Canon 50D or 7D - DPChallenge Forums

07/08/2010 12:13:02 PM · #1

Ok, Since my 40D is giving me some problems again, I'm getting very nervous because of an upcoming wedding shoot.

Here's the deal: This is the 4th time in a year that I need to send my 40D back for service.

Current problem: about 10-20% of the time, when I press the shutter button, nothing happens--no response.

Last time I sent in the camera, they replaced the shutter and mirror box. It should be good for a couple of years now (or so I thought.)

Current issue: I'm shooting a wedding in the fall. I just did a birthday party, and I it was extremely stressful since I kept pressing the button, when everyone was all ready for the portraits, and nothing happened. Sometimes I had to press it 5 or 6 times before it shot, all the while they're holding their camera smiles. I assume that they'll fix this problem, as well. But since this is the 4th time in a year, it's scaring the crap out of me.

The issue: I wasn't going to buy a new camera until I could afford the 7D. I won't be able to afford the 7D before fall. I may be able to afford a 50D before then. Part of me thinks it's dumb to spend the money on the 50D when I'd really like to upgrade to the 7D, but I'm really nervous about the reliability of my current camera.

Is the 7D worth waiting for? Is it that much better than the 50D? I do primarily nature photography. The 50D has a slightly slower fps than my current camera, and the 7D has a higher fps.

Please help! What would you do? What should I do?

MinsoPhoto

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/08/2010 12:17:50 PM · #2

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is the 7D worth waiting for? Is it that much better than the 50D? I do primarily nature photography. The 50D has a slightly slower fps than my current camera, and the 7D has a higher fps.

Please help! What would you do? What should I do?

Not sure you need the higher fps for nature and portraits. Don't get me wrong I do love my 7D but I wouldn't base my decission on the fps unless you really need a fast shooter.

07/08/2010 12:20:15 PM · #3

Wendy, i know you like to shoot birds, for that i would say the 7D and its FPS and AF system would be worth the wait.

07/08/2010 12:21:28 PM · #4

Originally posted by Timosaby:

Wendy, i know you like to shoot birds, for that i would say the 7D and its FPS and AF system would be worth the wait.

I'm not familiar with what's different in the AF system. Why is it worth the wait?

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/08/2010 12:22:16 PM · #5

Rent a camera for the event, and wait for the 7D.

Magnumphotography

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

07/08/2010 12:24:42 PM · #6

I don't have the 7d, but it would be my choice of the two. Higher resolution, better 19 cross type focus system, higher frame rate and all the latest technologies. If cost is an issue, many photo stores offer payment plans. You could also rent a 7d for the event. Then have some real experience with it. Just get it a day before, to get yourself familiar with it. Good luck... Oh and I too, had the same problem on my 5d. Not to the extent of sending it in, but once in a blue moon it happens. I attribute this to dirt and dust accumulation. To remedy this, I usually press the button down, then shift it around in circles. This seems to help clean the buttons contacts. Pushing any debris, away from the contact point. Which sounds like your problem. Hope this helps you...

Magnumphotography

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

07/08/2010 12:31:33 PM · #7

Check out "The Digital Picture.com". They have a great review on the 7D. Actually comparing it to the 50D. So well worth the look for you

MacDonald

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/08/2010 12:38:33 PM · #8

Wendy, I wouldn't be able to track a bird in flight with 3 or 4 fps as easily as I can with a higher fps camera... and since most of the action is grabbing focus, shooting fast, and also being able to get the shot of the bird swooping for prey and the like.. well, I am on board with what you are hearing from the others.

Rent one for the wedding would be my plan of action. I am waiting to get the 7D too. It will be a long wait.

Funny, my back up camera, the 20D is doing the exactly the same thing.. hesitates when I shoot.. takes 4 or 5 tries and then sometimes works fine for a bit. Not worth it to send it in to fix as I am afraid they would hit me with a bill worth more than the camera.

