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Archive 2012 · How noisy is your 7D?

  
 
uz2work
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p.18 #1 · How noisy is your 7D?


Liquidstone wrote:
Excellent shot Peter, wish we have that bird species here!

My primary use of the 7D is for maximum reach - long shots, macros or even close shots of small birds. Too bad the AF of yours didn't make you happy.




Likewise. I have no idea where the myth that you need proximity to the subject to do well with the 7D came from. My suspicion is that it is just another example of one of those many things that, when repeated enough times on the internet, becomes engraved in the minds of people. When I use my 7D for distant subjects, which is also my primary use, it does not do worse than any other camera I've used. To the contrary, because of the pixel density, its results are clearly better than what I've gotten from other cameras.

With regard to AF, the 1D Mark III that I used 5 years ago had better AF than the 1D Mark II that I used 8 years ago. Similarly, the 1D Mark IV that I'm using now has better AF than the 1D Mark III did. Further, I'm sure that the 1D Mark IV (and the 1DX, which I have not used) have better AF than does the 7D. Still, with the 1D Mark II, with the 1D Mark III, with the 1D Mark IV, and with the 7D, my in-focus keeper rates are all very high and very, very close to each other. In fact, they are so close that I suspect that any differences would be within the statistical margin of error. The reason for that is because I learned long ago that what is much more important in leading to a high in-focus rate than the differences in any "good" AF systems is my use of solid technique, making sure that I've properly locked in focus, and my ability to keep the selected focus point(s) on the subject. And that is why, in 3 years of using the 7D, I cannot think of a single instance where its AF has compromised my ability to get the shot.

Finally, I know that Romy started this thread with the intention of moving away from the other discussions in which people either provide praise for or bash the 7D. Instead, I think that he wanted to provide a place where people who have gotten good results could help others who haven't gotten good results to learn things that might help them to get better results. And the thread started out well in doing so. I think that it is unfortunate that the 7D critics who have no real interest in improving their ability to get better results from the 7D have, instead of reaching out for and accepting the help that has been offered, felt a need to do the same bashing of the camera that they had done in the threads from which Romy was trying to move away. The way in which they have been able to shift the purpose of the thread has, in effect, killed the thread.

Les



Sep 06, 2012 at 07:27 AM
eskimochaos
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p.18 #2 · How noisy is your 7D?


I sold my 7D due to an unacceptable amount of noise in the blue channel - even at low ISO's. IMO.


Sep 06, 2012 at 07:45 AM
Liquidstone
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p.18 #3 · How noisy is your 7D?


eskimochaos wrote:
I sold my 7D due to an unacceptable amount of noise in the blue channel - even at low ISO's. IMO.



Any sample crop to share?



Sep 06, 2012 at 08:10 AM
Jeff
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p.18 #4 · How noisy is your 7D?


uz2work wrote:
Finally, I know that Romy started this thread with the intention of moving away from the other discussions in which people either provide praise for or bash the 7D. Instead, I think that he wanted to provide a place where people who have gotten good results could help others who haven't gotten good results to learn things that might help them to get better results. And the thread started out well in doing so. I think that it is unfortunate that the 7D critics who have no real interest in improving their ability to get better results from the 7D
...Show more

I don't think there's been much bashing of the 7D in this thread, Les, and I have to disagree with your assignment of blame for the 'killing of the thread'. I think time2climb's tongue-in-cheek summary of the tone of the thread pretty much sums it up:

time2clmb wrote:
So after 16 pages we're all settled and agreed right?

On one side you have people that are either too lazy, don't want to bother, or have not yet bothered to learn how to shoot and expose and properly PP their 7D files. This is the group that does not like the 7D. This group will completely ignore any in your face evidence or advice that has been posted and are ready to nitpick apart photos at the 100% crop level regardless of how good they are at the image level.

On the other side you have the people that are learning
...Show more

The 7D most certainly has its place in Canon's lineup. I wasn't bothered by the 7D's high ISO noise performance, I was bothered by noise performance at base ISO (below 800), which started to affect print quality above 12x18. I've owned the 1Ds, 30D, 40D, 1D3, 5D2 and 5D3, and the 7D was the only camera I've owned that necessitated NR on a routine basis. I'm not length-limited most of the time, and I can understand why the 7D is so good for those of you who are. I can similarly understand why certain shooters are willing to jump through the PP hoops necessary to obtain an adequate file for printing; to clarify, yes, I consider NR a 'hoop' when applied to a low ISO file (as is selective sharpening, which can be hard to pull off well and withstand the scrutiny that a high resolution print often undergoes).

