Canon 7D mk2 owners thread.

Just for a change from all the birds and action stuff, I shot a wedding with mine on Saturday. Not what it was designed for, but I was delighted with how it behaved and the silent mode was superb. I was six feet from the couple during the ceremony (small room) and they said they couldn't here the camera at all.
 
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Gaz J said:
I don't have any button set to more than one function. The AF ON is just set to a particular AF CASE, AF POINT (5 point expanded) AI SERVO which is my preferred options for birds in flight.
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....Yes, the AF-ON button will surely always activate your pre-selected AF CASE, AF pts area, and AI SERVO / ONE SHOT according to what you have already set.

What I ideally would like is to be able to choose only one button, not a 2-step action, to toggle between AI SERVO and ONE SHOT without having to keep holding the button down and to do so with my eye still in the viewfinder.

Gaz J said:
It's possible to set the AE LOCK button to do the ONE SHOT/AI SERVO CHANGE. I'm
sure you already know that though Robin.
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....Yes, I already have AE LOCK *star button set to do the ONE SHOT / AI SERVO change and am practicing the technique of controlling both adjacent AF-ON and AE LOCK *star buttons simultaneously with my thumb. It's just a pity that I have to keep the AE LOCK *star button (or DoF button) depressed to remain in either AI SERVO or ONE SHOT and not return to the one I have pre-set.

Canon has also provided us with the ability to change between ONE SHOT and AI SERVO by using a small top plate button and scroll wheel but in practice that is not reliable while looking through the viewfinder.

Personally I don't find any of the small buttons on the top plate reliable to locate and use while looking through the viewfinder, especially as I only use telephoto lenses.
 
Why don't you use the AE LOCK button as a separate button set to the same as the AF ON but with ONE SHOT registered to it.

I've moved the ISO to the SET button to avoid having to use the top plate.
 
https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=399
RedRobin said:
Does anyone know of any particularly good 7D Mark II guide books now that it has been out for a few months, please?

The sort of guide which is real-world and with tips etc which Canon haven't covered in their manuals.
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This may help you Robin,
https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=399
I have the 5dmk3 version and found it useful. Also lots of good stuff on his website (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/)
 
Gaz J said:
Why don't you use the AE LOCK button as a separate button set to the same as the AF ON but with ONE SHOT registered to it.

I've moved the ISO to the SET button to avoid having to use the top plate.
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....Both sound like excellent ideas. I just need to find out how to 'register' ONE SHOT to it. Or indeed, how to 'register' anything!
 
I don't have my camera with me Robin so this is from memory. Go into custom controls and select the AE LOCK button. Third one down on left hand side I think. Once you've selected it press the info button. This opens a new menu. In this menu you can set the AF CASE, AI SERVO/ONE SHOT and the AF POINT /AREA. You can set all of the parameters or just the ones you want. So you could set it with your preferred AF CASE. ONE SHOT. SINGLE POINT for example. So no matter what the AF ON button does when you press the AE LOCK It reverts to the settings you have selected.
 
Gaz J said:
I don't have my camera with me Robin so this is from memory. Go into custom controls and select the AE LOCK button. Third one down on left hand side I think. Once you've selected it press the info button. This opens a new menu. In this menu you can set the AF CASE, AI SERVO/ONE SHOT and the AF POINT /AREA. You can set all of the parameters or just the ones you want. So you could set it with your preferred AF CASE. ONE SHOT. SINGLE POINT for example. So no matter what the AF ON button does when you press the AE LOCK It reverts to the settings you have selected.
Click to expand...

....Brilliant! Thanks, Gary!

I couldn't find the second menu before because the Info button option only appears if you select AF+Metering first. That's really useful as it's a superfast and easy way to switch between static subjects (perched bird) and tracking subjects (inflight bird). Perfect!
 
RedRobin said:
....Brilliant! Thanks, Gary!

I couldn't find the second menu before because the Info button option only appears if you select AF+Metering first. That's really useful as it's a superfast and easy way to switch between static subjects (perched bird) and tracking subjects (inflight bird). Perfect!
Click to expand...

Good. Hope it helps. I think I've pushed every button on that camera now to see what they do.
 
Gaz J said:
I've moved the ISO to the SET button to avoid having to use the top plate.
Click to expand...

....Another good tip from you.

I have now set Exposure Compensation to the SET button - Value changes are then selected with the Main Dial.

And my Quick Control Dial is set for ISO changes.

Time will tell if I prefer to swop those two controls vica-versa. It will probably depend on which of ISO and Exposure Compensation I change more often. Whichever is allocated to the Quick Control Dial will be actioned a bit more directly/easily.
 
