To 7D or not 7D...

Rojin

Rojin

Rojin

Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
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Location
Gloucester UK
I'm on the verge of selling all my kit and getting a 7D. I've got into this far more than I imagined so want to sell all I have except for the 50mm and 70-200 f2.8 and get a 7D and Tamron 17-50 f2.8. So I be selling the old FZ30, 500d two lens kit and 3rd party grip + two batteries. Also a Canon HF10 HD camcorder. If I go 7D also two 16Gb, one 8GB and two 2GB SD cards to sell. I might also look at the D300s. Am I mad or shall change now why the going's good?!
 
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Is there something you want to do that you're 500d can't? I know a lot of people will say the 7d is very good body but better gear doesn't automatically lead to better pictures. I've seen some very good photos on very modest kit.
 
No one should chase a body because it wont improve your shots at all.
One of the best fashion photgraphers of our time uses 300D.

You sound unsure what your doing to me as you are willing to jump ship to Nikon (meaning you might aswel sell the 70 - 200 and 50mm)
 
Depends on what you are looking for in a camera? What will you gain that will be beneficial to you from upgrading from 500D to 7D? Is 1080p 24/30fps movie mode that important to you? Do you find the 500D uncomfortable to use and would like something with a bigger grip?
 
Better/cleaner low light performance for both sports under lights and the little 'un at home. Also faster continious and larger buffer. Basically I can see me upgrading in the future so why not now why my kit is worth more in the market... I do like the 500d but I just kinda got this hankering!
 
Fstop11 said:
No one should chase a body because it wont improve your shots at all.
One of the best fashion photgraphers of our time uses 300D.

You sound unsure what your doing to me as you are willing to jump ship to Nikon (meaning you might aswel sell the 70 - 200 and 50mm)
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Yeah I have no brand loyalty as such so would consider selling everything, although I am more aware of the canon scene than the nikon to be honest.

mcc49 said:
Depends on what you are looking for in a camera? What will you gain that will be beneficial to you from upgrading from 500D to 7D? Is 1080p 24/30fps movie mode that important to you? Do you find the 500D uncomfortable to use and would like something with a bigger grip?
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The movie mode would get used to replace the sale of the camcorder but isn't a driving factor. I do prefer the feel of the 7D although with grip the 500d does sit nice (although a lot of plastic!).

I did set a budget when I bought the 500d mainly so I didn't have an expensive bit of kit sat in a bag gathering dust. If I did "get into it" the plan was always to upgrade to a 7D or whatever the equivalent is at the time. I'd assumed this would be a longer period than it has been so I would have lenses to take on. Not having a big investment in lenses I'm happy to look at Nikon if it's a better alternative but I don't think there is a lot in it. However I feel that this is something I will get more serious with as a hobby so why wait?...
 
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Fstop11 said:
I would go check them both out because the Nikon is a really pleasing system in this day n age. Me personally though I like the lens system of Canon so thats my prefered brand.
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To be honest I'd like to stay with canon, but I always keep my options open :)

Or do I keep the 500d, sell everything else including the odd kidney and put it towards the lens fund... I do like my mates 40d but when I looked at buying, the reviews od the 500d against the 50d stacked up quite well so I sort of discounted it. The higher MP count helped with regards to cropping sports shots when the 200 isn't enough. Eventually I will upgrade so I guess I am just talking myself into doing it now!
 
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I'm going to throw something in the mix.

What about a 1d II/n. You get 1 series build. 1.3x crop. Insane burst rate. I think you get the two card slots. Great Auto-focus. Highly regarded camera.

TBH this is something I'm looking into ATM. I can't choose between a 1d or 5d :p . I don't fancy another 1.6x crop for sure too deep DOF and diffraction (Yukky!!)

But I like photographing a couple of subject's and each subject (people/motorsport/wildlife from time to time and soon possibly macro) has different requirements both of cameras and lenses :mad:.

So theres my one and a bit pence. Used 1d is perhaps the way to go.
 
The 500D is a very capable body and will need some decent lens to make the most out of the 15mp sensor, I would get better lens over a better body if it was me as the 500D is a very capable camera except for feeling like a toy compared to the semipro bodies.
 
p0ss3s3d said:
I'm going to throw something in the mix.

What about a 1d II/n. You get 1 series build. 1.3x crop. Insane burst rate. I think you get the two card slots. Great Auto-focus. Highly regarded camera.

TBH this is something I'm looking into ATM. I can't choose between a 1d or 5d :p . I don't fancy another 1.6x crop for sure too deep DOF and diffraction (Yukky!!)

But I like photographing a couple of subject's and each subject (people/motorsport/wildlife from time to time and soon possibly macro) has different requirements both of cameras and lenses :mad:.

So theres my one and a bit pence. Used 1d is perhaps the way to go.
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AAAAAAARGH! :) I've decided to stick with 1.6x crop as it gives me more reach for my money. I shall have a read up though.

mcc49 said:
The 500D is a very capable body and will need some decent lens to make the most out of the 15mp sensor, I would get better lens over a better body if it was me as the 500D is a very capable camera except for feeling like a toy compared to the semipro bodies.
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That's a sane answer and probably the sort of thing I was subconciously (sp?) hoping for. With the grip it does sit in my hands better, but it is very plasticy. On the other hand without the grip and with the 50mm fitted it's a nice lightweight little unit... I may pick up the Tamron 17-50 asap and go from there...
 
The only way I can answer this to describe my own experience.

I'm a serial upgrader :D

Since mid 2006 I've gone....

20D > 30D
40D
30D > 1Dmk2
40D > 7D

Has the upgrades helped me to be a better photographer?

Directly they haven't. They have removed some of the limitations which has made it easier for me to improve.

There will be people who argue that using an older body will in the end make you a better photographer as you will learn to get the most out of it and not rely on the new features in the later bodies. For some types of photography I'd agree but others it would be impossible to get above a certain level with a particular body.

If you feel you are limited by your current body then it would make sense to upgrade.

If you want to have something new and shiney then what the hell, upgrade! My 20D > 30D was pretty much that.

If you think your photography will improve just by spending some cash, don't bother upgrading.
 
This most definitely isn't about me suddenly becoming a first class photographer because of a new body, I'm more than aware of my limitations. I'm learning and do hope to improve. Now that I see that I've got the photography bug if you like, I happy to spend more on the tools for my hobby. Shooting Rugby under floodlights (even just in poor sunlight) is quite a big reason for wanting to upgrade.

Thanks all for your input, off to read DerekW's thread!
 
Best to wait until mid February for the new Nikon and Canon to be announced. Sounds like we might be getting a D900. Fingers crossed it's full frame and affordable. One can wish.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
I must say I disagree with this.

I had a 400D, which I outgrew. I got a 5D, and my shots improved.
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I agree here too.

But my personal opinion is that a better lens/flashgun/camera/gizmo doesn't make you a better photographer, but it does increase the likleyhood of you getting the shot you want.
 
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