Is 7d2 Game Changing? Does it get 10 fps?

[MAC]

One famous forum member says it isn't and doesn't - but who shoots in the dark, in live view, with lenses off?

I shoot some sports and action with the optical viewfinder and Ss 1/500+

Dual slots are good when $ on the line

I believe the 7d2 with 100-400 II, with 1.4 III, with 70-200 f2.8 IS II, with 2x III, with Lexar cf 1066, with sandsk 95mb/sec (getting 5.6 fps after the 10fps when buffer is full) - I believe for the money and reach and resolution and speed that this setup could be a game changer and what I buy

what do you think?

 

[Midwest]

One famous forum member says it isn't and doesn't - but who shoots in the dark, in live view, with lenses off?

I shoot some sports and action with the optical viewfinder and Ss 1/500+

Dual slots are good when $ on the line

I believe the 7d2 with 100-400 II, with 1.4 III, with 70-200 f2.8 IS II, with 2x III, with Lexar cf 1066, with sandsk 95mb/sec (getting 5.6 fps after the 10fps when buffer is full) - I believe for the money and reach and resolution and speed that this setup could be a game changer and what I buy

what do you think?

If I could afford a 7D2 I would buy one.

I bought a 7D about 1 1/2 years ago and I think it's great. It replaced a Rebel T3i which I liked very much but which was utterly not capable of action or sport photography, which I like to do on occasion. The frame rate (8 fps) and the buffer depth of the 7D are miles away from those of the T3i which in fairness was not intended as a high performance camera.

But - the 7D2 still improves on those two things, contrary to the naysayers the sensor has been improved and it can handle high ISO shooting better. I have been quite impressed with many of the higher ISO shots I've seen posted. The full-buffer FPS rate is even amazing. IMO, among APS-C cameras, the 7D2 is easily the top of the stack for high performance shooting; for that matter the 7D is probably still in second place despite its age. Yes, there are mirrorless cameras that produce more FPS, but without as good AF and making you work with an EVF.

DPReview responded to that 'famous forum member' and his FPS results, and they clearly stated that while the FPS varied slightly under different shooting conditions, it was always very close to 10 FPS with the 7D2.

There are a lot of people who I would not recommend this camera to, who don't need what it is designed for - high performance - but from your post I think it would be a very good choice for you. Learn to use the 7D2's sophisticated AF system and you will be very happy with the camera. Like I said, I'd buy one if I could.

 

[Siobhan A]

JPEGs vs, RAW and not both should help the buffer too.

 

[Alastair Norcross]

[No message]

 

[MarshallG]

One famous forum member says it isn't and doesn't - but who shoots in the dark, in live view, with lenses off?

I shoot some sports and action with the optical viewfinder and Ss 1/500+

Dual slots are good when $ on the line

I believe the 7d2 with 100-400 II, with 1.4 III, with 70-200 f2.8 IS II, with 2x III, with Lexar cf 1066, with sandsk 95mb/sec (getting 5.6 fps after the 10fps when buffer is full) - I believe for the money and reach and resolution and speed that this setup could be a game changer and what I buy

what do you think?

Of course, I agree with you. One thing to consider:

I think that if you purchase both the 100-400 and tve 70-200, you don't need a teleconverter for the 70-200, right?

I'd research the performance of telecon's on the 100-400 before buying one. A 2x drops aperture too low to focus. Maybe, instead of two telecoms, put that money some day into a long fixed focal length lens. Or just buy the 1.4x, because 560mm is still amazing

 

[elfroggio]

what do you think?

I bought one and NO, it's not a game changer. Excellent camera, better than my 7d and the 70d but game changer? No.

If you can't take good photos with your existing gear, you won't take good photos with the 7d2. The 7d2 will not make you a good photographer, it helps with its wonderful and complicated AF, the 10fps (I don't care if it's 9.5 or even 9fps)...

This is basically a Nikon D4 for a 1/3rd of the price. Great camera, but not a game changer.

It's my opinion and I'll stick with it until I change my mind or Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji or Panasonic bribes me with free...!

 

[fwampler]

It allows me to shoot birds and sports with the "big boys". No way would I pay $6500 for the privilege. I will and did pay $1800 for the privilege. I even bought a "big boy" bird lens. :>) As far as 10 frames/sec. I don't know but for me it is wonderfully fast. Better than my 5dm3 by a long shot. No one says you can have only one camera. I suspect that $1800 is the bargain of the century for a lot of us.

One famous forum member says it isn't and doesn't - but who shoots in the dark, in live view, with lenses off?

