Canon 60D: Homerun or Disappointment?

[manveer]

hey guys. i'm confused now. which do you think i should get, the 7d or would the 60d be good enough. the lens i'm using is tamron 17-50mm f2.8.. i'm sure with this new release, the 7d price might drop slightly, right?

was hoping to do some part time event photography too.. so what advice can you guys give me. thanks.. cheers!

 

[manveer]

A total disaster in the light of what the competitors offer. Over-priced for a poorly featured camera. Lacking the single most important feature for phase-based AF: micro-adjustment. :thumbsd: :cry: :cry:

can someone be so kind to explain to me whats micro-adjustment. seems like its a terribly bad thing that the 60d doesnt have it and the 7d does.. should it be a major influence on my decision to buy the 60d?

 

[ikilledversace]

micro-adjustment means that if your lens is front or back focusing (+1 or -1), you can actually set your cam to adjust the lens to focus slightly further infront/behind, offsetting the front/back focus (=0). And while doing it on-camera you dont have to send to canon service centre to have your lens adjusted physically.

 

[doodah]

can someone be so kind to explain to me whats micro-adjustment. seems like its a terribly bad thing that the 60d doesnt have it and the 7d does.. should it be a major influence on my decision to buy the 60d?

To quote from this site:

"One of the most common examples of Anti-logic we see at Lensrentals is the statement The lens is soft/frontfocuses/backfocuses...

Lets consider that I have a camera body that is -2 focus units from perfect, and a lens that is +2 focus units from perfect. Both are considered ‘fine’ according to the manufacturers definition, although they certainly aren’t perfect. However, the combination of a +2 lens on my -2 camera will be absolutely perfect...

But what if the lens was -2 focus units from the theoretical perfect and I put it on my -2 focus units from perfect camera?... if its an f1.4 lens with a very shallow depth of field, the front focusing will be noticeable: the subject will be out of focus and soft...

...if I sent the lens in to the manufacturer to fix the problem they would check the lens out, say it was fine (because it is fine, its within specifications) and send it back. Only if I send the camera and lens together to be calibrated would the fact that the two together are out of focus be apparent, and then the manufacturer would be able to fix the calibration....

Ah, but there’s no free lunch. If the camera calibration was adjusted as part of the fix, I might find that another lens in my kit that used to be great, now backfocuses a bit....

The good news is newer cameras have taken all this into account and the fix is right at your fingertips. The following cameras all have a “lens microcalibration” feature... its a bit time consuming to do, but once done each of your lenses is locked in the camera’s memory and it will automatically compensate so that each lens is at a nearly perfect focusing plane whenever you mount it on the camera. I find the feature makes such a huge difference for most of my better lenses that I consider this feature alone makes the upgrade to one of the above bodies worthwhile."

 

[Kermitfm]

can someone be so kind to explain to me whats micro-adjustment. seems like its a terribly bad thing that the 60d doesnt have it and the 7d does.. should it be a major influence on my decision to buy the 60d?

Micro-adjustment allows you to self-calibrate your own lenses to the body. The body will keep a databases of the adjustment needed and apply it to the lens mounted. This will help to compensate for the focus alignment differences due to the tolerances allowed during the manufacturing processes.

Does one need this? It depends. This is a new feature introduced first by Nikon and now Canon. (correction: Canon was first) For pixel-peepers it is a must. The feature has some limitations but it does it's job well in normal circumstances. I don't think think that all lenses need to be adjusted to achieve excellent print and output quality but if you have one of those lens that is out of tolerance, it will save you a trip or two to CSC.

You cannot use the feature to adjust third-party lenses. (correction : you can use it for 3rd party lenses)

 

[ikilledversace]

honestly i dont see a point bashing other brands here with comments like video this and that. do bear in mind that these brands are pushing out new functions ONLY because of their competitors. if not for N's video function, C wouldnt have came out video in the first place. likewise because C is doing so well on the video aspect, N decided to have 1080p With AF while on shoot. Oh by the way C is implementing wireless flash commander mode all because?? All because N has had it for many years.

try not to be narrow minded and try your best to try other brands for awhile. its nice to see what other brands do for their cameras

with that said the xxD series are all good cameras just that Canon likes to refresh models with minor improvements. like another bro mentioned earlier i thought xxD series ended with 50D when they introduced 7D.

 

[doodah]

This is a new feature introduced first by Nikon and now Canon...

You cannot use the feature to adjust third-party lenses.

In Canonland, AF microadjustment was first featured in 1D3 announced on 22 Feb 2007. In Nikonland, the same feature was first made available in D300 announced on 23 Aug 2007.

