Congratulations Michael clear, concise and articulate explanations supported with first class visual aids.13 years on still the best available video on this topic by a country mile .
Yes, you are shooting with a basic mode. Turn the dial to P, TV, AV, or M then check your menu. I would highly recommend the Canon 7D Crash Course, it will same you tons of headaches.
Michael's EOS 7D tutorial is quite possibly the best learning tool for quickly learning the use, utility, and functions of the camera. Outstanding, well-organized, simple to understand, and coherent tutorial. Very well done!
Man I am learning a great deal from you!! I just bought a Canon 7D and a 5D Mark ii for next to nothing and I’m excited to get into photography. Thanks Michael for all the great videos!!
Thank you for providing this tutorial. I have upgraded my camera gear to a 7D and two 2.8 L-Series lenses. I am fast learning that focus points are crucial. Your tutorial is straightforward and will allow me to practise my skills further
Thanks, Michael, for a great video introducing the focus system. I'm coming from the 50D and I'm learning how to live without that sports mode. Now I also know how to focus to shoot the horse races.
I can also highly recommend Michael's Canon 7D crash course. I purchased it through Amazon about a month ago and it is great! Very well presented, clear, and understandable and the video quality is top-notch. Also, importantly, very well indexed and easy to navigate to any section that you need at any particular moment. This testimonial is unsolicited. As of this date, I have written the only review so far on this item on Amazon.
thanks for the tutorial. I appreciate people who share their knowledge without anything in return. Very helpful. I just bought my Canon 7D and still learning the buttons. I came from Nikon too.
@mjrtoo Its a good question- Unfortunately the points do not cover the entire viewfinder so there are occassions you will have to do it. DOF issues will occur with very wide apertures, and it depends on distance, but if you are shooting at f4.0 or above, it isnt an issue. While there is a sweet way to get around it using live view, *abd U teach on the Advanced course) Recomposing is a skill all photographers should know no matter what camera they are shooting with.
THANK YOU!!!!! Every video talks about how important AI-servo is so I've been shooting on it, recomposing my frames using back-button focus and wondering why on earth I couldn't get my original focus point in focus after recomposing. You have saved my photography life by clearing this up for me: one shot and not back button! Great video, thank you!!
Great tutorial! Thanks a lot. I've been "wingin' it" for years, even though I knew I needed to learn better practices. Thanks for finally booting me into focus! ha.
Hi Bonnie- I havent sent out a newsletter in years so I do not think its mine. The downloads and DVDs work great and you will be able to view them. Thanks!
Helpful for a 6D user in 2021 that picked up a mint 7D for cheap for the extra crop reach and FPS at horse events. Having been used to just using the single centre point (that's really all you have on a 6D) for a few years it was odd working out having 19 points and several group/cluster options. Thanks
Depends on what you are doing. Sometimes your focus point will be outside your focus point area, especially when shooting portraits. It is a classic technique.
Thank you Michael, this is so nice, I've been trying to play so many other youtube videos until I played yours - now it feels like I understand it! love it... I'm so excited to use my camera.
Hey Michael, really enjoyed the video. As someone who switched from Nikon to Canon recently, found this really helpful. Also, I'll be buying the DVD, well 2 copies, one for me and one to give away in a competition on my fan page on FB. Thanks again.
@jwjsierra The 7D crash course is super helpful. I've had it for a couple months now and I feel it set a solid foundation for me. I still watch it from time to time and find myself learning something new.
@ louisep1979 - are you in a creative or automatic mode? @ Kris- This is a DOF issue. I think you would both find my crash course on the 7D very helpful. Best wishes
Test it in Av mode. What you are seeing is the "predicted" exposure in Manual Mode. Its normal. You might find my Canon 7D Crash Course Tutorial DVD to be very helpful. Best wishes
Just a quick question,would single point be ok for concert photos,or would expansion be a better set up.This is explained nice and simple,but this will be my first time shooting proper with my 7d after owning it for just 3 days.
Sounds like you are in live view mode. In that case you press the Q button then use the M-Fn to switch between AF Area Modes, then while in the desired mode use the large and small wheels to select your individual focus point or focus cluster depending on which Area Mode you selected.