The proof that the 7D file has a rather 'characteristic' look to it is contained in the 18+ pages of capture and PP tips in this thread (and, of course, many of them generally apply to all cameras). Although one person may have refused help, I'm certain there are quite a few silent 7D owners out there who haven't chosen to join the fray, who also don't fit into your condescending '7D critic/basher' category. There is enough anecdotal evidence out there coming from experienced shooters of all sorts to accept that not all of us are enamored with the file quality of the 7D.

Just like politics, religion, and the ongoing Mac vs. PC/Canon vs. Nikon debates, the finger-pointing has become tiresome. The killing of this thread isn't any one group or person's fault; let off the gas a bit, it is just the Internet, after all...



Sep 06, 2012 at 08:25 AM
TeamSpeed
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p.18 #5 · How noisy is your 7D?


PetKal wrote:
Thanx Pixie. It is somewhat ironic that I get the best IQ out of 7D in shots with relative proximity to target (assuming low and moderate ISO values). The depth of detail that 7D generates in those conditions is peerless. However, I haven't had much success with it on long range shots even at low ISO values. The primary problem was inconsistent and sloppy AF, such as missing a bird and focusing on a branch behind it. That trend was so clear cut, that I had to drop 7D from long range shooting applications altogether.


I have seen that as well, in AI Servo, the 7D, with certain lenses, is "twitchy" for a lack of a better term. What AF mode would you be using in those cases, and I would assume you would have been in Servo for those? I am wondering if spot AF would work better in those cases, if you weren't using it.

Also, in regards to the others that want this thread locked or deleted, I am confused on why? The beauty of an internet forum is that you can just unsubscribe to a thread or ignore it, if you don't like it or agree with it. As long as everyone remains civil in their replies, however redundant, then why not just leave it to run its course? Like well over 1M other posts over the years, this will simply drop off the radar over time. There are some great tidbits in this thread for future reference for 7D owners.

Edited on Sep 06, 2012 at 08:45 AM · View previous versions



Sep 06, 2012 at 08:38 AM
Liquidstone
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p.18 #6 · How noisy is your 7D?


For me, I actually find it easier to process 7D files for print (say up to 24"x36") because the noise is rather fine-grained so not quite noticeable in the final output medium. I need not do selective sharpening/NR on most of my files for prints. For my standard 1500x1000 web images, I often do selective NR/sharpening (even on 1D4/5D2 files) because many web viewers expect to see pristine OOF areas and sharp details. Just my opinion, YMMV of course.




Sep 06, 2012 at 08:41 AM
Jeff
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p.18 #7 · How noisy is your 7D?


TeamSpeed wrote:
Also, in regards to the others that want this thread locked or deleted, I am confused on why? The beauty of an internet forum is that you can just unsubscribe to a thread or ignore it, if you don't like it or agree with it. As long as everyone remains civil in their replies, however redundant, then why not just leave it to run its course? Like well over 1M other posts over the years, this will simply drop off the radar over time. There are some great tidbits in this thread for future reference for 7D owners.


Assuming that the finger-pointing subsides, I actually agree that Fred made the right decision to leave it, despite my initial post to the contrary. There is some good info in here, if one has the patience to navigate the occasional car-wreck and detour/road closure.



Sep 06, 2012 at 08:58 AM
PetKal
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p.18 #8 · How noisy is your 7D?


uz2work wrote:
Likewise. I have no idea where the myth that you need proximity to the subject to do well with the 7D came from. My suspicion is that it is just another example of one of those many things that, when repeated enough times on the internet, becomes engraved in the minds of people. Les


Here we go, talking about thread killing. My preference, which is based on my experience, you call a "myth" which I've picked up on the internet. Well, at least you haven't classified my few posts in here as "drivel" (yet).



Sep 06, 2012 at 09:10 AM
TeamSpeed
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p.18 #9 · How noisy is your 7D?


Jeff wrote:
Assuming that the finger-pointing subsides, I actually agree that Fred made the right decision to leave it, despite my initial post to the contrary. There is some good info in here, if one has the patience to navigate the occasional car-wreck and detour/road closure.



Finger pointing builds character and backbone!

I lived in the era of "sticks and stones" and "you're a tattletale", today's kids grow up with zero tolerance, and it stinks for building character and personal growth and tolerance.

Hopefully we can indeed keep this on topic, I have even learned a few things, and I am well-versed with the 7D.



Sep 06, 2012 at 09:21 AM
Liquidstone
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p.18 #10 · How noisy is your 7D?


