Why Should I Not get a 7D

K

killjon

Member
I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not I should be buying this camera. But I am not exactly sure if this will be a good buy, which is why I am turning to the forums for some help!

My reasons to buy:
-I have an HV30 and I am wanting to upgrade to a more "semi-professional/professional" level because I learned all the technical things out "video making" (editing.. filming.. frame rate.. shutter speeds.. aperture.. software.. etc.) and I now know all the limitations of the camera.
-Film is my number 1 hobby and something I wish to make a career out of. Also meaning, I'm not spending a lot of money on other things where I'll go broke after buying the 7D. (if this makes any sense)
- I've been also looking into getting a DSLR for stills to go along with my HV30. Maybe a Rebel XS, XTI, or T1i. But from looking at how much I would be spending and also the limitations I would be getting out of both cameras, I thought that the 7D would be a great all in one package.
-I love this camera as of right now, I seen tons of videos on Vimeo on Youtube and love the quality. What can I say?

My reasons not to buy:
- "You don't NEED it" - anonymous
- I'm still a student (college) and won't be graduating for a while.. meaning technology changes, something better will come out when I actually "NEED" a good camera.
- It's around $2100 - $2300 for the combo I want, I might regret after I get it because of how much I'm spending. (most likely not)

I need more opinions rather then myself and my friends who don't know anything about it. As of right now I am set on buying the 7D in 1 or 2 months but can change my mind if someone gives good reasons why I shouldn't get it. Any opinions will really help. THANK YOU! :dankk2:
 
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If you already know the limitations of the camera, which you do, then you should go for it. Just look at the shorts on vimeo shot on the 7d - they're amazing. Make sure you get at least one nice lens though, like the Canon 50mm 1.4, to truly make your shots shine.

Next year they might bring out a DSLR that shoots full frame AND 24fps, but that won't mean the 7d won't still look beautiful. And it's going to take many years for the rolling shutter issue to be sorted out on DSLRs, if at all. On the other hand, the Red Scarlet, when it does eventually appear, will likely cost too much for a lot of people.

The 7d is here, it's real, it's got it's problems, but if you have experience already with another camera, they're all able to be worked around. I probably wouldn't recommend it for a first timer, but for you, remember the wise words of the Greek God of footwear, Nike: JUST DO IT.
 
If you're a broke college student and you're buying something that you don't need, in this economy... there are lots of reasons why that isn't the best idea. You've already got an HV30. Frankly that's a more advanced, more "professional" video camera than a DSLR is; at least it has a headphone jack and some zebras for exposure.

If you have a way to make some money with it, by all means go ahead. But if you're not going to be putting it to profitable use NOW... I say don't do it. Find a used Letus Mini if you need the shallow DOF, you should be able to pick one of those up cheap. Limp along with what you've got, save your dough, and then when one of the video manufacturers puts together a real video camera with an SLR-sized sensor, that's about the time you might be ready for it, right?
 
But why would you want to "limp along" when you can buy a fantstic camera right now? George Lucas is thinking of using the 5d/7d for cockpit sequences for his new film. And yes, a real video camera with an SLR sized sensor will be great, but how much will that cost?
 
Because his money probably has a lot of directions it could go. Even production equipment other than a camera would be a good, long term investment. So would food. And car insurance. And books for class. And rent.
 
dvxhutch said:
George Lucas is thinking of using the 5d/7d for cockpit sequences for his new film.
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If I had the money he had, I wouldn't touch the 7D. Why not shoot something with a higher resolution and better compression quality?

But I guess it's trendy to use a HDSLR.
 
As a college student myself.. this is the opportune time to really make a career out of something you love to do. The time after you graduate is way too late to have broken into the business.

Personally, I would sell the hv30 as soon as possible.. get the 7d and start making a bunch of high quality shorts.

:bath:
 
patssle said:
If I had the money he had, I wouldn't touch the 7D. Why not shoot something with a higher resolution and better compression quality?

