CANON 7D MARK II - GOOD VALUE FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY?
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- Is the Canon 7D Mark ii still relevant for wildlife photography and bird photography in 2020? Can we compare the canon 7d mark ii vs 90d? What makes the 7D mark ii a good camera to buy for wildlife, bird and sports photography. IS THE M50 ANY GOOD? - • CANON M50 WILDLIFE PHO...
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My name is Will Goodlet. I am a wildlife, landscape and astro photographer working in the African Safari business. I spend my time exploring the dusty roads of Africa with my Land Rover, Basil.
I've been taking photographs for 40 years, first in Hong Kong, where I grew up and later to follow my dreams of a life photographing Africa.
📖CHAPTERS
0:00 CANON 7D MARK II STILL RELEVANT?
1:39 SECOND-HAND PRICING!
2:03 EFFECTIVE REACH
3:59 AUTOFOCUS SYSTEM
4:41 FRAMES PER SECOND
5:26 BUFFER DEPTH
5:52 BUILD QUALITY
7:00 SHUTTER RATING
7:35 PRO FEATURES (AT A DISCOUNT)
7:45 Dual Card Slots
8:59 IMAGE QUALITY (OR LACK OF)
10:37 THE NEGATIVES
11:10 VIDEO OUT OF DATE
11:48 CONCLUSION
Nothing wrong with the 7D Will. It's as relevant today as it was when first released. I think we often are fixated in having the "latest and greatest" and it stems from our insecurities as photographers believing that the newest in camera technologies will lessen the gap in our short comings as image makers. We just need to get out more, shoot more and enjoy the wildlife around us. Let's live life a little more in these uncertain times. Take care mate. Greg
I love mine it delivers some really nice images, still a great camera. I think my insecurities stem largely from fear. Fear of the price dropping out of my EF Lenses and then not being able to afford a trade-in to the new RF glass whenever it finally arrives. It's basically already happened here due to the collapse in the Rand. I don't mind keeping the glass, it is fantastic but once Canon stop making spares I do get quite nervy. That's why I traded in my 300 F2.8 L and 500 F4 L for the 400 F2.8 ii. I loved the 300 it is an awesome lens. So is the 400 mind you.
Spot on buddy. Felicitations.
I have no plans on replacing my 7D MkII I find it a great wildlife camera.
Thanks John, yeah I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping mine too. :)
Hello Will. I'm a wildlife photographer too, shooting in Africa like you since 2005. The 7dMKII has been my workhorse for so many years and never failed to deliver tack sharp, high quality images. I was expecting an update (7dMKIII) which unfortunately won't happen so I intend to keep the 7dMKII for many years to come. Regards from Greece, Theodore Mattas
7D Mk II is a great camera. I bought it shortly after it was released in 2014 and it is still working fine. I do not care for the video feature, so this is not even an issue for me. I shoot birds and wild life and this camera still does a great job now as it did 5 years ago. I will keep using it until it stops working or falls to pieces.
Sounds like a good plan! Maybe worth getting the shutter replaced while they still have the parts so it will last another 5 years or more :)
Hi Will, great video at the right time to me. I was annoyed with the 90d and blurred images for 2 years. I sold them last week and bought a used 7d mi2 at a good price. In the meantime, the anger about blurry images is over and I'm happy with the decision. So I could continue to use my "APS-C" lenses. 5d m4 and also the 7d m2 are also relevant in 2021. New is not always better. 😉👍
Will I am impressed with your simplified explanation,thanks.
Thanks a lot Grephus - glad you liked it!
I love my 7D Mark ii, I'm new to more serious photography even though I have been taking photos all my life, COVID work collapse gave me time to finally get serious, loving it. I have a 20D which I used for shooting horse events, even sent some pics to the Outback magazine and they were impressed, so pleased that the old camera still had what it takes. Husband bought me the 7D secondhand and its become my constant companion, love it to bits. Good to know its still a highly regarded camera. I would like a 5d rs one day and my next purchase is the 100-400 lens you road tested . By the way I drive Land Rover too lol, love them to bits, as does my daughter. Cheers, love your channel.
Great post, Will (even if I'm a couple of years too late). By coincidence, I just yesterday sold my beloved 7D to KEH, and got a 7D Mk II instead, which should arrive in a couple of days. I'm really looking forward to putting it through its paces.
As other folks have commented, any camera (or any piece of equipment, for that matter) is still relevant as long as it does what you need it to do. As a professional musician, I've put up with "planned obsolescence" from the musical instrument industry for decades. Yet, my favorite synthesizer of all time, the Ensoniq TS-12, lasted me from 1992 until 2020. 28 years of steady, reliable usage, even as the instrument makers continually pushed out new gear and technology each year. Similarly, my beloved OG 300D, which I bought in 2003, still does fine work for me. Besides the 7D Mk II coming soon, my camera bag has a 20D and a 1DX Mk III, plus a variety of decent lenses. Although the industry is moving toward mirrorless, I'm quite happy with my DSLRs, and don't see a need to invest in the latest hardware, since what I have is more than enough to suit all my needs.
My 7Dmkii is a gem, I shoot BIF, Trumpeter swans, Sand hill cranes the Blue heron, ducks ,geese, shore birds ect.
I love this camera and everything about it. I use the 300mm and 400mm primes with 1.4 tele. It makes gallery grade photos
and can focus on ducks flying 60 miles an hour. Even if I up grade I will always keep it. Love your work, peace
Thanks Craig, I agree with you. It's still a real pleasure to use it.
Bought mine back in pre-order times and still love it to this day!
Wow, it's lasted well then :) Great to have confirmation on the build quality.
I very much appreciate your thorough well thought out reviews. Two times I have made the purchase decision based upon your reviews. Thank you!
So glad they have been helpful! Hope you are enjoying your gear
Excellent video , very informative and great suggestion regarding the 2nd hand purchase
Thanks for watching John :)
I just found this video as I was doing a little research on my 7D Markii that I inherited from someone no longer using it. I find it takes very nice, clean photos. I did recently purchase a new (used) lens with stabilization that really helps. I love seeing your wild life photos! Thanks for sharing.
Great to hear and glad you are enjoying the 7D2 :)
Thank you for this video Will. My 7D Mark II has been my main camera since it's first week of sale years ago. I love this camera and it is several steps up from my previous 7D. It has served me well in Namibia, the Galápagos and here in Canada in the depths of our frozen winters.
I agree with your comments on its strengths and limitations.
I had hoped that Canon would issue a 7D Mark III crop body but, with the new mirror less R5 & R6, I think that the 7D series is finished. Certainly the R5 & R6 have incredible AI auto focus, high ISO capability and frame rates. For me the R5 is VERY expensive, especially when you add the expensive high rate CF and SD cards required. Canon's decision to only give the R6 a 20 Meg sensor puts me at a distinct disadvantage when I move away from a crop body.
Whenever I decide to get a new body, my trusty 7D Mark II will remain as my secondary camera.
All the best!
Thanks Stephen! Great to get your thoughts on it. I am shooting both the 7D2 and R5 and 5Diii at the moment. So far, the 5D3 is staying in the bag and the R5 has replaced it. The 7D2 is still working, strangely as my primary video camera on the 100-400. It still out resolves the R5.
I bought the R5 to fulfil a dual role as stills and video but because it offers a wide field of view on my 400mm f2.8 and can allow a digital crop (like the 7D2) it's my primary stills camera instead. Ideally I need two of them!!! But that is never going to happen.
I'm also finding that at the longer sightings that I often have, where I am waiting for action, the Optical viewfinder is advantageous. That coupled with the resolution bump over the R5 favours the 7D2 for most sightings in decent light where I don't need the incredible AF and frame rate of the R5. So the 7D2 most definitely is not being bumped out of my camera bag anytime soon.
I think Canon will add cameras in the R format, there are already rumours of a R7! But I think as the mount becomes more ubiquitous well see the pricing of these models fall into line with the price points of the original DSLRs? And bring on the 3rd party RF mount lenses too. Interesting times...
Hi Will ... great video. I on my second 7Dll and I love them... with good glass they are still great stills cameras !
Yes they are! Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing your experience :)
I find the biggest difference in image quality depends on which computer I view my photos on. The iMac makes everything look great but my HP Envy laptop struggles. I load onto both, but that’s another story. My 7D ii does feel like a real camera and has captured some great shots for me. I’m sure I can get even more out of it if I practice and I’ve no intention of selling it. I have the 100-400 lens and really enjoy my days out at the local wildlife sites. Keep up the good work, it’s much appreciated 🤓
Hi Peter, thanks for the comment and sorry for the late reply! Haha, you make a really great point.!.
I guess it's a similar decision and outcome with printing substrates. We can/do obsess far to much about the camera body.
Great video. Answered all my questions regarding buying a third camera which is not full frame. 👍🏼📷
Glad you liked it thanks!
Very nice to hear you talking up the 7D, I've owned mine from new for a good few years & wouldn't ever consider parting with it.
Thanks for watching Mark, yeah I think it is a classic camera - still meets my needs too.
Hi Will! What memory card have you found works best for the 7dm2?
Nice info Will. I still consider my 7D MkII as my old dependable, which it has been. No plans to get rid of it till it dies. Maybe if I was Professional I might think differently, but I don’t have to worry about that.🙂
Good to hear. I feel the same, although there isn't much choice for a replacement either :( I hanker after 1 series bodies. I used to have a 1D Mark iiN which was amazing. But they are a ridiculous price in SA now.
