Unpacking my 7D now.....

Canonboi wrote in post #8716775
This thread just got a wee bit more interesting.

With offers like that, I could be tempted into shooting a brick wall at ISO12800.

Every man has a price you know

Simon.

Boobs

Simon, what was the keeper rate like with the AF tracking head on? Did it keep up OK?

If it can keep up with cars at 100mph+ it'll easily keep up with my slow coach footballers in comparision. (Some of us do actually appreciate just how hard tracking at speed is )

What did you mean about the AF 'handing off' from zone to zone? I tactually tracks across and lights the AF point as it goes?

Thanks. Ignore the naysays mate, they're just jealous . TRacking at brickwall at 0mph is incredibly hard for any AF system...

Thank you for the real world pictures, Simon - racing is the main reason I am interested in this camera and I loved seeing those shots and reading your comments.

AJSJones wrote in post #8714389
I actually meant the focusing screen in the viewfinder
Some are complaining that it cannot be changed for a "high-precision" manual focusing screen - they can't use LiveView in all manual focusing situations - I wondered whether the extra brightness from the new VF might combine with an updated "normal" screen to allow good MF..

Tx
Andy

It is still a crop camera. compared to FF you are looking through a tiny hole. That s the only bad thing about this camera for me. So I dont think the 7D will change this by much?

Well, I just finished up reading a good part of the manual with very particular interest in the AF system. Being a gadget man myself I must say I was absolutely impressed. Spent a couple of hours trying and experimenting the AF system menu and all I can say is WOW.
Just got up, very early for my usual times I must add because I am so eager to go out and try what I have read through. This is my first Canon so I am not sure how other menu systems and settings are but on the 7D is one heck beautifully set up. The noise performance seems absolutely fantastic. What I love most about this camera is the ability to control so many aspects of it in such detail and they have made it so bleemingly easy that all it takes is just a glance of the manual and applying it and all falls into place.
Going out now to try around the streets of London, seems a beautiful day to put it to test now

dinny66 wrote in post #8716814
Simon, what was the keeper rate like with the AF tracking head on? Did it keep up OK?

If it can keep up with cars at 100mph+ it'll easily keep up with my slow coach footballers in comparision. (Some of us do actually appreciate just how hard tracking at speed is )

What did you mean about the AF 'handing off' from zone to zone? I tactually tracks across and lights the AF point as it goes?

Thanks. Ignore the naysays mate, they're just jealous . TRacking at brickwall at 0mph is incredibly hard for any AF system...

I'm not going to make any comment on keeper rate after having just used the camera once and without having fully got to grips with the AF system and its set up. Keeper rate is another thing that I also don't pay too much attention to. Suffice to say at the moment I'm not disappointed.

The AF doesn't hand off from zone to zone, but rather hands off between the AF points that fall within the zone. And yes, it does light up the active AF point it is using within the zone. This can get distracting, as the AF system is very sensitive so I experienced the tracking AF point changing several times while tracking over a relatively short period of time. What puts me off mainly though, is the fact that it is the camera and not me that is choosing the AF point. I can see zone AF being useful if you're close in and dealing with a relatively flat surface eg a footballers shirt or similar.

Simon

zuluart wrote in post #8716828
What I love most about this camera is the ability to control so many aspects of it in such detail and they have made it so bleemingly easy that all it takes is just a glance of the manual and applying it and all falls into place.

I'm not a betting man, but this ease and scope for adjustment within the AF system will lead to complaints that it doesn't work very well.

germinal wrote in post #8716823
It is still a crop camera. compared to FF you are looking through a tiny hole. That s the only bad thing about this camera for me. So I dont think the 7D will change this by much?

Isn't the VF the same size as the 1DMkIII @ 100% coverage?

Yes.

That clarifies which "tiny hole" about which we're speaking...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #8716859
Isn't the VF the same size as the 1DMkIII @ 100% coverage?

yes, but 100% of a 1.6 cropped sensor/mirror. This is still alot worse than 98% of a FF.1D mkIII is 1.3

germinal wrote in post #8716872
yes, but 100% of a 1.6 cropped sensor/mirror. This is still alot worse than 98% of a FF.1D mkIII is 1.3

Are you confusing the Full Frame 1Ds MkIII and the APS-H (1.3x crop) 1D MkIII?

I like the fact you're not disappointed, that's the sort of answer I was hoping for. Like you say, it's early doors yet.

I like the sound of hand off, albeit with a tad of reservation.
Thanks for your promp reply!
Any more pics to share? They're far more interesting than all this waffle