What is your experience with the Canon 7D?

[Marc_Schoenholz]

Have you used the Canon 7D?
How does this compare to your current camera(s)?
How does the focus system of the 7D compare to your current camera?
What is the model of your current camera?
What type of photography are you using the camera for?

Regards,

Marc

[michaelnotar]

i played with one in the store and fell inlove. will be replacing my rebel backup with it. i have always shot a 1 series, currently a 1d mk3.

i love the viewfinder, cant tell its a crop sensor, very easy and relaxed viewing. the crystal screen technology for AF points and grid is really really interesting

i couldnt manually select an AF point and i know my way around any canon camera really well. AF was a bit of a surprise literally since the AF only appear when the achieve focus. it appears to be fast, the AF boxes are a bit bigger than on the 1 series, but i hear theres a small dot within each point that is also selectable.

the drive is crazy fast, cant believe it.

i am generalist, upgrading my backup to a 7d for an increased buffer, better screen, better build, better AF. added benefits are the extra MPs and video. i am shooting mainly people and weddings recently, but i do alot of real estate and product as it comes up

[Marc_Schoenholz]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your feed back and comments on your 7D impressions. I'm planning to purchase a 7D. The 7D will replace my 40D which will be my new back-up.

I've read some mixed AF comments on various bird photography forums and I'm wondering if the changes to the 7D AF system are so different from previous Canon AF systems that an investment in time is required to learn precisely how to use the new system.

I'm hopeful that some sports photograhers will share their comments on this issue too.

Regards,

Marc

[Noel_Carboni]

I'm also interested specifically in the 40D -> 7D upgrade path.

When I had my 20D I felt there were more things I could do that the camera wasn't allowing me to do. Since moving up to the 40D I haven't felt that way. So I skipped the 50D.

Now with the 7D available, for the obvious reason of it being the "latest and greatest" I crave one, though I'm still not convinced my 40D is holding me back in any way. However, some choice remarks like "image quality is a good bit better" or "it handles so much better" or "it's just plain cooooooler!" could possibly sway my thinking some... Just possibly...

-Noel

[Marc_Schoenholz]

Noel,

It appears that there are a range of positive and negative comments on the 7D and it is hard to discern what the 7D brings to the party.

Importantly I have not read of anyone doing a standardized test of the camera - similar to Drew's test of the 1D MIII.

Does there seem to be more issues then usual with this camera? Short of buying the camera, what do you think is the best way of evaluating it?

Regards,

Marc

[Jerry Skrocki]

Canon 7D image quality reviews:

Canon EOS 7D Digital Camera Imaging - Hands-On Preview - The Imaging Resource!

Canon EOS 7D Review - Image Quality | PhotographyBLOG

Image samples:

Canon EOS 7D Hands-on Preview: 14. Samples: Digital Photography Review

[Marc_Schoenholz]

These are very positive 7D reviews.

I still have a question about the focusing system, particularly with Birds in Flight (BIF). Forums are reporting mixed results with BIF, and specifically they are showing that when used with AI Servo in conjunction with spot or across other focusing options, the camera is losing focus on the BIF and focusing on the background. Birds naturally blend with nature and I am wondering what role color is playing in the cameras metering system and this issue.

Marc