Canon EOS 70D Owners Thread.

There's nothing wrong with the camera or flash. It was just me, not pushing it onto the hot-shoe properly. I never had a problem with my 450d, so i'd imagine the 450d's hot-shoe wasn't as tight or maybe I was being too gentle with it.
 
At last! I'm getting my 70D this weekend from Park Cameras while staying with a close friend in posh Surrey (omens/stealth-wolf, you may have met him - Modified Mk4 R32 BIALI).

Park Cameras have just reduced their 70D price by £195 to £884 if anyone here is about to buy.

I have been using my daughter's 100D occasionally but used to have an EOS-1 back in the pre-digital age, so I'm familiar with the EOS physical interface.

I already have a Canon 70-200mm f4L IS and a Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro on its way, both bought from folks on this forum. Am I the first guy to buy lenses before he's bought the camera body!?

Anyway, I hope I'll be joining in more here once I start shooting with the 70D.
 
Congrats Robin, with the lenses you've already ordered you should get some great shots (once you get used to the 70D). Will look forward to seeing some posted on here soon. You ought to download the manual to get a heads up on the camera before you get it so you can get going with it ASAP.
 
Good idea about the manual, Stuart :thumbs: RTFM! = Read The Fecking Manual! :D

There's a lot to learn on modern cameras. The Canon 100mm Macro f2.8L IS arrived this morning - I can't wait for my 70D! Lovely balanced lens to handle and very fast autofocus on my daughter's 100D.
 
What settings should I use for video? 24 or 25fps and IPB or ALL-1? I may burn some stuff to Blu-ray.

Oh, and is my old Sandisk SDHC, Class 10, 30MB/s card fast enough?
 
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I bought a Canon 300 f4L IS just before christmas, mainly as my 70D didn't seem to work too well with my long Sigma zooms, and finally got to try it out on my 70D yesterday. The IQ is stunning with it and I can't wait for better weather to get some more use out of it. I even tried it with my Kenko Pro300 DGX 1.4x converter on and the IQ is still fantastic and the AF speed didn't suffer too badly either. I can't wait for the airshow season this year, with the 70D and 300 and my 5D3 and Sigma 150-500 OS I'll have no reason not to get some fantastic photos (apart from the usual British summer weather that is lol).
 
Having spent time reading all the posts about the 70D I probably have the answer already but feel I need to ask anyway...

I currently have a 600D which is only around 21 months old. I bought this to upgrade from a 400D but now I am hanging my nose over the 70D and am struggling to justify the expense of upgrading. I know the prices have dropped dramatically (Wex Photographic now offering the body only for £858) and that now may be the time to buy ready for spring and summer (and for a trip to the Caribbean in February!).

The big question is, would the upgrade be worthwhile bearing in mind my level is that of enthusiastic amateur looking to progress much further now that I am retired.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
While I haven't had a 600D I have had a few other crop bodies starting with a 550D and then I've had a 650D, 60D, two 7D's and a 1.3x crop 1D3 before getting the 70D. For me, the 70D has been the best of them all by a large margain. The IQ is excellent and the AF system makes it a pleasure to use. The noise handling, which I find much better than the 7D's I had, is also excellent and the articulating screen is fantastic. I now use the 70D for all my macro shots, for which I used to use my 5D3, and most of my aviation and wildlife shots as well. I used to use my 5D3 around 90% of the time when I had the last 7D, now I use the 5D3 around 60% of the time with the other 40% with the 70D. I've used the 70D for wedding and function shoots last year and had no problems whatsoever in any situations I've put it through. I don't forsee me buying another body for a good while yet, the 5D3 and 70D pairing are brilliant for me. From now on I will be using my money to upgrade my lenses to the best possible while not worrying about a body.
 
The 70D's advantages of AF system, excellent IQ, articulated screen, touch screen controls (superfast to execute), and a crop-sensor which further extends the reach of telephoto lenses, make this camera body a hard one to beat - It's a winner.

As always, it can depend on what you tend to shoot.

However, a lot of how well you get on with a camera, or any other tool, is how it feels to use, so see if you can have a play with one before buying. Wex and Park Cameras have the best prices. Buying from overseas might save you some more but it's a gamble and there are just too many reports of problems when/if you have a camera fault.