I purchased the first digital touch screen 650D 8 yrs ago, I still use it today but I've recently purchased a 7DM2. The 7D is now my main wildlife camera using a gen1 Tamron 150 - 600mm lens I'm getting great photos. I had considered purchasing another when the 650 finally packs it in but as you said in your video a 2nd hand one might be the way to go. I absolutely love my 7DM2.
Thanks, Debbie, yeah they are beasts! Just had mine serviced and it's as good as new.
Hey Will, nice to meet you (subbed you), great review, I’ve had my 7D/ii for over 3 years and love it, I use the 100-400 L lens amongst others and like the well made feel of the quality body. Looking forward to watching your vids. Greetings from the uk 🇬🇧
Ducati SupersportS thanks you too! Appreciate the sub and support :) yep I love this combo. Really great for travel and mobility. Such a versatile set up :)
Shutter count?
I love my 7D mkII. The only thing that lets it down is me, if anything. It doesn't stop me shooting to the best of my abilities.
With a 100-400mm IS II lens and 1.4x teleconvertor it's been my companion all over Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana. You are right about noise being less of a problem as well. I have Topaz denoise and it does the job on the very few pictures where noise is a problem. Since my wife videos with a camcorder I have barely touched the video feature so it's not an issue either.
I can never understand why Canon didn't produce a 7D MkIII. A few tweaks, like a slightly better sensor, a flip screen, and.... well not much else really, and I think they'd have flown off the shelves like hot cakes. I don't fancy the 90D at all, it seems a bit dumbed down, especially the autofocus system, and only has a single card slot. When the time comes to change ie. when it dies, I wil be struggling to find a good enough replacement.
I think most photographers would improve their quality of work more if they worried about their technical knowledge and techniques, how they steady the camera to reduce motion blur, and gave more thought to ambient light and composition. And then practise practise and more practise if they want to get better.
Long live the 7D mkII.
I think the 7D mark iii is coming and it could be mirrorless. Have you noticed how Canon produced wider RF lenses first? More suitable for full frame. Without the glass there is no point in producing the camera - once the glass starts to arrive, then a new R format wildlife camera makes a lot more sense because it will shift a huge number of people over to R format. Now we have the RF 100-500 I think the 7D mark iii is closer. I doubt very much that Canon will abandon that price point and the lack of a successor is telling.
You are spot-on in your last para. I'm guilty too, sucker for new gear but the thing that has made the biggest difference to my photographs is simply opportunity, persistence, basic technique and post processing. If you had put an R5 in my hands 10 years ago, I still would have made a lot of terrible photos (I still do!).
@@WillGoodlet
I hope you are right about the mkIII. There's a definitive hole in the market there.
Post processing has helped me a lot. Not only does it help the photos but in effect it extends my safaris for months after I return home.
Sadly, living in the UK means the opportunity doesnt come round as often as I'd like but its made me branch out into portraits, studio stuff, events and landscapes which is a good thing to enhance my learning. Makes photography an even better hobby. But wildlife will always be my first love
Hello Will,
Thank you for this great review on the 7D Mark II.
I'm pretty new to photography so I started doing some online photography courses just to get aquineted to of the basics of photography before I bought a DSLR.
My ultimate goal is to shoot nature, bird and hopefully some day even wildlife.
With that goal in mind I decided to buy myself three months ago a demo second hand 7D Mark II and here's why;
- the body had a shuttercount only 1900 clicks
- 10 fps (not cutting edge, but more the enough like you said, certainly for me)
- 65 point all cross AF points
- APS-C crop sensor - giving you a 1.6 multiplier to the focallength of your lens
- robust and weatherproof built quality
- Dual cardslot
Like you mention, it has some cons like it's noise caracteristics making it hard to shoot sharp and well lit images in low light conditions. This for me is probably the most important con because a new photgrapher my pockets weren't deep enough to buy a demo 7D MK II and a good allround zoom lens with an aperture f2.8 from the L series at the same time - hence I ended up with EF 24-105 f4 L IS II series lens and I must say I'm very happy and satisfied however it's max. aperture of f4 doesn't help to keep noise down in low light conditions without increasing ISO to much creating noise consequently.
Currently saving for a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM to get some increased focallength but the 7D Mark II is here to stay there's no doubt about it😉
Best regards
Anthony
Hi Anthony, thanks! You've made great points. Congratulations on the new camera!
There's always going to be more gear, more lenses etc... especially for wildlife! At one point I was travelling with a 300mm f2.8, 500mm f4 and 300-800 f5.6 on three camera bodies - it was horrible! Yeah I had a lens for many different situations but I also missed many shots due to messing around with all of it.
There is a LOT to be said for keeping things simple, having compact and solid gear, knowing how to use it, and being out in the wild working on finding wildlife to photograph. There are always going to be shots one misses due to something. Poor light, slow reactions, too far away etc... with the 7D2 you've got a really solid and great value camera that was designed and built for what you want to do. You are going to get a lot of great shots with it I'm sure!
I'm watching your video right now. I read your web post about the pros and cons of 7D II versus mirrorless, which doesn't accept comments.
When Canon introduced the mirrorless RF, the initial releases of cameras were full-frame. I thought that Canon wasn't going to "muddy the waters" with APC sized sensors; but they did.
I'll suggest continuing with the old adage of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.". When it does break, I'll suggest this revision, "If it is broke, replace it."
I told my wife that Canon has gone mirrorless; she asked, "So you need a new camera?" I said "No, there's plenty of like in my 5D III." July 2013 as we were driving back home from Charleston, SC, I mentioned that KEH has a used Canon New F-1 with accessories for auto aperture and shutter speed for $400. She asked, "Is that their flagship?" I answered "Yes, for the 80's." She said, "Buy it." The F-1 is one of my "bucket list camera". December 2013, she bought me the 5D.
I have been an APS-C shooter since I converted to digital all so many years ago. I've owned the 10D, the 20D, the 40D, the 7D and the 7D Mark II. I ran a successful wedding and portrait business using the XXDs and, the last year or two before putting that type of photography behind me, the 7D. In fact I just purchased the 7D MarkII a couple of months ago. I found a wonderful used copy with less than 5K shutter clicks. Honestly, I'm loving it. Recently I've coupled it with a "used" (virtually unused) Sigma 150-600mm C. It makes for a killer combination IMHO. I also am happy to use it for landscape photography using wide lenses such as the Tokina 12-24MM f/4.DX and some less wide lenses in my stable. It's a very serviceable camera.
When you think of many of the most celebrated images of the past, taken well before the advent of the digital imaging age, a camera like the 7D MarkII is a far superior tool. (It's probably arguable that the lowly 10D is a technical marvel in comparison to many of those old film cameras of yesterday.) There is more to photography than technology. Composition, knowledge of using exposure, aperture, & shutter speed to ones advantage and feel/mood/story of the image are still the most important aspects of the success or failure of any image.Too many photographers suffer from GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) rather than concentrating on mastering their craft and the equipment they have.
I've had a camera in my hands for as long as I can recall and I certainly don't believe I've come even close to mastering the craft. I've not had the MarkII long enough to give it much use on wildlife and birds, but I sure look forward to doing so. If you're curious about what kind of imagery I've produced using an original 7D and 7D Markii, I have a large portfolio located at bob-decker.pixels.com. The older work was done with the 7D and for most of the wildlife a Sigma 50-500mm non-os lens. Some of the newer work with a 7D and Sigmal 150-500mm. I them most recent created using the 7D MarkII, with Sigma 150-600mm C, Tokina 12-20 f/4 and a Canon 100mm 2/8 macro (often with a Tamron 1.4 extender). My journey through nature photography can be found in my blog at carolinafootprints.com.
Thank you for your thoughtful and informative videos. I have enjoyed several of your offerings. (Sorry for the long winded reply).
Hi Bob,
Thanks for watching and also for sharing your thoughts here. What a great response! My apologies for replying so late, been flat out here and exhausted.
I agree 100% with everything you say here. Even my old Pentax K100D (6MP c. 2006) is a techno marvel and is perfectly capable of taking great images even now. I do think we suffer from GAS and I certainly cannot claim to be GAS free, that's for sure.
But you are right, at least for me, it has been worth fighting those tendencies and learning to get the best from the gear I do have. It's so easy to believe that a new camera, lens or system will solve every problem we have - if indeed we do actually have real problems and not invented ones :)
Incidentally, reading Roger Clark's website on the performance of the 7D2 for astrophotography was really enlightening for me on the capabilities of this APS-C sensor after dark - it's much better than many of us realise.
I'm so glad you managed to pick up a lightly used lens and body, I'm sure they will do you proud in the years ahead.
I bought one two years ago to pair with a 100-400mk2. Great combination for wildlife, plus great bundle price. I was considering a Sony RX10 but this was a similar price. My only criticism re stills is noise at higher ISOs, but Lightroom deals with this and after watching this I will look at Topaz 🙂. I have also been using it for live streaming recently during the pandemic (completely different subject!) and the output with the 100-400 is superb. Delighted to have found your channel.
Yes! The EOS utility was a life saver with this camera for me too. It does suffer from noise but I really think we are seeing a maturing of the digital camera market where advances are much more incremental than they have been. A little like the later 35mm film days, where it wasn't all about the sensor and more about handling, AF and quality. I still think the 7D mark ii has a place in my bag.
Great video! I've just purchased a second hand 7D Mark II to replace my 7D for a trip to Antarctica. I think I've got a great camera with 11,000 on the count for just over £500. A big thing for me is the built in GPS for geo tagging, it's nice to know where a picture was taken when looking back. Also looking forward to the better AF and higher FPS.
