Official Canon EOS 7D User Thread Part I

[Felizitas]

Hi there.

Let's take a look at the dark side of the force: Assuming you have used the 7D for 12 months or so, what issues have you come across?

Have you been facing error messages?

Have you been forced to go to the Canon Service center for repairs?

I have been struck with the error 80 last night for the first time. I followed the "instructions" on Canon's webpage and restored working conditions.

However, there is a bit of testing to do though.

Do you have any story to tell?

Cheers.

[raydio]

Hi there.

Let's take a look at the dark side of the force: Assuming you have used the 7D for 12 months or so, what issues have you come across?

Have you been facing error messages?

Have you been forced to go to the Canon Service center for repairs?

I have been struck with the error 80 last night for the first time. I followed the "instructions" on Canon's webpage and restored working conditions.

However, there is a bit of testing to do though.

Do you have any story to tell?

Cheers.

I have had no problems with my 7D after owning it since the launch in 2009. But I haven't used it much in the last year. My main camera is the 5D and I use the 7D as my backup.

[tecnica]

so far for me, over the 2 years almost:

-encountered some error with tamron 70-300 vc usd, forget the error code though, isolated case
-weather sealing issue which took me back by a bit during 2011 xmas season

[raydio]

so far for me, over the 2 years almost:

-encountered some error with tamron 70-300 vc usd, forget the error code though, isolated case
-weather sealing issue which took me back by a bit during 2011 xmas season

Yes, I remember your weather sealing issues from a couple of months ago. Glad to know that everything worked out for the good!

[iamnubie]

Thinking of trying out primes for my 7D... Anyone has first-hand experience on the 35mm 1.4L and the 50mm 1.2L? Which do you feel is more versatile? I actually quite like both focal lengths, but I'm just contemplating on the best one in terms of sharpness and IQ. Any advice?

I have 50mm but for me it is too tight, then thinking of 24 or 35 mm, in the end taking 35mm L and not regretting at all, still not as wide as 24 but in return got better bokeh, like a balance between wide and bokeh.

As for 7d i got no problem even in rain and snow, same as bro above, tamron 70-300 issue, but the lens actually very2 good value, it's a good and sharp lens with incredible VC

[keroy]

yeah. same here.. which is why i wonder if 35mm is better in term of AF ,etc

Owned both Sigma 30 and Canon 35L before.

If you can get a good copy of the Sigma 30, it will be a better buy compared to the 35L. It's just 1/3 of the cost! Use MFA for adjustment. Distance based focusing issue might be a PITA though.
35L produces a slightly creamier bokeh but at 2k cost. Heavier but better built.

If AF is important and you can never afford to lose a couple of shots, Canon is the way to go. Sigma AF is still a hit and miss, especially shallow DOF at f/1.4.
I would still recommend a good Sigma 30 though. Best bang for the buck.

Shameless Plug: Anybody interested in buying a Tamron 70-300 VC? :P

[adrianyew]

Had the 7D for almost 2 years and camera hasnt given me a single problem. Used it when skiing, it was completely wet from melting snow and rain before, covered in dust from the safari trip in kenya. Its an awesome workhouse. No error msgs, basically in short, its definitely a very good buy and i dont see myself selling it at all. Will probably buy a 2nd body, probably a 5D3 soon. Hopefully the 5D3 will be just as hardy and durable as the 7D..

[Blitzkriegh]

ah yes, the sigma 30/f1.4 is on my list as well but i am kinda doubtful about the AF accuracy.

I have the sigma 30mm 1.4 and very satisfied with its AF. You can use the micro adjustment anyway if you have any doubts.

[jurvistan]

Hey guys, sorry if it's been asked before or it's a noob question, but how do you determine a "good copy" of a lens? I'm going over to Hong Kong to purchase some lenses on Thursday, what are some of the things other than vignetting distortion, Chromatic Aberrations to look out for and how do you guys test your lenses in the shop most of the time? Thanks in advance!

[raydio]

Hey guys, sorry if it's been asked before or it's a noob question, but how do you determine a "good copy" of a lens? I'm going over to Hong Kong to purchase some lenses on Thursday, what are some of the things other than vignetting distortion, Chromatic Aberrations to look out for and how do you guys test your lenses in the shop most of the time? Thanks in advance!

This is a very good but difficult question to answer. My primary concern when testing a lens is to check for front and back focusing. When I bought my 100-400 lens in Hong Kong I went to 4 or 5 different shops and tested for this by setting up a 'target' and placing my camera on a flat surface in front of the target and then use the timer shutter to take a photo. This produced sharp, vibration free photos. I used the LCD to view the photos in magnification mode and finally made a decision after visiting the 5th shop.

I have never done this since because it is very time consuming and difficult to do when there are a lot of people in the shop. Since I found out (a few years back) that CSC does lens calibration I use this service to calibrate lenses that I use the most.

Another thing to watch out for is 'de-centring'. I had a Sigma lens and found out that I had a decentred copy only after I realized what the term meant. This is when one half is in perfect focus and the other half is not.

I've heard of some people who bring in a laptop and test the lens by tethering their camera to the laptop.

I think that the best way to test a lens is to do a lot of research from good, reputable review sites and determine the strengths and weaknesses of the lens in question and note the potential problems that have been experienced from other users. With this knowledge, appropriate and targeted testing can be done.

[tecnica]

for me, i take colour fringing very seriously.

[Errz]

who think 7D not good enough for sports?

look here Football Photo Gallery by Tim van Woensel at pbase.com

[avsquare]

I think that the best way to test a lens is to do a lot of research from good, reputable review sites and determine the strengths and weaknesses of the lens in question and note the potential problems that have been experienced from other users. With this knowledge, appropriate and targeted testing can be done.

and probably set the right expectations for the lens before stepping foot into the shop.

[koppite]

who think 7D not good enough for sports?

look here Football Photo Gallery by Tim van Woensel at pbase.com

On the contrary, I think it is the best after 1 series, no???

[N-user]

who think 7D not good enough for sports?

look here Football Photo Gallery by Tim van Woensel at pbase.com

err who say 7D not good enough for sports one....

[Errz]

err who say 7D not good enough for sports one....

i wanna shoot soccer also ler.. but no lobang :~(

[koppite]

err who say 7D not good enough for sports one....

When a new model comes out, older models sure Kenna whack left right centre. The 7D is still a very capable camera and excels in many areas, sports and actions especially. It will be unfair to thrash this camera. IMO, other than ISO performance and DOF, it at least beats the 5D2 in most areas. That said, the 5D2 is also still a great camera.

So users of this camera just continue using it la, don't need to worry too much about what others are saying.

[Errz]

When a new model comes out, older models sure Kenna whack left right centre. The 7D is still a very capable camera and excels in many areas, sports and actions especially. It will be unfair to thrash this camera. IMO, other than ISO performance and DOF, it at least beats the 5D2 in most areas. That said, the 5D2 is also still a great camera.

So users of this camera just continue using it la, don't need to worry too much about what others are saying.

yeah. its still a good cam for sports and landscape (look at SomeFormOFhuman‎ photos, another 7D owner) just wow..

[Halfmoon]

err who say 7D not good enough for sports one....

This is one interesting question....

But I know why... it is not FF, so 5DC is the BEST Cam for it???? No??? MMm....

[Halfmoon]

who think 7D not good enough for sports?

look here Football Photo Gallery by Tim van Woensel at pbase.com

Any idea what lens was used???