My next upgrade! I've looked in to it quite heavily, and if you don't intend to go full-frame in the next few years then I think it's definitely worth it.
I do this often so don't think I'm trying to burst your bubble...
1.) Is your 400D broken? If it is not, why upgrade? Don't let salespeople and flashy magazine ads sell you megapixels, buttons, and menus. They are all baloney.
I think a 7D costs about $1,500. Wouldn't it be better to invest that in 1 or maybe 2 nice lenses? That is where your quality comes from. The cameras are overpriced firmware and disposable.
Otherwise, if there is a reason that is a must have (not a must want) that your current camera doesn't have, then go for it.
@moncooga I kind of agree with you, but then I have found limitations with my body (the 450D - similar to 400D). For example, the amount of photos per second is slow and the body is both small and fragile. The 7D allows you to take about 8 pictures per second (useful in sports photography, for example) and had a bigger and more rugged body. If you're in to low light photography, the 7D can handle high ISO better. Also, it has a built-in leveller, wireless flash control and of course HD movies (it may interest some).
I agree that the user is the most important part of photography, and that lenses are more important that the body; but the body still matters, especially depending on the type of photography you're into.
I can say this much. I have been shooting images at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since the 80's. The cars go kinda fast there, and I never needed needed 8fps, and I am by no means a pro. I sometimes feel that photography has gotten away from the person, and has become all technology.
@moncooga Yeah I do agree with you, but I just think that sometimes the kit can help you. It won't make you a better photographer, but it can make it easier!
Been looking at the 7d myself its one excellant camera , "pricey yes" but it has some pretty cool features ,, go test drive one in store .. i did & like it, but i dont have an dslr anymore so Chris has a point.. also check out the new 60d canon at the same time.
I dont know about in the USA but at the moment here in the UK the 60D has around £250 off the list price , not quite as many features as the 7d but with the price reduction it is worth a look ....
i tend to agree with vikdaddy. the advancements made in the past few years in high iso quality alone is really amazing, not to mentiion the frame rate, better lcd, etc. if you shoot much in low light situations, you will be very happy you upgraded. will it make you a better photographer, no, but it can open up shooting opportunities you wouldn't otherwise have.
i don't shoot canon, but my partner does, and she loves her 7D. The TL2 and d60 share the same sensor, and are considerably cheaper if you don't need 8fps, or the bigger, weather sealed body.
I use a Canon 7D to shoot most of my pictures. While I like it, I feel you need a lot of time to invest in learning the intricacies. The first month I used it, I really had no clue what I was doing other than changing a few numbers here and there until I got the picture I was looking for. I've now been using it for nearly two months, and still feel I don't know enough about it. It's a great camera, but my suggestion is to make sure you have enough time to invest in it if you're going to spend the money on it.
Everyone here made some really good points.....for me, i guess it would depend on what type of a photographer you are. I mean having a really upscale camera is great and if I had the money why would I deny myself having one? If you have plans of going beyond the hobbyist type, it would be the next logical thing to do. It's something that'll help with your everyday way of life. But if it 's just something thats like a favourite past time, maybe you would like to consider something less extravangant but something that would suit your needs and get some lenses if you happen to have a little more extra. There are a lot of other models that have great features as well. But if you feel that the 7d is what you like, then go for it! It's not a bad investment too.
=)
You won't get "better quality" photos with it than with what you have now, but as has been said it gives you more options, like low-light photography, a better AF system, great rate of frames per second, HD video, decent weather sealing, and a sturdy chassis if you tend to go places where your gera gets knocked around.
If you don't need those things, you should spend the money on lenses instead, IMO.
In regards to the 60D - while it has a high pixel count and some decent low light ability, it has a slower frame rate, it lost the alloy chassis of the previous X0D series bodies, and has been aimed at XX0D series camera buyers as a slight upgrade. If you are starting to get serious about your photography (or already are), the 7D is a much better option. The 60D is, in many ways, a step down from the 50D - it has lost a number of "serious photographer" features the 50D has. The X0D series, as of the 60D, are no longer semi-pro cameras - they are enthusiast models. Certainly still a good camera, and good value for money, but I personally don't think it should be compared to the 7D (no offense Steve H - just my take on it).
