topic Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?! in General Discussion

WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

toweltrick — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:40:06 GMT

Ahhh, back to beating that dead horse with such a question. But I'm so unsure on what DSLR to get! I just need some secondary opinions because maybe someone else will point something out that I'm overlooking.

Currently I have a Olympus OM-D E-M10 mark II and a film camera, the Olympus OM2n. Recently I tried using my E-M10 to photograph a sports event (thankfully I was just doing it for fun and not professionally) and it failed MISERABLY! The camera's auto focus cannot find anything fast enough and when it does.... its the background and not the player you are trying to focus on. There is no manual override on the lenses I have so I couldn't intervene and fix this myself. I was looking at lenses to get that I could focus manually with but micro four thirds (or Olympus lens mount) lenses are so expensive I came to the decision to just get a different camera.

Right now I am pretty set on the Canon EOS Rebel T7i. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Any other camera someone would recommend near that price range? The T7i looks to be a pretty amazing camera.

Thanks for any help.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

kvbarkley — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:05:19 GMT

Sounds like it would be a good fit for you, a good all-around camera. For sporting events you might want a telephoto, too like the EF-S 55-250.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

RobertTheFat — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:40:53 GMT

@toweltrick wrote:
Ahhh, back to beating that dead horse with such a question. But I'm so unsure on what DSLR to get! I just need some secondary opinions because maybe someone else will point something out that I'm overlooking.

Currently I have a Olympus OM-D E-M10 mark II and a film camera, the Olympus OM2n. Recently I tried using my E-M10 to photograph a sports event (thankfully I was just doing it for fun and not professionally) and it failed MISERABLY! The camera's auto focus cannot find anything fast enough and when it does.... its the background and not the player you are trying to focus on. There is no manual override on the lenses I have so I couldn't intervene and fix this myself. I was looking at lenses to get that I could focus manually with but micro four thirds (or Olympus lens mount) lenses are so expensive I came to the decision to just get a different camera.

Right now I am pretty set on the Canon EOS Rebel T7i. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Any other camera someone would recommend near that price range? The T7i looks to be a pretty amazing camera.

Thanks for any help.

It's a bit hard to parse your requirements, especially in view of your comment about being thankful that you weren't doing it professionally. If you're looking for professional results, you probably want at least a 7D Mark II. But that's a pretty expensive camera, compared to a T7i. The 7D2 is popular with birders and other wildlife photographers, and their requirements are at least superficially similar to those of sports photography. I think professional sports photographers are themselves partial to the much more expensive 1DX.

It might be helpful if you could tell us more about your Olympus. I, at least, am totally unfamiliar with Olympus's current product line. Since the Olympus let you down, it wouldn't do for us to inadvertently recommend a Canon camera whose capabilities are similar.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

TTMartin — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:31:39 GMT

@toweltrick wrote:
Ahhh, back to beating that dead horse with such a question. But I'm so unsure on what DSLR to get! I just need some secondary opinions because maybe someone else will point something out that I'm overlooking.

Currently I have a Olympus OM-D E-M10 mark II and a film camera, the Olympus OM2n. Recently I tried using my E-M10 to photograph a sports event (thankfully I was just doing it for fun and not professionally) and it failed MISERABLY! The camera's auto focus cannot find anything fast enough and when it does.... its the background and not the player you are trying to focus on. There is no manual override on the lenses I have so I couldn't intervene and fix this myself. I was looking at lenses to get that I could focus manually with but micro four thirds (or Olympus lens mount) lenses are so expensive I came to the decision to just get a different camera.

Right now I am pretty set on the Canon EOS Rebel T7i. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Any other camera someone would recommend near that price range? The T7i looks to be a pretty amazing camera.

Thanks for any help.

The 7D Mk II is the best sports camera. It can be purchased with the EF-S 18-135 IS STM lens refurbished direct from Canon with a one year warranty for $1500. About $500 more than the T7i new with the same lens, but, in my opinion it is worth it.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

ScottyP — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 18:15:32 GMT

Don't get the 7d2 unless you are pretty serious about sports AND you would still have cash left over after buying it to get 2 good lenses. When money isn't unlimited it is best to invest it in lenses.

