Terra Firma 136 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Hi guys, looking for some advice on a new DSLR set up, I have a canon 350D but the RAW capabilities on it aren't there so I'm looking to upgrade, I've been looking at these... Canon 5D mark iii Nikon D800 Also a 300mm lens to go with it, it'll mainly be for action shot with the dogs in all light conditions and general photography, (I'll get a smaller lens for that though) I'm no expert, but I've got no problem with learning more as I go, it is something that I'll be getting more into, so I want to start off with the right bit of kit for high quality images and ease of use So what are you guys using and/or what do you recommend and why? Regards TF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 i have the 5d mkii and the 7d if its action shots then the 7d is the one as its a crop sensor and is quicker by 2 frames per second, couple this with an 70 - 200mm f2.8 IS USM lens and you wont go far wrong, the 5d mkiii has a full frame sensor so the shots will appear further away than with the 7d`s crop sensor if that makes sense, the 7d is also about a grand cheaper, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 where the 5d comes into its own is its 64 focal points system compared to the 7d`s 19 plus its ability to handle higher iso so its far superior in low light conditions Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 forgot to mention,rumour has it that canon are releasing the 7d mkii towards the end of this year and it will have some of the good features that the 5d mkiii has, so if you are intending to by new then personally i would wait and see how the new 7d mkii is received, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terra Firma 136 Posted June 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Cheers for the reply paulus, the 64 focal points for low light conditions is something that caught my attention, due to being out at first and last light with the dogs a lot it would be a great feature I think. Although I don't know weather it's worth the extra ££'s. More googling needed I think! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IanB 0 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Cheers for the reply paulus, the 64 focal points for low light conditions is something that caught my attention, due to being out at first and last light with the dogs a lot it would be a great feature I think. Although I don't know weather it's worth the extra ££'s. More googling needed I think! Just use the centre or side focal points in manual... More points is a nice to have but not necessary.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Why do you want to shoot in raw? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Cheers for the reply paulus, the 64 focal points for low light conditions is something that caught my attention, due to being out at first and last light with the dogs a lot it would be a great feature I think. Although I don't know weather it's worth the extra ££'s. More googling needed I think! my answer to that would be no, but i do prefer using the 5d over the 7d, the auto focus system on the 5d mkiii is light years ahead of the 7d, as is its ability to handle high ISO`s in low light conditions, if the 7d mkii adopts these abilities with its crop sensor and faster shutter speed then it will be some camera, the 5d can track a moving object within entering or leaving its focus points. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terra Firma 136 Posted June 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Why do you want to shoot in raw? It is my understanding that RAW files allow you to "tweek" you're pictures so that you may be able to improve on the image if it's not quite right. Where as with JPEG it is already decided for you to an extent... Or have I been misled? Lol The more I look into it the more questions arise, so thought that I'd ask on here as there will be people using their DSLR set ups for the same purpose as me. I know it's more down to the persons capabilities in handling the camera, that I can learn, but I would like to get the right camera for my needs first time and then get better with it. Which camera & lens combo do you use yourself? Regards TF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lid 194 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) If you want to go down a price level from the 7D, but up from the 350D, consider the Canon 70D. A secondhand 50D or 60D is well worth considering too. If you are relatively new to action photography (and I am no expert, believe me) then a good pair of zoom lenses will work with higher ISOs and then you can build up to better, faster and fixed lenses later. I use a 50D with a Canon 17 - 85 and a Tamron 70 - 300 IS and here an sample shot with the bigger lens, albeit in good light (BTW that was in gallop). I had my right hand and forearm in plaster at the time too! Go here for much more help and advice : I agree that you should use RAW + JPG. Then you can fix mistakes like this ! Edited June 22, 2014 by Lid Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 the 5d gives you the option of one touch raw it you require it, it also has has both cf and and an sd card slots, raw files are much larger and will fill the cameras buffer a lot faster than jpeg if your shooting a lot of shots very quickly even with a high speed pro cf card., bur raw is the way to go if you want the ultimate in post picture editing, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PINNACLE 2,297 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 The 7D has the crop factor which does help with wildlife they are also really cheap 2nd hand sub £500 so very good value. Only downside is over iso800 there is noise. As for a lens I would highly recommend the Canon 70-300L, it is light and compact (relatively) great IQ and stunning IS for under £1000 There is also the Canon 1DMKiv. I got one as it was cheaper than a new 5Diii and it has x1.3 crop factor, it does 10fps if you need it, the battery lasts forever, it is properly waterproof, AF is superior to a 7D by far and more than enough to get anything I have pointed it at sharp 95% of the time. It is big though but you soon get used to it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Lens....well....you get what you pay for. If you want tack sharp then go for the L series of lens. If you don't want tack sharp then get some other brand and slap it on the front. As for raw, well, i've spent my lifetime behind a camera and i've experiented with raw, and , to be honest, i now only shoot jpeg. Raw is over-rated IMO. Unless you're going real deep into things and trying to layer pics then there really is not need. You're just over-complicating things. You need to get top-class on the kit you're using first before experimenting with raw. It all boils down to two things..how much you WANT to get good shots, and how much coin you've got to spend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Oh, just one more thing...a good photo is mostly down to he man holding the camera... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Oh, just one more thing...a good photo is mostly down to he man holding the camera... it also helps when theres not threes 70lb dogs pulling your other arm off at the same time Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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