1:
Read the manual at least THREE times. Yeah, I know. This sounds like comedy, right? NO! This is a complicated camera, a technological and mechanical wonder. The thing simply cannot be learned overnight. Nine months in, and I still refer to the 7D's manual. Things like Highlight Priority and Auto Light Optimization must be read about and settings learned. The complex flash, with its awesome wireless capabilities, needs schooling. The manual is the best way to get "schooled." And far less embarrassing than in the field.
2:
Avoid Live View. Until you learn to shoot this marvel, stay out of the live modes and video modes. Learn to use this as a DSLR. It shoots great video, so I have heard...if you get my point.
3:
Avoid high ISOs. This is not just a rule for the new owner of a fabulous Canon 7D. No, this tip is for all photographers who want to take better photos. High ISOs are horrible. Plain and simple, avoid ISOs over 800 and maybe 1600 for low-light fast shutters. I have gotten high quality prints from ISO 3200, for boxing, when I needed a really fast shutter, but generally avoid high ISOs. (See Tip 4, Prime Lenses)
4:
PRIME LENSES. Enough said, but I'll say more. Prime lenses are much crisper than zoom lenses. There is less distortion at the edges with primes, and clarity tends to be sharper. Fast primes, such as Canon's EF 50mm f1.4 USM are super handy, and a valuable tool in any photographer's hands. Lenses such as the 24mm f2.8 or the 85mm f1.8, are decent, as primes go, and are extremely thrifty.
If you are interested in sports or wildlife, a fast 200mm to 400mm would suffice. Good zooms are available, such as the EF 28-135mm IS USM, and the EF 70-300mm IS USM. Both are affordable, but neither is fast.
Photo shot with the EFS 60mm Macro and Canon XTi.
5:
Macro. Canon makes a EFS Macro lens for the 7D, the EFS 60mm f2.8, and also makes the full-framed EF 100mm Macro f2.8, which does work on the cropsensor 7D as a 160mm Macro lens. Which you add to the 7D is your choice, but make it happen. Macro opens a whole new world to the fast focusing 7D.
6:
Learn the Custom Settings. The C1, C2, and C3, can be used for specialty stuff like flash photos, action shots, or night photography. Make use of the settings, as they add function and efficiency to your shooting. Street photogs will appreciate these Dial Functions, as they add settings like "low-light urban" and monochrome portraiture. Once again, use this camera's functionality.
7:
Auto White Balance. I tend to use Auto WB in most spots. The camera is far smarter than I, when it comes to light. Enough said. If you are super-advanced, and can adjust for color manually, can we meet for dinner and a beer?
8:
When it comes to things like Metering Modes, I suggest reading the Manual and adjusting accordingly. I tend to use Center-Weighted Average mostly, but I will use Spot Metering occasionally, when shooting bugs and stuff. I also use the Servo Focus Mode in those spots. Remember to use Servo when shooting action like wildlife or sports.
9:
Learn to use the Exposure Lock, the little "star" icon on the upper right of the camera body. In situations where metering will be of high dynamic range, using the lock will keep the exposure you choose. The Menu button resets the exposure. I have found this useful for photography of wildlife that is in thick cover, but somewhat unmobile, if only by choice...
10:
Refer to the Manual often, as the settings and functions are discussed in depth. Many forums exist online, and Canon can be helpful as well. Picture Style settings are explained and those settings have not only custom sets, but one can also alter the default parameters. Meaning, the default "Landscape" setting, could be adjusted for less sharpness, if so desired. Learn these settings and their uses.
Remember that hand-shake is efficiently eliminated with fast shutters, and not "Image Stabilization," which does help. Use this gauge to eliminate blur: Shutter = 1/ 1.5x Focal, meaning a 100mm lens needs a 1/150 second shutter to stop average hand-shake. Shutter Priority Mode is best for this.
In broad daylight, shooting in Aperture Mode(Av) is awesome, especially controlling depth of field. Because of the more-than-sufficient light during bright days, in Av Mode the camera is able to set a super-fast shutter. No worries about blur, in most bright daylight situations...
Use the tools provided, such as the 10 second shutter delay, and the lens correction data. Canon has done well, and as a photographer, we can do as well. The tools and instruction are there.
At the end of the day, simply reading and shooting, will do the most in the way of increasing your knack for high-quality photos. Canon and the 7D are ready.
Are you?
Canon 7D & Sigma EX 10-20mm HSM
Nice post. We are all tempted by the thrill of our new camera not to bother with reading the manual, but doing so (frequently) is a valuable tool in our progression to improving our skills.
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