5D Mark II's AF quick, precise enough to capture young children? 7D better?

I am expecting my first child at the end of June and want to be certain that my photo gear is up to capturing all of the once-in-a-lifetime moments of the comings months and years. I currently have an Olympus E3, which is a nice camera but simply not up to the task of taking in-focus, high ISO (by which I mean clean 3200) photos in low light situations -- and the E3 also lacks video, which I would like to at least have the option of using in the future.

I've largely ruled out the current Nikon line-up (the D700 has no video, the D300s seems sharply overpriced here in Europe considering its specifications, the D3 models are too expensive for my hobby), but am still uncertain exactly which Canon model best meet my needs. The 5D Mark II seems to sync well with the sort of photography I like, namely urban landscapes and street scenes - my website http://web.mac.com/peter_klopf/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html gives a good overview of my photo interests and style.

However, I worry that while the 5DII's AF system is certainly more than enough for taking well-considered photos of static objects, it might not be up to the task of capturing the fast, unpredictable movements of energetic young kids.

Would the more advanced AF of the 7D be better-suited to the job? - Your thoughts and experiences?

Also: is the 24-70/2.8 likely to be the best all-around zoom for my purposes, or is the 24-105/4 not really that much slower in practice?

I'm grateful for any insights and opinions.

That is tough question regarding the importance of upcoming event I have both camera and both lenses you mentioned. 5D M II was good enough for me to capture my 8 years old playing tennis and my 2 years old playing anything around. For indoor however I use mostly my 50 1.2 L and now I bought also 24 1.4 L II. But from those two zooms for indoor I will prefer 24-70. 7D is nice all around camera but according to my experience you will be able to praise its AF only if shooting BIF or fast sport action. On the other hand, 5D M II have better IQ and high ISO performance. Therefore my advise for you will be 5D M II and 24-70.
Just my 2c.

Hello Peter,
I'm kind of in the same situation, just that my kid is 5 months old now

I have a 350d now and I want to upgrade to 5d Mark II. I also looked at 7d with the faster and easier to use AF, plus wireless flash transmitter built in, but I think I'll go for the 5d2 because of IQ and better range for the good lenses (the focals are thought for full frame).

I've opened a thread yesterday ( http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=34851783 ) and folks are recommending getting the kit with the 24-105.

verybiglebowski said:

That is tough question regarding the importance of upcoming event I have both camera and both lenses you mentioned. 5D M II was good enough for me to capture my 8 years old playing tennis and my 2 years old playing anything around. For indoor however I use mostly my 50 1.2 L and now I bought also 24 1.4 L II. But from those two zooms for indoor I will prefer 24-70. 7D is nice all around camera but according to my experience you will be able to praise its AF only if shooting BIF or fast sport action. On the other hand, 5D M II have better IQ and high ISO performance. Therefore my advise for you will be 5D M II and 24-70.
Just my 2c.

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The f2.8 is definitely good, suitable for indoor/studio shots. For travelling though, I guess the 24-105 should be more suitable. As for the DOF in outdoor portraits, one could zoom towards tele and get it quite shallow..

Get the 7D. You'll regret getting a 5D II for anything moving...

You have it and you can't shoot anything moving? Consider other hobby then. 5D M II have just fine AF for most situations.

more important than AF is DOF for your FOV. unless you stop being a dad for a few minutes while you take your photos, you will get more keepers with the 7D than the 5d2.

Perhaps something even faster, like break dancing? Low light as well.

I thought the 7D (borrowed from a friend) was gonna blow away my 5DII for tracking my two kids (2yrs and 4yrs), but it didn't. The percentage of OOF shots was about the same (and as someone's already pointed out, DoF is probably a more important consideration). But I normally only use the centre AF point on my 5D coz the outer points are not reliable (even for static subjects), so in that respect the 7D would be the better choice.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about the 5DII not being able to keep up with small children. And remember the IQ of the 5DII is superior to the 7D's.

Peter Klopf said:

I am expecting my first child at the end of June and want to be certain that my photo gear is up to capturing all of the once-in-a-lifetime moments of the comings months and years. I currently have an Olympus E3, which is a nice camera but simply not up to the task of taking in-focus, high ISO (by which I mean clean 3200) photos in low light situations -- and the E3 also lacks video, which I would like to at least have the option of using in the future.

I've largely ruled out the current Nikon line-up (the D700 has no video, the D300s seems sharply overpriced here in Europe considering its specifications, the D3 models are too expensive for my hobby), but am still uncertain exactly which Canon model best meet my needs. The 5D Mark II seems to sync well with the sort of photography I like, namely urban landscapes and street scenes - my website http://web.mac.com/peter_klopf/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html gives a good overview of my photo interests and style.