PhotoDave

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

07/08/2010 12:45:04 PM · #9

Earlier this year I bought a 5DMKII and a 7D and decided I would try them out and return the one that didn't fit my needs, I ended up going with the 7D as I got a little higher shutter sync, I didn't like how the focus points where so close together on the 5DMKII and fell in love with the burst rate of the 7D and the 19 point AF is pretty sweet. For me personally the 7D worked great but I did really like the ISO performance of the 5DMKII as it was a bit better than the 7D but that one has come through for me too in the past and not disappointed me at all with higher ISO's.

-dave

As mentioned above, see if you can rent one and give it a try to see if you like it. Im seriously considering an upgrade to the 1DMK-IV /drool but that wont be for a while ;)

ragamuffingirl

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/08/2010 12:53:50 PM · #10

I am very happy with my 50D and I don't regret going with it over 7D, BUT - 7D does kick 50D's butt at high ISO settings.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/08/2010 12:59:09 PM · #11

Originally posted by Magnumphotography:

Thanks for the advice--I had gotten that recommendation before, and it worked for a short period of time, but starting acting up again the next day.

Just spoke with canon. Upshot is, I can get a refurbished 50D for $468 or a new 7D for $1200. I have the $468. I don't have the $1200. But I think I'd rather go with the 7D... I guess.

One question for you 7D users: some of the reviews were disappointed in how many shots could be buffered with doing the 8 fps. My 40D can shoot about 15 frames before it needs to buffer, but one review says that you can only buffer about 6 frames (which negates the whole 8 fps.) Is this true?

ragamuffingirl

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

07/08/2010 01:09:45 PM · #12

How much for a refurbished 7D? You can get a refurbished 50D for under $500? Now, I feel like a chump for paying $1000 for a new one. :(

07/08/2010 01:13:24 PM · #13

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

How much for a refurbished 7D? You can get a refurbished 50D for under $500? Now, I feel like a chump for paying $1000 for a new one. :(

it's their customer loyalty program, and I'd have to trade in my old camera for it.

They don't offer refurbished 7Ds :(

07/08/2010 01:56:19 PM · #14

Originally posted by vawendy:

One question for you 7D users: some of the reviews were disappointed in how many shots could be buffered with doing the 8 fps. My 40D can shoot about 15 frames before it needs to buffer, but one review says that you can only buffer about 6 frames (which negates the whole 8 fps.) Is this true?

6 frames is an exaggeration. I just ran a test burst and got 20 images straight in the largest RAW format before the fps started dropping. It stops for a tic and then resumes with another 5 shots, slows down, and so on. On medium raw setting (which is what i shoot with usually anyway) I got about 40 shots straight before the FPS started dropping and going through pauses. If I shoot Jpeg i think i can shoot over 100 shots without slowing down, I think the camera actually starts to heat up then. Never had to take that many continuous shots in one go though so never tried.

Ok i also just tried doing 8 fps with Large RAW and Large JPEG simultaneously and got around 10 shots before fps started slowing down.

Honestly I didn't think much of the 8fps until I tried it, now I'm not sure i can live without it :P

In regards to the AF system, I can only tell you that it was a huge upgrade from my 400D. I'm sure all the reviews online will cover it in full detail.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

07/08/2010 01:59:55 PM · #15

Originally posted by Timosaby:

Originally posted by vawendy:

One question for you 7D users: some of the reviews were disappointed in how many shots could be buffered with doing the 8 fps. My 40D can shoot about 15 frames before it needs to buffer, but one review says that you can only buffer about 6 frames (which negates the whole 8 fps.) Is this true?

6 frames is an exaggeration. I just ran a test burst and got 20 images straight in the largest RAW format before the fps started dropping. It stops for a tic and then resumes with another 5 shots, slows down, and so on. On medium raw setting (which is what i shoot with usually anyway) I got about 40 shots straight before the FPS started dropping and going through pauses. If I shoot Jpeg i think i can shoot over 100 shots without slowing down, I think the camera actually starts to heat up then. Never had to take that many continuous shots in one go though so never tried.

