Moving from a Rebel T1i to a 7D...thoughts?

[MattG]

So, I guess I'm what you'd call a "prosumer." I have a lot of experience with cameras (I know how to use one beyond "point and shoot"), and I even dabble in wedding photography from time to time (I'm a backup for some friends who have their own photography company).

I've been using the Rebel line of digital cameras for a while now, currently on a T1i. I've been happy with it overall, but in comparing it to my friends' pro-grade equipment (e.g. the 1DX), it's obviously lacking in a few areas. I want to upgrade, however I'm not ready to spend that kind of money, nor could I justify it.

I've been thinking about the 7D. I realize the 1.6X multiplier will still be there, but I'm wondering...how's everything else in comparison to the pro-grade cameras as well as the beginner-cameras? One thing I notice when I use my friends' pro-grade cameras is how lightning-fast the focus is, and how super-bright the viewfinder is. Also, light-metering seems to be much more spot on.

So I guess what I'm asking is, anyone here upgraded from the Rebel line to the 7D (or something in that range), and what are the biggest improvements you notice? Is it worth the move, or, not significant enough?

[Designer Dale]

I've never shot full frame, so I will leave the comparison to pro level cameras to others, but I did jump from a Canon Rebel XSi to a 7D and can comment on that.

The 7D is an awesome camera. I thought I knew my way around cameras by instinct from my long background with film, but the degree of control offered by the 7D actually caused me to read the manual and then buy a camera guide to fully grasp what the thing is capable of. The sensor has great ISO range with not a whole lot of fall off or loss of detail unless you really press it up to the 3200 range. I routinely shoot at iso 200-400 when I go birding and the results are good.

Focus speed is more a factor of the lens than anything else when you get to this level of tech. My Canon 100mm L macro focuses in a flash but my Sigma 120-400 still does some focus hunting, so keep that in mind. The metering system in the 7D is outstanding and I think it's the same as in the full frame Canons.

I could have gone to the 5D, but chose the 7D and I haven't regretted it one bit.

TL;DR: I love my 7D...

Good luck,

Dale

[MattG]

Originally Posted by Designer Dale

I've never shot full frame, so I will leave the comparison to pro level cameras to others, but I did jump from a Canon Rebel XSi to a 7D and can comment on that.

The 7D is an awesome camera. I thought I knew my way around cameras by instinct from my long background with film, but the degree of control offered by the 7D actually caused me to read the manual and then buy a camera guide to fully grasp what the thing is capable of. The sensor has great ISO range with not a whole lot of fall off or loss of detail unless you really press it up to the 3200 range. I routinely shoot at iso 200-400 when I go birding and the results are good.

Focus speed is more a factor of the lens than anything else when you get to this level of tech. My Canon 100mm L macro focuses in a flash but my Sigma 120-400 still does some focus hunting, so keep that in mind. The metering system in the 7D is outstanding and I think it's the same as in the full frame Canons.

I could have gone to the 5D, but chose the 7D and I haven't regretted it one bit.

TL;DR: I love my 7D...

Good luck,

Dale

Thanks for the response! I actually do have a good main lens that I use (24-70L). I probably should have been more specific...not so much focus "speed" as much as accuracy, and usability in low-light. The higher-end cameras seem to be better at this.

[Designer Dale]

The DPReview article on the 7D:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos7d

Dale

Edit: The 7d is a "higher end" camera. I say this because some people discredit crop frame cameras as not professional just because they are "limited" to, say 18 megapixels instead of 24.

[MattG]

Originally Posted by Designer Dale

The DPReview article on the 7D:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos7d

Dale

Edit: The 7d is a "higher end" camera. I say this because some people discredit crop frame cameras as not professional just because they are "limited" to, say 18 megapixels instead of 24.

