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Whick Camera Body for a Serious Amateur

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MomEngineer

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Hi,

I own the 7D and unfortunately I am having some AF issues. There is a lot of talk about how the 7D is directed toward a different photographer, not good for grab and go photography, etc..

If this is the case, which body would you recommend for someone who wants to use the camera in the follow ways:

1. Great flexibility to explore the hobby of photography (serious amateur). Plenty of manual settings and adjustments.

2. Excellent AF and good low-light.

3. Good usable photos in "P" mode if someone else in the family decides to take pictures at family gatherings, etc...

I do a wide range of photos - sports, kids, portraits, family gatherings, starting to enjoy macro. ;-)

I will even consider FF - 5DMKII or 5D if the camera can be used in the ways listed above.

Happy Shooting and thanks in advance,
Pam :-)
 
I have a 20d and it is enough for a serious amateur. Either your camera is defective or your technique is off for the focus. If you want help on that post pictures with exif info. All cameras have trade-offs and are tools. I suspect that if you don't have a defective camera it will be good enough. I cannot say if it will optimal for you.

what lenses are you using?
 
Handing it off for someone else to shoot sounds like you're looking for more automatic modes...which is the xxD and xxxD series...

If you're interested in the 7D for yourself - consider keeping the 7D (or it's replacement) and buying and older xxD or xxxD (like the 40D, or 400D) that you can use more for "grab and go" or handing off to others that want to use only automatic modes...as a side note: the xxxD series make good travel cameras as well because of their smaller size and weight, which I why I still have my 400D...

I wouldn't be looking at the 5D series for your stated purpose...

Brit
MomEngineer said:
Hi,

I own the 7D and unfortunately I am having some AF issues. There is a lot of talk about how the 7D is directed toward a different photographer, not good for grab and go photography, etc..

If this is the case, which body would you recommend for someone who wants to use the camera in the follow ways:

1. Great flexibility to explore the hobby of photography (serious amateur). Plenty of manual settings and adjustments.

2. Excellent AF and good low-light.

3. Good usable photos in "P" mode if someone else in the family decides to take pictures at family gatherings, etc...

I do a wide range of photos - sports, kids, portraits, family gatherings, starting to enjoy macro. ;-)

I will even consider FF - 5DMKII or 5D if the camera can be used in the ways listed above.

Happy Shooting and thanks in advance,
Pam :-)
Click to expand...
 
The "P" mode wouldn't be for me - only husband, kids, etc.. to grab and take a picture. I can set the camera up in tv or av mode before someone else uses it, but I just feel like a camera should always work properly in "P" mode. I do have a Rebel XTi, but I don't always want to take both bodies.

Personally, I need better resolution, better high-iso, etc... and I have the capability of working the machine. ;-)

Thanks for your advice,
Pam
 
50D

i've heard all the karpola. but i have one and it does exactly what you said.

noisy? see for yourself. shot in a dark photographic he77 @ ISO 1000:

http://www.MageProductions.com/afmuseum

maybe you could return that 7D and get a nice chunk of change!

invite me to the party ?????
 
Are you keeping your XTi or is it up on the block?

To me, if you want more than what the xxD can proivde iit sounds like you're still looking at two bodies. One for you - which would be an xD (either the 5DII or 7D) and one for everyone else (xxD or xxxD)....

Brit
MomEngineer said:
The "P" mode wouldn't be for me - only husband, kids, etc.. to grab and take a picture. I can set the camera up in tv or av mode before someone else uses it, but I just feel like a camera should always work properly in "P" mode. I do have a Rebel XTi, but I don't always want to take both bodies.

Personally, I need better resolution, better high-iso, etc... and I have the capability of working the machine. ;-)

Thanks for your advice,
Pam
Click to expand...
 
MomEngineer said:
Hi,

I own the 7D and unfortunately I am having some AF issues. There is a lot of talk about how the 7D is directed toward a different photographer, not good for grab and go photography, etc..

