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Canon 7D Dedicated to: "All things 7D"

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    NikonsandVstromsNikonsandVstroms Registered Users Posts: 990 Major grins
    edited February 20, 2010
    DeVerm wrote:
    Hi 7D lovers ;-)

    I can now confirm that the Kingston 32 GByte 133x CF works perfectly in the 7D. It's cost is a factor of 8 less than the 60 MByte/s Sandisk I have...

    I also have the Canon ring flash with the adapter for my Canon 100mm 2.8L IS USM macro (read back in this thread for details). Works perfectly, it's almost feels like you're cheating ;-)

    I also got the Manfrotto tripod and monopod and heads. The tripod is super, the monopod too short for me (I'm over 6'6" tall) but still doable while the old one I had was ridiculously short.

    ciao!
    Nick.

    I have a 133x 16GB card as a backup for when I run through my fast cards, but even on the D700 it runs pretty slow. How is it with the 18MP files from the 7D?
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    DeVermDeVerm Registered Users Posts: 405 Major grins
    edited February 20, 2010
    Okay, I'll check if I can make by burst with RAW capture and report here ;-)

    cheers,
    Nick.
    ciao!
    Nick.

    my equipment: Canon 5D2, 7D, full list here
    my Smugmug site: here
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    SittingElfSittingElf Registered Users Posts: 46 Big grins
    edited February 28, 2010
    kewlcanon wrote:
    It's a great body. Canon hits homerun definitely. Can't wait for 7D FF version.

    ummmm.... it's called a 5D MK II !:D
    My Equipment:
    Bodies: Canon- 5D Mark II, 7D, 50D, SD780IS, Sony DSC F828, DSC F717,
    Lenses: Canon EF16-35/f2.8L, EF24-105/f4L, EF100-400L, EF 50mm/1.8 II, EF100/2,8L, EF85/1.8 USM, MP-E65/2.8 1-5X, 15mm Fisheye, 70-200/f2.8L II
    Lighting: Canon 580EXII, 430EXII, MT-24EX, MR-14EX, Sony Hi Power, YinYan BY-180B Studio Strobes (3), Coco Ring Flash Adapter.
    Stability
    :Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, 322RC2, 498RC2, 454 Macro Slider, 175F-1 Clamps
    Video: Canon XHA1, HV-20 (2), HV-30
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    colourboxcolourbox Registered Users Posts: 2,095 Major grins
    edited February 28, 2010
    SittingElf wrote:
    ummmm.... it's called a 5D MK II !:D

    Well...not really. I made a decision between the 7D and the 5D MK II and went with the 7D for its updated autofocus, internals, and the superior video frame rate choices (60fps is important to me for slo mo). I decided these outweighed 5D FF for my purposes.

    In reality everyone is expecting the upgraded 7D features to migrate up to the older full frame 5D.
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    claudiusmaxclaudiusmax Registered Users Posts: 78 Big grins
    edited March 9, 2010
    7d
    Finally made the plunge and ordered a 7D from B&H Photo last week and waiting on UPS now. I'll update later.
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    final_alarmfinal_alarm Registered Users Posts: 26 Big grins
    edited March 9, 2010
    I just picked up my 7d last week from Hunts in Boston. I haven't done any real meaningful shooting with it yet but i have been playing trying to learn the controls. I already love the layout so much better then my Rebel XSI. Its so much easier to adjust on the fly. Good stuff, im really looking forward to doing some sports shooting.:D
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    DeVermDeVerm Registered Users Posts: 405 Major grins
    edited March 10, 2010
    I have a 133x 16GB card as a backup for when I run through my fast cards, but even on the D700 it runs pretty slow. How is it with the 18MP files from the 7D?

    Okay, I tested this. For raw capture, you can only burst until the camera's buffer is full (14 captures if I remember correctly), so it's the same for the Kingston 133x and the Sandisk 60 MB/s. The difference is the time it takes for allowing you the next burst. For sports and other action, you will always want the fastest card.

