Reader Comments – 7D vs 7D Mark II

I recently got a comment on my post Reader Comments – Canon 5D Mark III vs 7D from a while back. This is no doubt something that has been on my mind for a while.

Hi Bryan,

Hope you are well brother!…. Following on from my comment above and our brief yet insightful discussion on the merits of making the step up to the 5D3…I was hoping to pick your brains again if I may?

In your response to my first comment you alluded to the fact that you didn’t think they would release a new flagship APS-C SLR any time soon the 7D2 is now here…

My questions are:

1) Have you managed to use one as yet?
2) What are your thoughts?
3) Is it a significant step up from the 7D?
4) is it worth the upgrade?

My wife has given me a variety of options for a 30th birthday present and I am stuck yet again so I thought I would drop in for some insight and wisdom 🙂

Regards
Hari

Thanks for stopping by and writing Hari. I hope you are doing well buddy. It’s good to hear from you. The truth is you’ve sort of prompted me to jump the gun here as you will see from my answers to your questions.

Indeed when I wrote that post over a year ago the 7D Mark II was nowhere close to being a reality, however Canon has finally relented and released the ridiculously anticipated 7D Mark II. Before I get carried away, let me try to answer your questions.

Have you managed to use one as yet?
Not yet. I should be getting mine this weekend and plan on doing a quick post about my thoughts.
What are your thoughts?
Well obviously I liked the specs enough to go ahead and pre-order one. It looks like a solid update from Canon that makes the 7D series even more of the photographer’s camera. I am satisfied with how well equipped it is even though I did not get everything I wished for. See my post Canon 7D Mark II – 10 features I would like to see.
Is it a significant step up from the 7D?
Yes. I think it is. Especially in the areas that matter most to active photographers. Gear heads, spec sheet nuts and armchair photographers will not get their high megapixel fix.
Is it worth the upgrade?
It all depends on how much you are going to get out of it. A lot of 7D owners never realized it’s full potential. If you have the money to spend then yes. If you don’t already own top notch lenses like the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM then I would definitely urge you to get those first. Those would arguably go a very long way to upgrade your 7D than spending on a brand new 7D Mark II body. Definitely don’t bother with the kit lens. It is just not worth it in my opinion. Canon should really consider shipping the 7D Mark II with the 17-55mm f/2.8L or the 16-35mm f/4L and charge extra. A cheap consumer grade EF-S lens is a terrible compromise for a camera like the 7D.

2 comments on “Reader Comments – 7D vs 7D Mark II”

Hi buddy,

Great review once again…Can always rely on a fact driven no “BS” and impartial review from you Bryan 🙂

Having thought about it further in all honesty I have probably only realised 20-25% of the 7D’s capability and there is plenty more left in its tank for me to discover so I will probably hold on to it for now and park the idea of another high end body. I do have the 17-55 2.8 IS USM and the 70-200 2.8 Non IS and incidentally have just purchased the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art series which is amazingly sharp…sharper even than the 1.2L (if you haven’t used it I would definitely recommend it)

I do however find that when I am shooting at family events I am missing some shots due to lens changes..With that in mind do you have any suggestions for a back-up body that will capably support my 7D….There are so many decent second hand APS-C DSLR’s on ebay but I seriously have no idea what to go for don’t really want to spend more than £300 ($500).

Your feedback as ever is greatly appreciated and welcome.

Hope you are well and enjoying your 7D (2)

Hari

Bryan on November 6, 2014 at 9:51 pm said:

Hari.

You’re definitely on a good track. I think if you challenge yourself to get the shots you want using the 7D, that will do more for your photography than just getting a newer body that “does everything for you”. If you take a look out there and see the shots that some folks have taken with the original 7D you’ll quickly realize there’s no excuse.

I have been reading a lot of great stuff about the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens. I’ve also been meaning to try out the physics defying Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. Now might be a good time with the 7D Mark II in hand.

