Canon 7D Mark II Owners first thoughts

[mb66energy]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

This is one of the features that I'm most interested in. Does it seem to affect the shooting speed? In other words, is the camera timing the lights before taking the shot or does it provide a sort of auto exposure/white balance?


Kathleen

An answer of a hopefully very reliable source:
"If/when flickering of artificial lights is detected, the camera reads the rate of flickering and changes shutter timing in two important ways:

For single shots, it alters actual shutter lag time, so that the actual firing of the shutter coincides with the instant of maximum “peak” illumination during the flickering cycle of the lighting you’re shooting under.
For continuous shooting sequences, the fps rate and instant of actual firing for each shot are also altered, depending on the flicker cycling frequency detected. Again, this is to match each successive still image to an instant of maximum illumination of the artificial lights."
(Source: http://learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2014/eos7dmkii_antiflicker.shtml )

It also manages color quality much better than some auto exposure feature -- flourescent tubes e.g. have different phosphors for red, green and blue color which have different delays for emitting their light.

Best - Michael

 

[treytexag]

I got mine last week and I am in trouble. I have Windows Vista in my PC and can not install the EOS software that comes with the 7D Mark II. The Zoom Browser of the of 5D Mark II opens both JPEG and RAW files of the 7D Mark II but the DPP of 5D Mark II just opens the JPEG files. So for the moment I can not work with RAW files. Any suggestions to overcome this situation that will be met surely by other people?
Thanks

I'm not associated with MicroCenter, but for very little money, you can get a nice refurb that comes with Windows 7 Pro already on it. The Win 7 Pro OS is worth over $100 by itself, and this refurb is less than $200.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/427102/DC6005_Desktop_Computer_Off_Lease_Refurbished

Great little box for the money and will run the new EOS software. YMMV.

Trey in Houston

 

[Sabaki]

I wonder if the 100-400 mkii was developed in tandem with the 7Dii.

I'm just thinking out aloud here as I'm not a technically minded person but would there be boosted performance if this was the case?

I hear that there was collaborative development between the 300 f/2.8 mkii and the TC MKIII and we all know how well they work together.

 

[mb66energy]

I wonder if the 100-400 mkii was developed in tandem with the 7Dii.

I'm just thinking out aloud here as I'm not a technically minded person but would there be boosted performance if this was the case?

I hear that there was collaborative development between the 300 f/2.8 mkii and the TC MKIII and we all know how well they work together.

I think so:
- ergonomics will profit from a co-development between camera and lens: center of gravity can be optimized,
protrusions of lens/camera (flash housing) can be optimized (no collisions etc.)
- lens optics vs. camera hosted sensor including micro lens array
- software in lens and camera might be work better (= faster, more precise, more accurate) together

Im always intrigued how well all my lenses (from 2.8 24mm non-IS non USM 2.8 40mm STM) work together with an EOS 33 and the EOS M with adaptor so there must be a great interface between lens and camera and both, lens and camera provide the necessary information. But codeveloping opens up higher potentials.

Best - Michael

 

[zlatko]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

Here's an example of the Flicker function from a high school football shoot:

This anti-flicker technology is great for sports shooters. It is in fact amazing, a real practical improvement. My goodness, this will surely send the 7D2's DxO score through the roof!!!

Oh wait ... never mind. ;D

 

[mb66energy]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

Here's an example of the Flicker function from a high school football shoot:

This anti-flicker technology is great for sports shooters. It is in fact amazing, a real practical improvement. My goodness, this will surely send the 7D2's DxO score through the roof!!!

Oh wait ... never mind. ;D

I think, the score of 70 published by DxOmark is not through the roof (o.k., it depends on the roof height ...) - just 4 more than the first iteration 5 years ago.
But after looking at the images, the specs and - thanks to all here - the first incoming user based reviews I think this camera will rule for those who need a fast versatile camera (which is at least for me compatible with my lenses).

EDIT: Some haven't perhaps read the corresponding article so FYI:
http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-7D-Mk-II-review-Low-ISO-performance-lags-behind-rivals

 

[fragilesi]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

Here's an example of the Flicker function from a high school football shoot:

This anti-flicker technology is great for sports shooters. It is in fact amazing, a real practical improvement. My goodness, this will surely send the 7D2's DxO score through the roof!!!

Oh wait ... never mind. ;D

At the end of the day the mark of a "better" camera is one that makes things easier for the shooter and improves his "keeper" rate or improves the quality of important shots or indeed increases the amount of situations in which he or she can obtain "usable" images. There's a myriad ways to do that, extended DR being one of course, these new and improved features another, weather sealing and so on.

