Canon 7D and Heat

Hey All,

I have a friend who wants to buy a Canon 7D and housing, however, she is concerned that heat build up in the housing while diving may be a problem for her. Can someone fill me in on the issue?

Thanks,

Steve

I've run my 7D in video mode for tens of minutes at a time (with 1 minute breaks when the sensor overheated), and have never had issues with heat causing any problems other than forcing the camera to stop for a bit.

I've also been using the 7D for video underwater in a hot climate. I've never had an overheating issue, but my shots are typically fairly short (usually under a minute). I think one of the more recent firmware upgrades improved the overheating shutdown situation (as the previous firmware was apparently being overcautious on the issue).

I've had a 7D literally on all day and never had a problem with the warning alert coming on while it was in a housing. I have had a problem topside though when shooting for prolonged periods in very warm conditions and my 7D has been sent back to Canon twice since I bought it with sensor problems. Personally I think I was just unlucky but both times the guy in the shop said it was sensor burn..... Having said that there are other issues higher up on the ladder that would effect my decision on using a 7D underwater. Hope this helps

Cheers, Simon

Hi Simon, Ive started underwater vidoe again and Im looking to upgrade my Sony Tr 950 3ccd to DSLR, from what I have read, the 7D looks like the way to go...

 

Hugh

The 5D is another alternative, although I it may have similar issues ... ?

Dive safe

DeanB

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Steve

I've run my 7D in video mode for tens of minutes at a time (with 1 minute breaks when the sensor overheated), and have never had issues with heat causing any problems other than forcing the camera to stop for a bit.

Eric,

What housing would you recommend and what strobes. I am not a photographer so really don't know much about this end of things. I see that Ferg is using the Nauticam housing but I am not sure what I should tell her to buy.

Steve

Eric,

What housing would you recommend and what strobes. I am not a photographer so really don't know much about this end of things. I see that Ferg is using the Nauticam housing but I am not sure what I should tell her to buy.

Steve

Sorry a little late to chirp in.... my 7D, not underwater but during surface use has only overheated once and that was when the CF was over 85% full. It was a test after the new firmware to see whether I could get it to overheat. Never had a problems as long as CF card has a decent amount of space on it even when shooting interviews outside hot humid condidtions

Sorry a little late to chirp in.... my 7D, not underwater but during surface use has only overheated once and that was when the CF was over 85% full. It was a test after the new firmware to see whether I could get it to overheat. Never had a problems as long as CF card has a decent amount of space on it even when shooting interviews outside hot humid condidtions

Just got back from shooting above water. 7D overheated the entire day constantly, 4 or 5 times, the 5D no issue whatsoever. Interesting about the room on the card, it may have been when cards were filling up. Was thinking of returning my brand new (unopened) 7D based on the experience I had today with the overheating and just stick with the 5D....

Just got back from shooting above water. 7D overheated the entire day constantly, 4 or 5 times, the 5D no issue whatsoever. Interesting about the room on the card, it may have been when cards were filling up. Was thinking of returning my brand new (unopened) 7D based on the experience I had today with the overheating and just stick with the 5D....

I would just run a quick test, what size cards and what speed? I use 32 Gb cards which are 133x and 150x speed. Have you got the latest firmware?

Was thinking of returning my brand new (unopened) 7D based on the experience I had today with the overheating and just stick with the 5D....

I haven't seen much of the problem you're describing either Drew. I'm using San Disc 16 G Extreme Cards 60MB/s. I did see an overheating warning one day when I was shooting some surf after about 10 minutes. She cooled right down though. The thing that surprised me as a complete newbie was how fast you can run through a battery shooting video versus stills.

Steve

Steve,

How do you like your housing for it? Trying to help someone make the correct choice. Any pluses or minus'

Steve

Hi Steve,

I really went back and forth on which housing to buy for my 7D. For me it came down to a choice between the Nauticam and the Aquatica. I think both are very good systems for the money. Since their initial release both have made minor mods to update the functionality, so you have to be careful reading older comparisons and reviews. I believe Aquatica updated their back to improve the ergonomics, for example, and Nauticam has added locking latches that were not on the first issue that some folks were concerned about.