I really like the geo tagging on the 7d2 - watch the battery consumption with gps enabled in that cold environment though!
I will definitely keep my 7D Mark II. Especially for bird and wildlife photography. I have also used the 5D Mark III but the frames per sec on the 7D MII is so much better.
Yep, agree - I love both those bodies though, feel so nice in hand :)
Thanks for your thoughts on this camera. I am considering this as my next nature camera. I currently shoot a Canon EOS Rebel T6 and it does great as long as you keep it in it's limits, but I want to do more. I don't do very much video, so that's not an issue. Thanks again!
Thanks for watching and good luck!
Absolutely loved this video, Will! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, insights, and expertise with us.
I have an old-school T1i Rebel and one good piece of glass, the Canon 400mm prime lens. Love that lens!! I am hoping to upgrade the body to something newer, though the options can be paralyzing, and on a meager budget. I definitely want to stick with Canon, and hope to buy used, either a better DSLR like the 7Dii or go mirrorless and step into the future.
I love wildlife photography, though also do some video work with our band, which I realize asks a lot from one camera. Would you have any suggestions I might consider? Thanks in advance!
I did end up snagging a used 7DmkII through Adorama and it arrives in a few days! Can't wait to take it out and use it. Moving from the Canon T1i to the 7DmkII is super exciting! Thanks again for the great video :)
I have two 7d mii bodies that's how relevant they are to me. Along with the 5d miv , 5dsr and 1dx miii every photographic challenge is covered.
Hi Forster, thanks for watching! And what a line-up you've got I'm jealous! :)
Well thought out and rational thinking about equipment.......I don't normally engage in "Fan Boy" brand talk but I would love to see what you could do with a Nikon D500 and Nikkor 500 f5.6 PF lens (or even the 200-500 zoom) which is arguably one of the hottest combos for Nikon shooters (or even a D850 but a different beats of course). Stay Safe Will, love your content.....
I’m a bit out of touch with the Nikon world. I have certainly kept an eye on the 500pf the d850 too. They have been great options while us canon guys have been in the wilderness!!!They are so expensive here though.. I am not that interested in photography gear normally. But I think a lot of canon dslr users are struggling with where we go next. Canon Mirrorless tech isn’t good enough yet (maybe the R5 will change that) and there is no dslr option except the 1 series. Sony bodies seem ok (bit fiddley) but the lenses too expensive. Nikon bodies and 3rd party lenses are often a dit of downgrade (from a lens perspective). We don’t have any big white canon RF glass to trade up to. And Olympus is also looking a bit iffy. I think wildlife togs are a bit different too because a lot of other genres can accept slow focus or hunting whereas we cannot. I’m not at all comfy holding on to my EF glass either but am being forced that way. The best way out for me is if the R5 has good af with the EF big
Whites
Great video, Will. I have only just come across it a few days after deciding to grab a mint 7DII with less than 7,000 clicks at a great price. I have a 90D which I love, but wanted some of the advantages of the 7DII as well. I never shoot video, so that was the least of my worries. Glad that you arrived at the very same conclusions I did.
Thanks for watching and for saying Hi. Congratulations on the ‘new’ camera :)
I'm planning to get this camera to attach it to my 12" Meade LX200 Telescope with 3048mm of Focal Length...and use it as a astro camera instead of dedicated astro camera. Any thoughts on this?
Fantastic video Will. I've been using a bridge camera for bird photography and want to level up. After watching your video I was convinced I should buy a second hand 7dii with a tamron 100-400mm lense as the 100-400 second generation lense is out of budget. However, I've been encouraged by others to go for a new fujifilm x-s10 with a 70-300mm lens. It is light in the hands compared to the 7dii combination, but doesn't have weather proofing, has a bad battery life and I'm not sure how the auto focus compares to the 7dii. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions of the way to go?
Hi Bryan, sorry not to come back to you quicker! I haven't used the x-s10. It all depends on the autofocus really. For me that's the most important thing (but I like birds in flight).
My experience with mirrorless is that it is only just becoming good enough. The big test for the system is a fast moving bird flying right at you and how well it picks the bird instead of a busy background.
I used/reviewed the Olympus OMD EM1 Mark ii a while back and it was not quite as good as the 7Dii but still good enough. The Canon R5/R6 is much better than the Olympus was, but the Canon M50 (a budget choice admittedly) is nowhere near good enough. So you should really try the cameras out if you possibly can to test if the AF is going to suit you.
Quoting from the XS-10 review I just read in DPReview - "If you're a sports or action photographer, we can't wholeheartedly recommend using the X-S10's tracking. You'll get better results using a single point or 'zone' of autofocus points and follow the action yourself, and you may want to fine-tune the AF custom settings for really unpredictable action. But for casual users, the face / eye detection and subject tracking will likely be effective for most photography."
You would have to do the same thing with the 7Dii anyway (use a point or zone and not tracking) so the question is how good is it at focusing on the subject coming at you? The 7D2 is pretty good but I can't say if it is better or not better than the X-S10.
Besides the AF, the 70-300 f4.5-5.6 is almost certainly too short. And the options in Fuji X mount seem extremely limited beyond that?
So here's a question - where do you want to take your photography in future? If you see yourself slipping and sliding around swamps and waiting in the rain for a killer shot you are a person that
will need a system that can grow with you.
If you want an option for general birding, general photography and the XS-10 has adequate features right now for what you want to photograph, then it could be a good choice.
I'd advise you to list out what you really need without thinking about a brand or specific model and then see which best matches those needs. Most of us get stuck with the brand we choose at the beginning for life!
Cameras come and go, but lenses are totally transformative.
If you want to develop your bird photography, look for a brand with a really comprehensive lens line-up or a Micro 4/3 camera (can use any brands M43 lenses) so you can grow into it. The micro 43 is a 2x crop so a 300mm is equivalent to 600mm.
Just to add context to my bias - I started with Canon, because the second hand market was huge. My first combo was a 1D Mark iiN (a 8mp 8FPS pro body circa 2006) costing me $133 and a 400mm f5.6 costing me $533. The menu system was archaic but in terms of an effective entry into bird in flight photography it was really really good, with sensational autofocus - probably one of the best I've ever used - far better than anything that was new and affordable at the time.
This post has a range of images shot with various cameras - willgoodlet.com/blog/thoughts-on-bird-in-flight-gear-for-beginners
A very good and useful review for someone who is keen to get into bird photography.
Great thank you! Bird photography is very rewarding good luck with it!
@@WillGoodlet Thank you Will. 😊
It's 2023 and I still use my 7D m2. Thanks for the video.
Cheers Jonathan me too :)
I have a trusted 5Diii and while it does not have the frame rate I still manage a few keepers. I use high speed burst and back button focus in combination with the DOF button assigned to AI Servo.
I also love my 5Diii never given a days trouble and still takes fantastic images. It's good for everything except the very fastest subjects! Thanks for watching Joe.
Very useful and a great review, thank you Will! What lens would be great for wildlfie and bird photography? Im interested in the canon 400mm f5.6 is there any other lens you would recommend? Thank you.
Hi Fraser, the 400 f5.6 is a great prime, a good secondhand option too as primes are harder for the previous owner to mess up! But, the 100-400 Mark ii L IS USM is just as sharp and a lot more versatile. The image stabilisation, close focus and zoom really work well for wildlife and portraits as well as close up and macro.
If you are living in a wet and dark part of the world, you could also consider the 300F4 L IS. And obviously, there are similar offerings from Tamron and Sigma.
I don't think you need to think too hard about it, rather treat them all as classes of lens and consider which class offers the best compromise of features for your shooting.
@@WillGoodlet well thank you very much Will, I will think about which one I'm debating on getting. Thank you.
Great I am on this camera body and I love it more.Thanks.
Great to hear!
Friend I confirm what you raised about that in underdeveloped countries there is no way to repair the cameras and the ones we have must be earthquake-proof, since the replacement cost of equipment is very high. I tell you this because I have a Canon 7D since 2012 in very good condition and it is a beast of a camera, it supports mistreatment and conditions that other cameras cannot withstand. Good review video of the 7D Mark II. Greetings from Vzla.
Thank you Edgar, great to hear from you! May you have many more great shots with your 7D!
I am still using the 7D mrk2 today, DXO has given it a new lease of life. Love the Camera, optical view finders are better for my aging eyes.
Yep totally agree with you! Thanks for watching :)
I just got a very good used 7d II to replace my old 60D, for SIX TIMES less money than a new EOS R7. 250 Euros for a pro camera I regarded as space tech when it came out is mindblowing. These new mirrorless cameras are great but they all feel like toys compared to even my 60D, let alone single-digit DSLR models.
I can't wait for dawn so I can head out and try it out properly after setting it up.
Congratulations on the new camera. They feel great in hand I know :) and I still really like the optical finder just for observing wildlife without draining the battery.
The 2020 Audubon Photography Awards recognize 10 outstanding bird photographs. Of the 10, eight are with crop sensor cameras, and only one is from a full frame sensor camera. Four of the ten are with a Canon 7D Mark ii, and one is from a 70D. Another one is actually a youth award taken with a point-and-shoot superzoom camera. I plan to hold onto my 70D Mk ii.
I think it is a good decision. Great to hear!
