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 p.1 #1 · Comparing my 7D to MKIII+BIFpics | |
If you are really interested in the 7D, PLEASE read this whole post. A few people have added some very good comments. Skip the rest.
My BIF photos are on the third page.
Just some thought here for those who can't decide between the 7D, MKIII or MKIV.
When my MKIII focuses correctly it can't be beat. I love the color, the dreamy sharpness and every option it has. But it has always had problems with consistent focus in BIFs. Especially targets fairly far. That issue doesn't plague everyone, but mostly sports and wildlife shooters. It's a known issue. So of course I was interested in the 7D, its excellent focus, 18mpxl photos, and making all my lenses longer.
I tried a friends 7D and was impressed enough to buy one, knowing I'm not going to pay a chunk of $5000 for a camera now until it's fully tested and proven.
Back to the 7D:
Is the ISO that much better on the MKIII?
Yes. What I can shoot at ISO 1000 on the MKIII is about the same as ISO400 on the 7D. I find I use Neat Image much more often with the 7D, yes, even at 400.
Neat Image does a fine job though. Without it, I'd have to say I was disappointed in the 7D ISO....but I am spoiled in that respect by the MKIII, so hard to judge.
Does the 7D really focus better than the MKIII?
More consistantly, yes. I forgot what it was like to come home without my fingers crossed. The photos don't beat out the MKIII in sharpness though, when compared to a proper focused MKIII photo. They are larger files so at first you think it is soft. But it's quite capable of sharpness. These photos are jpgs. not raw files.
this one a tad overexposed, but you can see the detail really well. I slightly sharpened this, used neat image because it was already sharp. :f5.6 ISO400 1/800, +2/3. taken with my 500mm lens hand held.
I would have been disappointed if Neat Image didn't do such a good job on these Waxwings, f4, 1/1600, ISO400 [again, spoiled by the MKIII, but pleased with the 7D results, color a tad less vivid, easily fixed]
Does the 7D smaller focus point setting help?
Yes it does on smaller targets. I remember the first day I had my MKIII I couldn't even get it to auto focus on a spider in a web. I learned to use manual focus more often.[my 20D always did fine, so there was an issue]. But canon has fixed that by giving us a small focal area for threading leaves, trees, etc. It works well and the focus snaps in fairly fast on quick flight shots. I really noticed that difference. It still can jump focus on color changes though. The only problem being that a fast target can get by you fairly fast with such a small focus point area. [I will have to train myself to shift to larger focus area when guessing what I will be dealing with for most shots.]
Does the 18mpxl crop factor help much for birding?
Yes, it does. I can crop BIFs and get a larger, or higher density pixel print. It does leave you more room to make cropping decisions. You can crop away and still get a decent print. And In essence it does make your lens longer because of that, and also the 1.6 sensor gives me a little more length on my lenses.
What I have decided to do is use the 7D mostly with my 300f4 for more length, and my MKIII on my 500mm for now. When I need more distance and in situations where focus is the big issue for a lifer BIFshot, I may switch to the 7D. In low light and landscape I will use the MKIII. A great set up!
Am I sorry I did not wait for the MKIV and sell my MKIII?
Occasionally, but the votes still out on that. Big difference in price, and the 7D, so far has been outstanding, although I might have a slight back focus, so luckliy I live near Canon, and am not worried about it at all.
BTW, I love the onboard flash. Its nice to have a flash handy, and indoors I had a quick family birthday party to try it out. Its fairly powerful. I missed that on my MKIII. If you aren't sure, try to rent one for a few days, most stores will give you half the rental cost back if you purchse one after.
f8, ISO 320, 1/250sec, auto white balance...all night long...
Edited on Dec 15, 2009 at 08:59 AM · View previous versions
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