What should I upgrade to? Should I buy a new lens or a new camera?

[Lkcphotos31]

Hello I am a sports photographer looking for my next upgrade! I currently shoot with a EOS R and a RF 70-200 f2.8 as my main setup for sports games. I am trying to decide if I should buy a new lens which would be some version of a 24-70 f 2.8 or if I should upgrade my camera body to an R5. I am interested in getting a 24-70 because the only high quality lens I own is a telephoto so expanding my lens collection would open up new types of shoots like portraits and such. But my EOS R is pretty old and the autofocus system is lacking so I need something with a newer autofocus system. Do you think I should buy the lens or the camera body first? All opinions will be helpful thank you!

[Waddizzle]

R5 mark II or R6 mark II, take your pick.

[ebiggs1]

Almost always upgrading your lens is the way to go forward. On the other hand you indicated your R is having issues so the camera may be your best route. As to which new model you need to ask yourself how committed to sports photography you are. You have a prosumer camera now so do you want to stay in the prosumer level with the upgrade? IMHO, a true sports photographer needs either the R3 or better yet the R1.

You have the RF 70-200 f2.8  so the RF 24-70mm f2.8L is a logical, even a must, buy for a sports photographer. So there is that all it takes is money! BTW, you didn't mention what sport.

[Lkcphotos31]

I am looking to stay within the prosumer camera, an r1 and r3 are very big and heavy and I choose to not use monopods and tripods for creative reasons. So I am looking for an r5 or r6 ideally. I also shoot all sorts of sports football, basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, lacrosse etc. I don't know how much I would use the 24-70mm f2.8. Theres not many sports that are able to be shot with a short lens like the 24-70. 

[Waddizzle]

“  I choose to not use monopods and tripods for creative reasons. “

To pod, or not to pod. That is the question.

 I suppose it may depend on the size of your lens, sport, and your shooting location.  For outdoor field sports, pro photographers seem to prefer using monopods.  

For creative reasons, I agree with their choice.  Photos tend to be sharper.   

[Lkcphotos31]

I choose to not use monopods because I get angles that would not be achievable holding a monopod! I like low angles that make the athletes look bigger and more powerful. I believe that monopods limit my creative ability, I like to keep my photos interesting instead by utilizing the low angles. I also am not like pro photographers we have different preferences when it comes to how we like our photos. My media account on instagram is @lkcmedia_ if you want examples of the low angles I prefer. 

[Waddizzle]

“ I choose to not use monopods because I get angles that would not be achievable holding a monopod! I like low angles that make the athletes look bigger and more powerful. “

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“  To pod, or not to pod. That is the question.

I suppose it may depend on the size of your lens, sport, and your shooting location.  For outdoor field sports, pro photographers seem to prefer using monopods.  “

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I am not here to argue.  The primary reason people use monopods to shoot sports is to stabilize their gear during a long shoot.  If you are laying on stomach to take photos, then you are probably stabilizing your gear by planting your elbows on the ground.  

And no, I am not visiting your social media page.  You could have posted a sample here. I don’t use that app.