Which combo...5D 24-105 or 7D 17-55?

M

Mavoz

Well-known member
Am looking to upgrade to a HDSLR as well as get a new walk around/general purpose lens...with landscape possibilities...Key purpose is a mixture of creative 'hobby' film making projects and travel photography/video. (Where portability is important)

My existing gear is a 40D with 70-200 f/4 L and 50 1.8.


When doing the sums I've found these 2 combinations are nearly the same price...

7D and additional 17-55 EFS 2.8 IS lens (no kit available)

or

5D MkII Combo Kit with 24-105 L lens.

($4150 Australian dollar...approx)



What would you go for? Which combo is best?

I'm struggling....one lens is L glass...the other EFS...

one lens is 2.8....the other 4 aperture...

one lens has a bit bigger zoom range...

one camera is full frame..the other 1.6 crop...

one camera is slightly newer...

one camera has magic lantern and audio agc fixes available...the other has agc nightmares apparently....

What to do? (Purchase needs to be made within the next week)
 
the 17-55 is basically a L lense in my option. At least the sample i had rented a few times.
Crop factor may be an issue in your landscape work with the 7d. I would go for the 5d most of the time, whenever it is compared to a 7d. Especially if your a 50% stills guy.
 
I'm going to go against the grain on this one…

7D

Here's why…

If you already have the 50mm f1.8 and the 70-200 f4, adding the 7D and 17-55 gives you a very good range of coverage without redundant focal lengths. And you get the f2.8 of the 17-55 as opposed to the f4 of the 24-105L.

Finally, for super-wide coverage, you can use the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 on the 7D.
 
I just got the Canon 17-55 f2.8 and I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. It has to be one of the best zoom lenses available for any camera.
 
I have the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS and it's a must have if you go the 7D route and plan on doing any handheld/run&gun work.

That being said, I'd probably go the 5D route because it's better for photos and the 24-105 will give you a bigger range: the equivalent of a 15-65 on the 7D. Also, if you're shooting on a 5D you probably don't want to go any faster than f/4 anyways unless you're really going for a specialized shot because since it's a full frame sensor the depth of field is going to be shallower. I think they say somewhere between f/4-5.6 on a 5D is the equivalent of f/2.8 on a 7D. Not to mention that almost every lens is going to be sharper in the f/4-5.6 range than all the way open at f/2.8.

That all being said, either option will be great.
 
5Dii with 24-105 should be quite a bit more money than the 7D with the 17-55 2.8 but it is not really (around $500 at newegg)

$3200 US for 5Dii combo

$1600 7D Body +$1100 17-55 2.8 Lens = $2700 US

IMHO the 5Dii is much better unless you shoot sports and need the 8fps and better AF system. If i was buying a crop body for video and some stills I would just get the t2i. I think the 7D is in a weird place right now with the introduction of the T2i with equal video for half the money. It is worth the extra $ to get the 5Dii since you get better selection of lenses and it is easier to get wide. For 700 you can add the 17-404L which is an amazing value.
 
Stephen Mick said:
I'm going to go against the grain on this one…

7D

Here's why…

If you already have the 50mm f1.8 and the 70-200 f4, adding the 7D and 17-55 gives you a very good range of coverage without redundant focal lengths. And you get the f2.8 of the 17-55 as opposed to the f4 of the 24-105L.

Finally, for super-wide coverage, you can use the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 on the 7D.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this, and I have both the 5d with the 24-105 as well as the 7d with the 17-55.

And no, I am NOT posting the damn stadium picture.
 
Thanks for all the replies...am finding this is a tough decision...

have actually been quite happy with my x1.6 factor 300D and 40D...but really want the video advantages of the new cams...

In my experience I've found the 70-200 f/4 sometimes an issue for an indoor shot in terms of light...

..but do like the KIT 5D price that suddenly gets one into full format L territory...

decisions decisions...!
 
I would say the 5D Body only, since you want to take advantage of the video side of the cameras, then the 5D is the way forward since it is the only full frame HD-SLR, it has a sensor bigger than the RED One and most 35mm cameras! Which means it will do well in low light, if shooting at night is your thing. The reason I would choose the 5D Mkii over the 7D is because of the Magic lantern firmware. Which basically allows you to disable the AGC, which is a big problem it also allows you to see the audio levels. Which is a big help. You can't do these on a 7D unless you use a small mp3 player to disable the AGC, but that is a pain.

Here is some more information about the magic lantern firmware: http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_Lantern_Firmware_Wiki

Work is being done for putting it on the 7D, but as of now it's not completed.

I strongly recommend getting the 5D mkii. As for lense's I think a good starter lens is the Tarmon 17-50mm F2.8 VC which I have for my 7D. It's an excellent lens, make sure you get the VC version though (Vibration control ) as it helps keep your shot's nice and smooth.
More info on it here: http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/1750_vc_b005.asp

As for media, I recommend getting multiple 8gb cards, because this way you have enough space for video and you will not run into the problem of overheating, which is very common in larger cards, 16Gb, 32gb, 64Gb, Etc... It also means that if you lose one of your cards you willl not lose all your work. So get 8Gb compact flash cards with a speed of at least 45mb/s Lexar or Sandisk are very reliable.

I hope this helps you choose which camera is right for you.

Shane.
 
Can the 5D do 60fps? If no then I would go with the 7D as it does 720 60fps and also allows HD Monitoring which the 5d does not.