TeamSpeed wrote:
I have seen that as well, in AI Servo, the 7D, with certain lenses, is "twitchy" for a lack of a better term. What AF mode would you be using in those cases, and I would assume you would have been in Servo for those? I am wondering if spot AF would work better in those cases, if you weren't using it.




My favorite AF mode on the 7D when shooting skittish birds is spot AI servo. It works rather well for me, especially when shooting 800 mm at f/5.6 and less than 6 m subject distance. DOF is paper thin in this situation and placement of focus is super critical.


Shooting info -Canon 7D + 400 2.8 IS + Canon 2x TC II, 800 mm, f/5.6, ISO 3200, 1/320 sec, 475B/516 support, manual exposure in available light, near full frame, spot AI servo AF, less than 5 m distance, 4" total bird length.


http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/144694834/original.jpg



Sep 06, 2012 at 09:32 AM
PetKal
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p.18 #11 · How noisy is your 7D?


TeamSpeed wrote:
I have seen that as well, in AI Servo, the 7D, with certain lenses, is "twitchy" for a lack of a better term. What AF mode would you be using in those cases, and I would assume you would have been in Servo for those? I am wondering if spot AF would work better in those cases, if you weren't using it.



Twitchiness is perhaps one aspect of it. Much of what I shoot moves, flies or swims, thus I have to use servo AF much of the time. In addition, I'd use spot AF on stationary targets, but not on moving ones where speed of AF is of some importance.

Generally, if I had to, I'd use 7D for BIF too despite a higher incidence of sloppily focused/softish shots, such as one shown below, compared to 1DsMkII or 1DMkIIN. In fact, I do not even expect 7D AF to perform similarly to those cameras, I have been satisfied enough with my 7D AF if only based on it performing better than my 40D AF.

Edited on Sep 06, 2012 at 12:48 PM · View previous versions



Sep 06, 2012 at 09:38 AM
TeamSpeed
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p.18 #12 · How noisy is your 7D?


Have you tried the zone AF on the 7D where it will follow the moving target? I don't have much experience with it, and when I tried it, it worked some of the time, I feel that I needed more time with it to figure it out. I had great results with manual Af point with expansion though, except I am not the best for keeping one AF point on target for faster birds.

Here is a rough 50% crop of a female redwing blackbird through some branches at ISO 1600. I think I used spot AF here, but it has been a while. Most of what I shoot anymore are the elusive "well-behaved red cheeked female gigglers" in my backyard, aka, my daughters, and I use AF with expansion for them.




Sep 06, 2012 at 09:45 AM
sritri
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p.18 #13 · How noisy is your 7D?


My relationship with 7D is the classic hate-love Living in an area with consistently dull lighting and dull outdoors, I need to travel for anything I need to photograph and I love everything that 7D offers here (Came from a 1Ds-II). Hate starts when I need to sit down for PPing every single frame be it any ISO/SS. I have so much time that it is OK and fun some times but hate turn to love again when seeing the end result and I almost shoot ISO 800 and above and noise is never a problem for me

I just wish AF with expansion would work as designed and not as it does now.



Sep 06, 2012 at 09:55 AM
PetKal
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p.18 #14 · How noisy is your 7D?


TeamSpeed wrote:
Have you tried the zone AF on the 7D where it will follow the moving target?


That is a funny one. As soon as I got 7D, Zone AF was the first thing I have tested as a completely novel feature to me. Now, I did the test on the type of a flying target where I have ample data base with 1DsMkII and 1DMkIIN, so the only real variable was the new camera's AF.
I still remember firing off close to 100 shots, at 8 FPS in short bursts of 3. Not only that none of them were in approximate focus, even during the shooting the lack of camera responsiveness and wild AF swings were a good indication where that was going. The Zone AF was a total flop, never to be pursued again.

Many months went by, and I got 1DX a month or so ago. Back to the same AF test, on the same targets, in Zone AF mode. The result ? I am very pleased with the performance, that has been a revelation of sorts to me. Now, if the conditions are right, I will readily switch to Zone AF as my preferred mode with 1DX.

Again, let me stress this: I also have a few decent BIF shots taken with 7D at low ISO. However, I just can not afford to keep using a tool in an area of performance where I have better tools at my disposal.



Sep 06, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Jeff
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p.18 #15 · How noisy is your 7D?


PetKal wrote:
Many months went by, and I got 1DX a month or so ago. Back to the same AF test, on the same targets, in Zone AF mode. The result ? I am very pleased with the performance, that has been a revelation of sorts to me. Now, if the conditions are right, I will readily switch to Zone AF as my preferred mode with 1DX.


