Luckily the first thing I shot with the 70D was a lightning storm, so it was long exposures & mostly black/dark photos.
The hot pixels (red) showed up in every photo from 1/60 sec on down to 30 sec.
The strange anomaly which the tech person at Canon said she'd never seen before, only showed up at 2 sec & slower.

These are actual size so you can see what it looks like, I just sharpened them a bit to give them better definition. They do not show up on video.

I do a lot of time lapse with stills, including evening & night, so the thought of having to clone out thousands of dots is unacceptable, let alone that I don't want this in a new camera.

Other than that, I've been very happy with it so far. Going to try some shots of birds in flight to test the focus tracking.

How is the continuous autofocus for video on the 70D? I was almost set to go for a GH3 kit but it's a bit much (over $2.200 Cdn) and the 70D looks attractive..even if it doesn't have a headphone jack but only if the continuous autofocus is really superior to the GH3...also, would this autofocus work with Tamron lenses?
E

I don't think the autofocus works with non-canon lenses at all, but haven't tried it. I suppose if the camera focusing works with your lens, the autofocus on the 70D will, but it's only a guess.

We shot a wedding using one as a 4th camera, but haven't taken a hard look at the footage, yet. So far, it looks like a nice bump up from our old T3is, but can't compare, really, to our 5d Mark iis. It is a very convenient camera, though, except for getting to the darn white balance ("Q" menu, then over... Grrr...)

I was almost ready to get the 70D to replace a couple of T3is but I'm not sure I'll be getting a significant bump in pic quality...I use my Canon XF300 and XF100 a lot but for interviews I like the look of the T3is. I record sound to a Tascam recorder. I like the continuous autofocus samples I have seen on some websites- I really wish it had a headphone jack...I should bring my non canon lens and test the autofocus for sure but now that I have done some research I can see why the Panny GH3 has so many fans...it sure has lots of good specs and the pic quality is better...I don't feel so confident about the autofocus system...argh...
and its pricey!
do you have any experience with both cameras? how does the 70D footage from the wedding looks? The focus was solid..?
thanks!
Erick

You either have a dead pixel on your camera or dust on your chip, you need to talk to another Canon services person, I don't know if 70D has a "manual clean" feature, read your manual, if it does, do it, it will mask the dead pixel, but for a brand new camera, I would return it and get another one.

I don't think the autofocus works with non-canon lenses at all, but haven't tried it. I suppose if the camera focusing works with your lens, the autofocus on the 70D will, but it's only a guess.

There are several test videos up with the 70D and the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. It seems to work just fine though not very quiet. I have a 70D on the way but don't own any AF glass other than Canon. I am looking forward to seeing what it can do with the EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS II though.

Bob

This review is kinda interesting because they put a go-pro on the top of the 70d so you can watch the auto focus in action.

Canon EOS 70D Hands-on Review (filmed with a Canon 70D) - YouTube

It does seem to autofocus quite well with the 70-200mm f2.8 IS L II, but an external microphone mounted in the hot shoe picks up the focusing noise. I don't have any STM lenses, but I have tried the 500mm F4 IS L, which makes the most noise in focusing, and the 24-105mm F4 IS L which is much more quiet than the 500mm. The 70-200mm seems to be even quieter than the 24-105mm.

Well..I got a 70D today at Best Buy and I decided to try it with my Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC which I have been using with my T3i for a couple of years...
I was only able to record video for 10 secs or so before the following message comes up on the LCD:

"!
Ensure a lens is attached.
Press STARTSTOP button to activate movie shooting"

I tried it several times and the message appears on the screen after a few seconds.

I decided to change the lens and use a Canon 50mm f1.8 and I was able to record video without any problems....

does this mean Tamron is not compatible with the Canon 70D?
the only reason I want the 70D is because of its continuous AF and that works with the Tamron...until recording stops and I get the warning message...