Thanks for the video. I have a question about what focus mode is best for portraits of children - solo or with one sibling. They are in a confined area but never completely still even when sitting. It seems like Zone might be a good choice. Also AI Servo or Single Shot. With AI Servo, if you don't focus and recompose - how do you focus?
I know im almost 3 years late, but excellent video man! I do got a question tho. I shoot field sports with a 300 f/2.8. before this vid i shot solely using the zone AF, quickly shifting to compose the photograph accordingly. You said the expansion AF is useful for far away- so when action is on the other end of the field. but I've found, say 1/12 of my closer shots will fall out of focus while using zone, and once that one falls out, the following 3 shots will as well. any suggestions for me?
Hey Michael, good info ... it led me to purchase your course. However, for international customers I think it'd be nice to offer download only as an option. There's no need no need for me to pay for international shipping that way....
Hi Michael :) Your videos are very informational and helpful. I have a question about the focusing system; if I want to take pictures of a group of people, what focus type should I use? I have been using the "beginner" focusing type and some of my subjects turned out blurry because they were not closest to the camera... :(
Hi Michael! I hope you assume there's no dumb questions, 'cause i have one! You explain how to recompose the shot after AF lock has been achieved, but why should i bother selecting the AF point first? In other words, let's say my middle AF point is currently selected: i could simply focus using this middle point and then recompose without having to select another point first, could i? Am i missing something? Looks like a waste of time to me, since i have to recompose anyway! Thanks!
Hi Michael can you give me some tips on what picture style I should use for general purpose for my canon 7d I was told to set everything on zero meaning the contrast, sharpness, and saturation in the image settings or use faithful picture style. If you also have a video on picture styles let me know so I can get my self a copy thank you hope to hear from you soon
Hello Michael, Your Videos always helped me, but now that I started to use my 7D to do club photography I find it so hard to focus in low light, even tho having the 580 EX II on camera, is there any of your videos you would recommend me please? or any advice it would be great help, you are brilliant. Regards. :)
great tips also you want to learn how to remember AF points and learn the AE/LOCK very important for exposer and recomposing. but MichealTheMentor probley has a vid on this already
@MichaelTheMentor Thanks so much for replying, I use in Manual mode or apt priorty mainly.... but worked it out I think I had problems with just selecting..??? unsure what I was doing!! I have had a good play with what you have taught, and its helped in lots of ways Love your easy to undersatnd way of explaining, keep it up :) also love the new videocomparing 7d and 5d mark2.... I think your bang on Cheers louise
Hello, thanks for posting. I just got this camera for aerial photography, if you can please tell me how to set it right so i can have the best of the camera. Thanks again!
Hi there, loving your tutorials! I have a question for you or any one who knows... at 2:32 in this tut we are able to make sure all autofocus/drive options are ticked on, I cant seem to tick two of the options... Expansion and spot. What and why can I not tick these on? Any Ideas thanks so much
Have you ever had an issue with auto-focus points jump or grab onto something else other than what you focus on causing your subject to be slightly out of focus? Like right beside what you want to focus on.. eg. face, body, object, etc..? I shoot with a Canon 7D and a 70-200 f/4L non-IS lens and this happens quite frequently. I experience it of multiple focus patterns..
Congratulations Michael clear, concise and articulate explanations supported with first class visual aids.13 years on still the best available video on this topic by a country mile .
Yes, you are shooting with a basic mode. Turn the dial to P, TV, AV, or M then check your menu. I would highly recommend the Canon 7D Crash Course, it will same you tons of headaches.
Michael's EOS 7D tutorial is quite possibly the best learning tool for quickly learning the use, utility, and functions of the camera. Outstanding, well-organized, simple to understand, and coherent tutorial. Very well done!
Man I am learning a great deal from you!! I just bought a Canon 7D and a 5D Mark ii for next to nothing and I’m excited to get into photography. Thanks Michael for all the great videos!!
Thank you for providing this tutorial. I have upgraded my camera gear to a 7D and two 2.8 L-Series lenses. I am fast learning that focus points are crucial. Your tutorial is straightforward and will allow me to practise my skills further
Thanks, Michael, for a great video introducing the focus system. I'm coming from the 50D and I'm learning how to live without that sports mode. Now I also know how to focus to shoot the horse races.