But I guess it's trendy to use a HDSLR.
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Whether true or not I don't think it has anything to do with being trendy. These cameras would be ideal for closeup scenes like that. They are small....much smaller than the average film camera (so you can put them in more places). They also shine better in closeups. I think that was also the same general idea for using a modified 5Dll in the upcoming "Iron Man" movie.
 
I'm a pretty broke college student as well (but i'm a tv broadcast student, so buying the 7D was a good choice for me), and i'll be paying off my 7D for a while - but it's really opened up a whole other world for me. my problem is however, now that i have the 7d, i also want a tokina 11-16, i want a glidecam, i need extra batteries/an ac adapter, i need an extra memory card, etc...it just never stops.

basically, make sure you have enough money to buy the camera along with the bare minimum other accessories first.
 
Ian-T said:
Whether true or not I don't think it has anything to do with being trendy. These cameras would be ideal for closeup scenes like that. They are small....much smaller than the average film camera (so you can put them in more places). They also shine better in closeups. I think that was also the same general idea for using a modified 5Dll in the upcoming "Iron Man" movie.
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Yes, that's exactly right, Ian, he wants to use them because he can't fit any of his HD cams in there and he's also very happy with the results they generate.
 
From someone who is a college student, bought a 7D earlier this year, and is graduating in 5 months, I'll echo Barry.

You already have a tool that will do almost everything a video camera should do miles better then a 7D. If you are not going to make that money back in a timely manner (steady client base, jobs lined up) and $2,100- $2,300 puts you in the whole pretty deep then it really doesn't make a whole lot of fiscal sense. I can think of a whole host of things I would rather spend money on or have said money to spend should something happen.

Do you have all the other support equipment to make films with the 7D? Because I can tell you that if all you have is an HV30, the amount of money you have said you are looking to spend will not cover your other equipment costs. I would almost double that if you want to make purchases that will last you for years to come.

But the most telling thing is, you already said that you "don't need it."
 
wow... 5d II wont be on any iron man scene ,its just some guy had 7d prototype on the set to show and thats all, it would be ridiculous to shoot iron man 2 on 5d II.Are you guys serious ?
And about thread... if you would buy 7d then you would get the chance to get some amazing shots which you would never get with hv30 and yu would get knowledge about lenses and framing as future DP.If you want it then get it ,if you dont (and you probably dont) then make thread about it on internets and let other people decide what you should buy <sarcasm>
 
bwwd said:
wow... 5d II wont be on any iron man scene ,its just some guy had 7d prototype on the set to show and thats all, it would be ridiculous to shoot iron man 2 on 5d II.Are you guys serious ?
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http://blog.planet5d.com/2009/05/ru...anon-5d-mk-ii-cameras-with-panavision-lenses/

Rumor, but there is still merit there.

Can you provide solid sources or evidence that the 5DII will not be used in any scene/shot in Iron Man II or that there was in fact "just some guy on set with a 7D" to back up your claims?

No one said the 5DII was going to shoot the whole film. And yes, we are all very serious.
 
I cant (like no one can prove now that footage from 5D II will be on some scenes in actual movie in cinemas)but this rumour is so over the top IMO and it would be very weird if they would do that.I just dont easily fall for rumours like this , but if i will be wrong then it will admit that i was wrong.
First - panavision lenses are made for super 35mm frame/sensor not for full frame so they will vignette, still they could shoot on still lenses but i doubt that it will be included to the final cut of the movie.
 
William_Robinette said:
Rumor, but there is still merit there.
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I heard a rumor that there was just some guy on set with a camera and it had nothing to do with filming, and that they're not actually going to use these cameras for anything in the new Iron Man movie.

It was something I read on an internet post, so it has at least as much merit.
 
Alright, internet ramblings not withstanding...

