7d mixed reviews are confusing me

[mfreg]

Hi everyone.
Let me state for the record, I'm a machinist...photography is just a hobby for me, but I'm "picky". I currently have an xsi, someone has recently shown interest in buying it. I really wasn't thinking about selling it but now the seed has been planted. My next upgrade was going to be a 5d, but since this is just a hobby I'm in no hurry and was waiting for the mkIII, hoping it will have dual digic 4 and better fps rate. Also, perhaps better high ISO performance..sorry, I digress. For the most part I'm not "unhappy" with xsi so to speak, but I do have issues with AF consistency. I would definitely not rule out operator error, like I said, I'm a machinist. But my eyes are not so good and I rely on AF. I strictly use the center point, then re-compose, again I digress. So, I was thinking, if I sell the xsi now, I would replace it with the 7d until if / when 5d mkII is upgraded. I would think the with 19 cross type sensors of the 7d, the AF would be much more reliable, especially for tracking moving objects like birds in flight. I've read all kinds of reviews, some love the 7d, some hate the 7d, there doesn't seem to be a middle ground anywhere. I've seen comparison photos, some horrible ( could be photographer ), some very good ( could be photographer ), again, no help really. I've been told if I want to track moving objects I'm using the wrong brand ( I wont go there ) but I've been spending my disposable income on lenses and I am heavily invested ( for me ) in Canon.

I guess I'm not looking so much for advice as perhaps a discussion on the 7d. If I sell my xsi I have the money for it, but some of the reviews I've read don't seem to think the AF or metering is any better than the rebels. I'm hoping there are some real world 7d owners here that dont have an agenda that could discuss that a bit. The reviewers make my head spin. I read two pages of all the bad stuff about the camera and then they give it a thumbs up and recommend it ???? The movie capabilities don't interest me in the least, I wish they had a camera without it for a few bucks less, but if you'd like to include that in the discussion please do.

thanks for taking the time to read my book, I look forward to hearing your opinions.

regards,
mike

[OsmosisStudios]

I think youre getting a bit snowed by the AF specs. There's a lot more and a HUGE difference between the 7D and 5DmkII other than the AF system.

[mfreg]

oh, no, no, no....you misunderstand, I know this. The 5d is a given, I'm just not in a hurry, I've been following the advice of other members here for a couple of years and putting my $ in glass. I want to keep a crop sensor just to have an extra body and for telephoto use primarily....... The whole thing started with an offer to buy my xsi. I'm considering it mainly because I'm not thrilled with the xsi AF or high ISO performance. But if I sell my xsi I have NO camera. Since I wanted to wait for the 5d mkIII ( remember I'm in no hurry ), I'm wondering what to replace my xsi with. I was looking at the 7d mainly because of the 19 cross type sensors, I was thinking that would make the AF more consistent and maybe make tracking moving objects more accurate. But the reviews are SO conflicting I was hoping the folks that own them might jump in and discuss the camera with me.
........I know that the 7d and 5d are apples and elephants.......I'm sorry if I've confused the issue.

regards,
mike

[look_yau]

If you are using only the central point to do AF, 7D will not give you much more on AF side. But 7D is much more advanced and you should be happy with all the additional functions

[bigrobo89]

Hi Mfreg,

I purchased a 7D last month as an upgrade from a Rebel Xti (400D). For me the AF system in the 7D is far more advanced, and provides very accurate, very fast focusing. The ISO range has also been a big plus for me, with the XTI effectively limiting me to 800 at a push as 1600 was nigh on unusable. I can easily get away with 2000+ for non-portfolio work (see my flickr linked below) the deer and bird shots were shot at ISO above 1600, as I was using a slow telephoto lens at the time.

You will also notice a definitive step up in overall build quality, its feels far more reassuring in your hands and a lot less "toy like". If you are looking at the additional FPS afforded by the 7D (i'm not sure what your current camera is capable of) then the 8fps does allow for good fast moving action shots (the gull on my flickr was part of a burst).

I've used my 7D in anger for the last month and have to say I would not hesitate to recommend an upgrade.

Hope this helps a little.

Paul

[oldwolf]

I own an XTi, 40d and now the 7d.

If you're using just the center point to focus and then recomposing then you're shots aren't going to be as in focus/sharp and you'd like. The lens is shaped a certain way and when you move it even that tiny bit then the lens distorts the image ever so slightly. This is especially true if you're using a very low f/stop.

With all that being said, the 7d has been great for me. Autofocus wise and features. If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to ask.

[mattjordan]

I had the Canon 7D for just over 1 year now and I am just amazed at the camera even today. The AF is excellent but the lens also plays a part in how well the camera focuses. If you were to pick from the 5D and the 7D, I would say look at your current lens, and can the actually operate on the 5D full frame sensor. It would be a shame for you since you are heavily invested in Canon lens to have to buy more that are compatible. Most of my lens are not compatible so that is what led me to the 7D. If you are happy with the XSi then you will be ecstatic with the 7D.

[mfreg]

Thank you all so much for the replies, I haven't been able to check back for a while, I appreciate the feedback. It's great to hear from real world users of the 7D, I don't know how anyone makes any sense from some of the reviews out there. Some sound like press releases, some are obviously written by people who dis-like Canon, some are written by people who obviously like Canon too much and are biased in it;s favor. One guy spent a paragraph complaining about a camera in this price range having a "plastic" body...I know the 7D has a magnesium body, how does a reviewer not know ???.............Now, understand, that I don't rely on reviews, I just look to them as a starting point, but usually there is "some" consistency. The only consistent thing I've read was "ambivilence" toward the AF, whether in its tracking ability or the "controls" being difficult. I'm glad to hear feedback from some actual users, thank you for taking the time to post your responses. ....Yes, when I do eventually buy the full frame camera I'm well covered with lenses. I took "inkistas" advice a couple of years ago and started putting my money into lenses..................Any opinions on the validity of reviews ?????