*Best* camera+lens combination for multi-purpose action?

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dancook

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So I'm considering putting myself in a position where I need to cover everything from play rehearsals, concerts to fashion walks and sports days.

So I guess these are the options

1DX, 1DXII, D850, D5

and I guess it will do best to get their zoom lenses, 24-70 and 70-200

Considerations
- Low light action
- Sports day AF tracking
- Fashion show, sitting at end of walkway and capturing a photo of EVERY person, over 2 hours.

Any thoughts? I feel AF and buffer rate might be the strongest considerations here.
 
I'd have thought you could shoot those situations with anything from a Canon 800D to a 1DXii and everything in between (or the Nikon equivalents obviously). I shot a low light drama performance last weekend and used my A7 mk1, Samyang 85/1.4, Sony FE 50/1.8 and OM Zuiko 24/2.8 with no issues.

I wouldn't suggest that you need to invest several thousand £ for it. You've got 4 Leica's, can't you cover that with any of those?
 
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stevelmx5 said:
I'd have thought you could shoot those situations with anything from a Canon 800D to a 1DXii and everything in between (or the Nikon equivalents obviously). I shot a low light drama performance last weekend and used my A7 mk1, Samyang 85/1.4, Sony FE 50/1.8 and OM Zuiko 24/2.8 with no issues.

I wouldn't suggest that you need to invest several thousand £ for it. You've got 4 Leica's, can't you cover that with any of those?
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I have the Q, M10 and SL (that CL is not mine), and there's lots I could do with them.

I already covered a rehearsal with the M10 with 50 and Q (28), and manual focusing with the M10 was pretty hectic, but I got what I needed - there was 20 seconds of a super active scene with people storming ALL over the place, which I just couldn't keep up with - no big loss though. It did make me think I should get the 24-90 SL zoom, which is about £3k.

I just like to have 100% confident that equipment is up to the job - it's the fashion walk and sports days that concern me most - AF tracking / Continuous AF are not strong points of the SL, also filling up the buffer would suck. Low light AF of the SL isn't too good either, contrast only detection.
 
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Ok, for starters, I personally wouldn't see the point in spending £3k on a zoom lens for a camera that can't AF in low light or track subjects very well.

For the fashion walk, you're basically having people walking straight towards you and the light should be reasonable (so the guests can actually see the clothes!) so any DSLR will deliver results. You could easily cover that and the sports days with a D750/24-70/70-200 for around £3k so if you're not confident with your current kit, that would be my suggestion. I really don't think you need anything like 1DXii/D5 AF or D850 megapixels.

I forgot to say, are you really going to hit the buffer on anything? Unless you're literally holding your finger down and hoping for the best I'd have thought it will be pretty unlikely.
 
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Apart from fashion walks..I do all the above and more.. people offering advice should state if they are doing so from experience or just guessing :)

I ahve had canon 10d onwards up to canon 1dxII

From canon 1dmk 4 onwards ... The only good reason to upgrade to a 1dx and then to a 1dxII is for low light shooting... (buffering from a 1dxii upwards shouldnt be a problem for any of the work you listed) . (although the anti flicker on the 1dxII is a godsend but also used in low light) using a 1dxII and the mkII of both those lenses puts you at the top of the equipment list for canon and I ahve to say for low light work.. equipment does count and blows away the myth of being able to shoot with anything...

Its OK people saying they shot a play with this that and the other.. if they stop and think.. how does that help if they dont know how dark the lighting is with your play or th quality of light at any job you go to.. having the best equipment keeps you covered for all jobs.. IF your looking at doing this to amke money as it seems? then yeagh.. get the 1dxII nd the mkII of both those lens :)
 
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KIPAX said:
Apart from fashion walks..I do all the above and more..

I ahve had canon 10d onwards up to canon 1dxII

From canon 1dmk 4 onwards ... The only good reason to upgrade to a 1dx and then to a 1dxII is for low light shooting.. (although the anti flicker on the 1dxII is a godsend but also used in low light) using a 1dxII and the mkII of both those lenses puts you at the top of the equipment list for canon and I ahve to say for low light work.. equipment does count and blows away the myth of being able to shoot with anything...

Its OK people saying they shot a play with this that and the other.. if they stop and think.. how does that help if they dont know how dark the lighting is with your play or th quality of light at any job you go to.. having the best equipment keeps you covered for all jobs.. IF your looking at doing this to amke money as it seems? then yeagh.. get the 1dxII nd the mkII of both those lens :)
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You do realise that he doesn't need any more encouragement...I'm just being realistic ;0)
 
PS sports days can be held indoors....... depends if your just doing sports days which seems odd.. i do sports for schools all yr round and sports days are rare....
 