I suspect Canon will soon drop either the 1000D or the XX0D series, now that they've shifted the target market of the X0D series to that same market. Expect the 5D-series to take up the pro segment of the market, and the 1D-series to make way for something entirely new. The 7D (and any new variants) will be the semi-pro and sporting line, and I think the build quality supports that. Yes, I do spend too much time reading into things, and checking out the rumour sites. ;)
Thanks all for taking the time out to post a comment. You've all made some really salient comments and you have given me some food for thought. I do agree that it's the person behind the camera that gets the good shot but I'm kind of going with vikdaddy in that it's body is more robust and has more features that my 400D has.
James talked about the kind of photographer you are. Well, at the moment I take pictures for the sheer pleasure of it, the way it makes me see beauty in everyday things , how extraordinary people can be when they're just being themselves. I would like to take my photography to semi pro level as I've decided that when I go back to work (have been bringing up my kids which has been hard work enough!! And will continue to be!) I want to be doing something that I love and want to get up in the morning for. I'm going back home to NZ in the new year after 7 years away so maybe the time is ripe to take it up a notch! Any critiques of my pictures very welcome BTW!
Oh darn it, at the end the day it'd be nice to have a new toy (I mean very expensive piece of kit that's going to help me forge a career;-) ) even if it will be my Christmas and birthday presents for the rest of my life!!!
Thanks again for your comments. You've all been really helpful.
@jinximages Hey Jinx. Thanks for your thoughts on this-I'm very pleased you spend lots of time reading into things . Techy stuff tends to bamboozle me so you've been very helpful. Ta muchly!
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
1.) Is your 400D broken? If it is not, why upgrade? Don't let salespeople and flashy magazine ads sell you megapixels, buttons, and menus. They are all baloney.
I think a 7D costs about $1,500. Wouldn't it be better to invest that in 1 or maybe 2 nice lenses? That is where your quality comes from. The cameras are overpriced firmware and disposable.
Otherwise, if there is a reason that is a must have (not a must want) that your current camera doesn't have, then go for it.
I agree that the user is the most important part of photography, and that lenses are more important that the body; but the body still matters, especially depending on the type of photography you're into.
I can say this much. I have been shooting images at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since the 80's. The cars go kinda fast there, and I never needed needed 8fps, and I am by no means a pro. I sometimes feel that photography has gotten away from the person, and has become all technology.
I dont know about in the USA but at the moment here in the UK the 60D has around £250 off the list price , not quite as many features as the 7d but with the price reduction it is worth a look ....
i don't shoot canon, but my partner does, and she loves her 7D. The TL2 and d60 share the same sensor, and are considerably cheaper if you don't need 8fps, or the bigger, weather sealed body.
=)
If you don't need those things, you should spend the money on lenses instead, IMO.
In regards to the 60D - while it has a high pixel count and some decent low light ability, it has a slower frame rate, it lost the alloy chassis of the previous X0D series bodies, and has been aimed at XX0D series camera buyers as a slight upgrade. If you are starting to get serious about your photography (or already are), the 7D is a much better option. The 60D is, in many ways, a step down from the 50D - it has lost a number of "serious photographer" features the 50D has. The X0D series, as of the 60D, are no longer semi-pro cameras - they are enthusiast models. Certainly still a good camera, and good value for money, but I personally don't think it should be compared to the 7D (no offense Steve H - just my take on it).
I suspect Canon will soon drop either the 1000D or the XX0D series, now that they've shifted the target market of the X0D series to that same market. Expect the 5D-series to take up the pro segment of the market, and the 1D-series to make way for something entirely new. The 7D (and any new variants) will be the semi-pro and sporting line, and I think the build quality supports that. Yes, I do spend too much time reading into things, and checking out the rumour sites. ;)
James talked about the kind of photographer you are. Well, at the moment I take pictures for the sheer pleasure of it, the way it makes me see beauty in everyday things , how extraordinary people can be when they're just being themselves. I would like to take my photography to semi pro level as I've decided that when I go back to work (have been bringing up my kids which has been hard work enough!! And will continue to be!) I want to be doing something that I love and want to get up in the morning for. I'm going back home to NZ in the new year after 7 years away so maybe the time is ripe to take it up a notch! Any critiques of my pictures very welcome BTW!
Oh darn it, at the end the day it'd be nice to have a new toy (I mean very expensive piece of kit that's going to help me forge a career;-) ) even if it will be my Christmas and birthday presents for the rest of my life!!!
Thanks again for your comments. You've all been really helpful.