60D v 7D and use of x2 convertor

docholiday

docholiday

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David
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This trying to decide on an upgrade is taking on a life of its own, have now decided on either a 60D or 7D and will want to use a convertor with my 100 - 400 canon lens
I like the full image, build and protection of the 7D but understand the screen on the 60D has better resolution, I am really struggling to decide and its bugging me because its delaying my purchase

anybody been down the same route?

doc
 
Also hunting through the relevant parts of the site I find relatively few 7D threads, is it because the camera is not rated / used that much.

doc
 
I ended up with the 60D because my 50D fell to its death and the 60D was what the insurance company replaced it with. I have to say I am more than impressed with the 60D, much more of a camera than my 50D ever was , particularly with how it handles high ISO.

I don't really think LCD resolution should come into the decision to be honest, I am sure either is perfectly acceptable. The 60D does have the flip out LCD, I have yet to use it but I suppose it depends what you want the camera for.

The 7D I believe is a more pro level camera than the 60D. The 20/30/40/50D level camera used to be a semi-pro level but they seem to have dumbed it down a little for the 60D. The case is more plasticy, smaller and lighter, and there are a lot of silly functions and modes that would appeal to consumer more than pro. This doesn't really matter a lot to me because it still is a great camera and I can get lovely pics with it, I don't photograph outdoor sports or anything where it needs to be particularly weatherproof or tough.

HTH,

H
 
Hi David

You do realise that you will not have AF on either of those bodies with a tcon attatched to your 100-400.You need a 1 series for that(and only a 1.4 will work).The 100-400 actually delivers decentish iq with a 1.4 attatched but the af is very slow,even on a 1DMK4.
The 100-400 and a 2.0x tcon is not a very good partnership.

Gary
 
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I understand that the AF will not work with the converter, was going to tape the converter to try and get around this, but why do you say the x2 and 100-400 is a bad combination, havn't bought the converter yet, trying to get one second hand of here either 1.4 or 2x so interested to know why the x2 is poor with the 100 to 400 is it just speed?
I am sure I have seen some good pics with this combo on here using the iso to get the speed.
thanks for the replies
doc
 
vulcan2912 said:
Hi David

You do realise that you will not have AF on either of those bodies with a tcon attatched to your 100-400.You need a 1 series for that(and only a 1.4 will work).The 100-400 actually delivers decentish iq with a 1.4 attatched but the af is very slow,even on a 1DMK4.
The 100-400 and a 2.0x tcon is not a very good partnership.

Gary
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ps still havnt been to Wales to collect the lens, but thanks for being so prompt in sending it
David
 
Hi David

No lens takes the 2.0x particulary well.The big primes are best but even those take a considerable hit iq wise.
These were mainly taken with the 100-400 with a Canon 1.4 tcon attatched and they are ok.
http://garyforsyth.smugmug.com/2010-Aviation/Linton-on-Ouse-27-10-2010/14430912_Bv9h8

I've had 3 x 100-400's and tried a 2.0x on them all.I've never kept a single picture with that combo.

If you really need such huge magnification you need to be looking at the 500/600mm lenses and a 1.4 tcon.

Taping the pins is very hit and miss with a 1.4 tcon and the 100-400 and not even worth the effort with a 2x tcon.

Cheers
Gary
 
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Thanks Gary, I would be happy with those shots, I would be even happier if I was in the plane flying it !!:lol:
 
PS should say I am using the camera purely for pleasure and have no interest in professional level apart from my own satisfaction
David
 
David, Gary is spot on with his comments, the 7D is a much better body than the 60D, and it also has microfocus adjust, a useful feature.
You should be able to get one second hand, they appear in the forum from time to time.
 
I have to say, the 7D is an impressive beast and built very well with a huge viewfinder! If you are looking for something a bit lighter and cheaper though, the 60D fits the bill perfectly...in fact I was really impressed at how sturdy the 60D was, despite it's more plasticky body.

I didn't intend to buy either, as I thought travelling with a 5D and a heavy crop camera would be too much, but the 60D felt so much better than the 550D that I took the plump and got one anyway :) I'm not sure the 60D's screen is significantly better than the 7D's BTW, there's only a minor increase in resolution AFAIK.
 
vulcan2912 said:
Hi David

Another alternative at somewhere near the same cost as your 100-400 is a Sigma 300 F2.8 + 2.0x Tcon(2nd hand prices).That would give you 600mm and still retain AF.Iq takes a hit but is still usable.

