Cannon 7Dmrk II or 80D: I have been a Nikon shooter for a while but I'm looking into all options. And I am looking for something that's good for birding as well as landscape etc. Of...

dyximan

I have been a Nikon shooter for a while but I'm looking into all options. And I am looking for something that's good for birding as well as landscape etc. Of these two cannons, from experienced canon users. Which would be the best for birding, and or are there other options. May eventually consider a full frame but appreciate the FPS, and the lens conversion given a crop sensor at this time. Any advice from EXPERIANCED Canon users would be appreciated.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

The 7D MII is excellent for action sports and birding. You will need some quality lenses. Most importantly, you will have to learn the many facets of the auto focus system. It is extensive and advanced. That is what makes it an excellent camera for birding and action venues.
Mark

dyximan wrote:

I have been a Nikon shooter for a while but I'm looking into all options. And I am looking for something that's good for birding as well as landscape etc. Of these two cannons, from experienced canon users. Which would be the best for birding, and or are there other options. May eventually consider a full frame but appreciate the FPS, and the lens conversion given a crop sensor at this time. Any advice from EXPERIANCED Canon users would be appreciated.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I think that Canon's 7D Mark II is the finest crop sensor body for birding that they offer at this time. I used the 7D and now 7D Mk II since 2010 and really enjoy them. Just curious why you aren't sticking with Nikon. They make a great camera now that is actually a little better than Canon's 7D II and that's their new D500. This new D500 shoots 10fps and is a crop sensor body too. I'm not trying to sell you on Nikon, but since you've already been shooting them and you are familiar with them, I was just wondering why you're considering switching brands. I do have a friend that is/was a loyal Nikon shooter and he did wind up buying a Canon 7D II also. But the reason he bought the Canon 7D II is because Nikon was lagging behind Canon on a good birding camera and was probably about 1 1/2 years from coming out with the D500.

Bob Boner

I have the 7DII and put my birding lens on it and leave it on.

dyximan

jeep_daddy wrote:

I think that Canon's 7D Mark II is the finest crop... (show quote)

I just want to try what's out there I've actually rented a Fuji XT2 and a Nikon D500, and will rent the new D8850 soon. And although I used the D 5300 and it is a different set up than the D 500 I just found Nikons controls and dials to be counterintuitive to ME. And I'm sure I could get used to it if needed, but just want to try all the other types prior to making my next investment.

dyximan

markngolf wrote:

The 7D MII is excellent for action sports and birding. You will need some quality lenses. Most importantly, you will have to learn the many facets of the auto focus system. It is extensive and advanced. That is what makes it an excellent camera for birding and action venues.
Mark

I am in the process of renting my equipment as my previous camera was stolen and I'm looking to make a change into another better camera and I'm not necessarily loyal to one brand. And just want to see and try was out there I rented the D 500 the Fuji XT2 will be renting the Nikon D850 and want to try a canon. Are used to shoot a D 5300 which was recently stolen. And I'm going to rent one of the cannons to see how they feel and work in my hands.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

Another thing you may want to consider is that the 7D MII has a metal body instead of a plastic composite. If you are going to be places where there is a chance of some rough handling such as accidental bumps and things, that may be something to consider.

dyximan

markngolf wrote:

The 7D MII is excellent for action sports and birding. You will need some quality lenses. Most importantly, you will have to learn the many facets of the auto focus system. It is extensive and advanced. That is what makes it an excellent camera for birding and action venues.
Mark

Also I normally rent the manufacturers lenses and try to get something say 18 to 200 and200 to 500 and I know they're not exact numbers but I think you get my point. what do you think of the Canon lenses, and do I want to go with a full frame lens, or the crop sensor lenses, just in case I go out to a full frame may try the full frame lenses that fit the crop sensor body?

dyximan

kerry12 wrote:

Another thing you may want to consider is that the 7D MII has a metal body instead of a plastic composite. If you are going to be places where there is a chance of some rough handling such as accidental bumps and things, that may be something to consider.

Thank you for that as I am a bit rough on virtually everything I touch

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'm surprised you're interested in these two Canon models when the D7200 or D7500 or D500 in the Nikon lines are similar and don't involve changing systems, lens mounts, experience, etc. Your question for birding is not just limited to which a body creates good image results and has a double-digit frames per second burst rate. You also have to consider the available lenses at focal lengths 400mm and up, many of these types of lenses cost more than the camera body ... Although the Canon 100-400L II is unique between the two vendors, most everything else is equal. Anyone claiming differences are focused on just the short periods of time where individual models leap-frog each other in capability. So back to the first question, why consider changing systems?

dyximan

CHG_CANON wrote:

I'm surprised you're interested in these two Canon... (show quote)

I only had a D 5300 with kit lenses and all my equipment was stolen. And although I had some 60,000 clicks on that camera found it counterintuitive to me Diles menus etc. and have rented the D 500 and Fuji XT 2 and just want to see what's out there, and although I thought on the D 500s menus and I'll still be somewhat different still wasn't all that comfortable with it just experimenting before I make my next major investment, as I know the glass may cost more than the body but I'm willing to spend 5 to $8000 for my next set up and lenses. Just want to make sure I like its feel images etc.

dyximan

[quote=dyximan]I only had a D 5300 with kit lenses, but did rent a few others to try with this body, But all my equipment was stolen. And although I had some 60,000 clicks on that camera I found it counterintuitive to me, even when customizing the dials menus etc. I have rented the D 500 and Fuji XT 2 and just want to see what's out there, and although I learned the dials and menus on D 500 are somewhat different still wasn't all that comfortable with them. And am just experimenting before I make my next major investment. As I am prepared to spend up to 8000 on my next set up. And realize the glass is usually as much or more than the body or can be anyways

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

dyximan wrote:

I only had a D 5300 with kit lenses and all my equ... (show quote)

Having used both, I find Canon as a "system" is more intuitive too ... Just like you tighten a screw turning to the right, you turn a lens to the right to mount, etc etc. Renting, I see in your other comments, is a great way to go. If you need the most powerful AF and greatest fps buffer, the 7DII is the clear winner in the Canon APS-C line. But, you pay extra for these features and the rugged water resistant body where maybe the 80D is a more cost effective body if your photography is more general-purpose rather than specialized on outdoor sports and birding.

dyximan

Thank you for your insight and information

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Canon L lenses are all I use. For birding, I would recommend either Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens or Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens and Canon teleconverter 1.4x III or even Canon teleconverter 2x III. Tamron & Sigma also make telephoto lenses.
Mark.
The

dyximan wrote:

Also I normally rent the manufacturers lenses and try to get something say 18 to 200 and200 to 500 and I know they're not exact numbers but I think you get my point. what do you think of the Canon lenses, and do I want to go with a full frame lens, or the crop sensor lenses, just in case I go out to a full frame may try the full frame lenses that fit the crop sensor body?