Camera Upgrade, new or used?
Camera Upgrade, new or used?
Author
Discussion

jurbie

Original Poster:

2,423 posts

225 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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I need to upgrade my kit having been rejected by an agency for not having 'pro' kit. Fair enough so I'm currently looking at a body replacement and was going to go with a new Canon 7D Mark 2. However for a similar price I can get a second hand Canon 1D Mark 4. The basic specs on both are about the same with the major difference being the 1D has a larger sensor but fewer pixels.

So I'm a bit torn, do I go for new and shiny with lots of megapixels or old and slightly dated but still up to the job? If it helps I shoot motorsport with occasional forays into football, mach loop and studio portraiture hence the 10fps of both of these cameras is what attracted me before anyone suggests a 5d MK3 or similar.


SkySailing

511 posts

134 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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jurbie said:
I need to upgrade my kit having been rejected by an agency for not having 'pro' kit. Fair enough so I'm currently looking at a body replacement and was going to go with a new Canon 7D Mark 2. However for a similar price I can get a second hand Canon 1D Mark 4. The basic specs on both are about the same with the major difference being the 1D has a larger sensor but fewer pixels.

So I'm a bit torn, do I go for new and shiny with lots of megapixels or old and slightly dated but still up to the job? If it helps I shoot motorsport with occasional forays into football, mach loop and studio portraiture hence the 10fps of both of these cameras is what attracted me before anyone suggests a 5d MK3 or similar.
I bought a 7D2 recently and it's absolutely fantastic. I have never used a 1D but I would honestly suggest the 7D2 over it, as it's the complete package for motorsport.

AndWhyNot

2,359 posts

223 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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No experience of either but check with the agency that a 7Dii is 'pro' enough and, if so, remember that it gives you a "free" lens extension courtesy of its crop factor. Suspect this would be very handy for motorsport purposes.

DibblyDobbler

11,444 posts

221 months

Thursday 20th August 2015
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jurbie said:
I need to upgrade my kit having been rejected by an agency for not having 'pro' kit.
That's a bit daft isn't it? If your work is good enough then why would they care what kit you use? confused

SkySailing

511 posts

134 months

Friday 21st August 2015
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The 7D2 should definitely be deemed pro. If not, that agency is obviously a bunch of buffoons.

CVP

2,799 posts

299 months

Friday 21st August 2015
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jurbie said:
I need to upgrade my kit having been rejected by an agency for not having 'pro' kit.
If you want to upgrade then that's fine, but if not I suggest you re-look at your agency as this reason for rejection is absolute balls.

Does this agency not have any images that were taken with cameras such as the original Nikon D1 and Canon 1D? I bet they do and if the image is right then it's right, it makes no bit of difference that it was shot when cameras has a lot less MP than they now do.

On Alamy I have images that have sold shot with various cameras including a "lowly" D100 with only a native 6MP!


Simpo Two

91,503 posts

289 months

Friday 21st August 2015
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Is it an ad agency? It might be a 'perceived image' thing. Or maybe they've charged the client megabucks for the shoot so can't have you turning up with a small cheap thing, even if it's perfectly adequate for the job.

jurbie

Original Poster:

2,423 posts

225 months

Friday 21st August 2015
quotequote all
It's a sports agency so mostly football but also a bit of motorsport. Considering I'm shooting trackside most weekends I thought it might be a useful extra outlet but instead they felt my gear wasn't up to the job. They weren't specific as to what the issue is, it might be as simple as they'd prefer me to have a 4g mifi instead of a 3g dongle for any uploads from the field.

I could go back and ask them but I figured if they were that bothered then they would have told me outright what I needed to get so really I just want to be more prepared to approach other agencies.

In my experience all agencies demand pro gear so that they aren't inundated with thousands of wannabes just interested in getting pitchside at Old Trafford however a friend has recently joined an agency shooting with an old 7D so I thought it might be worth a go. This is why I'm toying with a 7D II or a 1D Mark 4, I'm confidant the 7D would be acceptable but was just wondering if a second hand 1D mk4 for the same money would give me more bang for my buck.


andy-xr

13,204 posts

228 months

Friday 21st August 2015
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Change your exif, it's cheaper

markmullen

15,877 posts

258 months

Friday 21st August 2015
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1 Series, if you're working professionally, will do you good for years, their build quality is in a different league to the lower level bodies. AF is lightning fast, high frame rate, great weather sealing and you could hammer nails in with them.

Simpo Two

91,503 posts

289 months

Friday 21st August 2015
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Demanding 'pro' gear might reduce applicant numbers but it's no guarantee of good results; you can equally well get 'all the gear no idea' types.

I'd ask for elaboration.

LivewareProblem

1,270 posts

218 months

Friday 21st August 2015
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I'd tell them to fk off, but then that's probably why I don't work in Photography tongue out