We might be going to Kenya next month on a photo safari. And as I have a Canon EOS 7D, I thought I might try it instead of one of the Nikons that I have.

Iam thinking of taking the Canon 28-300 IS USM lens, as well as the canon 100-400 IS USM.

I had the Nikon 300D last year in Kenya, and got some great shots. But one of my friends who is a Canon user suggested I try this one this year.

I still have not made up my mind, but will let you all know when the time comes.,

I like to note the gear used by the guys in the scrum during the news broadcasts on the BBC. For a while there were lots of Cannons, now almost every camera is a Nikon.
I like the 7D but in the end only Nikon is Nikon.

I just had a good look at the Tokina 11-16mm seriously nice lens, well worth giving it a try as your wide angle.

I have owned a Canon 40D for many years and recently acquired a 7D to compliment it. One of the primary reasons is the many Canon lens I have.
The 7D is a great camera; I never had a problem with my 40D, just like a TIMEX, takes licking and keeps on ticking. I really liked the tilt and swivel screen on the 60D. I wish they would have incorporated that into the 7D.
I also have a few light weight Canon L lenses (70-200 F4 USIS) and a (300 F4 USIS); I couple them with a Canon 1.4X L teleconverter from time to time. Both are very good relatively light weight telephoto's I carry everywhere.

EZ

Saeed,

How is your Nikon D7000 working for you? I am within just a few days of purchasing one and would like your perspective.

Thank you,
--bill

quote:

Originally posted by cavu67:
Saeed,

How is your Nikon D7000 working for you? I am within just a few days of purchasing one and would like your perspective.

Thank you,
--bill

Bill,

I gave mine back, as I think there was something wrong with it.

I was getting some weired results, and the flash kept popping up even in daylight.

quote:

Originally posted by The Specialist:
I like to note the gear used by the guys in the scrum during the news broadcasts on the BBC. For a while there were lots of Cannons, now almost every camera is a Nikon.
I like the 7D but in the end only Nikon is Nikon.

I just had a good look at the Tokina 11-16mm seriously nice lens, well worth giving it a try as your wide angle.

Visions of English cannon in the scrum operated by the BBC ...

You are locky you have the 7d, They changed the on/off switch to the knob and not the back. Canons stupidest idea was to put the on/off and wheel lock on the rear. MOst people will turn it off occasionally when carying it normaiily which is why I carry my canons bacjwards, i.e lends facing in.

HAving said that, I think you;ll find the canon with good glass is hard to beat. If you are not used to the wheel, once you get used to it you will probably prefer it to the NIkon set up.

Post pics!

Problem with the things is the investment in lenses. Once you have 4 or 5 high quality lenses that really locks you into a particular system.

So I have Nikon, and your experience has steered me away from the D7000. (Thank you)

While my current D1X still works, a little more resolution would be nice. The D2Xs is coming into its own with better metering and 12 meg resolution. If I can find a nice used example that may be the way to go. The D3X has placed itself out of practicality both in price and function. (Interesting the Hasselblad Digitals are pushing the limit of the technology for DSLRs, but while the 6x6 negative made sense...)

I also have noted the use of advanced point and shoots in the field which really makes sense when you don't want to carry 2 kilos of camera with you. It appears that the "Gun Bearer" is gone, but the "camera bearer" may be here, with the title videographer and constantly yelling "shoot the bloody thing!"

I have used both Nikon and Canon film cameras, so have a few lenses for each.

But, I am gotten rid of all lenses that do not have image stabilization, as I found the results of this new technology to be well worth having.

I have also tried some of the new APS size sensors in small cameras, like teh Sony NEX 5.

They are wonderful to use as a light camera instead of a point and shoot compact. But they seem to present their own little practical problems as well.

The Sony NEX 5 comes with an 18-55 lense, which works great.

But, try to use the 18-200 lenses and things go haywire if you taking a video.

This lense works great for photos, despite a very stiff zoom action.

And its size compared to teh body makes this very hard to use this function while shooting a video.

Which really defeats the whole object of having a great video function.

If one tries to zoom while taking a video, one cannot help wobbling so much.

Sony makes great products, but lately they seem to forget the practical aspects of using these cameras.

Note what I have posted about the NEX10 video camera on this forum.

Why not the 5DII?

5D 2 .. too big, too heavy, too expensive, too old.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by cavu67:
Saeed,

How is your Nikon D7000 working for you? I am within just a few days of purchasing one and would like your perspective.

Thank you,
--bill

Bill,

I gave mine back, as I think there was something wrong with it.

I was getting some weired results, and the flash kept popping up even in daylight.

That certainly does sound like something amiss. Mine has been working fine.

I have been playing with the 7D, and I am beginning to like it.

We had the annual marathon last Friday, and they pass right in front of our house very early in the morning.

I went out and took some photos at hi ISO, and they look great.

We are planning a photo safari to Kenya next month. I am going to take this camera with me, with the 18-200 and 100-400 lenses.

Hi Saeed-

First of thank you VERY VERY much for the safari videos you sent me recently. They are GREAT! I plan to watch the remaining two tonight.

As for the 7D, I am in love. It think for wildlife, it is a great camera choice. I have shot with the 5D MkII as well, but for wildlife photography, the extra crop factor really helps you reach out there with a good quality piece of glass.

I too am part of the crowd that has invested heavily in glass. I only by the "L" lenses these days. And, like you, will always opt for the image stabilized versions.

I have found that the 70-200 f/2.8L IS is a great lens to have when you are just walking around because it allows you to zoom out for wide shots, but still has the telephoto capability.

The Canon 300mm f/4.0L IS can be great when you are parked in one spot with a good heavy tripod.

Another solid option is the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens which is affordable, high quality, and lightweight compared the much heavier and much more expensive f/2.8 lenses in both 300mm and 400mm.

Having a wireless (or wired) remote is NECESSARY for the really sharp photos and video. I found that the latter has made a big difference in the quality of my photographs and video.

Lastly, I have both the 1.4X double and the 2X doubler. They are great for when you can't get closer to your subject, but there are prices to pay. Depending on the lens used, the autofocus may or may not be compatible (works with most f/2.8 telephoto lenses though). Next, you will loose between one and two f-stops (1.4X vs 2X), so depth of field and or motion blur can become an issue. Lastly, and this is the most important one, image quality can suffer. You will mostly notice fringing on the edges, pincushion distortion, and blurriness.

Anyway, that's my biased and slanted view. Haha! Good luck!

BTW: here is a clip of one of the first videos shot out of the 7D on a trip my buddy and I took to Wyoming last summer:

http://vimeo.com/12751660

A friend took the above photos with a D7 and a wide angle lense.

Wow. Amazing shots. And a truly amazing modern city as well. I hope to visit some day.

Thanks for sharing!