Hi Will thanks for a really good video , i have an 80d and 60d and was thinking of upgrading to the 90d , i take a lot of macro and general photography. i have always liked the 7d mark 2 but was hoping for 7d mark 3 which i dont think is coming anytime soon, i do a bit of video but mainly stills , would the the 7d mark 2 be ok for macro or should i go for the 90d. thanks again for a great video.
Hi thanks so much for watching and commenting! I don’t have a lot of macro experience but for me I think the 90D is the way to go (unless u r looking to save some cash on a second hand 7d2?) more resolution on the 90d, flip screen makes things much easier in tight spots. And you don’t need the slightly better AF on the 7d. Although, I would have thought the 80d offers much the same already?
@@WillGoodlet thank you i will have to think again
Hi Will. I sold my 7D MK II 3 years ago, in favor of a 1dx MK II. But have now bought it back, mostly due to crop factor and because I was missing an extra body. Going to South Africa October 2nd, where I will be visiting Kruger NP, Kgalagadi. Thank you so much for your amazing videos that have learned a lot from.
Kind Regards Michael Hultmann, Denmark
Hi Michael, so great to hear that you are coming here soon! I'll be in Kruger from the 16th October - wave if you see me :)
Hi Will, great videos. Learned a lot. Thanks. I have the 80D, and I'm waiting for the 100-400 Lens. What AF Cases do you use from the 7D MkII? Birds? Other animals? Thanks.
Rui Borba Baptista Hi Rui, thanks! I haven’t finalized my opinion on this and tend to change it quite often depending on whether I feel it’s working well or badly for the subject I’m shooting. As a starting point have you had a chance to look at Grant Atkinson’s videos on this? He’s a friend and old colleague and really knows his way around autofocus and canon.
@@WillGoodlet I will. Thank you for the suggestion. Cheers!
Great video will
I purchased a used 7Di ( shutter count 10k )i to replace my 7D original which is at least a stop and a half less than the 7Dii
The controls are good, good body, robust, AF fast and accurate a pretty cheap camer for sports and wildlife.
When used with L grade glass the results are pretty good even though it is only 20.2mp
I wish canon would release a new firmware to utilise the hard ware more or even hard ware upgrade package.
Sounds like you got yourself a good buy! Congrats
*Here's blog with sample shots* - willgoodlet.com/blog/canon-eos-7d-mark-ii-still-good
@Will Goodlet. For the best wildlife photography, which one is the better option, the Canon 7D Mark 2 or The Sony A6100?
Hi Paul, I've never used the Sony A6100. There's lots of different types of wildlife photography - it's best to work backwards from the wildlife encounter to a camera system instead of choosing a camera to shoot wildlife.
For my kind of wildlife photography, hands down the 7D mark ii just on the basis of the Optical finder, 1/8000 shutter, heavy duty shutter, magnesium body & sealing, great AF system, massive choice of lenses, and decent buffer and resolution.
On the A6100, a lot would depend on the abilities of the EVF (which looks like an add on - I wouldn't shoot it without an EVF) and the responsiveness and accuracy of its autofocus. It looks like it shoots 11 frames per second, which is fine (with a mechanical shutter - not so fine with electronic shutter).
The Sony native lenses for e-mount seem a bit limited? The reason I shoot canon is not because I always love the camera - it's the lenses. There are a huge number of EF mount lenses available second hand. The lens is absolutely key to wildlife photography. You can bolt ANY camera to a 500mm F4 and get great pics of large mammals and also bird portraits.
It's only when the animals start to move really fast or fly, or the light is poor, that you need to bring in great autofocus and buffer depth.
You could have the best camera in the world but attach it to a poor performing 70-300 kit lens and you won't get anything close to quality of a good lens of the right focal length (speaking in an African context). On the other hand, if your intention is to shoot wider and use wireless remotes around a bird bath or feeder. - then the newer and more connected and cheaper camera systems are probably the right choice.
So, working back from your subject - what are they? How fast do they move? How far away from you will they be? Will the light be bright or dark (open, forested, cloudy, night?) How much can you carry?
Answering these questions will lead you to the right lens and camera choices - once that is narrowed down, you can look for options at the right price-point.
Hoping this assists!
@@WillGoodlet Thank you very much, sir
I just picked up one of these
The last canon body I owned and still own is a film 10s (same era as the Elan!)
I’ve had access to a rebel XSi but do not like it much at all. I’ve used a studios 3ti for light duty work there.
I am not pro so this is somewhat casual acquisition but I just wanted to get back in with something that felt like a suitable mix of price/performance
I was originally excited about the 90D
And wish I could do the 5D mark iv
But in the end the balance of price /performance won out
I wanted GPS which limited the over selection and this just continually shot back into view as the value choice. Picked it up for $600 with 86000 exposures. I doubt I’ll put 10K more on.
I do pine for articulated screen and 4K but that will come later.
Hi Brian, yeah it makes sense from a value perspective. Still hanging on to mine.
I have a 7DII and love it for wildlife.
Thanks John. Me too!
Will, I just bought my third 7D Mk2 after giving up on using Canon's R7. I sent that mirrorless camera back, along with the RF 100-500mm lens I bought with it (not having an "R" camera the RF lens was useless). I really did not like several things about the R7 not the least of which was that electronic viewfinder. I just don't think it is up to the optical viewfinder.
Anyway, the reason I went to the R7 in the first place is because my two 7D Mk2 are getting pretty old. I don't know how to find out how many shutter activations they have but it has to be at least 100,000 each and I could see the shutter shut down Event Horizon approaching.
I went shopping in the used cameras of my shop I buy from and they just happened to have a used 7D Mk2 for sale with only 4938 activations. So I can continue shooting with a 7D Mk2 well into the future - maybe even up to and including my own "expiration date".
Have I given up on mirrorless altogether? No. Because the only way I can get bird-eye auto-focus tracking is with mirrorless systems. As my camera store put it, "because of the electronic view finder (as opposed to a mirror in a DSLR) which allows the camera to use AI to detect the eye. Tracking is available in some DSLR but it is no way close to the mirrorless systems".
But I don't think I am going with Canon if I do. Their use of the RAW.cr3 file format was off-putting for me. But we'll see. Meanwhile I'll just have to live without being able to shoot swallows like I've seen done with the mirrorless cameras.
Hi Will. I am coming from a 60D and I am now tossing up between a 7Dm2 vs a 90D for wildlife in the Australian outback. I like the 7D but the 90D has a flip screen which is handy for low shots (bad back) as well as better battery life (670 vs 1300). Any honest opinions would be really handy. Thanks for all the great information in an easy to understand presentation. Boofy
I also had a 60D too.
I think the argument for the 7D2 is pretty simple. It's cheap to acquire second hand and has a great AF system. I don't think it is a compelling choice unless you get it second hand. It also makes sense if you regularly shoot very tricky fast moving subjects - and that's your main focus. It's a lot like your 60D but with much better AF and better image quality. Video is OK, it's one of the first (if not the first) with dual pixel autofocus - so it can focus during video shooting.
If you are buying new, the 90D makes more sense to me. Newer tech, warranty , flip screen, 4K video etc... It can handle bird in flight etc... (just not quite as well), higher resolution, and everything else it can handle fine. It's a more versatile option that will do everything well.
Hope this helps!
@@WillGoodlet That is a great help. I will have to thing about it all as I save up. Thanks for the quick reply. I will post back sometime in the (hopefully not toooo distant future to let you know how I go) Boofy
Hi Will, hope that you are doing well, I have been using a canon powershot for the past two years now and i need to move on to a dslr, what canon dslr do you think would be good for an amateur wildlife photographer?(on a buget of R12000)
Hi at the end of the day it is up to you and what you feel comfortable with. You only talk about a camera, is the budget for a camera + lens or just the camera body itself? I would also keep an open mind about the other brands. If you see the perfect lens, then it's just a question of attaching a camera to it. In SA though, it's important to note that Canon has the bigger second hand market share and is easier to trade.
Thank goodness for that! I have a 7d Mkii and I can't afford to replace it, not that I want to. That is fitted almost full time with a Sigma 150-600. I also take along a 6D fitted with a wider lens so that I can swap quickly without changing lenses if the wildlife gets too close. I've never taken video of wildlife before but this year bought a M50 planning to video my trip to the Kgalagadi and Kruger but, of course, that never happened. Let's hope the M50 is not obsolete before South Africa is open to tourists once again!
Hi Les, good to hear your thoughts. The 7Dii is a trooper, they don't make many products that good these days, especially for African conditions and the brighter environments out here. I've tried the M50 once for wildlife video and it was good and I loved the EVF but very flimsy feeling on the end of a long tele! The M50 is reserved pretty much exclusively for my vlogs. The main reason is that It is absolutely hopeless as a wildlife camera and I can't afford to dedicate a good lens to it. I have a Sigma 18-250 in the cupboard that could work in a dual role. I may try that.
I use the 7Dii and 5Diii for pretty much all my wildlife footage, it still works well - it was the first camera they made with Dual Pixel AF and that is implemented in the video. The one thing is that because the video is only 1080 the quality deteriorates when you crop in on the shot. I'm sure you will have noticed my video footage isn't always perfect but it's all I can get. Exactly the same is true for the M50, but with that camera, the software stabilisation also helps a lot.
The stabilisation on the 100-400 lens is very very good for video on the 7D too. It's not something that people mention, but it stabilises video brilliantly. You should try it out with the Sigma and see what it's like.
