7D used with "L" zooms and manual focus

I'm thinking of getting a 7D to replace my aging 20D.

For my 20D, I currently have only three lenses - all "L" series zooms. They are the 16-35 f/2.8L (original version), 24-70 f/2.8L, and 70-200 f/2.8L IS (original version). I frequently use manual focus with these lenses on my 20D and do not have any real problem achieving very good focus that way.

My question regarding the 7D relates to its viewfinder. I would like to hear from folks using manual focus with lenses similar to mine on a 7D and who have also used the same lenses on a 20D (or 30D/40D/50D). What I want to know is whether or not the new transmissive LCD makes it any more difficult to determine where sharp focus is when manually focusing than with the standard 20D viewfinder screen (which I assume is about the same as standard 30D/40D/50D viewfinder screens).

I've done a search for this info in the forums but have not found the specific kind of functional comparison that I need to make a decision. I don't have a dealer close enough to me to go try a 7D body out.

Thanks in advance....

I often use manual focus with my 7D and 70-200 2.8 and have not seen any problems with getting sharp photos.

Why do you use manual focus so much?

Crafty wrote in post #13257786
Why do you use manual focus so much?

I do because the camera's programming cannot possibly know precisely what I want in any particular image. I also use "M" for the exposure setup 99% of the time and I also often use my handheld light meter to help me decide how to set up the exposure.

On the occasions I've used manual focus on my 7D I've got good results. I started Canon digital photography with the 30D, which I would expect was the same as the 20D (the sensor was), and if anything it seems easier to manual focus on the 7D. I must admit I never did any direct comparison tests though.

SkipD wrote in post #13257924
I do because the camera's programming cannot possibly know precisely what I want in any particular image. I also use "M" for the exposure setup 99% of the time and I also often use my handheld light meter to help me decide how to set up the exposure.

Hmm I think you will find the 7D focus system interesting and you should give it a good solid try before abandoning it, its going to be far more advanced than your current camera and you might just find its a revelation.

With respect I think learning how to use a cameras features and functions effectively is all part and parcel of it.

Back to your query why not take a lens or two to a shop and ask to try out a 7D body with your lens, then you can judge for yourself. Maybe even hire one for a weekend?

The much larger screen makes it easier to focus in manually. Also helps that you can confirm this by going to live view, boost up magnification to 10x and really see what's in focus or not.

That being said, why get a 7D if you're going to essentially use it for 99% manual focus? Save the $300 and a 60D should suit you fine. Moreso if you get the split focusing screen. One of the 7D's main strengths is its great AF system...

You use manual focus for essentially the same reason I mostly use a single AF point combined with Back Button Focusing... Which leaves me in full control of focus, but is faster and more accurate than I ever was manually focusing, even with cameras designed for it.

Sure, it's possible to manually focus with the 7D. The viewfinder is pretty nice and bright. However, it also sports lots of additional AF points (19) that might serve even better, if you just let yourself learn to use them them. If you are thinking of using a different focus screen, they are available through third party (Katzeye Optics & others) for 7D, but technically it's not designed to be interchangeable and you lose some metering functionality (spot metering won't work).

A lot of what you are paying for with the price of the 7D is the cameras enhanced AF system, especially for how it handles AI Servo and moving subjects.... which might be somewhat of a waste of money if you plan to manually focus most of the time anyway.

And, even if you learn to use the AF, 60D can come very close.... thought it's a simpler, 9 points AF system, but they are all cross type and it's about as quick and almost as good at tracking as 7D. And, though it's not full 100% coverage like 7D (which adds weight, size, cost) 60D has a true pentaprism, same as 7D. This mainly makes for a brighter viewfinder, compared to the camera models that use a penta-mirror.

Keep in mind that 60D and 7D have essentially the same sensor and processor (7D has two, to allow it to shoot at higher frame rate... and the T2i and T3i both also share the same sensor/processor).... so image quality is virtually the same. I never used 20D, but did shoot with 30D for a couple years and can tell you that you're in for a very significant bump in resolution and image quality, whichever camera you choose. You'll be able to comfortably shoot two or three ISO stops higher. You will be going from 12 bit to 14 bit cameras, which is a bit subtle makes for smoother transistions and tonalities in your images. (Note: you also might need software updates... for example older versions of Photoshop, Elements and in particular Adobe Camera Raw won't work with the more recent camera model's RAW files... even though they still say "CR2")

7D is an excellent camera and would be quite a nice upgrade. I just suggest you don't overlook th 60D, for a lot of people it's actually a better choice and costs considerably less.

I use two out of three of the lenses you list, currently with 5DII, 7D and 50D.

amfoto1 wrote in post #13258325
You use manual focus for essentially the same reason I mostly use a single AF point combined with Back Button Focusing... Which leaves me in full control of focus, but is faster and more accurate than I ever was manually focusing, even with cameras designed for it.

I, too, use back button focusing on my 20D and use manual focusing for touchup at times and sometimes follow movement manually.

This is nothing new for me, of course, because we did it ALL manually back in the "olden days". I've followed a lot of fast action with my Nikon F cameras which were built even before anyone was seriously thinking of automated focusing or even automated exposure control.

Crafty wrote in post #13257786
Why do you use manual focus so much?

I use MF a lot out of lack of trust in AF for critical shots.

Why not get a 5D Mark II then? It provides excellent images, and if you don't need good AF anyway, then...

I'm curious -- when you fully zoom in Live View for MF adjustment does the image go to 100%? If so, what kind of results are people having?

This could be some usefult info for Skip, comig from the 20D.

SkipD wrote in post #13258364
This is nothing new for me, of course, because we did it ALL manually back in the "olden days".

My keep rate was higher back in those days.
The switch to AF, I don't think is all it is cracked up to be.

harcosparky wrote in post #13258779
My keep rate was higher back in those days.
The switch to AF, I don't think is all it is cracked up to be.

Heh! We sure hear that a lot here in the digital era!

I can understand, you take less photos and practice more care in nailing the AF, well, it figures that you won't get AF "misses"!

I use MF when I think it will benefit me for a particular shot, but I have absolutely no complaints about my AF when it will benefit me for what I am shooting, and that really is the case for most of my shooting.

But of course the topic is about MF and how it works with the 7D!

Well, I've heard that the 7D has a better viewfinder than the other crop bodies out there. For one thing I've heard that it actually shows more of the image, but I don't have one and don't know all the details.

Also, you have focus screens for Manual focusing, but I'm not sure what's out there for the 7D.

But still I'd like to hear how people are making out with using Live View and MF. I have on occasionally used it with my 1D3 with good results when it's just not practical to use the viewfinder.