5D mk3 & Mk4 for the low light capability? I can't speak for the mk4 but my Mk3 is brilliant in low light, especially coupled with the 70-200 f2.8 IS and the 24-70 f2.8.
Do you need dual memory card slots? I shoot raw onto CF card and Jpeg onto the SD card. Get it right in camera and the the Jpegs are available for instant upload
Weatherproofing inportant or just weather resistant?
 
Sports day ?

People did an amazing job at the Olympics 2012 with a D4 that did not make it onto your list lol.
 
stevelmx5 said:
I forgot to say, are you really going to hit the buffer on anything?
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I guess I'm worry about worst case, the 'models' are walking towards you one after another, just as one's finish posing the other is 8 foot behind them and almost at the end, if you want to get a walking and a posing shot of every person there's no rest between shots. If you want to account for blinking, and stride position you might burst a few for each.

My SL seems pretty good on the buffer, but if I simulate that - the buffer slowly fills up.
 
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Olympics

Totally different type of photogpahy to a schools sports day

just because it has the word sports in...............sigh ? :(
 
dancook said:
I guess I'm worry about worst case, the 'models' are walking towards you one after another, just as one's finish posing the other is 8 foot behind them and almost at the end, if you want to get a walking and a posing shot of every person there's no rest between shots. If you want to account for blinking, and stride position you might burst a few for each.

My SL seems pretty good on the buffer, but if I simulate that - the buffer slowly fills up.
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I've shot fashion for fun, had an invite a couple of years ago to the London Fashion week show via Canon CPN. I really went as my sons girlfriend was a fashion student so it got her in. I didn't have an issue with buffering but then wasn't hammering the camera. I was at the side of the catwalk, about half way down so was tracking Ok with my 24-105, but the 24-70 f2.8 would have been better to isolate the models more.

So you need to work out what you want as a feature, including size and weight of both body and lenses.
 
KIPAX said:
Olympics
Totally different type of photogpahy to a schools sports day
just because it has the word sports in...............sigh ? :(
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If ever they have beenbag balancing, egg and spoon, three legged or sack race in the Olympics - I'm in! :D

I doubt they have every parent asking for a photo of their child...
 
I understand how any camera will be work if I just need to capture the feel of day, or be creative/artistic and can get a few great photos.

And that the 5dm3/5dm4/D4 are excellent cameras, and would save me some money.

I'm not sure about weatherproofing

I just don't like worries..
 
dancook said:
I just don't like worries..
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for what your doing.. Don't worry about buffering... Buffering is when a goal is scored in a cup final and the celebrations go mad and your taking shots like your shooting a video.. just holding the shutter down for an age.... the buffering your concerned about i last had a problem with on at 15 yr old camera:)

if you know your not doing pretty bad low light conditions then you dont need to go 1dx or the latest nickon....

if you want to capture action then i would stay away from the 5dmk3 kind of camera as 6 frames per second doesnt hack it.... HAHA people will show you great sports shots with the 5d range and YES THEY ARE GOOD AND CAN CAPTURE SPORTS but i understand your question.. your talking about getting it every time and thats what the extra frame rate is for... when you ahve a model walking towards you.. yes you can get it in 1 shot.. but what if she blinked.. rubbish picture eyes closed.. the best schol sports shots are a child mid air.. yes you can do that with a 5d but can you do it every time with every child.. that extra frame rate gives a better ratio,, I am not knocking a 5d range camera.. but if you want to capture an action shot every time all the time then a better frame rate is a must...its not spray and pray :)

If this is a hobby then you can probably ignore most of my advice as getting that shot isnt as crytical.. but if your thinking of making money? job? then it is important...

IMHO and for the really slow i am saying In My Humble Opinion.. I am not stating fact or law and I am not saying my advice is the only way or the best way.. I am simply stating what I have found to be true :)
 
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dancook said:
I understand how any camera will be work if I just need to capture the feel of day, or be creative/artistic and can get a few great photos.

And that the 5dm3/5dm4/D4 are excellent cameras, and would save me some money.

I'm not sure about weatherproofing

I just don't like worries..
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I meant any camera can work if you want to deliver results, not just capture the feel of the day. Unless the sports day is being held in December at night time I can't see the light levels being a major problem for any capable camera system. As for the fashion week, again, the models won't be running down the catwalk so there's no reason why you can't fire off several shots of each model without filling the buffer.

