EOS 7D for studio work CMYK repro

[ewart56]

I am considering an EOS 7D for studio photography of craft and cookery subjects for reproduction in books. We are a small publisher and I need to change to digital to satisfy the budget.

Anyone have experience of this? I need max pixels for 300dpi repro in a book with double page spread maximum measure of approx 17 inches across (11 inches tall), that's a single page size of 11x8.5ins.

I would use it with my Bowens kit so there are no low light or ISO issues.

Which lens would be best? I use a sort of semi porrtait set up as standard - using a small styled set.

Would the built in wireless flash trigger work with standard stuff or is it dedicated Speedlite only?

[Bob Atkins]

I'm pretty sure the wireless flash trigger will only work with Speedlites so you'll probably need to use a wired connection via the PC socket.

The Canon EOS 7D would be a good choice if you are happy with a crop sensor camera. Going full frame will give you higher quality, but that would only be visisble in very large prints. The 7D should be fine for 11x17 reproduction.

If you went full frame then probably the Canon EOS 5D MkII would be the camera of choice. You don't need the high speed or durabiility of the 1D series bodies for indoor studio work.

A good lens for the 7D might be something like a Canon EF-S 60/2.8 macro USM. It's sharp and it wil give you the best macro images as well as more distant shots.

Of course a tilt/shift lens like the Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift or the Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift would probably be better since it will give you control over the plane of focus. Such lenses are often used for commercial product photography and would be ideal for your application.

[ewart56]

Thanks for your help Bob. Don't really need shift lens as this is creative work not recording. I think I'd be happy with a good zoom, which do you reckon for the 5D?

You have made me seriously consider a 5D mk2 for the full frame sensor, makes sense for repro and gives me a bit of future insurance, just busting the budget. Do you think the mk3 will appear in the next couple of months and Mk2 price will drop?

Shame about the flash trigger, especially as both these cameras have oodles of features I shall never use!

It will replace a Mamiya RZ67 incidentally which I love but cannot (reasons both technical and financial!) be upgraded and medium format digital is well out of my range.

Thanks again, Martin

[Bob Atkins]

I wouldn't hold my breath for a 5D MkIII. I'd say it's probably at least a year away, maybe longer.

A tilt/shift lens can be used in very creative way to move the plane of focus around, either to attract attention to an object or to get all of it in focus when shot at an angle.

As for a zoom, depends on what camera you get. For full frame I'd look at the  EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM. Good lens, good zoom range, good image stabilization. This lens also works well on a crop sensor camera and it's a lens I use myself so I can recommend it.

If you need something for a crop sensor camera and still want wide angle to short telephoto capability you might look at the Canon EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS USM or if you want to save a little money and don't mind going 3rd party, the Sigma 17-50/2.8 OS HSM.

If you are going with a crop sensor camera and don't need a fast lens then the Canon EF-S 15-85/3.5-5.6IS USM  is worth a look.