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Want to upgrade my DSLR, suggestions?

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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
So right now I'm a proud owner of a Canon 7D, but I feel the need to upgrade. I've done everything I could with this camera, and I want to know if there is something out there that I'm missing. I'm a tad bit disappointed with its resolution, and I think it could be better. I want to stay in the Canon family, as all my lens are Canon. Any suggestions?
Feb 13 2012 10:09PM
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
Photo or Video?
Feb 13 2012 10:10PM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
video
Feb 13 2012 10:20PM
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snowisawesome
Posts: 447 - Karma: 76
Dude your crazy.  7D is money for video.  Maybe try better glass. 
Feb 13 2012 10:25PM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
Well the 7D has basically the best video out of Canon's HDSLR range so....
Maybe the new 7D Mark II or 5D Mark III will be a step up, but i really doubt it would be worth the upgrade.
Feb 13 2012 10:25PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
im waitin for the new 5Ds to drop so the mark II price goes down
Feb 13 2012 10:25PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
what is your current setup, like lenses and everything?
do you think that the quality you are getting from your 7d is comparable to other videos you see shot with it?
are there any videos showing an example of what you are looking for?
Feb 13 2012 10:33PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,285
if you're complaining about the sharpness, there are three options:

1. Get good glass
2. Get primes (if your good glass are zooms)
3. remove the anti-aliasing filter (DONT RECOMMEND, especially if you shoot video)

if you have at least decent glass, I'd say just deal with it

LCDVF could also help if your shots arent sharp because they're out of focus
Feb 13 2012 10:45PM
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eheath
Posts: 61584 - Karma: 122,895
What lenses are you using? The 7D's sensor and video is the best you're going to get unless you want to spend upwards of 5k then thats barely even better, then the next level of cameras is 50k+. Upgrade your glass, it makes a huge difference.
Feb 13 2012 10:47PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
you're disappointed with the resolution? what? 18mp is tons
Feb 13 2012 10:49PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
what does this even mean? it's not like it's an all automatic camera. you can adjust color settings, shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and focus all manually. i highly doubt you've done all you can do with it.
Feb 13 2012 11:26PM
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The-Rodent
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 325
.
Feb 13 2012 11:48PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
what lenses do you have?
i wouldnt change. your going to regret it. 7d is a fuckin solid body. i hope mine lasts for a really long time...
Feb 13 2012 11:59PM
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403MEDIA
Posts: 272 - Karma: 4,803
my goodness the ignorance.. If you youve done everything you can with a 7D, you are incredible.. and why upgrade? If you want to stay with canon you would have to move to a full frame, but why do you even need that? Keep your camera.
Feb 14 2012 1:52AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
inb4 shooting with a kit lens
Feb 14 2012 2:22AM
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Downtofilm
Posts: 6896 - Karma: 20,395
Wait what?

I watched your video and I mean, its not terrible but you definitely havent used your 7d to full potential. I dont understand what is wrong with the quality
Feb 14 2012 3:35AM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
The lens I use and the glass are fine. I have some really good lens so that doesn't concern me. I should have explained myself more, the question was more geared to if I should make the jump to the 5D. If it is worth it. But researching it a tad bit more, it seems it is not worth it, and the 7D was the compromise between a 500d and a 5D, and was geared toward video.
Feb 14 2012 7:10AM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
I've done a lot with it, between astronomy timelapsing to filming a movie that got me into NYU. I'm not trying to sound arrogant or cocky, I was merely asking a question. Maybe I havent done everything, and I should rephrase, but I've had this camera for a little over a year and a half, and was wondering if there was anything new I should look at.
Feb 14 2012 7:16AM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
sooo what lens is it?
Feb 14 2012 7:35AM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
I have two quality lens, the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 wideangle lens, and the a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 II USM lens. Then I have a regular Sigma 18-50mm 2.8, which is nothing too special, just needed a standard lens
Feb 14 2012 8:01AM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 71
I agree with this.

Primes are always going to be the sharpest, and are basically going to be the best quality photos that the camera can put out. Basically because there are less glass elements and it doesn't have to work the light as much.

