Canon 7d a Review in 2024

Every once in a while a camera will come along that transcends the normally inevitable barrier of aging. Those cameras, being either film or digital, are relatively far and few between. Yet most of these immortal-like cameras are easily identifiable. One only needs to seek out the loyal and dedicated following they have amongst photographers. One such camera I believe deserves this honour is the Canon EOS 7D. I admire its design just as much as the rest of the loyal dedicated lot out there.

Intro

I hope that this article gives it the proper homage and respect the EOS 7D well deserves.

I've included in this review some photographs taken with the Canon EOS 7d Mk 1

I've owned a few 7d over the years from new in 2009 and second hand and recently again for £145.00.

I've not been impressed with the "new" Canon of late, particularly in the direction they are going with design and production. If you ask me, the prime moment of the company has long come and gone. In its wake lies some of the company's best offerings. With this article, I'm attempting to highlight the good-ol-days just a bit, and perhaps remind Canon themselves of the greatness they once possessed.

European Roller

So first, a little reminiscing: Oh my how the camera market has changed since 2009 when the 7D was announced.

Camera makers back then had been struggling with relatively immature technology, having no choice but to implement it into new camera designs while simultaneously trying to feed an unprecedented hungry (and equally demanding) digital photography market. When Canon introduced the EOS 7D, it was a shining moment for "prosumers" Seems a camera maker had finally answered the siren song of the needy (and often dissatisfied) enthusiast and pro photographer market with a modern performance-based camera body.

Kingfisher

The 7D thus was an instant hit.

Of course, the EOS 7D wasn't the first time Canon had a hit, but it did come at a time when the world was evermore in need (and almost desperate for) a fully developed well-rounded crop sensor (aps-c) camera. Canon's EOS 7D in my mind was the culmination of many of the newest technologies and camera-making experiences, of which both had finally matured to the point where performance was no longer unpredictable or incomplete for most photographers' needs.

In essence, the timing of its design was spot on.

Everything about the 7D design attempted to address and simultaneously satisfy all of the demands and fusses of prior designs in the category.

Cattle Egret

So at the time, it was a leading-edge design in nearly every way, bested only by the top-tier, highly expensive, pro-level DSLRs from Nikon and Canon alike. Nobody at the time had made a more well-rounded and capable APS-C sensor DSLR than the 7D.

And so it sold, in HUGE numbers.

Review

Compared to its peers, well sure, some models could match and even exceed some specific performance aspects or price points of the 7D, but none of them were as good of a well-rounded performer. This selling point alone is really what made the EOS 7D truly special at the time. A real jack of all trades that blew away the competition.

Firecrest

Moreover, there's the fact that the EOS 7D is still considered a highly well-rounded and competently performing stills camera today. Even pitted against cameras that have a decade and a half of advancement and development ahead of them, remarkably it continues to hold up well as a high-performance stills-shooting camera body. More on that point coming up.

Pallid Swift

It's just a solid beast that is both competent and pleasurable to use for nearly any photography task. If you want a jack-of-all-trades camera, the 7D should be on your shortlist.

This of course is as long as you intend to use the 7D as a stills photography tool, if so, there should be little left to desire as far as necessities go. If you must have modern conveniences, well then perhaps the 7D would not be a good choice for you. There's no wifi included, no touch-sensitive and/or swivel screen options at all, no built-in GPS (optional only), and lastly no fancy dual-pixel autofocus or even extensive video either.

Golden Oriole

It's not bare bones by modern standards, but it is certainly not leading-edge tech either. No, Canon's 7D is considered a dedicated photographer tool, and from that perspective, it is a supreme bargain for what you get for your money. 

Golden Eagle

For example, it has plenty of resolution (18mp) for most photographers, the speed and auto-focus tenacity for the most demanding photographers (8 frames per second, a good buffer, and a surprisingly capable auto-focus system), weather sealing and a bombproof full magnesium build, excellent shutter life expectancy (150K cycles), an excellent optical viewfinder with 100% accuracy, awesome battery life, it's reasonably customizable, and has a comprehensive feature set that can provide a lifetime of service without ever really feeling dated.

Ortolan Bunting

Keep in mind too, that this all comes from a camera that was introduced in 2009

My Time With The 7d

When I first started using it, I had a hard time believing a camera body could be so capable and yet so complete as a design. Both its specifications/capability and the performance of using the camera were unlike anything I had used to that point. The feeling of having new creative capabilities and photographic options at my finger

At £1,699.00 it was much more expensive than its competitors. But the camera market didn't care as a whole, since the 7D was worth the extra cost for anyone wanting next-level performance they couldn't find anywhere else. 