    I also tested JPG. The Kingston 133x allowed me 77 captures at full speed while the Sandisk allows you to fill the card regardless of it's size. I'm not sure how often one would need more than 77 captures in a burst...

    cheers,
    Nick.
    ciao!
    Nick.

    my equipment: Canon 5D2, 7D, full list here
    my Smugmug site: here
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    sparky675sparky675 Registered Users Posts: 63 Big grins
    edited March 13, 2010
    LR 2.6 with 7d video
    now that the rebate is on I am buying the 7d, if you are shooting stills and video on the same card and I only am using lightroom. how is the video handled??? a little help I am confused and maybe dazedne_nau.gif
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    UWsmuggerUWsmugger Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited March 17, 2010
    When you see the 7D compared to your 20D you'll be glad you bought it!
    Thank you for starting this thread and for all that are/will contribute. It will make biting the bullet that much easier for me when my savings pile tells me I am ready.

    I notice you use a 20D. That's what I've used for years and was looking for a used 1D Mark III when the 7D came out. I've finally put the camera to the test as I just got back from the middle east and the picture quality is sooo amazing. I really can not compare them to my 20D, I was really stunned. iloveyou.gif

    So save up the dollars and you'll be very glad with your upgrade to the 7D. As soon as I can get the pictures off my laptop and on to my desktop, I'll start putting them up.
    UWsmugger :thumb

    Canon 7D & 20D;
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    UWsmuggerUWsmugger Registered Users Posts: 16 Big grins
    edited March 17, 2010
    7D Photo & Video Downloads on Lightroom
    sparky675 wrote:
    now that the rebate is on I am buying the 7d, if you are shooting stills and video on the same card and I only am using lightroom. how is the video handled??? a little help I am confused and maybe dazedne_nau.gif

    As far as the CF card itself all you do when shooting is switch from picture to video and back to picture as suits your situation. The CF card keeps the photos and videos organized separately.

    I am also a Lightroom user. When you import from your card only your pics will be imported into to LR. You'll get a little message stating that the video files are not compatible with LR and so they will not be imported.

    What I've been doing is just copying the videos from the card and saving them in a dated folder (like LR does with our pics) in the "My Videos" folder. You could import them with another video program (or probably one of the programs on the Canon DVDs) but I haven't had time to see what I like best. I'll probably use QuickTime since the videos are .MOV files.

    I'm in the process of of uploading hundreds of photos and a lot of videos. I'll let you know how QuickTime works for uploading videos or if I end up finding something better.
    UWsmugger :thumb

    Canon 7D & 20D;
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    sparky675sparky675 Registered Users Posts: 63 Big grins
    edited March 18, 2010
    thanks
    great explanation, i hope to order the 7d this week,
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    claudermilkclaudermilk Registered Users Posts: 2,756 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2010
    Been away for a while, and I am looking to give my trusty 20D a well-earned demotion to backup status. My research has led me to the 7D as my best upgrade path (the other being a used 1D Mk IIN). It appears from the comments here I'm on the right track.

    Now that I have the cash sitting in the bank burning it's way through the vault a purchase decision is imminent. I also plan on getting the Zeikos battery grip & possibly later the Wireless grip.

    I'm happy to see my only non-Canon lens works fine on the 7D (Tokina 12-24, which I much prefer over the 10-22). The only unsettled part of hte equation is new CF cards. The 20D has been perfectly happy with SanDisk Ultra IIs, but the 7D obviously needs faster.
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    DeVermDeVerm Registered Users Posts: 405 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2010
    The only unsettled part of hte equation is new CF cards. The 20D has been perfectly happy with SanDisk Ultra IIs, but the 7D obviously needs faster.

    That really depends on the type of photography you do. Anything with a lot of action like sports or birds in flight needs fast cards when you shoot long bursts without much time between these bursts. For all the rest your current cards might be fast enough.

    The question is if they are big enough because the 7D has more than twice the pixels.

