FighterControl

Looking for some advice re the 7D Mk2 please.

I recently bought a 2nd hand 7d2 and having just bought a canon wifi card have realised that my cameras firmware isn't what it needs to be able to use the WiFi card.
I don't have access to a computer so wondering if there's another way I can update the firmware?
Secondly, do any other 7d2 users use a card reader to download the photos?

Last question, is there any good laptop aviation photographers would recommend? Ideally not breaking the bank.

I appreciate this is a heavy filled post, but im grateful for any advice, as I currently feel like I am unable to use my 7d mark2

You will need access to a computer to update the firmware. Either to do it using the EOS Utility software, or by copying the files to a memory card. Precise instructions are included in the firmware download. You could ask a friend/family member if you could use their computer until you get your own.

I don't have a 7D2, but I usually use a card reader to copy photos from my cameras. I find it quicker and easier than connecting cameras to the computer. Plenty of other people do to, but either way works fine.

As for choosing a laptop, from a photography perspective the most important thing is the screen quality. Reading reviews should help establish this, but it is a bit of a minefield at the lower cost end. At least 8GB of RAM is useful to ensure things don't slow down with multiple image files and applications open. Other than that think about size versus portability, and what else you will be doing with it (such as gaming or video editing) to decide whether you need a high performance CPU or not.

My advise cardreader vs pc connection, pc connection is better because that way you can not damage the cardpins by removing and installing your card every time you need to download pictures.

Cheers,
Ranger

I don't think you'll get far without a PC with a large hard disk - where are you going to store the photos you take? Or are you saying you use Apple/Android/Mobile devices only? I have a 7D2 and the WIFI card, but I've never used the WIFI - to do so you need to remove the SD card, which cuts your cameras internal storage by at least half. It will also reduce battery life, which is already marginal on a 7D2. A single battery often doesn't last a days spotting. I turn off GPS for the same reason.

I've just bought one of these for an upcoming 3 week trip stateside : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375192618442 . Few laptops/notebooks support CF and SD cards anymore with integrated slots, so you'll need something that connects to whatever device you have. Most modern notebooks have USB-C sockets, so you'll need something with a USB-C connector on it. Older notebook PC's and most desktops still have some USB-A sockets.

I've also just bought a Surface Pro7 notebook. They aren't cheap but they can do everything a home PC can do. It's 2 generations behind the current latest and greatest, but does have both USB-A and USB-C ports, and an integrated SIM for ADSB-EX on the go. I ALWAYS - repeat ALWAYS - download photos from the camera (and log up from the day note pad) every night into the portable PC. You don't want to lose stuff should something go wrong. In some circumstances it's also a good idea to regularly email yourself your logbook - not really practical with photos though.

At home I have a homebuilt desktop PC with two 10 TB hard disks and an inbuilt card reader. There is an argument for also using an external hard disk for backups should your PC die. Once you've gone digital you'll be snapping away willy-nilly and be amazed how quickly you fill up hard disk space. Gone are the days of choosing what to take photos of because you've only got 36 exposures on the roll of film. My last trip to the states I took almost 10K pictures!