Repair or replace 7D

[awinphoto]

My 7D had something just like that happen to mine... same description, however when i sent my camera in, they tied it with the board that deals with the USB board saying that board was fried and caused my shorting out... even with my CPS discount, they quoted me nearly $600... You can call me an early adopter, but i bought that camera within the first month of it's release and it's given me many years of loyal work, but it's aging and not getting any younger. If it was my primary body or i really intended to use it for several years to come, i would have OK'd the replacement... BUT, alas, I said thanks but no thanks to the repair and letting it retire with dignity...

 

[dgatwood]

Considering that you can buy a brand new 7D (grey-market) for under a grand, a $600 repair bill is rather obscene.

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=CNEOS7D&id=CNEOS7D&l=PLA&gclid=CNn2k_-evbwCFYeEfgodYRUAag

I think if I were in your position, I'd disassemble it and sell all the working parts on eBay to other people that Canon wants to overcharge for repairs, then buy a new camera....

 

[jdramirez]

Considering that you can buy a brand new 7D (grey-market) for under a grand, a $600 repair bill is rather obscene.

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=CNEOS7D&id=CNEOS7D&l=PLA&gclid=CNn2k_-evbwCFYeEfgodYRUAag

I think if I were in your position, I'd disassemble it and sell all the working parts on eBay to other people that Canon wants to overcharge for repairs, then buy a new camera....

That's true... maybe you can get more than the $200 you would get making the repair and selling it.

 

[dgatwood]

Used 7Ds on eBay are only going for about $700 ± $20. So you'd be lucky to get $100 out of it if you repaired it and sold it. It shouldn't be hard to make that much off of parts. The eyecup and neck strap ought to get you almost a third of the way there by themselves.

As an added bonus, by parting it out on eBay, you're helping break Canon's parts monopoly, which can only be a good thing for everybody (including, ironically, Canon).

 

[Zv]

Don't waste money on expensive repairs. Ditch it and go for a 70D. You'll be getting an updated camera with similar features and only slightly lower fps. Also the touchscreen and liveview focusing will benefit your macro work. The 7D is a great camera but lets face it, it's getting old now.

Sell the 7D for parts on ebay. Also see if Canon will take it off your hands.

 

[Halfrack]

Based on the OP's profile saying he's in India, eBay/Abes/Amazon may not really be options, and we don't know what the local used market is like. The tropical locations getting wet is a concern, things like the M aren't gonna do well - there isn't a seal on the EF-M/EF adapter.

 

[Marsu42]

Also the touchscreen and liveview focusing will benefit your macro work.

Nice features, but imho not useful for macro. For non-handheld macro, you're much better of with manual focus & Magic Lantern's focus peaking (and stacking of course). The dof is so thin that tipping the touchscreen with your finger will hardly do the trick, and this is the one situation where speed doesn't matter so the faster lv focusing doesn't help much.

 

[Zv]

Also the touchscreen and liveview focusing will benefit your macro work.

Nice features, but imho not useful for macro. For non-handheld macro, you're much better of with manual focus & Magic Lantern's focus peaking (and stacking of course). The dof is so thin that tipping the touchscreen with your finger will hardly do the trick, and this is the one situation where speed doesn't matter so the faster lv focusing doesn't help much.

Sorry, where did the OP mention handheld macro shooting? I was under the impression that it would have been using a tripod. I'm sure the OP does at least some tripod work so in those cases the flippy up screen, wifi and touchscreen could all benefit him.

And the OP also mentioned he wanted a higher fps camera, for whatever reason. That was my reasoning behind a 70D. Otherwise yeah I think any crop sensor camera would work.

But then again, he lives in a humid or tropical environment and needs the weathersealing. A rebel isn't going to cut it. And after owning a 7D, trust me you do not wanna go back to a rebel!

OP could get a refurbished 7D but I don't know if thats an option.

 

[Marsu42]

Sorry, where did the OP mention handheld macro shooting? I was under the impression that it would have been using a tripod. I'm sure the OP does at least some tripod work so in those cases the flippy up screen, wifi and touchscreen could all benefit him.

+1 for the swivel screen, it's invaluable for tripod work and a reason for 60d/70d over 7d. As for wifi, well, imo it's just a crutch for the missing swivel screen on 6d (wifi remote), but ymmv. -1 for the touchscreen, again, I'm positive focus peaking and manual focus is much more precise and quicker than touchscreen af when on tripod.

 

[knkedlaya]

I use tripod heavily for my work. Hand holding only when tripod is not an option. Spareparts business as far as I know never heard of here. The seconds market is around 700$ for 7D.
Many times I felt the need of swivel screen, definitely going to to be a big plus. Few times I felt the need of touch screen as well - especially when I keep the camera on the ground and I have to view the image on live view, pressing the buttons or the wheels, feels bit awkward. Looks like 70D has most of what I need, need to visit showroom and check how it feels in my hands.

Naveena

 

[jeffa4444]

The Canon 6d may not have the sophisticated AF system of the 7d (I have both) but the picture quality from its Sensor & Digic 5+ processor is far superior.
In low light the 6d excels and Ive yet to encounter any real world problems with the 11 point AF system (the 7d having 19 which are all cross type whereas the 6d only has a centre cross type)

Im sure Canon will replace the 7d in 2014 and at this stage no one knows its specification but if it were me I would not bother repairing the camera if its expensive.