Anyone heard of a similar problem? The lens kit that comes with the 70D is f 3.5 to 5.6 and that is useless for video shot inside...

I would be disappointed if I have to return the 70D if I must purchase a ultra expensive genuine Canon lens..
help!!
thanks for listening
Erick

There are several posts across the web discussing the 70D not working with Tamron lenses in video AF. I would think Tamron will need to figure this out quickly. It could hurt their lens sales.

Bob

Thank you Bob. I tried searching for Tamron lens and Canon 70D in video autofocus before buying the 70D but didn't find anything..
well..that's the way it is and I don't see how Tamron could do anything about it..they will tell me to buy their newer lens!
an option for me would be to buy the Canon 17-50mm f2.8 at around $900 but that drives the kit too high I think. Maybe too close to the price of a GH3 with the 12-35 X Zoom..
the main reason I like the 70D is the video autofocus- and I was willing to ignore the lack of a headphone jack etc but if I have to buy new lens...
thanks for the help and support!
E

Hey Bob do you have a link of other people having problem with the tamron lens? Thanks.

Seems to work with a Sigma 150-500.

Hey Bob do you have a link of other people having problem with the tamron lens? Thanks.

I don't know if I could find the links. Pretty sure at least one was on YouTube. I did a lot of research before deciding to order one. I remember two separate reports that the 70D did not play nice with Tamron lenses. I just half skimmed over them because I pretty much stick with Canon glass these days.

Bob

It does seem to autofocus quite well with the 70-200mm f2.8 IS L II, but an external microphone mounted in the hot shoe picks up the focusing noise. I don't have any STM lenses, but I have tried the 500mm F4 IS L, which makes the most noise in focusing, and the 24-105mm F4 IS L which is much more quiet than the 500mm. The 70-200mm seems to be even quieter than the 24-105mm.

Good to know. I don't see myself recording audio when shooting with the 70-200. Have you tried shooting the 70-200 with a 1.4x TC?

Bob

This is not one of the links I saw before but, here is one about the Tamron 24-70 causing battery drain on the 70D and the 6D. It may be that you just need to send the lens in for a firmware update.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=16293412

Bob

This review is kinda interesting because they put a go-pro on the top of the 70d so you can watch the auto focus in action.

Canon EOS 70D Hands-on Review (filmed with a Canon 70D) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btaesOmA_ro)

I love that Youtube channel, they make it so much more intreating. I know all the tech, but for most people they make it rather easy to understand!

Bob,

I tried shooting video this morning with the 70-200mm and the Canon 1.4X II extender and it seemed to work as well as it did without it.

the 70D does have a self cleaning mode. The chart of compatible Canon Lenses from Canon is currently 103. Long list, however not all are on it, the STM class of glass is the best for video recording even if you are using an off board recorder like the Zoom, mounted on a hot shoe. Its probably a Tamron compatibility issue, and Canon may not have shared that information with other lens makers?

The touch screen is really helpful after you get used to it. and I like that the HDMI and the screen can both be hot at the same time.

All-I or IPB is a plus. Bummer about no headphone jack, since they make a point to tell you it has 64 step volume control.

Well, I contacted Tamron reps here in Toronto about my Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VC not working in video mode with the Canon 70D and they told me they are aware of the issue and will get back to me asap. I hope so!
Today im doing a small wedding so I decided to try the 70D With the 40mm f2.8 STM for the preps and pre-ceremony and pre-reception (paired with footage from a Canon XF 300 for the longer stuff) and i was impressed by its autofocus with the STM lens. Shooting at 2.8 and using selective focus it can rack focus smoothly and i dont have to guess. Sure i would love to monitor audio but at least for non critical audio there is volume indicators on the LCD and if i really want to do it right I can plug in my G2 sennheiser into a Tascam recorder with both line out to the 70D and headphone jack.
I just wish i dont have to buy new canon lens like their overpriced 17-55 f2.8
The LCD is good under most lighting.
On monday i will compare it to the GH3 which i hear is not as good.
I wonder if the GH3 has autofocus for video as good as the Canons
Anyone has hands on experience with both?
Thanks- almost missd the first dance!!
Erick

