Would appreciate comment on 7D vs other SLR choices

[Gasbull12]

I am looking for an all around camera for a serious or at least knowledgeable amateur. I am interested in ultra zoom and also quite good quality portraits. I like the ultra zooms very much but each seems to have deficiencies, so I am leaning heavily toward a DSLR. However, cost is a consideration, especially lens cost. Also I don't care to lug a lens case everywhere. So, I am attracted to the 7D. I can use (and afford) both a walk around zoom lens and an ultra zoom lens, as well as a good portrait lens if I desire. The in the body IS of the 7D is very attractive, as are the external controls (menus on most cameras are awful for me.)

My question is, why is this not the best choice for me. Is there a problem/concern with this camera I should know about? Why are the Canons and Nikons so prefered. (I.e., should I be buying a Rebel of 20D?) I assume the big 7D discount now means a new model, probably with more pixels is coming out soon, but 6 mp is fine for me. Is there some other concern (deficiency) they are likely to overcome and that would be worth waiting, paying for in a new model, or that is reason not to buy the 7D.

Finally, how can I identify used lenses with assurance they will work on the 7D. A lot of questions here. But I assume many have the same question. From the literature and reviews, the 7D, which has been out a while seems like it should be more popular. Why not? Thanks in advance.

[Rex914]

Why are the Canons and Nikons so prefered. (I.e., should I be buying a Rebel of 20D?)
Canon and Nikon are generally preferred because the lens selection and accessories eclipse those of other companies. Pentax, Olympus, and KM aren't bad by any means, but when you get down to business, most of your investment goes into lenses (and not the body), and it's only natural to want a wider variety of lens choices rather than being restricted by a smaller selection. Now, if you don't plan on expanding your kit much in the future, it may be advantageous to go for KM, but you're planning to grow with your camera right?

Of all the major companies, KM probably has the smallest readily available lens collection, and of those, the portion that digital users would even buy consists of rebranded 3rd party products. I checked BHPhoto's Minolta lens listing, and apart from some exceptions, the lenses are more expensive than their Canon and Nikon counterparts. In one case, I found Minolta's 70-200 f/2.8 (non-IS) lens to cost $1800. For comparison, the Canon version costs $1150 and the Nikon version costs $900. Even the respective IS versions from C & N still cost hundreds less than the non-IS Minolta.

It's cliche, but the big guys have the money to perform the necessary R&D to build a complete system where as the smaller players have less to work with and have to charge you more on top of it because the volume is that much lower.

If you are still fixated on Konica Minolta, go for the 5D instead of the 7D. It's a second generation product that you'll ease into better, and it's still much cheaper than a 7D even after the MIR.

However, I'd take a look at a Nikon D50 or a Canon Rebel XT as an alternate option.

[coldrain]

While the KM 7D lags the Canon in image quality (and also the Nikon D50), it is a rather impressive camera with its control system and its IS sensor. Both are a very good reason to consider the 7D, which no other DSLR offers.

The 7D feels decidedly more "pro" than the 5D, so a difference in price is easily justified (just like the XT vs 20D).

The pro's of the Nikon and Canon are that they were and are the 2 biggest SLR players, and have the biggest selection of lenses. But if you cherry pick among the Minolta lenses there are some juwels to be found among them.

With 2nd hand lenses make sure they work with your 7D though, now and then I read about compatibility issues and I do not remember if that only was about old 3rd party lenses from Sigma. New (konica)minolta, sigma and Tamron lenses do work well.

Hardest part will be to find a good big zoom lens, but I guess you can look at the Sigma range... the 50-500 Sigma has its fans and will give you a huge range (with taking the 1.5x crop factor into consideration), but it will be a heavy combination. Also the Sigma 135-400 and new 135-500 will give you a big range, with good image quality... it is with lenses like these that the KM's in body IS really shines.

[jdrandall]

Hi,
I'm a newbie on this forum and I just recently got my 7D. Here are the reasons I switched to the 7D:

1 - Image stabilization is in the body so every lens becomes image stabilized.

2 - Camera Viewfinder (one of the best of the field)(maybe Canon 1D's are better but cost 3-6 times as much)

3 - Camera ergonomics ( all controls can be accessed without going to a menu)

4 - Cheap lenses (see links below)(no PP on images other than resizing for web)

Image from 50mm f/1.7 (paid $45 used versus $75 for my Canon 50mm f/1.8)

http://cyclops.smugmug.com/photos/47316407-L.jpg

Image from Vivitar 100 f/3.5 @ f/5.6 (paid $52 new)(imagine a macro lens with image stabilization)(don't overlook this lens - wide open it sucks but stopped down it is tack sharp)

http://cyclops.smugmug.com/photos/47316405-L.jpg

Image from KM 70-210 f/4 @ 210mm wide open (paid $150 used mint condition)(Canon equivalent $500 w/ no image stabilization)

http://cyclops.smugmug.com/photos/47316409-L.jpg

Image from KM 75-300 @ 280mm f/8 (paid $150 used mint condition)(Canon equivalent 70-300 IS - $600)

http://cyclops.smugmug.com/photos/47316414-L.jpg

Image from Sigma 28-200 @ 28mm f/8 (paid $90 new)

http://cyclops.smugmug.com/photos/47316415-L.jpg

Image from same lens @ 200mm f/8

http://cyclops.smugmug.com/photos/47316418-L.jpg

It's not all wine & roses with the 7D. The flash system is no where near as good as Canon or Nikon.

