Unpacking my 7D now.....

Someone needs to start the "7D Admirers Assemble" thread...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #8716885
Someone needs to start the "7D Admirers Assemble" thread...

Or the " Should I buy a 7D or wait for the 8D?" thread

You guys are asking for it...

Although, I know Jay seems to like to sit back and enjoy some popcorn.

10megapixel wrote in post #8716891
Or the " Should I buy a 7D or wait for the 8D?" thread

I just hope the "7D Admirers Thread" does better than the one for the 5DMkII.

The 5D Classic thread is on Ver 3 for goodness sake.

Hope you had a decent night's kip Simon. Great pics. I'm so glad the first real-user images came from somebody who knows how to use their gear properly. I was dreading getting some under-exposed shaky crud from somebody whining about how terrible the 7D was.

I was interested in your comments on how configurable the AF system is. Sounds like I'd better read the manual before I go to check one out tomorrow.

Simon Harrison wrote in post #8716495
I'm certainly not upset with people asking questions, far from it and that's not what I objected to if you read my post.

did you try a "silent" mode and if so was it? i know its of no use during motor sport but im thinking of picking up this camera for golf....

Simon,

what CF cards are you shooting with using the 7D? Are you using the ones with the UDMA technology?

Congrats!

Simon Harrison wrote in post #8716375


I've been waiting for this comment to arrive. Clearly tracking objects moving at well over 100mph isn't a test for an AF system as you rightly say.

Everyone - take note of this and please don't draw any conclusions about the effectiveness of the AF from the pictures I've posted.

I've had enough of this. In between demands for high ISO comparison shots and comments like this, you can all draw your own conclusions about the camera from someone elses shots and feedback.

Simon.

Simon ~ Thank you for sharing your images and thoughts with us. I've found them invaluable in helping to decide between a used ID II and a 7D for aviation and motorsports. Please keep up the good work and ignore the over enthusiastic requests!
John

Simon Harrison wrote in post #8716857
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.

Simon, I agree with you about the complains that might originate but what I did find playing with the AF systems and choices is that these features are all as an addition rather than replacing the conventional way of the AF. The choice is so immense, Manual select (Single point AF), Man select (AF point expansion), Manual select (zone AF), Auto select (19 point AF), Manual select (Spot AF), which is by itself even slightly different than the Manual select (Single point AF). One is bound to find one that suits the type of shooting that wants to do.

I had a good play with it and I must say I enjoyed it. And the buttons are just so nicely located that I could fiddle with them using the thumb and index finger and within a few minutes I was able to make full use of the menus with great result.

I bet the CPS guys are bracing themselves for another spate of "the AF in this camera doesn't work" jobs where all they have to do is properly set up the CFn's

smythie wrote in post #8717568
I bet the CPS guys are bracing themselves for another spate of "the AF in this camera doesn't work" jobs where all they have to do is properly set up the CFn's

Now that I fully agree . Without shadow of a doubt this is one of those things that it certainly takes a bit of fiddling first, reading a bit what one does specifically and how to enable etc. I am not sure how Simon's one came as default but mine I had to enable it by going into the CFn's, work out a bit and even after activating it at first I thought oops how come its not working. And then I remembered to use the button to use it after using the AF and all started falling into place.
I particularly like the Manual Select (AF point expansion) and keep it there because I can quickly use the right thumb to activate the grid, then use the right index to move it left or right and if I want to bring it down or up I use the right thumb on the cursor and adjust it. So far the images of the little ones I have managed are just pinpointed sharp at the spots I wanted, and pretty good in fact.

Simon Harrison wrote in post #8716509
One battery lasted a couple of hours use while I delved through the cameras menus etc., and then last about 3/4 of days shooting. I was chimping a lot as you can imagine.

Sounds like it's about the same life expectancy as the battery in the 5D2 (it is the same battery). Good battery life IMHO. I shot an all-day event two weeks ago, including a little video. I changed batteries at around the 30% mark, even though I probably could have gotten through the whole event on one.

This is one shot with the AF point expansion, I find it particularly good to pinpoint the eyes for example while keeping the nearer parts still focused. This was shot in RAW and then used curves to bring out the contrast using CS4
http://www.aminstar.co​m …orums/IMG_0049r​esized.jpg

good shot