Set up for dog and horse photography

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trickletreat

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nigel
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Your help and advice would be appreciated. From my flickr link you will see that I photograph many varied subjects. Technically the most demanding for me is photographing dogs in action [and my daughter sometimes!] In recent years I used a K5 and old 70-200 f2.8 Sigma, I found that I would struggle with capturing dogs in action, especially when they are approaching at speed. I now have a Fuji XPro1 which I use for general photography and have tried it with dogs, but with a low keeper rate.
I do derive a lot of pleasure in the dog photography but am frustrated with the keeper rate.
I have started to research and try out a few cameras/lenses and am looking for advice re suitable options capable of capturing dogs running towards me. I have no preference re brand and would build a system to initially run alongside the Fuji +18/35/60/55-200.
So far I have been considering D750 and 7dii together with 70-200 f4 [recent triple bypass so need to keep weight sensible], or even 135 f2 if I go with canon. Are there older, cheaper options for capturing the dog action, cameras that can nail the fast head on action?
Many thanks

Nigel

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75046743@N05/




IMGP7007 - Version 2 by trickletreat, on Flickr




[url=https://flic.kr/p/p6AVVN]Untitled by trickletreat, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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oddball option would be the sd1 sigma, cos foveon just kills bayer on fur.
 
I have a dog photography business so do a LOT of dog photography, and the 7D was great for dogs running at the camera, but the 7D2 is even better!

In other words, a 7D2 would be perfect, but if you want to keep cost down then you would do fine with a 7D. I have no experience of the 70-200 f4, but the 70-200 2.8 ISii is superb for fast moving dogs. I think you would do better with a zoom as you can zoom out as the dog runs towards you and so get more shots out of each run.
 
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Thanks both for the replies. I am trying to keep the overall weight down so may have to go for the f4. Great help Sue re the 7D and 7D2, I have been leaning towards the 7D2 but the cost of 7D would allow for more lenses! The only problem is I have a full frame itch and would like to know how the D750 would compare with 7d/7D2 for the fast approaching mutts.
You mention that the 7D2 is better, what differences would I notice between it and the 7D? I do not do paid work, but do have requests for photographs of pets in action. I ask for donations to be made to certain charities, so this is not my living[retired] but I do like to produce images that the owners will love! I am not asking for a full on comparison, more the hit rate in reasonable light.
Nigel
ps. Sue, very interesting website and examples of your work
 
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trickletreat said:
ps. Sue, very interesting website and examples of your work
Click to expand...

Thanks! Those are pretty much all on the 7D, apart from a few of the older ones which were taken with a 50D. No 7D2 photos yet, but there will be some going into the dog rescue section probably tomorrow which I took this morning.
 
I've used 7D with 70-200/4 L IS very successfully for dogs running to camera. Any misses are usually down to not keeping the AF point pinned on the nose!

Any decent DSLR should do a pretty good job of that, with a good lens, optimum camera set-up and good technique, preferably in good light. With full-frame, eg D750 or 5D3 etc, make sure you'll have enough reach without a big/heavy lens, and you'll lose some frame rate.
 
FWIW, the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR has significant focus breathing... it's something like 135mm at min focus distance. The f/4 version doesn't have this issue.
 
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