Too hot, this 7D
ENI've fallen for it. For a very, very nice toy that I plan to take underwater with me: an SLR camera. It is a Canon 7Dfrom the Eos line. I already love it.
A DSLR that makes video
In September 2008, I was already drooling over the very first SLR making video. This time, it's here. A year and a half later, I have mine!!!
It took me a while to decide on the Canon Eos 7D... I scoured the forums, the comparisons, the opinions on photo blogs, the specialized magazines...
I first coveted the Nikon D300s, then the Canon Eos 7D, then the Panasonic GH1. To return to the Canon, attracted by various articles gleaned here and there ...
→ Macandphoto.com
→ Digital Focus (now Les Numériques)
→ Ylovephoto.com
→ 7Dpro
I have had it in hand for a few days. I'm exploring one by one its features. My poor little compact A95 (a Canon, too), which faithfully accompanied me for four years, until this memorable photocatastrophic saga in Thailand last year, lies on a shelf.
On land as well as underwater, I have the feeling to have really done the tour of the possibilities of this compact camera. It had for him to be small, light, discreet. But more and more frustrating. For a long time I wanted to switch to an SLR. It's done.
I now want to progress in photography. And in video.
A housing to take the 7D underwater
The problem is that I'll have to break the piggy bank again... for a waterproof case. Because I also want to take the beast underwater.
To the housing, I will then have to add a flash, and then a macro lens to photograph the tiny underwater creatures that I love so much... Later I will invest in a wide angle lens and the dome that goes well. Then, when I have money again, in a second flash...
To store images and videos, I'll also have to buy memory cards that are much bigger and faster than the ones I had before. In short, I am not at the end of my troubles...
I mean, I'm gonna have to completely revise my bundle of scuba divers. ...to lug all these people around... It's promising!
????
Excellent choice. Welcome to the world of SLRs, you will see it really changes compared to a compact. By cons to take it under the water, it's another budget. And be careful if it flows. We all drowned compact under water, it's annoying but a SLR, it's dramatic limit. I can not wait to see your new pictures.
Am jealous ...
I've got the 50d, already a good SLR! The new 7d surpasses it, it's annoying how quickly digital technology evolves!
The housing is expensive, and it seems to me that they are only available for certain models...
Hi Corinne, excellent choice of course, although I'm more of a Nikon man (D700 ... 😉 ), above all don't overlook the lenses, if you can afford Canon's 24-105 F4 Vr for example, it's certainly the best value in the range and many pros use it.
For the waterproof case, I do not know but perso, it would scare me to dive with my SLR, the least problem on the box and everything goes to the trash ...
@+
Philippe
Investing in an SLR changes your life, both in terms of the quality of your photos and the weight of your packaging 😉
A new organization but also enormous possibilities! I can't wait to see the results.
Good shoot!
Emilie
what are you goals?
Very good choice, I personally use an EOS 5D Mark II with the same Ikelite housing as the one in your article, as you're a fan of macro diving (Nudibranches) I'd recommend a 100 Macro aperture 2.8 (Not the one just released by Canon, the previous one) it's fabulous otherwise the 24-70 aperture 2.8 from Tamron is great too and much cheaper than Canon's 😀 and then of course a flash. The Ikelite housing is very safe, but you'll also need to take good care of it, especially when you arrive at your dream sites, checking all the screws and bolts and a little freshwater bath with a little shampoo after each dive will do it a world of good. Oh, and one last piece of advice: train in your bathtub before you leave, as the controls are not always easy to master at first!
Good pictures to you.
JP
@Denis:Oh yes! I'm well aware of the difference between SLRs and compacts, as I already use an old Eos 10D at work... Can't wait to test my new toy in Asia!!! For my part, I have NEVER drowned my compact. 😛
I always prepare my chamber with the greatest care, preferably the day before... Just once, I had a few drops to enter, at the end of the dive, but they were collected by the little “reservoir” designed for this purpose around the lens. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the irreparable never happens...
😯
@Fabrice: The box for 7D is already available at several manufacturers, including Ikelite ...
😉
PhilippeB: Yes, it's the lenses that are important for good image quality. For the moment, all I have is the 15-85mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM supplied in the kit, which seems to be pretty good in its category. Now I've got to get myself a good macro lens.
😀
@EmiLink: Finally, I already see a little how I can reorganize, package question ... it should do!
