A Canon 7D Killer?

I agree, the T2i is a consumer camera and as such the video specs are amazing, but as you say Don the weather proofing etc of the 5D2 & 7D is partly what you pay extra for.

Having said that I was shooting outdoors yesterday in a snow storm with the 7D wrapped in a plastic grocery bag, keeping perfectly dry.

See Walmart does serve a purpose ... free weather proof plastic bags ;)
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It does have great specs, I started with the Canon HV-30 and that is minimal now even though a majority of my sales still come from that grand ole camera. I've actually sold a number of videos from a very old Sony TR-27 and hand held (no not at SS ... since it was hand held). The subject is always more important than the actual camera used. Heck CNN and Fox use cell phone cameras for many of their news features. It's all in the setup or right place at the right time. With that said, I do believe that buyers do look at the camera used and if they are borderline on buying or not, the camera make and model will make the difference.

Me and a friend went out last night with cameras in hand. He has a 7 and I literally just unpacked my T2i, charged the battery and loaded the SD card.. shot a couple of low light shots as well as some footage. This camera is sweet. The first thing my friend could say is "wow, this thing is light!" - And yes, it is lighter than my old Rebel XTi, even though physically it has the same dimensions. It seems so far to do quite a nice job. I will be (time permitting) shooting this weekend and see what I can come up with. - All I can say is, so far very impressed and most likley an awesome tool for shooting stock.

The SD is nice being smaller but most of us with other Canon DSLR have a good supply of CF cards. I think it good to be able to exchange CF cards as needed between the 5D MKII and 7D. The idea of starting over with SD is not a happy thought.

At the low price of these cards in today's world, that would be the last of my concern.

The t2 looks like an awesome camera.

I dont really know about that weather proofing thing? Do you all think the t2 is has inferior weather proofing? Why? I mean it seems like it would be the same.

Right now I think these dslrs are coming down to personal preference, I dont care about the weight, the 35mm sensor size for DOF and low light is what I want and, I just personally like CF cards. So I still prefer the 5d.

But I don't necessarily think the t2 camera is inferior. I mean if it looks like 16mm film (dynamically) and you arent using it for photos I dont think of this camera as consumer grade for video. You have limitations in terms of low light and less DOF effect but its still better than most normal video cameras.

Phillip Bloom did a mini-review and said that it has weather proofing issues. But he said the video quality was outstanding. And I have seen some unbelievably good video on Vimeo from it. The KEY, as is typical, is to have good lenses. Right now the only opinions that matter are from those who actually HAVE the camera and not those who want to speculate based on what they have read.

Just as with the 7D, video is "not quite" as good as the 5D, but for $800 (body only) I will take "not quite".

I've made the jump from Nikon to Canon with my recent T2i purchase. My Nikon D90 is a great camera, but I've outgrown it's video capabilities (which wasn't my intended use when I bought the D90).

I also picked-up two Canon lenses, and I plan on starting to build my Canon arsenal and get better bodies as they are needed.

As far as weatherproofing: I really don't plan on shooting in torrential rainstorms or underwater, so I think I can make due with the T2i's build...

From Phillip Bloom - "I've left my 7D and 5D out in the rain, picked them up and started shooting. I definitely won't be doing this with my T2i."

None of them are "water proof" One of the biggest issues of dust. Over time fine dirt will make it's way through the buttons and dials of the "consumer" cameras. The 5D / 7D and other pro level have gasket seals around all the buttons and dials. Dust is always a problem with dslr with changing lenses. I really do not think the dust removal vibration system do much at all. As far as quality of photo and video, the T2i will sell photos and video with no problem. Heck I still have photos at Alamy taken with the Canon 20D that sell well. For portrait type work either one; for outside work the weather/dust seals are a very good thing to have.