    Anyway, I would first try to work with what you have before putting that much money down for the fastest cards, or buy just one 8GByte card so you can compare.

    cheers,
    Nick.
    ciao!
    Nick.

    my equipment: Canon 5D2, 7D, full list here
    my Smugmug site: here
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    divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited May 3, 2010
    Ummm... add me to the growing list wings.gif I jumped on the refurbished deal currently at Adorama - that $300 price drop makes all the difference to me, so I can press ahead with this sooner than I anticipated.

    Browsing the manual on Canon's site I'm pleased to note that the built-in flash commander controls three groups, unlike the STE2. Excellent! With the ability to change the output of all three groups independently (I read that right, yes?) this means the little popup flash can act as occasional fill and give me the effect of a 3-light setup. Yay!

    Very excited. Ships today, so I'm hoping it will be here by WednesdayThursday (or maybe even tomorrow - Adorama stuff often gets to me quite quickly....)
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    davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2010
    Been away for a while, and I am looking to give my trusty 20D a well-earned demotion to backup status. My research has led me to the 7D as my best upgrade path (the other being a used 1D Mk IIN). It appears from the comments here I'm on the right track.

    Now that I have the cash sitting in the bank burning it's way through the vault a purchase decision is imminent. I also plan on getting the Zeikos battery grip & possibly later the Wireless grip.

    I'm happy to see my only non-Canon lens works fine on the 7D (Tokina 12-24, which I much prefer over the 10-22). The only unsettled part of hte equation is new CF cards. The 20D has been perfectly happy with SanDisk Ultra IIs, but the 7D obviously needs faster.

    I took a very quick look at your site, the portfolio section, I don't see anything in there that would need a super fast card.
    Maybe it's because I shoot jpg's, but I use the less expensive (cheap) Transcend 16 gig cards with no problems.
    I've shot bursts for two or so seconds (16 shots) on high speed without a hiccup.
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
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    HelenOsterHelenOster Registered Users Posts: 173 Major grins
    edited May 4, 2010
    divamum wrote: »
    Ummm... add me to the growing list wings.gif I jumped on the refurbished deal currently at Adorama - that $300 price drop makes all the difference to me, so I can press ahead with this sooner than I anticipated.........
    Very excited. Ships today, so I'm hoping it will be here by WednesdayThursday (or maybe even tomorrow - Adorama stuff often gets to me quite quickly....)

    Thanks for being a GR8 Adorama customerwings.gif

    If you need any after-sales support, (now, or in the future), please don't hesitate to drop me an email.
    Helen Oster
    Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
    http://twitter.com/HelenOster
    Helen@adorama.com
    www.adorama.com
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    divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited May 10, 2010
    A mini-review after a chance to play with it (although I've only begun to scratch the surface of what it can do - this beast has a LOT of features!)

    - the built-in flash controller is THE BOMB. While it's easier to change settings on an STE2 because it's external and just right there, the 7d's controller 1. does more (3 groups!) 2. doesn't need a separate battery 3. doesn't add any weight 4. doesn't require me to remember/carry an extra item, so I can have off-camera flash pretty much anywhere, any time (since one external flash always lives in my bag). It also means that I can add a tickle of fill from the front which, in effect, means I can run a three-flash setup (I have two external speedlights). MAJOR MAJOR thumbs up for finally including a flash commander in the camera!

    - The AF is.... everything I hoped it would be. And more. It's fabulous.

    - the exposure meter and "new" exposure method is giving me accurately-exposed shots in situations where normally I would have expected it to be a bit iffy.

    - Don't let anybody tell you otherwise: in real life usage, the high ISO performance is excellent. FAR better than any other crop camera I've used. I'm sure FF stills comes out ahead when pixel-peeping, but the 7d is totally useable at ISO2000 (see example here, post #12) and I'm willing to bet I can push it higher and still get a shot that will be useable when cleaned up with noise reduction software. I'd compare the noise in that iso2000 shot linked above to 800 in the xsi, and 1000 (maybe 1600) in the 50d

    - the extra resolution is great (I have situations where I need to shoot looser and crop) and, to my surprise, LR handles the larger 7d raw files more quickly than it did the ones from the 50d. I don't understand why, but I'm not complaining! Also, the quality of images from this sensor is really high - I know some people think that 18mp on a cropper is too dense, but I'm loving the results so far!

