I plan to sell my 40D this week and replace it with the 7D. My main camera is a 5D, and my 40D has been my back up and action camera, as I photograph dogs. I am enamored by the 7D's additional focus points, especially for the action shots.

From what I've read about the 7D here, it is a significant improvement, though the low light fps issue concerns me a bit...

How about editing software? I use Lightroom and PS, will I have any troubles?

I guess I'm getting last minute cold feet... should I or shouldn't I? Should I wait a few months?

Thanks in advance,

* Lisa

I found the upgrade to 7D from 50D to be well worth it. What made the upgrade worth it for me is the new AF system and 8fps for action. The low light fps seems to be a total non-issue in my photos (and will likely be fixed by firmware).

I use Lightroom, and while both 2.5 and 3-beta have preliminary support for the 7D and will open the files, the camera profile for the 7D is not great yet (colors a bit funky, files a bit noisy). DPP is better at this point. C1 v5 is great with 7D files.

I'm going from 40D to 7D as soon as the gear I'm selling to pay for it is gone.

I'm keeping the 40D as a back up, but for me there's no doubt that the 7D is a great upgrade.

jcbenner wrote:
I found the upgrade to 7D from 50D to be well worth it. What made the upgrade worth it for me is the new AF system and 8fps for action. The low light fps seems to be a total non-issue in my photos (and will likely be fixed by firmware).

I use Lightroom, and while both 2.5 and 3-beta have preliminary support for the 7D and will open the files, the camera profile for the 7D is not great yet (colors a bit funky, files a bit noisy). DPP is better at this point. C1 v5 is great with 7D files.

Thanks for your feedback! I'm glad to hear the fps has been a non-issue for you also...

What are DPP and C1?

keithreeder wrote:
I'm going from 40D to 7D as soon as the gear I'm selling to pay for it is gone.

I'm keeping the 40D as a back up, but for me there's no doubt that the 7D is a great upgrade.


I "wish" I could keep the 40D too, but I can't justify 3 bodies when there are still lenses I want/need!

Princeli wrote:

What are DPP and C1?


DPP is Canon Digital Photo Professional and C1 is Capture 1.

jcbenner wrote:
Princeli wrote:

What are DPP and C1?


DPP is Canon Digital Photo Professional and C1 is Capture 1.



Thanks -- are these the CD's the come w/the camera?

dpp 3.7 comes with it..
even lcd alone should be big upgrade over 40D..

There are so many upgrades it's hard to list them: better resolution, better high iso performance, better AF, better LCD, micro focus, ability to do videos, better battery life, better build quality, my fingers are getting tired typing.

alright, alright, everything I suspected.... THANK YOU for helping me out w/this!

Cheers!

Lisa

Post deleted. Unnecessary rudeness.

Jeff Kingston wrote:
There are so many upgrades it's hard to list them: better resolution, better high iso performance, better AF, better LCD, micro focus, ability to do videos, better battery life, better build quality, my fingers are getting tired typing.

True. The 7D is in a different league from the XXD bodies. The AF alone would've been enough of a reason for me to upgrade and it was a major factor in my decision to do so, but there are so many other improvements I could list that my fingers would be as tired as Jeff's. I moved to the 7D from a 30D and am extremely glad that I did. That's not to demean the 30D in any way; I still think it's an awesome camera that can handle just about any photographic situation and its performance is still pretty impressive in my book, including its higher ISO performance which is outstanding for a processor that's two generations old. But the 7D really is a whole new class of camera for Canon, much more reminiscent of the EOS 3/1v relationship in the film line-up. I think you'd be very impressed with it.

Andy

I don't know what your situation is for lenses, but I would invest in better glass. An expensive lens on a 5D or 40D will produe better quality pictures than a 28-135mm IS on a 1Ds Mark III.