I have a kinda similar lens set-up to you, except mine is basically all 3rd party because I'm only 17 and only work a couple days a week haha.
I shoot Nikon though, but I have a Sigma 10-20 F(4-5.6), Tamron 17-50 2.8, Nikon 50 1.8, Sigma 70-200 2.8.
I'm definitely looking into getting some primes though because I love how sharp my 50 is. You could get a couple great primes for the price of a new body.
Feb 14 2012 9:08AM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
I'll look into all of this thanks!
Feb 14 2012 1:09PM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
Thanks for the input, I'll look into it
Feb 14 2012 1:10PM
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eheath
Posts: 61584 - Karma: 122,895
Going to a 5d wont do anything for you. The next step up is an fs100 and af100 and its similar sensors with better low light and overall control, its actually a video camera. But, thats 4-5k for the body.
Feb 14 2012 1:10PM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
When I threw this thread up, I didn't look into the 5D that much, and that is my fault. It seems that the 7D is where it is at. However, I do do a lot of timelapse photography, and all the big players use the 5D. But the 5D I hear is better for shooting pictures. I think I'll stick it out with my 7D. Although I need to replace it because its coming to the end of its shutter life. I estimate over 90K clicks
Feb 14 2012 1:16PM
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eheath
Posts: 61584 - Karma: 122,895
I mean, you don't need to replace it til its broken... and how do you have 90k clicks if you do video?
Feb 14 2012 1:19PM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
I do a ton of timelapse photography, and have the shutter open for long periods on time. I also shoot pictures, just not as often as film. I want to replace it before it breaks so I can sell it, make a little money off of it.
Feb 14 2012 1:33PM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
Keep in mind that it could last waaaaay longer than that. I hit 20000 on my old XTi that was only supposed to live till 50.000. Keep shooting with it until it actually dies.
Feb 14 2012 1:37PM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
True, but I wanna get some money out of it, then buy a new camera. So I was thinking sell it and go another 7D, or sell it and get something else. Basis of this thread really. Though I might shoot it till it dies, I don't know yet, see how much money I make from work.
Feb 14 2012 1:42PM
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eheath
Posts: 61584 - Karma: 122,895
Just stop worrying and just shoot
Feb 14 2012 1:48PM
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M3TRO
Posts: 645 - Karma: 5,391
i defiantly saw this thread and was expecting "i have a t2i what should i upgrade to"
Feb 14 2012 1:59PM
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AK_Media
Posts: 241 - Karma: 2,695
truth
Feb 14 2012 1:59PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
If a 7D isn't pleasing you, no DSLR will. 5D video is not as good as 7D video in my opinion. FF sucks for video.

Also, if you're unhappy with your footage, it's likely a user error. Getting sharper lenses won't do a damn thing other than give your footage more moiré. Work on your stabilization and you'll suddenly have a "new camera."
Feb 14 2012 2:12PM
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dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
This is mainly because 50mm is the easiest and most standard lens to make. It's much harder to screw up the design of a 50 prime than a zoom lens. My nikkor 80-200 f4 is sharper than my 50 is at f5.6. It beats my 35 mm too. Best use for primes is how fast they are and as a new shooter, It gets me thinking about the angle and placement of the camera more. Primes are definitley awesome though!
Feb 14 2012 4:01PM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
It's amazing how many people are complaining about feeling limited by these DSLRs. 5 years ago the idea of a large sensor video camera with interchangeable lenses and full manual controls for less than 1000 would be a joke, now people think these cameras are holding them back
Feb 15 2012 12:53AM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
Yeah, you can never do 'everything you can' with a manual camera.


i too shot timelapses with my HVX and also shot a short film with it that got me accepted into NYU as well, but i would NEVER have considered myself anywhere close to having done everything i could with that camera.
Feb 15 2012 1:11AM
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Utard
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 305
jesus christ what are you shooting, billboards?
Feb 15 2012 11:23PM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
No point in upgrading from one DSLR to another IMO, their all basically the same for video apart from minor details.

I'd suggest waiting; perhaps canon won't blow it with this next release, and pray that they incorporate 1080p60 for under $1,500 soon
Feb 16 2012 1:45AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
this is so unlikely
Feb 16 2012 2:04AM
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Downtofilm
Posts: 6896 - Karma: 20,395
not really, Sony found a way to do it.
Feb 16 2012 2:19AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
they did use a "mirrorless" solution though
Feb 16 2012 2:21AM
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eheath
Posts: 61584 - Karma: 122,895
sony also didnt come out with a $20k camera without 1080p60...
Feb 16 2012 2:25AM
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remster
Posts: 898 - Karma: 261
Haha lol
Feb 16 2012 3:22AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
The mirror has nothing to do with the 60fps
Feb 16 2012 10:35AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
really? i heard somewhere that mirrorless cameras are capable of a lot higher speeds. maybe that was just for photos.
Feb 16 2012 12:22PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
The mirror on DSLRs is completely disengaged during video shooting, so frame rate is an issue of internal processing. Mirror only applies to shutter clicks (photo).
Feb 16 2012 12:52PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
ohh right of course, thanks for clearing that up
Feb 16 2012 6:26PM
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