I went with the Nauticam because I liked the port adapters so I could use my S&S ports. Aquatica has since come out with their own adapters that make that issue a wash. You should check with your favorite supplier if your friend has some ports with their current system to see if adapters are available.

On the plus side I really like the ergonomics of the Nauticam 7D housing, the piano keys just work. Switching over and shooting video is especially easy. I haven’t dived with the Aquatica to make a comparison there, just handled the original version in the shop. Aquatica has made some improvements in this area I haven’t seen.

On the Aquatica plus side, it appears to be damn near bullet proof. I haven’t seen any issues with it cropping up. It appears that Nauticam has had a few problems with manufacturing quality that they worked through. Both have been super at supporting their products as far as I can tell.

At the end of the day I think the best way to decide is to make a trip to the shop and spend some quality time with both and see what feels good. It may come down to some small things that you like or turn you off. Aquatica has the ability to remove the lens without taking off the back and removing the body. The Nauticam handles flex move than some folks like. Things like that. And we haven’t even talked about the Subal, Sea & Sea or the Hugy.

If I was deciding today I’d also put together the list of lenses I wanted to shoot and send out a shout to a couple of our vendors to quote the entire system(s) (housing, ports, gears, etc.) cost and see how they compare.

Just one guys opinion so take it for what it’s worth.

Cheers,

Steve

The only time the camera overheated on me was when I was shooting in Manila bay from about 4pm til sunset at 6pm. Consumed the entire 16gb card. Cooled right off, though. This was in summer.

Once I completely forgot to turn the camera off while it was baking in the sun during my SIT, inside the S&S housing. Didn't overheat. Stupid mistake and might have been costly.

I've never had any problems underwater.

Hey All,

I have a friend who wants to buy a Canon 7D and housing, however, she is concerned that heat build up in the housing while diving may be a problem for her. Can someone fill me in on the issue?

Thanks,

Steve

I have the 7D in an aqautica housing. And have experienced not problems with over heating

I forgot to update this thread. A few weeks ago after spending around 80mins filming on and off and at least 40 mins of constant filming inside a school of barracuda I finally managed to get the 7D heat warning light to come on. I turned the camera off for a couple of mins, turned it back on again and was able to film for another 20 mins or so before the end of the dive. Safe to say it is pretty hard to get it to overheat underwater!

Cheers, Simon

Hi Steve,

I can't comment on the overheating issue as I have not run into that. I have not shot a bunch of video yet either.

I too was like Steve and came down to the Aquatica and Nauticam. I went with the Aquatica. I have dove with friends running a Nauticam and they have been happy with their choice. I have not shot a Nauticam so I cannot provide a direct comparison of the two housings as Steve also mentions.

The Aquatica is North American manufactured (Canadian). I have one of their housings for my Canon 20D and I find the new housing much improved. They are now manufacturing with CNC instead of cast so the housing is more compact and well designed. All controls are easily manipulated. Something I looked for because I do cold water diving with dry gloves. I already had a set of ports so no need for new ports or adapters. They have been around for a long time. I was also able to get a Aquatica housing in my hands in a short period of time to see. I left my decision to the last minute. (I do not have a local store to drop into unfortunately).

What would be great is to get housing comparisons going just like dpreview does for cameras. It would provide a nice resource. The only problem is getting those done and out very early in the housings intro stage when people may be making their selections could be a logistical nightmare. Getting someone that is heading out to take the housings and run them through their paces etc. I also believe new housings tend to go out to the folks who have been waiting patiently for them.

I should mention I am Canadian so...LOL

I just shot the housing for 2 weeks in Bonaire and was very happy with my choice.

Cheers and good luck with your decision.

Todd

I had the temp light come on two weekends ago at a shoot, It was in a hall and the air temp was over 30C and the camera was shooting constantly for over two hours.... didn't stop though but my heart was racing as I couldn't afford it to stop.

What exactly happens to video shot while the sensor is over temp? The manual says it will be degraded.

I hadn't heard that the quality was decreased, just that you run the risk of frying the camera!

Cheers, Simon