7d for Weddings

Not sure where is best to post this. So, here goes...

Looking for input/opinions on a 7d (mk 1) as an additional body for weddings. I have a 6d and 5d (Mk 1). I was thinking of using the 7d crop sensor with a 135 f2.0 for ceremonies in low light (equivalent of 210mm). Also for faster FPS, if needed.

I don't want to spend $1800 for a Mk 2 and would rather spend that on glass.

I have a 28-105 f4 L IS, 50mm f1.4, 100mm f2.0, and 100 f2.8 macro. I really want to stay away from the 70-200 f2.8 IS because of the weight.

So, please give me your opinions.

bob

I do like the better low light sensor with the mark ii, I haven't tried it so my opinion is based on stats.

I have shot several wedding with a 7D with very good results hope this helps.

In the US, canonpricewatch.com shows a 6D going for $1,300 and 7Dii at $1,550.

Maybe, if you can swing it, the sweet solution would be a second 6D with a 70-200 f/4 IS.

I'll give you a few reasons:
Two identical bodies: Easiest to switch between.

Zoom lens: Better than a fixed-length telephoto, and the f/4 isn't a back-breaker. During a ceremony, you have limited locations for your shots, and zoom makes more sense to me. You could go with Canon's 200mm f/2.8, but fixed-length teles... it just scares me to think of shooting a ceremony with a fixed length lens. Locations and setups are always going to be different, you want your photos to have variety... tough to do with fixed length. I'd want a 24-70 f/4 on one and the 70-200 f/4 on the other. A diffused 600 EX flash on the 24-70 body and you're ready for anything.

Big White Lens: Ok, maybe this seems stupid, but a big white will impress your clients and their guess. It just will.

Hello Bob...no doubt, the 7D is a great camera...but I would go for a 70D as backup...I use the 70D + Canon 17-55mm 2.8 IS as my main set up for events and weddings...the 70D has better ISO then the 7d...ISO 6400 is excellent, silent shutter mode at weddings (ceremony) on the 70D is very quiet...IMO, the 70D is one of the best APS-C cameras today...

greetings

Matthias

murphybob said:

Not sure where is best to post this. So, here goes...

Looking for input/opinions on a 7d (mk 1) as an additional body for weddings. I have a 6d and 5d (Mk 1). I was thinking of using the 7d crop sensor with a 135 f2.0 for ceremonies in low light (equivalent of 210mm). Also for faster FPS, if needed.

I don't want to spend $1800 for a Mk 2 and would rather spend that on glass.

I have a 28-105 f4 L IS, 50mm f1.4, 100mm f2.0, and 100 f2.8 macro. I really want to stay away from the 70-200 f2.8 IS because of the weight.

So, please give me your opinions.

bob

Click to expand...

No, not the 7D, but rather the 70D. Virtually the same AF as the 7D, but better IQ low to high, and more advanced features elsewhere, too.

murphybob said:

Not sure where is best to post this. So, here goes...

Looking for input/opinions on a 7d (mk 1) as an additional body for weddings. I have a 6d and 5d (Mk 1). I was thinking of using the 7d crop sensor with a 135 f2.0 for ceremonies in low light (equivalent of 210mm). Also for faster FPS, if needed.

Click to expand...

I think the Canon 70D would be a better choice. The ergonomics are almost identical to the 6D, making switching between cameras seamless.

Here's a wedding shooter that is using the Canon 70D exclusively.

http://www.tomkphoto.com/canon-70d-wedding-photographer-review

A wedding he shot with the 70D.

http://www.tomkphoto.com/ashley-matt-keystone-ranch-wedding

murphybob said:

I don't want to spend $1800 for a Mk 2 and would rather spend that on glass.

I have a 28-105 f4 L IS, 50mm f1.4, 100mm f2.0, and 100 f2.8 macro. I really want to stay away from the 70-200 f2.8 IS because of the weight.

So, please give me your opinions.

bob

Click to expand...

...and so did the 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D. The key to shoot a wedding is the lens, not the body. Some may argue that fact...but its the truth.

mailman88 said:

...and so did the 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D. The key to shoot a wedding is the lens, not the body. Some may argue that fact...but its the truth.

Click to expand...

you forgot the D60 and the D30...I first used the D30 in the year 2000 photographing a convention in Las Vegas... at that time I really thought I was in heaven...sort of like It doesn`t or can`t get any better then this D30 (3Mega Pix)... I used it with a Stroboframe and a Quantum T 2 strobe...horrible picture quality compared to what these new cameras (tools) offer today...but I don`t think anybody is arguing the facts, rather I would say "presenting the facts"...and it is all about sensor IQ and every XX Canon model is a huge leap foreward in that direction...

greetings to you

Matthias

mailman88 said:

...and so did the 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D. The key to shoot a wedding is the lens, not the body. Some may argue that fact...but its the truth.

Click to expand...

Something so horribly subjective can hardly be called a "fact". I've shot weddings full-time for two full decades, and was totally digital by 2001. Wedding photography requires extreme versatility, something the new bodies are constantly getting better at. I used 10D bodies (and even D30 and D60 bodies before that), and I would NOT use them again. Why? Because they are ancient, technologically speaking.

The original 7D was a fine camera, and used plenty for weddings. And it will continue to do what it was capable of five years ago. But, unless I just could not afford something better, I'd certainly be looking at something a bit more updated if I were choosing newer camera gear today simply because the older gear is going to be a bit more limited, especially in low light.

The key to shooting weddings is not the lens or the camera... it's the photographer. I'd be able to shoot a wedding with a 20D and an old 24-85 zoom if I had to. But I don't have to. Thank goodness!

Thank you everyone for the replies. I would love the 70d. But, it's about $500 more than the 7d and I've already spent a fortune. I may be able upgrade later. Wifey is getting a bit uptight about the $$$.

70d Refurbished is back in stock at 959.00. Or try Canon Price Watch.

murphybob said:

Thank you everyone for the replies. I would love the 70d. But, it's about $500 more than the 7d and I've already spent a fortune. I may be able upgrade later. Wifey is getting a bit uptight about the $$$.

Click to expand...

Then you might consider the Canon 60D for now.

Same general ergonomics as the 6D and 70D.

Low light performance is about the same as the classic 7D and even less expensive.