DonOles

Hello looking for some feedback on the 5dmkiv as a full frame for sports photography. Currently using a 7dmkii love the burst rate but I think I would prefer a full frame. Feedback appreciated

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The burst rate and the extra reach are the two things you will miss. You'll have to decide for yourself. I have both because I couldn't decide. Actually, I just wanted both so that I had the best of both worlds. The burst rate, the extra reach, the larger sensor, the touch screen, WiFi, GPS, 30mp. etc. I love both of them.

BB4A

I use both bodies. I prefer the 7D Mk ii for fast sports, just because it’s so quick. I also think I prefer the shutter action on the 7D Mk ii; in terms of weather sealing it’s also right up there with the 5D Mk iv. Lastly, I love the 65 point all cross-type AF, and the superb sensor in low-light conditions. While this isn’t relevant to sports photography, I’ve used 7D Mk ii bodies for a lot of my natural light / low light boudoir photography, just because of how that sensor makes dreamy & creamy noise management into a superb effect for this genre.

I really like my 5D Mk iv for sports situations where I need that higher pixel count and full frame sensor, but dealing with those larger RAW images with only 1 processor (even if that’s a DIGIC 6+), does make it a sssllllooowww beast for fast action sports. It’s rated for up to 7 FPS, but that feels like a BIG speed gap, when I’ve just been shooting with a 7D Mk ii body. It’s also got a clunky shutter feel and sound, so I generally shoot on Silent all the time, which slows it down all the more (I use a camera like I used my sidearm; I like a shutter fall that I can’t predict).

However, on the positive side, this beast is absolutely SUPREME at ultra-low natural light photography; I shoot a lot of fishing tournaments where low light or night shooting without flash is essential. This body stomps all over any other body I’ve seen in use out there. I have a buddy with a D850; I’ve captured clear, beautiful images while he’s still trying to find out why his autofocus isn’t on what he thought he was looking at. If there was a competition for taking portraits of black cats in coal cellars at midnight... the 5D Mk iv would win, every time. For all normal shooting situations the 5D Mk iv has a superb sensor and electronics; if you get a bad image, it’s something you did wrong, not the camera. For my other photography genres, as well as sports, this body has definitely raised the percentage of “keepers” per shutter falls. I also like the touch screen back; makes tuning settings faster for those light changes that always occur during an event.


One good thing about both bodies; they are virtually identical in weight, balance, and feel. If you buy a 5D Mk iv, it will feel like an old friend. For those of us that have a variety of sports and other genres that they shoot, I can 100% recommend owning both bodies. You have speed, accuracy, quality, and “built like a tank” weather sealing in both bodies.

lowbone

The focusing accuracy is improved and of course the image quality is better and so is the low light capability. The slower frame rate could be a problem as you are more apt to have your ideal shot between frames. Getting close to what you want to shoot is a factor. If you are shooting kids sports there is no problem but if you are like many of us who can’t get press passes then you are talking about teleconverters and heavy cropping. No question that the 5D lV is a fine camera I’m just not sure if it is a good sports camera.

DonOles

Thanks yes kinda feel the same I want the best of both worlds. Going to be attaching the sigma 120-300 2.8 sport lens. Do you any feedback on this lens for sports. Also with the 5dmkiv touch screen can you still attach a screen protector.
Thanks