I have used a Panasonic GH3 since late January and I would agree that the LCD is not as good as that on the 70D. I have only used the 70D for about a week and need more experience to give more definitive opinions on the autofocus, but at this point it seems the Canon is at least as good if not better than the GH3. One thing I do know for sure is that the Canon menus are easier to understand (at least for someone who started digital photography with the Canon 10D in 2003 and has been using Canon DSLRs ever since).

A very useful feature on the 70D is the ability to turn autofocus off and on by touching the servoAF icon at the bottom left of the touch screen. This is much like the push autofocus that was on the XL-1s, XL-H1, etc. This enables you to lock focus so there it does not hunt. When it is locked the focusing box is greyed out. If you have stopped recording and the lens is in that mode you can hit the magnify buttons and fine tine your focus manually. It will remain at that point, until you touch the ServoAF icon again. I have not been able to find a control that is this positive and easy to use with the GH3.

The big problem is that I still prefer the look of the GH3 video, but prefer the way that the Canon operates in most respects. Thiis is not saying that the 70D video quality is bad, but it is not as sharp as the GH3. 70D video looks much like 7D, T3i, etc. video, while 5D MK III video has a different look. It is much harder for me to pick between the video quality of the GH3 and the 5D MK III, but I mostly use the GH3 because I film wildlife and need to reach out, so the M4/3 sensor of the GH3 and its' extended telephoto mode makes it a better choice. The 70D does have an aps-c sensor and it has the digital zoom which works reasonably well as long as one stays at 3X. This makes it competitive with the GH3 for long range filming and I especially like that I can use by Canon glass without having to use adapters. The next few weeks will tell which camera I end up using the most.

The touch screen is really helpful after you get used to it. and I like that the HDMI and the screen can both be hot at the same time. A

Craig, with my 70D i can have only hdmi/ av-out or the lcd screen, but not both together - is there a setting in the menue to have both hot?

Thanks

Klaus

Craig, with my 70D i can have only hdmi/ av-out or the lcd screen, but not both together - is there a setting in the menue to have both hot?

Thanks

Klaus

Strange. You might need to dig through the menus. Mine gave both right out of the box.

Bob

Is the 70d better than the 60d in low light or the same? anyone

I can't say compared to the 60D, but we own the 5d Mark ii and it's not as good. For us, we was a huge upgrade over the T3I/600D.

I'd say 3200 ISO is possible, though we really try not to go above 2500 ISO, compared to our 5d where I don't worry about 3200 too much.

Cheers Robert, just going to upgrade in Jan feb for next year but struggling low light 60d, so will probably be 6d or 5d iii.

Like I've said before, Steve, for us it's about flexibility. During the ceremony, we love the 70D. I can hide at the top of the aisle and have the bride and her dad stay in focus the whole way. Then, we use it for quick shots like parents reacting, where, again, the autofocus comes in very handy.

We went with 5d Mark ii because we got two of them, gently used (10,000 clicks each, or so) for $2100, which left room in the budget for the 70D (currently $1100). We may get another 70D in the spring so that both the wife and I can have one during prep times, where the follow focus would, again, be a wonder.

We haven't had any problems with our 70D since we got rid of all our standard class 10 SD cards and only use our extreme speeds instead.

Cheers Robert, will my 17-55 2.8 fit on there as I heard there is some mismatch on the 70d. and that lens will not fit. sigma 30mm 1.4 canon 1.4 sigma 70-200 my other lens. The 70 d is tempting I held one the other night and whilst I still love my 60ds it felt better in the hand. I did hold a 6d also and that felt good, the mark iii felt a little big and heavy so im weighing up my options still. Thanks for your info cheers