I shoot some sports and action with the optical viewfinder and Ss 1/500+

Dual slots are good when $ on the line

I believe the 7d2 with 100-400 II, with 1.4 III, with 70-200 f2.8 IS II, with 2x III, with Lexar cf 1066, with sandsk 95mb/sec (getting 5.6 fps after the 10fps when buffer is full) - I believe for the money and reach and resolution and speed that this setup could be a game changer and what I buy

what do you think?

 

[dgovoni]

I just bought this body as a companion to the 1DX I own. While I've only had it a few days, it has quite a bit of similarity with the 1DX especially in the AF system (7DII has a few more AF points). Also the menu options are very close to the 1DX, so if you don't want the $$ outlay of the 1DX, this should do nicely. So in this respect it's a game changer at cost/benefit.

I plan on using it to extend the "reach" (FOV, actually) of an EF 500mm and Tamron 150-600 I own for wildlife shooting. I tested the frame rate and it buffers about 20 raws @ 10 FPS very nicely and drains quickly to the cards (1066 lexar and 600x UHS-1 SD).

Preliminary tests look good, but until the bad weather we've been having decides to leave, I can't give it a full field test. I'll try and do this in the next week or so at my favorite wildlife refuge (Bombay Hook).

I can say the AF system behaves just like my 1DX, so I expect a high "hit" rate with this body.

(I shoot 2 bodies when in the field, one with the fixed length 500mm and 1.4xTC and with the Tamron).

--dennis

 

[photog7320]

Of course it gets 10 fps, and with fewer restrictions/qualifications then any other manufacturers' DSLR. Contrary to the ramblings of a certain forum member who can't seem to understand that the exposure meter takes more time in the dark.

Is it a 'game changer'? I'm not sure I would go that far. The 7D could handle most of the assignments a 7D2 can handle, and by extension so can a 70D. So this isn't the first sub-$2,000 DSLR which can confidently handle sports and wildlife.

Still, the 7D2 is a step above. Truly professional AF, more high ISO room, and arguably the best sealing seen on a DSLR to date (going by the LensRentals.com tear down). It deserves to stand next to the 1DX and D4s. I don't think any professional sports or wildlife shooter would hesitate to go on assignment with the 7D2.

I can understand why some would call that a 'game changer' given the $1,800 price tag.

 

[Calliope]

Coming from a 7D, I find significant improvements, especially at high ISO. I won't hesitate to dial it up and take shots that I wouldn't have tried before. If you upgrade to a 7D2 from another camera I sincerely believe it would be a game changer once you figure out the AF.

 

[Alastair Norcross]

what do you think?

I bought one and NO, it's not a game changer. Excellent camera, better than my 7d and the 70d but game changer? No.

If you can't take good photos with your existing gear, you won't take good photos with the 7d2. The 7d2 will not make you a good photographer, it helps with its wonderful and complicated AF, the 10fps (I don't care if it's 9.5 or even 9fps)...

This is basically a Nikon D4 for a 1/3rd of the price.

Doesn't that make it a game changer? Suddenly, lots of people who would never have considered buying a camera with pro-level AF can now get one. I'm not sure what a game-changer would be, if that isn't one.

Great camera, but not a game changer.

It's my opinion and I'll stick with it until I change my mind or Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji or Panasonic bribes me with free...!

 

[Bravoexo_pxb]

One famous forum member says it isn't and doesn't - but who shoots in the dark, in live view, with lenses off?

I shoot some sports and action with the optical viewfinder and Ss 1/500+

Dual slots are good when $ on the line

I believe the 7d2 with 100-400 II, with 1.4 III, with 70-200 f2.8 IS II, with 2x III, with Lexar cf 1066, with sandsk 95mb/sec (getting 5.6 fps after the 10fps when buffer is full) - I believe for the money and reach and resolution and speed that this setup could be a game changer and what I buy

what do you think?

Game changer for Amateur Wildlife / Action / Sport shooting...coz you now have a body that is nearly as good in AF speed and tracking as a 1Dx at 1/3 the price, Great shooting buffer. Good low light/high iso output, highly customize-able to accommodate anyone's shooting tendencies , and you can use any EF or EF-S lens.

For other categories, there are still some features that they may take advantage of... ex. Nearly silent shooting, with that quite shutter (for weddings or events), built in timelapse control (for night sky or landscape), double exposures (creative), built in HDR (creative or artistic), built in GPS and Compass (if you want to map out Disneyland..etc), Wireless or Optical Flash control for Canon Speedlights (Fashion, Headshot, Studio), dual storage (paid work or travel), customize-able viewfinder (landscape), video silent controls, custom focus speed in video, face tracking...etc.

 

[Thunder123]

One famous forum member says it isn't and doesn't - but who shoots in the dark, in live view, with lenses off?

