So Bitter Sweet . . .

[Diane Margetts]

I honestly didn't think this day would come. I've been saving up for about 3 years to upgrade my Olympus e-510 (now almost an Olympus relic) but I've not been able to find my comfort zone with the direction of Olympus and I have been really concerned about getting too heavily vested . . . I really belive they are going to pioneer the way into mirrorless micro (but powerful) digital cameras. In 5 to 7 years, we will all probably look back and laugh at the giant, heavy cameras and lenses we once lugged around!

 

Having said that, I'm not generally an early-adaptor and the new mirrorless micr 4/3 that Olympus just introduced is $$$$$ . . . So, here goes . . . after months of research, I have ordered a Canon 7D . . . sigh . . . I'm sure I'll love it but I don't feel 100 percent about leaving a brand I really believe in . . .

 

Moving on . . . I also ordered the Canon 18-135 at the recommendation of several photographers -- this lens seems to be an "a bit above average everyday" lens. My next delimma is the "real" lens. When I was tageting the Olympus e-5, I was also considering the 50-200 2.8. With Canon being a bigger crop factor, I really need more than a 200 for birding and wildlife. My photographer friends have been trying to convince me to go the 150-500 Sigma. BUT, now I'm hearing from Canon people that it would be much better to save a few more dollars and go the Canon 100-400 because the glass is so much better . . . too many decisions . . .

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm also an Olympus e-510 user and have grown to hate it.  I am looking at the Canon 7D all the time but haven't made my mind up what to do yet, it's such a big investment.  I love my small Canon g11 though it isn't an SLR.  I will be interested to see how you get on and what lenses you decide on... It's a minefield out there!

[Linda and "Toby"]

Congratulations on making the decision to buy a Canon 7D!  You'll wish you had done this ages ago! lol! I can hardly wait to see your new pics.

As far as the telephoto lens, I would go with the Canon 100-400 over the Sigma. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Congrats! I understand how you would have mixed feelings about it... but I am sure you will LOVE the new camera. I can't wait to see pictures!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I can relate totally to what you must be feeling having made such a huge decision.  When I finally decided which camera and lenses to order, I felt a mixture of tremendous relief and lingering uncertainty.  I purchased a Nikon D800 (a switch from Sony), and ended up buying Nikon's AF-S 24-70 mm f/2.8 G ED lens and the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED.  (The 70-200 was way too heavy.)  I'm on a waiting list for the Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 G AF-S, about which I am still undecided.  I still don't know what I'm going to use for birding; the 70-300 will work, if I'm close enough.  Since it's a full-frame camera, there's no crop-factor benefit to be had.  I'm looking forward to seeing the resulting photos that you will take with your new 7D.  Ditto to too many decisions!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I can't wait til we look back and laugh at all the heavy stuff. I think Canon makes fine cameras and you will, after some adjustment be happy. As to lenses, I'll leave that to the experts. Enjoy your new camera.

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

Hi Diane---

I shoot with a Canon 5D, and I love love love my camera.  I hope you like your 7D just as much!  I was also an Olympus girl for many years.  I thought the adjustment was very easy.

Happy shooting...and I'll really look forward to hearing what you learn about the lenses.  I'm just getting into that aspect myself...I need to take some classes and do some more reading...

I join the others waiting excitedly to see the pictures you take with your new gear!

[Richard Crowe]

     I absolutely love my 7D to death.  It is simply a wonderful camera and I am so happy that I bit the bullet and decided to spend the money for it.  

     In reviewing the camera you can find a lot of information on its excellent and sophisticated focusing system.  It is simply the best focusing crop camera that Canon has ever produced and is right among the top three or four DSLR cameras from Canon in speed and accuracy of focusing. The other cameras all cost far in excess of the 7D, sometimes 3-4x as much. 

     One of my favorite bells and whistles on my 7D are the three User Selected Modes.  These allow you to select the way you want your camera set up in advance (while at home and relaxed) and register all of the parameters: ISO, shooting mode, exposure, focus style, etc., etc... 

     Then when you are out in the field shooting and want to change the way you are shooting (say from individual portraits to fast action shots), You can make the global change of all the selected parameters with just one twist of the mode dial to C-1, C-2 or C-3. This is far easier, quicker and with less chance for error than adjusting all the camera parameters individually. The 7D can be a bit overwhelming at first but, it works just great in the default modes until you decide to learn how really to get the best performance out of the camera.  I shot this portrait with the camera straight out of the box in all default mode...

 

     If I forget what settings I had registered, I can view them my pressing the "Q" button (another neat aspect to the 7D) on the back of the camera which shows me all the parameters of the camera set up (and also allows me to modify the parameters).

     If I am done with the settings I have registered, I can simply register new settings.

     Speaking about lenses, the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens is an absolutely  great wildlife lens. Although it is not touted as a sports lens, I have seen some nice sports images done with it.  However, the newer and more expensive 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS lens is another great telephoto zoom, which although shorter in maximum focal length, is a more modern lens with better IS capability..

     OTOH, I just love my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and use it for all sorts of photography from portraits to dog pictures to action.  It is however, a bit short for wildlife. 

     Canon is introducing a wonderfully capable new lens which is a 200-400mm f/4L IS with a built in 1.4x teleconverter which increases the focal range to 280-560mm. Instead of needing to take the lens off the camera, you add the teleconverter internally by simply flipping a switch. The price has not been announced but, be prepared to sell a kidney (or probably both kidneys) to get one.

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

One kidney maybe, two I'd strongly advise against : )

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thank you for all this information which I am copying and pasting for my 'new camera' file.  I think you have just convinced me that I am definitely going for the Canon 7D.  My first SLR was the Canon AE1 so I guess they have come a long way since then....

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

Richard, I really love reading your posts.  You have such a similar camera to mine, and have really figured out how to make it work for you just the way you like. You are inspiring me to get my act together!  I'm your new biggest fan!!  :-)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Congratulations, Dianne!  You must be so excited.  I'm still an Olympus "hold out"....at least for now.

[Diane Margetts]

I love Olympus so please don't think otherwise. I was just concerned about a major investment when the company overall doesn't seem decided on it's future path. Out of love and respect for my e-510, I have it at a top end camera shop to be checked and cleaned so I can hopefully find a happy new home for it!