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7d & Landscape and one other ques

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Seabassius

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First post. Been lurking for about a year.

Just got a 7d last weekend and have been playing with it a little (shooting geese and ducks at the pond and the dogs in the front yard). I like the camera a lot. I like to shoot everything, but my favorite is shooting landscapes. I didn't make the jump to the full frame because it was a $1000 more and I have one EF-s Lens, Tokina 12-24, already (upgrading from an XSI). I've read some posts here and elsewhere talking about the shortcomings of the 7d for landscapes and have started questioning my decision. Admittedly it could just be buyers remorse. My thought process for the 7d was I want to "play" with all kinds of photography especially try out sports (mtn biking, kayaking, rock climbing), eventual kids port and their sports (albeit the little one is still in the womb, so this is some planning ahead), city-scapes, architecture and wildlife, I think macro's neat too.

I guess that's a long way of saying I am a year and half into this hobby and want to try and do it all, but don't want to sacrifice my favorite aspect of the hobby (landscapes) in the process. I'm not above selling the camera on Craigslist and the lens and getting a 5d if that is the better choice. Lenses I own are the 50mm/1.8, 18-55 kit that came with the rebel, tokina 12-24, efs 55-250, and the 28-135 kit that came with the 7d.

2nd question. Which of the discussions here or elsewhere is it a good place to ask landscape specific questions? (things like packing for mutliday backpacking trips, lightest weight tripod that wont break the bank, etc...).

Thanks in advance for all of your feedback. This is a great community.
--
LB
 
What shortcomings? I don't think there is any. Get a good tripod, it does not need to be the real expensive ones since you're not shooting heavy lenses. Use liveview contrast focus and cable release/timer. I'm sure you can get as good landscape pics as you can.
Seabassius said:
First post. Been lurking for about a year.

Just got a 7d last weekend and have been playing with it a little (shooting geese and ducks at the pond and the dogs in the front yard). I like the camera a lot. I like to shoot everything, but my favorite is shooting landscapes. I didn't make the jump to the full frame because it was a $1000 more and I have one EF-s Lens, Tokina 12-24, already (upgrading from an XSI). I've read some posts here and elsewhere talking about the shortcomings of the 7d for landscapes and have started questioning my decision. Admittedly it could just be buyers remorse. My thought process for the 7d was I want to "play" with all kinds of photography especially try out sports (mtn biking, kayaking, rock climbing), eventual kids port and their sports (albeit the little one is still in the womb, so this is some planning ahead), city-scapes, architecture and wildlife, I think macro's neat too.

I guess that's a long way of saying I am a year and half into this hobby and want to try and do it all, but don't want to sacrifice my favorite aspect of the hobby (landscapes) in the process. I'm not above selling the camera on Craigslist and the lens and getting a 5d if that is the better choice. Lenses I own are the 50mm/1.8, 18-55 kit that came with the rebel, tokina 12-24, efs 55-250, and the 28-135 kit that came with the 7d.

2nd question. Which of the discussions here or elsewhere is it a good place to ask landscape specific questions? (things like packing for mutliday backpacking trips, lightest weight tripod that wont break the bank, etc...).

Thanks in advance for all of your feedback. This is a great community.
--
LB
Click to expand...
 
For tripods, it is a personal experience: I am using a Vangaurd carbon fiber and really like it. The Alta pro series 284CT is the one i have and weighs about 3.5 pounds and is rated to 18pounds of gear( but I would not put much credence into those ratings in general). I only put about 8-10pouonds of body and lens on it and it does great. $330

There are cheaper carbon fibers. Vangaurd has some, Feisol has some, and there is one more that I am now seeing at Adorama "Flashpoint" I think start at about $100

I like the Alta Pro series because of the ability to rotate the neck horizontally of even upside down for macro or close to the ground work.

I also use Vangaurd Ball head, SBH-200, and like it (under $75). I take macros, long twilight images and video with a 7D and 24-70L.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I've seen a lot on the gitzo, silk and manfrotto. First I've heard of Vanguard. I will definitely look into them. I have a Velbon 60 now, but was looking for something slightly lighter and smaller profile to strap on to the back of a pack. It also does not have a head (just a detachable plate). Do you do multi day trips? What is your packing method? I usually just pack it in my pack or pull it out and hike with it around my neck, but this thing is a beast compare to my XSI. Any best practices are appreciated. I like the ability to have it out instead of digging around in the pack for it. After a few hours on the trail I am more apt to leave it in the pack instead of exerting the extra energy. Seen the vest type setups, but worry about how hot that might be. Most hiking and backpacking done in CO, UT, WY, and AZ (in the winter).

Anytips on scouting wildlife? Didn't know if FS or NP Rangers would discuss the best areas or not? More looking for something other than deer and elk (and birds). Probably make a separate post on the pro board.
--
LB
 
Hi:

Just thought you'd want to know you did NOT make a bad choice. The 7d is an excellent (when used properly) all-around camera that can do most anything which seems to fit your situation quite well.

I'm a professional photographer & admittedly own the 5d, 7d, 40d, etc. series. As great as the 5d is (and it is a great camera) make no mistake, you will not only get great wildlife & sports shots, but excellent landscape pictures as well. Do NOT let any tell you otherwise. I must caution you though that it does demand the better lenses such as the ef-s 10-22; ef 24-70 L, etc.

