Should I get 7D now or wait for MKII?

[swampler]

Hey guys! I'm new to this forum and new to Photography. I've always loved taking pictures of landscape,cars,people, and just random stuff. Lol So I decided that it's time for me to grab a decent DSLR.

I'm completely new to DSLR's and photography. Still doing a lot of reading and learning on which camera I should go with. Based on the stuff I've read and learned I'm leaning towards getting the 7D. But I'm concerned that when I get the 7D now couple of months later down the road the new rumored 7D MKII comes out.

So my question is should I wait for the 7D MKII (why?) or I should just get the 7D?

There is no guarantee from Canon that there will even be a 7DmkII - nobody really knows. It is also anyone's guess when Canon plans to introduce a new APS-C sensor.

What would interest me is why you particularly want the 7D? If you don't have specific needs to shoot sports or to use the camera in an environment where a sealed body and lenses are needed, you could look at a 60D, which has the same sensor, or even a 650D. I would possibly rather put the difference in price between the 7D and the 60D into a good lens, which will possibly yield a better return than a higher end body.

The reason I want the 7D over the 60D/650D is because of its weather sealing and also its faster. My family travels a lot thats why I want the rigid and weather sealed body of the 7D.

The things I want to take pictures of are landscape, fast moving things (cars going around the track), and just random stuff. lol its mostly going to be cars and landscape.

As far as Lenses go I'm not quite sure of what I need for the stuff I want to shoot. I do plan on upgrading to a 5D later on just not sure when tho.

Then by all means, The 7D is the body for you then as the MK2's AF isn't quite as good. Just pick up a 10-22mm as well. A very good lens.

I plan on buying that lens also the 17-55.

or should I be getting L lenses instead? I do plan on upgrading later on on a 5D body but not for the next 2 yrs. or so.

Since you're planning on going full frame so soon, I would minimize the EF-S lenses as they won't work on that FF camera and you'll be buying lenses again at the same time you're buying the FF camera. You pretty much have to go EF-S to get the ultra wide range (10-22), but your other lenses you can make do with EF lenses such as the 24-105 (though 24 isn't very wide on a crop).

 

[briansquibb]

You pretty much have to go EF-S to get the ultra wide range (10-22), but your other lenses you can make do with EF lenses such as the 24-105 (though 24 isn't very wide on a crop).

For ff there is:

14mm
16-35

Plus of course the 8-15 fisheye.

AF-C has no advantage over ff for ultra wide lens

 

[swampler]

You pretty much have to go EF-S to get the ultra wide range (10-22), but your other lenses you can make do with EF lenses such as the 24-105 (though 24 isn't very wide on a crop).

For ff there is:

14mm
16-35

Plus of course the 8-15 fisheye.

AF-C has no advantage over ff for ultra wide lens

What I meant was, for him to have ultra wide on the 7D, he would need an EF-S lens. Of course, once he gets a FF camera, he'll have to replace that lens. In other words, the 14 and 16-35 are not ultrawide on the 7D because of the loss of the FOV.

 

[briansquibb]

8) 8) 8)

 

[Edwin Herdman]

I do plan on upgrading later on on a 5D body but not for the next 2 yrs. or so.

Start in the right place then.

For what it's worth, I do a bit of landscapes, and don't feel the need for ultra-wide lenses (my widest is a 17mm lens which comes out to somewhere around the same field of view as a 24mm lens on full frame). There's nothing wrong with buying full frame lenses for a crop, as long as they are relatively newer or well-respected models. The APS-C crop factor is a help with reach. I'm three years into shooting and all of my lenses are full-frame compatible, but I won't switch mainly because the wider FOV would throw me for a loop (considerably less pixel density too).

The 7D is fine for landscapes, since you'll want to shoot at ISO 200 at most in most landscapes.

By the time two years have passed, we ought to be closer to a 7D replacement or a cheap full frame camera (possibly both will have been released by that time) and low-light performance closer to the new full frame cameras (cleaner images at higher ISOs will be very welcome).

 

[VASH1291]

Hey guys! I'm new to this forum and new to Photography. I've always loved taking pictures of landscape,cars,people, and just random stuff. Lol So I decided that it's time for me to grab a decent DSLR.

I'm completely new to DSLR's and photography. Still doing a lot of reading and learning on which camera I should go with. Based on the stuff I've read and learned I'm leaning towards getting the 7D. But I'm concerned that when I get the 7D now couple of months later down the road the new rumored 7D MKII comes out.

So my question is should I wait for the 7D MKII (why?) or I should just get the 7D?

There is no guarantee from Canon that there will even be a 7DmkII - nobody really knows. It is also anyone's guess when Canon plans to introduce a new APS-C sensor.