If this is the case, which body would you recommend for someone who wants to use the camera in the follow ways:

1. Great flexibility to explore the hobby of photography (serious amateur). Plenty of manual settings and adjustments.

2. Excellent AF and good low-light.
Click to expand...
AF issues with the 7D? What kind? Please describe it.

Anyway...

I can think of 2 cameras...the Nikon D3s and the Canon 1D Mark IV. IMHO the Nikon D3s high ISO samples look awesome. The high ISO samples from the 1D Mark IV? Let's wait for more samples to make a better judgment.

AF for both cameras should be excellent...well if the AF of the Nikon D3s is like the AF of the old Nikon D3 (or better) then it should be excellent. The AF of the 1D Mark IV looks good on paper...let's wait for some reviews first to make a better judgment.

If you want to save money, then you should think about getting a Nikon D700.

Cheers!

Danny Tuason :)
MomEngineer said:
3. Good usable photos in "P" mode if someone else in the family decides to take pictures at family gatherings, etc...

I do a wide range of photos - sports, kids, portraits, family gatherings, starting to enjoy macro. ;-)

I will even consider FF - 5DMKII or 5D if the camera can be used in the ways listed above.

Happy Shooting and thanks in advance,
Pam :-)
Click to expand...
--
http://www.modelmayhem.com/784489
http://www.pbase.com/dtuason



It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

~ Niccolo Machiavelli
 
Sorry about the additons...or maybe consider a nice new G11 as the grab-&-go / husband camera...
Brit said:
To me, if you want more than what the xxD can proivde iit sounds like you're still looking at two bodies. One for you - which would be an xD (either the 5DII or 7D) and one for everyone else (xxD or xxxD)....

Brit
MomEngineer said:
The "P" mode wouldn't be for me - only husband, kids, etc.. to grab and take a picture. I can set the camera up in tv or av mode before someone else uses it, but I just feel like a camera should always work properly in "P" mode. I do have a Rebel XTi, but I don't always want to take both bodies.

Personally, I need better resolution, better high-iso, etc... and I have the capability of working the machine. ;-)

Thanks for your advice,
Pam
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I'm going to stick with Canon DSLRs, which I know at least a little bit about.

The XSi/450D will do all that you requested of it in your original post. It's a very capable camera as long as you don't expect lightning-fast super-accurate AF and as long as you're not shooting in a dark cellar with no artificial light. I use ISO 1600 on mine only in emergencies, but in reasonably complex scenes, ISO 800 is reasonably good.

If you want video and better high-ISO performance, more resolution, but the same AF, get the 500D/TLi.

The 50D is a step up from the 500D except in IQ and resolution, but doesn't have video.

If you read these forums as I have, you'll conclude that the 7D is a step up from the 50D and it does have video.

Every one of these cameras should work fine in P mode, where you can set some defaults, and even in A mode, where you have to just accept whatever the camera wants to do.

I've been quite happy with my 450D. Now I'm tempted by the 7D's performance and features. I see no reason to get a FF camera unless you want to make large, stunning images of landscapes and in a studio. The ones available from Canon won't do as well as some of the APS-C or -H cameras for sports and wildlife, either.

Hope this helps.

FF
 
It's funny you should mention Nikon - Before the 7D came out, I was thinking Canon 50D, then on the fence with the Nikon D700. It has FF and at least 5fps. However, I do have a bit of an investment in Canon and swapping lenses just seamed like a nightmare to me. And also, I weighed price and thought the 7D would be the best bang for the money. Now, after having the 7D in my hands and having all the flexibility; I am looking for something that works even if it is $700 more.

Thanks for the input,
Pam
dtuason said:
MomEngineer said:
Hi,

I own the 7D and unfortunately I am having some AF issues. There is a lot of talk about how the 7D is directed toward a different photographer, not good for grab and go photography, etc..

If this is the case, which body would you recommend for someone who wants to use the camera in the follow ways:

1. Great flexibility to explore the hobby of photography (serious amateur). Plenty of manual settings and adjustments.

2. Excellent AF and good low-light.
Click to expand...
AF issues with the 7D? What kind? Please describe it.

Anyway...

