Canon 7D

[Snarkbyte]

But a word of warning about the 7D. It isn't idiot proof, as I discovered today.

I'm pretty sure there never has been, nor ever will be, an idiot proof camera... and if there ever is one, someone will simply invent a better idiot to defeat it.

[wilgk]

I have 1 as well, chosen as my main subjects were sports specifically indoor low light etc... Have been very happy with it.

[lizzy310]

Went to Canon and I am downloading the instructions as I write this. Why wait? Holy Cow...it's 276 pages. Hope I don't run out of ink. There are also some tutorials online that I saw when I googled it. One step at a time, and I am praying that I pick it up quickly...the info I mean. The camera is coming tomorrow, along with a good quality backpack that will hold it all, along with my 14 in laptop. Ordered a few accessories...filters, a screen protector, cleaning cloth, and extra batteries and charger. It's a long drive from Idaho to California, so I will be reading the manual, and seeing how it all works. My husband likes to take photos too, so he is excited to try it out as well.

As to cold wet fingers...I don't think I will be taking it out on a boat for a good while. I'd probably fall overboard with it.

[kaneohebud]

Ordered a few accessories...filters, a screen protector, cleaning cloth, and extra batteries and charger.

Don't forget a SanDisk Extreme Pro 90mbs compact flash memory card. I bought two. They work extremely well in using the the high fps the 7D can shoot with the proper card. I usually get 500-600 shots per card in full RAW mode.

Good luck with your 7D. I absolutely love mine. Incidentally, I downloaded the 7D manual in a pdf file and keep it on my computer desktop. That way I didn't use all that ink printing one.

[Markvetnz]

I have recently had some experience with my brother's 7D. I use a 5D II and a 1D iv. For bird photography the 7D's AI servo mode is not as good as one would expect. He missed many shots. The 5D II is much better for portraits and studio work. The images we took in the studio were consistently better with the 5D. The 7D has a high frame per sec rate which makes it good for action/sports. I think it is a great all round camera. It looks like the new 1DX is going to be like a 7D on steroids. If I was looking for a great all-rounder the I would get the 7D.

[Bill Yeung]

7D: 8 Frames per second: for sports, for running around kids, pets......... a must. CHance of getting the moment is greatly improved.
Cannot ask for more or otherwise go up to 1D series.
Remote flash, lots of things enough for the next 5, 10 years before my daughter can spin and jump faster when I need 10 frames per second!!

Enjoy your 7D.....

[koolkat]

I've had my 7D for almost a year now as an upgrade to the 400D. The more I learn about the 7D the more I've found out about the 400D. My 7D was a refurnished model and everything about it is just quality. The AF is solid and I just rented a 70x200 F2.8 and enjoyed a day at the local zoo and then at the NASCAR racetrack were just super. The weight of the 7D will get your attention and then hang a F2.8 telefoto lens on it and you've got a handful of quality. Now to save enough to buy my own 70x200 F2.8 Ver II. By the way, David Busch's book on the 7D is really good to read and learn.

[Geoff F]

Do you need a F2.8 lens, Mike? The F4 IS version is quite a lot cheaper and proves adequate for many people. But, if your subjects do require that extra dimension, all you can do is to keep saving. Either way, that is certainly a good range of lenses.

And with regard to weight. Try walking around with the Sigma 150-500 or 50-500 to experience the full weight experience.