Is this heresy?

[Tcapp]

Personally, I'd love an X-Pro1 and I can appreciate why you are considering it.  But the 7D is a more capable performer - especially if you're taking photo's of fast moving babies.  Hmmm. Coolness and comparative simplicity vs features/capabilities that you might or might not need.  It's a tough call.  While she wouldn't be using your lenses if you went with the 7D, I think it is the long-term practical decision if you've already got some quality gear to share.

I had a similar discussion with my dad yesterday, who's thinking of retiring his trustee Canon film SLR and joining the digital age.  If you're not heavily invested in lenses, do you stick with Canon or do you look at the competition?  Our anti-Nikon tendencies ruled that option out immediately (yes, its hereditary!).  We're not 100% convinved about EVF's, so ruled out Sony, and we don't think the mirrorless cameras are quite there yet.  After narrowing the field down quickly, we were just left with Pentax and Canon.  I think we decided that the 600D or 60D would be a safe bet.

I played with a sony while in best buy. That EVF is... bad. I can see getting a headache from that after shooting a while. Plus, the translucent mirror causes you to lose like a third stop of light. Yuck.

[NormanBates]

I would vote: 5D2, 50mm f/1.8
and then maybe 24mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8

[Z]

My girlfriend has a Nikon. Nikons can't use Canon lenses so she can't share my L glass...

Hint.

[elflord]

So my wife wants to get into photography a bit more seriously.
I want to keep her mitts off my MK3 and L glass until she knows how to baby it.
If it's anything like her Mac it'll be covered in makeup and baby goo in on time

I'm torn between the obvious 7D (which I can also use as a second body with longer reach) and put the nifty fifty on it and get either a 35mm F/2.0 or a 35mm/F1.4 that can also be used FF.

OR

Getting her a Fujifilm X-Pro 1 with the 35mm lens.
I'm leaning more towards the Fuji because the IQ is excellent. It's smaller and it may teach her more about photography than a 7D.

Thoughts?

ET

yeah, whichever choice you make, get a UV filter for each lens. Both are fine choices,  micro 4/3 also have some excellent cameras (they have the most mature system of all the mirrorless cameras). I'd have her look at them and see what she likes.

[samthefish]

I have the 7D and the X10 and a 5DMKII.  My recommendation would be the 7D, I think it's an incredible value considering the solid construction and features, great AF, etc.

My 11 year old daughter wanted to learn about photography so I set her up with my old rebel and spent an hour explaining about shutter speed, aperture, iso, etc.  and only taught her how to use the "M" setting.  After a few weeks she can pretty much nail the exposure in her head or if not adjust quickly after looking at histogram.  I eventually showed her how to use AV for rapidly changing light conditions but she doesn't use it as she doesn't always agree with the exposure decisions the camera makes.   Anyway think it's a great way to introduce someone the "hard" way and have them find it's not that hard.

[rhommel]

I'm leaning more towards the Fuji because the IQ is excellent. It's smaller and it may teach her more about photography than a 7D.
Thoughts?
ET

Please pardon my ignorance, but HOW can the Fuji camera teach your wife photography?  also, what can it do (in terms of teaching??) that a 7D can't?

[mws]

If it's anything like her Mac it'll be covered in makeup and baby goo in on time

My wife's Mac is the same.


I finally got her from using her cell to snap photos of the kids and onto the green square on a 50D. I don't think I'll push my luck any further for now.

[scottkinfw]

I say, keep the woman happy, and that will keep you happy.  Unless you want to do baby duty and YOU get the goo on you!&D sounds good, but the question is, what does she want?

I vote for the 7D too. Take advantage of the double rebate right now with the 35L 1.4... Just tell her the lens is for her but when it comes let her play with the 50 instead...

[smithy]

The Fuji is a very nice looking (but large) camera, and would certainly be a cool fashion statement (much like my X10 is).  I was at my local camera specialist the other day, and asked the salesman about them.  He said that the AF is really really slow.

The 7D on the other hand is an almost perfect crop-body camera for its price range.  Solid build, great AF, fast frame rate, video, plenty of pixels...

[simonxu11]

X-Pro1 is my choice.
Just let your wife use MK3, then you have excuse to buy the 1DX.
I wish my wife can get into photography more seriously, then I can buy L glasses for her birthday, valentine's day, anniversary.......................

[Leadfingers]

If you can afford a 5D3 with an L lens and still have the cash to afford a 7D, then I really don't see where you have a problem...

 

[RC]

1.  Get her a high end P&S that can be used by both of you when your dSLR is not practical or allowed to use.   Something like the G1 X, G12 or S100

2.  If she takes to it, get her a body that you would like as a backup whether it  be a 7D or maybe a 60D (for weight).  If she bails, you got a backup body.

3.  If she sticks with it, great!  Buy some nice glass that you can  both use.  You now have a photog budy!  (I wish I could get my wife into it, but then again she would learn how much I'm spending.   )

On the the other hand I love Z's strategy and is a great option if baby goo is an issue.  LOL   

My girlfriend has a Nikon. Nikons can't use Canon lenses so she can't share my L glass...

Hint.

[iso79]

If she was my wife, I would introduce her to the world of full frame cameras from the get-go and skip cropped camera.

[EvilTed]

Great responses guys thanks
I watched the video by the DigitalRev guys comparing the Sony Nex-7, the X-Pro1 and that other thing and the guy said the AF of the Fuji is horrible. Scratch that.
The Nex-7 just makes me feel, naaaa

As for the high end point and shoot, I bought her a S95 when it came out and she loves that.
Trouble is she sees the beautiful bokeh shots with the fast primes and wants a bit of that.

On the 35mm F/1.4, I didn't think they were weather sealed?
I already noticed the $200 off buying the bundle

Cheers

ET

[zhap03]

Hahaha... baby goo!!!  On the Mac?!?!  Are you sure that's her fault?

Anyways, I have an X Pro 1... it's meant for someone who already knows about photography.  It's more "tech-y" and complicated (some prefer "quirky") than you think and your wife might get discouraged from using it after awhile.  It's a photographer's camera... for someone who can appreciate the amazing pictures that the awesome sensor can produce.  However, you have to put up with a few frustrations along the way to get those pictures.

I say stick with a DSLR, if not a 7D, then try a t3i.  The ergonomics and responses of a Canon DSLR are far greater than the X Pro 1.  I had a 7D and used it a lot, but I sold it and bought a t3i.  The t3i... I love the compactness, light weight, and it has the same sensor and many other features of the 7D.  I like to describe the t3i as a 7D without the weather sealing, weight, and fps... but WITH a swivel screen (super awesome).  Do you think that your wife is willing to learn photography in the rain?  Will your wife or yourself be able to take advantage of the 8fps?  The t3i will produce the same image quality as a 7D, but you'll save a bit of money in the process.