just bought a Canon Eos 7D any tips?

darrenm · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 10:15 PM

after working away for the last 6 months i am now back home and can dedicate some of my time to my passion for wildlife photography and decided to bite the bullet today and purchased a new Canon Eos 7D with a EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS USM lens. I have spent most of the last few years digiscoping and have used a few different set ups including my latest a Swarovski 65 angled scope and a Lumix DX3 camera but still felt like i was missing out on something allthough i have had one or two good results or at least some i am pleased with

but have found the whole thing a bit hit and miss at times and very frustrating at others.

With the new camera i was wondering if anyone has any basic tips they would be willing to share or some basic pointers and being a 'real grown up camera' newbie it would be very well appriciated.

Thankyou for any fourthcoming help.

Darren

Stephen Raff · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 08:18 AM

Hi Darren, thats some very nice kit you have there and a great combination.

There's heaps of personal preferences you'll build up in time some may not be everyones cup of tea. There's a lot of trial and error but heres a few from me to try out.

a) Shoot RAW, always
b) Use a tripod where possible or a monopod, even for panning shots.
c) If not using M (manual) metering use Av or Tv modes don't forget your exposure compensation facility.
d) I like to use the spot meter for subjects that are the main focus of the image, for a wider angle or habitat shot I'll use multi metering.

I'm sure other will have plenty more good advise for you but never be shy to ask, thats why these forums exist.

Stephen

PMG · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 08:39 AM

There was an active thread recently on the 7D as some of us who have bought one have taken some months to settle down with it and a couple of us thought we weren't going to get on at all - its a very different beast to the 40D - either that or I'm getting too old for learning new skills

If I spot the thread I will come back and post a link for you .........

7D AF test.

Yes I've managed to copy the link in - there's a lot of reading and conclusions and maybe more questions than answers on there!! Hope it helps?

darrenm · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 09:21 AM

thankyou PMG and the link is very useful

Have been messing around with it for a few hours this morning but so far i havnt a clue what i am doing and no doubt it will take me some time to get to grips with the basic functions.

So far none of the shots have been that clear or sharp and wonder if it is the right lens for the job or that i have the camera set up wrong and the image in the view finder dosnt seem to come into sharp focus when i try and adjust the lense....no doubt experienced users will be laughing their socks off at present

.

I've been trying it so far in auto settings and dont know how to make the image sharp in the view finder before i shoot or how to focus the lense on the subject matter.....like i said i'm a total newbie to grown up cameras and any more basic tips would be great.

Thankyou in advance

Stephen Raff · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 09:30 AM

Top right of your viewfinder is a small dial, try adjusting that whilst looking though it when you know the lens should be focuses on something.

Stephen

Stephen Raff · #6 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 09:37 AM

What's the distance of the subject you are shooting, perhaps you are to close for the lens.

If you are hand holding is your shutter speed high enough for the focal length, they say hand held the speed of the shutter should be equal or greater than the focal length so at 400mm you should be aiming for 1/400th or there abouts. With practice you can get this down and with the aid of IS. Its very easy with telephoto lenses to induce movement without realizing it.

Is you IS on the correct setting?
Off for tripod
1 for handheld
2 for panning
if I remember rightly

If you could post a sample with your settings that would help.

Stephen

darrenm · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 10:05 AM

thanks for the information Stephen and will try playing about with it a bit more and apply the tips you have given

.

Suppose i have jumped in at the deep end with this purchase and very eager to try and get some good results straight away

and now realise that it might take some time

.

Have been using a monopod with it this morning but will now try it on the tripod and see if that helps and will try and read and digest the manual... i'm just a typical bloke and think i can get by without reading the manual or understanding any of the functions

Stephen Raff · #8 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrenm

i'm just a typical bloke and think i can get by without reading the manual or understanding any of the functions

I am just same but Digital SLRs is one area I have found it pays off a great deal to sit down with the camera and run through the manual. It seems that top quality cameras can produce stunning results but they are less forgiving with your flaws.

Stephen

PMG · #9 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrenm

thanks for the information Stephen and will try playing about with it a bit more and apply the tips you have given

.

Suppose i have jumped in at the deep end with this purchase and very eager to try and get some good results straight away

and now realise that it might take some time

.

Have been using a monopod with it this morning but will now try it on the tripod and see if that helps and will try and read and digest the manual... i'm just a typical bloke and think i can get by without reading the manual or understanding any of the functions

Hee hee - I didn't read the manual either and thought I didn't need to having had a 40D and a 20D and a Pentax K1000 - nearly 40 years experience but the 7D appears to be a different animal altogether! Put the camera down make a brew and sit down with the manual for a bit! Don't forget to get the little diopter button correct so that you can see a sharp image adjusted for your eyesight - it won't make any difference to the camera focussing sharply but you will be able to see sharply what you want to focus on! Might sound silly but if you are so new to a 'big' camera then you may not know some of these things ........

MeadsMan · #10 (**permalink**) 07-12-2010, 12:24 PM

With the focus problems I assume you have the lens switched to AF,and are lightly pressing the shutter button to gain focus ? You only need to adjust the little dial at the side of the viewfinder once.Find a static subject in good light,let the camera focus on it,then adjust that little dial till it is sharp in the viewfinder.I would use the camera in Program mode for a little while if you are a little unfamiliar with AV and TV settings,and perhaps shoot in jpeg and probably set the picture style to landscape.We all will have different suggestions for you no doubt.But reading the manual is definitely a top tip.....I`ll get round to it one day.