That was my exact experience with the 7D and now 5D3; I recently tested the 5D3's Zone AF for shooting some of Stage 7 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (early riders, ), and was pleasantly surprised to find that it actually works as advertised now! I'm so glad that Canon has finally delivered an AF system that just works, isn't hobbled, and has useful features that are also useable.



Sep 06, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Jeff Nolten
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p.18 #16 · How noisy is your 7D?


Pixel Perfect wrote:
Those rules apply to any camera to varying degrees. My 7D workflow is the same as my other cameras, I just am more careful with exposure and shutter speed. You make it sound like preparing for brain surgery and that's it's some sort of voodoo magic.

BTW I rarely ever do the last step. If the shot is not worthy at 100%, unless it's of something very special it will get tossed, like I do with shots from my other cameras.


Neither as complicated (or life threataning) as brain surgery nor as mysterious as voodoo. But several techniques are new to this thread such as your suggestion to keep the detail slider in the teens and TeamSpeed's suggestion that a 0 exposure adjustment is still 1/3 to 2/3 stop too low. My 5Ds are very forgiving, I expose towards the center so as to not blow the highlights, especially if I have sky and clouds in the view - I like to adjust to emphasize cloud texture. My 40D was noisier than the 5D so I tended towards slower shutter speeds and also centered exposure to keep the ISOs down. The whole raw conversion sharpening and NR discussion was a non-issue - I always used defaults and a little bit of selective NR and final sharpening was all that was needed. If I or a freind zoomed an image 100% to view detail, it still looked good to me.

When I first got my 7D a year and a half ago, the first thing I noticed was the low ISO noise and softness when viewed 100%. Everyone looks 100% when post processing. I'm sympathetic to those who say that the 7D is just too noisey. Many experienced users on this forum were posting ways to overcome these issues and I began experimenting. Pushing ISO to up the shutter speed and expose to the extreme right was counter intuative to me. Photoshop Elements' raw converter wasn't up to the job of adequately handling 7D files and I upgraded to Lightroom. I've been participating in these many 7D noise and processing threads and my techniques have improved considerably (for all my camera bodies). Incramental hints like yours tend to pop up in each thread. Part of the improvement has been 7D file handling and part of it has been wildlife photography technique. The way I handle the 7D and its files for wildlife is different from the way I handle other bodies and other photographic situations. I believe these differences are worthy of discussion.




Sep 06, 2012 at 10:30 AM
cordellwillis
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p.18 #17 · How noisy is your 7D?


Stop viewing the images on a monitor at 100%. Print them. Problems solved.


Sep 06, 2012 at 10:36 AM
PetKal
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p.18 #18 · How noisy is your 7D?


Jeff wrote:
That was my exact experience with the 7D and now 5D3; I recently tested the 5D3's Zone AF for shooting some of Stage 7 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (early riders, ), and was pleasantly surprised to find that it actually works as advertised now! I'm so glad that Canon has finally delivered an AF system that just works, isn't hobbled, and has useful features that are also useable.


That's the word I've been looking for. For years I thought I was doing something wrong. Finally, after thousands upon thousands of similar shots, I had to confront the possibility that I just can not be that slow and inept. Something was fundamentally lacking in their Servo AF routines. Now, since I've got 1DX, I finally feel my camera is doing its AF job well, and no more signs of a hit-or-miss AF performance.



Sep 06, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Jeff Nolten
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p.18 #19 · How noisy is your 7D?


cordellwillis wrote:
Stop viewing the images on a monitor at 100%. Print them. Problems solved.


Haven't you ever asked yourself what that bird has in its bill?

How do you PP a print?

I have some 6000 images in my pictures folder, my favorites, where will I put all those prints?

An iPad is much lighter than 6000 prints when traveling.

Have you tried Ken Burns effect on your screen saver?

Just sayin.



Sep 06, 2012 at 11:04 AM
bipock
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p.18 #20 · How noisy is your 7D?


Well after reading most of this thread, I have to say that it took me 3 attempts to get where I liked the 7d. First two tries, couldn't take the noise, it just bothered me. Nothing wrong with the camera, something wrong in my head.

Third time, I opened up a little more and really gave it a fair try. No complaints. You know going in what you're going to get, so you just have to decide if you can live with it and, if so, how you will deal with things you're uncomfortable with.

ETTR, add flash, a little NR of your choice - whatever it takes to make you happy. The 7d can produce excellent files, you just have to decide if you'll put in a little extra work.



Sep 06, 2012 at 11:26 AM
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