AF microadjustment works with 3rd party lenses.

if not for N's video function, C wouldnt have came out video in the first place.

Another timing thing: DSLR video was first introduced by Nikon in D90 announced on Aug 27, 2008. The same feature was made available for the Canon 5D2 announced on Sep 17, 2008.

 

[Kermitfm]

In Canonland, AF microadjustment was first featured in 1D3 announced on 22 Feb 2007. In Nikonland, the same feature was first made available in D300 announced on 23 Aug 2007.

AF microadjustment works with 3rd party lenses.

My bad. Thanks for the correction.

 

[willdoang]

Micro-adjustment allows you to self-calibrate your own lenses to the body. The body will keep a databases of the adjustment needed and apply it to the lens mounted. This will help to compensate for the focus alignment differences due to the tolerances allowed during the manufacturing processes.

Does one need this? It depends. This is a new feature introduced first by Nikon and now Canon. For pixel-peepers it is a must. The feature has some limitations but it does it's job well in normal circumstances. I don't think think that all lenses need to be adjusted to achieve excellent print and output quality but if you have one of those lens that is out of tolerance, it will save you a trip or two to CSC.

You cannot use the feature to adjust third-party lenses.

i agree with what u said, most of them who use the same lens brand as the cam usualy wouldn't hv to care much about this micro adjust feature nevertheless there's many budget concern people out there that rather buy a 3rd party lens then the same spec particular brand lens that cost 3-4 time the price and those 3rd party lens AF might hv to be adjusted(at least on sigma 24-70 case) to give out the correct focus

 

[midicity]

Some personal thoughts on the fellow snappers' thoughts on the 60D

People who are disappointed that
1) 60D is not FF - Not going to happen in the near future. If you want a FF, save for a 5dc/5d2/1ds
2) 60D specs are lower than 7d - you will be paying less for less features. If you want 7D, bite the bullet and pay for a 7d
3) 60D is plastic - pay more for 7D or 1 series. You get what you paid for
4) 60D has minor upgrades from 50D/ Downgrade from 50d. I see the metering as an improvement and also most importantly, much better high ISO performance. (based on the fact that it has same sensor and metering as the 7D).
I feel that the 60D is a lateral improvement, not an upgrade. IF you want an upgrade, get a 7D

Who the 60D is positioned for
- 1st time DSLR buyers who want a better camera than the 550D
- Some upgraders from 550D who want better control
- 50D owners who have BBB virus but don't want the 7D

For all other snappers, you should be looking at 7D, 5d2,1d,1ds,

People who want to jump ship because of the 60D.
Ship jumping will never end. Each company will launch some ground breaking camera at each point in time. Nikon does it, Canon does it, Panasonic does it, Olympus does it, Sony does it.
Every time you jump, you lose money if you sell off your system.
If you have money to burn and/or feel that another system serves you better, you should do it. This gives competition to the industry and keeps each manufacturer on its toes.

 

[raydio]

hey guys. i'm confused now. which do you think i should get, the 7d or would the 60d be good enough. the lens i'm using is tamron 17-50mm f2.8.. i'm sure with this new release, the 7d price might drop slightly, right?

was hoping to do some part time event photography too.. so what advice can you guys give me. thanks.. cheers!

I don't think you could go wrong with either camera. As some have said before, wait until the 60D is physically available and handle it to see if you like the "touch and feel". If budget permits, the 7D is a better, more professional camera. That said, the 60D is a fine camera too. I don't think that the price of the 7D will drop as a result of the introduction of the 60D.

Your Tamron lens will do fine with either camera but you will be able to micro-adjust with the 7D only. Both have 18 mp and both use the same sensor so photo IQ will be virtually the same. Either camera will serve you well with your aspirations to do event photography.

 

[Rocky78]

Sony A55:
US$749 with kit lens
16.2MP (effective) APS HD CMOS sensor
Fixed, pellicle-type semi-translucent mirror
15-point phase-detection AF array with 3 cross-type AF points
EVF with 1.15 million dot resolution, 100% FOV, 1.1x magnification
500g (body, card & battery)
Built-in GPS
Electronic level in EVF/LCD with pitch/roll indicator
Dual-purpose Memory Stick/SD card slot
10fps continuous shooting rate (effective rate is 6 fps)
1080p AVCHD movie mode with continuous AF
Articulated 3" 'TruBlack' LCD with 912k dots

Canon 60D:
US$1249 with 18-55 kit lens, US$1099 body only
18 MP (effective) APS CMOS sensor
9-point phase-detection AF array, all cross-type AF points
OVF with 96% FOV, 0.95x magnification
755g (body, card & battery)
NO built-in GPS
Electronic level in OVF/LCD with pitch/roll indicator
Single SD card slot
5.3fps continuous shooting rate
1080p MOV movie mode WITHOUT continuous AF
Articulated 3" LCD with 1040k dots

Rumored Nikon D7000 specs:
US$1199 body only
Magnesium alloy body
16 MP APS CMOS sensor
39-point phase-detection AF array
OVF with 100% FOV
Dual CF/ SD card slots
~6.5fps continuous shooting rate
1080p movie mode WITH continuous AF

The 60D is over-priced and under-spec when compared to A55.