    - I prefer the button placement on the 7d to the 50d - I find having the row of buttons down the side is "under my hand" more easily than the ones across the bottom.

    I'm trying to come up with a list of "cons" but I'm having trouble finding them so far. Er..... it's a bit heavier than the 50d (although still lighter than the xsi+grip combo, even if not by much) and remembering to use the mfn button to change af modes takes a little getting used to. Ummmm.... I still need to read the manual to figure out certain settings, especially all the custom features. Oh, here's a small grumble: the fact that OEM batteries cost the EARTH and the aftermarket ones won't charge in the OEM charger (and won't show usage). That's kind of a pain.

    Uh.... other than that, I haven't found anything not to like yet. I'm thrilled!!
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    ilbcnuilbcnu Registered Users Posts: 311 Major grins
    edited June 2, 2010
    Checked UPS site this morning-my 7d refurbished from Adorama-
    TUCSON, AZ, US 06/02/20105:19 A.M.OUT FOR DELIVERY

    Long awaited upgrade for me- moving from Rebel XT!!
    Amanda
    It is never to late to become what you might have been.
    www.behindthezoom.com
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    final_alarmfinal_alarm Registered Users Posts: 26 Big grins
    edited June 2, 2010
    ilbcnu wrote: »
    Checked UPS site this morning-my 7d refurbished from Adorama-
    <TABLE class=dataTable border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=odd><TD vAlign=top noWrap>TUCSON, AZ, US </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>06/02/2010</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>5:19 A.M.</TD><TD vAlign=top>OUT FOR DELIVERY </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/wings.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >
    Long awaited upgrade for me- moving from Rebel XT!!

    Congrats, your going to love it. I made the jump from an XSI and its quite the huge jump. It is so much better for the sports shooting i tend to do.
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    divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited June 2, 2010
    ilbcnu wrote: »
    Checked UPS site this morning-my 7d refurbished from Adorama-
    <table class="dataTable" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="odd"><td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap">TUCSON, AZ, US </td><td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap">06/02/2010</td><td valign="top" nowrap="nowrap">5:19 A.M.</td><td valign="top">OUT FOR DELIVERY </td></tr></tbody></table>
    <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/wings.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >
    Long awaited upgrade for me- moving from Rebel XT!!

    Enjoy!!!!!!!!! <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/clap.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >ivar
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    ilbcnuilbcnu Registered Users Posts: 311 Major grins
    edited June 2, 2010
    Thank you! Been working my way through new layout & manual all day... Love it so far and not near as heavy as I thought it was going to be!
    Amanda
    It is never to late to become what you might have been.
    www.behindthezoom.com
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    chrisjohnsonchrisjohnson Registered Users Posts: 771 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    divamum wrote: »
    A mini-review after a chance to play with it (although I've only begun to scratch the surface of what it can do - this beast has a LOT of features!)

    Uh.... other than that, I haven't found anything not to like yet. I'm thrilled!!

    thanks for your reviews of the 7D. Very useful.

    I think I have my 40D figured out and back to taking photos. Call me a slow learner.

    You have convinced me that 7D is a real step forward on several fronts. I guess my main question would be whether to go for FF next and when.

    My kids are buying houses and this consumes my spare cash for now. And so far my photographic incompetence is more limiting than my camera - still plenty to learn and do with the kit I have.

    Thanks a lot for your contributions Divamum - a real breath of fresh air.
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    AllenAllen Registered Users Posts: 10,012 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    I find the green focus dot in the lower right corner of the viewfinder useless. I have to shift my eye to see it and with glasses it's out of view. Also have to take my focus off the subject. On all my old cameras, 40D and down, the center would turn red and beep with focus. I see this occasionally on the 7D but not always. What setting is not set correct to see the center turn red and beep on focus?

    Somehow I stumbled upon a setting that blinks red and beeps. I have no idea what setting combo did this.

