A Few EOS 7D Mark II Specs [CR1]

[unfocused]

I think touch screens will have a lofty place among entry level cameras and mirrorless cameras. When it comes to professional grade cameras...I don't really think that touch screens are going to be all that important.

Think about what you are saying.

Can you set a 600 RT without ever taking your eye off the viewfinder? Select flash groups? Adjust flash A:B C balance while looking through the viewfinder?

And, with that new 5DIII can you set tracking sensitivity or accelerate or decelerate your tracking through the viewfinder?

Setting tracking with a touch screen -- now that alone would be worth it.

 

[jrista]

I think touch screens will have a lofty place among entry level cameras and mirrorless cameras. When it comes to professional grade cameras...I don't really think that touch screens are going to be all that important.

Think about what you are saying.

Can you set a 600 RT without ever taking your eye off the viewfinder? Select flash groups? Adjust flash A:B C balance while looking through the viewfinder?

And, with that new 5DIII can you set tracking sensitivity or accelerate or decelerate your tracking through the viewfinder?

Setting tracking with a touch screen -- now that alone would be worth it.

First, I never said touch screens weren't useful. Just that they won't be the most important feature of an action-oriented camera like the 7D II.

Regarding flash...no, however I have never really needed flash for my bird and wildlife photography. I don't think flash is used all that much with sports either. Flash also quickly becomes useless in high frame rate photography, since even with high end Eneloop fast cycle batteries, the flash still can't keep up.

So whether you can control flash or not is moot. It's unimportant in the high speed action photography context.

As for AF, the 5D III brings AMAZING button customizability. It actually allows you to configure the "AF Stop" button to alternative behaviors, one of which is "Switch to registered AF function". You can register your own AF function, and switch between it and the main AF function, with the press of a button. So, while you don't have 100% complete control over every aspect of the AF system from individual buttons, you can do what you stated, change tracking sensitivity, acceleration, etc. without moving your eye from the VF.

I suspect that functionality will only get more refined in future generations of Canon pro-level DSLRs. And regardless...even if you can tweak those settings on a touch screen, you still have to take your eye away from the VF, which is worse than what I can do now with my 5D III.

 

[that1guyy]

I think a touch screen should be included. It may not be effective for those not wanting to take their camera away from the viewfinder but for video shooters who are using live view it is probably a nice tool.

Also a touch screen is incredibly useful for playing back images and video. Just like a smartphone, one can just swipe between photos and videos and pinch to zoom in on a location instead of using that cumbersome magnifying glass button.

 

[unfocused]

I think touch screens will have a lofty place among entry level cameras and mirrorless cameras. When it comes to professional grade cameras...I don't really think that touch screens are going to be all that important.

Think about what you are saying.

Can you set a 600 RT without ever taking your eye off the viewfinder? Select flash groups? Adjust flash A:B C balance while looking through the viewfinder?

And, with that new 5DIII can you set tracking sensitivity or accelerate or decelerate your tracking through the viewfinder?

Setting tracking with a touch screen -- now that alone would be worth it.

First, I never said touch screens weren't useful. Just that they won't be the most important feature of an action-oriented camera like the 7D II.

Regarding flash...no, however I have never really needed flash for my bird and wildlife photography. I don't think flash is used all that much with sports either. Flash also quickly becomes useless in high frame rate photography, since even with high end Eneloop fast cycle batteries, the flash still can't keep up.

So whether you can control flash or not is moot. It's unimportant in the high speed action photography context.

As for AF, the 5D III brings AMAZING button customizability. It actually allows you to configure the "AF Stop" button to alternative behaviors, one of which is "Switch to registered AF function". You can register your own AF function, and switch between it and the main AF function, with the press of a button. So, while you don't have 100% complete control over every aspect of the AF system from individual buttons, you can do what you stated, change tracking sensitivity, acceleration, etc. without moving your eye from the VF.

I suspect that functionality will only get more refined in future generations of Canon pro-level DSLRs. And regardless...even if you can tweak those settings on a touch screen, you still have to take your eye away from the VF, which is worse than what I can do now with my 5D III.