I understand that you don't like worries but throwing money at it isn't always the only answer. You've already said that the SL doesn't track very well or AF in low light consistently due to its' contrast only AF (the same system as my A7 mk1). The more you shoot, the better you will get at anticipating where your subjects will be so you're not heavily relying on focus tracking and fast bursts.

However, if you're genuinely concerned that only the highest end kit will get you the results you want, buy a 1DXii and 24-70/70-200 then the only limiting factor is your own ability.
 
KIPAX said:
If this is a hobby then you can probably ignore most of my advice as getting that shot isnt as crytical.. but if your thinking of making money? job? then it is important...
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It is paid work, and it's for a well-funded private school
 
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dancook said:
So I'm considering putting myself in a position where I need to cover everything from play rehearsals, concerts to fashion walks and sports days.

So I guess these are the options

1DX, 1DXII, D850, D5

and I guess it will do best to get their zoom lenses, 24-70 and 70-200

Considerations
- Low light action
- Sports day AF tracking
- Fashion show, sitting at end of walkway and capturing a photo of EVERY person, over 2 hours.

Any thoughts? I feel AF and buffer rate might be the strongest considerations here.
Click to expand...

I think you know the obvious answer. X-t2 :woot:
 
KIPAX said:
if you want to capture action then i would stay away from the 5dmk3 kind of camera as 6 frames per second doesnt hack it.
Click to expand...

7 frames a second now on the 5D mk4 :D but not a touch on the 1Dxmk2 at 14, which for canon brand with the 24-70/70-200 combination seems to be the choice.
 
The 1d Cameras are rather LOUD moreso if your framerate is high - just a thought
Rob.
 
A7RIII or A9?

Excellent auto-focus with native lenses
Incredible IQ
Silent Shutter
 
Nuzik said:
Terrible menu systems. Eats batteries compared to the Nikon and Canon. AF isn't as reliable.
Raw files large enough to take up a TB in one hour ;)
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You may be thinking of the previous A7 cameras and not A9. A7riii (42mp) and A9 (24mp) massive improvements in battery and AF. Just gotta watch that weather sealing.
 
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I would maybe go for a canon 5div and 70-200 f2.8 and 24-70 f2.8 this combination will cover most things. Indoor sports in dim sports hall's will mean pushing the iso to get the shutter speed. Full frame is the way to go crops get noisy in dim sports hall's. 7fps will be fine fast enough not too miss much if you are skilled and carefull, sure 12fps would be better for hit ratio but what will be your pay back time for the extra outlay.
 
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The A9 is under serious consideration due to the silent shutter, I need to look at some lower ISO shots - those first A9 shots I saw here really put me off the camera, but I should appreciate ISO was high.
https://fstoppers.com/originals/fir...-sports-photography-full-frame-stacked-174758

- Weddings
- Rehearsals
- Music Performances

Since everything I shoot involves people's faces, I hear the eye AF is pretty faultless - and that would be useful.
 
An a9, D5 or IDXII is prob the best option. Not much in it between the D5 or 1DXII other than personal preference for either system.

I see someone mention not so good weather proofing in the Sony, I thought it was only the A7 range were that was an issue?

Might be worth checking out the prices for the full system the Sony glass may work out a little more expensive.
 
Also pixmapro 600 lights I assume will work hss with all cameras mentioned
 
Hi Dan, for what you describe I’d think the considerations are AF, high iso, FPS. Buffer less so. Also having two bodies is a big advantage. I’m shooting a whole range of things (increasingly more paid) and using canon. Current combo is 1DXM2 and 5DM4. If I was doing all events as you describe I’d make that 2x1DXM2. The two zooms you list are the obvious choices. I’m usually packing a prime or two as well. Pixma is the same as godox? I have The Godox ad600 and it works well, need to watch power loss with hss and 1DXM2 has advantage with max synch speed of 1/250th over 5dm4 1/200th. Sounds like a great opportunity - good luck.
 
dancook said:
It's no convincing when you add a grin ;)
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I know and I suppose I am a little biased.
Give it some consideration as silent blackout free shooting is really incredible.... :)
 
I was reluctant to spend so much money on the a9 when Canikons offerings are being rumoured so much.
 
dancook said:
Also pixmapro 600 lights I assume will work hss with all cameras mentioned
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Should be okay, but double-check Sony. There is still an unresolved issue with the A7Rii apparently, which would make me wary. The user base for Godox/Sony users is small, especially the A9, so there may be undiscovered bugs - reverse-engineered third-party flash can be like that ;)

XPro Sony trigger now available
http://flashhavoc.com/flashpoint-r2-pro-s-godox-xpro-s-ttl-transmitter-announced/
 
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