Further thoughts on the 7d
Finally got to use it in a full shoot last night, so thought I'd post some thoughts (since it seems a lot of people are still researching it and asking questions)
I'm still editing so no shots to share yet, but I'll try to post some if and when I get a chance. In summary, however, the 7d is an astonishing camera which does everything it sets out to do really well.
- I used it at ISO 1250-2000 and, as long as the shot is properly exposed it looks great. Underexposed, and you have the usual problems, but otherwise? It's amazing to me that I can use those high ISO's with confidence. Much MUCH better than the xsi or 50d on that score (I avoided anything over 800 in the xsi, and the 50d was just about tolerable at 1600 with some work in post)
- the AF plain *works*. SO few shots due to missed AF, particularly impressive given the dark and contrasty conditions I was in (concert performance that doesn't have the greatest lighting)
- Size DOES matter. The extra pixel depth is a HUGE bonus - the photos have more detail, and it is an absolute godsend for cropping. The 50d was hardly "small" at 15mp, but 18 is even better.
- That extra resolution is great, but it sure shows up any shortcomings in your lenses! I found myself gravitating towards the 135L all night, and really wishing my 50mm was sharper wide open, and I only used the 85mm for a couple of shots too. I've never found the 50mm lacking before, but on the 7d... I notice a LOT more, particularly at wide apertures. I see more L glass in my future, heaven help my wallet....
- My xsi has been a wonderful camera for me and once I got the 50d as a 2nd body it was great not to have to lens-swap so much at these performance shoots (I use primes). Now that I'm shooting xsi/7d? I notice the differences between bodies a LOT more, and not just in the obvious handling differences. I kept wanting the extra ISO speed the 7d could give me, the metering in the 7d is better, the AF (including the extra points) is just so much better... I found myself going back to swapping lenses, much to my surprise. Yes, the 7d is THAT much better at everything it does. Sure, I'll use the xsi and there's nothing "wrong" with it (I have a genuine soft spot for that camera, which has done me proud over the last 18 months!), but... the 7d is a world apart.
I'm still editing so no shots to share yet, but I'll try to post some if and when I get a chance. In summary, however, the 7d is an astonishing camera which does everything it sets out to do really well.
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Wow.
The only thing I can think is that folks are judging everything at pixel level. Yes, there is noise from ISO 2000 at 100%. Yes, I can see how some shots might be perceived as "soft". But I don't actually find that a meaningful way of judging the images - I'm never going to make 6' high prints and at slightly smaller sizes everything looks FANTASTIC. And I just find it so responsive - it's like going from an 4 cylinder Ford Escort to a souped-up VW turbo
And now I'll just hope that a 5d MkIII will incorporate the VF, flash transmitter and AF of the 7d, because if predictions on product cycle are right that will be right around the time I'll be ready to roll up to FF.....
When i use to shoot with 10MP 400D, photos shot at high ISO, or with some defects like slightly OOF, motion blur, noise introduced after editing etc were quite visible in 10MP full resolution preview, but still some of these made great prints. Now i have 7D if any of such issue happens with 7D pics and is visible at full preview of 18MP file, everything is perfectly fine with great detail when downsized to 10MP, so i am in love with extra 8 MP of 7D. And even 10MP files makes great prints upto 20x30 so i call those extra 8 mega pixels "Pixels who saved the day"
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ISO 2000 (and shutter speed was still too slow to avoid blur in the hands, but I kind of like the effect
I like the motion blur too. It definitely plays to the image story to help convey what the subject is doing.
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the 7D and the T41, currently I have an XTi, I think you actually chimed in on one of my earlier questions. This
really helps me make my decision to go with the 7D.
The 7D focusing capability is mind blowing. I opened the box, inserted a CF card and battery, mounted a flash and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and took it on a photo shoot. I will admit hat the subjects were not difficult to focus but, the focus was right on...
See my other images from this first shoot with the 7D...
http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Portraits/Portrait-Professional/16520661_359bqh#!i=1244320241&k=LXnFVZC
zombie thread !
But the 7D is still good, supposedly a new 7DII is due out this year