Would you sell your 7D for 1000 USD and buy a new 5D?
- Thread starter etrust
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pulpfiction007
Veteran
Depends on what you're shooting-
Landscape, fashion and portrait photography: 5DMK2 (and you'd have to be very passionate about getting the absolute best results for these shots because the 7D is capable in all areas)
Action, wildlife, and sports photography: 7D
For video....unless you really need the Vista Vision angles and dof, or the extra sensitivity keep the 7D.
Also.....you might want to consider some extra lenses for the money you'd lose/spend in the overall transaction. (Like maybe an ultra wide for that 5D feel and a super fast prime)
Landscape, fashion and portrait photography: 5DMK2 (and you'd have to be very passionate about getting the absolute best results for these shots because the 7D is capable in all areas)
Action, wildlife, and sports photography: 7D
For video....unless you really need the Vista Vision angles and dof, or the extra sensitivity keep the 7D.
Also.....you might want to consider some extra lenses for the money you'd lose/spend in the overall transaction. (Like maybe an ultra wide for that 5D feel and a super fast prime)
M. Gilden
Canon DSLR Moderator
Personally- No way. The 7D is worth more than that (look what used ones sell for on ebay).
If I'm using the money to afford a more expensive cam, I'm going to try and get as much money as I can for my old one.
Pricing aside, it really depends on what my needs are and why I bought a 7D in the first place. The 5D isn't a better camera than the 7D, but rather a different camera with different strengths. For example, the 7D's ability to output live HD to an external monitor might be the reason I bought it in the first place, and the 5D can't do that. Maybe I wanted shallower DOF with my current lenses, which the cropped sensor helps with as well.
Meanwhile, the 5D's full frame sensor means I could get wider shots and more light exposure per pixel (better low light). The 5D's ability to use Magic Lantern is a killer feature set over the 7D as well, but then again I'm a bad example because I never considered the 7D an option for me in the first place. Other people have legitimate reasons they prefer it, and that hasn't changed.
Also, I wouldn't buy anything now with the Mark III and other Digic V chips rumored to be around the corner.
If I'm using the money to afford a more expensive cam, I'm going to try and get as much money as I can for my old one.
Pricing aside, it really depends on what my needs are and why I bought a 7D in the first place. The 5D isn't a better camera than the 7D, but rather a different camera with different strengths. For example, the 7D's ability to output live HD to an external monitor might be the reason I bought it in the first place, and the 5D can't do that. Maybe I wanted shallower DOF with my current lenses, which the cropped sensor helps with as well.
Meanwhile, the 5D's full frame sensor means I could get wider shots and more light exposure per pixel (better low light). The 5D's ability to use Magic Lantern is a killer feature set over the 7D as well, but then again I'm a bad example because I never considered the 7D an option for me in the first place. Other people have legitimate reasons they prefer it, and that hasn't changed.
Also, I wouldn't buy anything now with the Mark III and other Digic V chips rumored to be around the corner.
cheezweezl
Veteran
How does a cropped sensor help create shallower DOF with your current lenses? The sensor size, no matter what it is, has zero effect on DOF. However, the smaller sensor in the 7D does give you a more narrow FOV, which actually equates to relatively deeper DOF. In other words, say your current lens is a 50mm. Now frame up a medium shot with a 5D, then frame up the same shot with a 7D. You'll need to back up a good bit with the 7D because of the smaller sensor. Now, see which one has shallower DOF with the same lens.
I am looking to buy either one of these cameras and I keep coming back to the fact that I can get a body and buy a piece or two of really nice glass for the price difference. Yes, it won't have the larger sensor, but then again the 7D can overcrank and still has Canon's legendary build quality. I say, keep the 7D and buy a used 5D body!
M. Gilden
Canon DSLR Moderator
Yes you are correct. I wrote that too quickly and made a mistake. The point, as Ian-T also mentioned, was that the framing and DOF might be more desirable an effect on one vs the other, which is another reason one may have chosen the 7D over the 5D in the first place.
The bottom line here is that this isn't really a question any of us can properly answer because it would depend on why we had the 7D in the first place.
M. Gilden
Canon DSLR Moderator
Yes you are correct. I wrote that too quickly and made a mistake. The point, as Ian-T also mentioned, was that the framing and DOF might be more desirable an effect on one vs the other, which is another reason one may have chosen the 7D over the 5D in the first place.
The bottom line here is that this isn't really a question any of us can properly answer because it would depend on why we had the 7D in the first place.
Oh Yes, I ca not work without a external monitor! Maybe I should wait. Hum maybe a 7D Mark 2 will sove the problem too ;=)
vision_filmz
Carbonite Member
Sometimes you have to laugh at the Hd monitoring of the 7d. I have been using expensive video cameras for years that only output SD, yet now an HDSLR that can only output an sd signal is not good? I mean they even have the new monitors which will stretch the image of the screen perfectly for the t2i,60d etc.
M. Gilden
Canon DSLR Moderator
This may be true, but things have changed a bit in the last few years. Not too long ago, people weren't really watching the end product in HD (HD internet streams were rare, and distribution was generally on DVD). These days, HD is more ubiquitous, and therefore the product is under more scrutiny than it was back then. That means when shooting HD with a crew, the director and other crew members expect to be able to see it in the same resolution that the viewer will. At least, this has been the impression I am given in my limited experience working with crews.
To be honest, my DSLR mostly gets used when I'm shooting alone or with skeleton teams (2-3 people max) and only using the internal LCD anyway. That's why it wasn't a big deal for me. When shooting with a crew, they opt for a modern full sized cam that DOES output HD.
Some people require HD resolution over HDMI so they can record to a more production-friendly codec. It's not just monitoring in HD (though that is obviously important).
vision_filmz
Carbonite Member
Many professional projects with large crews are shot on a Canon 5D which does not output HD. .... I mean we can all agree that HD monitoring is the best, but many Directors and crews monitor in SD.
http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/mygear/monitoring-viewing/
M. Gilden
Canon DSLR Moderator
Yes, and there are many directors and film crews who won't shoot on a DSLR at all. The ones that do make compromises. To some, a reasonable compromise is HD monitoring. To others it is not. It is definitely a con when compared to a full sized pro cameras which mostly offer this as a standard feature.
I personally don't care either way because I am shooting with the internal screen, and use Magic Lantern's "magic zoom" box to pull accurate focus while shooting. Brilliant feature. The zoom box and focus peaking are enough for me. But (as I've mentioned to you before, vision_filmz), what works for you or me isn't what works for others. Not everyone is willing to make the same compromises.
I think that's the issue - any small hdmi monitor that features auto-scaling when you drop into record will set you back a fair bit - hence the advice to stick to the 7D