On the flip side to everything, have you considered a Canon t2i ? It is an excellent camera with comparable image quality to the 7D and cost about $500-$600 less.
 
Cieloent said:
Can the 5D do 60fps? If no then I would go with the 7D as it does 720 60fps and also allows HD Monitoring which the 5d does not.


On the flip side to everything, have you considered a Canon t2i ? It is an excellent camera with comparable image quality to the 7D and cost about $500-$600 less.
Click to expand...

Both camera's can do 50p, 60p, 30p, 25p, 24p
 
Cieloent said:
Can the 5D do 60fps? If no then I would go with the 7D as it does 720 60fps and also allows HD Monitoring which the 5d does not.


On the flip side to everything, have you considered a Canon t2i ? It is an excellent camera with comparable image quality to the 7D and cost about $500-$600 less.
Click to expand...

have actually started to wonder about this too...I do like some of the extra features of the 7D..better build...more photographic controls...

but then maybe one could mount an argument that it is better to save a bit of coin now....with another upgrade in mind in future....

within 2 years we are likely to see some big improvements in the whole video/audio capabilities of these HDSLR's and the 7D MkII (or whatever it is) may well address a number of the current shortcomings...
 
Shaneuk said:
I would say the 5D Body only, since you want to take advantage of the video side of the cameras, then the 5D is the way forward since it is the only full frame HD-SLR, it has a sensor bigger than the RED One and most 35mm cameras! Which means it will do well in low light, if shooting at night is your thing. The reason I would choose the 5D Mkii over the 7D is because of the Magic lantern firmware. Which basically allows you to disable the AGC, which is a big problem it also allows you to see the audio levels. Which is a big help. You can't do these on a 7D unless you use a small mp3 player to disable the AGC, but that is a pain.

Here is some more information about the magic lantern firmware: http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_Lantern_Firmware_Wiki

Work is being done for putting it on the 7D, but as of now it's not completed.

I strongly recommend getting the 5D mkii. As for lense's I think a good starter lens is the Tarmon 17-50mm F2.8 VC which I have for my 7D. It's an excellent lens, make sure you get the VC version though (Vibration control ) as it helps keep your shot's nice and smooth.
More info on it here: http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/1750_vc_b005.asp

As for media, I recommend getting multiple 8gb cards, because this way you have enough space for video and you will not run into the problem of overheating, which is very common in larger cards, 16Gb, 32gb, 64Gb, Etc... It also means that if you lose one of your cards you willl not lose all your work. So get 8Gb compact flash cards with a speed of at least 45mb/s Lexar or Sandisk are very reliable.

I hope this helps you choose which camera is right for you.

Shane.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice...the AGC firmware advantages of the 5D is a point I have very much in mind...while I recognise the external audio solutions Zoom H4n offer all manner of benefits...the simplicity of plugging in a mic 'direct inject' would be a massive advantage in terms of simplicity ...if it works ok!
 
Well I've got 2 days to decide which way I go....and this hasn't got any easier!

There is a strong case for both...and also against both!

I went into a shop today and tested (or at least held) the 5D with 24-105 and the 550D (t2i) with 17-55. (They were out of 7D's)

The 5D with this lens is certainly a big, heavy combination....looks professional...but isn't light...

However the extra range on the 24-105 lens was quite noticeable and looks like a great advantage...(especially when you throw travel and a willingness to save 'mucking around with different lenses' into the mix)

Anyway here is the summation of my research on this choice...(Some points may need correcting)

5D MkII with 24-105L

Advantages
Bigger range on lens
Better for landscape photography with full frame
Better Audio via firmware/magic lantern
Full frame lenses will not become redundant

Disadvantages
Has less video options available than 7D and 550D..no slow mo and 720p
More susceptible to rolling shutter issues (according to Bloom)
Lens is only f/4...less bokeh for portraits? Also needs higher ISO setting in low light.

7d with 17-55 2.8mm

Advantages
Better for video as it has more video modes available (720p and slow motion capability)
Is a lighter camera and has better weather proofing (?)
Has a higher fps shooting rate for fast action
Provides better zoom length because of crop factor
Built in flash (good for travel..mind you this type of flash should be avoided)

Disadvantages
Buying EF-S lenses may require a need to 'throw away' lenses in 4 years time (if EF-s becomes obsolete)
Audio has serious AGC problems..magic lantern seems unlikely?...we are at the mercy of Canon fixing this with a firmware update..(Or bulky/messier external options)
The 17-55 Lens has less overall range....not as useful for travel.

550D....(t2i overseas)
Advantages:

Is Light..has all the key video features of the 7D/same quality
Is much cheaper

Disadvantages:
Have to buy memory cards when you already own Compact flash...(I have 16Gb and others...7D price differential thus becomes less)
Is not weather proofed
missing top LCD screen, missing second dial
No HDMI out


In summary...
The 7D has terrible audio (Maybe Canon will fix this...)
The 24-105 is a better 'range' lens for travel purposes...the 5D and 24-105 seem like a great combination

The 5D's lack of slow motion and 720p is a limitation...

What to do is the question!


PS Please let me know if I've got any of my advantages/disadvantages wrong...

Thanks!



References:

http://philipbloom.net/2010/06/06/whichdslr/
http://www.digitalrev.com/en/which-one-to-get-canon-eos-7d-vs-5d-markii-4659-article.html
http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_Lantern_Firmware_Wiki (State of the Lantern)
 
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