I've had mine since the beginning of December and use it a lot and am only now beginning to become familiar and there's still more to grasp about it. I don't ever shoot video but it is apparently ground breaking for a DSLR vid machine.
 
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RedRobin said:
Buying from overseas might save you some more but it's a gamble and there are just too many reports of problems when/if you have a camera fault.
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Something I have been considering (Panamoz), but wavering a bit. My understanding is that Panamoz give a warranty and if there are any problems, you just send it back to them. Have there been reported problems with that process then?

The way I look at it is that I have had my 450D since 2008 with no issues, Canon is a large, trusted brand, and as my camera gets ad-hoc use (probably fewer than 2,000 shot a year (I don't tent to 'machine-gun')), it doesn't seem a massive gamble to me.

It may be more of an issue though, I suppose, if it was your back-up camera as a professional and saw regular use.
 
Goody13 said:
Something I have been considering (Panamoz), but wavering a bit. My understanding is that Panamoz give a warranty and if there are any problems, you just send it back to them. Have there been reported problems with that process then?
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I had to send a Sigma 150-500 OS lens back to Panamoz after it developed a fault when I'd had it around 11 months. I emailed Panamoz to tell them and they got back in quick time. I had to send it to a London address, which I did the next day, and then I thought I'd be waiting for a few weeks. They emailed after about a week to make sure of my address and after I'd confirmed it they emailed again saying it would be sorted soon. After only 11 days since I first contacted them I received a brand new Sigma lens in the post with another warranty card for the full length. I really cannot fault Panamoz at all, I've used them a few times and hopefully I'll be ordering a Canon 24-70 f2.8L II from them soon. They offer a discount for payment by bacs as well and I've paid that way a few times and I really trust Panamoz now and NO I've not got any commercial connections to them, I'm just a very happy customer.
 
Thanks for that. It's pushing me in that direction! Now down to £665 body only there, less 5% for BACS. Would I need to include the 18-55 STM for video though? That would put the cost at £739. I currently use a Sigma 17-70, but would that be too noisy on the autofocus for video?
 
I would recommend the 18-135 STM for video if you can run to a little more.
 
Thanks. Wasn't looking to push it too much as I am more of a stills person and never really got into video, even when I had a camcorder. Was just wondering how may normal lenses would fare with video.
 
From the videos that have been linked on here, STM lenses are silent, USM ones are just about audible and everything else is noisy. Depends on the ambient noise I'd imagine.
 
What are everyone's favourite lenses on the 70D? I bought mine with the 18-135 STM which I think is great as a general purpose lens, travel etc however I am looking to get something else.

Options are at the moment the 40mm STM, 17-55 or 10-22. I take quite a lot of landscapes hence the thought on something wider but I really want to get into more portraits and eventually some friends weddings etc.
 
AndrewSt said:
What are everyone's favourite lenses on the 70D? I bought mine with the 18-135 STM which I think is great as a general purpose lens, travel etc however I am looking to get something else.

Options are at the moment the 40mm STM, 17-55 or 10-22. I take quite a lot of landscapes hence the thought on something wider but I really want to get into more portraits and eventually some friends weddings etc.
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....As you have hinted at, a 'favourite' lens will be very much according to what subjects you like to photograph. Canon offer around 56 lenses to choose from!

I bought my 70D as a body only as my favourite subject is wildlife and especially Dragonflies and other mini-beasts and so I needed to be able to afford a Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro. A Canon 70-200mm f4L IS quickly followed, even before I bought the 70D body! Then a Canon 1.4x III Extender. And last week I bought a Canon 400mm f5.6L - All thanks to TP Classifieds.

There are others here who are far more expert at landscapes and portraits than myself (though I can capture a good outdoors candid portrait) and who can advise you but I wouldn't go too wide for landscapes because the horizon gets even further away!

Some examples of mine, all on 70D:

TheJoyOfSteam.jpg


^ Candid portrait shot on Canon 70-200mm @ 189mm.

HorsesampHounds_title.jpg


^ Canon 70-200mm @ 70mm.

