14 DAY TRIAL // Back in May we told you that prototypes of the upcoming Canon EOS 7D Mark II would be tested at the 2014 FIFA World Cup by a select group of lucky photographers.
The Canon 7D Mark II has been in the rumor mill since forever. Countless reports and leaks have showed up online to the point that they sometimes seemed an annoyance.
Canon seems to be quite ambivalent about this product. We have been expecting the shooter to arrive during the second quarter of 2014, but this obviously didn’t turn out to be the case.
The latest information we have regarding this aspect is the device won’t be coming in August either, but in September, a few days ahead of Photokina.
Anyway, as we told you above sources familiar with the matter claimed the Canon 7D Mark II would be making an appearance at this major event. The device hasn't been spotted in the wild until now, but Northlight-images reports ever watching eyes have noticed a photographer that never changes place.
Moreover, it appears he’s using a Canon product, which seems conspicuously covered up. So you shouldn't be surprised when we tell you some eager minds are claiming this is Canon’s upcoming flagship APS-C camera.
Now come the conspiracy theories. Sure, it rained during the world cup, but most of the event enjoyed some clear weather. On top of that, the cameras are supposed to be weathersealed anyway, so it is argued it doesn't make much sense to cover the shooter. Unless you’re trying to hide something, like an upcoming product you don’t want people seeing before the major launch.
Well, bottom line is that a photographer using some kind of Canon DSLR has always kept his shooter covered, despite the decent weather and the fact that he didn't really have to.
Furthermore, he was spotted during the Germany vs. Algeria game, which took place in conditions of light rain, but no other photographer covered his camera.
Since the Canon 7D Mark II is expected to be a weathersealed device too, most people agree our photographer was hiding something of interest.
In anticipation of the September launch, the current Canon 7D is being offered with a price tag of $1,000 / €735. As we advanced towards the big date, the camera could see further price reduction so if you don’t mind purchasing a soon to be previous-gen device, keep an eye out for this baby.