Buying a new church CAMERA! ADVISE NEEDED!!!!

[numba1skuxx]

Our church has put me in charge of purchasing a new hi quality camera. I have done some research and found these

Canon 7D

Canon 5d Mk 2

Nikon D300

Leaning more towards the Cannon Cameras Because i have seen that the video capabilities are pretty impressive. Could always be handy If we are out at an church or on location and need to get some decent video footage.

Camera will be used mostly to take photos in auditoriums, which is an ex movie cinema complex so that means HEAPS of low light.

Just after any advice on these cameras or if there are other cameras i should be looking at.

Cheers

[bladeaudio]

If low light is what you need, I'd go with the 5D MkII. It has a larger sensor then the 7D. Beyond that, your lens choice will make a big difference in low light performance, be sure and get a really fast lens.

[forty31]

You're money is better spent on glass. I would suggest getting the 7D and spending the difference on some good L series lenses.

[bpalermini]

You can't go wrong with any of the cameras you've identified. I was a Nikon shooter for 30 years but moved to Canon for the 5D MkII. It is a full frame camera which gives you much better options on the wide end which I prefer. Plus it does well in low light. The 5D + 16-35 f2.8 L lens makes an awesome machine. I also have a 50 1.4 which is also impressive for low light situations.

I'd love to have a 5D and a 7D but if I could only have one I would take the 5D.

[turbo911]

Like others have states, Canon 5D Mark II is an awesome camera, and that's what you need for the low light in church. Plus with full frame sensor you won't need to buy super wide angle lens to capture wide angle shots. Canon 24-70 f/2.8 along with Canon 70-200 f/2.8 Mark II would be very nice combo. Can't go wrong with it.

[[Director] Joseph B]

I've used the Canon line for several years now and just upgraded to a 50D.
The only reason I don't have the 5D is price - can't afford/justify spending the money but it would be my choice.
The full frame gives you better low light as well as no compensation factor on your lenses. A 28mm wide angle is a 28mm wide angle not a 45 semi-wide.

[sempei13]

I don't know if this is a factor, but the 5D Mark II and the T2i support the "Magic Lantern" firmware hack and the 7D doesn't. That hack adds all sorts of video specific features. If I could, I'd buy the 5D and hack the firmware, get good glass, etc.

The only sticking point for me is record times. Even with the right media, you're limited to only a few minutes. I'd love to be able to shoot a wedding or a service, but they just can't do that. For small productions, MOTS, Testimony videos, etc, they can't be beat.

I'm trying to figure out if I can buy a T2i for my business, but I don't know if I can justify it without more clients.

Paul

[[Director] Joseph B]

The XD is in preorder - should be going for around $8,200.
The highlight of this one is wireless connectivity (I like to shoot tethered to my MAC).
It is of course full frame, very high res, but also outside of my price point (by about $7,000).

[tdangelo]

Numba,
I am not clear from your post how you anticipate using the camera?
Is the primary use stills with occasional video?
Is the primary use video with occasional stills?
If video, for interstitial narrative content? Or live content like I-mag?
If video, for a web VOD deliverable? Web streaming deliverable? Physical media deliverable (DVD, Blu-ray, etc)? Cablecast? Broadcast?
What is your post-production work-flow?
How far (distance) do you anticipate being from your subject and what field of view will you require?
Are you shooting deep depth of field? Narrow?
Thanks.