Canon 7d vs Full Frame 5d mk2

[Turtlemouse]

Okay folks, I know there's a big difference in price but is it worth paying extra for the full frame sensor or is it better to go with the more easy to use features that the new Canon 7d has on it such as wireless transmitting for the flash unit, built in level, short cut buttons to raw/jpeg and such and also the 19 AF points.

My friend who has the 5d says the af points work pretty poorly sometimes on his camera and he expects better. Wondering if the 7d might deliver better results or is the quality on a full frame camera likely to be the best option.

I do professional photography ie weddings, portraits, business work and competition work and am due for an upgrade soon.

Thanks for offering any opinions as I'm open to either at this stage although am leaning towards the 7d as I like the new features and I'm a gadget girl.

[inkista]

It's like the split between the 1Ds and the 1D: do you want high resolution and wide angle for studio/landscape/portrait work? Or do you want sophisticated autofocus and high frame rate for fast action photography?

Also, the wireless master in the pop-up flash of the 7D? not for studio monobloc lights. It only works with Canon EX speedlights. If you want to master studio lights, the lights are going to need an optical slave and you'll have to set them off with an actual flash burst, or you'll be using radio triggers instead. The pop-up master in the 7D only speaks Canon's proprietary eTTL light-signalling.

[CaptainNH]

I'm facing the same decision myself TMouse, I'm about to upgrade my second body (ancient 10D), and leap-frogging my 50D with either 7D or a 5D2.

I also shoot quite a few weddings and, looking at images in other photogs portfolios, keep coming to the conclusion that the improvement in image quality and high-iso capability of the 5D2 makes the extra expense worthwhile.

That said, I'm yet to see enough (non-review) images out of the 7D to make a proper comparison.

If anyone knows of a wedding photographer who used a 7D and has an online gallery, I'd love a link!!

[Turtlemouse]

Captain - do you find your Canon 50d quick to blow highlights? My Canon 400d seems to do better exposure most of the time. I don't know of anyone using the 7d for work yet but if you keep searching the net I'm sure more reviews and pics will be posted soon.

[Sime]

Focus point issues with the 5DMk2... Hmmm... not present on mine (I had an issue to start with, it was me, not her) It's got to come down to your style of shooting and what you're looking at doing most... If it's photographing racing cars or horses or dogs or planes or (You get my point) I'd go for the higher frame rate 7D.. etc etc [I love my MkII] but shot redbull air race for press with my 30D 8.2mp V's 21mp because of the frame rate. But then, I went and played with the ID MkIV today.. and a 400mm f2.8 and the 800mm ...Gear! Why must you torment me! :-) Good luck!

[benjamieson]

From what I've read, the 5d2 has focusing issues in low contrast and/or low light, which is something a wedding photog would be concerned with as we work in some particularly dim conditions!

While I'm only going on hands on reviews with pre-release bodies, the 7D's new AF system seems to be a huge improvement in these conditions.

I'm in a similar situation, but have held off on the 5D2 because of the AF. The 7D is calling me - I can live without FF, as I've never had it, so won't know what I'm missing!

[richardandre]

for a wedding photographer who uses 7d AND 5dmkii check out Digital ProTalk: What’s Happening Wednesday: Lots – Quick Observations About The Canon 7D and LR3

Digital ProTalk main site.
and read/follow his blog.

i am a sports/wedding photographer and will buy the 7d and use it as a "hybrid" for both.