Which camera to rent (5k Race) and from where? I’m going to cover up to four races (5K runs) in May and I’m not confident enough that my Canon R will do well enough so I’m going to set...

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

I’m going to cover up to four races (5K runs) in May and I’m not confident enough that my Canon R will do well enough so I’m going to set it up on a tripod and just use it for video. I’m considering the 7D II which is $53 for a three day rental but I’m real familiar with a 5D IV but it’s twice the cost. I have never touched a 7D.
Whichever I get will be paired with my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L II.

1) Which would you rent? Basically just start and finish line shots. The general walk around shots will be with my Canon R.
2) where would you rent from? I only priced LensRental.com but I have never rented anything before.

As always, thank you guys and gals!

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

If you decide to go with the 7d2, I suggest adding a couple days to your rental to get used to the camera. You might not need it, but the idea is to minimize the opportunity for wtf moments. Your 70-200 and the 7d2 is a good combination.

CO

I've rented from LensRentals.com many times. They're very good. They clean all items after each rental - even the sensors in digital cameras. They include a pre-paid return shipping label in the box to make returns easy.

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

CO wrote:

I've rented from LensRentals.com many times. They're very good. They clean all items after each rental - even the sensors in digital cameras. They include a pre-paid return shipping label in the box to make returns easy.

Thanks, how do they charge your card? Just the rental fee or do they put a larger hold amount on it like hotels do to cover damages and stuff?

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Resqu2 wrote:

Thanks, how do they charge your card? Just the rental fee or do they put a larger hold amount on it like hotels do to cover damages and stuff?

I believe it's a pending for the expected charge. But I could be wrong. I've rented from them on a couple occasions and wouldn't hesitate in doing so again.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I've rented from LensRentals numerous times. Easy process and great experience. However, unless you're doing a documentary of one of the seeded runners, you don't need a specialized sports camera for a 5k race. Your EOS-R has the AF capability and frames per second enough for this situation, again assuming you don't need Olympics / major sporting event style coverage. The 5k / 10k races I've done have been the 24-105 of the crowd through the race start and then the 70-200 along the course and then the runners crossing the finish line, with an EOS 5DIII. AI Servo and the zone group makes the camera track and follow the moving subjects, at 1/500 to 1/1000 depending on how close you are to the runners.

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

CHG_CANON wrote:

I've rented from LensRentals numerous times. Easy ... (show quote)

Thank you very much for this info, nothing specific about these races, all just smaller local races and all are for great causes. I usually run all these but some foot and back issues are keeping me sidelined and this is my way of staying involved and helping. I guess I’m nervous about my R because I have not had any chances to use it for anything like this and I read where one guy was having a really hard time with it with swimmers coming straight toward him. Everyone on the discussion is talking about a slight delay causing missed focus.

Since I posted this earlier I found another race this weekend that I’m going to go to unofficially and just hang out at the finish line and snap some pics and I think that will tell me what I can expect. I’m going to try the settings that you listed and see what happens. Thanks again.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Resqu2 wrote:

Thank you very much for this info, nothing specifi... (show quote)

Make sure the firmware on the camera is up to date. Your practice race is a great idea, particularly at the finish with runners coming at your position at close to their top speed. Standing beside a road with cars coming at you would be another valid test / practice.

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

CHG_CANON wrote:

Make sure the firmware on the camera is up to date. Your practice race is a great idea, particularly at the finish with runners coming at your position at close to their top speed. Standing beside a road with cars coming at you would be another valid test / practice.

I though about the car idea but my luck some idiot would run over me for taking pics of their car. I will see how this weekends race goes. It’s a late evening finish so I’m hoping to have the light to hit the higher shutter speeds that you posted but I won’t mind to run up the ISO since these are just for me. The ones I’m covering are morning races.

CO

Resqu2 wrote:

Thanks, how do they charge your card? Just the rental fee or do they put a larger hold amount on it like hotels do to cover damages and stuff?

No, they won't put a larger amount on your card.

They have a program where you can buy the gear you rent at a discounted price. I wouldn't do that. I've rented from them 16 times (I just checked that on my account). I've seen how hard people are on the photography gear. You can see the abuse the photography gear gets because people don't care to handle stuff carefully.

MidnightManiac

For action sports photography I would suggest the 7DII with a 70-200f2.8L or the 70-200f4L. I use both and for years have had great results. Have used my 5dIII and have not gotten the results I had with the 7DII. For action sports with the 10fps I like the 7DII....