Is there a mirror in the 7D? or is it mirrorless like GH1?

J Davis

J Davis

Veteran
Is there a mirror in the 7D? or is it mirrorless like GH1?

I'm just wondering if it will be able to accept the wide range of lenses that the GH1 can because of its mirror less design.
Thanks
 
yes there's a mirror.
yes it can accept a wide range of lenses too, with or without an adapter.
 
I think it's understood that it needs an adapter. The question is whether or not the flange distance will permit an adapter for FD or Nikon AIS...
 
I'm afraid that's incorrect. FD lenses will be severe macro lenses on the EF mount.
The Canon EOS cameras don't have the shortened flange focal distance of m4/3 GH1, so far fewer makes of lenses will work properly on it.
 
You can put Nikon lenses on it though. I have a Nikon to EOS adapter I used to use on my old rebel. It's just a thin metal ring that goes onto the Nikon lens. Picture here:

http://www.pbase.com/roxics/image/47205173

The EOS lens mount is a little bigger in circumference then the F mount, so it's like putting a ring inside of a ring.
 
I had a feeling Nikon was okay but FD was a no-go.
Thanks you guys.

Keeping the mirror will rule out a whole bunch of other lenses too I guess...
Why on earth did they keep the mirror in there?
 
J Davis said:
Why on earth did they keep the mirror in there?
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Because it's primarily a still camera. It also needs to be compatible with all the other EOS lenses. There are tons of people with thousands of dollars invested in canon glass. Canon isn't going to just reinvent everything for some video feature on a DSLR. That's why they sell dedicated video cameras.

The GH1 is built around an entirely new chip size and lens mount that just came out. The micro 4/3rds standard. There are only like three lens available for that system right now(not counting regular 4/3rds lenses). Whereas the EOS system has been around for nearly three decades and Canon alone makes 60 plus lenses for it, not to mention all the third party lenses. So you have plenty of choice.
 
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J Davis said:
Why on earth did they keep the mirror in there?
Click to expand...
Because it's not a Micro Four-Thirds camera. Micro Four-Thirds is the only interchangeable lens stills camera system in the world that doesn't have a mirror box. And technically, a camera without a mirror box is not an SLR. The point of an SLR is to have an optical viewfinder, rather than an electronic one. Why would Canon have a reason to engineer its own version of Micro Four-Thirds? There's no need, which is why it's not being done. There are plenty of good reasons not to do all live view all the time.
 
Thanks for the history lesson – I owned Pentax film SLR back in '82. ASA not ISO remember?
I do realize its purpose.

Plenty of ppl putting canon lenses on RED's on GH1's etc ... my point is valid ... you don't need the mirror to operate the lens.
I just happen to think that the mirror - as good a design as it was 30 years ago - is now become unnecessary. Canon will probably
move to mirrorless designs in the future.
 
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J Davis said:
Plenty of ppl putting canon lenses on RED's on GH1's etc ... my point is valid ... you don't need the mirror to operate the lens.
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But the point is that the existence of the mirror box is not for the operation of the lens. It's there for other reasons. What would removing the mirror box accomplish?

Micro Four-Thirds does without the mirror box in order to reduce the size of the camera. But in reducing the size of the camera, the flange focal distance had to be greatly reduced. The 7D gains nothing by having no mirror box. Its size can't be reduced in the same way, or else it wouldn't be compatible with the EOS system. Canon would then have to create an adapter to transmit the electrical signals between lens and camera.

Furthermore, there are problems with "all live view all the time." Battery life is one issue; you only get between one to two hours of live view on a single charge of the battery. Then there's the potential overheating issues. Also, without the mirror box, the sensor is exposed whenever the lens is not attached. Both the G1 and the GH1 have shown decreased LCD and EVF performance in low-light conditions. You don't have to worry about that stuff with a mirror box and optical viewfinder.
 
Hey my apologies .. I'm sorry if I'm stepping on peoples toes. I didn't mean to put down the 7D in anyway. In fact I'm very interested in the cam despite my views on mirrors – RED and GH1 being working examples of mirrorless cams. I'm stepping out of this conv for tonight. Thanks for the info on FD's M42's and nikons!
 
Kholi said:
With video on the 7D, the Mirro box and Optical Viewfinder are useless.
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Indeed, but isn't that true of all video cameras? The 7D is still a stills camera first. That's why the mirror box is there. If it were the other way around, then we wouldn't be having this conversation.
 
I'm gonna sound old fashioned, but I consider the optical viewfinder on the 7D a great asset. But why not have a pie fight :grin:

I dont care what anyone says, I can tell more about contrast, the qualities of a lens, and lighting through a quality optical viewfinder than on any EVF or LCD I've ever used.

The times I've shot on the RED, their EVF is very nice, but I always wished for an optical viewfinder especially AT NIGHT.

That's one bonus the 7D certainly has going for it. It just needs an orientable optical viewfinder, and extensions. Maybe someone can make that stuff in their shop?
 
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