Yikes! You're starting to sound like Sella or Dilbert. You don't use flash so there's no reason for Canon to make it easier for others?

And, of course, you can customize your autofocus settings and add them as a custom functions. But in order to do that, you still have to go through the old-fashioned menu and dial and button setting procedures. It's just so much easier and more intuitive to change and adjust any setting with a touch and swipe system than a scroll and press system. You can still set a custom function, but you can do it much more quickly and intuitively with a touch and swipe.

And once again, why would anyone think that adding a touch system is somehow going to mean taking away buttons or wheels? It augments, does not replace, the existing system.

 

[jrista]

I think touch screens will have a lofty place among entry level cameras and mirrorless cameras. When it comes to professional grade cameras...I don't really think that touch screens are going to be all that important.

Think about what you are saying.

Can you set a 600 RT without ever taking your eye off the viewfinder? Select flash groups? Adjust flash A:B C balance while looking through the viewfinder?

And, with that new 5DIII can you set tracking sensitivity or accelerate or decelerate your tracking through the viewfinder?

Setting tracking with a touch screen -- now that alone would be worth it.

First, I never said touch screens weren't useful. Just that they won't be the most important feature of an action-oriented camera like the 7D II.

Regarding flash...no, however I have never really needed flash for my bird and wildlife photography. I don't think flash is used all that much with sports either. Flash also quickly becomes useless in high frame rate photography, since even with high end Eneloop fast cycle batteries, the flash still can't keep up.

So whether you can control flash or not is moot. It's unimportant in the high speed action photography context.

As for AF, the 5D III brings AMAZING button customizability. It actually allows you to configure the "AF Stop" button to alternative behaviors, one of which is "Switch to registered AF function". You can register your own AF function, and switch between it and the main AF function, with the press of a button. So, while you don't have 100% complete control over every aspect of the AF system from individual buttons, you can do what you stated, change tracking sensitivity, acceleration, etc. without moving your eye from the VF.

I suspect that functionality will only get more refined in future generations of Canon pro-level DSLRs. And regardless...even if you can tweak those settings on a touch screen, you still have to take your eye away from the VF, which is worse than what I can do now with my 5D III.

Yikes! You're starting to sound like Sella or Dilbert. You don't use flash so there's no reason for Canon to make it easier for others?

*Sigh* Very low blow, man. And uncalled for. And I repeat myself:

First, I never said touch screens weren't useful. Just that they won't be the most important feature of an action-oriented camera like the 7D II.

^-- That is not something Dilbert would say. He refuses to acknowledge any point other than his own. I have acknowledge your point. I NEVER said touch screens weren't useful. Nor did I say they shouldn't add one to the 7D II. I only said that it won't be the most important feature of an ACTION-ORIENTED camera like the 7D II. My prior reply to Don explained why I believe that. Do you read? :

And, of course, you can customize your autofocus settings and add them as a custom functions. But in order to do that, you still have to go through the old-fashioned menu and dial and button setting procedures. It's just so much easier and more intuitive to change and adjust any setting with a touch and swipe system than a scroll and press system. You can still set a custom function, but you can do it much more quickly and intuitively with a touch and swipe.

Your still completely ignoring what I've said, assuming you even read it. What your talking about has nothing to do with what I was talking about. AT ALL. WHATSOEVER.

I was simply comparing the usefulness of a touch screen as a primary mode of camera operation, based on what Don originally said. I HAVE NEVER ONCE made ANY argument that Canon SHOULD NOT add a touch screen to the 7D II. That IS NOT MY POINT. I'm sure it will probably have one, but that is entirely irrelevant to the point I was trying to make. You've inferred something from my posts that is not there.

And once again, why would anyone think that adding a touch system is somehow going to mean taking away buttons or wheels? It augments, does not replace, the existing system.

Again, that is not my argument, I never said Canon shouldn't add a touch screen. ??? Go re-read what I wrote, maybe a few times, and once you understand it, then we can have a discussion. ??? ??? ???

 

[photo212]

I rarely switch modes in the middle of a shoot. I pick one for the scene, and keep it there for most of the shoot. I have accidentally moved the mode selection on my older bodies. I'd welcome this EOS-1 set-up.

