I am about to pull the trigger on a 7D

I just purchased a copy of David Busch's "Canon EOS 7D Guide to Digital SLR Photography" ISBN-10: 1435456912 publication date 2010. $25 including S&H. Should get it in a couple of days and will start reading & seeing what He has to add to what I'm picking up from the DVDs by Blue Crane, Volumns 1 & 2.

I currently own a canon 450D but I am thinking of getting 7D to replace it. Is it worth upgrading now? Are there any rumors about an imminent upgrade to 7D? I know the 7D is a fantastic camera but it costs a lot and I was just wondering if now is the right time to get it.

Hi, I just read about the 600D and that seems to bethe latest Canon. I do understand your desire to get the latest and greatest but what are you missing while waiting. As I look at the recent shots from my 7D and then compair them to the 400D, the differences to me is amazing. While the 400D is and will always be a great body, going from 12 bit to 14 bit and then 18 megapixil was a hugh jump. Check out some companies that have refurbished models and the price should be in the $1500 range, mine was & Adorama has the 7D new on sale for about $1575. Have fun and go for it !

Let me preface this by saying that I was a professional cinematographer and a U.S. Navy motion picture photographer and director.

I have recently been playing with the video capabilities of the 7D to ensure that it worked correctly before my 90-day warranty on my refurbished model ended. The video works just fine but, I found out that I don't like using the 7D for video work.

One of the reasons is that I cannot effectively zoom the still camera lenses. I don't trombone my zooms in and out and basically use a zoom as a varifocal lens but, there are times when a zoom comes in handy. The non-motorized zoom along with the very short turning radius for the still camera zoom lenses make zooming quite awkward. The non-motorized zooms, such as the Angenieux 12-120mm, that I used on my 16mm Arriflex motion picture camera was a lot smoother to zoom and the focusing was a lot easier. And, just about any dedicated video camera has a motorized zoom.

Another thing I don't like is using the LCD as my viewfinder. Shooting in the bright sun is a real PITA for me and focusing is another PITA. I far prefer a eye level viewfinder. I may very well be in a minority in this but, that doesn't change my opinion.

I also prefer a video camera which rides on my shoulder with a variable angle viewfinder for shooting from different angles.

Sure, I could buy all the neat accessories to jury rig the 7D into a pseudo video camera but, they are both ungainly and expensive.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...eo+Accessories

Finally, I do have a use for 7D video. Shooting snippets at 640x480 to orally identify my still photography subjects and to include information regarding these subjects. I wish that I had that capability during last year's trip to China. It would have beaten using a separate recorder for my shot ID's or to keep notes using a pad and pencil.

BTW: I am not disappointed regarding what I think of the 7D video. The video capability was one of my lowest priorities on this camera. It was not a reason that I selected the 7D. Although I really love my 7D as a still camera; I would happily substitute the following capabilities for video:

1. ISO 50 or even 25 capability for smoothing water without needing an neutral density filter.

2. Capability to autofocus with a lens of f/8 aperture allowing me to use my 400mm f/5.6L lens with a 1.4x TC.

3. Five shot Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) which would allow me better control of my HDR imagery.

Those three capabilities exist in other cameras so; they are not impossible. These capabilities would be on my wish list for any still camera. They would increase the value of my 7D to me far more than video capability. But, Obviously I am in a minority, I can accept that.

I am not keen on hybrid equipment. Still cameras with video capability or can openers with electric mixers built in.

However, perhaps I will be lucky or unlucky enough to be present somewhere as a revolution breaks out or a volcano erupts - then my 7D video capability might just be useful to me.

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Originally Posted by koolkat

Well, I finally got to the zoo with my 7D &18x270 Tamron lens. Hope this picture comes thru. I cropped it very little & used PSE9's automatic color correction. But the change from what I shot to what I got after the very little PP I'm pleased with. The autofocus points in the viewfinder and the ability to change them with the camera's joystick is really a lot of fun for each shot. The high speed continus shooting is amazing. Lots to learn & the DVDs I bought are a super help.

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Great shot Mike, very clear, great detail, and I think the framing with the leaves really draws you into the tigers face, He looks like he is frowning at you:D.
I have a 7D and I am really enjoying it, I updated from a 350D and as Richard mentioned the learning curve has been rather steep but interesting and enjoyable at the same time.

Thanks Wendy for the comments on my picture, its become one of my favorites. That picture was taken as the tiger was viewing & listening to several guinea hens fighting about 30 yards away in another enclosure. They were making a racket & I could tell that the tiger was trying to decide if one or two would be enough for lunch. Returning to that same spot two weeks later, the leaves had grown to the point that that picture could not have been duplicated even if the tiger was repositioned.
With the 7D & its 19 focus points, I find it really easy to view the subject in the viewfinder, hit the AF point selection button & move the focus point (s) where you want it with the joystick. Funny thing, the more I learn about my new 7D the more I'm also learning about my 400D/XTI. Also just received David Busch's book "Canon EOS 7D" its going to be a great book as I start reading it to better understand the abilities of the 7D. With the recent dust storms & heat here in Phoenix, here's a shot of how to stay cool. Or, how to keep deer out of the waterhole

Having all kinds of fun learning how to post pictures, so I'll try again.