That's it in a nutshell. I hope I don't offend anyone with this post.

Thanks,
John Randall

[eduardofrances]

The KM Maxxum (dinax) 7D is a very good camera friend of mine has it and does a nice work, but here is the catch what do yo intend to do as a photographer?
Why Am I asking? cause if you are serious hobby photographer and has no intention in the future to become a pro and buy cameras like the Canon 1Ds mkII or the Nikon D200 well then the 7D is a great option, but if you do plan to get in the professional then your money should be in glass and bodies from a brand that offer this category

as an example I am a serious hobby photographer but I dont have any intention to spend money in bodies at 3,000 bucks not even at a 1,000 bucks so almost any brand suits me well with their entry level DSLR's. :)

[Gasbull12]

I very much appreciate the responses.

I suspect I am more on the amateur side than I may have described. As I noted, two lenses would do it for me for a very long time I suspect, plus maybe a protrait lens some time. So I'm not sure the lens issue is a problem. I am bothered by the flash comment one of you made. Very tough decision and I may fall back to the FZ30. If I want to do this for Christmas, I better get off the dime, right?

Thanks again.

Gasbull

[coldrain]

I very much appreciate the responses.

I suspect I am more on the amateur side than I may have described. As I noted, two lenses would do it for me for a very long time I suspect, plus maybe a protrait lens some time. So I'm not sure the lens issue is a problem. I am bothered by the flash comment one of you made. Very tough decision and I may fall back to the FZ30. If I want to do this for Christmas, I better get off the dime, right?

Thanks again.

Gasbull
The flash system? Do you think you will use professional flash equipment???
The FZ30 is a lesser camera in any sense (also to the KM 5D (and to the Canon and Nikon DSLR's).

I don't understand how you can say you are considering the 7D because of the controls, and that most menu systems are awful to you, and then say you are considering an FZ30.... the Panasonic menu system is one of the less good ones... Then you should also be more happy with a Canon 350D/XT, Nikon D50 and KM 5D.

[TWD]

I can endorse your dislike of menu controls. If you get the 7D, you will learn to dislike menus even more. I find the controls of the 7D to be very intuitive. The only thing I don't like about one control is that AF/MF dial in the front of the camera is a bit hard to get to for me.

But that is easily fixed by using the quick select AF/MF button on the back of the camera.

As far as lenses are concerned, I do agree there aren't as many lenses, which is a problem if you plan to acquire a whole bagful of them. If 4-5 lenses covering most focal lengths is all you require, KEH.com is an excellent source of high grade used zoom & prime, Maxxum & 3rd party lenses. Highly recommended because they permit you to return a lens if it turns out to be a bad copy or you just don't like it!

To summarize-I don't think the 5D is easier to use. The learning curve may not be quite as steep as the 7D. But as soon as you have learned the menu controls of the 7D, you will be glad you didn't get the 5D IMO.

[Rambler358]

While the KM 7D lags the Canon in image quality (and also the Nikon D50)
I haven't seen any evidence of this from pictures or reviews, and I've looked pretty well.

[Fred]

I haven't seen any evidence of this from pictures or reviews, and I've looked pretty well.

Nor have I. I'll say right up front that I'm probably biased as I am a 7D owner and really like this camera! It's a perfect complement to my 700si and Maxxum 7 film cameras. Like others have noted, I especially like that fact that I don't have to search through menus to make most settings, but can do it with just the turn of a dial.

[Rambler358]

Why are the Canons and Nikons so prefered. (I.e., should I be buying a Rebel of 20D?) I assume the big 7D discount now means a new model, probably with more pixels is coming out soon, but 6 mp is fine for me. Is there some other concern (deficiency) they are likely to overcome and that would be worth waiting, paying for in a new model, or that is reason not to buy the 7D.

Check out This Thread (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15660) for a comparison I did of 3 mid-level cameras, and also check out my final post. :)

[silicongrub]

I have done wedding photography and worked with cameras for a bit. My father had minoltas so I researched them along with Nikon.
The 800si I bought had an excelent metering system and minolta has high respect in the light metering field. Only the color aspect of the F5 exceeded the minolta.
The 7D has excellent picture quality. I use a Tokina ATX Pro 28-70 2.6-2.8 constant aperture lens with my 800si film camera. Tokina lens cost the same for all camera makes and is a VERY good quality lens. I get compliments on my shots from developers all the time. I even had a place refuse to print negatives without a release form. I had given the negative to a friend and shot their wedding for free. Your Lens makes the camera!!! That lens was $300-400 and is worth ever penny. I highly recommend that line.
My concern is that KM is ending their camera business and selling to Sony. Sony has commited to the lens mount, but that might mean sony cameras and I do not like their digimemory choices adn features/prices. Sony does make nice stuff, but I often get bothered by the details.
Flash system comment: The flash works great and was the first in High speed synch. Any good flash system is aftermarket (for portraits and weddings) and therefore uses wireless shoe adapters and studio flash terminals. This evens the playing field. Nikon and Canon do have better flash choices if you buy their heads and use their wireless options. I can't see why you would do this. This also assumes that you are spending $2000+ on flashes before this is even a worry.