Upgrade camera or lens?
Feb 24, 2020 08:52:57 #
I need to improve the ability to shoot in low light situations. (Primarily horse shows under the lights and early morning/evening wildlife shots)
I currently have a Canon 80D and a Canon 70-200 f4 Is ii lens. A Canon 100-400 lens and a Tamron 150-600 lens. I also have the Canon 1.4 and 2.0 extenders.
Looking at acquiring a used Canon 5D Mark iii or a Canon 70-200 f2.8.
Will be “trading” a Canon 70D and the f4 lens and possibly the Tamron.
If you could only do one, which would you upgrade? Camera or lens?
I currently have a Canon 80D and a Canon 70-200 f4 Is ii lens. A Canon 100-400 lens and a Tamron 150-600 lens. I also have the Canon 1.4 and 2.0 extenders.
Looking at acquiring a used Canon 5D Mark iii or a Canon 70-200 f2.8.
Will be “trading” a Canon 70D and the f4 lens and possibly the Tamron.
If you could only do one, which would you upgrade? Camera or lens?
Feb 24, 2020 08:54:52 #
Feb 24, 2020 09:06:43 #
I'd purchase the Canon 70-200 f2.8 lens.
--Bob
--Bob
Mjump54 wrote:
I need to improve the ability to shoot in low ligh... (show quote)
Feb 24, 2020 09:19:57 #
If you want to shoot in lowlight, especially indoor horse shows, you'll need the 70-200 f/2.8 no matter what camera you use. Coupled with your 80D, shooting in RAW, Exposing to the Right, and processing the results with dedicated Noise software, these are your best, next few steps. If still struggling after maximizing the 80D results, swap to a full-frame camera, where all these other actions will still be needed in high ISO / low-light situations.
For me, the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II is a must for event shooting and the multiple horse shows I've attended. Depending on the light and my ability to time the shot for the pace of action / movement, the IS lets me shoot at the 200mm long end in the 1/30 to 1/60 speed hand-holding. The new v III is the newest option, consider that new cost again used vII and vI models. The vIII will have the best IS and AF speed that will be more noticeable than improved sharpness and optics to the now several 70-200 releases.
For me, the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II is a must for event shooting and the multiple horse shows I've attended. Depending on the light and my ability to time the shot for the pace of action / movement, the IS lets me shoot at the 200mm long end in the 1/30 to 1/60 speed hand-holding. The new v III is the newest option, consider that new cost again used vII and vI models. The vIII will have the best IS and AF speed that will be more noticeable than improved sharpness and optics to the now several 70-200 releases.
Feb 24, 2020 09:24:30 #
I think it depends on which lens you use most often. If it’s the 70-200 f4, then going to the 70-200 f2.8L will give you that extra stop provided you can live with the shallower DOF and focus accurately - it’s the go-to indoor sports lens in those FLs. Do be prepared that it is substantially heavier than the f4, but if you had to pick one lens, this is the one.
On the other hand, if you mostly use the 100-400, then going to the 5D3 will give you a stop better high ISO low noise performance on ALL your lenses, and you aren’t going to find anything much faster in the 100-400 range than what you have unless you want to spend a LOT more money for a prime. I went to the 5D3 (and now a 5D4) from a crop body for indoor sports, and it doesn’t disappoint - performs great at ISO 10,000 -12,800 when you need it and built like a tank - mine was still perfect with >240,000 actuations when I sold it.
On the other hand, if you mostly use the 100-400, then going to the 5D3 will give you a stop better high ISO low noise performance on ALL your lenses, and you aren’t going to find anything much faster in the 100-400 range than what you have unless you want to spend a LOT more money for a prime. I went to the 5D3 (and now a 5D4) from a crop body for indoor sports, and it doesn’t disappoint - performs great at ISO 10,000 -12,800 when you need it and built like a tank - mine was still perfect with >240,000 actuations when I sold it.
Feb 24, 2020 09:46:15 #
Feb 24, 2020 09:49:34 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
Mjump54 wrote:
I need to improve the ability to shoot in low ligh... (show quote)
The Canon 80D is a very good crop sensor camera. The 70-200mm is perhaps one of the most versatile lenses you can own. Whether, it be f2.8 or f4. Even the aftermarket brands are very good. One being the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 G2. I met a pro wedding photographer a few years ago. He owned two bodies of the Canon 5D Mark 3. And, one of his lenses was the Canon 70-200mm. I don't know if it was f2.8 or f4. Regardless, it got the job done for him.