Yeah, I don't buy that rationale either. Wasn't too long ago that this was considered professional

[Cuechick]

After doing some research for a blog post I just did on SLRs, you can now get a 5D Mark II for under 2000.00 and not much more than a 7D... just a thought. I use the Mark II, I am a pro and I love this camera. I tested a 7D once and it is fine... but between the 2 there is no contest imo. I would prefer a used or refurbed MII to a brand new 7D.

[joshualee90]

Originally Posted by Designer Dale

The DPReview article on the 7D:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos7d

Dale

Edit: The 7d is a "higher end" camera. I say this because some people discredit crop frame cameras as not professional just because they are "limited" to, say 18 megapixels instead of 24.

Being a cropped censor camera has nothing to do with megapixels. It just means it has a smaller sensor.

It depends on what you shoot. 7D is nice as a sports, second camera wedding, wildlife camera because of its auto focus speed.

When you move to full frame ie 5D line you are getting low light performance and wider focal lengths.

For the price the 7D is amazing and if you want the faster auto focus and burst rate i would definitely get it. If you really want to move to full frame look for a used 5D mark ii it is going to be around the same price.

Both are fantastic cameras and will be great for pro use.

You should worry about buying used. These are pro cameras. They are built to last a very long time.

[Ish]

This is going back a bit but is just what you need!

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...124&highlight=

[ocabj]

Originally Posted by MattG

I've been thinking about the 7D. I realize the 1.6X multiplier will still be there, but I'm wondering...how's everything else in comparison to the pro-grade cameras as well as the beginner-cameras? One thing I notice when I use my friends' pro-grade cameras is how lightning-fast the focus is, and how super-bright the viewfinder is. Also, light-metering seems to be much more spot on.

The 7D satisfies the desires you mentioned.

The AF is lightning fast and accurate. The viewfinder is 100% coverage. Definitely going to be far better than the 'Rebel' line.

I had a hard time deciding whether to sell my 7D or my 5D Mark II after I acquired the 5D Mark III. I sold the 7D because I decided I wanted to have a FF as my backup *AND* at the time I sold the camera, 7D didn't have the ability to control audio in camera (pre v2.00 firmware). If I were going to sell now, I might have kept the 7D instead of the 5DII because of the v2.00 firmware branch, and because it would be nice to have a crop sensor to complement my FF main body.

[MattG]

I think I've more or less made up my mind...I'm going with the 7D. There's a big part of me that keeps thinking, "5D mkii...5D mkii...full frame...full frame." But, every time I pull up a comparison page or a thread where people are comparing the two (there's only about a gazillion of them), the thing that keeps me away from the 5D is that its focusing system is consistently described as "archaic" compared to the 7D.

Ugh...if only the 5D Mkiii wasn't $3,000

[B.A.T]

Canon just put their refurbs on sale at 20% off. You can pick up a 7D for $1,023. Some of their refurbed lenses are on sale too.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...10051_-1_29252

[MattG]

Originally Posted by B.A.T

Canon just put their refurbs on sale at 20% off. You can pick up a 7D for $1,023. Some of their refurbed lenses are on sale too.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...10051_-1_29252

The price is tempting, but it kind of bothers me that they only stand behind it for 90 days. You'd think for a factory refurbished product, they'd stand behind it for a year like all their other stuff.

[B.A.T]

I bought a 7D refurbished a little over two years ago. It was a flawless camera (just sold it and upgraded to a 6D). If there are any flaws with the camera you return it and get a new camera and your 90 days starts over again. If you use your camera a decent amount 90 days is plenty, if not then maybe taking a risk.

[stevendphoto]

Personally, I would go for a used 5D II over a 7D, especially if you want full frame...

[dmax35]

Originally Posted by stevendphoto

Personally, I would go for a used 5D II over a 7D, especially if you want full frame...

I agree since he's doing wedding stuff, the 5D II performs great with field of depth vs a 7D. Thou if he has the extra $$$ jump up to the 5D III getting the best of both worlds.

I recently sold my D800 and bought a 5D III to replace it and love it.