Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

That is what I am now thinking, thank you!

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

My only worry with the 7Dii is noise with such low lighting. I guess I need to google sporting images shot with the 7Dii. Thank you for your input Lukan!

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

This is SOOOO true!! Get the Body !!! Sell that 6D on ebay fast. I use the 7Dmii for equestrian, baseball & chasing kids... It is SOOOOOO much nicer than the 6D.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

For sports, replace the 6D with a 5D3 (since you can't wait for the 4, and it will be cheaper) or a 7D2. The 7D2 is faster (10fps vs 6fps) than the 5D3, and will give you more "reach" with the 70-200, which can be a bit short for outdoor sports. The 7D2 also has a nice feature for negating the inherent flicker of some indoor lighting. OTOH, If low light is the issue (as it often is here in NC, especially in HS gyms for indoor sports), the better low light/high ISO performance of the 5D3 is a real advantage, the AF is quite good, and like the 7D2, it's solidly built and weather sealed to take lots hard use in difficult conditions. And you may not notice the difference in the fps if you learn to anticipate and not "spray and pray".

Regarding the 70-200, all I can add is that the Canon 70-200L f2.8 is the industry standard - every pro shooter I see shooting sports has one in their kit, and I wouldn't let the warranty influence me - it's a solid workhorse. (Kia's have a better warranty than Mercedes, but who do you think builds the toughest car? No insult implied to Kia owners). Finally, While the IS version is nice under some conditions, you're usually shooting sports at least at 1/250 or faster, so not as important as for other types of work.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

The 7Dii is actually better for sports. But I figure if you are shooting for the school you will be doing a lot of still shots and gym shots also. I just sold my 1D Mark 4 and use primarily the 5Diii with a Canon 70-200 f 2.8 IS ii and my 7Dii is attached to my Canon EF 300 f 2.8 and I carry a Tamron 24-70 f 2.8 to put on the 7Dii for sideline use and endzone shots. The 5Diii's sharpness, color and saturation in low light is better than the 7Dii. Less post process work. Our lighting in the 2A schools is horrible compared to Allen. I shot a game their several years ago and was able to shoot in the 3500 ISO range. Here in West Texas when the lights come on I am shooting any where from 6800 to 16000 ISO depending on what field I am on.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

Look thru my Flickersite I set up for the kids. It has shots with Canon 5Diii, 7Dii, 6D, T5I

https://www.flickr.com/photos/86329203@N08/

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

You might want to consider getting a 7D II. They work great for moving subjects. Lots of BIF shooters use it.

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

Consider 7dII or 1dx II. 1dx II is the flagship for sports and the leader in high ISO shooting in the Canon lineup at the moment I believe. If you can swing such a camera you may open up more opportunities to shoot and make some $$$ to help offset the cost.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

. . . . and when you can afford one, or if your Tamron dies, buy a Canon. As someone else said, both the mrkII and the original are awesome lenses. Canons L series lenses are made for the professional and for every day use. They are heavy, but they are dependable.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I fully agree with MT Shooter on this one. The Tamron lens is a good lens for focusing, and quality. The 7D Mark II is the real sports camera. It does have a learning curve, but its not impossible to learn. As far as the 5D Mark IV, there has been no one who can really project how it will do for a sports camera. The 5D Mark III would be ok, and it is coming down in price, I see it at about $2000-2400 online. But the 7D Mark II has also come down a good bit, and can be had for about $1100. If you question the logic of the 7D MII, you may want to rent one to get the feel of it, and then rent the 5D MIII to compare.

I also shoot the 6D, and it is just a good entry level full frame. It has to slow a frame rate for sports, but is a excellent landscape, still life, and sedentary object camera.

B

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The 7D II is a sports body. I'd wait until after this Fall's Photokina show, though, just to see what's new.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

wow - after seeing your photos on your flickr I see I still have not conquered the 7Dmii learning curve! Yikes I wish I could get pics like yours. I'll keep practicing! I wish you were closer so I could follow you around for an hour.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Sure, but leave my nose alone.

Haydon

I'd keep the lens and utilize the 6 year warranty until you are in a position to move to another lens. In the meantime you need fast frame with great autofocus. I'd narrow down your choices in camera bodies. Another option would be to look for a used 1Dx which no one has recommended. It would give you superb autofocus, frame rate and high ISO capabilities with low noise. The 7DII is great but I saw you are working with challenging light which leads me to believe a full frame would essentially give you lower noise at higher ISO's. The 1D series is the pro sport photographer choice in this situation.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

I could see my self shooting with the Sigma Art lens. We normally get rain and the humidity 3 weeks straight during September and the humidity is 80 plus during games. Sand storms during the spring. Or rain and sandstorms.

Wonder how long the Art lens would hold up? I have lost 2 mono poles shooting football in the last 3 years. One 50mm 1.8 broke during basketball. At some point during a season I will get bumped, knocked down or just flat ran over. My Canon 7Dii with the Canon 70-200 version ii could be used to defend myself. My old 1D mark iv you could use as a driver at the golf course and my EF 300 is like a boat anchor.

Sports shooting is a whole different animal. It requires fast durable lenses and hardened bodies for the ruff environment. And a camera body with a high frame per second shutter with minimal noise. I would kill for a Sigma Art lens in my arsenal but I would never get it out of my bag during a game.