I can think of 2 cameras...the Nikon D3s and the Canon 1D Mark IV. IMHO the Nikon D3s high ISO samples look awesome. The high ISO samples from the 1D Mark IV? Let's wait for more samples to make a better judgment.

AF for both cameras should be excellent...well if the AF of the Nikon D3s is like the AF of the old Nikon D3 (or better) then it should be excellent. The AF of the 1D Mark IV looks good on paper...let's wait for some reviews first to make a better judgment.

If you want to save money, then you should think about getting a Nikon D700.

Cheers!

Danny Tuason :)
dtuason said:
3. Good usable photos in "P" mode if someone else in the family decides to take pictures at family gatherings, etc...

I do a wide range of photos - sports, kids, portraits, family gatherings, starting to enjoy macro. ;-)

I will even consider FF - 5DMKII or 5D if the camera can be used in the ways listed above.

Happy Shooting and thanks in advance,
Pam :-)
Click to expand...
--
http://www.modelmayhem.com/784489
http://www.pbase.com/dtuason



It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

~ Niccolo Machiavelli
Click to expand...
 
The 50D was one of my original choices before I heard the 7D was going to be announced. So I waited on the 7D - good or bad.

By the way, Your picture is very nice. You didn't have to jump through hoops to get the photo I hope. ;-)

I can't get my 7D to do anything with that "pop" - dark or light. I hesitate to post a comment like that because I am sure someone will let me know that it is the person behind the VF.

Thanks for the input,
Pam
E Gad said:
50D

i've heard all the karpola. but i have one and it does exactly what you said.

noisy? see for yourself. shot in a dark photographic he77 @ ISO 1000:

http://www.MageProductions.com/afmuseum

maybe you could return that 7D and get a nice chunk of change!

invite me to the party ?????
Click to expand...
 
Thanks,

I really thought the 7D would be perfect for what I want, and at first I didn't really want to spend the extra for the FF right now. I might in the future.

I just can't believe that it takes a professional to AF the 7D.

I actually have a Rebel XTi which is what I am upgrading from - I thought.

i just wanted the 8fps, 19 point AF, 100% VF, etc.. The 7D seemed to be what I was looking for.

Thanks for your input,
Pam
Flying Fish said:
I'm going to stick with Canon DSLRs, which I know at least a little bit about.

The XSi/450D will do all that you requested of it in your original post. It's a very capable camera as long as you don't expect lightning-fast super-accurate AF and as long as you're not shooting in a dark cellar with no artificial light. I use ISO 1600 on mine only in emergencies, but in reasonably complex scenes, ISO 800 is reasonably good.

If you want video and better high-ISO performance, more resolution, but the same AF, get the 500D/TLi.

The 50D is a step up from the 500D except in IQ and resolution, but doesn't have video.

If you read these forums as I have, you'll conclude that the 7D is a step up from the 50D and it does have video.

Every one of these cameras should work fine in P mode, where you can set some defaults, and even in A mode, where you have to just accept whatever the camera wants to do.

I've been quite happy with my 450D. Now I'm tempted by the 7D's performance and features. I see no reason to get a FF camera unless you want to make large, stunning images of landscapes and in a studio. The ones available from Canon won't do as well as some of the APS-C or -H cameras for sports and wildlife, either.

Hope this helps.

FF
Click to expand...
 
MomEngineer said:
It's funny you should mention Nikon - Before the 7D came out, I was thinking Canon 50D, then on the fence with the Nikon D700. It has FF and at least 5fps. However, I do have a bit of an investment in Canon and swapping lenses just seamed like a nightmare to me. And also, I weighed price and thought the 7D would be the best bang for the money. Now, after having the 7D in my hands and having all the flexibility; I am looking for something that works even if it is
Click to expand...
$700 more.