Feb 24, 2020 10:14:36 #
Mjump54 wrote:
I need to improve the ability to shoot in low ligh... (show quote)
The 5DMkIII will give you considerably better quality at higher ISOs than the 80D. You can still get decent results at ISO 6400 as long as your exposures are correct.
Getting an F2.8 vs your F4 lens will let you shoot at half the ISO, and considerably less depth of field. Not exactly what you'd want for large targets like horses.
Feb 25, 2020 06:34:25 #
miked46
Loc: Winter Springs, Florida
Upgrade your noise reduction, also the 80D is an awesome body, look for quicker lenses.
Feb 25, 2020 07:15:30 #
1Dx3 or good used 1Dx2 would be your best investment. If that is out of the budget then faster glass if you can work with the DOF trade off. You might also consider faster prime lenses like the 85mm f:1.8 or the 135mm. I shot a lot of drag racing and volleyball with the 85mm f/1.8 on an app-h body while saving up for my 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 zooms. It is a great lens for the money in my experience.
I also use the 2x Extender III with my 70-200 f:2.8II with acceptable results giving me 140-400 f/5.6 on a full frame body.
I also use the 2x Extender III with my 70-200 f:2.8II with acceptable results giving me 140-400 f/5.6 on a full frame body.
Feb 25, 2020 08:07:13 #
ggab
Loc: ?
Mjump54 wrote:
I need to improve the ability to shoot in low ligh... (show quote)
Get the f/2.8 lens.
IMHO, always upgrade the glass.
Feb 25, 2020 09:28:48 #
Mjump54 wrote:
I need to improve the ability to shoot in low ligh... (show quote)
Lens. And later, a full frame body.
I avoid lenses shorter than 300mm FF equivalence that have smaller maximum apertures than f/2.8. An f/4 lens may be smaller, lighter, and less expensive, but when you need that extra stop... you need it!
Noise reduction helps, but wider apertures and better sensors help more.
Feb 25, 2020 10:04:08 #
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
1Dx3 or good used 1Dx2 would be your best investme... (show quote)
Agree. I have the 70-200 f2.8L, but recently I’ve been using the 135 f2L (sometimes with the 1.4x MKII EF) more and more for indoor sports for its MUCH lighter weight. The same is true of the 85 f1.8 (which is a bargain) if you’re closer.
Feb 25, 2020 10:16:06 #
I do have a Canon 85mm 1.8 and love it. I like the functionality of the 70-200 for the zoom capability. I am leaning towards trading in the f4 and the Tamron 150-600 for the 2.8. I like the Tamron but is too heavy for long hikes in the woods and with the two extenders I already have I think the Canon glass gives me better images
Thanks...
Thanks...
Feb 25, 2020 10:30:14 #
Yes, for the indoor sports they are excellent primes. The OP has the crop body advantage too. My 85 was about 110mm equivalent on my 1.3 crop factor body. The 85 will be about 135mm equivalent on the OP’s body. Of course you can’t use any Canon Extender with the 85mm, third party I don’t know.
For birding and animal shooting the longer the better. But really fast glass prune or zooms get really expensive quickly. I looked at a 300 f/2.8 which is one of Canon’s sharpest lenses even with the 2x Extender. But it is $4,000 used and $6,500 new. For my shooting I would probably prefer the 200-400 f/4 with the built in 1.4 Extender, but that is $11,000 new. So, for the shooting that I do now I live with my 70-200 and the 2x Extender. From the reports I have seen the 1Dx3 is a stop better than the 1Dx2 which is very good. And the new focus system and basically unlimited buffer is amazing.
For birding and animal shooting the longer the better. But really fast glass prune or zooms get really expensive quickly. I looked at a 300 f/2.8 which is one of Canon’s sharpest lenses even with the 2x Extender. But it is $4,000 used and $6,500 new. For my shooting I would probably prefer the 200-400 f/4 with the built in 1.4 Extender, but that is $11,000 new. So, for the shooting that I do now I live with my 70-200 and the 2x Extender. From the reports I have seen the 1Dx3 is a stop better than the 1Dx2 which is very good. And the new focus system and basically unlimited buffer is amazing.
TriX wrote:
Agree. I have the 70-200 f2.8L, but recently I’ve been using the 135 f2L (sometimes with the 1.4x MKII EF) more and more for indoor sports for its MUCH lighter weight. The same is true of the 85 f1.8 (which is a bargain) if you’re closer.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.