I tend to use exposure comp a lot so have it set on the rear dial. In fact I would say 75% of my pics have exp comp on them.

One thing i havent tried is the C1/2/3 settings. Must look into that. One of the nice features on the 1DX is that if you have C1/2/3 set you can cycle through them with the M-Fn button. So again allowing settings to be changed without taking the camera from the eye.
 
Gaz J said:
One thing i havent tried is the C1/2/3 settings. Must look into that. One of the nice features on the 1DX is that if you have C1/2/3 set you can cycle through them with the M-Fn button. So again allowing settings to be changed without taking the camera from the eye.
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....The C1/C2/C3 presets are on my to-do list too. I haven't plucked up enough courage to set any yet but they seem a good idea and especially if you can cycle through them with the M-Fn button which otherwise I don't use.

My brain seems to find it difficult to follow Canon's Instruction Manual for some reason. I need to see each step illustrated in 'dummy' style.
 
RedRobin said:
....The C1/C2/C3 presets are on my to-do list too. I haven't plucked up enough courage to set any yet but they seem a good idea and especially if you can cycle through them with the M-Fn button which otherwise I don't use.

My brain seems to find it difficult to follow Canon's Instruction Manual for some reason. I need to see each step illustrated in 'dummy' style.
Click to expand...

I use c1/2/3/ almost all the time but set them to automatically update when I change any of the settings.
 
George said:
I use c1/2/3/ almost all the time but set them to automatically update when I change any of the settings.
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I think I missed something in the handbook George, can you tell me how to set it to update automatically please, or then, I could take another read of the handbook :facepalm:
 
Trev4 said:
I think I missed something in the handbook George, can you tell me how to set it to update automatically please, or then, I could take another read of the handbook :facepalm:
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Ooh, I would love to know that as well, I hadn't realised it was possible. I have pretty much given up on Custom Modes (as I did on the 7D), as they always need to be tweaked and then, as soon as the camera goes to sleep, you lose all your tweaks which I find really irritating.
 
Set-up (yellow) menu 4, option 1 (Custom shooting mode C1-C3), option 3 (Auto Update Set).

Page 464 in the manual.
 
Trev4 said:
I think I missed something in the handbook George, can you tell me how to set it to update automatically please, or then, I could take another read of the handbook :facepalm:
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Thanks, Scott, I'm in the USA at the moment so was out all day and just saw the post, and it's the same on the 1 Dx as well. Very useful!

By the way, the new 400 DO mk2 works really well with the 7D2, been playing with mine and even using it with a 2x extender!!.....400x2x1.6 is one huge reach!!..and hand holdable!!
 
Just ordered mine, I've been talking about it for a while the missus got fed up with me going on about it and said just order it:D
getting it from HDEW I got my last two lenses and 7Dmk 1 from them and they have been excellent
I've got lots of reading to do about the autofocus modes
I'm hoping to shoot dragonflies and puffins in flight for starters
 
LCPete said:
Just ordered mine, I've been talking about it for a while the missus got fed up with me going on about it and said just order it:D
getting it from HDEW I got my last two lenses and 7Dmk 1 from them and they have been excellent
I've got lots of reading to do about the autofocus modes
I'm hoping to shoot dragonflies and puffins in flight for starters
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That is just what is happening with me, I keep on talking about it and the misses is getting fed up with me now. I'm just waiting for the price for the 7D MK2 + 100-400 Mk2 to get to around £2500 and I'll order both from HDEW.
 
LCPete said:
Just ordered mine, I've been talking about it for a while the missus got fed up with me going on about it and said just order it:D
getting it from HDEW I got my last two lenses and 7Dmk 1 from them and they have been excellent
I've got lots of reading to do about the autofocus modes
I'm hoping to shoot dragonflies and puffins in flight for starters
Click to expand...

Well, best of luck with the puffins, not an easy subject!!
 
Steve W said:
That is just what is happening with me, I keep on talking about it and the misses is getting fed up with me now. I'm just waiting for the price for the 7D MK2 + 100-400 Mk2 to get to around £2500 and I'll order both from HDEW.
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Funny how we work it... I did exactly the same, kept rattling on about it, showing pics of it, etc etc... Until she said and I quote, "for christs sake just buy it and stop boring me to death!"

I bought from Panamoz which was a really painless and easy experience.
 
Its that kind of "we need permission" thing, as soon as they say "if you want it, then just get the damn thing then" then off you trot all happy with permission :-) I'm just waiting for the price to drop just a bit more, so she will have to put up with me showing her reviews, images of wildlife from people on here who have them, etc for another month or so yet.

I'll expect she will be ringing Canon soon to demand a price drop !!!!
 