However, I worry that while the 5DII's AF system is certainly more than enough for taking well-considered photos of static objects, it might not be up to the task of capturing the fast, unpredictable movements of energetic young kids.

Would the more advanced AF of the 7D be better-suited to the job? - Your thoughts and experiences?

Also: is the 24-70/2.8 likely to be the best all-around zoom for my purposes, or is the 24-105/4 not really that much slower in practice?

I'm grateful for any insights and opinions.

Click to expand...

Peter the AF on the 5D2 is not as bad as many claim. I regularly shoot kids running around with it. Use it with an 85/1.8 and you'll get terrific kids' portraits, moving or static. You also need to consider the differences between FF and crop, noise, etc. The 5D2 wins as a good overall performer. Here is a recent example using the 5D2.





--

http://broady.smugmug.com/

all canon cameras will be fine for newborns, since they make very limited and predictable moves. don't waste your time in those comparisons, just pick one and be happy.

I photographed my newborns with 5D mk I, which is notorious for its sluggish AF, yet I had little complain. Now the kids are running around I'm using Nikon to capture their moves. The intelligent AF points follows the kids across the frame, combined with a CCD AF sensor that recognizes color, result in far more keepers than my Canons can dream of. Also because the AF points follow the kids across the frame, i have a lot more freedom in composition. With Canon I'm stuck with my subject in the middle of the frame or I won't have much chance.

Just go to a camera shop and play with those cameras (e.g. 7D and D300s), and feel their respective strengths. Others' opinions are irrelevant to YOUR needs.

Max

Peter Klopf said:

I am expecting my first child at the end of June and want to be certain that my photo gear is up to capturing all of the once-in-a-lifetime moments of the comings months and years. I currently have an Olympus E3, which is a nice camera but simply not up to the task of taking in-focus, high ISO (by which I mean clean 3200) photos in low light situations -- and the E3 also lacks video, which I would like to at least have the option of using in the future.

I've largely ruled out the current Nikon line-up (the D700 has no video, the D300s seems sharply overpriced here in Europe considering its specifications, the D3 models are too expensive for my hobby), but am still uncertain exactly which Canon model best meet my needs. The 5D Mark II seems to sync well with the sort of photography I like, namely urban landscapes and street scenes - my website http://web.mac.com/peter_klopf/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html gives a good overview of my photo interests and style.

However, I worry that while the 5DII's AF system is certainly more than enough for taking well-considered photos of static objects, it might not be up to the task of capturing the fast, unpredictable movements of energetic young kids.

Would the more advanced AF of the 7D be better-suited to the job? - Your thoughts and experiences?

Also: is the 24-70/2.8 likely to be the best all-around zoom for my purposes, or is the 24-105/4 not really that much slower in practice?

I'm grateful for any insights and opinions.

Click to expand...

I got the original 5D when my little guy was born. It served me very well and I upgraded to a 5DmkII when they came out. My little guy is 2 1/2 now and runs around plenty - and unpredictably. I will assure you that the 5DmkII can keep up. I also have a 7D and there is not an appreciable difference in keepers between these cameras despite the 7D having more focus points and all of them being cross senstive. The 7D does have an edge if you want to specifically utilize the extreme left or right focus points when the subject is moving. The outer points on the 5DmkII aren't as good as the 7D. Beyond that one point - both can produce outstanding images and have more than enough features for your needs.

Before the 5DmkII purchase I actually did consider a Nikon D300. I even borrowed a friend of mines for a little bit. It was a nice camera, captured nice images but it didn't really feel right to me - that is my personal preference. Plus, I wasn't getting any more keepers of my son than I did with my 5D classic. I guess if you were doing birds in flight or if you child starts to fly a 51 point, 3D color matrix 1005 pixel af system (lots of marketing in describing the AF system!) may be more relevant but for everyday kid stuff - there is no reason any Canon couldn't do the job.

I can say with certainty that if both my cameras were stolen, the first one I would replace is the 5DmkII.

Re: lenses. I have both the 24-70 2.8 and the 24-105 f4. I prefer the 24-70 2.8 but if I am going somewhere that I am not as familiar with and will be unsure if I will need more range I will take the 24-105. Both are fine lenses but the center AF point is more sensitive with a 2.8 or larger aperture lense and I like that I can get twice the amount of light to the sensor if I need to. I think you will also notice a bit more light fall-off from the 24-105 at 24mm and f4 but nothing that can't be easily address in Photoshop or by using the Peripheral Illumination Control feature and processing with Canon DPP.