Ok i also just tried doing 8 fps with Large RAW and Large JPEG simultaneously and got around 10 shots before fps started slowing down.

Honestly I didn't think much of the 8fps until I tried it, now I'm not sure i can live without it :P

In regards to the AF system, I can only tell you that it was a huge upgrade from my 400D. I'm sure all the reviews online will cover it in full detail.

Thanks! That helps quite a bit. I usually shoot RAW/small jpeg, never RAW/large jpeg.

I appreciate all the info, everyone!

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

07/08/2010 02:04:23 PM · #16

Originally posted by vawendy:

[Just spoke with canon. Upshot is, I can get a refurbished 50D for $468 or a new 7D for $1200. I have the $468. I don't have the $1200. But I think I'd rather go with the 7D... I guess.

Heck of a deal. It's gone down quite a bit. I got my 50D on the loyalty program late last year for $630. Certainly the 7D is the superior choice, though if you've been happy with the 40D (Until the problems started) the 50D is going to be nearly identical, but higher resolution.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/08/2010 02:08:50 PM · #17

I didn't notice much difference (other than the larger file sizes) between the 40D and 50D, but the 7D was a clear upgrade from the 50D across the boardâ�� image quality, noise, speed, functionality, weatherproofing, etc. Certainly worth it for wedding photography.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/08/2010 02:12:27 PM · #18

I did another test for you wendy with Large RAW and small JPEG, got pretty much the same result as shooting both in large. around 10 shots then slowing down and then stopping altogether to process the images. It takes 20 images or so in total before stopping completely. and 10 images before slowing down.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

07/08/2010 02:29:14 PM · #19

Originally posted by Timosaby:

around 10 shots then slowing down and then stopping altogether to process the images.

The limit will be heavily dependent on the CF card you're using. A SanDisk Extreme III will enable more burst images than a SanDisk Ultra II, and a SanDisk Extreme IV or Ducati will go even longer between pauses.

07/08/2010 02:38:55 PM · #20

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by vawendy:
[Just spoke with canon. Upshot is, I can get a refurbished 50D for $468 or a new 7D for $1200. I have the $468. I don't have the $1200. But I think I'd rather go with the 7D... I guess.

Heck of a deal. It's gone down quite a bit. I got my 50D on the loyalty program late last year for $630. Certainly the 7D is the superior choice, though if you've been happy with the 40D (Until the problems started) the 50D is going to be nearly identical, but higher resolution.

They're discounting it more because of the fact that I've now sent my camera in 4 times in the last year. She quoted the normal price and then offered to discount it. Very nice, very helpful person, and I greatly appreciate the willingness to work with me. Unfortunately, the discounted 7D price is only for a couple of weeks, so if I save up, it'll be back to the real price.

btw, if anyone is looking for a 7D, canon just dropped the price $100 -- you can find that on the canon sale site, but B&H, etc, haven't adjusted yet.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/08/2010 02:40:18 PM · #21

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by Timosaby:
around 10 shots then slowing down and then stopping altogether to process the images.

The limit will be heavily dependent on the CF card you're using. A SanDisk Extreme III will enable more burst images than a SanDisk Ultra II, and a SanDisk Extreme IV or Ducati will go even longer between pauses.

Is there really that much of a difference on cards? I have the extreme and the II, and I can't say that I'd noticed much of a difference... But then again, my 40D goes for quite awhile before slowing down, so I'm not sure I'd notice a difference on that one...

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

07/08/2010 02:46:22 PM · #22

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is there really that much of a difference on cards?

Yes

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

07/08/2010 03:00:37 PM · #23

Originally posted by scalvert:

Good to know!

Wendy just for reference the numbers i gave you were using SanDisk Ultra II.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

07/08/2010 03:09:42 PM · #24

Originally posted by vawendy:

Unfortunately, the discounted 7D price is only for a couple of weeks, so if I save up, it'll be back to the real price.

Sounds like in this case the 50D would be a good choice, unless you expect to be able to have the $1200 in the next several weeks. You can always upgrade to a 7D down the road.