I’ll have to try the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 sometime. Honestly I’m not big into primes. I have come to question their clarity and observed better optical performance from high end zooms like the 70-200mm f/2.8L series. As a result my primes just sit around and only really come out occasionally when I’m toying around or have a very specific subject and setting. I’m also wary of their super wide apertures because the depth of field is so shallow it is impractical 99% of the time and I often have to stop it down to f/2.8 or even f/4. So my 50mm f/1.2L begs the question, should I have got the 24-70mm f/2.8L for not much more? It would most certainly be more usable, practical and just as sharp if not sharper. With that said, I like having a solid 50mm prime.

As far as a backup DSLR for your 7D in the sub $500 price range, I would look at anything from the Rebel T3i up to the T5i. Those are great, highly capable bodies. I know a few great photographers who use Rebels. I think the T4i has phase hybrid detect AF so that might double as a good video shooter. I could be wrong. Definitely look at the T3i and up. The biggest reason I use the pro bodies is for their ruggedness since I’m always trying to take them “off-roading”. Most folks don’t need that capability.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I will be taking the 7D Mark II out this weekend and working it hard. I hope to have some good posts next week.

Cheers Buddy!

Reply

Hari on November 4, 2014 at 1:49 pm said:

Hi buddy,

Great review once again…Can always rely on a fact driven no “BS” and impartial review from you Bryan 🙂

Having thought about it further in all honesty I have probably only realised 20-25% of the 7D’s capability and there is plenty more left in its tank for me to discover so I will probably hold on to it for now and park the idea of another high end body. I do have the 17-55 2.8 IS USM and the 70-200 2.8 Non IS and incidentally have just purchased the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art series which is amazingly sharp…sharper even than the 1.2L (if you haven’t used it I would definitely recommend it)

I do however find that when I am shooting at family events I am missing some shots due to lens changes..With that in mind do you have any suggestions for a back-up body that will capably support my 7D….There are so many decent second hand APS-C DSLR’s on ebay but I seriously have no idea what to go for don’t really want to spend more than £300 ($500).

Your feedback as ever is greatly appreciated and welcome.

Hope you are well and enjoying your 7D (2)

Hari

- Bryan on November 6, 2014 at 9:51 pm said:
  
  Hari.
  
  You’re definitely on a good track. I think if you challenge yourself to get the shots you want using the 7D, that will do more for your photography than just getting a newer body that “does everything for you”. If you take a look out there and see the shots that some folks have taken with the original 7D you’ll quickly realize there’s no excuse.
  
  I have been reading a lot of great stuff about the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens. I’ve also been meaning to try out the physics defying Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. Now might be a good time with the 7D Mark II in hand.
  
  I’ll have to try the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 sometime. Honestly I’m not big into primes. I have come to question their clarity and observed better optical performance from high end zooms like the 70-200mm f/2.8L series. As a result my primes just sit around and only really come out occasionally when I’m toying around or have a very specific subject and setting. I’m also wary of their super wide apertures because the depth of field is so shallow it is impractical 99% of the time and I often have to stop it down to f/2.8 or even f/4. So my 50mm f/1.2L begs the question, should I have got the 24-70mm f/2.8L for not much more? It would most certainly be more usable, practical and just as sharp if not sharper. With that said, I like having a solid 50mm prime.
  
  As far as a backup DSLR for your 7D in the sub $500 price range, I would look at anything from the Rebel T3i up to the T5i. Those are great, highly capable bodies. I know a few great photographers who use Rebels. I think the T4i has phase hybrid detect AF so that might double as a good video shooter. I could be wrong. Definitely look at the T3i and up. The biggest reason I use the pro bodies is for their ruggedness since I’m always trying to take them “off-roading”. Most folks don’t need that capability.
  
  Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I will be taking the 7D Mark II out this weekend and working it hard. I hope to have some good posts next week.
  
  Cheers Buddy!