Taken with that combo.
http://garyforsyth.smugmug.com/Low-...te-Lake/4333771_CyQEH/1/254196889_cccFg/Large

Gary
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Great shots Gary, that was always my dream to fly Tornado's low level.
Shots are grainy is that the effect of the converter or pushing the iso?
 
manualfocus-g said:
I have to say, the 7D is an impressive beast and built very well with a huge viewfinder! If you are looking for something a bit lighter and cheaper though, the 60D fits the bill perfectly...in fact I was really impressed at how sturdy the 60D was, despite it's more plasticky body.

I didn't intend to buy either, as I thought travelling with a 5D and a heavy crop camera would be too much, but the 60D felt so much better than the 550D that I took the plump and got one anyway :) I'm not sure the 60D's screen is significantly better than the 7D's BTW, there's only a minor increase in resolution AFAIK.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the 7D falls in my budget, just wondered if I was buying more than I needed, but must say the protection does seem very good.

Does anybody know if the 7D is due an upgrade, not sure how long its been around,? I did look at the 1 series and buying old, but the screens are a lot smaller, and unless I am wearing my glasses I struggle with the menu etc hence preferring the newer bigger screens.
 
Here are some shots I took last week on the 7D with stacked 1.4x and 2x tc (840mm actual focal length, 1344mm FOV). Mind you these were taken with af2.8 prime but it shows that the 7D is a very capable Camera IMO.
See the link in my signature for shots with just the 2x tc attached. BTW, because the Camera only sees the 2x tc it thinks it is still f5.6 so the combo even Auto focusses on the 7D although a lot slower than normal of course.

tufty2.jpg


tufty3.jpg


Coot1.jpg
 
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Thanks Roy, think it has to be the 7D and get some faster glass at a later stage

use the 100-400 to start with and maybe x1.4 and see how it goes from there, great shots, and enjoyed the ones you posted
doc
 
docholiday said:
Also hunting through the relevant parts of the site I find relatively few 7D threads, is it because the camera is not rated / used that much.

doc
Click to expand...

I think that is mainly because the 60D is a newer camera - when the 7D came out, you couldn't move for 7D related threads :lol:
 
I think that they'll be working on a replacement for the 5Dii before that, tbh

Historically, the single digit canon's have had a product life of 2.5 to 3 years, the double digit ones between 18 months to 2 years, and the 3 digit jobs 12-18 months. I'd say there's a chance of a 5Diii before Christmas this year, but it'll be well into 2012 before the 7D - bearing in mind they'll be wanting to release a new 1D before the Olympics in 2012 :lol:
 
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No one knows David.
40/50/60D are being updated every 18 months.
Looks like 5D is on a 3 year update cycle.
7D has been out approx 15 months but it didn't replace anything.No rumours yet but only Canon knows whether a newer model is around the corner.
If Canon run true to form expect a new 1DS(that's if there is a replacement) in the spring and then a 5D3 in the Autumn.
I'm personally not buying anything until after Focus in March.Not sure if there's another big show in the spring this year.
We could quite easily also see updates to the 24-70,17-40 and 100-400 this year.

Gary
 
Roy C said:
Yep, the 7D is still selling too well for a replacement yet I would have thought. Rumour are abound about a 5D2 update though.
Click to expand...

Biggest boost to 7D sales as a "mid life kicker" was when the 60D was released with a plastic chassis. There were lots of people holding fire on the credit card, waiting to see the spec's of the 60D before making a purchase. When the details came out that it was a plastic body, quite a few of the 30D/40D potential upgraders wanted to stay with a Magnesium Alloy body and jumped for the 7D instead. Personally, I've nothing against polycarbonate composite bodies - I've a Canon EOS-3 film camera, which is made of polycarbonate, and it still feels solid enough to knock nails into teak! - but there are a few people for which it became a deal-breaker :shrug:
 
I think like most cameras the 7D will do more than I am capable of using and its built to last so no more waiting, have to get something and unless someone posts to put me off will be ordering my 7D this week
doc:clap::clap:
 
docholiday said:
I think like most cameras the 7D will do more than I am capable of using and its built to last so no more waiting, have to get something and unless someone posts to put me off will be ordering my 7D this week
doc:clap::clap:
Click to expand...

It's an excellent camera body, and I'm pretty sure you'll not regret it. I know I haven't ;)
 
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