Alpine Accentor 

Admittedly, it was more camera than I needed then, I think the 7D is still one of Canon's better cameras they have ever made for still shooters, despite all of the advances in technology that have either come in successive and/or higher-end models, and that includes, of course, its full-frame lineup.

Bee- Eater

Every time I pick up the 7D, I still get near that same feeling I did many years ago. I am always left thinking what a rock solid, do-it, fun-to-use, well-rounded, high-performance stills camera this is! Even with the shortcomings it has compared to a full-frame camera system, it doesn't leave you wanting much. But trust me, it does have a few relatively minor shortcomings. 

Concluding

For a stills shooter, there are very few cameras that offer this much capability and performance in one robust body. Never mind the insanely low prices you can get them for these days or the vast range of affordable lenses available for the mount- both are unrivalled by any mirrorless system. 

Northern Wheatear 

There are however a few modern features that weren't included with the 7D that I miss sometimes, and at other times not at all. Wifi, touch screen, dual pixel AF,  and multi-exposure modes were omitted, all of which I wouldn't mind having in the 7D at times. Only half of those were addressed in the successor 7D Mark II, but even with that, I still prefer the original 7D for most tasks most of the time.

Canon's 7D is a simpler camera than its successor and it does not lag too far behind in most circumstances. The 7D Mark II is a great all-rounder, and generally more competent as an action camera or video camera than the 7D, yet this comes at two to three times the expense on the used market. Therefore, since I rarely use video, and the 7D is already a very capable action camera,  I end up using my 7D most of the time.  The simplicity and familiarity of it always keep me coming back.

Egyptian Vulture

Compared to full-frame systems, the 7D has both advantages and disadvantages, but neither is to any extremes. In good light, the 7D is nearly every bit as good as a full-frame DSLR, at least for most work. In some ways, it's better, too. In lower light, considerations have to be made though. Faster lenses mean lower ISOs can be chosen, or, f stops should be backed off.

Rufus tailed scrub Robin

Pros and cons.

 But so long as you have a lens that can shoot at wider/more open aperture values, the 7D can hang with just about anything in the full frame category, a little better than you might think. So that point should weigh into your lens selections for lower light work. 

Juvenile bee-eater

Now the 7D certainly isn't a 1DX (that camera is legend), but for someone on a budget, you can do a great many things with the 7D. And you can do them with professional quality results that you will never regret having used it for. 

European Roller

And all that for a hundred fifty quid + I paid on eBay £145.00 in mint condition low shutter count, with battery grip plus 2 Canon batteries and 2 CF cards. I'm all ears for an argument against it. 

Stay focused.

Trumpeter Finch

 A few weeks ago

 Visiting birder Dale Kelly and I went to Montnegra and Maigmo Mountain, we searched for Trumpeter Finch at Montnegra and dipped out big time, it was blowing a gale and a very cold wind. But today was a completely different story and 3 weeks later.

Arriving about 9 o'clock we had an excellent show of Red Rumped Swallows, whizzing around our head for a little while.  Blue Rock Thrush almost immediately and pair Black Wheatear showed off,  heard and seen on the wires European Bee-eater. Red-legged Partridges scurried around.

The Jewel in the Crown

Trumpeter Finch

  One of the most sought-after Finch in Spain has returned to Montnegra. We only gave it an hour or so which included the first breakfast and a wedge of lemon drizzle. We watched from a distance at first, and after confirming they were back we moved a little closer to get a photograph, of these stunning rare and elusive little Finch with that big red bill, in pristine breeding plumage these little Finch are simply spectacular.

Trumpeter Finch

So what's different this time

I've photographed these birds extensively over the years and their leg rings, but now they are traffic lights colour-coded on their right legs. see the photos, I'm sure there are returning birds from the previous breeding seasons. At some point, I'll try and get a photo of a ring number from the silver ring.  It might answer some questions about where they go after breading.

Trumpeter Finch

Other birds seen at least 3 Woodchat Shrike, Rock Sparrow, Chough, Dartford Warbler, Rock Bunting, Nightingale, and Serin. Southern Grey Shrike, Mistle Thrush, Jay.

Woodchat Shrike Bird 1

Woodchat Shrike Bird 2

Maigmo  Mountain at the very top

Was shrouded with dark clouds creating its weather system, it was cold, blowing a gale and only 16 degrees compared to lower slopes a comfortable 22 degrees.