😉
@JPeG: Yes, I know you have to train beforehand, so that you know all the controls inside out and don't have too many questions once you're underwater... I already took the utmost care of my compact's housing. I haven't drowned or had any other problems with the housing in four years. I think I'll be even more careful with the 7D. As for the lenses, thanks for the advice! I'll look into it.
🙂
Ah!!! I have it too... 🙂
I was surprised to find the Canon 7D and the superb 70-200 mm under the Christmas tree, and I'm super happy. I played a bit with the 7D in Shanghai last October and was planning to buy it for myself in the 1st half of 2010, but Santa Claus was quicker.
I've wanted the 5D Mark II for a long time, but for the conditions I work in, the 7D is excellent for a field camera, and still costs almost €1,000 less than the 5D. Not to mention that these little things weigh as much as a dead donkey in a camera backpack!...
Since last September I've been using the Canon 500D, which is already excellent in terms of video (see the ones I've published on China on my blog), and I hope that the 7D will enable me to do the same on Reunion Island tomorrow...
In fact, I'm happy to be starting the year with both the 500D and the 7D, as one will allow me to shoot with the camera on a tripod, while I can shoot with the other (and move).
On the other hand, I've also drowned a digital camera in a Plexiglas housing, and frankly I'm too attached to my 7D to risk losing it in the same conditions. So I wish you good luck, because getting underwater with a small digital camera is not the same thing as getting into the water with a real camera in a housing: the stakes are different, and I can guarantee you a few shivers of apprehension...
We'll compare notes on the 7D if you like, it seems to me to be a great all-rounder, and quite good in low light. We'll see if it's also a good all-rounder in sand and sea spray. I'll let you know when I get back from Reunion...
😉
@A World Elsewhere: I can't wait to hear your opinion as a pro photographer after getting to grips with the 7D in real-life conditions (in La Réunion, no less... too hard!!! 😆 ).
As for putting it in a submarine housing, I'm not too worried (well, not yet, we'll see in real-life conditions). But I'm well aware of the difference it makes underwater, compared with a small compact APN, having borrowed my SLR from another diver in a housing...
In any case, it won't be for a while, as I don't yet have the budget to buy the housing and all its essential accessories. I think I'll have to settle for a little more underwater photography with my little A95. That'll give me time to familiarize myself with the 7D in the dry.
8)
Welcome to the world of SLRs! The 7D looks like a nice little bug...
For my part, I had a bit of trouble at first with the SLR (mainly because of a faulty lens that I had changed), but then I got into the game, and it's actually quite exciting!
On the other hand, even today, I always keep a compact camera with me (Lumix LX3), which is always very useful, especially when the conditions are right...
I can't wait to see your first shots!
🙂
@Thib: I haven't had much time to play with my 7D yet, but it looks promising. I think I'm going to keep my compact handy as an extra.
😉
Well, you've taken the plunge !!
Personally, I'm not ready, but I'm considering the intermediate range of the G11...
When you put your SLR underwater, don't abandon your little APN, it's also good as a spare...
@Laurence: Yes, I'm going to keep my compact again. In any case, I haven't yet invested in a sub-camera for the SLR... I'll see if I can get one or not before my next trip in March.
🙄
Where are you going in March?
I'm looking to leave in May on Jordan, Petra's visit, a tour in the desert and dives!
But right now what's holding me back is the price, gloups, not cheap this destination!!! 😥
@Laurence: I'm going to Indonesia. I can't deny it: the most affordable prices are in Southeast Asia. As for my exact destination in Indonesia, I'll reveal it in a future post...
8)
You bought it! Awesome!!!! I can't wait to see what comes out of it...
@ Marie-Julie: Yes, I'm so happy!!! But I can't wait to take it under Asian skies. As for taking it underwater, that's not likely to happen any time soon, as I'll also have to invest in the housing and flashes...
🙄
Hello!
Quick question: for each model, there's a corresponding housing? so if you change the unit, the same goes for the housing?
@Fabrice: here, you understand everything ... There are some devices close to the configuration level, in the same brand, which can sometimes use the same model box. But in general, yes, everything has to change ...
🙄
Slt,
Welcome to the world of SLRs. I've got a Nikon D70 that's getting old and personally I wouldn't take it underwater, you're never safe from drowning.
I “prefer” to drown a compact it's cheaper! lol! 😀 🙂