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I think you'll be a bit disappointed. I wouldn't call the M IV a slouch but it is a tad slow (if you're used to fast bursts)!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Don, I've never used one, even seen a mklV for that matter, but here's what I think(anyway LoL).
First, I did use 2 7Dmkll's for a while.
Now I use two cameras for sports, a 5Ds and a 1Dxmkl. The 5Ds I'm gonna guess is very similar to the 5lV.
The focus system is very good since it's probably the same one as a 1Dxmkll. The sports cameras have the dedicated processor to just run the focus system so the focus is a bit faster and more accurate but not by much. Most of the time I use the 5Ds with a wide angle on it so I get a lot of DoF and the focus is not so critical.
The MAIN difference that's immediately noticeable is the BUFFER!!! The buffer fill very quickly because of the high mp. Now the 5lV probably has a much deeper buffer because of its lower mp. That's where the sports cameras really shine. You can shoot and shoot and never notice the buffer.
If your style is to not use the fasted burst or just lay on the shutter, the 5lV is likely a very excellent sports camera.
You might also look at used 1Dx mkl's. They are common at $2500 and less. I paid $1750 for mine in good shape(200K) but they ARE low mp! You lose the ability to crop deep. Good luck!
SS

DonOles

SS
Thanks ultimately I would love a used 1DX whats a shutter count thats acceptable? 100000 or less. I see some on ebay 2500 and up. 14fps would be perfect for my sports of choice Hockey and Baseball
Thanks

BB4A

A quality screen protector works fine with the touch screen; I have a British made protector with a matte finish (sorry, can’t remember the name, but I think it was about $25 in US money).

I don’t use Sigma lenses myself (all Canon glass), but I see absolutely no reason why good glass wouldn’t be effective. One thing I would point out; unless you have a media pass to get up close to the action at your sports events, you might find that 300mm leaves you a bit short? The shortest lens I use for Motorsports and Football (soccer in the US) is the EF 100-400mm L IS II USM, and I’m generally as close to the action as is safe. 😎

You may be shooting much more close-range sports events, in which case your 120-300mm will be fine. Still, good to know you can safely load LONG lenses on the 5D Mk iv, it loves them!

DonOles

Canon 100-400 IS II Im sure works well for outdoor such as baseball. Indoors shooting hockey do you thinks i can get away with the slower lens the Sigma 120-300 is a 2.8. Can the 5dmk4 still perform with a higher iso. I currently shoot 3500 iso with my 70-200 2.8
Thanks

BB4A

Higher ISO's are no problem with the 5D Mk iv. Here's a link to a test where I was shooting ISO 12,800 with a small subject indoors in very poor light with this body and the 100-400mm IS II USM: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-513887-1.html. By the way, IS on that lens was still helping me with the lens fully shut down to f/16 and shutter speeds down to 0.4 second... although that shutter speed would of course be useless for anything that is even alive, let alone moving slightly.

DonOles

So would you say the 100-400 on the 5dmkiv would work indoors for college hockey. Arena is fairly well lit.

BB4A

Well, without knowing anything about the venue, it’s impossible to guarantee anything... but, if I was asked to shoot an ice hockey game, the 5D Mk iv and 100-400 L would be a combo that I’d definitely expect to get me acceptable shots?

MikeT9

I had a 7D mkII and a 1DX II obviously both with fast frame rates. The advantage of the 7D mkII being it’s crop factor, or so I thought. The 1DX II left it standing, I then found that landscapes on the 7D mkII were IMO pretty poor with regard to sharpness. The 1DX II pictures were so sharp you could cut your finger on them.
This effectively made the 7D mkII a non starter so I sold it and bought a 5D mkiv. For landscape and portrait and that type of photography it’s amazing and so that’s what I use it for. I have used it for BIF but with its low frame rate, half that of the 1DX ii, I have never really got on with it. Having said that, I’ve seen some wonderful pictures shot with the mk iv, aka Art Morris, before he went over to Nikon.
It can be done but I don’t take the risk when I’ve got the beast in my bag. If I only had the 5D mkiv I would definitively have the 7D mkII on my list.

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

The slower burst rate is the price you will pay for higher resolution and full frame coverage. I have both as several above have indicated they also do. Frankly the Mark IV is a very fine body and an excellent all-around camera. If you do a lot of action sports, you will want to keep the 7D 2 around for specific applications. The improvements that are a part of the Mark IV will let you enjoy much greater versatility and IQ. For my studio applications with strobes available, I use the 5Ds with great satisfaction BTW.