This camera, through genuine innovation and all-round improvements sounds like it is going to deliver that. It's a real poke in the eye for some of those decrying Canon recently. Especially in its target genres where capturing the moment and an exciting or interesting image tend to be the target rather than technical perfection.

On the flicker function, would love to hear from some concert shooters as to whether they feel it helps in a concert lighting situation. I'm guessing not so much but maybe . . .

 

[Sabaki]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

Here's an example of the Flicker function from a high school football shoot:

This anti-flicker technology is great for sports shooters. It is in fact amazing, a real practical improvement. My goodness, this will surely send the 7D2's DxO score through the roof!!!

Oh wait ... never mind. ;D

I think, the score of 70 published by DxOmark is not through the roof (o.k., it depends on the roof height ...) - just 4 more than the first iteration 5 years ago.
But after looking at the images, the specs and - thanks to all here - the first incoming user based reviews I think this camera will rule for those who need a fast versatile camera (which is at least for me compatible with my lenses).

EDIT: Some haven't perhaps read the corresponding article so FYI:
http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-7D-Mk-II-review-Low-ISO-performance-lags-behind-rivals

So if you pledge allegiance to DxO, the 7Dii is merely average...

 

[zlatko]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

Here's an example of the Flicker function from a high school football shoot:

This anti-flicker technology is great for sports shooters. It is in fact amazing, a real practical improvement. My goodness, this will surely send the 7D2's DxO score through the roof!!!

Oh wait ... never mind. ;D

At the end of the day the mark of a "better" camera is one that makes things easier for the shooter and improves his "keeper" rate or improves the quality of important shots or indeed increases the amount of situations in which he or she can obtain "usable" images. There's a myriad ways to do that, extended DR being one of course, these new and improved features another, weather sealing and so on.

This camera, through genuine innovation and all-round improvements sounds like it is going to deliver that. It's a real poke in the eye for some of those decrying Canon recently. Especially in its target genres where capturing the moment and an exciting or interesting image tend to be the target rather than technical perfection.

On the flicker function, would love to hear from some concert shooters as to whether they feel it helps in a concert lighting situation. I'm guessing not so much but maybe . . .

Agreed. I would add that this underscores how DxO offers a rather narrow view of camera scoring.

 

[zlatko]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

Here's an example of the Flicker function from a high school football shoot:

This anti-flicker technology is great for sports shooters. It is in fact amazing, a real practical improvement. My goodness, this will surely send the 7D2's DxO score through the roof!!!

Oh wait ... never mind. ;D

I think, the score of 70 published by DxOmark is not through the roof (o.k., it depends on the roof height ...) - just 4 more than the first iteration 5 years ago.
But after looking at the images, the specs and - thanks to all here - the first incoming user based reviews I think this camera will rule for those who need a fast versatile camera (which is at least for me compatible with my lenses).

EDIT: Some haven't perhaps read the corresponding article so FYI:
http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-7D-Mk-II-review-Low-ISO-performance-lags-behind-rivals

So if you pledge allegiance to DxO, the 7Dii is merely average...

If you go by the title of that DxO article, the 7D2 basically sucks. Never mind the sports shooter ... low ISO DR is what matters.

 

[jpmagero]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

This is one of the features that I'm most interested in. Does it seem to affect the shooting speed? In other words, is the camera timing the lights before taking the shot or does it provide a sort of auto exposure/white balance?

Kathleen

I did not notice any real world impact to speed when shooting.

I understand that the camera detects the flicker frequency and then times the shots to avoid the flicker. Some of the shots with flicker show a "band" of sorts and what couldn't be eliminated with a simple color correction (would have to be localized correction throughout the image). This means, I suppose, that there may be a minuscule lag for the first shot, but I would think it would never be detectable as the frequency would be much higher that the 10 fps.

My non-scientific take on it, anyways .

 

[2n10]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing .... But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

Here's an example of the Flicker function from a high school football shoot:

This anti-flicker technology is great for sports shooters. It is in fact amazing, a real practical improvement. My goodness, this will surely send the 7D2's DxO score through the roof!!!

Oh wait ... never mind. ;D

I think, the score of 70 published by DxOmark is not through the roof (o.k., it depends on the roof height ...) - just 4 more than the first iteration 5 years ago.
But after looking at the images, the specs and - thanks to all here - the first incoming user based reviews I think this camera will rule for those who need a fast versatile camera (which is at least for me compatible with my lenses).

EDIT: Some haven't perhaps read the corresponding article so FYI:
http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-7D-Mk-II-review-Low-ISO-performance-lags-behind-rivals

So if you pledge allegiance to DxO, the 7Dii is merely average...

If you go by the title of that DxO article, the 7D2 basically sucks. Never mind the sports shooter ... low ISO DR is what matters.

