Testing a new 7D?

[IanWorthington]

Hi --

I'm still reading occasional posts on various forums suggesting that there's still some QA issues with the 7D.

I live in Colombia where the prices for anything are jacked sky high so am considering picking one up on my next trip to the US or UK. But I will only have a very short time to test it out before I'm stuck with it. So:

Are there any tests I could practically do in a very short time, not having experience of a 7D (current camera is 30D), that would indicate if I had a good one or not?

i

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Ian I am on my 2nd 7D the price here was so low they were almost giving them away.

Both my 7Ds do not love converters and ISOs higher than 640 with the 1.4X and noise is a problem with the 7D but much better than the 30D

Bang for your buck, there is no better.

[David Stephens]

I think you'll be very happy with the 7D vs. your 30D. If you can, try it with the lens that you normally use. Note the various AF patterns and modes and see that in action. Note the 100% viewfinder and click off a burst at 8-fps.

You won't be able to compare IQ, so do that by looking at the online test at places like www.dpreview.com It'll be a significant step up for you.

I own both the 7D and the 5D MkII. I use the 7D for substantially all my work with my 500mm lens, shooting wildlife and birds. The 5D2 is used for scenics, macros, portraits and most travel. Up to around ISO 800 their IQ is very close, but then when you go up above 800 the 5D2 starts pulling out a lead. But, that's a much more expensive body and it's slower in the field.

Just handle the 7D with a lens that you're likely to use. You'll like it.

[RichardLaBella]

I recall some threads here that stated that the 7D doesn't respond well to underexposure, resulting in high noise.

From my limited experience, I think that may be correct.

Other than that, I'm very happy with the body. Yes, I agree, as far as 'bang for your buck, there is no better'.

[David Stephens]

Why would you underexpose at high ISO? My 5D2 doesn't respond well to underexposure either. "Expose Right" an you'll be amazed at the performance, even up to ISO 6400.

[Arthur Morris]

#1: what is QA???

[Desmond Chan]

#1: what is QA???

Quality assurance?

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Desmond but that does not make sense. Good job therefore with the ? :)

[David Stephens]

I think that he meant QC.

[Arthur Morris]

I think that he meant IQ = Image Quality....

[Desmond Chan]

QC = quality control. QA = Quality assurance. Essentially they talk about the same thing.

[David Stephens]

To some of us QA means Question and Answer.

[Arthur Morris]

Understood but from his question I am not sure if he is talking about Image Quality or about problems with the quality of manufacture of individual cameras, i.e., "quality control."

If he lets us know we can help him. Even if not the answer (to either question) seems pretty clear: head outside and take about 50 images of a variety of subjects with different lenses, download them, and see how they look on the computer....

[David Stephens]

Ian, what did you mean?

[Arthur Morris]

To some of us QA means Question and Answer.

Agree but that makes zero sense in Pane #1 :)