Help please with 7D or a different camera

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Luke_Herts

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Luke
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Hi

So i do wildlife photography and currently have a 40D and 100-400mm IS.

I have been saving up and buy february reckon i can afford the 7D.

Do you think this is the right upgrade or should i go for something different. i like the idea of HD video but that is the only major selling point if there is something better for the same budget without that.

Cheers

Luke
 
Luke
Might help to know what the 40D is lacking for you. I went from 40D to 7D because I had to be able to get shots in challenging light. My 40D produced fab images and I am sorry to see it go. The video on the 7D is simply stunning, previously I was a videographer and would have killed for a video camera with interchangeable lenses at this price. For me almost worth the upgrade alone, (probably better to duck down now!!)
I reckon you might be better keeping the 40D and buying more glass!
Just my 2 cents worth.
 
I have just upgraded and have same lens... tried a few shots out tonight with the dogs ... the AI servo is great...I had same issue so bought an extender not been able to afford the zillions for the next lens up... Time will tell when I get outside if it was worth it but so far so good... the screen is just awesome in comparison:D
 
Luke_Herts said:
Hi

I was hoping for something a little more fast focusing with birds in flight etc and a better crop factor. i would go for some more glass but i think there isn't much better than the 100-400mm without going in to silly money i don't have...
Cheers

lUKE
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Pretty good summary I'd say, plus the build quality. Deffo a step up from the 40D in every area. Gonna get one early next year I think, maybe save a little on the current price.

(You do realise what you've said about the crop factor don't you? ;) )
 
Luke_Herts said:
No......or am i being dumb:D
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No, I don't think you are, just that the 40D is same crop factor as 7D, but I think you know that.

Extra pixels means more cropping potential on the 7D of course, which is what I think you meant ;)

GB's comment about good lenses being required to get the best out of the 7D is absolutely valid. I was concerned about this with my 100-400L, which is good but not L prime lens quality, so tested it side by side with my 40D and there is definitely extra cropping to be had so still worthwhile :thumbs: Less noise too, at least a stop better. Even more potential with one of those fabulous big primes :)
 
HoppyUK said:
No, I don't think you are, just that the 40D is same crop factor as 7D, but I think you know that.

Extra pixels means more cropping potential on the 7D of course, which is what I think you meant ;)

GB's comment about good lenses being required to get the best out of the 7D is absolutely valid. I was concerned about this with my 100-400L, which is good but not L prime lens quality, so tested it side by side with my 40D and there is definitely extra cropping to be had so still worthwhile :thumbs: Less noise too, at least a stop better. Even more potential with one of those fabulous big primes :)
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Absolutely......:D

I would definitely go for the 300mm 2.8 but would have to sell the 100-400mm and even then i would have only £2000 or less. So unless someone wants to give me a 0% interest loan (i asked the parents no chance) :(. Or sell me there 300mm 2.8 for that price.....
 
Luke_Herts said:
Absolutely......:D

I would definitely go for the 300mm 2.8 but would have to sell the 100-400mm and even then i would have only £2000 or less. So unless someone wants to give me a 0% interest loan (i asked the parents no chance) :(. Or sell me there 300mm 2.8 for that price.....
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7D and 300L 2.8 is the outfit I'm looking at (in my dreams ;) ). There was a thread on here just the other day saying how it even works well with 1.4x and 2x extenders, giving you a 300-600mm f/2.8-5.6 'zoom' that even retains AF :D I'm not sure any other lens can take those extenders as well, the 300L 2.8 is so flippin sharp. Sadly the much cheaper 300L 4 and 400L 5.6 are not in the same league.

The guys using this combo also have access to the very best such as 1D3 plus 500/600L 4, but still recommend it. Kerso will do you a 300L 2.8 for under £3k... ;) :lol:
 
Never underestimate the 400/5.6. I had one and a 300/2.8 and the 400 was as sharp, if not sharper.

Other cheaper options are Sigma 300/2.8 (takes a 1.4x well but not so hot with a 2x - although I never really liked the Canon with 2x either) and the Sigma 500/4.5

Paul
 
MPB have a 300/2.8 IS for £2400 and a 500 for £3300 - although they are out of budget, they seem to be excellent prices to me.

The other lens that does appear (and I know 2 members on here with them) are the old 300/2.8 non-IS that sometimes comes up for £1200-1500. Its a stunning lens and great value although if it needs repair, you may struggle as it is now old.
 
I wish I had such nice glass. :'( Alternatively....come over to Nikon :lol: Seriously though, if you can afford it I'd go for the 7D as from what I've heard its the knees bees.
 
grumpybadger said:
MPB have a 300/2.8 IS for £2400 and a 500 for £3300 - although they are out of budget, they seem to be excellent prices to me.