The Nikon D700 is an amazing camera...my best friend shoots with one (and a D300). When I shot a tennis tournament with my friend Joey (Newspaper Man), the pros who sat next to us usually had a Nikon D3 or a Nikon D700 or a Canon 1D series camera. I saw 2 with Canon xxD cameras and they were fine with it. The ones working for Getty Images had Canon 1D2N's with them. I bet next year they will be carrying 1D4's with them.

I carried a 1Ds3 and a 50D, Joey brought his 1D3.

7D AF problems? Can you please describe your problems?

Cheers!

Danny Tuason :)
MomEngineer said:
Thanks for the input,
Pam
dtuason said:
MomEngineer said:
Hi,

I own the 7D and unfortunately I am having some AF issues. There is a lot of talk about how the 7D is directed toward a different photographer, not good for grab and go photography, etc..

If this is the case, which body would you recommend for someone who wants to use the camera in the follow ways:

1. Great flexibility to explore the hobby of photography (serious amateur). Plenty of manual settings and adjustments.

2. Excellent AF and good low-light.
Click to expand...
AF issues with the 7D? What kind? Please describe it.

Anyway...

I can think of 2 cameras...the Nikon D3s and the Canon 1D Mark IV. IMHO the Nikon D3s high ISO samples look awesome. The high ISO samples from the 1D Mark IV? Let's wait for more samples to make a better judgment.

AF for both cameras should be excellent...well if the AF of the Nikon D3s is like the AF of the old Nikon D3 (or better) then it should be excellent. The AF of the 1D Mark IV looks good on paper...let's wait for some reviews first to make a better judgment.

If you want to save money, then you should think about getting a Nikon D700.

Cheers!

Danny Tuason :)
MomEngineer said:
3. Good usable photos in "P" mode if someone else in the family decides to take pictures at family gatherings, etc...

I do a wide range of photos - sports, kids, portraits, family gatherings, starting to enjoy macro. ;-)

I will even consider FF - 5DMKII or 5D if the camera can be used in the ways listed above.

Happy Shooting and thanks in advance,
Pam :-)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
http://www.modelmayhem.com/784489
http://www.pbase.com/dtuason



It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

~ Niccolo Machiavelli
 
I just can't believe that it takes a professional to AF the 7D.

Pam: Neither can I. But there is a huge array of AF options--way, way more than we have on our Rebels--and it's going to take time to learn to use them to their fullest.

Thanks for your input,
Pam

You're welcome. I just ordered a 7D, and look forward to hearing what you decide and how it goes.

FF
 
Hi Flying Fish,

I think the difference between my complaints and the folks who say things like "the 7D sucks" is that I REALLY want this camera to succeed. I love the build, the options, really everything it has to offer. Some of my favorite things are the 8fps, 100% VF, 3" 920K LCD, the build in general, etc.. I thought the AF was going to be a wonderful asset - unfortunately, this is not working for me.

So, Monday I am shipping it back to Canon. I hope they find something - or admit that they found something;-), so I will at least know that I am not incompetent.

I will let you know when I get it back if things are better.

Thanks for your input,
Pam
Flying Fish said:
I just can't believe that it takes a professional to AF the 7D.

Pam: Neither can I. But there is a huge array of AF options--way, way more than we have on our Rebels--and it's going to take time to learn to use them to their fullest.

Thanks for your input,
Pam

You're welcome. I just ordered a 7D, and look forward to hearing what you decide and how it goes.

FF
Click to expand...
 
If a 7D was too much camera for you, I would suggest a Canon S90. Great walk around camera that takes very good low light photos for posting to the internet.

When your ready to take more control and want to select the lens and the camera settings then you might enjoy a 7D.

I would certainly suggest reading the owners manual several times so that you FULLY understand how the camera you select operates. Todays cameras are very complicated computers that are designed to take pictures under many different variables. Our job as photographers is to compose the photo and select the appropriate variables so that we obtain the picture that OUR minds eye visualized. Not as easy as it first appears.
Dave
 
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