If I have no lens investments and just want to dabble with an interchangeable lens camera, the A55 is the obvious choice.

Yep ! I agree.

One can also wait for the Pana GH2 or new models from Nikon or Olympus by year's end.

;p;p;p

 

[raydio]

Some personal thoughts on the fellow snappers' thoughts on the 60D


- 50D owners who have BBB virus but don't want the 7D

I dunno what BBB stands for? :dunno: Would someone kindly explain it to me please.... :think:

 

[midicity]

I dunno what BBB stands for? :dunno: Would someone kindly explain it to me please.... :think:

BBB= BUY! BUY! BUY! (seriously!)

 

[doodah]

Some personal thoughts on the fellow snappers' thoughts on the 60D

People who are disappointed that
1) 60D is not FF - Not going to happen in the near future. If you want a FF, save for a 5dc/5d2/1ds
2) 60D specs are lower than 7d - you will be paying less for less features. If you want 7D, bite the bullet and pay for a 7d
3) 60D is plastic - pay more for 7D or 1 series. You get what you paid for
4) 60D has minor upgrades from 50D/ Downgrade from 50d. I see the metering as an improvement and also most importantly, much better high ISO performance. (based on the fact that it has same sensor and metering as the 7D).
I feel that the 60D is a lateral improvement, not an upgrade. IF you want an upgrade, get a 7D

Who the 60D is positioned for
- 1st time DSLR buyers who want a better camera than the 550D
- Some upgraders from 550D who want better control
- 50D owners who have BBB virus but don't want the 7D

For all other snappers, you should be looking at 7D, 5d2,1d,1ds,

I don't have a problem with 60D per se.

It's the price vs features vs competition that kills the deal. If the 60D sells for US$100 more than the current price of the 550D, I'll say it's reasonable. But for US$300 more??? For what? Now, look at what the competition offers. Canon has just dug an infant grave for the 60D. DOA: dead on arrival.

 

[blurboiboi]

I think its really unfair to compare the 60d with the 50d... Canon has already made known to us this new cam redefines where the xxD stands in the market and the range it aims to compete against... If the specs are too good it's the 7D camp that's going to make the most noise... So regardless whether is it under or over specs... It will still receive criticism...
I doubt the 7d px gonna drop too... This body should be priced between the 7d and 550d prob in the range of 1500 there about for a body

My 2 cents

 

[mrhobbit]

I think Canon's engineers/Marketers will have a huge celebration when they see this. Judging from this thread, 7D sales are gonna go through the roof very soon.

I would love to see what Nikon has in their bag. If the rumored D7000(whats with manufacturers and their odd naming? EVERY manufacturer has an odd naming system. Only one that makes sense to me so far is Fuji's!) is a BIG step up from the D90, the next 1.5 years are going to be very interesting for Canon

But then again, if its too good, D300s sales would suffer, are you starting to see the merry go around cycle now?;p


P.S. Watch out for Olympus, its been quite awhile since the E5 was introduced......;p

 

[lchoong78]

Not much weight reduced. 60D is 755g, while the bigger 50D is 822g (both include battery). So it's just 67g less. Not a big difference.

Oh i was very suprise
I though the "plastic" the body will be lighter as compare to the solid body.
Look like the different is nto significant.

 

[lchoong78]

in short for xxD users, buy the 7D or switch camp.

or upgrade to 5D MKII.

 

[raydio]

(whats with manufacturers and their odd naming? EVERY manufacturer has an odd naming system.

I agree with the odd naming convention. Look at how Canada, USA and Japan have named the Canon xxxD series over the past few years:

North America;
Digital Rebel
Digital Rebel XT
Digital Rebel T1i
Digital Rebel Xsi
Digital Rebel Xti
Digital Rebel T2i
Rebel XS

Japan:
Kiss Digital
Kiss Digital X2
Kiss Digital N
Kiss Digital X3
Kiss Digital X
Kiss Digital X4 :dunno:

Confusing lah..... much prefer the rest of world naming convention.... 350D, 400D, 450D 500D, 550d.