The T7i is a very good camera, light years beyond the T5i era rebel cameras. The AF should more than handle sports shot for fun.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

TTMartin — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:27:51 GMT

@ScottyP wrote:
Don't get the 7d2 unless you are pretty serious about sports AND you would still have cash left over after buying it to get 2 good lenses. When money isn't unlimited it is best to invest it in lenses.

The T7i is a very good camera, light years beyond the T5i era rebel cameras. The AF should more than handle sports shot for fun.

I agree the 7D Mk II is a serious sports camera, and looking at the T7i specs it is more than adequate for casual sports shooting.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

Waddizzle — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:30:26 GMT

The T7i has specifications that say it has the potential to be a great camera, except for one critial issue, battery power. That's a deal breaker for me. If you want to use high horsepower lenses for sports photography,, then you're going to need far more battery muscle than what the T7i offers. BTW, there is no battery grip option for the T7i, and none forthcoming, AFAIK.

I would recommend the 80D. It uses the same LP-E6 battery that is found in the 7D2, 5D3, 5D4, 6D, and many other pro-sumer grade cameras. Having the extra battery capacity allows the camera to control the Af motors more precisely. This is a fact of physics, not an opinion.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

TTMartin — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:44:05 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
The T7i has specifications that say it has the potential to be a great camera, except for one critial issue, battery power. That's a deal breaker for me. If you want to use high horsepower lenses for sports photography,, then you're going to need far more battery muscle than what the T7i offers. BTW, there is no battery grip option for the T7i, and none forthcoming, AFAIK.

I would recommend the 80D. It uses the same LP-E6 battery that is found in the 7D2, 5D3, 5D4, 6D, and many other pro-sumer grade cameras. Having the extra battery capacity allows the camera to control the Af motors more precisely. This is a fact of physics, not an opinion.

A valid point, but, I shot sports with the 50D and big lenses like the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8. With a single BP511 battery and never had a issue. I would change batteries at halftime just to be on the safe side. The mAh rating between the LP-E17 and the old BP511 are very similar. Battery tech has progressed too.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

Waddizzle — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 02:03:44 GMT

@TTMartin wrote:
@Waddizzle wrote:
The T7i has specifications that say it has the potential to be a great camera, except for one critial issue, battery power. That's a deal breaker for me. If you want to use high horsepower lenses for sports photography,, then you're going to need far more battery muscle than what the T7i offers. BTW, there is no battery grip option for the T7i, and none forthcoming, AFAIK.

I would recommend the 80D. It uses the same LP-E6 battery that is found in the 7D2, 5D3, 5D4, 6D, and many other pro-sumer grade cameras. Having the extra battery capacity allows the camera to control the Af motors more precisely. This is a fact of physics, not an opinion.
A valid point, but, I shot sports with the 50D and big lenses like the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8. With a single BP511 battery and never had a issue. I would change batteries at halftime just to be on the safe side. The mAh rating between the LP-E17 and the old BP511 are very similar. Battery tech has progressed too.

Didn't say the smaller batteries woudn't work. It's just that the higher capacity allows the body to do a better job. You know, they give 1D Series bodies that big battery for a reason. And, it's not just for extended battery life.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

RobertTheFat — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 02:25:09 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
@TTMartin wrote:
@Waddizzle wrote:
The T7i has specifications that say it has the potential to be a great camera, except for one critial issue, battery power. That's a deal breaker for me. If you want to use high horsepower lenses for sports photography,, then you're going to need far more battery muscle than what the T7i offers. BTW, there is no battery grip option for the T7i, and none forthcoming, AFAIK.

I would recommend the 80D. It uses the same LP-E6 battery that is found in the 7D2, 5D3, 5D4, 6D, and many other pro-sumer grade cameras. Having the extra battery capacity allows the camera to control the Af motors more precisely. This is a fact of physics, not an opinion.
A valid point, but, I shot sports with the 50D and big lenses like the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8. With a single BP511 battery and never had a issue. I would change batteries at halftime just to be on the safe side. The mAh rating between the LP-E17 and the old BP511 are very similar. Battery tech has progressed too.
Didn't say the smaller batteries woudn't work. It's just that the higher capacity allows the body to do a better job. You know, they give 1D Series bodies that big battery for a reason. And, it's not just for extended battery life.