What would interest me is why you particularly want the 7D? If you don't have specific needs to shoot sports or to use the camera in an environment where a sealed body and lenses are needed, you could look at a 60D, which has the same sensor, or even a 650D. I would possibly rather put the difference in price between the 7D and the 60D into a good lens, which will possibly yield a better return than a higher end body.

The reason I want the 7D over the 60D/650D is because of its weather sealing and also its faster. My family travels a lot thats why I want the rigid and weather sealed body of the 7D.

The things I want to take pictures of are landscape, fast moving things (cars going around the track), and just random stuff. lol its mostly going to be cars and landscape.

As far as Lenses go I'm not quite sure of what I need for the stuff I want to shoot. I do plan on upgrading to a 5D later on just not sure when tho.

Just keep in mind that for the weather sealing to work effectively you also need weather sealed lenses or water could leak into the mirror box.

 

[Edwin Herdman]

The weather sealing will keep the camera controls dry, and that's probably most important. For the camera mount, the prism box overhang should shield that a bit as well. If you need more, you can always put together a bag over the lens. Wear a wide-brimmed hat if you're still unsure. Unless you really require absolute reliability and seek to either shoot in rain or keep shooting when it rains, I wouldn't call it a big deal.

 

[canon816]

Hey guys! I'm new to this forum and new to Photography. I've always loved taking pictures of landscape,cars,people, and just random stuff. Lol So I decided that it's time for me to grab a decent DSLR.

I'm completely new to DSLR's and photography. Still doing a lot of reading and learning on which camera I should go with. Based on the stuff I've read and learned I'm leaning towards getting the 7D. But I'm concerned that when I get the 7D now couple of months later down the road the new rumored 7D MKII comes out.

So my question is should I wait for the 7D MKII (why?) or I should just get the 7D?

Good grief.... Go buy a camera and make some images. Or better yet.... I heard the 7D Mark III will be out in 5-6 years... maybe wait for that??

Sorry. Don't mean to be rude but this thread seems to get started once a week. Everyone gets too fixated on whats going to come out. So if the 7DII comes out in a year does that render the 7D obsolete? Are the 40D and 50D no longer good cameras? Will my Rebel XSI no longer take images worth keeping now that there have been several generations of rebel since 2008?

My advice to you: Go buy a decent camera (7D is great) and use your spare funds to buy some lenses and go explore the world of dSLR photography. And have tons and tons of fun doing it! Best of luck with whatever setup you decide on. Enjoy!

 

[tphillips63]

My suggestion is get the 7D now with a used 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. They are available for a great price on the used market, even though a lot are like new because of kit bundles.

Then use it as much as you can and figure out what you would like to shoot that you cannot with that combination.

You'll need or want a strobe(s) and memory card(s), maybe an extra battery on hand, case, tripod, filters, grip, etc., so the price beyond 'just' the body and lens can get quite high.

 

[briansquibb]

Sorry. Don't mean to be rude but this thread seems to get started once a week. Everyone gets too fixated on whats going to come out. So if the 7DII comes out in a year does that render the 7D obsolete? Are the 40D and 50D no longer good cameras? Will my Rebel XSI no longer take images worth keeping now that there have been several generations of rebel since 2008?

Totally agree - I have a collection of old DSLRs - and without exception all give good pictures. Not bad when the oldest is 2001.

The real killers are the 2004 5D and 1DS2 - still deliver IQ to compete with the current models. They not have the bells and whistles or high iso, but for their cost you get a capable camera

 

[candyman]

The 7D is a good camera. I use it for sports and landscape icw 70-300mm L (weather sealed) You can add the Tokina 11-16mm for landscape or the Canon 10-22mm
And, for portraits - for the start - buy the 50 f/1.8


The 70-300L is the most expensive out of those 3. But, will keep you going once you move to FF
The Tokina and the Canon have good market value and you can sell them for a good price once you move to FF


The 50 f/1.8 works on FF but for about 250 dollar more (you might save some money in the meantime) you can buy the Canon 50mm f/1.4 or spent a little more and buy the Sigma 50mm f/1.4

 

[robbymack]

get the camera/lens that fits your need and budget today and don't worry about a future "what if". Since you are going to have an APS C go ahead and take advantage of the lower prices on EFS lenses vs L, both the 10-22 and 17-55 2.8 are great choices. Both will hold their value very well so if you happen to go FF in a few years you can sell them for what essentially amounts to a long term rental fee. Personally I have held onto my 17-55 because it's just that good and when paired with a t3i it is a great lightweight travel option and full time camera for my better half.

 

[bdunbar79]

get the camera/lens that fits your need and budget today and don't worry about a future "what if". Since you are going to have an APS C go ahead and take advantage of the lower prices on EFS lenses vs L, both the 10-22 and 17-55 2.8 are great choices. Both will hold their value very well so if you happen to go FF in a few years you can sell them for what essentially amounts to a long term rental fee. Personally I have held onto my 17-55 because it's just that good and when paired with a t3i it is a great lightweight travel option and full time camera for my better half.

