Which one better suits my needs?

Hey POTN!

I regretfully sold my Canon 60D a while ago (Needed the money) and have realized that Photography is something I am extremely good at and really enjoy more than anything. So, I am looking at purchasing a new 60D or 7D to get back in the game, but only have about $800 to spend on a body. I can get a new 60D with that, or a used mint condition 7D . The purposes of the camera will be for travel photography, portraits and film. Never got into Sports photography, but I do take photos of my dogs running around at the dog park, but that's the hobby side of it (My main professional focus is travel, portraits and film).

Now, I had a fantastic experience with my 60D and never had a single issue with it, but I didn't care for using SD memory cards. I really am leaning towards the 7D because of the CF cards, but I keep reading about a huge issue with soft focusing with some 7D's at later points in the body life, and that worries me. I have also read about issues regarding the pins in the CF card slot bending. How many of you have had issues with the 7D and focusing? Based on the information mentioned above, would it be safer to go with the 60D or 7D?

I've never used a 60D, but my 7D has been very, very solid. It's got over 32k actuations, and I've never had any issues with focus (that weren't lens-related, but that's another story). I personally love the size, stability, and ergonomics of the 7D and would never want to go back to a smaller, less rugged body (had the 30D for several years).

As for the CF cards, I've owned several over the past 6-7 years, and I always take them out for image transfer. Never once had any problems with them, nor have I heard of bent pins. I think you'd almost have to TRY to wreck them - or be extremely careless.

All that being said, if you really liked the 60D, I would recommend going with that in your case. Buying used electronics always makes me nervous...

If you loved your 60d, why not just get another one? Not liking SD cards is a pretty unusual reason to dislike the body.

Heya,

Get a used 7D.

Or get a used 5D classic.

Or, if you're just shooting dogs running, look at a simple and still very relevent 20D or 30D for cheap, and just enjoy that. And then get a 5D classic or something for the rest.

Very best,

jsvphoto wrote in post #17247945
I've never used a 60D, but my 7D has been very, very solid. It's got over 32k actuations, and I've never had any issues with focus (that weren't lens-related, but that's another story). I personally love the size, stability, and ergonomics of the 7D and would never want to go back to a smaller, less rugged body (had the 30D for several years).

As for the CF cards, I've owned several over the past 6-7 years, and I always take them out for image transfer. Never once had any problems with them, nor have I heard of bent pins. I think you'd almost have to TRY to wreck them - or be extremely careless.

All that being said, if you really liked the 60D, I would recommend going with that in your case. Buying used electronics always makes me nervous...

I have never purchased a camera body used, so it makes me nervous as well. I can't thank you enough for the info on your 7D! It helped calm down some of my fears.

timbop wrote in post #17247970
If you loved your 60d, why not just get another one? Not liking SD cards is a pretty unusual reason to dislike the body.

I think it's more based on the loading times of SD cards compared to CF cards, and how extremely fragile SD cards can be (Accidentally broke a few myself). There are other reasons I am looking at the 7D: 100% viewfinder, more rugged body, full weather and dust resistant body, 19 AF points. I have never gotten my hands on the 7D, so I don't know anything else about it compared to what I know from owning the 60D.

Would someone who wants to move up in the photography world go with the 7D because of the benefits over the 60D, or are they not that big of a deal? I know the real answer is to get a Full Frame, but I sadly don't have that kind of money at the moment.

MalVeauX wrote in post #17247983
Heya,

Get a used 7D.

Or get a used 5D classic.

Or, if you're just shooting dogs running, look at a simple and still very relevent 20D or 30D for cheap, and just enjoy that. And then get a 5D classic or something for the rest.

Very best,

Does the 5D Classic still produce incredible images like the new cameras today, or does it not stand on its own anymore? I have found the 5D Mark II online for around $1,100, but I am sure the Classic is way cheaper. Would it be better for me to just save up a few hundred more and get a used 5D Mark II? Most that I am finding only have 15k shutter actuations.

ShadowKingpin wrote in post #17247865
Hey POTN!

I regretfully sold my Canon 60D a while ago (Needed the money) and have realized that Photography is something I am extremely good at and really enjoy more than anything. So, I am looking at purchasing a new 60D or 7D to get back in the game, but only have about $800 to spend on a body. I can get a new 60D with that, or a used mint condition 7D . The purposes of the camera will be for travel photography, portraits and film. Never got into Sports photography, but I do take photos of my dogs running around at the dog park, but that's the hobby side of it (My main professional focus is travel, portraits and film).

Now, I had a fantastic experience with my 60D and never had a single issue with it, but I didn't care for using SD memory cards. I really am leaning towards the 7D because of the CF cards, but I keep reading about a huge issue with soft focusing with some 7D's at later points in the body life, and that worries me. I have also read about issues regarding the pins in the CF card slot bending. How many of you have had issues with the 7D and focusing? Based on the information mentioned above, would it be safer to go with the 60D or 7D?

for film
it's nice to have the Vari-Angle Screen
choices :
60D
or a new T5i

moltengold wrote in post #17248031
for film
it's nice to have the Vari-Angle Screen
choices :
60D
or a new T5i

It's looking more like the 60D is something I should return to because of that screen (Which helped A LOT). Thanks for the suggestions!

ShadowKingpin wrote in post #17248017
I think it's more based on the loading times of SD cards compared to CF cards, and how extremely fragile SD cards can be (Accidentally broke a few myself).

.

I've been using SD cards for years (cameras, tablets, micro SD for phones ) and never had one break

watt100 wrote in post #17249074
I've been using SD cards for years (cameras, tablets, micro SD for phones ) and never had one break

Same. I have seen more than a few CF ports get pins bent though..and the price per GB is getting really out of hand, about 2x the cost of SD now.