The 5Diii doesn't have AF in video, which is not actually as bad as it sounds when you are filming through bushes and things you need to turn AF off anyway. The 7D2 does have AF which is vital for me because I can't tell if it is in focus on the LCD any longer (failing eyesight). This is the main reason I am hoping the R5 will blow my socks off - so I can use a camera for both video and stills and check video focus through the electronic viewfinder.
@@WillGoodlet Thanks Will for taking the time to reply in such detail. Most CZcamsr's don't bother to respond so it's much appreciated, mind you when you get to 1 million subscribers I doubt you will have time to even read the comments! 😃
I haven't yet tried the M50 with a long lens (haven't got an adapter yet) but I suspect it might work best with the lens on a gimbal. As far as using the 7D for video I can't quite get my head round using the same camera for both stills and video at the same time. I tend to spend a long time at a sighting waiting for 'the moment' and I'm fearful that I'll miss the shot if I start recording video. I guess it might work with a bit of planning and discipline. Need to get back to SA first though as there's precious little wildlife in our neck of the woods.
Thanks again for your thoughts, I look forward to the next video.
Haha if I ever get to 1m subs I won't have time for anything! It's bad enough trying to come up with video once a week now!
Regarding video and stills on the same body, it's not too bad. I use one of the custom modes for video. I just turn the dial and voila I'm ready. To go back to photo mode I just turn it back to where it was (usually manual). There is one advantage, video mode settings work well for panning still shots too.
Of course I do miss a lot of shots but - mainly because I am talking into a camera all the time. I drove right past a leopard 3 m from the side of the road in Kruger. Luckily my friend in the back yelped.
In my experience you miss fewer shots on one body because you aren't faffing around picking one body up and putting the other down.
I really hope the R5 with the ND adapter will meet this need for me. If I can flip in an out of video and add or remove neutral density I will be extremely happy.
The best option is to have someone else do the video. I've tried to persuade my wife to take it up but with no success.
I'm using 7D mark ii it is fantastic, I don't need touch screen or tilting screen I like rough and tough as and 7D mark ii.
Just bought a second hand one for all the reasons you detail. Nice to have my reasons confirmed. Thank you. I have a 90D and the focusing is not a patch on the 7D MkII.
Thanks, glad it was helpful! You have a great camera :) Very interesting to hear your thoughts on the AF on the 90D vs 7D2.
Is it worth having less megapixels? I'm considering both.
Sede Vacante there are still quite a few MP on the 7dii. A lot depends on your lenses and what you shoot. For me and my subjects autofocus is the most important thing followed by frame rate. Mega pixels are lower on the list.
Sede Vacante I have both and as Will pointed out the lower pixel count is easily compensated for with modern software which will deal effectively with noise. The 7D Mk II has significantly better focusing capabilities. If it’s not in focus there is not much you can do with it.
27 phish. How is 7Dmk ii better then 90D in autofocus? Is it faster or more accurate, or both? Thank you!
Excellent !!
Thanks Brian :)
I use mine with my 100-400L IS II and its an amazing combo. not too heavy but still great reach and image quality.
Me too great setup still!
@@WillGoodlet Heck yea! Take my sub!
Would you say this is still worth a pick up today ? Used of course ! I want to grab a crop sensor camera for some longer reach stuff that my full frame just doesn't give the reach on. Purely for wildlife/BIF.
It’s still a very viable camera especially when you consider it’s main drawback (high ISO noise) is tempered by noise reduction software. The AF system is good, FPS good and the battery lasts forever plus it has gps.
It’s very noticeable, when you are used to mirrorless, that you have an archaic viewfinder but it’s still takes fantastic shots.
@@WillGoodlet Perfect ! Thank you
I'm very new to photography and am, pretty much, focusing on animals and birds. I have a T2i and a 55-250mm STM lens that I use daily and rack up quite a few photos every day. I would really like to upgrade to a used 7D MKII because of the autofocus and FPS because I can feel the T2i struggling with both (even though I'm a 60 year old noob). Should I go for the 7D MKII or for better glass first. Because of the reasons I stated earlier I'm leaning towards the camera body. Thank you :)
Hi Carl, thanks for watching and the comment. Am I right in thinking the T2i is designated 550D outside North America?
Unfortunately, for wildlife, I think you are going to struggle with both the camera and the lens.
The STM lenses are designed for smooth and near silent video operation. So the design ethos is not speed of acquisition. If you are following a rapidly moving target, it may well feel sluggish.
Now, I haven't shot extensively with STM lenses so have a look for any info on changing the settings to be more responsive if you can.
Secondly, the 550D has around 3.7fps burst which is very low for moving wildlife. You want a minimum of around 6-7 if possible alongside a good autofocus system and deep buffer to record the shots.
The 550D has a 6 frame RAW buffer which is 1/2 second of action on a 7D2.
However! you can use what you have now for certain kinds of wildlife photography - it's not true that we all need eye-wateringly fast gear for EVERY situation.
Many photographers are sharing experiences from parts of the world with fewer large mammals. This means that their daily experience veers heavily towards birds - and they like birds in action and in flight most of the time.
Bird in flight is one of the most technical and demanding genres of photography for equipment.
For example, I could happily use your 550D and 250mm lens to capture a walking lion, elephant, Impala etc... no problem. I could use it for many perched birds shooting from blinds or in the garden at a feeder.
I would struggle, however, to use it as a walk around for birds at more than 10m away or for very small and mobile birds or for flying birds.
So, ideally, your choices should reflect the subject you shoot as well as the intended use of the output.
Posting to social media and even magazine publications is much less demanding of your image than producing large prints for sale.
One of the principal battles you are also likely to face is one of poor light affecting your images. This is where gear becomes expensive (or investments in software can pay off).
Choosing a better lens, with a wide aperture and focal length of 400mm plus, is almost always a better option than choosing a marginally improved camera for low light or overcast bird photography. Provided the birds aren't moving too much!
If you are shooting larger animals you can often spend much less on gear (if you can turn a deaf ear to all the bird photographers telling us what's best).
If you are shooting moving birds, or want to get into that, you will probably need to upgrade both the lens and the camera.
Hope this helps!
@@WillGoodlet Thank you for your in depth reply, I really appreciate it. I'm mainly shooting small or moving birds. If you see my instagram page it will give you an idea of what I attempt to capture. I'm definitely pushing the limits of the T2i. I would eventually like to upgrade both camera and lens, but have to be careful because a Navy pension only goes so far. I'm thinking that at this early stage of my photography journey the extra FPS and focus points would help more than a longer reach, although more reach and getting more light onto the sensor might also be the way to go.
Hi Will what a brillant video very informative and so helpful thank you for taking time to make this great video .
Iam planning to upgrade my canon 60D to the canon 7D mkii but also i have considered the 90D also only because its a brand new camera with no use .
My photography passion is motorsport .
So in your opinion do you think 7d mkii is a perfect upgrade
Any help will be great
Cheers
Rich m
Hi Richard, thanks for watching. I haven't used the 90D but obviously it's a newer camera, more pixels and has better video features. I think the 7D ii edges it in terms of AF.
I haven't shot motorsports, so I'm not sure exactly what your pain points are for that. I think, if you can pick up a good used 7D2 it offers a lot of value.
I'm reluctant to let mine go, even though I'm covered for cameras because it's too good to sell at the price it will likely fetch.
I think, if you want a warranty, tilt screen, maybe some 4k video and don't mind paying a bit more the 90D is a good option. If you want better autofocus, perhaps not too worried noise, want a camera that handles knocks and bumps (or perhaps one that you don't mind risking in poor weather) and want to look after your cash, the 7D2 is good value.
I think either camera will serve well in this role.
I also used to shoot the 60D (stolen) and the main noticeable differences will be the AF system. Better, noise, video and build.
@@WillGoodlet Hi thank you for your very helpful reply .
I have canon 60d and have been very pleased with it .however i shoot touring and Gt cars at tracks around the Uk and a faster fps and better Af i think will help me improve my shots which with my canon f/4 70 -200mm and sigma 150 500mm .
As a spectator i often have to shoot through the metal safety fences to caputure the track action .
Really appreciate your opinion and advice .cheers Richard
great video I Am a wildlife photographer I have 650d so I am think of upgrading so great video
Thanks Andy, glad you found it helpful. :)
I want to go fishing with this man!
As a backup camera, 7d-ii is an excellent one in my opinion - and certainly as a main camera depending on ones level of photography and the resulting prints..
It would be interesting to hear how professionals would view the Canon R5 vs the 1DX-III specifically for wildlife photography mainly with possible, occasional video?
For me it is highly dependent on conditions and use cases. The R5 is a better option for me for a good number of reasons. Although, I would also really like a 1DX iii too :) An ex colleague of mine and wildlife photo guide tried the 1DX iii and said that he couldn't justify upgrading from his 1DX ii - it has to all boil down to needs being met rather than wants being met I guess?
I'm looking at this as a step up from my rebel t7. It's definitely a much better camera. At my stage I don't need the latest but I need more than I have right now.
It’s still a good camera second hand.
Hi Will
Plenty of good observations there and obviously well researched. Like you I agree the 7DII is still relevant for 2020. I know when I purchased mine I was only ever going to use it for wildlife/nature photography so I am keeping mine for sure. I actually got a battery grip for it recently so I can get more time out in the field with it. I am also thinking of getting a 1.4x converter and acknowledge your comments re picture reduction, however, with Denoise AI this could eliminate the issues which were considered a problem in the past. I was thinking of selling mine a few months ago but I have decided to keep it as there is no real reason for me to upgrade. As you said we now have the software which is far cheaper to resolve previous problems. I am starting to ramble so will stop there. As always look forward to the next vlog. See you out there!