To put it another way, the number you usually see on a camera battery, expressed in milliampere hours (mAh) is a measure of longevity, not of power. The latter, expressed in watts (volts x amperes), tells you how well the battery does its job at any given instant in time. It's what matters when you're trying to drive the focus motor of a large lens at its rated speed.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

TTMartin — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:11:43 GMT

@RobertTheFat wrote:
@Waddizzle wrote:
@TTMartin wrote:
@Waddizzle wrote:
The T7i has specifications that say it has the potential to be a great camera, except for one critial issue, battery power. That's a deal breaker for me. If you want to use high horsepower lenses for sports photography,, then you're going to need far more battery muscle than what the T7i offers. BTW, there is no battery grip option for the T7i, and none forthcoming, AFAIK.

I would recommend the 80D. It uses the same LP-E6 battery that is found in the 7D2, 5D3, 5D4, 6D, and many other pro-sumer grade cameras. Having the extra battery capacity allows the camera to control the Af motors more precisely. This is a fact of physics, not an opinion.
A valid point, but, I shot sports with the 50D and big lenses like the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8. With a single BP511 battery and never had a issue. I would change batteries at halftime just to be on the safe side. The mAh rating between the LP-E17 and the old BP511 are very similar. Battery tech has progressed too.
Didn't say the smaller batteries woudn't work. It's just that the higher capacity allows the body to do a better job. You know, they give 1D Series bodies that big battery for a reason. And, it's not just for extended battery life.
To put it another way, the number you usually see on a camera battery, expressed in milliampere hours (mAh) is a measure of longevity, not of power. The latter, expressed in watts (volts x amperes), tells you how well the battery does its job at any given instant in time. It's what matters when you're trying to drive the focus motor of a large lens at its rated speed.

I said it was a valid point. I run a battery grip on my 7D Mk II for the extra amperage. What I was saying is that the T7i and 50D have similar battery capacity mAh and volts, and that the 50D was fine shooting sports with big lenses.

Another point, if he is going to step up from the T7i, I wouldn't get the 80D, I'd go all the way to the 7D Mk II.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

Tronhard — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:05:03 GMT

For me, when these inquiries arise, there are a lot of unanswered questions that I would need to address before I would give an opinion:

1. What is your budget? Most important of all normally, especially if you have to justify your expenditure to your significant other!

2. Under what conditions will you be photographing: e.g. outside, inside under lights? This will help to tell us about tonal sensitivity and max aperture. e.g. Photographing indoor sports can be very challenging because of the limited lighting.

3. Are you photographing team sports (multi-targets) or individual? This will tell us what level of sophistication of tracking you need. The 80D and 7DII are arguably the best in class of these at present for crop sensors.

3. What is the quality of output you require? Are you going to post to social media (low res), put on media screens or prints up to say 11"x17" (medium res.), or create large size images > 11"x17". In particular we are looking at the quality of the glass you want.

4. What are your future intentions? Is the level of photography where you will stay. Do you intend to limit yourself to this type of capture or do you have asperations of other specific types of photography. For example for what has been so far described a crop sensor body would be good for the long reach, but if you want to work in very wide angle a crop sensor FoV will not work well for that. Also crop sensor lenses don't work on FF bodies so there is a compatibilty issue if you intend to move up to that kind of body in the future.

It is so tempting for me and others to say what works for us, but there are lots of quesitons needed to find out what our inquirer's agenda and requirements are.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

ebiggs1 — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:24:24 GMT

"Don't get the 7d2 unless you are pretty serious about sports AND you would still have cash left over after buying it to get 2 good lenses. When money isn't unlimited it is best to invest it in lenses."

I would have said that if Scott hadn't. It is almost always better advice to invest in better lenses. Plus more lenses extend what the already very capable Rebel T7i can do.

"Right now I am pretty set on the Canon EOS Rebel T7i"

Go for it man!

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

ebiggs1 — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:27:31 GMT

"Thanks for any help."

You bet. The battery thing, is dribble. Don't even think about it.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

toweltrick — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 19:37:08 GMT

I'd like to keep my budget right around $1,000 although I am not opposed to investing in something that will work well with my future goals. And my significant other does already know about this and is okay with it lol.

I usually photograph outside. Anything from cars, to landscapes, to portraits etc. Although I would like to start some work inside and learning about lights and what not.

As said above, I usually photograph outside. I know I said in my original post that I was photographing a sport but this is not something I usually do. It was just for fun. But it does seem that the T7i will do a fantastic job in photographing a sport if I ever choose to do that.

