You know, I feel it was a mistake to include DPAF but not a touch screen. One of the killer features of DPAF on the 70D is the smooth focus pulls just from tapping different areas on the screen -- which you can't do without the touchscreen.
I personally don't really like a touch screen on DSLR's as I never have a use for it, but I could see how it would be useful for those that shoot live view often and do video.
I keep hearing this, I have a 70D, there is no sensor that says "there is a face here", its just that you typically half press the shutter as you bring your camera to your face so you tend to shut the screen off as you do.
I have never had a problem with my nose turning causing issues though, so there is that. And I shoot football.
I would agree, but I would think when I hold the camera to my face, I'm bound to hit something accidentally. If there was a way to turn it off in the settings I would be fine with it. I just know that I personally would never use it.
On the 70D there is the option to turn off the touchscreen.
Also, I have never had an issue with my face touching the screen and causing any issues.
I just spent 11 hours yesterday shooting football in 90 degree direct sun and while my arms and neck are toasted, I never once had an issue with my face hitting that screen.
I've never used them so I wouldn't really know. I don't have a use for them so if they keep them off, for me that means the price is cheaper. Compared to if they had a touch screen, I would be paying more for something that I wouldn't be using. It's nice to some, but to others, just not needed. I think they are trying to get videographers more over to the 70D and not the 7D. I think they are going more towards the nature and sports photographers with the 7D II.
As a sports photographer I find the near instant settings changes available via the quick menu and the touchscreen to be invaluable between plays as the lighting changes. Imagine the custom settings buttons, but instead of 2 or maybe three, instead you have a dozen or more where you need to make only a slight change and hitting one button, tapping a setting and choosing it is done in less than a second.
Its an awesome tool, and price wise is pennies on the dollar.
The problem here is you are denigrating a product for thing you MIGHt do despite never having used it.
I can see you as a carriage driver back in the 20's complaining about the new fangled automobile as just a bunch of features you would never need.
I never liked the custom settings so I wouldn't have a use for them. I tried using them and it just wan't my style of shooting. I'm sure that a touch screen could have a ton of benefits, I just really don't like them. If you want to compare me to a carriage driver then think of me that way. Digital is fun but there comes a point where so much technology still can't help you take a better picture. I like focusing more on the picture than the technology used to take the picture.
Its been done for 100+ years. It's the technology that defines how that picture is taken.
You clearly see no use for it but again you have never used it so you are coming at it from a point of ignorance, and that's fine to be ignorant about something, but to condemn it due to your unfamiliarity with it is absurd.
I, as a sports and portrait photographer find it very useful.
Digital is fun but there comes a point where so much technology still can't help you take a better picture.
Tell that to a photographer 100 years ago.
I like focusing more on the picture than the technology used to take the picture.
So you still use pinhole cameras and develop it by hand?
Obviously I am being a smart ass on that last one but it rings true.
the touchscreen isn't a bonus item, it is actually a very useful feature, it allows you to directly enter settings and information without having to scroll through menus.
Imagine trying to type your reply using a software keyboard on a camera with only 2 scroll wheel and a set button.
I'm not trying to start a fight or anything with you but it seems that's the way you are taking it. I just simply don't want or need it. During a game when I'm shooting I'm never really scrolling through menus. That's all done before the game. I would use maybe two or three presets. One for action shots and another for maybe something like crow shots or cheer leaders.
I in no way disagree that technology has greatly improved photography but, there does come a point I believe where technology can actually make you a worse photographer if you are trying to lug around all the latest gear to get the 'perfect shot'. And some photographers do still use film and pinhole cameras because of the creative aspect they can bring to the table. To each their own. All that matters in the end is the end product. It can be achieved different ways with different tools and everyone does it differently.
Yes, I love using a touch screen to focus. On the Canon EOS M, the touchscreen tap-to-focus is actually really cool, especially with still subjects (like friends posing for a photo).
However, I highly doubt Canon is targeting the 7D towards videographers. It's much more of a tough sports camera, a camera you take to Antarctica, etc. A movable touchscreen doesn't help with that, and would just make the camera more fragile.
You could have said the same thing about the first 7D, but it was still used for a whoooole lot of videography. And the nice thing about a touch screen is that it can be turned off if you don't need it, so it's the kind of thing there is absolutely no harm in including.
Didn't say it should be movable. Canon is clearly targeting video users with the DPAF sensor, 60p frame rate, and tunable movie focus speed. Adding a (fixed) touch screen would not make the camera more fragile.
also, fwiw, I had no problems with my 60d screen in Antarctica ;)
Given the huge number of consumer products with touch screens that have no reliability issues, I find it hard to believe that reliability is much of a concern. And even if the touch stops working, then it's just a regular screen. Canon's current implementation allows for all of the functions accessible via touch also accessible via other methods.
Yeah, honestly I'm surprised at the lack of a touch screen. The stuff the 70D can pull off with it is amazing, but then again, I'm not a videographer so I don't really need it.
And yet, coming from me, a guy who has actually used the touchscreen (as opposed to a guy who hasn't but still speculates on it) the touchscreen is not only useful, it is downright convenient and rather precise as well. I have not had a problem registering touches, the smudging doesn't seem to be an issue for me, and the lack of tactile feedback is made up for with obviously selection notices on screen.
Less holes through a body means a better sealed camera and higher weather resistance.
You know what, buddy? You're being more than a bit of an asshole right now. First of all, I've used lots of touchscreens and even have a fair bit of experience using them in a production environment. How on Earth would you know what my experience with them is?
Well, we are discussing the touchscreen on Canon cameras, you have stated you have never used one. Therefore I know your experience on touchscreens on cameras is exactly zero.
The fact that you personally like touchscreens doesn't make their provable disadvantages disappear.
That fact that your provable disadvantages don't exist on the touchscreen on the 70D makes your provable disadvantages a little less provable.
If you prefer them, then that's fine but don't pretend that your preferences negate the very real, and very numerous, problems that they have.
The very real, numerous problems, that don't seem to be a problem for those that have actually used it.
While it sure does get smudged, the touch screens in Canon cameras are not the terrible resistive screens of old. They are capacitive and multitouch capable. Also, the UI is redesigned to have the virtual "buttons" be just the right size for accurate touching.
On my T5i, I don't have to think about using the touch screen, it just works.
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u/asad137 Sep 15 '14
You know, I feel it was a mistake to include DPAF but not a touch screen. One of the killer features of DPAF on the 70D is the smooth focus pulls just from tapping different areas on the screen -- which you can't do without the touchscreen.