7D Mark2 advice please Seaton Wetlands 2017

[Frank the Dog]

Hi Everyone,

Just after a bit of assistance here please. I'm an old git of a certain age, not a Luddite but more of a technophobe!

I've been using a Canon 500D for the last 6 years, gradually getting back into aviation photography, and this winter I've been practising on birds at the local Wetlands, a 5 minute walk from where I live. The Kingfisher images were all taken on the 500D, and are heavily cropped and not the best focus. However, I was pleased with the satisfaction of waiting and taking a photograph that was unexpected


IMG_9589 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
IMG_9575 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
IMG_9574 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
IMG_9573 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr

After this, I managed to upgrade to a 7D Mark2 and took the following. Some are ok, some are in dodgy light, but what I'm really after is any constructive criticism with regards to using the 7D please. The jump in options, capabilities and quality from the 500D are awesome.


0C6A0722 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
0C6A1212 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
0C6A1813 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr

0C6A1076 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr

0C6A1068 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
0C6A1064 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
0C6A1070 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
0C6A1071 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
0C6A1605 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
0C6A1624 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
0C6A1638 by [ur0C6A1639 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
l=https://www.flickr.com/photos/102641715@N06/]Phil Roberts[/url], on Flickr
0C6A1661 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr

Any help much appreciated, thanks in advance

Phil

[igorski]

I've just got a 7D2 as well, and it seems we have the same long lens too. For moving subjects it seems best to use the centre point (or centre plus assist points) rather than the larger areas of auto focus points. I've only taken it out photographing birds the once so that's a just quick impression, but after I settled on the centre point I did seem to get more in focus shots.

I notice some of you shots have quite a high aperture setting (16 on the robin), did you find that helped the sharpness of the lens?

[deerhunter]

I've had a 7d mk2 for a while and quite frankly if you just use the centre point plus assist you are not using the camera to its full potential.

I use back button focusing, one set to 9 point af tracking and one set to single point. The first is for motion ie birds,planes etc in flight and the latter for static.

It took a while to get used to it, but the results are great, I also shoot in burst mode.

The camera is , in my opinion brilliant and coupled with the 100 ..400 mk 2 awesome.

It's 0530 and I'm off out to photograph roe deer .

[igorski]

if you just use the centre point plus assist you are not using the camera to its full potential.

I dont doubt it, and I have experimented with the other modes for other subjects, just relating my experiences so far.

I use back button focusing, one set to 9 point af tracking and one set to single point.

Is this using C modes on the dial?

[deerhunter]

Go into the customise menu, you can then set which buttons do what.

I have disabled focusing with the shutter release and reconfigured two of the buttons to focus, you can then pick which focus points, mode you want. There is a you tube video showing how to do it.

Regards

Dave

[igorski]

I have disabled focusing with the shutter release and reconfigured two of the buttons to focus

I've already been using back button focusing since before I had the 7D2, but definitely going to try the additional custom controls you've mentioned.

[Frank the Dog]

Thanks for the help chaps, much appreciated. I think the wide aperture was to throw the background out, but it did unexpectedly help with the sharpness. I need to experiment with the back button, it possibly seems the way forward.

Thanks again,

Phil