My requirement for quality is not very high. I am usually only posting on Facebook and Instagram. But (also addressing the next question here) I really want to do photography as a side job and eventually as a living. Whatever camera I choose to buy now will probably also begin my side job with photography. I would like to shoot family photos, weddings, and things of this sort to start off with.

I'm afraid that, with this new information, someone is going to suggest a full frame camera for me. Like a 5D mk III. Although that is a fantastic camera and I would love to have one, I don't know how I feel about paying around $1,500 just for a body. Looking at the T7i's specs it seems, with good glass, I could produce quality images that will serve me just fine for the goals I listed above.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

TTMartin — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 20:50:17 GMT

@toweltrick wrote:
I'd like to keep my budget right around $1,000 although I am not opposed to investing in something that will work well with my future goals. And my significant other does already know about this and is okay with it lol.

I usually photograph outside. Anything from cars, to landscapes, to portraits etc. Although I would like to start some work inside and learning about lights and what not.

As said above, I usually photograph outside. I know I said in my original post that I was photographing a sport but this is not something I usually do. It was just for fun. But it does seem that the T7i will do a fantastic job in photographing a sport if I ever choose to do that.

My requirement for quality is not very high. I am usually only posting on Facebook and Instagram. But (also addressing the next question here) I really want to do photography as a side job and eventually as a living. Whatever camera I choose to buy now will probably also begin my side job with photography. I would like to shoot family photos, weddings, and things of this sort to start off with.

I'm afraid that, with this new information, someone is going to suggest a full frame camera for me. Like a 5D mk III. Although that is a fantastic camera and I would love to have one, I don't know how I feel about paying around $1,500 just for a body. Looking at the T7i's specs it seems, with good glass, I could produce quality images that will serve me just fine for the goals I listed above.

Don't get sucked into the full frame hype. I did and purchased a Canon 6D, I almost never used it so I just gave it to my daughter. My APS-C camera does everything I need it to do.

One of the great things about Canon is their consumer STM lenses have fantastic image quality at ridiculously low prices. So when you get purchase your camera buy the kit with the STM lens, and enjoy your new camera.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

ebiggs1 — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 21:01:25 GMT

"Don't get sucked into the full frame hype."

I totally agree. Both formats have their place. Their strong points and weak points. Most if not all you read on the ole inner web about FF being better is hype.

"I don't know how I feel about paying around $1,500 just for a body."

Unless you are going used, I don't see you getting a new 5D Mk III or the current Mk IV, anywhere near $1500 ! If you do, buy it with out hesitation before the seller changes their mind and comes to their senses.

Get the T7i and stop shopping.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

toweltrick — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 21:26:24 GMT

"Unless you are going used, I don't see you getting a new 5D Mk III or the current Mk IV, anywhere near $1500 ! If you do, buy it with out hesitation before the seller changes their mind and comes to their senses."

Yes I was speaking of used. I am on a used gear for sale page and just saw a 5D mk III with a shutter count of 60k for $1500.

"Get the T7i and stop shopping."

Will do 😄 The camera does look pretty impressive.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 08:38:19 GMT

@toweltrick wrote:

"Unless you are going used, I don't see you getting a new 5D Mk III or the current Mk IV, anywhere near $1500 ! If you do, buy it with out hesitation before the seller changes their mind and comes to their senses."

Yes I was speaking of used. I am on a used gear for sale page and just saw a 5D mk III with a shutter count of 60k for $1500.

"Get the T7i and stop shopping."

Will do 😄 The camera does look pretty impressive.

Buying used gear is always a risk. The best places for used gear is KEH, IMHO. KEH rates their used gear conservatively.

If you are an experienced photographer, then I recommend passing on the entry level Rebel series of cameras, because they lack a few critical features. If you are interested in the T7i, then look at the 77D. I still feel the 80D is the best value in the product line.

Re: WHAT CAMERA SHOULD I GET?!

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 10:22:43 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Thanks for any help."

You bet. The battery thing, is dribble. Don't even think about it.

You should actually use gear before making comments like this. The battery specifications also say you are mistaken.

LP-E6 = 1865 mAH , used in EOS M3, M5, M6, T7i, 77D

LP-17 = 1040 man , used EOS 70D, 80D, 6D, 5D3, 5D4, 7D2

I am going to call that an 80% difference. It is human nature to reject that which one does not understand.