Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Hey everyone,

Well I have decided since my Digital Rebel died after a long and productive life it is time for a new camera. A little background. I have had Olympus film cameras since the 1970s. Got the Digital Rebel in about 2001 or 2002 and used it to photograph family events, trains and my sons motocross racing and more recently my daughters volleyball matches.

So, I want something to shoot family stuff, trains, indoor volleyball and outdoor dragracing. I can probably spend about $2,000-$2,500 initially. And add some lenses in the future. I don't have a significant investment in glass so even though I was leaning Canon at the local camera shop they introduced me to the Nikon D7100 which they said they feel is the best camera for the money.

I have been considering the Canon 7D, 70D and a used 1D Mark III. The 7D and 1D might be older but still solid cameras in my mind. The 70D seems close to the 7D in many respects but more oriented to shooting video. Not sure that I desire to shoot much video. I feel I need fast shutter speed, a option for using high quality lenses, high frame rate and ideally good number of shots in a burst, fast autofocus and object tracking for quickly moving objects.

So what are your thoughts and even experiences on camera and initial lens.
Sorry for stirring the Canon vs Nikon issue again!

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

Since you have owned a Canon; I would say buy the best that you can afford. You might want to think of getting a quality lens with your purchase. I am sure you will get a lot of advice on which Canon and lens to by. I shoot Nikon so am not up on all the Quality Canon stuff.

Budnjax Loc: NE Florida

get the best lens you can, it's the most important part of the camera. I would much rather have a Canon "L" lens on a cheaper camera body as opposed to non-L on a 1Dx body. If you think you will ever get into a full frame camera then buy EF lenses right from the beginning.....the EF lenses will work on all EOS bodies whereas the EF-S lenses work only on crop factor bodies. Putting a cheap lens on a top of the line camera body is akin to putting recaps on a Maserati.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I would not ignore the 70D just because you may not use the video features. It has many other worthwhile features. The 7D is still a great camera but older technology.

I would go to the camera shop and compare the Canon 70D and Nikon 7100. See how they feel in your hands. Check to see you are comfortable with the controls and menus. You would be happy with either camera- both are lightyears beyond the Digital Rebel.

Whichever way you go, get some good quality lens.

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

Since it sounds like you were doing just fine with a 12+ year old digital camera, you'll be happy with whatever recent camera you get.
If you don't mind carrying some big lens, I'd look into a f/2.8 xx-200/300mm zoom lens. Once I got that, get the brand camera to match with a crop sensor body. Match that up with a 35mm 1.8 prime, and you'll be good to go for a long time.

My 2 cents

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Since I am on my forth Nikon DSLR how can I not say Nikon? I love my D7100 it is way ahead of my D90 that I think is great. For a lens I would go with a kit lens and then when you start thinking you need a longer, wider , faster, closer focus etc buy the one that will do what you want that your kit can't do.
- Dave

amehta Loc: Boston

I also shoot indoor volleyball, and when I went from a Nikon D200 + consumer lenses to the D700 + 70-200mm f/2.8, the results were amazing. I basically went from shutter speeds of 1/30s to 1/500s, which is the difference between a blur of the hand/ball of several inches to reading "Molten Pro Touch" on the ball. Now I use the 85mm f/1.4, usually at f/2 or f/2.8.

A used Nikon D700 plus an 85mm f/1.8 lens should be less than $2k. Add a zoom and you're off to a good start.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

Good advice here. Sounds very evolved to me! :thumbup: :D

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I like to see you're looking at used, and full frame, and Canon :-)

The 1D III is a large physical set-up. You should handle one to confirm you'll like a camera that physically large. You can't go wrong with a 1D body, regardless of generation. Look too at the 6D or the 5DII or 5DIII.

Gone Off Shore Loc: Philadelphia, PA

I've had a 70D since December and have used it to shoot stills, both landscape, portrait and do street photography along with using it to record video.
I bought it with the 18-135mm Canon STM lens and have Sigma 30mm and 105mm Macro/Tele lenses.
The camera is excellent. It handles well, the menus are easy to read and the swing out touch screen makes it perfect for taking low or high angle shots.
Bought it from B&H for around 1500USD and it came with an extra rechargeable, a Ruggard camera bag, an 8GB Sandisk SD card plus the usual Canon stuff.

Brandmic Loc: Alabama

My setup for everyday shooting is D7100 with 50mm AF-S 1.4g. This is a great setup unless you want a full frame camera. This is my second nikon. Have a d5100 as well. This will cost you well under 2k (about $1,500).
For zoom I use nikon 55-200mm. All this would run you around 2k. Lots of good choices out there. Getting good lens should be priority. This 50mm lens has excellent reviews and is good in low light.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Here are the complete factory specs on both the 7D and 70D, not just the basic comparison specs. If you compare them you will see that the 70D actually comes out ahead in a number of areas. I did the comparison last year before buying a 70D and I have no regrets, even though I have never shot video with it. It's a fine camera, although now that I also have a 6D I find that I never use the 70D and will probably sell it at some point. If you buy a 70D you won't be disappointed.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_70d#Specifications

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_7d?selectedName=Specifications

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

Although I'm a Nikon guy, I would would suggest that you stay with what you know, unless you have a specific reason to switch to another system.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Todd,

I would look at theD7100 and they have 18-55 and and a 55-300 I think for your camera. Nikon has some rebates on lenses purchased with your camera at this time. Good Luck