Interesting few days ahead

WilliamC · 3 Apr 2013

I decided to get my 7D and 400mm calibrated and dropped them into Canon Elstree this morning (very nice people, dead quick'n'easy). This means I now have 7-10 days of shooting with some seriously old and very tired kit!

I'm left with my ancient 300D which served me for a lot of years but after 3 years of the 7D with L glass I'm intrigued to see what I can produce with it now. The first thing I noticed was just how long it takes to write a RAW file to the card, then there's the lack of proper spot focus/spot meter when using AV, lack of auto ISO, a burst rate that'd... well, "burst" is an exaggeration, tiny screen, clunky controls etc etc but gosh it's as light as a feather!

This should be a challenge and I'm actually looking forward to it in a perverse kind of way

Anyone else had to do similar? Did you enjoy it or just chuck the old kit in the skip where it belongs?

Willid1 · 3 Apr 2013

Not had to do this, but a good way to justify spending all that money on a 7D. Will be interested to see you report and pictures.

David

Hugh Jarse · 3 Apr 2013

WilliamC said:
I decided to get my 7D and 400mm calibrated and dropped them into Canon Elstree this morning (very nice people, dead quick'n'easy). This means I now have 7-10 days of shooting with some seriously old and very tired kit!

I'm left with my ancient 300D which served me for a lot of years but after 3 years of the 7D with L glass I'm intrigued to see what I can produce with it now. The first thing I noticed was just how long it takes to write a RAW file to the card, then there's the lack of proper spot focus/spot meter when using AV, lack of auto ISO, a burst rate that'd... well, "burst" is an exaggeration, tiny screen, clunky controls etc etc but gosh it's as light as a feather!

This should be a challenge and I'm actually looking forward to it in a perverse kind of way Anyone else had to do similar? Did you enjoy it or just chuck the old kit in the skip where it belongs?

I have a Gripped 300D and a Gripped 10D. I actually prefer the 300D. No choice now as my partner dropped the 300D.

Looking forward to hearing how you got on. Still thinking about upgrading. I got an 1100D but that went to "SHE WHO DROPS CAMERAS".

So your experience may push me to a 60D or 7d.....

WilliamC · 4 Apr 2013

Well, first things first, I actually found a battery for it that was still in it's packaging so that's charging up now, bizarrely it's probably worth as much as the camera! It's seriously dull outside so if I wanted a challenge then I've certainly got one today. Hopefully some pics later.

4wd · 4 Apr 2013

I have one was not used for a couple of years and was astonished to find what looks like a speck of fungus growth in the sensor.
You'll probably find your further experience with the 7D helps get more from the 300D.
Although built to a price the main bits inside were shared with the 20D if I remember right.
It is quite competent in half decent light.

WilliamC · 5 Apr 2013

I've just spent an hour in the sun with it and just for fun I've been using my 70-300L on it which it's never met before. Suffice to say I would probably have been delighted with the results before the 7D but I'm now fully convinced I made a good purchase!

The example below is about as tight a crop as the picture can take before breaking up [no critique needed, I'm just playing!], this is from about 6 metres away and apart from the crop pretty much straight out of the camera.

Plus points - for what it is it's not doing a bad job at all (but not a patch on the 7D) and it is wonderfully light! If I wanted a sub £50 DSLR then it'd be fine.

Cons - the lack of resolution is very noticeable; metering is a pain since you have to use AE Lock to get Partial Metering (no Spot); it's painfully slow at everything (I gave up on RAW and used Large JPG); I really miss the 7D's AF options, this is very very limited in that regard.

Overall, buying the 7D was a great move but this old clunker ain't so bad after all if you can live with the shortcomings.

artyman · 5 Apr 2013

Still use my 350D rather than lug the 7D around and it still takes good shots even with the kit lens!

andyred · 5 Apr 2013

Still got my 300D and do occasionally use it. Have been considering selling it on occasions, but then use it to check everything's working and end up keeping it ...