Bye the way, check out the post several below yours, a guy named Ray Cao (with the warning regarding many files). That will show how well landscapes can be shot.
You made a great choice ... enjoy!

Ron
 
Are you sure you don't want a head for your tripod? How will you aim the camera without a head? Well, you can, but it's very cumbersome; you can adjust the legs unequally and you can turn the entire tripod around, but that really is not much good.

I have a Gitzo 1326 that I got on Ebay for a little over $400, and I tell you, it's a great tripod, and gives a lot of peace of mind knowing that it will not break and it will not fail . But it's too heavy for backpacking. The 7D already exceeds my backpacking weight tolerance, and good lenses often are heavy as well. For serious hiking I'd take my XSi.

I'm delighted with the landscapes I've shot with my 7D.

FF
 
With the right lens (super wide) and good PP software (DXO) you can get some increadible Landscape shots with the 7D. The Canon EF-S 10-22mm is a great choice!

If you need some more convincing that the 7D is great for landscapes you can look at the images posted in a 7D Lanscape contest.
Here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/canoneos7dfans/discuss/72157623327839710/

Of course a full frame or medium format is better but you can still make great Landscape shots with an APS-C DSLR.
 
Went out looking for clouds yesterday with my 7D and sigma 10-20.





I can't understand where this idea that anything but a full frame will be alright for landscapes.

These are taken without tripod and in JPG. I used Bibble pro for post processing purposes. Not that much was needed.
--
Sel ................ :)
To me, PC means personal computer, not politically correct.
http://flickr.com/photos/selsphotos/
 
Those are excellent landscape photographs ... very well done.

Gee - what a surprise huh, getting great landscape shots without full frame - go figure - LOL

Ron
 
Excellent shots! I don't really notice any strong barrel distortion or softness in the corners that can happen around 10mm. What focul length were these shot at?
 
What's wrong with the Tokina 12-24 for landscapes? other than it obviously doesn't go to 10mm. Is this the new version II or the original? I ask because this is on my buying radar for my 7D.
 
cmphotos said:
Excellent shots! I don't really notice any strong barrel distortion or softness in the corners that can happen around 10mm. What focal length were these shot at?
Click to expand...
Thanks :)

First shot 20mm, second 10mm. Bibble 5 has correction built in for many lenses, including the sigma 10-20 mkI.

Here is another at 10mm



--
Sel ................ :)
To me, PC means personal computer, not politically correct.
http://flickr.com/photos/selsphotos/
 
I have the II and I think it does a good job, but I am a relative beginner. I will post something when I get home later tonight.
--
LB
 
Thanks for posting those shots and for all the feedback from everyone. My only concern was how much I might be giving up by not havin full frame, but for what I want to achieve it sounds unwarranted. I was happy enought with shots from my XSI, but for spending the money I was hoping decent increase in image quality. Most of my concern originated from hearing about image quality degradation at F22. I had always read to keep all of the scene in focus you want smallest fstop. But it sounds like I need to get out and do some tests and keep any important element from being too close to the camera.
--
LB
 
I hadn't made the leap to the head only because of money. It's a juggling act of wants right now, lenses, tripods, heads, etc...

Know what you mean about the weight. That is something that is concerning me a little. Camera, wide angle, tripod, ball head....ugh

I used to have to hump a 80lb pack in the Army. I was hoping those days were over.

--
LB
 
I can't compare it to FF cameras but I don't feel there are any shortcomings when compared to other APS-C bodies. I've been quite happy with the performance so far. Haven't gotten a chance to shoot many landscapes but I am happy with what I have seen so far. Good color, good DR and good sharpness with the right lens.





--
My flickr page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33412421@N08/
 
Here's a few shots from the tokina. Couldn't get the lightroom plugin to work so I can let you know exif for any that you want to know more about.
--
LB



































 
Ok. Am I missing something on the displaying images. I clicked the add gallery photo tab and it looked like it linked to them.
--
LB



































 
Seabassius said:
Thanks for the feedback. I've seen a lot on the gitzo, silk and manfrotto. First I've heard of Vanguard. I will definitely look into them. I have a Velbon 60 now, but was looking for something slightly lighter and smaller profile to strap on to the back of a pack. It also does not have a head (just a detachable plate). Do you do multi day trips? What is your packing method? I usually just pack it in my pack or pull it out and hike with it around my neck, but this thing is a beast compare to my XSI. Any best practices are appreciated. I like the ability to have it out instead of digging around in the pack for it. After a few hours on the trail I am more apt to leave it in the pack instead of exerting the extra energy. Seen the vest type setups, but worry about how hot that might be. Most hiking and backpacking done in CO, UT, WY, and AZ (in the winter).
Click to expand...
I'd be interested to hear if you got any feedback/best practices on these questions. :)

For multi-day hikes I've previously gone with just a protective wrap for the camera body,

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/316401-REG/Skooba_Design_R890_121_12_R_A_P_S_Advanced_Protection.html

but it doesn't replace a well-organized camera bag because, as you say, I just usually chuck it on toward the top of my pack, where it's still slow to access compared to being at hip or chest height.

For single-day hikes I've tried the single-strap Sling Pack but it is simply not ergonomic enough for even a day (backpain alert!).

I suspect that a good quality camera backpack probably doubles better as an ergonomic daypack than a daypack doubling as a camera backpack. But I don't know, so asking here.

Still thinking about what to do for the next trip, so suggestions welcomed... :)
 
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