Besides, is it easier to take your eye out of the viewfinder to switch modes than it is to hit the button and spin the dial while still keeping your subject in the viewfinder? We all shoot different. I think it would take a day to get used to, and you might not want to go back.

 

[jrista]

I rarely switch modes in the middle of a shoot. I pick one for the scene, and keep it there for most of the shoot. I have accidentally moved the mode selection on my older bodies. I'd welcome this EOS-1 set-up.

Besides, is it easier to take your eye out of the viewfinder to switch modes than it is to hit the button and spin the dial while still keeping your subject in the viewfinder? We all shoot different. I think it would take a day to get used to, and you might not want to go back.

The mode dial thing really comes into play with custom user modes. With bird photography, you often have to switch modes quickly, when say an Egret or Heron goes from happily hunting fish to flying off in a start because someone decided to stomp up to the edge of the pond and oogle all the birds that WHERE there a moment before with their woefully inadequate binos, then you need to switch to a mode tuned for flight photography in a heartbeat.

With the 7D, I was able to do that just by tightly pressing my index finger to the mode file and rolling. I pretty much always had my eye away from the VF for that, but it was still on the bird, sighting in so I could get the flight shots. The 7D was always a pain for flight, at least with the 600, so I rarely ever got any good shots. The large frame of the 5D III is excellent, however now with the mode dial lock, I have to take my eye off the bird to enter the custom mode. I'm now working on configuring my alternative AF mode so I can reconfigure that one button to an AF setup better suited for BIF, and I think that will do the trick (and possibly even be better than my 7D was.)

Anyway...there ARE reasons to quickly change camera modes. More configurability, and the option of toggling subsets of the camera system into different modes, would actually make for a more flexible setup. I like where Canon has started going with the 5D III...it'll be very interesting to see how much configurability the 7D II has.

 

[Gcon]

I applaud making it a mini 1Dx. If you don't want an integrated grip and want a mode dial then there's no reason to bitch and moan - just get a 70D and be done with it.

The integrated grip and 1Dx style mode buttons will do wonders for weather sealing. When I got my 5D3 soaked in rain, I had a lot of water pouring out from under the mode dial. I'd love to see that go, even from the 5D as well.

 

[jdramirez]

Can somebody explain to me HOW lack of a mode dial is a good thing? I've never really understood the button system on the 1D line. To me it seems to be a lot slower to switch modes like this.

Us pros typically shoot in one of three modes. Manual, TV, or AV. We don't change these often, and many of us, me included, never change our mode. I always use manual. No point having a giant dial on the camera when most of your users will barely ever, or ever, use it. Much easier to implement a button system at that point. It's all about the economics of scale.

We do use custom as well... I don't but others seem to like it.

 

[expatinasia]

I also very rarely change modes when shooting, but even if I did, with the 1 series you can do it without even moving the camera away from your face. Most of the time I am in M and I change the settings within M using all the dials and buttons without ever pulling the camera away from my face.

Plus, I would imagine that dial reduces the water resistance level which is of course higher on a 1D then other models.

 

[JimKarczewski]

Can somebody explain to me HOW lack of a mode dial is a good thing? I've never really understood the button system on the 1D line. To me it seems to be a lot slower to switch modes like this.

Yes, it can be quicker. You can remove the modes you don't use! Don't use P, Tv, etc, unselect them in the menu and you won't have that option. I prefer it over the 5DII from which I came from and the mode dial. Once you use it it's just as quick, especially if you don't have to go through the modes you don't use!

 

[dgbrownnt]

Historically, those grips were added to film cameras to serve as automated winders so that you could take pictures rapidly in succession. That was a feature primarily used by professional photographers, so it came to be seen as a sign of "professionalism". But, once cameras became digital, those grips no longer served their original purpose, but still serve as a signature of a "professional". That is why they are there, it is primarily for show and as a status symbol. And caters to the macho idea that for a real man, bigger is better. In a practical modern camera it serves no real function, it is just peacock feathers.

The proper name of the grip is a "vertical grip". That's because, shockingly, the primary purpose of the grip is for shooting vertical (portrait) pictures. That is why there are controls on it.