Princeli wrote:
I plan to sell my 40D this week and replace it with the 7D. My main camera is a 5D, and my 40D has been my back up and action camera, as I photograph dogs. I am enamored by the 7D's additional focus points, especially for the action shots.

From what I've read about the 7D here, it is a significant improvement, though the low light fps issue concerns me a bit...


The 7D will does well not only with the extra AF points, but it has proven to me it is more accurate in low light. It won't acquire a target as fast as the 1DmkIII, but the 7D sure does track almost as good for indoor sports that I shoot. The low fps issue I have only bumped into a few times and the work-around is to do an AE lock (* button) and fire a burst when you need to; it is nothing to worry too much about unless you are always at the kind of light requiring iso6400, f2 and 1/125 (and still underexposing).

The AF has quite a few options you don't have in the 40D so you can dial it in based on what you're shooting. I'm gradually moving the 7D into some critical work to see what I can/can't get away with as I like the extra resolution packed in tight for long-reach work. Take some time to study the manual (PDF at Canon site) before it arrives and enjoy.

Lisa,

Here is a straight-forward question for you. Why do you need to upgrade from the 40D to the 7D. What limitations, do you have with the 40D? Yes, the 7D is Feature Rich, no argument here, but what does it do for you, that the 40D or 5D, cannot do? Aside from upgrading the body, which lenses, would fulfill the holes in your line-up. **If your profile list is current, you have the primary Zoom range covered with "The Brick" 24-70 & 70-200/4 IS. Plus, you have the 35L/135L Combination, & the 85/1.8, for low light applications/ shallow DOF.** Which other lenses, do you want/ need? Just curious.

Good Luck, with your decisions.

James

I have a 40D and I'm going to upgrade to a 7D after this is solved.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Rockies Photo wrote:
Lisa,

Here is a straight-forward question for you. Why do you need to upgrade from the 40D to the 7D. What limitations, do you have with the 40D? Yes, the 7D is Feature Rich, no argument here, but what does it do for you, that the 40D or 5D, cannot do? Aside from upgrading the body, which lenses, would fulfill the holes in your line-up. **If your profile list is current, you have the primary Zoom range covered with "The Brick" 24-70 & 70-200/4 IS. Plus, you have the 35L/135L Combination, & the 85/1.8, for low light applications/ shallow DOF.** Which other lenses, do you want/ need? Just curious.

Good Luck, with your decisions.

James

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've sold the 40D and ordered the 7D, and am happy with my decision.

James, my main reason for the upgrade are the extra focus points. I photograph a lot of dogs, and I am hoping this works out better for dogs in motion.

I wasn't looking to purchase a lens right now, as I'm pretty happy with what I have. One day I'd like to get a wide angle lens, the 16 - 35 Mk II, the 85L and a Macro lens, but I am pretty happy with what I have for now and those lenses are more wants than needs!

thanks again everyone!

Rockies Photo wrote:
...but what does it do for you, that the 40D or 5D, cannot do? ...

I think the more appropriate question is what the 7D does better for you compared to the 40D. The answer is, probably everything.

On a side note, it does seem rather peculiar that the OP doesn't know what DPP is.

It just amazes me how simple, direct questions, always have to digress like this. Why can't people keep their personal issues out of discussions? It amazes me. I tried to rise above, and contact the first poster via PM as I, personally, think public bashing is of poor taste and down right mean. However, since this has come up again, I guess I need to "defend" myself.

I have not opened, or used that CD that comes with any of the digital SLR's I've purchased in the last 5 or 6 years because I HAVE NOT HAD TO. I have the complete Adobe suite, and Aperture, and only use Lightroom, Bridge and Photoshop. What is so wrong with that?

Like I said, I've ordered the 7D, I'm happy with my decision, my questions have been answered, thank you to those who have been helpful in this decision.

You need not to defend your PP style to anyone but do note that there is a problem you may encounter: Currently there are no 3rd party SW which support 7D RAW files, only beta. Take a look at the last pages of the 7D mater thread.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.