I shoot some sports and action with the optical viewfinder and Ss 1/500+

Dual slots are good when $ on the line

I believe the 7d2 with 100-400 II, with 1.4 III, with 70-200 f2.8 IS II, with 2x III, with Lexar cf 1066, with sandsk 95mb/sec (getting 5.6 fps after the 10fps when buffer is full) - I believe for the money and reach and resolution and speed that this setup could be a game changer and what I buy

what do you think?

If I could afford a 7D2 I would buy one.

I bought a 7D about 1 1/2 years ago and I think it's great. It replaced a Rebel T3i which I liked very much but which was utterly not capable of action or sport photography, which I like to do on occasion. The frame rate (8 fps) and the buffer depth of the 7D are miles away from those of the T3i which in fairness was not intended as a high performance camera.

But - the 7D2 still improves on those two things, contrary to the naysayers the sensor has been improved and it can handle high ISO shooting better. I have been quite impressed with many of the higher ISO shots I've seen posted. The full-buffer FPS rate is even amazing. IMO, among APS-C cameras, the 7D2 is easily the top of the stack for high performance shooting; for that matter the 7D is probably still in second place despite its age. Yes, there are mirrorless cameras that produce more FPS, but without as good AF and making you work with an EVF.

DPReview responded to that 'famous forum member' and his FPS results, and they clearly stated that while the FPS varied slightly under different shooting conditions, it was always very close to 10 FPS with the 7D2.

There are a lot of people who I would not recommend this camera to, who don't need what it is designed for - high performance - but from your post I think it would be a very good choice for you. Learn to use the 7D2's sophisticated AF system and you will be very happy with the camera. Like I said, I'd buy one if I could.

You seemed to forget about the A77ii with 12 FPS with a locked aperature with AF-C or any aperture with focusing fixed on the first shot or 8FPS with full contral and no limitations

 

[Thunder123]

Of course it gets 10 fps, and with fewer restrictions/qualifications then any other manufacturers' DSLR. Contrary to the ramblings of a certain forum member who can't seem to understand that the exposure meter takes more time in the dark.

Is it a 'game changer'? I'm not sure I would go that far. The 7D could handle most of the assignments a 7D2 can handle, and by extension so can a 70D. So this isn't the first sub-$2,000 DSLR which can confidently handle sports and wildlife.

Still, the 7D2 is a step above. Truly professional AF, more high ISO room, and arguably the best sealing seen on a DSLR to date (going by the LensRentals.com tear down). It deserves to stand next to the 1DX and D4s. I don't think any professional sports or wildlife shooter would hesitate to go on assignment with the 7D2.

I can understand why some would call that a 'game changer' given the $1,800 price tag.

With fixed focus on the first shot like the 7Dii the A77ii beats it with 12 FPS

 

[Jerry-astro]

Of course it gets 10 fps, and with fewer restrictions/qualifications then any other manufacturers' DSLR. Contrary to the ramblings of a certain forum member who can't seem to understand that the exposure meter takes more time in the dark.

Is it a 'game changer'? I'm not sure I would go that far. The 7D could handle most of the assignments a 7D2 can handle, and by extension so can a 70D. So this isn't the first sub-$2,000 DSLR which can confidently handle sports and wildlife.

Still, the 7D2 is a step above. Truly professional AF, more high ISO room, and arguably the best sealing seen on a DSLR to date (going by the LensRentals.com tear down). It deserves to stand next to the 1DX and D4s. I don't think any professional sports or wildlife shooter would hesitate to go on assignment with the 7D2.

I can understand why some would call that a 'game changer' given the $1,800 price tag.

With fixed focus on the first shot like the 7Dii the A77ii beats it with 12 FPS

And what exactly does that have to do with the OP's original question? Are there other cameras capable of faster shutter speeds... sure. Does this change whether the 7D2 should be regarded as a game changer...no. There are many things besides shutter speed that make the total package.

IMHO, the 7D2 is an excellent addition to the family and likely an excellent choice for wildlife and sports photographers. A game changer? Nah, don't think so. Just a very nice evolution of what was already a pretty decent camera.

 

[photog7320]

With fixed focus on the first shot like the 7Dii the A77ii beats it with 12 FPS

The 7D2 does not have to fix focus or aperture to obtain 10 fps, nor does the aperture have to be f/3.5 or faster. It continuously AF tracks at 10 fps. In aperture priority mode it will adjust the exposure via aperture, also at 10 fps.

Canon has said that iTR tracking, which is a specific type of AF tracking, will slow the rate to 9.5 fps.