Thanks Euge good to hear your opinion. There's nothing really like it in the Canon sphere, so yeah I will keep mine too. Unless the R5 has better AF. I might also be tempted on a 1DX mark ii at a discounted price. The 1.4 is really good. A lot of it depends on what lens you attach it to. What have you got? I use mine and the 2x on my 100-400 and 400f2.8. On the 100-400 it is centre focus only but otherwise it is a very sharp combination. It's not good for birds in flight or anything like that but fine for perched birds and other wildlife. On the 400F2.8 I can use it for birds in flight no problem.
See you out there :)
Ps. I know some others haven't found it sharp on the 100-400 (espen helland) but I was blown away by my combo. Maybe it is copy variation or maybe my equipment matched better with MFA.
@@WillGoodlet I use the 7DII with the 400mm f5.6 which I am very happy with. I don't use it as much as I would like and haven't really tried birds in flight. I do use this combination with extension tubes for close up shots which are really sharp. Hoping to use it more often once I attach the battery grip.
Speaking of Espen, I note he still uses his Canon from time to time even though he has gone to Olympus system. With which he is happy with.
I am going to try birds in flight using a tripod and gimbal ballhead. Too shaky for handheld nowadays.
Just a thought for one of your next vlogs is what you pack in the car for a day trip, weekend trip or a week. Would be interested to compare as it's not just about the camera equipment.
Take care and hopefully one day we will meet. Cheers
The 400 f4.6 was my first tele. I used it on a 1D Mark iiN. Great lens. Loved it until I lent it to a friend and he broke it in half. I was a little upset. It is one of the best bird in flight lenses ever made. Light, fast, accurate, sharp. Fantastic as a walking lens..
You read my mind, I was just thinking of making a video about the car/packing. It's rather a lot of stuff because It's not just a car but doubles up as a camera storage shed. :)
Just bought a second-hand 7D mark ii for £630 - described as 'like new' and with a (verified) shuttercount of 1240... very early days yet (still getting to grips with all the set-up) but really impressed with it
Congratulations on the new camera!
The 'Attenborough' tonality is really quite riveting.
Great video Will and I agree with everything said. I still use mine together with EOS R which gives me a nice mix, 7D for speed and reach and EOS R for stunning, clean images and video. I think its sweet spot is 100% with 100-400 mk11 (without the extender) especially for birds in flight etc. I will COVID 19 depending soon be upgrading to the R6 given the new tech for AF and video's and to this end have acquired an old 500 F4 IS, but the 7D mk11 is staying put, mainly because at the end of the day it's still great value for money for wildlife photography, but also as my daughter has already staked a claim on it - LOL!
Thanks so much Craig. And great to hear your thoughts confirming my own. I'd love to hear what you think of the EOS R autofocus? I have only played with the Olympus OMD EM-1 Mark ii and my own M50 in mirrorless format. They leave me feeling wary of mirrorless AF. I'd also love to hear back from you when you pick up the R6, be very grateful for your thoughts on that too.
There is no doubt that the R is not a sports/action camera but a portrait/stills version. Whist the AF and especially the EYE AF are superb for weddings etc. tracking is not really its strong point as I think the sensor readout/processor limitations don't allow quick enough response, but also as there is a little EVF lag which means u may not get the picture you really wanted. Don't get me wrong, the tracking capability of mirrorless is for me certainly 100% the future and with the R5/6, the animal AF, speed of processor and EVF refresh rates (hopefully) seem to have been solved. I have been able to track BIF on the R with a clear sky behind fairly well, but anything with a cluttered background or moving towards me is just not going to be in focus most of the time LOL.
And co-incidentally Craig posted this today ;-) www.canonrumors.com/there-may-be-a-higher-end-aps-c-mirrorless-announced-in-late-2020-early-2021-cr2/
Haha how about that. Something to smile about :)
I just bought a used 7DMII with 23K clicks a few weeks ago, and have been enjoying shooting it along with my 5DIV and my (also older) 1DX mark I. I plan on shooting it for years in the situations that call for an APS-C sensor. I think it will be a year or more before Canon puts out a flagship APS-C in the RF mount.
You've got a great collection there. I love the 1 series, they feel so good in hand to me. I've been waiting so long for a higher megapixel full frame that could shoot faster than a 5DsR - so I'm very glad I have the 7D2 as an option in the meantime. Do you think they will release an APS-C RF?
@@WillGoodlet Thanks Will. I do think there is a market for the "7DIII" probably in RF format. The RF 100-500 lens would be a great pairing and the 300 f/2.8 and 500 f/4 are about due for a refresh from their version II iterations. Those could come out in RF (or even as DO versions) smaller and lighter and well paired with the R5/6 and an pro grade APS-C body. But in the meantime, we have excellent tools to continue to work with. Keep the great content coming.
As I mentioned to you before I have this camera and I’m reasonably happy with it and have no intention of selling it cause even if I upgrade to something else it will be my back up camera. My issue is that I shoot with two bodies and my 2nd body is a 6D which is the one I’m thinking of upgrading (I’m also keeping that one as I’m teaching my teenage daughter photography on it) but i’m debating within myself to what should I upgrade my 6D too? My options include the 5DIV, 1DX m II and III, and the soon to arrive R5 and R6. Any advice welcome.
Good to hear your opinions Dimitris. I don't think you are wrong to wait. That's what I am doing until the path is a little clearer. I have priced a switch to sony and it is doable, but the R5 is actually a cheaper way to go for me - I am only interested in mirrorless because it will help me focus my video! (I can't see the bloody LCD anymore!). I have a wildlife photographer friend Grant Atkinson and he made some interesting comments about the 1D X ii and 1DX iii.
Here's what he said: "i did get to use the 1dx3 for a few days all i could really notice being improved for me was the viewfinder autofocus was faster to drive and to lock onto a moving subject. Other plus was the new touch type joystick... I could not tell any difference in image quality even at iso 12800 between the 1dx2 and 3 so i was a bit surprized as Canon pro users where claiming 1 stop better...it was written that its 1 stop better DR at iso 100 but i dont take pics at iso 100" He also said that he tried the subject tracking and it didn't work on animals. Also that he tried the EOS R and could barely focus on a walking elephant (so he's sceptical about the R5)
If the r5 is a failure with Autofocus then I will think about sony or a swap to a discounted 1DX ii
Will Goodlet Tnx Will and sorry to hear of your failing eyesight/ EVF issue. Indeed photons to photos www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm confirm what Grant says. The DR difference is only up to ISO 400 which in the wildlife photography world is trivial as we all shoot way above that. My main interest in the 1Dx3 was because it’s allegedly improved AF through the OVF. But I’m unsure if that worths 3K more than an 1DX. I could do an extra safari with that kind of money. As you say a lot hangs on what the R5 can deliver.
i just bought the 7dII for I wanted to upgrade the 7d I own as it is a bit basic for wildlife to compliment it i am selling my 80d and getting the 90d for its video. I also just got the eos R for testing lenses out and perhaps it will act like a wide angle lens on some of my lenses. for example a 500mm become 700 and vise versa. I was disappointed with the fact 7dII has no touch screen for video when I got it last week. Was going to sell it but decided just to use it as a pure stills camera in stead instead of buying the 1dx second hand. I wanted to keep all my cameras using the same battery. lp e6/n this has major advantages as I can swap battery's about. What do you think? I simply can not afford the r6 or r5
Hi Thanks for the comment. Sorry for the late reply!
With all these cameras it's so hard to comment with regard to other peoples use case.
For me, a touch screen is not important when using it for wildlife. But for other uses, yeah it could be a big problem. So a camera like the 90D that can autofocus in video makes a lot of sense when packaged with a touch screen.
I don't know if it's worth it to you to keep both cameras? The 90D can kind of do the 7Dii 's job. While the 7Dii can't really do the 90D's job?
You can use the crop factor difference to change framing between 7D2/90D and Eos R. That can work well. But a lot of the time you will be able to crop in successfully with the EOS R anyway (so for example with people - they don't run away and you can get close to them - so cropping in 10-20% won't be a problem at all if you need to.)
With wildlife - you can't really do that PLUS the AF speed of the 7D2 should be very noticeably faster and more reliable than the EOSR.
At the end of it all choose what's right for you! I think the battery decision is important too - those kinds of system level decisions aren't glamorous but they can really streamline work.
Well said...true
Thanks Atul
Had one, sold it, I did miss full frame so went with that for a bit. Just bought another 7Dii today. With Tamron 150-600mm G2. I know what that will look like. Reckon canon 100-400 mkiii would be best combo
Congratulations on the new gear Ivan! My friend took a Tamron 150-600 G2 on our trip to the Kruger National Park (there are videos on the channel) He really got some good shots out of it, he was using it on a 5D3. I have the 100-400 Mk ii and 7D2 - you are right they are fantastic together.
Will Goodlet lovely message thanks, I’m spending 5 days in the Norfolk Broards, so will get plenty of opportunity for wildlife shots. Happy days.
Very good combination 7dII with Tamron 150-600mm G2. Only some issues at about 500-600mm with the 7dII. I often prefer the 7dII to the 5dIII. Both bodies work perfect together. Yes, I'd like the canon 100-400 mkII too.
Just ordered this Camera, looking forward to using it. I would like to know how to bring up the Shutter count on the 7D MK ii . Enjoyed the Video and hit the Bell. Thank you.
