[Ernie Fritz]

Daniel

You make some fair points. Always, Always, Always back up multiple copies to multiple places.

So, to be clear — FCP7 works fine on El captain (for me – your result may vary) and certainly fine on Yosemite.

I guess, what I object to is when people ask; why would one want to keep working on FCP7? — it’s because it still works great and it make sense (If you own it — it’s FREE). Editing skills do not improve with better wipes but you machine may improve with a newer OS. So, if you can have both, why not?

I HAVE gone through the nightmare of loosing files and DO know what it’s like. I have probably been through every possible nightmare scenario between FILM labs, RT11 files, EDL’s, OMF’s, Bad XML files, PAL to NTSC issues, Drop Frame and Non Drop Frame, square and non-square Pixels … And so, I don’t take the original query lightly … still, that was the question being asked. I do use newer software as well, but for day to day cutting — getting the edit right –FCP7 is still pretty great. Why apple didn’t go for FCP8 is the real question.

[Ernie Fritz]

I have updated one (actually older) Macbook Pro to El Capitan and FCP7 works fine. I have even run a recent project on the system for a few hours and all seems to be well. (I did not use the installer, but rather already had FCP7 on the computer — so I can’t speak for the installer issue that some people are reporting)

As far as Yosemite, I’ve been running FCP7 on that for months and had not had any issues at all. Works great on two different systems.

As far as the issue of why still use FCP7? … As a few people have already noted, we all have our reasons. Just leave it at that. Some of us STILL like it very much.

I, for one, still edit all my projects on FCP7, and then export the final XLM into FCPX (7toX) and finish the titles and color there. (The audio is a mix between FCP7 (OMF export) and and FCPX — don’t ask, but it works for me) FCPX is quite nice for many “finishing” things but I would hate to edit an hour+ documentary on it. It’s just not really great for long-form projects.

The bottom line is this, FCP7 is still great. So, not to be a hard-ass, but if someone posts a question, shouldn’t we try to answer it rather than tell the person to forget it — It’s really not helpful. We’re editors … we solve problems. That’s what the job is, because God knows, they didn’t do it on set.