JohnR84740
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Picked up a 7 D the other day, and have made a few Notes & Observations comparing 7d to 50d
General Ergonomics
WOW! The camera feels substantial and comfortable in the hand. True, it’s not a 1 series, but for the price, it seems pretty stable.
The top buttons and dial, back wheel, mode dial are considerably more substantial, and easier to use. The protective surround on the live view/movie button prevents accidental activation. Thank God they got rid of the silver mode dial and added real functionality to the direct print button.
Changing location of the buttons is no big deal, but requires re-learning button positions.
Viewfinder is brighter, and the grid is a wonderful addition, even the eyepiece is improved.
Even if you know your way around a 50D blindfolded, spend some time with the manual.
Focus
- Using spot focus (AI Servo) on static subject at 6400, 2.8, 200 excellent detail & perfect focus, good OOF background. 50d seems to back focus slightly in this comparison (tea kettle below).
- Vehicles moving toward me at 50 mph track easily (ambient @ 1600, 5.6, 500) using center point, spot, or expanded, though best at center point, and maintains the burst rate. MUCH better than the xxD series and worth the upgrade in itself.
- Overall, the focus feels quick using a 24-105, 70-200 2.8 or 100-400; can’t wait for basketball season!
- Macro – 2500, 2.8, 125 100mm @ 1ft -- In all fairness to Canon, I have never shot a close up in these conditions, let alone with AF. Still, focus was reasonably quick and precise shooting a lens cap under available light living room conditions.
Noise – Black tea kettle on white stove, some overcast window light. AV mode w/no comp then bumped up .5 in LR. Focus on spout lid.
• ISO 6400 – 2.8, 200, 200 mm
o BEFORE PROCESSING - Shadow chroma noise is much better controlled on the 7d, but mid-tone/highlight noise is more visible. Black is deeper. There appears to be more green in the highlights. Gold color detail in BG is better rendered, and the overall picture appears brighter and more pleasant. (though window light may have changed)
o AFTER PROCESSING in LIGHTROOM (with beta profile) – Where the 50d shows traces of banding in the shadows, the 7d is clean, though very fine grain is there. CA is much cleaner in the 7d – and I thought this was lens dependent?
• ISO 100 – 2.8, .5 sec 200mm –
o BEFORE PROCESSING - If you look for it, you can find fine grained noise in the shadows. But overall, both are very clean. The blacks in the 50d have a magenta tinge to them. Highlight CA apparent in both. Both are equally pleasing to the eye, though I would give a slight edge to the 7d for its rendering of the gold band.
o AFTER PROCESSING in LIGHTROOM (with beta profile) – The few extra photosites in the 7d give the image an obvious advantage in the amount of detail that is rendered. Both images come out very clean and can easily be tweaked for noise and sharpening. The more mature 50d profile and 8 minute time difference account for the differences in the rendering, which I find more pleasing in the 50d file.
Canon’s software remains clunky, but does the best job at rendering RAW images. Hopefully ACR update is coming soon.
Now to get out and use the thing!
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