Canon 7D Questions

[jcb]

While this isn't the photography board (I'm cross posting), I know there are several Canon 7D owners who frequent this board. I am considering changing from my nikon system (D200 based) to Canon. I'm considering because Nikon does not yet have a full 1080p video/still camera in the mid-professional range (though rumor is that the D400 will have this capacity). I still have my F1 and DD received my old A1 so I am quite familiar and comfortable with Canon. I switched to Nikon digital because the lenses were backward compatible. That has proven to be irrelevant.

I have watched the B and H videos and if I change it would likely be to 7D (unless an updated version of it is about to come out). My questions are largely about lenses. I am just hoping to get input along the lines of, knowing what you know now, what would you do.

I do a lot of landscape photos. I use a wide angle zoom for this but I don't necessarily need a fast lens. Even so, I'd prefer a 2.8. What configuration or brand would you buy (or avoid).

My need for telephoto is pretty sporadic but i will need a 2.8 mid range telephoto or zoom (200 mm or so) for some wildlife (black bears, mainly, but also whales). Vibration reduction isn't that crucial as I will at lest use a monopod. What lenses do you like?

One reason I got away from Canon is that when the rebel film line came out, the abandoned the older but very good line of manual focus lenses (which I still have, of course). I still have two beautiful Canon lenses, however. I realize they won't be "compatible" but does anyone know whether they will "work."

As to 1080 video, how good is the performance of the 7D? I like the idea of full shutter and lens control. My complaints with 1080p that I have shot have been with the dynamic contrast range.

While I may ultimately wait to see what the Nikon D400 does, I do appreciate any input you can give.

 

[photobob]

I am a professional photographer and a Canon user. The Canon 70-200 2.8L is an excellent choice with the non IS version around $1200 or so? The 200 2.8L is a very sharp lens for about $750. I've heard many good things about the 7D but do not own one, I saw a professional videographer using one shooting the race at Talladega a few months ago. AS far as using Canon FD lenses I seem to remember an attachment you could use to connect them to EOS cameras. Seems like everything had to be done manually and there were significant limitations but I can't tell you what they were. It took a long time for me to move to autofocus because I had a 200mm 1.8L FD lens! I would suggest sticking with Canon lenses, L series if they are in your budget.

 

[k5jm]

Jack, The key to shooting good 1080p video on a DSLR is to make sure you have an IS lens and shoot about F8 or F11 for General shooting. Using a monopod or tripod also helps. I have been very impressed with the quality of the video.

One of the other keys to shooting good video in low light is to not let the ISO go above 1250 otherwise you get a high amount of grain/blocky-spots in your video.

I also record a second Stereo Audio track on a handheld recorder that I can recombine later since the 7d is Mono from the built-in Mic and only has a Auto-Level.

For Wide shooting, I use the Sigma 10-22mm f4 It is also good for Wide Video.
I have put the new EF 8-15mm USM on my wishlist.

There is an FD to EF adapter floating around out there.

Shot at 1080p but down-converted 720p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O49RaDp78Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr1WhwPtclg

@ WDW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utZ-PUba_kY

 

[jcb]

Mike and PhotoBob,

Thanks for the information. I used to be up on all the Canon terminology but that was a long while ago. I didn't know they still made L series lenses. I had a Sigma lens years ago.

One reason I'm considering the move to Canon is that I'm likely going to replace my lenses anyway. I would like to combine two lenses I have - a 17 to 35 and 28 to 70 (both F2.8-4) - into one lens. Any views on good lenses in the 17 to 70 mm range.

I'm glad to hear the 200 2.8 is solid. I'm leaning toward that, but may go for the 70-200 just to have more options.

I'm something of an old school. When I was first buying cameras, zoom lenses were lower to the point of inferior quality. I don't suppose that is really the case any longer.

Thank you both for your thoughts. This helps a good bit.

Oh, and Mike, I love steam trains too, except when you ride them through a tunnel.

 

[k5jm]

Oh, and Mike, I love steam trains too, except when you ride them through a tunnel.

Not too many Train tunnels around here. The closest thing we have to a mountain in a freeway overpass.

 

[jcb]

Not too many Train tunnels around here. The closest thing we have to a mountain in a freeway overpass.

True. That is something I don't miss about Louisiana and Texas.

I'm sorry if that was snobbish. I'm an unabashed mountain snob (musical snob too, but you understand that). I lived in the Louisiana Delta for 21 years and couldn't wait to move back to the mountains.

 

[sbell111]

If you plan on shooting plenty of video, I would recommend the 60d over the 7d. As a bonus, you can put the $400 savings toward lenses.

 

[k5jm]

If you plan on shooting plenty of video, I would recommend the 60d over the 7d. As a bonus, you can put the $400 savings toward lenses.

I am not a big fan of the plastic frame of the 60D. The T2i has the same sensor as the the 7d and only lacks the fast shooting of the 7d. The 60D would make a great back-up body for the 7D, IMHO.

Although, I do like that the 60D does use SDHC media instead of CF cards!!!

 

[jcb]

I am not a big fan of the plastic frame of the 60D. The T2i has the same sensor as the the 7d and only lacks the fast shooting of the 7d. The 60D would make a great back-up body for the 7D, IMHO.

Mike's right, of course. I like the 7d for its more solid construction which I will need. I don't exactly baby my cameras. The fact that it does 1080p video is a plus but I'm not looking for a video camera. I need to replace my D200.

 

[sbell111]

Mike's right, of course. I like the 7d for its more solid construction which I will need. I don't exactly baby my cameras. The fact that it does 1080p video is a plus but I'm not looking for a video camera. I need to replace my D200.

You will note that I only spoke to video. The 60d is simply better than the 7d in this regard due to it's articulated screen and superior audio controls.

Like many others, I am not pleased that they didn't carry over the magnesium body from the previous prosumer models. That being said, the polycarbonite body that Canon uses for the rebels and the 60d is not cheapo plastic. It is going to take all but the most extreme abuse.

 

[k5jm]

You will note that I only spoke to video. The 60d is simply better than the 7d in this regard due to it's articulated screen and superior audio controls.

Like many others, I am not pleased that they didn't carry over the magnesium body from the previous prosumer models. That being said, the polycarbonite body that Canon uses for the rebels and the 60d is not cheapo plastic. It is going to take all but the most extreme abuse.

The articulated screen is nice. I use an external Mic for my 7D and an external audio recorder.