Go ahead and turn a blind eye to the evolution of tools used for cinematography. Why you would due this is beyond me, but you guys must know something I don't.
 
bwwd said:
I cant (like no one can prove now that footage from 5D II will be on some scenes in actual movie in cinemas)but this rumour is so over the top IMO and it would be very weird if they would do that.I just dont easily fall for rumours like this , but if i will be wrong then it will admit that i was wrong.
First - panavision lenses are made for super 35mm frame/sensor not for full frame so they will vignette, still they could shoot on still lenses but i doubt that it will be included to the final cut of the movie.
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LOL...ok then. But let me ask you something....haven't other major productions used regular video cams in the past to get....maybe a TV/home-video perspective on film? I believe the answer is yes. So..if THAT was possible...why can't another major production use a cam like the 7D/5Dll..for whatever? Never say never. :Drogar-Happy(DBG):
 
Ian-T said:
LOL...ok then. But let me ask you something....haven't other major productions used regular video cams in the past to get....maybe a TV/home-video perspective on film? I believe the answer is yes. So..if THAT was possible...why can't another major production use a cam like the 7D/5Dll..for whatever? Never say never. :Drogar-Happy(DBG):
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I played a Small roll of a Police Officer in the Film Battle Los Angeles, Due out feb 2011 and there were plenty of Sony Ex1 and EX3 on set shooting. I dint see any dslr but Now that I own one it would have done the SAME IF NOT BETTER than those cameras during the main battle sequence. The Rest was ofCourse FILM Panavision
 
It doesn't matter what big name feels like using it in something, and rumors to that extent shouldn't even be mentioned. A tool should not be validated on who uses it, but on how well it does the job. For all we know there is a scene being considered to shoot with that, and it's going to be downgraded to look like really bad surveillance video. But that has no effect on weather or not the camera is a good choice to buy. That's just pushing the trendy factor.

I own a GH1, and I think it was a great investment. I miss my HVX, but this thing works extremely well and saved me a lot when I traded (having already owned audio equipment). So I do recommend it- if a new camera is needed.
 
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I'm gonna flat out disagree with learned folk here because most audiences are not pro cam people. I had an HV30 and when I bought my 7D -- my wife, her friends and my clients all gushed like crazy over the first 7D footage I shot.

More importantly, having just wrapped a feature with an HV30 -- I had grown to despise the little bastard (low light performance, focus even with Irv B ring, crappy LCD, mediocre color, 60i wrapper etc.). The 7D is the most exciting camera I've touched in years (and that includes EX1, Red, my beloved DVX's (I had three over the years) XL1 etc.

Sure, it does not have zebras, XLRs, suffers from moire/aliasing, is a pain to focus, LCD don't swivel, etc. blah blah. But passion trumps technology every time and that's the real reason - DSLR video often inspires passion with shooters and viewers alike.

Pro's are always going to point the flaws (and it's very important to know what they are and how to deal with them, so the naysayers points have value). But the 48 Hour Film festival in my city (Greensboro) sums up why DSLR is such a good choice for learning, freelance or narrative work. All sorts of cameras were used - everything from EX1 HPX 500 to low end crap cams were used.

The winners? The Cinematography award went to the only 5D MkII film entered. It also won overall plus a bunch of others. Runner was a D90 film. To a pro's eye, neither film had the best cinematography from a pure craft point, but that's the problem with getting advice solely here on what camera to buy.

The most important factor is really what the camera feels like in your hands and how your audience responds. All the technical stuff here is relevant but ultimately secondary.

The real best advice is get 7D in your hands, shoot side by side with your HV30 (I did) - within seconds the answer was clear to me.

I agonized for months before I had the chance to do that test. The future of indie, low budget stuff is vDSLR. Unless some company has a prosumer video camera soon with Super 35mm/APS-C sized sensor shooting 1080p with interchangeable lense for under $3k (and probably really under $2k), I think trend will continue.

There are situations I would still choose to shoot with traditional video camera (although the more I use my 7D, the shorter that list gets) but certainly event/news/live sports especially if destined for national broadcast is still clearly pro cameraland.

But grab a 7D and test vs your HV30. And trust your own reaction more than advice here (mine included).
 
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