Moon_m1344v2.jpg


^ Canon 400mm. Moonscape rather than landscape (shot yesterday).
 
AndrewSt said:
I like the shots with the 70-200, very nice.
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....Thankyou! Much appreciated. EDIT: And also Thanx, Judi!

The steam loco's Fireman is very pleased with the shot too - He found me after I posted it on facebook. At 189mm he was doubtless aware of me but it was a candid.

The Horses & Hounds was at a pre-hunt (pre-drag?) gathering in a small yard and I could only use my 70-200. However, it meant I could shoot from a little distance and be less in the way. Here is another from that day....

BoywithHounds_0987v.jpg


^ Totally candid on the 70-200. I introduced myself to the young boy's father and emailed him the shots of his son.

He replied: "Thanks for these wonderful photos, you have really captured the moment" < That was my reward and brought me great joy.

I don't expect that the 70-200mm f4L would suit your needs (yet), Andrew, but for anyone reading this, the Canon 70-200mm f4L IS is much lighter weight and less expensive than the f2.8L IS version which is popular among regular wedding photographers.
 
Anyone recommend a good sturdy cable release for the 70D please .. I think I have gone through about 4 in the last year or so with the 550D so was looking for one that could last a little longer
 
I use the wireless shutter release since I can't be bothered plugging stuff in buy I really don't know why there isn't an IR receiver at the rear to pick up the signal lol :/ You need to stand off to one side to get it to work.


Sigma 18-35 F1.8 lens is lovely on my 70d :D


Thistly Lightballs by Phal44, on Flickr


Cliffy McCliff by Phal44, on Flickr


Double Cliff by Phal44, on Flickr
 
A bit of advice please on my upgrade thoughts:

I have a 400D, about 4 years old, and intend upgrading pretty soon. I was going to go for a 7D, but with the advent of the 70D think I will go for that instead. I take (or try to :-) mainly landscape, sailing and wildlife shots, but want to try some sport and macro soon. I don't take indoor or portrait shots, children, pets, etc.

The lenses I have are a Sigma 18-200 DC, EF 70-200 F4 L IS USM, 1.4x Extender and a Sigma 70-300 AP0 DC (which doesn't get used much, admittedly.)

Now, if I go for the 70D, I'm tempted by the 18-135 IS STM to give me the low end and to overlap with my 70-200. I guess an alternative (but more expensive choice) may be the Canon EF-S 15-85 IS USM.

The 18-135 is referred to as a kit lens and I know there is a feeling that these lenses are not-pukka - but judging from the shots on this thread, people seem very satisifed with the lens.

I'd appreciate any comments on my thoughts, or what I may be missing.
 
I recently had the original Canon 18-135 IS and that was a good lens. I used it a lot as a walkabout lens on a 550D, 60D and 7D and it was very good. The STM version has better AF speed and performance and is sharper than the original. If I'd not got a full frame body as well as my 70D then I'd have one of these immediately. The 70D is a cracking camera for landscapes, specially as you can take advantage of the dual pixel technology in liveview. Compared to all the other crop bodies I've had the 70D gets much more use and it's the best crop body I've had.
 
Thanks for that, Stuart. Not taken the plunge yet, but I'm off to the Phography Show at the beginning of March and hope to be able to have a play with 70D, to see how it operates and feels in my hands.
 
I've just bitten the bullet and ordered a 70D with the 18-55mm IS STM lens to replace my 600D. Tried it out at Jessops in Nottingham and it feels very good to hold and use. The STM lens is virtually silent in operation and very quick to focus. Hope to get it early next week (had to go on back order) and can't wait to put it to the test.
 
RegG said:
Tried it out at Jessops in Nottingham and it feels very good to hold and use.
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....Feeling what it's like to physically handle is what convinced me. You can read and watch dozens of reviews (I did from September to December!) but a test drive is always best.

But guess what - I have had my 70D since December and until today I have been using my index finger on the shutter instead of my middle finger!! Duh! Robin, duh! No wonder I wasn't managing to switch ISO and Drive quickly on the fly.
 
Hmm - good thought on the finger on the shutter button. Does anyone use back button focusing? I've been trying to familiarize myself with using it, as I find when I use single center point focusing I tend to leave the subject in the center of the frame, rather than on a third. If I force myself to use BBF, I tend to frame the subject a bit better.
 