Congratulations! Thanks for watching:) sadly you can’t pull up shutter count on most canons. You can use Focal calibration software to get the number - maybe some other freeware although much of this seems to be out of date now.
Canon service centres and camera shops often have software to get the count too
@@WillGoodlet . Thanks for getting back to me. Stay safe.
If you install Magic lantern you can get that info aswell
Amateur just started taking bird pictures and posting on local FB page. Got a used T1i and splurged on used Sigma 150-600 C. After some research decide should step up to used 7D2. Your video confirmed lot of my thoughts. Have been fooling on ebay hoping to fall into one with low shutter count or replaced shutter.
Hi thanks for watching and hope you manage to find what you are looking for. I think you will enjoy it very much! Let me know how you get on.
I use mine for wildlife all the time. It's a great camera.
Thanks Mike, yep agreed! (obviously :) )
I am still tossing up on lenses, I own a 7DII 5DIII and a fuji XT3. Is it worth me buying the 100-400 mark 2 instead of the fuji 100-400. The 7DII is mainly for birds
Hi Julie, I can't really answer your question. I use a 100-400 Mk2 (Canon) myself and it is a beautiful lens. But what is the reason for investing in two different camera systems? It will get very expensive in future. Wouldn't it be better to choose one brand and accumulate what is necessary in that system alone? For me it was bad enough having APS-C and Full Frame cameras and accumulating EF-S and EF lenses. Thankfully I have only EF lenses now and these fit all my cameras - on the downside we now have RF as well... I am constantly looking for ways to make my kit smaller, with fewer lenses. I am very happy to move to another brand - but staying with Canon is cheaper for me at the moment. Why do you shoot the Canon and Fuji?
I love mine,wont change it for the world, also own 90D but I ònly get 3 frames saved. So I miss in between frames, where do I change this, or is it due my cards?
Hi Jenny that doesn’t sound right at all on the 90D. 3 frames per second - did I understand correctly?!
There is a menu item that allows you to set maximum frames per second. So that is a good place to look first. If the card is working at 10FPS in the 7d2 I really doubt it’s the card. Hope you find the problem!
I shoot a lot of college and pro football on the field for a long time and speak to a lot of other photographers in the same business. The interest in the newer cameras seems like it comes from those who fancy themselves as filmmakers and are more interested in the video features. Perhaps they will be the next David Lean...hope so...I will stay where I am at.
Will, I picked up a 7dMk2 body about a month ago after finding I couldn't Microfocus adjust my 800d to my new 100-400L lens.
I agree with you that in all respects the 7D2 is a magnificent camera, except one.
Now almost all 7D2 real-world reviews on youtube seem to be done in areas closer to the equator than Scotland, certainly, in areas with more light intensity Here in the wetter part of the west coast we suffer badly from low-intensity light. mainly due to living under heavy cloud cover most of the time.
I find the 7D2's noise handling an issue handheld ( I tend to crawl through a lot of undergrowth to get to my targets). Even keeping my shutter speeds as low as I can without causing blur ISO more often than not gets pushed beyond ISO 1600. Good as it is I'm finding even Topaz doesn't deal well with the noise generated in the 7D2 at iso 6400 and beyond.
I am raging mad at canon for not creating a 7D3 using this body and a sensor somewhere between the at 24mp in the 80D and the 32mp in the 90d as that would have made this camera invincible forever.
I love the 7D2 except for the noise issue and I'm willing to accept that I'm going to have to finesse my photography to try and overcome it. But if I can't I'm afraid I will have to consider going over to the dark side as my D500 and D850 friends are properly whipping my donkey right now.
PS Your Lightroom Presets are awesome, takes the fiddle out of most of my processing.
Hi Jim, you are dead right in your observations. We are very lucky with bright light and often bright overcast. The closest we get is deep forest photography. I have noticed that all the crops are much better behaved on faster lenses anything F4 and below, it really transforms them. What glass have you got on?
There's definitely something in what you say about location based performance. I've also had problems with temperate country reviews, quite often the reviewer will display distant images we can't hope to emulate here due to the heat distortion we get.
I'm waiting for the R5 and hoping currently - although I am pretty happy with my 5D3 and 7D2 I don't want to get stuck holding a big prime with the wrong lens mount. If it works well on the R5 I suppose I can relax a little.
So glad the presets are working out for you - hope the workflow makes sense!
@@WillGoodlet The workflow took a bit of getting my head around . but once I twigged that it's a 'take what you need in this order' workflow It works great.
My glass is a 100-400L mk2 which pairs great with the 7D2. The 100-400 never leaves the body. On rare occasions, my 24-105L mk1 comes out of its bag but it has yet to mate with the 7D2.
The only Option I see other than the dark side is to go big bucks (Big bucks for me anyway (I had to make all sorts of rash promises to SWMBO to get the 7D2 !) on a 5D4 with teleconverters but again that is a light eating option. or Go megabucks on a 600mm f4 (That would have to be a covert purchase and pray if she ever finds the receipt death comes swiftly)
We don't have much in the way of heat haze here but its equivalent is thing we call Smir. It's somewhere between mist and drizzle. great for moody landscapes but you can end up a tad moist if you been pretending to be a tree for 3 hours.
It could be worse! I could still be still trying to photograph wildlife in Scotland with 35mm 400 or 800 ASA film. !
Ok maybe I'll make that more explicit in the videos or intro - thanks so much for the feedback it is very helpful.
I sold a 300mm f2.8 a few years back and I think it was my favourite lens ever - it really worked well on the 7D Mark ii. Since then I've always had a hankering to try the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 would that work for you or is it too short - maybe a rental? I think in SA we are strangely lucky with our used telephoto market - there are so many around because everyone is photographing wildlife.
That, I imagine, "would put iron in your soul..." as my grandad used to say
Got me sold on it. I'm on an M5 at the moment and want the 7dii's autofocus system. Can get them at such good prices second hand here in Thailand 👍
I used second hand cameras and lenses almost exclusively when I started out - they can be an absolute bargain and get you great shots. Glad you found the video useful and good luck in your search for a 7D2 :)
I bought mine last summer for a song on the used market. I wanted more reach and hate TCs. It has been great!
Glad to hear it! I think it is a great buy used
Hi Will. Would you consider 26 000 shutter count to be low for a second hand 7d ii?
Hi, It's rated to 200,000 so it's only 13% of the way in. My 7D2 is around the same and still looks pretty good. A lot of the condition will depend on the owner. For example I have a birder friend who shoots a 7D2 and 300 f2.8 ii - great gear but it rolls around the boot on rough and dusty roads and gets left in the rain (so I wouldn't buy it!!).
Evaluate the camera and the owner if you can. But otherwise, 26K isn't too bad. You can often find them with only 10-15k actuations though.
@@WillGoodlet Thank you. Yes I'm aware of the ones with 10-15k but the one I saw with 26k comes with a 70-200 2.8 as well and I don't have one yet. So it's a good deal for me if the body is still good.
Thanks for your advice 👍💯
Great vid. I shoot sports (climbing, mountaineering, martial arts), landscapes, portraits and general family life. I have a 7dii, 5ds and 6d. The R6 looks great for potential replacement of the 7dii, but that £2.5k is quite an investment and the 90d just isn't an upgrade on this camera for me. The pixel density is the same as the 5ds, so can take great photos in anything to 6400. AI is making these cameras better day by day too! Dynamic range and sharpness could be better, but good glass helps! I'm also a centre point lover, so spending loads on fancy systems doesn't do it for me. I'm also need something to climbing lead fall and take a little pain.
Love live the DSLR! Please release a 7diii, 5d v, 5dsii, and 6diii!
Thanks for watching Ricki, appreciated. I imagine with the R6 might be hard to get used to with the lower resolution? Ai is certainly making a lot of marginal shots usable for me too!
Are you a Galen Rowell fan by any chance?
@@WillGoodlet thanks Will.
Yes, I am a Gelen Rowell fan. Sad to see such a great talent lost in 2002. I was shooting on an old AE-1 back then. His images are awesome.
Love you work by the way! I'd love to do more wildlife photography. I live right by The West Midland Safari Park and Wyre Forest, so not short of places!!! 😂
@@rickigoode8536 Yep very sad. Big inspiration for me. Went onto the West Midland Safari Park Website - great collection of African wildlife (and other regions). Should be good :)
Hi Will. Looking for a better lens for my 5ds and 7dii. Would you go Canon 400mm f5.6 or Sigma 150-600 contemporary or something else? I have around £650-700 for this type of lens.
Hi Ricki, a lot will depend on where you shoot, the weather conditions, what you shoot (birds?) and how close you get.
For example, I had the 400mm f5.6 here and for birding it was perfect in the bright conditions, but for safari game drives the lack of zoom was a nightmare - when the vehicle went close to the subjects (usually mammals) within 5m, I had too much focal length and all I could get shots of were eyes and ears.
I think these days, unless you are an exclusive bird shooter, the zooms are much more versatile. But all these lenses, because of their aperture, will suffer in dull and gloomy conditions - you will end up shooting at around F8 on the Sigma and Tamrons. On the Canon you can shoot at f5.6 because it is sharp enough wide open. While the 3rd parties may not be. So, image stabilisation is really important to have in those conditions (this will allow you a chance at perched birds and slow moving wildlife).
I would look at the 150-600 Tamron G2 (as a good lightweight and weather sealed option) Morten Hilmer says its his favourite lens! Maybe check a few side by side reviews of that against the Sigma contemporary.
