Is there such a thing as "too many features"?

<p>Hello everyone, <br>

Someone recommended this site to me and I have to say it's most informative and interesting.<br>

In light of the feature-packed 7D looming on the horizon, I'm just wondering if more is indeed good.<br>

I was a "grid slave", couldn't shoot without it. Hooked on the rule of thirds, couldn't control myself. Then I purchased the 5D II. Not wanting to pay more for the grid focusing screen, I had to get used to shooting without the mighty gird. Surprisingly, I found myself being able to compose my images more freely and dare I say more creatively. Then of course sometimes I just can resist switching on the Live view and get the grid back.<br>

One of the other features I think the 5D II lacks is built-in flash. And yet again, the excellent high ISO performance means I don't really see the need to use flash in most situations. (I think I can call myself a travel/landscape/architectural photographer). Then of course I wish there was one on the 5D II, that sure would be handy.<br>

The video recording feature, I've never used it. Tried it for the first time the other night just to make sure that it works.<br>

However I do have to admit that the 7D is pretty tempting. My 5D II is only 6 months old, am I falling out of love with it already? Not attempting to spark a full frame vs APS-C debate here. Just for the sake of discussion, would you trade in your 5D II for the 7D? (No, you can't have both)<br>

Thanks very much.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'd be careful about switching from a real camera to a camera that exists only on paper but that's just me...<br>

And if you need a "rule of third grid" screen to help in composition, I'd strongly recommend critically looking at as much visual art as you can, trying to comprehend what makes these pieces "work" and chuck the grid: again, it can be just me, but I use gridded focusing screens only to make sure that the horizon is level (if I want it to be level...) and to align horizontals/verticals for architecture and product photography, esp. when using T/S optics. YMMV of course.</p>

<p>"One of the other features I think the 5D II lacks is built-in flash"</p>

<p>"My 5D II is only 6 months old"</p>

<p>Are you saying you've had a 5DII for 6 months and you're not <em><strong>sure</strong></em> if it has or doesn't have a built-in flash?</p>

<p>That's interesting, Mendel. I think I know there isn't one.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Just for the sake of discussion, would you trade in your 5D II for the 7D? (No, you can't have both)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Sure, you can have both and many of us will. Between the 5DII and 7D you have the perfect camera.</p>

<p>"Not wanting to pay more for the grid focusing screen..." but you are willing to lose a much larger amount of money by trading in a brand new camera. And presumably in six months time another new camera will come out and you'll be tempted by that. Therein lies madness. I would suggest that you stick with what you've got and just take pictures.</p>

<p>Regards</p>

<p>Alan</p>

<p>What Alan said: "I would suggest that you stick with what you've got and just take pictures" is a good answer to about 60% of the posts in this forum!</p>

<p>I have the grid on my EOS 3, essential for use with my TS-E lens.<br>

Would be great to have the option to switch it off and I'm glad that Canon has incorporated this feature (one of the few I had peered over the fence at Nikon at with envy) though to be fair the EOS 3 design is 10 years old when this technology perhaps wasn't as practical at the price.<br>

Another boon is built in wireless, though I'll hang on to the ST-E2 for now, see what works better, the new flash metering system looks great on paper, still compatable with my 2x 430EXs?<br>

I've found every camera I have used (except a Minolta SR-T101) has just about too many features.<br>

I love the build and feel of the F4, but there was just sooooo much going on. Liked my EOS 5 (film but prefer the pared down control set of the 3 (i.e. no PIC modes)<br>

They are designing cameras to suit thousands of customers just not me, the only question pertinent to the buyer is 'does it do everything I want?' not 'does it do anything I don't want'</p>

