At Abe's of Maine we appreciate our customers' loyalty and recognize the time and effort it takes to review products and answer questions. Our editors have selected some of their favorite user reviews from the thousands submitted on our website and posted them here for visitors to see, so be sure to revisit this page in the future. If you see your review posted here, contact Abe's of Maine at 732-215-4000 ext. 2 to collect your special gift! Be sure to mention that you saw your review posted on Abe's of Maine's Top Rated User Reviews page.
A REAL upgrade to 5D
Comments: I've been doing photography as a serious hobbyist for about 4 years now. Canon 5D Mark II, seems like a big step from 1st generation 5D that I had before (just like it was a step above my 1st SLR Canon 20D). After taking few shots of the spring flowers I was completely blown away by the quality of the image and impressive clarity, brightness and sheer size of the LCD display. I find it very useful now, especially for focusing in the live mode. Camera will feel very familiar to anyone who had 5D. Shape of the body and buttons are in the usual places. This camera felt slightly lighter to me than my old 5D. Shutter sound is a lot softer now, so you have a better chance not to spook animals in the wild. And of course there's an HD Movie mode. Saying that I was impressed, is understatement. Quality of the footage is superb! Combined with a set of good lenses (I have bunch from Macro to 400mm telephoto) you can film things no other HD camera can. I also like live mode, although I don't find much use for it. It is useful for silent photography or when you can't hold camera to your face (like above the crowd or very low). My biggest gripe is lack of autofocus in the live/movie mode. Manual mentines that there's a limited and slow ability to autofocus, but I still haven't figured out how to use it. Fortunately you get a large bright screen so manual focusing can be done. There's alos some noise during filming from the lens internal stabilization/autofocus system, but I did not find it very distracting. I would not turn off IS to reduce the noise, because it HELPS ALOT during filming, almost like you are holding camera on the shoulder. Did I mention how much I love making HD movies with this camera? :) Sensor cleaning is also a great feature. I got so tired of constantly cleaning it on my old 5D. Auto ISO is the feature I thought I'd never use, but it's awesome! It's one thing less to worry about and since ISO noise is so low on this sensor, I always leave Auto ISO on.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
Great Camera, Love the HD vid capability
Comments: "This is my first SLR coming from a Canon point and shoot. I thought that had nice pics but this T1i blows it out of the water and you do not even have to be an experienced user to get great pictures with all of the auto modes. Love the Custom Auto setting!
The HD video capture is a nice feature for those of us that want short clips that are worth watching and they look great with a little extra cost out of pocket for a mini HDMI. And you can take stills with a click of a button while it is recording video.
You can't beat the color and clarity of the 15.1 pics and they average about 5.5 megs per pic. Compression has come a long way.
I have purchased a 55-250mm Canon IS lens to compliment the 18-55 IS kit lens and got a 50mm f1.8 for portraits and close ups. All in all, I have a pretty sweet new hobby and have definitely renewed my interest in photography.
Put it all together with my Swiss Gear Mythos camera bag and I have still have room to tote around my point and shoot for those times that you just need something smaller." Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
Recommended
Comments: I researched DSLRS for months before setting on the K-7. I went with the K-7 because of the build quality, value, and uniqueness, and I went with Abes of Maine because they had the best deal on the package with the two weathersealed lenses. I have already been caught in two torrential storms with this camera, and it survived like a champ. I am new to DSLRs, but I have found the pentax to be mostly intuitive. I have learned a lot by reading everything I can about this camera from the manual to online forums, and every now and then I get a key tip that improves the way I shoot. There are so many different modes and customizations that you can make, if you understand them all, I can't imagine any shooting situation you couldn't optimize the camera for. The images this camera can create with the kit lenses can be stunning. After handling the K-7 for a month, then handling other DSLRS, most others feel like plastic toys due to the K-7's solid construction and comfortable. If you're aiming for a great deal around this price range, you won't find more for your money than the K-7.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
Perfect family magic-box!
Comments: 1. 55" is the ideal diagonal screen size for a not-so-big, let's say average living-room. If you sit within 10 yards from the screen you get an impression of sitting in a cinema-theatre. Eyes almost do not see the edges of the TV and that makes you deeply immerse in a movie!
2. The design can fit any style of your apartment - either classic of modern: the TV-set has a piano-black frame with dark matte metallic line on the bottom.
3. Tested on kids! =))))) Because of the screen size and great picture quality they do not tend to come too close to the screen, looking at it from 15 inches and you will not need to worry that they will hurt their eyes, instead they just sit on the coach. Frozen. =)) (Parents will understand me).
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
This is an excellent camera.
Comments: I'm on the Ventura County Sheriff's Mountain Search and Rescue Team so we spend a lot of time in the wilderness. My primary camera is a Cannon EOS 5D MkII and it takes excellent pictures, but it's too big to take on rescues. I can put the DMZ-CS7 in my pocket and with it's 12X zoom I can get really good action shots of our team in action. The built in flash makes it a really versatile camera and the Macro Zoom lets you get within a couple of inches of flowers, insects, etc. Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
Amazing bang for the buck
Comments: This is the first in my budding collection of "L" glass. I couldn't be more pleased. Much lighter than the 70-200mm F/2.8L which makes a difference on long shoots. Images are crisp; beautiful bokeh 200mm wide open with close subjects. Focus is very fast. Shot the Eugene Marathon with it today in sputtering rain on my 50D, no cover and no weather related problems. I've used this very successfully for portrait / sporting events with fantastic results. It's minor but I do wish all Canon 'L' glass was available in black finish. What an excellent, affordable entry into Canon's top of the line lenses. I would definitely buy this lens again.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.