I've just ordered one plus a 1.4x III extender. Hoping this will be a great combo with my recently aquired 100-400L Mk II. :)
 
Just as a matter of interest, the replacement body I got about 2 weeks ago is much more consistent in the af department...I suspect there was a bad batch to start with and hopefully it's sorted now.
I'm still pretty careful in less than ideal light conditions, however.
 
Just taken the plunge on a mk2. Ordered from Simply Electronics.

I know they get some bad press, but a friend has made 2 significant Canon purchases from them and had no problems.

Looking forward to receiving and trying at Assen later this month for the WBSK.
 
George said:
Well, best of luck with the puffins, not an easy subject!!
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Thanks George yes I've tried before without much luck
I won't be able to blame my equipment this time:D
 
Just as a matter of interest, the replacement body I got about 2 weeks ago is much more consistent in the af department...I suspect there was a bad batch to start with and hopefully it's sorted now.
I'm still pretty careful in less than ideal light conditions, however.

Good to hear that George, I found my second body like chalk and cheese from the first in the af operation. Really liking it now but it does seem to be s possible batch problem. Out of interest where did you buy your first body?
 
Both came from CVP in Birmingham, Trev, but I checked the 2nd one was from a newer batch.
 
George said:
Both came from CVP in Birmingham, Trev, but I checked the 2nd one was from a newer batch.
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Thanks George, as you know, that's where I bought mine, its looking towards a bad batch. At least the problem is sorted for us now.
 
Jackwow said:
I've just ordered one plus a 1.4x III extender. Hoping this will be a great combo with my recently aquired 100-400L Mk II. :)
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....7D2 + 100-400L II + 1.4x III is what I have but I try not to use the 1.4x as it does limit the selection of AF pt areas/zones quite severely. F/8 is ok but the lens autofocuses noticeably faster without the 1.4x.

The 1.4x is worth keeping but it mostly stays in my pocket and just gets used occasionally.
 
Mine should be here by the end of the week :banana:
Couple of questions please :)
Is the 7D 2 now supported by light room? , can I use lightroom to convert raws or is it still the canon DPP software which is fine but I've got used to LR now

Is anyone using the mk2 with the Canon 100L macro?
is the autofocus improved from using the 100L with the 7D mk1?
It does work ok with the MK1 but struggles a bit with small areas in macro at 1:1 such as damselfly tails even in spot mode
 
LCPete said:
Mine should be here by the end of the week :banana:
Couple of questions please :)
Is the 7D 2 now supported by light room? , can I use lightroom to convert raws or is it still the canon DPP software which is fine but I've got used to LR now

Is anyone using the mk2 with the Canon 100L macro?
is the autofocus improved from using the 100L with the 7D mk1?
It does work ok with the MK1 but struggles a bit with small areas in macro at 1:1 such as damselfly tails even in spot mode
Click to expand...
I'm using the 100L on mine and it was one of the first lenses I tried with my 7D2 as I wanted it to be quicker too. It was very low light when I tested it and it seemed to be about the same speed in low light as it had been in daylight on my 60D so I should imagine when I finally try it out properly il be quite impressed.
 
LCPete said:
Is anyone using the mk2 with the Canon 100L macro?
is the autofocus improved from using the 100L with the 7D mk1?
It does work ok with the MK1 but struggles a bit with small areas in macro at 1:1 such as damselfly tails even in spot mode
Click to expand...

....I do. But not as often as I will be doing when the Damselflies start emerging.

I came from the 70D and so don't know the 7D 'mk1' to be able to report comparisons.

I usually switch to manual focus for close-ups of Dragonflies etc.
 
LCPete said:
Mine should be here by the end of the week :banana:
Couple of questions please :)
Is the 7D 2 now supported by light room? , can I use lightroom to convert raws or is it still the canon DPP software which is fine but I've got used to LR now

Is anyone using the mk2 with the Canon 100L macro?
is the autofocus improved from using the 100L with the 7D mk1?
It does work ok with the MK1 but struggles a bit with small areas in macro at 1:1 such as damselfly tails even in spot mode
Click to expand...


Yes LR supports the camera.
 
LCPete said:
Is anyone using the mk2 with the Canon 100L macro?
It does work ok with the MK1 but struggles a bit with small areas in macro at 1:1 such as damselfly tails even in spot mode
Click to expand...

The AF is definitely better but I don't think it's a magic fix for the tiny DOF that you get from shooting very close. I'm looking forward to using my 100mm F2.8L with it this summer but I think I'll also be trying to make more use of my flash which I got just before xmas so I can afford to shoot with much narrower apertures than you can with natural light.
 
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