I might suggest that full frame with the 24-70 would have a very narrow depth of field that might not be great for a moving child.. just a thought.
--
Whatever Looks Good Is Good

Yeah shoot a moving a turtle. It's a hobby but I'm sure you're not a big time photog are you ?.

AF is fine, anyway I find myselve adjusting manually all the time, either by moving a little forward/backward untill it´s sharp or simply adjusting focus after AF....

-It´s sooo great to be able to see focus again, with crop -both 1.3 and 1.6- it was hit and miss and Yoy fumbled around trying to select the right focuspoint for composure, that no more....

But forget a Zoom for indoor shooting, You´ll need f/1.8 and 1.4 is much better, with 1.2 I rarely is restricted but I´m often on the edge, 1/100-80´th second on 3200....

Be sure to get an "s" focusscreeen for the 5D2, and extensiontube for pic´s of those small hands and feet and nose and....

Bjarke
--

God´s People is not the Jew´s , the Christian´s or the Muslim´s, God´s People is the
Quiet, Kind and Sweet of all kind, you know it´s true....

A Quiet Word by the Right Person can change People and thereby the World, hard talk
doesn´t change anything....

-Please pass it on whenever and wherever You can....

keithinmelbourne said:

Peter the AF on the 5D2 is not as bad as many claim. I regularly shoot kids running around with it. Use it with an 85/1.8 and you'll get terrific kids' portraits, moving or static. You also need to consider the differences between FF and crop, noise, etc. The 5D2 wins as a good overall performer. Here is a recent example using the 5D2.





--

http://broady.smugmug.com/

Click to expand...

Seeing this pic I got to think of a test I did when I had the 5D2, with 85 f/1.8 I shot a serie of my girlfriend in a swing on servo focus, kept one point on her face, both centre and an outer point, and out of some 25-35 shots one were a little unsharp.......

Bjarke
--

God´s People is not the Jew´s , the Christian´s or the Muslim´s, God´s People is the
Quiet, Kind and Sweet of all kind, you know it´s true....

A Quiet Word by the Right Person can change People and thereby the World, hard talk
doesn´t change anything....

-Please pass it on whenever and wherever You can....

You would be surprised. Besides, I like shallow DOF. Since the camera nails the AF the majority of the time I usually end up with images I am very pleased with even if the entire ear isn't in focus but the eyes are.

Raj Curry said:

I might suggest that full frame with the 24-70 would have a very narrow depth of field that might not be great for a moving child.. just a thought.
--
Whatever Looks Good Is Good

Click to expand...

No I am not, but I do use camera when intend to say something about it. Not your case I am afraid.

As the proud father of twin six-week old sons I've had plenty of photo opportunities with my 5DII. Haven't used flash since. This was shot at 3200.

As for action/sports I'm also posting a dog mushing pic from the Open North American Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska this weekend. You be the judge.

video is not worth it TBH. I've taken a few with my 5D2 but in reality I use a compact to shoot video of my two boys. D700 + 24-70 f2.8 +an SB800.

and yes which ever camera you get 5D2 or D700 get the 240-70 f2.8 lens

Peter Klopf said:

I am expecting my first child at the end of June and want to be certain that my photo gear is up to capturing all of the once-in-a-lifetime moments of the comings months and years. I currently have an Olympus E3, which is a nice camera but simply not up to the task of taking in-focus, high ISO (by which I mean clean 3200) photos in low light situations -- and the E3 also lacks video, which I would like to at least have the option of using in the future.

I've largely ruled out the current Nikon line-up (the D700 has no video, the D300s seems sharply overpriced here in Europe considering its specifications, the D3 models are too expensive for my hobby), but am still uncertain exactly which Canon model best meet my needs. The 5D Mark II seems to sync well with the sort of photography I like, namely urban landscapes and street scenes - my website http://web.mac.com/peter_klopf/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html gives a good overview of my photo interests and style.

However, I worry that while the 5DII's AF system is certainly more than enough for taking well-considered photos of static objects, it might not be up to the task of capturing the fast, unpredictable movements of energetic young kids.

Would the more advanced AF of the 7D be better-suited to the job? - Your thoughts and experiences?

Also: is the 24-70/2.8 likely to be the best all-around zoom for my purposes, or is the 24-105/4 not really that much slower in practice?

I'm grateful for any insights and opinions.

Click to expand...