7D v 1D Mark 2 - AF Question....

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I was toying with the idea of switching my 40D and perhaps my 1D Mark 2 for a 7D.

Back when I bought the 1D2 it was for the improved autofocus when tracking birds in flight and dogs etc and to be fair - it's been on a different planet to the 40D in that respect but - how does the 7D compare ?

I know that the 7D will out-perform the 40D so I'm happy to switch the 40D body but there's a few reasons why I don't want to give up my 1D2 - the bigger sensor for a bit more width with landscapes and coping with being out in all manner of mountain weather. I know there's a whole heap of other differences and the ISO would be a big plus but If the 7D isn't a match for the AF on the 1D2 then I might not bother.

Thanks
 
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Personally, I think the noise from the 7D is slightly worse than the 1D Mark II and certainly no better.
 
I've had both and from memory the high ISO noise was considerably worse on the 1DII than the 7D, it used to get pretty ropey after ISO800. Also consider the pixel count, i.e. if you downsized the 7D image to 1D size the noise will be improved further still.
 
Thanks Grotty

I know about the ISO and pixels etc.

It's the AF that I'm wondering about ?
 
The 7D auto focus is good closer to the 1D range than the 40D. Can take a bit of getting use too when going from a 40D but with you having a 1D all ready you should be ok. As for noise issues I must be lucky as I have never had any that was not due to me f'ing up the settings or trying to crop to far.
 
For birds in flight, I reckon the 7D is about the best from Canon. I find it easier than my old 1DsII and often pick the 7D over the 1DIV for BIF in good light.
 
I agree with Paul- you wont find the AF system in the 7D wanting. I owned a 1DMK2n and good as the AF system was, the 7D skins and heels it.

I'm quite sure the 7D largely came about because of all Canons woes with the AF system on the 1dMK3 - realising they needed a new AF system rather than keep papering over the cracks in the the old one, they designed a new AF system altogether for the 7D. The 1DMK1V was too developed and too close to launch when the 7D hit the market to incorporate the same system, but I'm willing to bet we see the 7D system with more AF points and possibly other tweaks in future versions ofthe 1 Series.
 
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Ziploc said:
The 7D auto focus is good closer to the 1D range than the 40D. Can take a bit of getting use too when going from a 40D but with you having a 1D all ready you should be ok.
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Yep - Used to using AF settings and the associated custum funtions for assist points etc on a few different 1D models.

Never used a 7D for much other than a few snaps so never really 'used' it's AF.

Just wouldn't want to find myself getting a 7D and still needing to reach for a 1D when things get tough AF wise.
 
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Think I've got one sorted to test in anger so I'll let you know how i think it compares.....
 
Fully agree with CT, sadly as usual!!..7D in some situations outperforms the 1Ds3 and also the Mk4 1D, however I tend to use noise reduction software on crops of the 7D over 800iso.

1D4 is better than 7D on noise I think, but that wasn't the op's question!!
 
AF wise I've still yet to find a camera that outperforms the 1D II (certainly the III and IV aren't as good). The 7D's AF is certainly good, and in good light I think you'd be hard pressed to notice the difference. I found that in lower light though the 1D II picked up better and didn't hunt for focus as much. In fact with a fast lens I'm always surprised with the performance the 1D II.

On a side note, and I'm not sure if the 7D does this, if you use back button focusing on the 1D II you can have two AF points setup using two back buttons - so the centre point is always on one and then a manually selected button on the other. I've always found this a great aid.
 
adamgasson said:
AF wise I've still yet to find a camera that outperforms the 1D II (certainly the III and IV aren't as good). The 7D's AF is certainly good, and in good light I think you'd be hard pressed to notice the difference. I found that in lower light though the 1D II picked up better and didn't hunt for focus as much. In fact with a fast lens I'm always surprised with the performance the 1D II.

On a side note, and I'm not sure if the 7D does this, if you use back button focusing on the 1D II you can have two AF points setup using two back buttons - so the centre point is always on one and then a manually selected button on the other. I've always found this a great aid.
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The 7d can have stored focussing points. In fact, as it knows which way up it is being held it can remember one for the horizontal and then one for each version of vertical. I have not used it yet but can see how it would come in handy. I just use the joystick to change AF point though. Its a very quick method with no additional button presses required.
 
adamgasson said:
AF wise I've still yet to find a camera that outperforms the 1D II (certainly the III and IV aren't as good). The 7D's AF is certainly good, and in good light I think you'd be hard pressed to notice the difference. I found that in lower light though the 1D II picked up better and didn't hunt for focus as much.
Click to expand...

Food for thought :thumbs:
 
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