When I had a 7D, that 60mm EF-S lens was SHARP! Yes I agree, buy now for what you need then sell. That does not mean buy all cheaper EF-S lenses. I would personally get the 10-22 and then when I went FF, keep the APS-C camera as backup if you can afford it. If not, sell the camera and the lens for a good percentage of original price if you take care of it.

 

[GEEo]

Thanks for all the great advice guys!! much appreciated!!

I don't think I'm gonna wait for the 7D MKII anymore. lol

Gonna be picking up the 7D in a week or so. ;D

really looking forward getting into Photography!

 

[Trovador]

7D is great! go for it no questions asked. New firmaware coming out in a month adds even more functionality. As others suggested I would highly recommend getting the 10-22, it's the lens I use most of the time. Since you're planning to eventualy go FF, try to get EF lenses so you don't have to sell a lot of lenses later on, just the 10-22 which is EF-S. Good luck.

 

[risc32]

personally i think that recent large firmware update is the 7dmk2.

 

[SteenerMe]

7D is a great camera. 10-22 yes. 17-55 no. Its a dust magnet and poorly sealed. Pics are nice though. With that wide angle a better choice would be the 24-105L. Much wider range. Sealed. Pro. And cheaper. And when you go FF its perfect.

 

[canon816]

Thanks for all the great advice guys!! much appreciated!!

I don't think I'm gonna wait for the 7D MKII anymore. lol

Gonna be picking up the 7D in a week or so. ;D

really looking forward getting into Photography!

Congratulations!!!

 

[pj1974]

My recommendation is for you to get a Canon 7D. I have the Canon 7D for a few years now, and I love the camera. It's a powerful, flexible tool- capable of capturing a variety of quality photos. I upgraded from a Canon 350D (my first DSLR). 8)

The Canon 7D is certainly a much superior camera than any 'Rebel' / beginner or entry level camera. I also find the 7D more intuitive and powerful enough to still be a great 'current buy' (eg liveview, powerful AF, frame rate, etc).

It's a great handling camera. Sure, pixel peeping will show it hasn't got the lowest ISO of any camera, but really - for most photography, it's still good and very capable of superb photos. The upcoming firmware will add some functionality too.

While some people say "you need a full frame (FF) camera to capture high quality images" - this is absolutely not true. Many current APS-C cameras have quality that is far beyond what the people who own them can get out of them. I will not argue that the latest FF cameras have superior image quality... but the difference is often very hard to perceive at normal viewing levels. And yes, I've used a Canon 5DmkIII... to compare make this statement. :

My lenses (wide to tele):
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 HSM EX
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM
Canon EF 70-300mm L f/4-5.6 IS USM

The only lens that I feel like I'm still 'waiting for' is a new Canon EF 50mm USM fast prime. I previously had the Canon 50mm f/1.8, but the bokeh or focussing was not up to my standards. I previously had a good copy of the Canon 28-135mm which had decent image quality. But I sold this when I bought the Canon 15-85mm, as the 15-85mm is much more suited to an APS-C (1.6x crop) DSLR, providing a 35mm focal length equivalent 24mm - 135mm. Additionally the Canon 15-85 has superior overall image quality, and is my main 'go to lens'.

A few other considerations for my recommendation for you to start with an APS-C camera, and consider lenses like I have above.
1) the fact that APS-C cameras often get better corner to corner sharpness of many lenses (I like this... it almost means that getting the same sharpness corner to corner requires less expensive lenses, or more flexible lens options).
2) I obtain 'greater reach' at the tele-end, (ok, due to higher pixel density on the 7D than any FF camera) - particularly on my 70-300mm L (which gets me to a 480mm equivalent!)

Other accessories I have and use frequently, which you might like to consider:
Lowepro shoulder bag (for camera and 2 lenses)
Lowepro backpack (holding 1 DSLR and all my lenses)
a sturdy, portable Manfrotto tripod
Nissin DI866mkII flash (compatible with Canon 7D, half price of Canon's 580EXII)
Hahnel wireless remote (also functions as an intervalmeter)

I hope this helps. For sure, if you feel that you NEED to go full frame in the future, then do (if you can justify / afford the expense of course). But... I know many people who own APS-C cameras with good lenses (good glass is the most important) - and obtain great photos.

Regards

Paul

 

[Otter]

I would say definitely get it now. There hasn't even been any solid rumors about a 7D MKII, so you won't be seeing that camera anytime soon. Get a lightly used 7D, shoot the heck out of it now and when of if the mkII comes out, sell it and take a small loss, if any. The 5d MKIII didn't affect the MKII used sales like everyone thought they would, that would probably hold true for the 7D as well.