    Currently it's set to expanded, two small rectangles in center and partial circle and all flashes red. But sometimes it doesn't flash or beep but the green dot indicates focus.

    My focus observation: Using 500L+1.4x
    There is no way to get a perfect focus using auto focus on birds, when not in manual focus I always auto focus then slightly manually tweak to move focus to something like eye glint. AF picks a contrasty part and with the a narrow DOF it's almost always a part other then the birds head. Apparent focus in DOF range is not good enough for when huge crops are needed.
    Al - Just a volunteer here having fun
    My Website index | My Blog
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    divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    I never even knew there WAS a green dot confirmation!! The red+beeps setting was the default when mine arrived.... not sure how one adjusts it. ne_nau.gif There are several vf display settings in the menus though - perhaps check the manual for those? (I don't have my manual nearby or I'd look)

    (And thanks for the very kind words, Goldenballs iloveyou.gif)
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    TangoJulietTangoJuliet Registered Users Posts: 269 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    Allen wrote: »
    I find the green focus dot in the lower right corner of the viewfinder useless. I have to shift my eye to see it and with glasses it's out of view. Also have to take my focus off the subject.

    I just recently started wearing contacts for just this reason. I could never see all of the information at the bottom of the view finder with my glasses on.
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    divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    I just recently started wearing contacts for just this reason. I could never see all of the information at the bottom of the view finder with my glasses on.

    Did you adjust the diopter? (the little wheel to the right of the VF). It's very helpful if you wear glasses.

    That said, I have found it easier to shoot without glasses on, not because I couldn't adjust the VF accordingly, but just because it's more comfortable. I adjust the diopter to suit my vision w/out specs, which makes a HUGE difference for me (I can see the VF 100% clearly). YMMV.
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    TangoJulietTangoJuliet Registered Users Posts: 269 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    As you know, the diopter adjusts what you see in the viewfinder to match your vision, with or without specs, but it doesn't allow you to see more of what's there.
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    AllenAllen Registered Users Posts: 10,012 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    divamum wrote: »
    Did you adjust the diopter? (the little wheel to the right of the VF). It's very helpful if you wear glasses.

    That said, I have found it easier to shoot without glasses on, not because I couldn't adjust the VF accordingly, but just because it's more comfortable. I adjust the diopter to suit my vision w/out specs, which makes a HUGE difference for me (I can see the VF 100% clearly). YMMV.
    I broke a very expensive pair of glasses constantly "leaning" against
    the viewfinder that could not be fixed. I finally switched those lenses to
    a heavy plastic "nerd" frame (age allows this as you don't care how you
    look anymore, see avatar :D) to use only with the camera which worked fine other
    then the decreased FOV in the finder. I adjusted the diopter to work
    without glasses and use that most of the time now but when a bird
    pops up I lose valuable time removing the glasses.

    It also takes two different diopter settings, glasses and no glasses. I
    learned that when using the 100x400, w/o glasses I can get a prefect
    focus manually tweaking after AF. AF never seems to get the focus on
    the right part for highly cropped subjects.
    Al - Just a volunteer here having fun
    My Website index | My Blog
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,852 moderator
    edited June 3, 2010
    As you know, the diopter adjusts what you see in the viewfinder to match your vision, with or without specs, but it doesn't allow you to see more of what's there.

    The camera's diopter adjustment is designed to allow adjustment for moderate conditions of myopia/nearsightedness and hyperopia/farsightedness without the use of glasses, which allows a closer view though the viewfinder which affords most people a wider view as well, including the periphery where the "green dot" indicator is located.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2010
    TangoJuliet, have you used the spot focus feature yet? Sounds like that's what you're doing in manual. I can imagine it's tricky at those kinds of distances, but just wondered if you'd tried it and, if so, how you like it.

    PS I gave up manual focusing a long time ago. It was fine with a camera designed for it with a nice, bright split-focus circle, but once AF became the norm and the screens no longer designed to optimize MF, I quickly realised that the margin of error was much smaller with AF than my attempts, no matter how careful! Fortunately, for most of my subjects that doesn't present a problem. thumb.gif
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