Archive 2022 · Camera Step up for sports

soccerphotos
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Camera Step up for sports

I was in a conversation in the Canon forum, but thought I'd start something in the actual sports forum and hope I can get some feedback. I have basically screwed my mind into mush trying to figure this out the past week and have read so many things, I don't even know where to go at this point.

I currently have an Canon R7 and Canon 80D. I have used the 80D once this year since I got the R7. I hate using two bodies and two lens. That said, I have a lot of gear that doesn't get used and I'm trying to get something that will cover me with one set-up.

I have the following at this point - Canon 70-200 L IS III, Canon 200-400 F/4 L w/1.4x and a Canon 300mm F/2.8 l IS II. I got so wrapped up in the F/2.8, I was afraid to anything that wasn't a F/2.8. I also wanted reach. I'm assuming the R5 and obviously the R3 would still give me reach with the FF because they are better cameras than the R7.

I just picked up a great 200-400 F/4 today and I've been looking at this lens for a while. I was afraid of the F/4, but also liked that I could go from 200-400 (which helps when shooting soccer). Frankly, at times the 300mm is "too" close when the players are getting by the net on the R7, so maybe going with a FF saves me that frustration.

I'll likely just keep the 70-200 L IS III as it is a great lens and it's "paid" for anyway. Now that I picked up that 200-400, that gives me three lens when i really only will shoot with one.

So part of me wants to dump my R7 and the 300mm and get an R3 or R5 and just go to battle with the R3/R5 and the 200-400. My concern is losing the F/2.8 when it is needed, but maybe the R3 and the 200-400 give me everything I want - regardless of light. If that is the best bet for me, that is the way I would go then. Having the 200-400 for good light on an R7 and then going with the 300mm and R7 with bad light is an option, but if the R3 or R5 with the 200-400 F/4 would outperform the R7/300mm combo then there is not need to have the 300mm sitting.

As you can tell, I'm so confused at this point I don't know what I want. I just know I want a great set-up for sports that allows me to provide good shots and not having to carry around two cameras and lens.

Dec 20, 2022 at 01:11 PM

carl_g
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Camera Step up for sports

IMO I’d go with 2 used R6’s one with the 70-200 and the other with the 200-400 which you currently own. Sell the R7 and 300 and save up for a 400 f2/8 This is the ideal full frame set up for soccer. 1 long prime and a second body for the closer stuff. You might want to have a 24-70 also.
Good luck!!

Dec 20, 2022 at 03:28 PM

schlotz
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Camera Step up for sports

Sounds like a bit hung up in your analysis. Priorities, what are you shooting & under what conditions? F/4 does not work in a number of cases with the classic being High School lit fields. Obviously each sport will dictate the type of lenses required. To effectively shoot soccer two lenses work best. Long side 400 and something to cover when that action is close up. You usually can get by on the short end around 70-100mm. ƒ/2.8 isn't necessary unless light conditions dictate. Your choice on only carrying one rig but IMO there is a reason you see many sideline photogs with more than one rig. JMTC

Dec 21, 2022 at 08:13 AM

Lgarcia036
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Camera Step up for sports

My vote is for the R5. If you go with an R5, you’ll be able to get most of what you need with the 70-200. The ability to crop in with 45MP will make 200 seem like you shot at close to 400. Obviously, you’re keeping the 200-400, and the R5 is a good pair for that lens too

Dec 22, 2022 at 11:44 PM

graycat
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Camera Step up for sports

If you are shooting primarily sports, then the R3 is the machine to get. You can adapt it to any of your listed lenses. The R3 is not better than the other cameras you mentioned. The R3 was purpose-built for sports.

Dec 25, 2022 at 12:29 AM

Scott Sewell
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Camera Step up for sports

I don't know a single professional sports photographer who would not want to carry one body with something like a 15-600/f2.8 lens. Of course, that's not going to happen so we all carry at least two bodies and at least two lenses. Given the lens options you have, I would go with the 70-200 and the 200-400. Bodies come and go and I'm still happily shooting with the 1Dx bodies, so I've got no suggestions for you there.

Edited on Jan 14, 2023 at 05:59 PM · View previous versions

Dec 25, 2022 at 04:15 PM

gryphonslair99
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Camera Step up for sports

What you go with is a personal choice for how you shoot as well as what you shoot. I can't see me shooting with less than 2 bodies.

With that said, I recently upgraded to an R5 and an R6 MkII for sports. The R5 is my all around camera as sports is my main interest but not my only interest. I have been shooting it for a few months now.

The R6 MkII is my second body. It will probably be my semi permanent body on my 400 f2.8 while the R5 will probably have my 70-200 f2.8 attached. I haven't had the chance to shoot any outdoor sports since the R6 MkII arrived so I will play around come spring/indoor Track and see which body ends up with what lenses(s). The non 400 f2.8 body will also be what I put a 24-70 f2.8 on for pre game and post game.

I will say that I have been extremely pleased with both bodies. It took a long time for me to move past a DSLR body to a mirrorless body for sports.

Dec 25, 2022 at 06:24 PM

CW100
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Camera Step up for sports

Canon R5 or R6 would be a good upgrade

Dec 29, 2022 at 07:29 AM

terenceng
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Camera Step up for sports

I am a parent volunteer shooting my boys' middle school sport teams. I always use two bodies and two lens. For soccer, I used 100-400 and 70-200 2.8 with good result. Love to have a 400 2.8 or 200-400 but can't afford them.

2 r6 is a good option unless you needed to crop a lot, then r5 is better serve.

Feb 18, 2023 at 01:52 PM


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