The other lens that does appear (and I know 2 members on here with them) are the old 300/2.8 non-IS that sometimes comes up for £1200-1500. Its a stunning lens and great value although if it needs repair, you may struggle as it is now old.
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What is MPB?

I am confused now. Do i go for a 7D or look at my bank account and see if i can afford the 300mm and a 1.4x.
I have save £970 so far, with christmas coming make that £1100. Then sell my fish tank for £750 and 100-400 mm and have no nights out for a while and i might just stretch to the 300mm but would i miss the 100-400mm?

It is a lot of money and with being 18 and going to Uni and travelling coming up will i bankrupt myself. BUT you only live once.....
 
MPB Photographic. Used gear dealer. I've bought a lot from them as buying new makes me feel ill!

Convenience of the 100-400 is great but the quality of a big prime is something else. Problem is that they are heavier too so you need to think about tripods and supports as well. In all honesty, if you are going away to Uni, I think I'd stick with what you have or think about upgrading your body.

Big lenses costs lots of money and I'm not sure I'd want one kicking around student halls. You've got plenty of time to get the top end kit when you're working full time...
 
Go with the 7d, for the same reason Grumpy explained in his last post :)
 
Luke_Herts said:
Hi

I was hoping for something a little more fast focusing with birds in flight etc and a better crop factor. i would go for some more glass but i think there isn't much better than the 100-400mm without going in to silly money i don't have...
Cheers

Hate to say it but the Nikon D300 is fantastic for BIF,to watch the af points follow the bird across your viewfinder is amazing, for me it was worth selling 27 years worth of Canon gear to get this plus my Nikon lenses.
The thing i notice most is the detail in my photos has improved greatly, this is both the lenses and camera against my L glass on Canon 50D.

lUKE
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There's no serious answer to the 100-400 either (and no, the 80-400 isn't a credible alternative which is why so many Nikon users are praying for a replacement)

I'd stick with what you know Luke and learn to use the kit backwards, upside down, in the dark with gloves on. That's what you need for wildlife under pressure.
 
If you want to play with a 7D at all Luke and we can find a convenient time, happy to help you make an informed decision. Although I assure you, you don't want to try the 500!!! You'll be skint!
 
As a 40D to 7D owner I can say that the 7D improves on the 40D in almost every area, but few of these improvements are substantial. AF is better, High ISO is a half to one stop better, resolution is better (but that 100-400mm and most other glass will not get the most out of it). The biggest single advantage of the 7D for most people is HD Video, but I personally prefer a camcorder. Build quality is actully very similar between the two.

I love my 7D, but it is not really that much better than my 40D was. The biggest gain I got from upgrading was a new feature - micro focus adjustment. The only lens I own which can take full advantage of an 18MP crop sensor is the 70-200mm F/4 IS. My 100-400 did not show much real gain. You really do need decent glass to get the most out of such high pixel density.
 
Luke_Herts said:
I looked at nikon but it seems everything is more expensive...
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Yes that was one of my concerns, however i was never really happy with Canon DSLR's or L glass and was always changing.
It was not until i made the swap that i realised you get what you pay for and Nikon lenses are more expensive but the end result is what i had spent so many years trying to find in Canon, but never found
 
Orville said:
As a 40D to 7D owner I can say that the 7D improves on the 40D in almost every area, but few of these improvements are substantial. AF is better, High ISO is a half to one stop better, resolution is better (but that 100-400mm and most other glass will not get the most out of it). The biggest single advantage of the 7D for most people is HD Video, but I personally prefer a camcorder. Build quality is actully very similar between the two.

I love my 7D, but it is not really that much better than my 40D was. The biggest gain I got from upgrading was a new feature - micro focus adjustment. The only lens I own which can take full advantage of an 18MP crop sensor is the 70-200mm F/4 IS. My 100-400 did not show much real gain. You really do need decent glass to get the most out of such high pixel density.
Click to expand...

For me, the 7D is a huge improvement from my 40D- better iso, much better AF, much more cropping potential, and the 8 fps does help over the 6 on the 40D. Also the price has radically dropped from first release, (in the UK, but interestingly not much in the US making the price differential much less)....perhaps the 1D4 will do the same, although I'm not sure the price differential would, for me, be worth it. Although the 300 2.8 is a stunner with the 7D, and all the extenders work well,I've used my (Canon calibrated) 100-400 with excellent results.
Get one if you can, but it'll show up poor glass!!
George
 
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