Hey Speedliters, Canon Does Care… Meet The 7D
Almost two months ago, I published an article that many described as a rant about Canon Speedlites. The last of 17 points that I raised was “Give me a breath of hope that Canon actually cares about their Speedlite system.” [You can read the whole list along with the thoughts of more than 200 Canon shooters from around the globe here.]
From Twitter - July 8, 2009
I want to be the first to fall on my sword and say that I now believe that Canon does care about us Speedliters. Among the many new features described in this morning’s announcement of the 7D is that the pop-up flash will work as a wireless commander for Speedlites. Sure, it’s not a big thing – most pro shooters don’t have cameras with pop-up flashes. Sure, there are many more powerful features that I’m still hoping they will add to a future generation of flash. But, it is a step in the right direction. It’s a sign that Canon is paying attention and wants to make their Speedlite system competitive.
The 7D has a host of other equally important features that indicate that Canon does care about a wide range of uses for their gear. Having just spent the weekend at the Collision Conference in Hollywood, I’ve no doubt that the 7D will extend Canon’s lead in the field of DSLR-based cinema. Beyond cinematography, the new auto-focus system, the new viewfinder technology… the list of reasons for still shooters to be excited about Canon’s future is long.
Many others have written detailed reports about the new features of the 7D. DPReview’s coverage, of course, is stellar. As for the utility of the pop-up for wireless control, as soon as I can get my hands on a 7D, I’ll put it to the Speedliter’s test and let you know. Click on the pic below to go to Canon’s official 7D page.
Meet my new camera! The 40D will be sad moving to the backup roll, but I think it will understand…
It’s wonderful to learn that Canon really cares. But it’s moving slowly … this is my opinion. I’m using a 50D and I was totally surprised when I sow that in Manual (M) mode does not offer Auto ISO … it’s fixed at ISO 400, although it’s says it’s AUTO! Nikon has a brilliant auto ISO in manual mode, that let’s you set even the highest and the lowest ISO setting that it will chose automatically (and between).
But what about Canon?
Not even the 5D does not have a true “Auto” ISO mode in “M”. I’ve read many (MANY) forums where people complained about this issue … but not a single Canon official response (nor firmware update…). So, when we will have a full auto ISO mode in Manual, on Canon models? I’m a Canon fan, I’ve always worked with Canon but I must say that I’m very disappointed about this lack of functionality, compared to Nikon who has this functionality for years…
I’ve read the 50D manual and it’s says on page 64 that in Manual mode the “auto” ISO set’s it to 400 and stays there … ok! But why then you call it AUTO ISO IN MANUAL MODE? If it can only select a single value … ISO 400. Only for marketing? Bad, bad Canon!
I think the 7D really brings Canon to the party!! This would surely put pressure on Nikon. The 7D seems to be as good as the D300s on some really critical features. To me (Nikonian) its debatable which is better. And it seems Canon really does care!!
Looks like a great new camera, but one has to wonder if EVERY new camera is going to have HD video. What about those of us who don’t want video and would rather have our camera packed with tech that works more for us in terms of better image quality?
I guess I agree with Joanie. I’m currently upgrading my 20D to a 50D and while I could have gone 5D Mark II, I still don’t need the video element.
Very interesting. Syl, I anxiously await your hands-on report. Wireless control via pop-up sounds good – I hope they don’t bury the menu for it.
One feature I’m very interested in is low light autofocus. I’ve felt plagued with lack of performance in this area with the 30D for some time now. Over the last weekend I had a chance to shoot a wedding with both a Canon Mark III 1D and the Canon 30D. During the reception with disco lighting and generally low ambient, I used the same 85mm F1.2 on each camera and found the Mark III 1D to little to no problem focusing in low light, and in fact the view finder even appeared to show the scene brighter. The 30D fell flat and I could only achieve about 20% successful focus attempts. I haven’t seen any opinions of the 7D in the regard yet.
I may have found the answer to my question in the official instruction manual for 7D off the Canon website. Custom Function III-11 is AF-assist beam firing. By default the value is 0:Enable. An AF-assist beam is emitted by the camera’s built-in flash.
Option 1 disables, Option 2 enables AF assist for external flash only, Option 3 enables for IR AF assist beam only (as in the ST-E2).
So low light autofocusing may not be a problem after all. The flash will popup and shine a (continuous??) beam to assist autofocus. I would have preferred the Nikon style where there’s a tiny bulb on the camera body that lights up, rather than using the pop-up flash for this.
I really like the 7D and have even pre-ordered one. Although, there is one big disappointment for me with it. Canon claimed to have spoken to “thousands” of photographers to find out what we wanted in this body. Yet…again… Canon has left us with only 3 shot AEB. Even the D300s is capable of 5 shots. This is very important to those who enjoy HDR photography. And I have a hard time believing none of those “thousands” of photographers failed to mention the desire for more AEB shots.
Not that I’ve used any 7D yet, since I haven’t been able to lay my hands on any, but as far as I’ve understood from reading the user’s manual, the AF assist Custom Function now allows you to emit AF assist from external speedlites in two ways.
Mode 2 is for all external speedlites, even if they are small and meanless and don’t have any red LED AF assist beam. Then these external flashes will flash just like the internal does.
Mode 3 seems to be for units that do have red LED AF assist, like a 580 EX II. I don’t have any ST-E2, but I think that has a separate AF assist beam too, right? So in that case it would be included in this group.
Why would you need auto ISO in manual mode? I don’t understand that. Just pick your ISO and change it when need be. I do like how they got rid of all those lame icons, etc on the mode wheel. The camera is def taking a page from the 5D book, but has more speed, which is what I need coming from my poor 20D.
Also I think the AF system will act very similar to the pro bodies, which is also a great improvement.
Wondering why they did not include high speed sync on the flash. I ordered the camera and canceled it when I found out the ocf did not support hss. Sad face.
HSS needs to be added to the popup flash wireless. Can that be done with firmware?