although many people only think so, I actually do have "a need for speed."  If you've ever seen a Black Skimmer in flight, I could stop there.  I've got Osprey, Pelicans, and Terns diving into the water and bringing out fish; Osprey and Egrets mating; dogs bounding over waves; and kids running everywhere.  So I shoot continuous much of the time.

I live in one of the few places on Earth where dolphins "strand" by herding fish out of the water; then the dolphins beach themselves to catch the fish: it's a rush that lasts about 2 minutes.  I have dolphins on the beach with fish in their mouths.  National Geo. shot this here and will publish 2013.  I can take this all the time, and it makes a great local and tourist market.  Fast FPS and AF are necessary.

If possible, I don't want future trade up because it costs more than buying high end once.  Example: I purchased a new BMW at high up-front cost; however, after 17 years this has been much cheaper in the long run than trading mid-price, and I get to drive high end!

CAMERA BODY, possible needs:

(1)  enviro weatherproofing against sand, salt & water on the beach;

(2)  lower carry weight for up to 3 hrs.  I currently use a Black Rapid shoulder, would likely add a backpack, but I have to keep the camera out and turned on because I come upon wildlife suddenly;

(3)  I hate to increase size, but might need of a battery grip to have the camera on constantly and to keep from opening on the beach;

(4)  fast FPS;

(5)  fast, accurate, multipoint AF; and

(6)  if possible, no future trade up.

Nikons:

(1) D4 sounds like too much for me;

(2) D800 at 4 FPS seems too slow;

(3) I've read of serious problems with the D600; and

(4) other models sound equal to or lesser than Canon equivalents.

Canon 6D: 4.5 FPS and AF sound too slow.

Canon 7D:

(1) great FPS,

(2) is the crop IQ good enough for very sharp prints to 16 x 20"?

(3) Is the 11-point AF fast and accurate enough?

(4) Increased reach from crop sensor is good; and

(5) Is it enough to keep many years without trade up?

Canon 5D3:

(1) 6 FPS might be slower than preferable but more (7D) sounds nice;

(2) 61-point AF sounds fantastic;

(3) is IQ all I'd ever need up to 16 x 20"?

(4) Good to never trade-up?

(5) Sophisticated to keep me learning and getting better for years?

(6) Probably don't need dual cards, but they might keep me from opening on the beach.

Canon 1D X: I never knew a photo could look this good; I was astounded!  I'd love to try 10 FPS with dead on AF for every exposure, but I don't think I would ever live up to this camera.

LENSES, possible needs:

(1)  weather sealed;

(2)  multi-purpose, all-in-one zoom because I would not change on the beach;

(3)  sufficient reach for birds - I currently use all of 600 mm;

(4)  fast, accurate AF;

(5)  probably not shotgun/push-pull due to dirt infiltration;

(6)  light enough for 3 hr. carry;

(7)  smaller form for carrying;

(8)  possibly the best L Series to avoid future upgrade;

(9)  definitely handheld; and

(10) an additional Macro F2.8 or lower.

Canon 70-200 mm F2.8 L ISII USM:

(1) DPR Gold Best in Class;

(2) concerned about insufficient reach for birding; and

(3) adding a tele-converter sounds too heavy.

Canon 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 L: great specs and recommendations, but sounds too heavy and large for extended carrying.

Canon 70-300 mm F4-5.6 L IS USM:

(1) reach is questionable but may be all I can get for an all-in-one zoom;

(2) excellent DPR and Amazon reviews; and

(3) sounds like fast and accurate AF.

Not known: an additional Macro F2.8 or lower.

ACCESSORIES, possible, based on Amazon reviews:

(1)  B+W XS-Pro Clear w/Multi-Resistant Nano Coating, Non-UV (007M); or B+W Clear, UV Haze w/Multi-Resistant Coating (010M)

(2)  Wasabi Battery for 7D or 5D3;

(3)  Canon OEM brand BG-E11 battery grip, because weather sealing is supposed to be better than other brands;

(4)  Hoodman Glasses Hoodeye Eyecup;

(5)  Fotodiox Pro, Premium Grade Tripod Lens Collar for 70-300 mm or equivalent;

(6)  Lowepro Versapack 200AW Backpack w/quick side access & tripod carry;

(7)  Vanguard Alta Pro 263AGH Tripod w/pistol grip ball head; and

(8)  Instructional book(s) such as "Canon 5D3 Experience" by Klostermann.

I'm sorry this is so long, but I wanted to provide all considerations.  If you'd like, just answer with camera & lens models.  Thanks so much.

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