Wood Lark

We stopped at sites on the way up,  which would produce a few opportunities to see birds, they didn't  disappoint Crossbills, Wood Lark, all of the Tit family, and Lesser Short-toed Tree Creepers were everywhere, Swallow-tailed Butterfly were in good number today

Lesser Short-toed Tree Creeper

To be honest we didn't do justice to Maigmo Mountain just up and down as I had to get back. So I'll be heading back there soon.

Lesser Short-toed Tree Creeper

I've not mentioned every bird seen.

Have fun and a great day

Woodchat Shrike Bird 3

Cheers Bryan 

 

Maigmo, Montnegra, San Felipe, Santa pola Salinas, Clot de Galvany

 

Part 2

Target birds

Woodlark, firecrest, Crested Tit, Trumpeter Finch? Rock Bunting.

 and anything else we bump into

8.00 o'clock  start and Birding Maigmo Mountain by nine, amazingly lightning does Strike twice at the first stop and Woodlark singing its Head off on the wires above good opportunity for photography 

Woodlark

Dale was in his element and the camera was busy, next stop up the hill, another Woodlark point blank amazing.

We put some effort into the lesser short-toed Treecreeper a difficult mouse-like creeper bird  which is often seen but a nightmare to photograph  but we cracked it in the end

All the Tits were seen and one of the target birds Crested Tit was done, also seen Crossbill, Serin, Firecrest, Rock Bunting,

Sod's law at the top of both peaks workmen were busy chopping down trees so a bit of a letdown and very noisy with a chainsaw in action

So we buggered off

Heard only Wren, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, opportunity missed golden eagle heard and just a glimpse through the trees.

Montnegra 

So we crossed the valley to Tibi and onwards to Montnegra, I was not expecting much.  No sign of the Dartford Warblers that were present 2 weeks ago, 

Trumpeter Finch was a no show, and Griffon Vultures were seen, but distant. I predicted Black-eared Wheatear for today but it wasn't to be

We cut our losses and head off to

San Felipe 

Lots of Gloss Ibis. Slender-billed Gull, Black-winged stilt, Red Knobbed Coot, Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Iberian Southern Grey Shrike, Yellow Wagtail, flocks of linnets and Goldfinch, Swallow, Pallid Swift, House Martin, Snipe, Avocets, Green Sandpipers, Purple Swamp Hen. Greater Flamingos. Nothing mega but a great views of the resident birds

Black-winged stilt

Dale Camera was busy with lots of new birds.

Red Crested Pochard,

 Clot de Galvany

I was hoping that the 4 Ferruginous Ducks would still be there alas they've gone, just the resident ducks etc were there,  White-headed Duck, Gadwall, Red Crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Marble Duck, Teal, Shoveler. A juvenile Audouin's Gull drop and a nice show Yellow-legged Gull.

Gadwall

So a full-on few days Birding with Dale Kelly thank you Dale, and thanks to Mary CBBC for putting me in touch with Dale I mentioned that I'd reset Dale's camera because of the focus issue on day 1 unknown to Dale it also set the recording quality to fine jpeg  which is not the end of the world but RAW is better 

Yellow-legged Gull

It was quite an eventful birding adventure with Dale Kelly! From Woodlarks to Bustards and an array of other bird species, we covered a lot of ground. Despite some missed opportunities, made for a rewarding experience. Plus, spotting Mouflons and an Iberian Red Squirrel added an extra dimension to our wildlife observations.

Mouflon

Have fun go Birding make some new

Cheers Bryan 

Bonete and Great Bustards

Part 1

A few days Birding with Dale Kelly on his tick list was to see and photograph Great Busted and Little Bustard and anything else that we could bump into 

No pressure then?

Arrived at Bonete at about 9.15 and the first stop 6 Great Bustard, "that was easy I said" Dale had an issue with his camera and wouldn't focus so I reset his camera and took the battery out, and the camera started focusing and we were off more on that later.

Great Bustards

Dale was busy taking photographs of the Great Bustards, In the air plenty of Calandra lark singing, Woodchat Shrike on the wires, and good numbers of Rock Sparrows, Hoopoe.

Rock Sparrows

Hoopoe

On route to

Corral Rubio

All the seasonal lakes are completely dried out and have been ploughed for planting, I've no idea what's going to grow as the drought continues in Spain. Back at Gran Alacant, we've not had any significant rainfall for over 12 months.

