tonycarlson Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 I just upgraded from a Canon Rebel Xsi to a 7D. I have read through the manuel and there are a lot of "bells and whistles." If you had one tip to share what would it be? Thanks for your responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljwest Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Only one tip? Enable "Back Button Focus" http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/backbutton_af_article.shtml We're I allowed more, I'd suggest: Updating to Firmware 2.0.0, if it isn't already installed And Downloading the manual in PDF to your smart phone or tablet that goes with you and the camera... Enjoy your 7D! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_j2 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 <blockquote> <p>If you had one tip to share what would it be?</p> </blockquote> <p>So, you have learned the manual. Not to sound facetious, but use what you have learned and go out and use the camera. Find your comfort level with the camera. What else is there really to know?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuppyDigs Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 <p>I like Spot AF for center point assigned to the DOF button. The single most valuable 7D feature for me.</p> Sometimes the light’s all shining on me. Other times I can barely see. - Robert Hunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Collins Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 <p>My one tip would be to read the manual several more times, and then refer to it often. I've had mine for almost three years and I'm still learning how to use it more effectively. There is much to learn with this camera and you have to really understand it to get the most out of it and once you do, the results can be stunning. Also, learn how to customize/configure it to best suit your shooting style and needs. <em>Congrats on your purchase!</em> It's really an outstanding camera.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photodiscoveries Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Download the videos that show how the main points of the camera work, and load them onto your 7d. There are a over a dozen of them, each about 2 minutes. Always there to review or practice with. Get them from canon learning center. Free and valuable.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <p><strong>Carry the manual with you for the first year of shooting, at least.</strong><br /> It's easy for things to happen that "you don't remember how you got there", and the hard copy manual can be wonderful at those times. There are important differences between the 'Rebels' and the more advanced APS-C camera controls.</p> <p>2nd hint - start with P and choosing your ISO and work your way down the other modes and features. Look closely at the operating system settings - many of them make the camera more useful to YOU. This is probably less important to you given your earlier use of Canon cameras.</p> <p>I don't know what the default is on the 7D, but on most of my Canon dSLRs the default has been to allow you to shoot with NO CARD in the danged camera. Turn this "feature" off immediately. Other settings can be equally important to your own personal style of shooting.</p> <p>I nearly bought a 7D a week ago, and it will certainly be my next camera body to replace my 20D alongside my 5D mkii. If you've still got your 'Rebel', hang on to it. One body is not enough. ;)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith reeder Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <p>It's help to know what you intend to shoot, Tony...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbizarro Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <p>Well, bells and whistles can be noisy and get you confused. Apply the kiss principle to start with...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith reeder Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <p>"KISS" won't really work with the 7D - it doesn't really do "simple".</p> <p>Andy's got it right.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljwest Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <blockquote> <p>I like Spot AF for center point assigned to the DOF button. The single most valuable 7D feature for me.</p> </blockquote> <p>That's not bad, though I chose to set the DOF preview button to toggle the AF between AI Servo and One Shot. If the camera is in one mode, pressing & holding the DOF preview button puts it in the other. Release the button, and you're back to the camera setting. In AI Focus, it does nothing...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbas_haider Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 When I jumped from Nikon to canon it was all about noise focusing system and I have decided to go with 50D my friend who still shots Nikon adviced me to go to 7D as it has 1080p vedio which I don't shoot. But now when I saw the quality of the vedio and high ISO I can tell you that this cam will do whatever clicks in your mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philrichardson Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <p>As mentioned, I like the back button focus (focus assigned to the "AF-ON" button). I also like the quick control screen activiated from the upper left button on the back. Finally I like the C1, C2, C3 total recall settings on the shooting mode dial on top. I use one for birds in flight, one for static birds and the third for landscapes.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenPapai Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <p>>> If you had one tip to share what would it be?</p> <p>Be careful when handling -- the mode dial is FAR TOO EASY to accidentally change. Of the five or more EOS camera models I've used regularly since 1990, the 7D's mode dial is too easily changed (e.g., from Av to M).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wm._reed_lovick Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <p>The 7D is a wonderful camera. Enjoy!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stock-Photos Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 <p>If you have a modern Canon Flash, use the 7D's wireless trigger to fire the flash <em><strong>off-camera</strong></em>. (slave)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_landrum Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Ken Papai is correct. The mode dial is easily moved unintentionally. I took mine to Canon in Irvine, CA - just down the road from my house - and for $100 got the mode dial lock installed. It's worth every penny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonycarlson Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 Thanks to everyone's responses. For those that mentioned Spot Point AF, it's been set. This raises additional questions - which is better to use with AI Servo, Single Point AF or Spot Point AF? Also, for portraits what is the advantage of Spot Point AF over Single Point AF? To answer Keith's question, I like shooting Flowers, Nature, and am improving on my Portrait skills. Additionally, for those who suggest to start with what I know, I typically use AV and adjust settings according to my subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjoseph7 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 <p>If you compare the Manual of the 7D with that of the 60D, 50D, 40D, 30D, Rebel, 5D etc you will see about a 70 page increase in the 7D manual mostly having to do with live view and customization functions.</p> <p>If you make a living shooting specific items with your camera you might want to take advantage of the customization. Otherwise, if you are an infrequent user, or just a weekend warrior you might want to leave the camera "as is" or default which is what I do. The only things I think I changed is the Spot AF , the Grid, Auto Rotate of vertical images(disabled), Blinkies... mostly standard stuff that you can do with older models.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonycarlson Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share Posted September 11, 2012 For all you guys that responded, I had the opportunity to use my new Canon 7D this weekend to document a Civil War reenactment. I would like to invite you to view my folder "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_j2 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 <blockquote> <p>If you had one tip to share what would it be?</p> </blockquote> <p>So, aside from your wonderful folder, and as a conclusion, what tip have you learned that can be shared with us who may/not have helped you with your question above?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonycarlson Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 Peter J, Prior to this event, I had been watching a video on photo composition and the use of color and light. I did nothing new really. I stayed with my AV settings (that which I always have known). I was excited with the quality of resolution on the 7D. If there was anything new that I did, it was the use of what I learned about color and light in post processing. Except for the one picture, I asked myself, "if the Civil War was captured in color what would it look like?" Thanks everyone Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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