pcvrz22g wrote:
Now with all of the other bodies I did what I always do, which is take some shots inside and outside then examine them on the computer. I could always tell where the focus was and examine detail. The 7D on the other hand is completely opposite. There are more shots that I examine and just wonder if anything at all is on focus.
There are some pretty bad copies of 7D out there with really bad AF. You may have gotten one of those. They usually come in a batch. I know 'cos I used to own one of those. But the service center replaced it for me after it was stuck at the service center for more than a month. The replacement is a lot more consistent.
Did you try manual focusing under 10x magnification live view? You should and see if you're happy with the results.
I'm going to have to try one. I wish Costco would carry them so I can have 30 days to check it out. I have been worn out with bad equipment copies in the past.
One thing I will happily "concede" about the 7D (although this just reiterates a point I've been making pretty much since its release) is that it's the most "fussy" camera I've ever come across as far as choice of converter is concerned - you really need to spend time finding the best converters for the jobs you want it to do.
(This thought has been brought to mind by Canadajim's very nice Chickadee image (no offence Jim - it's a lovely capture): it's a fine picture, but it's as (relatively) noisy as I'm seeing from 800+ ISO).
I've been really happy recently with Bibble 5 for my 40D files, pretty much regardless of ISO. But the 7D is much more demanding.
I've realised that while Bibble 5 is still my go-to converter for lower (up to 800 ISO) conversions, I'm going to need to look again at Capture One for higher (> 800 to 3200) ISOs, and probably to use DPP for 3200 and above.
That's fine though - you can't get good bird pictures in properly low light, regardless of camera or converter. The high ISO images I'm likely to take will rarely - if ever - be of birds, and so won't need the kind of fine detail and micro-contrast that Bibble 5 provides in bird images.
The point being that the 7D really does seem to need some careful decision-making as far as conversion and processing is concerned, in order to maximise its potential.
That won't suit some folk, I know - but it's right enough.
This thought has been brought to mind by Canadajim's very nice Chickadee image (no offence Jim - it's a lovely capture): it's a fine picture, but it's as (relatively) noisy as I'm seeing from 800+ ISO).
No offence taken. The posted pictures is 127 KB - could that be causing the noise you see?
pcvrz22g wrote:
Im here as a last resort... some miracle that reveals what Im doing wrong and will flip my opinion of this body. Any input appreciated.
Since I'm thinking about updating my gear, I try to find as much useful information as possible about experiences with the 7D.
I now use a 5D and for backup & "extra tele" (because of the APS-C) a 30D which I'd like to replace by a 7D or even a 5DM2. My prints aren't larger than 12"x 18".
This thread delivers a lot, thank you very much to all who posted their results and experiences.. now this is my conclusion and I would like to get some comments on it:
In case I take a picture of a little bird in bright daylight at a distance of 30 feet with a 300 mm lens on both a 7D and a 5DM2, the most detailed bird print will result from the 7D.
I wish you would leave the exif data in the image or choose the display option. Being this is a 7D thread most would like to see it before considering any comment or conclusion.
Also, Costco has the 7D now and with a 90 day return policy one can relax and put the rig through some paces to be sure he is happy with the particular copy.
It looks like the price is fixed at $1699.99 no matter where you shop.
I wish you would leave the exif data in the image or choose the display option. Being this is a 7D thread most would like to see it before considering any comment or conclusion.
My version of Photoshop is so old it doesn't attach the exif information.
Both were taken with the 500F4 and 1.4 extender with -2/3 compensation. First was ISO 200 and the second ISO 320. Shutter around 1/1000.
I'm still evaluating it, but so far I'm very happy with the IQ in good light - the detail it resolves compared to (say) my 40D is very obvious, and it makes for some very sharp, detailed images.
I'm scratching my head a bit though, about how some of the images I took yesterday look. The light was pretty unpleasant - that awful grey Winter light that turns everything into the colour of lead - and some of the files (at only 800 ISO) are just too noisy.
That said, it was "funny" light, and I reckon that the noise is a function of how the camera has metered (lots of snow about, which I'm not used to shooting in, and dark birds - I was in Evaluative) and the images are underexposed as a result.
Mind you, this was also taken on the same day, and I'm happy with this - converted in Raw Therapee, standard PP in Paintshop Pro X2, and resized. No NR (shouldn't really be needed at 800 ISO anyway):
So - on balance - I'm very happy with the IQ so far, but I need to be very careful about exposure, as it seems to be very fussy about that.
In nice light though, it's excellent:
(Note that this isn't about "low light performance" - I've been taken some high ISO test shots at 3200 and 6400 ISO that have amazed me - it's purely about exposing properly and getting a feel for any differences between how it and and the 40D meter).
I have read all I can across the Webb and every thread here over the past few days and ordered mine today from Costco.
The safety net of the 90 day return policy seems to apply for me. Shipping is free but there are the taxes, also refundable.
It will be worth it to get a non-rushed hands-on trial period to give it a fair chance. And I'll be the one needing the time because its more of a camera than I am a photographer I'm sure. Heh!
I just could not see me making up my mind in the usual 14 days most dealers provide. If it stays with me the $119.00 in taxes will be wrote off and considered a rental fee perhaps.
I have a 50D. Its OK but the new AF system and movie mode are calling out to me.
My 50D is doing its job but the AF system is what I complain about the most. And I have been wanting a 2nd body.
