7d vs. 50d for sports/skiing/snowboarding

Hello all, I need a little input here. My first move into digital photography was the 20D about 5 years ago. I shot surfing for a few years and was happy with the 20D and a canon 100-400. After I sold that camera I eventually replaced it with a xsi, as I was no longer shooting sports and only wanted something to accommodate my hobby. Well, I'm up in the mountains this year doing some contracted ski/snowboard photography and I feel like I'm making enough $$ and selling enough photos to justify an upgrade...both body and glass. What I'm wondering is do I go with the 50D or the 7D....or possibly even the 5D??

Here's what I'm thinking. I'd like something more rugged than the Rebel especially for snowy days. Faster fps is nice, but really not a huge deal. Higher Resolution. Better ISO performance...especially at 400 and 800. BETTER AUTOFOCUS is a biggie. Video is not important to me. I'll take it but it's not the kind of thing I would pay an extra 700 or 800 dollars for. Mainly I want to see a difference in overall IQ over what I'm shooting. I am aware that most of that is going to come from my glass upgrade, but given my wishlist, I would like to hear any recommendations from those who have used both cameras. Maybe I'll just go crazy and get the 5D which is the camera that I'd really like to own.

thanks for the help,

lc
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Well to start, you should definitely not look at the 5D. It is not a sports camera and will do little for you in that department. So between the 7D and 50D. I will say this. I just a bought a 50D and was thinking about both cameras as well. I also have a XSi as you do. I did not even need something great because my Xsi does all I need but just needed a second body in case i get into events which I hope so. Now the XXD lines have always been a top choice for sports photography (especially considering the 7D just came out). It has always held its own and people for the most part have not complained about the XXD series. But then keep in mind the only other sports option was about $3,000 more expensive than any current XXD body for canon at least. The 7D has an all new AF system that is based around those who need precise AF during those fast or tough moments. It simply is better.

I feel the number one reason to go with better equipment is if and only if your going to make money off of it. And in that case you are and people are expecting the best you can give them. If this was a hobby of yours, I would say the difference to the 7D and 50D cannot be justified (unless you had money like that) and to just get the 50D. But when it comes to making money, even if the camera is just 10% better, it becomes worth it. That is my opinion. So though I just got my 50D yesterday and love it (have not yet had a chance to really break it in), I could not justify getting a 7D but I think you can. So I say go for the 7D. Good luck.
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Quickly shooter, draw your lens or prepared to get shot.

If it moves go for the 7D if it doesn't then it's the 5D Mk II

AF performance on the 7D is excellent & 8 FPS very useful

Well, the AF on the 7d SHOULD produce better action images. The enhanced EC on the 7d SHOULD produce better images, also the weather sealing of the 7d could be of value in both cold/wet/snow environment.

Also, is VIDEO of interest, since the 7d does it and the 50d doesn't. I think were I presented with the same question I would go 7d, although the 50d is a very good piece of kit and the roughly 700$ savings could provide some nice lens upgrade.

You know, the more I think about it, the more I am considering a used 5D. Although I am shooting action this winter, I am not a sports photographer by trade. Also, most of what I am shooting is in manual exposure with manual focus. I'm shooting action and jumps and the af on my rebel and 18-55 can't keep up so I've shot manual focus trained on the apex of the jumps and it seems to be working out. I think if I could get my shots this season with the 5D, I might be happier having a ff for my hobby post season. The one thing that I don't like about my rebel is I get a TON of thermal noise in my long exposure nighttime shots. I enjoy shooting this and thought maybe I would get better shots out of a FF sensor. I know that I can get better results out of a 5D and a 24-105 than I'm getting out of the Rebel/18-55...sigh, I dunno.

lc

p.s. Heres a couple of samples I shot yesterday with the xsi and kit lens.







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Well, I just read up on the old 5D and realized it has no dust removal system on the sensor. I had that problem on the 20D and it's a deal killer for me. Makes me to nervous digging around inside my camera trying to clean it. I can't be bothered. So...it's looking like the 7D. Anyone have any thoughts on the 15-85? I'm doing all wide angle this seaon but I think I can get by with 15mm and more versatility rather than going with the 10-22. Anyone used these lenes?
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dust cleaning a sensor is pretty darn easy to do.

Easy - 7D (n/t)

The 7D is a clear candidate for this job.

• superb autofocus in every way.
• I have a very hard time to understand how 8fps shouldn't be extremely useful, since it is for most other sports photographers. I think you will find the 8fps very very useful
• Video. I think you may change your mind after using this feature for a while. I was just shooting skiiers in slow motion, and boy that is cool!
• The 7d also has tons and tons of other improvements all over.

There are a few benefits with the 5D. First however it has a limited autofocus, its slow at taking pictures etc and lack tons of those nice features that 7D has. But

• you can use wide angle lenses that are weather sealed like the 17-40. This is a biggy if you are in the snow. I got a 7D and I would LOVE to have more weather sealed lenses. These are of course very expensive all of them so if your budget can't take it, then you are better off with the 7D since you get very high quality lenses for a pretty good price (10-22 for example).

Good luck with your purchace, and dont forget to post your images. Where are you going btw?
Andreas

yeah, the 8fps really does help you get THE shot.

No brainer provided dollars are not a problem

7D as it is a much better action camera with faster and more accurate focusing, higher shutter speed and the bonus of additional weather resistance.

I have a 50D and added a 7D a few weeks ago. For action photos, the IQ has been much better, not due to the sensor but due to the ability to quickly focus accurately.
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CTDana

I have just sold my 30D and am looking at upgrading to either the 50D or the 7D.

So this thread has been helpful.
I like the better Af of the 7D and the weather sealing.

I shoot surf and landscapes

If you have the money, go with the 7D. Otherwise, the 50D is a great camera, that can now be had for an attractive price. With the technique that you use, you will have no trouble using the 50D.

you might want to check this site:

http://canonfieldreviews.com/

;o)

I'd go for the 7D and if already available the new 2,8 70-200 L IS II

Thank you all for your knowledge and input. I am placing an order today. After doing my research, looking at specs, and viewing samples, I've decided that I am WAY more limited by my glass than my body (as is usually the case). I am going to save my $1700 for now and keep shooting the xsi. I'm placing an order today for a uwa lens. I think I'm going with the Tokina 11-16 f2.8. Seems to be the best performer in its class. At first I was a little concerned at it's limited zoom range, but as sharp as it is and with 2.8 across the range, I kind of see it as a versatile prime rather than a limited zoom. Thanks again, and I'll post some results in the coming week.

lc
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Good to hear you have made your own decision. Best wishes and lets see some pics.

ok, so I got the Tokina 11-16. I posted this in a new thread but nobody responded so I figured I'd throw it in here just in case anybody wanted to see the results. Lens is very sharp and well built, but I am less than impressed with the auto focus, especially in very cold conditions.



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Well, the tokina doesn't have USM motors in the lens. It is not going to be as fast a focuser as the Canon lenses with USM or Sigma lenses with HSM. The cold may even slow down the AF even more. I owned a 11-16, loved the performance, but I didn't shoot sports with it.
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http://www.pixelmap.com

There's so much depth of field at 11mm that the AF isn't that important. Set the aperture to F8, focus at 3 feet, and everything from about a foot to infinity is in focus.
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Alastair
http://anorcross.smugmug.com
Equipment in profile

Lol, this thread is hilarious - person after person after person recommends the 7d, partly because of its fast autofocus performance. OP first decides that the 50d is the way to go, then decides to buy a new lens for the xsi - which turns out to not autofocus fast enough.

Wish I had one of those smiley faces eating popcorn emoticons. Would be perfect.