If you are shooting in very gloomy conditions or more general wildlife - you could also think about the Canon 300 F4 L IS + 1.4 Teleconverter at f5.6. This gets you F4 when you need it, and 420mm stabilised at the longer end. It's not a popular combo these days, but it could just be because no one is really thinking about 300mm being useful. If you can get close to your subjects F4 on the 7D2 is very handy for reducing noise.
I have read a number of people using 300 F4 very successfully for seabird and sea life photography from boats for example - because the birds follow closely, Image stabilisation for the waves, F4 for dull conditions, and wider field of view for the close birds with spread wings in flight.. You have to choose based on what YOU shoot or plan to shoot.
Hope this helps.
@@WillGoodlet Wow. Fantastic response thanks. I'm going to have to really consider this carefully. Will the 300mm operate with my 2x extender mark 1?
Ricki Goode I believe so. 600 f5.6. Bit suggest if at all possible you try it out in a shop. Normally if it’s focal length you want, u r better off buying the longer lens. I only mentioned the 300f4 as an option in case low ambient light is a big issue for you.
I have lots of confusion on choosing eos90d and 7d for wildlife photography . I need your help to selecting a best one.
Hi Anjana, thanks for leaving a comment - maybe it's best to drop me an email about it so you can tell me exactly what you want to do with the camera and what you photograph? I'll do my best to help. One of the things you could try is to ask the camera shop if you can rent or try each of them first? That way you will know for sure which one you like best. You can contact me anytime on my website www.willgoodlet.com
@@WillGoodlet sure thank you soo much
Always like your videos and input Will.
I recently inherited a 7dmrkii from my partner when she upgraded to the R7. It's a BIG step up from the 77d that I was using. Very advanced AF system and so many settings that one can customize.
I'm trying to find an article or video regarding wildlife settings for the 77d. The ones that I've come across are mostly made or written by people in the UK or US and it's mainly for BIF or bird photography. I'm based in South Africa and am specifically looking for recommended AF settings applicable to photographing all African wildlife (not just birds) in African conditions. For example which case to us, what settings to dial in, customization of buttons.
Is it possible that you can assist me or point me in the right direction?
Many thanks
Hi Jackie - congratulations on the new camera ! I assume you mean you are looking for a guide on the 7d mark ii not the 77D?
If so Grant Atkinsons CZcams videos on autofocus and settings of the 7D2 are the bible.
Will
@@WillGoodlet thanks for getting back to me. Yes for the 7dmrkii.
I've watched Grant's videos but don't recall him suggesting the recommended AF settings specifically pertaining to which case to use and what to set the tracking etc to.
I'm off to Satara and Letaba in 10 days and want to set up my camera before we leave. I'll watch Grant's videos again to see if I missed something.
Thanks a stack!
@@jackieboshoff2013 czcams.com/video/EtGMw-2VD1U/video.html
Thank you very much for the review. I'm thinking of buying one. Second hand, of course :) I'm curious about two things, though.
First: do most wildlife and bird photographers use full-frame long lenses for their APS-C Canons? Or are there also APS-C lenses for that purpose? I'm wondering what lenses I'd have to buy, if I were to buy a Canon.
Second: how does it work with the dual pixel autofocus on the 7D Mark II? Does that mean you only have the really accurate autofocus when you use live view, so when looking at the screen and not through the viewfinder? That information about the autofocus and live view, and what it means in real life, is quite unclear to me.
Hi, Yes, there are no EF-S long lenses over 300mm. So all the longer lenses are full-frame.
300mm is a bare minimum.
Canon makes a great 400mm f5.6 prime that pairs well with these cameras. The next option is a 100-400 Mark ii with image stabilisation. Both these lenses are equally sharp but the zoom more expensive.
Upward from there you have many options - 300mm f4, 400mm F4 DO, 300mm f2.8 etc... plus 3rd party zoom lenses and primes.
All 65 of the viewfinder focus points are phase detect and excellent. The focus system on the camera is very good.
You would not be using the LCD screen for focussing in wildlife photography - that would be horrible except of static scenes, landscapes, macro and stationery animals (if you wanted to use the screen for some reason). DPAF is useful for video, the camera can autofocus in 1080p 30fps using DPAF.
Hope this assists.
@@WillGoodlet Yes, thanks a lot, that certainly helps. I read a few articles that linked the dual pixel autofocus specifically to live view, which seemed like the autofocus works better if you use the screen. And that seemed quite inconvenient for a photographer.
In the end, I decided to take a good deal on a 70D. It was just delivered, and I'm looking forward to using it. The price was considerably lower than the 7D IIs on offer. Thanks for your advice, and I will probably still have one of the lenses you recommend.
Wonderful camera to use, great build quality and AF, but has a fairly aggressive AA filter and I always thought that the images were just a bit soft. Its a shame they didn't do a mk iii with the tech from the 90D because the 90D is in another league image quality wise.
I'd like to try it. What's the AA situation on the 90D? Yes the AA is very aggressive on the 7D2. I am still using it alongside the R5 and don't really have any issues picking up the 7D2. I have found that I am using the R5 mainly for video at the moment.
@@WillGoodlet Canons new sensors employ a different array in their filters which they claim preserves sharpness much better than their old tech, and on my R5 and 90D this certainly seems to be the case. I used to be a proponent of not having an AA filter but fine feather detail caused me quite a few problems with moire and I've since become quite a fan of the new generation filters. Theres no doubt some sort of R7 in the works presumably with that fantastic sensor found in the 90D and I'll certainly be jumping on that ASAP.!
Just recently had a dilemma. I dropped and did a considerable amount of damage to my 7D, (bought new in 2016) and was contemplating on buying a new 90D, or waiting for the new Mirrorless bodies to come out. After weighing all of the options, I decided to spend the $700 to fix my 7D Mark II because I love shooting with it, and even after I upgrade to the new Mirrorless full frame models, I still plan on using it as my secondary body. I wouldn’t buy a new one now, but if someone has a decent deal on a used 7D II body, grab it up, you won’t be disappointed.
Hey Tim, glad to hear the 7D ii still has a future after the accident. I've been using the R5 for the last few weeks and although it is a fantastic camera the 7D is staying with me alongside it. The R5 (any mirrorless) has a flaw in that if you pick it up for a quick shot, it takes too long for the viewfinder to activate and you miss the shot. This happens a lot in Africa because we encounter wildlife while driving. A lot of the time these are the best or only moments we have to capture the shot. The OVF DSLRS nail these.
Just picked one up from MPB with 711 on the shutter
Wow 711! Congratulations:) hope you get some great shots with it.
I have 26years experience with cameras I used the 7d mark ii is a very good camara the GPS the flickering
Nothing I've tried PAIRS with my 5DIV as well as the 7DII. Their DNA is so similar, going between them is effortless. And they each offer advantages is some situations while still being good enough on their own for any situation. I bought both new when they first arrived, then sold the 7DII and then bought it again after trying other options. I'll keep them both for years to come.
Hi Michael, yep that form factor and functionality does really matter. I bought mine both new too - even though I just got the R5, I still love holding and using the 5D3 and 7D2. And there is most definitely still a need for optical finders for wildlife photography.
Hi Micheal ‚ I bought a 90d 2 years ago and was annoyjed me 2 years with blury images. In Januar I bout a used 5dIV and last week I sold finaly my 90d and bought a 7dII too keep my APS-C lenses and as a „tele converter“. I love this combo. Tech sharp pictures and no hassle and stress because of blurry images. In this case newer wasn‘t better.
@@wolfgangrieger1246 That's good to hear. I've played with some mirrorless, and while they offer some nice things, I just still love the feel of DSLRs generally and this pair specifically. The 7DII feels solid and professional, and I use it you do, for long shooting. I can squeeze some pretty good 1080 out of it, to, with the Cinestyle profile, but stills is where it excels. It will continue to be a workhorse for APS-C shooting for a long time to come. Enjoy!
I do have my reservations against Canon however, I'm still using their gears for my wildlife and nature photography. I prefer using older model gears because IMO, those machines produce better IQ. So, I use 7D and 70D for wildlife photography. And 5DII for landscape and indoor photography. As an enthusiast I don't need to replace any of these great gears in the foreseeable future. My lenses are EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II that I always use with 2x extenders. Then there is the great BIF lens EF 400mm f/5.6L. On the other hand EF 17-40mm f/4L serves my landscape and group portrait purposes while the legendary inexpensive EF 50mm f/1.8 performs the tasks of single portraits, flowers and insects shooting.
What do you think?
I can't fault your lens selections - the 300 f2.8 is my favourite lens by far. All those cameras are just as good at taking shots as they ever were.
@@WillGoodlet, thank you. Luckily I got the two used legendary cameras in good condition. Bought the 5DII in 2018 with a shutter count of 5k. It was like unboxing a new DSLR. Subsequently, bought the 7D last month with 24k shutter count. This one was not like new however, didn't look very old either. On the other hand, bought the 70D new with warranty in late 2017. These three cameras and lenses should be good enough for me for at least 5 years more from now unless there's a theft or inadvertent accident. Thanks again.
That's a tricky one, isn't it! Keep it because it is still a pretty good stills camera with very good AF, or sell it will it still has a fair used market price! I was going to sell mine but I bailed, for now!
Yep definitely a concern - I feel it maybe the used price is already too low to sell mine given the utility I still get from it.
Yeah, they don't hold their value too well. I just figure, that eventually, something is better than a dusty camera on the shelf.
I will even buy it new! I just enjoy my 7d ii still.
Great :) Mine's in for a service. Missing it!