Imagemaster wrote:
There certainly seem to be a lot of "noise whiners". My criteria for a good photo is what the final image looks like, not what the camera delivers to my computer. Reducing/eliminating noise is such a basic and easy post-processing procedure that it only takes a couple of minutes.
Well Said Tony. Whenever I think noise is a problem I go through some scans or look at negatives. I wonder how many even have a loupe any more.
WmPat wrote:
You can find tons of users who say the 7D focuses flawlessly. Most of them had only used less expensive models prior to getting their 7D.
You can also find many posters who claim their 7D has focus issues. Most of them have used 1D series bodies prior to getting their 7D.
Bottom line: regarding the focusing ability of Canon DSLR bodies - you get what you pay for.
Nice theory but rather flawed.
Over the last few years we have had a number of members sell the 1DMKIV and III to get a 7D and they were happy with the results.
Over the last few years we have had a number of members sell the 7D and get a 1 series and they have been happy.
A lot of people would really take umbrage with the notion that they got what they paid for with the AF on the 1DMKIII.
galenapass wrote:
First, if you are going to discuss noise I don't see any point in presenting downsized shots for the web. In that case everything looks good including my G11 at ISO 1600. I do understand where you are coming from and there is probably no perfect solution but certainly web sized shots really only mask any noise issues. Second, this shot was at ISO 400. I generally can't even shoot at an ISO that low. Third, as I go up in ISO AND need to crop, the noise in 7D files escalates and the files tend to fall apart. It's great that your 7D does everything that you want it to; but, don't presume to have it all figured out for everyone else. Some people have needs and acceptance criteria that may differ from yours. This is an issue for me in the prints that I make and as consequence every time I take a trip to Ecuador (shooting in the cloud forest or jungle) I need to bring something else along like a MKIV or D7000. The locations that I shoot in do not typically have enough light and the 7D is just not the right tool for me. I find the MKIV, D7000 or even the MKIII to be much more croppable at higher ISO settings. ...Show more →
I'm not presuming to have it all figured out. It's my opinion. If you print the picture you posted and it has too much noise at your target print size, then it doesn't work for you. There's no disagreement on that point.
I think for anyone that prints, the sky noise is non existent. It bothered me at first on the screen, but I learned to "fix" it with proper settings and software.
The focus issue is a strange one. A lot of good photographers that have had duds. I searched to find the problems, but finally gave up and starting shooting birds again.
What's interesting though is, I was a beta tester and have the pro version of Focal MA software. The software is awesome, but I find my 7D going over the pre-set limit of 30 shots every time trying to get it dialed in. It will take at least 3 shots at almost every MA point. Now the difference between those points usually isn't enough to make a visual difference to my eye (2 to 3 points), but every once in a while I get a wild one that will be in the 6 - 7 range. My 400 is set at a +6 or 7 and it makes a big difference. So i'm sure in real world shooting I am getting a wild focus every once in a while, but that's a tough one to prove.
I find the 7D a versatile camera. More so than a 1d3 or a 5d-series. In a pinch I can use hdslr or flash command for OCF work. I keep seeing all these threads with posters seemingly trying to "segmentized" cameras. For instance the 5d2 - portrait and landscapes. 7D - sports and birds.
Lately I've decided to deliberately spend sometime getting to know the EOS 7D. Shot a few photos of my daughter.
Lighting via OCF thanks to the built-in flash commander.
I don't know. I think the 7D does portraits just fine if you ask me. How weird, a 7d thread that has people portrait instead of birds.
I have had 2 x 7D, and felt like both of them were inconsistent focusing with my 500L and my 100-400. 400/5.6 was fine. My 5D2 and my T3i were suprisingly good with both lenses (which is weird since T3i has the same sensor but more crappy focusing ).
SO IMO there could be certain lens/body combos that are flaky that lead to some of the grumbling. I know 7D isn't bad with all 500's and obviously 100-400 is great on Tony's 7D.
I never could get my 7D's to have consistent MA results with those lenses, so when the time came to either sell the lenses or the 7D, I let the 7D's go. I miss the handling of the 7D, tho.
Here is an ISO 800 shot from my first 7D taken at an air show. Most of the air shots were not very sharp due to the haze and heat of the day, but ground shots were fine.
This is direct raw to JPG with no post processing (noise sliders dropped to 0), except to show the difference side by side on the 3rd shot where noise cleans up very easily with a tiny Noiseware run, not very aggressive at all.
1) Overall view
2) 100% crop of OOF areas showing the "powdered sugar" noise you might find on the 7D at mid-ISO levels
3) Side by side, with the post removal on the right
veroman wrote:
I'm reading and hearing a ton of stories about serious focus issues with the 7D, most common being inaccuracy; far fewer keepers than even the cheaper Canons. True? Not true? What's the scoop? I was considering getting one.
- Steve
No, I have two copies and the focus is fast and accurate!!
Photos of static subjects taken in bright light don't tell us much about the focusing ability of a DSLR. Try a burst of half a dozen or more shots of a guard dribbling rapidly toward your camera in a dimly lit HS gym where old cycling lights cause extreme variation in light intensity as well as WB and you'll find out what your camera can do. If you try to tell me that your 5D II or your 7D returns as many keepers as a 1D series body..... I have a nice bridge in Brooklyn that is for sale cheap.
I know there are lots of 1d owners that want to pile hate on the 7D because it is so often being used as an alternative to the 1d3/1d4. There are alot of greatness with the 1d4, but the fact of the matter is the 7D will deliver 95% of what a 1d4 can at 30% of the cost to 99% of the photography users just goes to show Canon has done a great job with this compact cropped camera.
To this day, Nikon has nothing to compete against it directly. That little 12mp d300s with a joke of a hdslr feature that everyone seems to have forgotten? Or the consumer grade D7000 that leans on DxOmark for affirmation?
WmPat wrote:
Photos of static subjects taken in bright light don't tell us much about the focusing ability of a DSLR. Try a burst of half a dozen or more shots of a guard dribbling rapidly toward your camera in a dimly lit HS gym where old cycling lights cause extreme variation in light intensity as well as WB and you'll find out what your camera can do. If you try to tell me that your 5D II or your 7D returns as many keepers as a 1D series body..... I have a nice bridge in Brooklyn that is for sale cheap....Show more →
People generally do not buy things that they do not need. If someone with a 7D or a 5D tells you his camera focuses well, he obviously means it focuses well for the situations he uses it in.
Most people don't need to focus on a basketball player rapidly moving towards his or her camera. I don't see how this is evidence that the 7D or 5D series cannot focus.
akin_t wrote:
People generally do not buy things that they do not need. If someone with a 7D or a 5D tells you his camera focuses well, he obviously means it focuses well for the situations he uses it in.
Most people don't need to focus on a basketball player rapidly moving towards his or her camera. I don't see how this is evidence that the 7D or 5D series cannot focus.
Actually, that is the kind of shooting the 7D's specs tell us it was aimed at.
I didn't say that the 7D or 5D cannot focus, or even focus well. What I was trying to say was that in the more trying conditions for AF the 1D series bodies will outperform the less expensive models.
It's not "evidence", just my opinion after having used them.
I have to admit that occasionally I have problem with 7D focusing properly.
The source of the problem is always located 2’’ behind viewfinder
Otherwise I have no problems at all.
