Gear upgrade. Is 7D still worth buying?

[erwinrm]

I'm just a hobbyist, but I was all set to upgrade to a FF camera, so I waited for the 5d mk3. However, the price is out of reach for me. I decided to wait a bit for the 5d mk2 prices to go down a bit, and to jump on a good deal if I see one.

I almost pulled the trigger on a factory refurb, but I got this nasty voice inside my head asking me what the heck I think I was doing. My extended family's into a lot of sports--soccer, track, cycling, skiing, snow boarding, motocross, atv ice racing, uspsa matches...I shoot a lot of these events, plus I like to shoot birds, too. The 5d2's AF isn't suited for these types of events. Plus the FF won't help you if you're already zoomed in all the way, and you're still trying to get some reach.

Then there's this other voice that'll say -- but think about how great it will be in the basement studio. Low light capabilities are amazing, so indoor shooting shouldn't be as problematic.

:-\

I searched the web for 5d2 vs 7d and compared side by side pictures when available. Long story short, the 7d is more suited to most of what I shoot. I also didn't see it's IQ lacking even when compared to the 5d2. The 5d3 would be ideal, but I can't swing that. I still have FF envy, but it doesn't really bug me anymore. In the meantime, I got one of the best cameras available in my hand

http://flic.kr/p/bGMY4p

 

[OldSalt]

I own the 7D and it was through much research and shopping I settled on the 7D as an upgrade from my 450D (XSi).

When I purchased it this past January with the 28-135 kit lens I paid $1052.00 out the door! I bought it at the Navy Exchange (Tax free) and was able to score it on sale then added Canon Rebate which had been ongoing at the time, and added 10% off because I opened the store credit with Zero interest for 12 months and you could not wipe the grin off my face. As a matter of fact the grin is still there!

If I were to compare my 7D to my 450D there would be so much to say about so many areas that are better, but it boils down to this for me.
1. Far better photographic quality no matter what situation I find myself in when compared to my 450D (which I still own) and afterall isn't that really the point?
2. Far more efficient functional access (fewer steps, easier operation).
3. The 100% viewfinder and LED overlay graphics in the viewfinder are great for me.

I would not even consider myself to be an amatuer yet. I take pictures, I enjoy photography and I am learning, (don't ever want to make a dime from it!) but this camera makes me look good, sometimes really good, and I like that. At least in photography the equipment does matter (at least at my level it seems).

For me the biggest contender was the 60D but I am not into video, and it seems to me that the 60D went down in scale to more closely pair up to the "Rebel" series rather than going up towards the Pro series camera's and that is what brought me to the 7D ultimately.

I do have several what I consider "entry level" Canon lens that I play with and I am now trying to decide on the model of my first "L" series lens that should take my photography to a new level (hopefully). I have NO regrets with my purchase and I have bought the BG-E7 battery Grip and already owned a 430EX II flash which may also soon find itself in the company of another one I am also methodically reviewing high quality substantial tripods since the two I own while minimally adequate do seem to be stretched to the limit to properly hold the 7D with BG and Flash with even my 55-250 IS zoom.

Long and Short If you haven't already bought it, hurry up cuz you're mising out!!

 

[Marsu42]

The 100% viewfinder and LED overlay graphics in the viewfinder are great for me.

I'm always puzzled about the 100% viewfinder thing, while being very valid in the analog days, on digital I can simply crop if there is frame I don't want - and I often do anyway to rotate a bit, so there is no additional work involved. Canon uses this as a marketing argument, but I actually like my little-less than 100% viewfinder on my 60d very much because it has saved me many shots very I mindlessly framed too close.

For me the biggest contender was the 60D but I am not into video, and it seems to me that the 60D went down in scale to more closely pair up to the "Rebel" series rather than going up towards the Pro series camera's and that is what brought me to the 7D ultimately. Long and Short If you haven't already bought it, hurry up cuz you're mising out!!

The 60d vs 7d argument is too complex to but it into "video or not", its just very individual if the added features outweigh the increased price & weight and the worse iq (banding) of the 7d in comparison to the newer 18mp models. And the 60d runs magic lantern, which is a killer feature to me. I'd advise anyone too really look into the difference, try how the body feels and then decide on this alone - both are good cameras, so of course users are happy.

 

[OldSalt]

Everyone will be loyal to the gear they own and I understand that but it seems apparent to me that while the 7D offered very capable video technology it tended to offer better still photography features that set it apart from the 60D for me. The awesome AF system and best in class FPS were all contributors for me in making the choice of the 7D over the 60D. Maybe I should have been more specific but what I meant was that the 7D appeared to me to offer greater capability for still photography which is why I was upgrading (XSi/450D was the last Rebel to not offer video) I felt that the fact that the screen articulates on the 60D seemed gimmicky to me rather than of any real practical use (in my case) since I do most of my reviews off camera on a hi-res computer monitor and don't shoot video where it would likely be of greatest use nor did the screen resolution hamper my choice for the same reason.

With regards to the viewfinder comment my thinking was that with awareness that your camera employs a 100% viewfinder which can super impose the two-way level there should be no reason to "mindlessly" frame your subject, but that is probably attributable to me being the less than amateur guy I am!

I read many reviews and opinions on the IQ of both bodies and it seemed to depend on which one you read as to which one seemed to have what always amounted to a "negligible" difference either way. Certainly too small to be considered when not employing "L" class lenses for sure and the low-light advantage remains with the 7D, and for me I need all the help I can get!

The weather resistance advantage that the 7D has over the 60D was also important though admittedly not at purchase, it was only afterward when I was caught in a rain shower at our local botanical gardens while shooting with a buddy that it proved invaluable, since my 7D came through the wetting down flawlessly while my friends 50D did not.

Since my interest remains firmly in the still photography realm "Magic Lantern" is of little interest to me at this time though who’s to say that when it becomes available for the 7D I might give it some thought.

Lastly I couldn't ignore the unbelievable low price I paid for the 7D. It was cheaper than what you can purchase a 60D for today on Amazon.com! (When you include a kit lens as I did with my 7D)