Only just noticed that on my 70D that the delete button is flush with the camera body, but all other buttons are slightly raised. I am sure this is right but like i said only just noticed, just want to make sure i am not going to get problems later on down the line.
 
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tony4563 said:
I would recommend the 18-135 STM full stop!

Its a belter of a lens!
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....If I ever need a 'standard' walkabout (not hunting for wildlife) lens then that's gotta be the one! Mine are all more specialist Canon EF L lenses.
 
andyo said:
Hmm - good thought on the finger on the shutter button. Does anyone use back button focusing? I've been trying to familiarize myself with using it, as I find when I use single center point focusing I tend to leave the subject in the center of the frame, rather than on a third. If I force myself to use BBF, I tend to frame the subject a bit better.
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....Hi Andy :)

Yes I use the Back Button Focus method but I'm not 100% sure I have set it up correctly.

I use my thumb on it and it's comfortable but I have be careful sometimes that I don't hit the star * button to its right (AE Lock button).

My understanding is that it separates Autofocussing from the Exposure which pressing the Shutter button does when halfway. am I right?
 
I use BBF all the time on both my 70D and 5D3. I find it much a better way to focus and recompose either with the centre point or any other for thirds. I never really mastered the half click of the shutter and then recompose, I always seemed to press too hard when recomposing and take the shot. You can set it to separate the focussing and metering at half press so you can shoot as many shots as you like once you've got the focus set and still ensure you meter any light changes correctly when you press the shutter. Most of the time I use AI Servo as well as I find that easiest with BBF to get the shot.
 
modchild said:
I use BBF all the time on both my 70D and 5D3. I find it much a better way to focus and recompose either with the centre point or any other for thirds. I never really mastered the half click of the shutter and then recompose, I always seemed to press too hard when recomposing and take the shot.
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....Personally I've never had any problem with the half press of the shutter but we are all different.

modchild said:
You can set it to separate the focussing and metering at half press so you can shoot as many shots as you like once you've got the focus set and still ensure you meter any light changes correctly when you press the shutter.

Most of the time I use AI Servo as well as I find that easiest with BBF to get the shot.
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....I like to use AI Servo too but I have to switch off it when trying to shoot birds amongst trees and bushes because the camera's AF doesn't have a clue what I want to focus on.
 
I found the half press ok, most of the time, but did find I kept forgetting to recompose, so I hope using BBF will remind me to recompose the shoot. Eventually it should become 2nd nature.
 
Picked up my 70D with the 18-55mm kit lens on Wednesday. Looks and feels good, just need a break in the weather to go out and give it a go! Feels much chunkier and slightly heavier than the 600D it has replaced but still well balanced even with a zoom lens fitted. Not sure if I will need a battery grip to balance it out like I did with the old camera.
 
After all the excellent advice on this forum have bitten the bullet and ordered a 70d+18-135stm kit from Panamoz last weekend. Noticed prices had plateaued and started creeping up a little so went for it.
Will replace my 350d, which has been excellent - really looking forward to the new one arriving. A lot to learn, I'm sure.
 
Pmba said:
After all the excellent advice on this forum have bitten the bullet and ordered a 70d+18-135stm kit from Panamoz last weekend. Noticed prices had plateaued and started creeping up a little so went for it.
Will replace my 350d, which has been excellent - really looking forward to the new one arriving. A lot to learn, I'm sure.
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You won't regret it. I'm very happy with my move from my 400D to my 70D.
 
Pmba said:
After all the excellent advice on this forum have bitten the bullet and ordered a 70d+18-135stm kit from Panamoz last weekend. Noticed prices had plateaued and started creeping up a little so went for it.
Will replace my 350d, which has been excellent - really looking forward to the new one arriving. A lot to learn, I'm sure.
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Interesting you should say that. I wasn't expecting the prices to start going up! I'm still biding my time in the hope they will start coming back down again, but you never know what's going to happen.
 
Yes, was £829 some ten days ago, then increased to £845 when I placed the order.
Duncan, thanks, I'm sure I won't regret it!
 
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