I'll be up front that I do not have an A77ii in hand to test, so if Sony's literature is incorrect or misleading then my next statement is wrong. But from their literature it would appear that the A77ii cannot AF track or adjust exposure while shooting at 12 fps. Else where it has been mentioned that the aperture must be f/3.5 or faster, though it does not say that on this particular page.

 

[Flying Fish]

For me, it does change some of the games. Not as many as the original 7D did for me, but some. And yes, it does seem to get 10 fps in every situation I've tried, that is, in every real-world photography situation I normally use.

FF

 

[photog7320]

You seemed to forget about the A77ii with 12 FPS with a locked aperature with AF-C or any aperture with focusing fixed on the first shot or 8FPS with full contral and no limitations

According to Sony's online literature, it's 12 fps with locked focus and exposure, period. That's practically useless.

Of course 8 fps (AF/AE tracking) is nothing to sneeze at and for years was considered the mark of a true sports SLR. But the EVF quite frankly keeps this camera out of the "pro" category IMHO. I love EVFs for street, but they are terrible when tracking fast moving subjects.

That doesn't mean it's not a good camera or that it's not capable of producing great action shots. But I would bet that most working pros would rather pay the high prices for the 1D or Dx series then deal with an EVF.

 

[Bravoexo_pxb]

With fixed focus on the first shot like the 7Dii the A77ii beats it with 12 FPS

The 7D2 does not have to fix focus or aperture to obtain 10 fps, nor does the aperture have to be f/3.5 or faster. It continuously AF tracks at 10 fps. In aperture priority mode it will adjust the exposure via aperture, also at 10 fps.

Canon has said that iTR tracking, which is a specific type of AF tracking, will slow the rate to 9.5 fps.

I'll be up front that I do not have an A77ii in hand to test, so if Sony's literature is incorrect or misleading then my next statement is wrong. But from their literature it would appear that the A77ii cannot AF track or adjust exposure while shooting at 12 fps. Else where it has been mentioned that the aperture must be f/3.5 or faster, though it does not say that on this particular page.

So, if a fast moving subject is heading toward or away from you, you'd get 12 pics a sec, but only the 1st one is guaranteed to be in focus?

 

[K E Hoffman]

With fixed focus on the first shot like the 7Dii the A77ii beats it with 12 FPS

The 7D2 does not have to fix focus or aperture to obtain 10 fps, nor does the aperture have to be f/3.5 or faster. It continuously AF tracks at 10 fps. In aperture priority mode it will adjust the exposure via aperture, also at 10 fps.

The manual wording is really bad. What it is saying is the camera in AF-C keeps "locked on" Focus.. and updating exposure while shooting. IE it tracks

In AF-C it tracks .. and I have ALL my tracking modes available .

For continuous focus the A77M2 uses F3.5 or the lenses largest aperture (NOT 3.5 or wider) If you are shooting scene like At the basket or when the lens is at Infinity.. and you just need an initial focus lock the A77M2 will shoot ANY aperture you want at 12+ FPS By using AF-S (single) of MF

Keep in mind I am not being locked into 1/1000 or faster to do it. I have taken shots.. in a darker room with enough light to AF at 1/60 F 5.0 at 12 FPS.

If I want continuous tracking at the 3.5 or lens minimum aperture. I have ALL my tracking options available not a limited set. Partly because my AF sensors NEVER are blocked or lose sight of the subject when shooting

SO both cameras have some rules about their fastest speed, but I will take the Sony A77M2 limits and ability to do so in more than bright light and with more shutter speed options.

BTW the Canon manual says the lens should be wide open and 1/1000 to get to 10 FPS and we all know that also means if you do everything the manual says.. the camera may still find a reason to slow down. Anyone getting 10 FPS below 1/1000 ? Just wondering if the manual was being conservative or accurate.

BTW to answer the OP

Its not a Game Changer if you have shot an A77M2 which costs 1/2 the price of the 7DMII..

For $1799 on Sony

I can get a Sony A77M2, Amazing weather sealed 16-50 F 2.8 lens, a vertical battery grip the replicates the main control set on the grip.. and Still have enough to pick up a very nice 55-300mm Refurb tele-zoom online to get me going.

And the Wifi App is free..

Canon has said that iTR tracking, which is a specific type of AF tracking, will slow the rate to 9.5 fps.

I'll be up front that I do not have an A77ii in hand to test, so if Sony's literature is incorrect or misleading then my next statement is wrong. But from their literature it would appear that the A77ii cannot AF track or adjust exposure while shooting at 12 fps. Else where it has been mentioned that the aperture must be f/3.5 or faster, though it does not say that on this particular page.

--
K.E.H. >> Shooting between raindrops in WA<<
Don't Panic!.. these are just opinions... go take some pictures..