Another 10 Great Bustard, Lapwing, Marsh Harrier, Glossy Ibis, Green Sandpipers, Corn Bunting, Swallow, to be honest, the lack of rain is having a major influence on the birds in the area,  the evaporation of Patrola lake is gathering pace, see the photograph.

Patrola lake

In the past, I've seen thousands of Greater Flamingos on this lake and today hardly any birds, a few Yellow-legged Gulls, Shell Duck, Black-headed Gull nothing much else just a smelly evaporating mass of water.

Lapwing

We left Petrola and headed across the plains to Higuriella and on to the Estación for little Bustard, lots of Hoopoe around today and good opportunities to photograph Thekla lark,

Thekla lark

Dale found the little Bustard while driving, and an emergency stop followed, which caused I little chaos as Dale exited the car rapidly while it was still moving and I photographed the little Bustard from a driverless moving vehicle.

Little Bustard

Anyway no harm was done and Little Bustard was under the belt, and as we were almost back at our starting point Bonete.  I suggested we should visit Yecla and give it a go, I pre-warned him that I was there 3 weeks before and it was incredibly poor

Yecla

Thekla lark

And so the afternoon was taken up covering the tracks of Yecla there were a few stand-out moments, and we worked hard for those moments,  plenty of Thekla lark, Crested Lark, Calandra Lark, Lesser Kestrels, could be 5 pairs, at the Barn, Stone Curlew, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Chough, Swallow, Pallid Swift.

Calandra Lark
This bird has a deformed bill at first I thought it was carrying food

 I've not mentioned every bird seen

Calandra Lark

And that was our long day out with a few mega moments 

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

And what will our next Birding Adventure bring 

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

See part 2

Have a great day

Cheers Bryan

Missed opportunities

A short review

Most of the Trees are in Bloom and look stunning
 This is one my favorite photo from the bird trip as well as the last photo on this Blog. 

Purple Swamp Hen

Black Tailed  Godwit

3 + days birding around Alicante Provence, Santa Pola Salinas, San Felipe, Clot de Galvany, Yecla, Montnegra, Maigmo Mountain, and everything else in between.

Stonechat 

Stonechat 

Big effort every day and lots of mileage traveled. The weather was mostly clear blue skies, but high winds and the wind chill sort of bugged it all up, just trying to use the telescope was out of the question let alone get a few photos.

Cattle Egret

85 species seen 

Ferruginous Duck

Short Summary 

Stand-out moments and there weren't many, Osprey (3) over the Santa Pola Salinas (although still a bit distant) an Oscar-winning performance of a Dartford Warbler, (Montnegra) 

 Dartford Warbler

 Dartford Warbler

Ferruginous Duck

 At least 4 Ferruginous Duck (Clot de Galvany). Thekla lark, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Calandra Lark, Lesser Kestrel, Short-toed Lark, (Yecla)  stunning Firecrest (Maigmo)

Ferruginous Duck

 miss opportunity Golden Eagle dipped out of sight before ID confirmed, G S Woodpecker on call only (Maigmo)?

Thekla lark

Migration 

Swallow, House Martin, Red Rumped. Seen

Marbled Duck

So most days, our last visit of the day and before dinner and wine was at the Clot de Galvany where I photographed anything close 

White Headed Duck

A birding adventure in Alicante Province!

 Despite the windy weather, we managed to spot an impressive 85 species, including some stand-out moments like the 3 Osprey over Santa Pola Salinas and the 4 Ferruginous Duck at Clot de Galvany.

Osprey

2 of the 3 Osprey

Moorish Coot

Incidentally there's been a name change from Red knobbed Coot to Moorish Coot

I think it sounds better

Have fun go birding

Cheers Bryan 

3 Ferruginous Duck? at the Clot de Galvany

Thursdays 1st Feb

Shoveler

Just a quick update there's possibly 3 Ferruginous Duck at the Clot I've been a bit slow in getting the news out, the original bird from a week or so ago (juv female) 

 (juv female)  dark eye no white in tail same bird from a week ago

 and now been  joined by two other birds? here are some record photos 

Male Ferruginous Duck 

and this one Female Dark eye with white tail

I never got all 3 bird in view at the same time but would see 2 bird together male and female and another bird would show in a different part of the pool, to be honest there could be more?

  I only had my short telephoto lens at the time so there only record images 

Night Heron

and today the Night Heron is back on his normal perch again also with a Juv Night Heron

Cheers Bryan