<p>When you think about it, most high-tech stuff marketed today has too many features. How many people watch all the channels available on cable or satellite TV (and who would have time for it?) How about all the software that comes bundled with a new computer? For that matter, does anyone use all the features available in Photoshop? So, why should cameras be any different? Camera makers, like every other manufacturer, have to walk a fine line between economic reality and meeting their customers' needs. Yes, cameras produced today have too many features. Basically, I don't use any more of those in my 5DII than I do in my Olympus OM-1. I shoot RAW, use the same ISO most of the time, and only use the screen for reformatting the card and initiating manual sensor cleaning (otherwise, it's covered by a Delkin screen protecting hood). The point is, you buy the one that closest to suiting your needs as a <em>photographer</em>, not as a <em>gearhead</em>, and you go out and <em>shoot the damn pictures.</em></p>

<p>I agree with Alan and Geoff, except I think it's closer to 80%.</p>

<p>Threads like this remind me of a quote from "Letters on Landscape Photography" by British photographer H.P. Robinson in the late 1890s:</p>

<p><strong>I have one friend who did nothing last year because he had made up his mind to buy a new lens, and could not determine whose make it should be, and he was tired of his old apparatus. His was of the order of particular and minute minds that try to whittle nothing to a point.</strong></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Features sell. But they are just <em>features</em> and I have the feeling that they sometimes obscure the camera makers' inabilities and/or reluctance to incorporate new <em>technologies</em> in their new cameras. Sure, the grid feature is convenient, the larger viewfinder great, more fps capacity nice, some extra pixels probably not a bad thing, and whatnot. But we are, for instance, still waiting for a sensor that will dramatically improve dynamic range. I haven't read all the 7D specs yet but it seems to me, so far, that the only feature that I would really want is the built-in wireless transmitter for flash. Interestingly, it might be reason alone for an upgrade.</p>

<p>First you say you don't need a flash on the 5D as the high ISOs is so good, then you wish it had one...Also why is it necessary to "love" your camera? You seem confused -- the perfect consumer!</p>

<p>I would bet if you sold the 5D and got the 7 you would be missing many of the features of the 5d. I agree with above, keep what you have or pick up a small 220 flash unit. Of course if 8 fps, built it flash transmitter and having a pop up flash is important I suppose it may work for you to trade. For me I would take the 5D2 over any camera right now, 7D included. Only you know what your needs are but this sounds to me like "the grass is greener" </p>

<p>One problem I see with too many features is learning how to and when to use them. I remember back in the(good ol) days of purchasing manual film cameras. You opened the box, took the camera out and you were out shooting before the word "Manual" ever popped into your head. Another problem(s) is the more features, the more likely something will go wrong with one of them and the more expensive it will probably be to get it fxed. Other than that, I have no problem with features, especially since I have been a feature-starved Canon owner for the past 8 years. </p>

<p>The Grid is present on the 5D2, just use Live View.</p>

<p>No would not trade my 5D2 for a 7D, may have both if it turns out to be a lot better IQ than the 50D.</p>

<p>Thanks very much for your contributions. I started this thread after reading some of the other posts here. Some people said that they feel ripped off by Canon because they didn't incorporate some of those new 7D features in the 5D II which was announced back in September 2008.<br>

It's a never-ending game. New cameras will always have new features.</p>

<blockquote>I remember back in the(good ol) days of purchasing manual film cameras. You opened the box, took the camera out and you were out shooting before the word "Manual" ever popped into your head.</blockquote>

<p>My sentiments exactly! Thank you.<br>

"Madness" - aren't we all a bit mad about what we're passionate about?<br>

"Confused" - Not me. I am actually very content with the 5D II. I was just amazed how strongly some people feel about not having some of those flash 7D features.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The point is, you buy the one that closest to suiting your needs as a<em>photographer</em>, not as a <em>gearhead</em>, and you go out and <em>shoot the damn pictures.</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Well said, thanks.<br>

Here I quote Elliott Erwitt: <strong>"A picture should be looked at, not talked about."</strong></p>

<p>As I always tell my wife........."Cameras are just like women ...We can never have too many!"</p>

<p>""I would suggest that you stick with what you've got and just take pictures" is a good answer to about 60% of the posts in this forum!"</p>

<p>Nice one, Geoff! I hadn't looked at the big picture. Maybe the administrators of the site could set up an automatic reply to all posts stating this.</p>

<p>Regards</p>

<p>Alan</p>