Well yeah, that is all that matters to a techie, ego driven non-shooter. I mean how many of those DRones do we see posted shots from?

 

[Smitty Of One]

Here is my post earlier....

"I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing. Out of about 1000 pics I had 3, yes 3 that were off. I will link examples later. But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D."

Here are two screen shots like JP's, except I didn't label which one was from the 7D and which one from the 7D2 with Super Dupper Anti-Flicker Stuff turned on. I just can't say enough how amazing this is. The only real downside is that it does slow down the FPS, but maybe only down to 7-8 fps? And there is a 'difference' in shutter lag. It's not always the same (I think), and is minimal, but when you are used to zero lag even a .0001 feels long in sports.

As far as ISO goes, IMO the 16000, is better than the 7D at 6400. Also the noise as mentioned elsewhere is different, almost finer instead of blocky. I used Nik Define on occasion and it cleans it up way better then the 7D noise.

On a downside I had 4-5 CF card errors that prevented me from shooting, I had to take the CF out then reinsert. After the 4th time I reverted to the backup SD card. Thank god for the backup, never had a card error in my life before this.

In defense of the camera it may have been the card, it was a brand new UDMA 7 32gb card, I only formatted it in camera prior to use. I will try a low level format and check again before I revert to my older CF cards.

 

[Jim in Phx]

Finally picked up my 7DII yesterday from our local photo store that I've been doing business with for probably 30 years. Traded in my 70D, and spent most of the day learning all the options with this camera.
I'm very impressed by the build quality, and was glad to read that someone who had torn his apart already thought it was the best weatherproofed camera he had ever seen.
Still learning, so I had a question on the dual cards. Can I set it up to record movies to the CF card and stills to the SD, or visa versa? Needless to say the manual isn't very explicit.
Thanks
Jim

 

[dhr90]

I'd be interested to see how it performs at airshows, and planes in general. The mk1 suffered badly, even at very low ISO at times in my experience from it this year, so if that has improved a lot I'd going to have to ban myself from the local camera shops... ;D

 

[Arnoldvb]

Although I don't have a mark 2 ( yet ), I think this link might be interesting to those thinking about buying one.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/canon-7d-mark-ii-1264977/review#articleContent

 

[RustyTheGeek]

I just shot my first soccer game under stadium lights. All I have to say is Holy Sh*T that Flicker function is amazing. Out of about 1000 pics I had 3, yes 3 that were off. I will link examples later. But with the Flicker function and the high ISO I know I chose an awesome upgrade from the 7D.

That's great news to hear Smitty! If mine doesn't sell before the next swim meet (with really bad lights) I will be putting that Flea Flicker function to a serious test!

 

[RustyTheGeek]

On a downside I had 4-5 CF card errors that prevented me from shooting, I had to take the CF out then reinsert. After the 4th time I reverted to the backup SD card. Thank god for the backup, never had a card error in my life before this.

In defense of the camera it may have been the card, it was a brand new UDMA 7 32gb card, I only formatted it in camera prior to use. I will try a low level format and check again before I revert to my older CF cards.

Hey Smitty, in regard to your card problem, I'm not going to distract the thread by beginning a card debate but try these sites for software you can use to truly test the card you are using for bad chip sectors. (Long Formats help but they don't give you much feedback.) The card you are using may have an error emerging if it's old or it may be a counterfeit card if you just bought it and it's not performing as expected. I run this software overnight on every new card I receive and occasionally if I suspect errors are cropping up.

http://sosfakeflash.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/h2testw-14-gold-standard-in-detecting-usb-counterfeit-drives/
http://www.vconsole.com/client/?page=page&id=13

Let us know what you find. Good luck!!

Rusty

 

[Smitty Of One]

Rusty, Excellent advice will do when I can. Like you said I also do not want this to be about the 7D2, it was a brand new card. I did contact the supplier, and they offered to ship me a new one of the next higher level for free.

In reality it does not even matter, if the CF card slot was broken on the new 7D2 it would be fixed via firmware eventually, even if it wasn't I would never give this camera back or speak poorly of it. It is impossible to fill up the buffer in JPEG mode, it just can't be done via CF, and SD performance buffer is beyond anything I will every be able to meet unless I want to shoot a 20mp movie at 10 fps.

It has fixed my main two issues in sports photo life, stadium flicker and awesome high ISO performance.

They can pull my 7D2 out of my dead left hand and my Glock 22 out of my right.

 

[RustyTheGeek]

Love it Smitty!

So glad you're a happy camper. A wide spread home run on a new camera model is great for everyone whether they own it or not. So far it seems like Canon has a hit with this one. Big relief!