If you do a lot of vertical shots, your arm will fall off if you have to use the normal grip. I shoot a lot of volleyball, for instance, and it just wouldn't be possible without a vertical grip.

In addition, a built-in grip is amazing when used with larger lenses, if only for balance and grip area. You can one-hand an 85 f/1.2 on a 1DX (though I wouldn't recommend it if you don't own said equipment). I've tried that without the vertical grips on 5Ds and 7Ds and it's much harder.

 

[e17paul]

A touchscreen be a great way of selecting mode, especially if it allowed for a much greater number of custom modes than the C1, C2 and sometimes C3 found on a mode dial. Personally, I would set one custom mode for each of my lenses, and others for regular venues where I know the lighting conditions.

Just so long as all the other manual controls remain, to be remembered in muscle memory.

I have tried the 100D/700D touchscreen interface, and it is a great addition to manual controls. I'm hoping to see it on the 6D2 when it comes, just so long as the existing adjustments are accessible from the top and rear controls.

 

[AvTvM]

I'm really curios to see, how Canon will position the 7D 2.

A) pro-oriented "1D mk. V"
1.6x sensor instead of 1.3x ... Everything else 1D-like: user interface, top plate w/o dial, integrated vertical grip, same battery as 1D-X, and price to match: USD 4000+
Problem: canon would also have to cough up a "miracle sensor" and even then it will be limited to reach-hungry (semi) pros with budget for it: birders, outdoor sports ... a rather small niche!

B) successor to 7D
Semi-pro and enthusiast oriented. Small body, optional grip. better performance (especially AF) and wheathersealing than 70D. Slightly improved sensor. User interface along the lines of 7D and 5D3. Touchscreen added. Pop-up flash w/ optical wireless commander. Possibly RT radio wireless controller included as "special" ... In line with 7D, which was the first EOS with optical flash trigger included. WiFi and GPS included as in 6D. Weathersealing in line with 7D and 5D3. Price 2299 USD. Targeted at same crowd as 7D: enthusiasts and reach-hungry pros. Would sell probably 100 times more copies than alternative A)

We shall see ...

Me? I bought 7D on first day of availability and still like it. But now i am done with fat old-style mirrorslappers. So won't buy. My next upgrade is to a fully capable ff mirrorless cam. Basically a 5D 4 as a compact mirrorless camera. 7D 2 comes way too late for me and for many other enthusiasts.

 

[Marsu42]

A customizable list in firmware is much more practical. That way, if you want "Sports mode" or "Portrait mode" you can put a check next to them in custom function and make them selectable. That way you only have the modes you really want to use (and have quick access to) with no junk modes that waste your time.

Unfortunately, this is one of the things that won't fixed by Magic Lantern - soft-switching shooting modes with software (linked to buttons or whatever) has caused some soft bricks and thus won't be touched again by the devs who value stability above everything else :-\ ...

... but I think of the possibility every time when I wrestle with my top wheel to quickly find one of the 3 (only three!) shooting modes I ever use, skipping all the other junk. The turn-around wheel on the 6d doesn't help either, though I thought it would be a good idea when I had the 60d

 

[pwp]

Yes.... the touch screen is a game changer... either use it like a 1DX or tap the screen.... as touchscreens mature it will be interesting to see what happens.

I think touch screens will have a lofty place among entry level cameras and mirrorless cameras. When it comes to professional grade cameras...I don't really think that touch screens are going to be all that important. They introduce a highly disruptive workflow for changing camera settings, one that is not conducive to action shooting at all (and, since this is the 7D II were talking about...action is basically what it's designed for.)

Touchscreens? I wouldn't want to swap the major controls on my 1-Series or 5D3 bodies for touchscreens...too slow...but the touchscreen is here to stay. I got a little SL-1 as a lightweight travel camera and was frankly surprised how well sorted its touchscreen is. The SL-1 is much slower than the premium bodies to make adjustments to all sorts of settings, but some of the functions are just plain excellent. Bring them on!

-pw

 

[ewg963]

Can somebody explain to me HOW lack of a mode dial is a good thing? I've never really understood the button system on the 1D line. To me it seems to be a lot slower to switch modes like this.

That's the point. You don't want the mode changing accidentally and more to the point, the mode doesn't change that often - less often than you change lens/camera.

That's why all the newer ones have the mode dial lock? ???

+1

 

[Viggo]

I rarely switch modes in the middle of a shoot. I pick one for the scene, and keep it there for most of the shoot. I have accidentally moved the mode selection on my older bodies. I'd welcome this EOS-1 set-up.

Besides, is it easier to take your eye out of the viewfinder to switch modes than it is to hit the button and spin the dial while still keeping your subject in the viewfinder? We all shoot different. I think it would take a day to get used to, and you might not want to go back.

The mode dial thing really comes into play with custom user modes. With bird photography, you often have to switch modes quickly, when say an Egret or Heron goes from happily hunting fish to flying off in a start because someone decided to stomp up to the edge of the pond and oogle all the birds that WHERE there a moment before with their woefully inadequate binos, then you need to switch to a mode tuned for flight photography in a heartbeat.

With the 7D, I was able to do that just by tightly pressing my index finger to the mode file and rolling. I pretty much always had my eye away from the VF for that, but it was still on the bird, sighting in so I could get the flight shots. The 7D was always a pain for flight, at least with the 600, so I rarely ever got any good shots. The large frame of the 5D III is excellent, however now with the mode dial lock, I have to take my eye off the bird to enter the custom mode. I'm now working on configuring my alternative AF mode so I can reconfigure that one button to an AF setup better suited for BIF, and I think that will do the trick (and possibly even be better than my 7D was.)

Anyway...there ARE reasons to quickly change camera modes. More configurability, and the option of toggling subsets of the camera system into different modes, would actually make for a more flexible setup. I like where Canon has started going with the 5D III...it'll be very interesting to see how much configurability the 7D II has.

Exactly, I love all the M.fn buttons. It always cracks me up to write M.fn buttons, lol.

I have one button set to spot AF , my normal is single point, then another button with expansion and Case 6. And a button to engage One shot from Servo. Canon should make every button customizable to any function. For example ; my Info button is only in use in Play Mode for showing the histogram, in Record mode I NEVER use it. The same goes for the Play button, magnifier next to it and the "change raw jpg, card etc"-button on the bottom left, I NEVER use them. So I wish I could assign different buttons to different functions in Play and Rec mode. Shame to have three four buttons with no value and then missing the option of bring up something quickly.

 

[vlim]

Semi-pro and enthusiast oriented. Small body, optional grip. better performance (especially AF) and wheathersealing than 70D. Slightly improved sensor. User interface along the lines of 7D and 5D3. Touchscreen added. Pop-up flash w/ optical wireless commander. Possibly RT radio wireless controller included as "special" ... In line with 7D, which was the first EOS with optical flash trigger included. WiFi and GPS included as in 6D. Weathersealing in line with 7D and 5D3. Price 2299 USD. Targeted at same crowd as 7D: enthusiasts and reach-hungry pros. Would sell probably 100 times more copies than alternative

I would be fine with that version, way better than a version of a poor 1dx

 

[StudentOfLight]

A customizable list in firmware is much more practical. That way, if you want "Sports mode" or "Portrait mode" you can put a check next to them in custom function and make them selectable. That way you only have the modes you really want to use (and have quick access to) with no junk modes that waste your time.

Unfortunately, this is one of the things that won't fixed by Magic Lantern - soft-switching shooting modes with software (linked to buttons or whatever) has caused some soft bricks and thus won't be touched again by the devs who value stability above everything else :-\ ...

... but I think of the possibility every time when I wrestle with my top wheel to quickly find one of the 3 (only three!) shooting modes I ever use, skipping all the other junk. The turn-around wheel on the 6d doesn't help either, though I thought it would be a good idea when I had the 60d

Sorry, I didn't mean modifying mode selection in magic lantern should be done or would be preferable. What I meant to say is that that the suggested mode button would be customizable via custom function menu. Firmware was perhaps the wrong choice of words. My mistake.