I've been struggling with my focus for a long time, this great video just made my life so much easier, Thank you!
Michael, this was SO helpful. I've been getting frustrated with my 7D focusing system and missing some shots because of it.... this REALLY helps.
I can also highly recommend Michael's Canon 7D crash course. I purchased it through Amazon about a month ago and it is great! Very well presented, clear, and understandable and the video quality is top-notch. Also, importantly, very well indexed and easy to navigate to any section that you need at any particular moment. This testimonial is unsolicited. As of this date, I have written the only review so far on this item on Amazon.
Wow I have had my Canon 7D for years now and with your video you have help me out a lot... Thanks
thanks for the tutorial. I appreciate people who share their knowledge without anything in return. Very helpful. I just bought my Canon 7D and still learning the buttons. I came from Nikon too.
Got my 7d arriving this week, Will now order your dvd off the back of this very helpful video. Thanks
I just bought a 7D yesterday. Excellent training video.
@mjrtoo Its a good question- Unfortunately the points do not cover the entire viewfinder so there are occassions you will have to do it. DOF issues will occur with very wide apertures, and it depends on distance, but if you are shooting at f4.0 or above, it isnt an issue. While there is a sweet way to get around it using live view, *abd U teach on the Advanced course) Recomposing is a skill all photographers should know no matter what camera they are shooting with.
This is great stuff! As a happy owner of a "new" used 7D, I appreciate excellent guides like this.
THANK YOU!!!!! Every video talks about how important AI-servo is so I've been shooting on it, recomposing my frames using back-button focus and wondering why on earth I couldn't get my original focus point in focus after recomposing. You have saved my photography life by clearing this up for me: one shot and not back button! Great video, thank you!!
This is the BEST helpful tidbit about my 7D that I have ever received. Definitely getting the DVD. Thank you!
Thank you so much !! I hate reading through manuals, yet such a simplified explanation is so great, and enjoyable.
Much easier to comprehend than the manual.
Watching in 2020 😁 you still have the best tutorials ever ❤️
Thank you marinel
13 years later and this video gave me new info about my 7D.
We have downloads for almost all my videos. Thanks for your support!
man, I wish there was someone like this guy who makes tutorials for the Nikon stuff.
Great tutorial! Thanks a lot. I've been "wingin' it" for years, even though I knew I needed to learn better practices. Thanks for finally booting me into focus! ha.
Hi Bonnie- I havent sent out a newsletter in years so I do not think its mine. The downloads and DVDs work great and you will be able to view them. Thanks!
Immensely helpful. I really messed up a shoot yesterday because I didnt know this information. THANK YOU.
Helpful for a 6D user in 2021 that picked up a mint 7D for cheap for the extra crop reach and FPS at horse events. Having been used to just using the single centre point (that's really all you have on a 6D) for a few years it was odd working out having 19 points and several group/cluster options. Thanks
Excellent instructional video! I recently upgraded from a Canon 10D to a 7D and the new focus system is very different. Thanks!
Thank you very much for these tips! Just bought a 7d and was struggling with focus as I had a 650d! So thank you very much
Depends on what you are doing. Sometimes your focus point will be outside your focus point area, especially when shooting portraits. It is a classic technique.
Yes- it is already posted here on youtube. Thank you!
Thanks for your support!
Great stuff through and through especially the custom settings.
@Vashinator Yep- This is an actual lesson from the DVD training video. As you probably know, DVDs play on SD, which is Standard definition. Thanks
Thank you for posting this. I just purchased (downloaded) the lesson from your site.
Thank you, you make it so easy to understand.
thx for this.brilliant. bot the 7d today and you've got me getting creative already
Thanks for this video just picked up a 7D today helped with quick settings in menu
Thank you Michael, this is so nice, I've been trying to play so many other youtube videos until I played yours - now it feels like I understand it! love it... I'm so excited to use my camera.
My pleasure! Thank you for writing! :)
Thanks Michael. My 7D is in the mail. Just getting some lessons on the differences from my 50D.
Very usefull hand understandable training. I own a 7D MKI and this is the 1st time i realy understand how to use te different focal point. hanks!
Hey Michael, really enjoyed the video. As someone who switched from Nikon to Canon recently, found this really helpful. Also, I'll be buying the DVD, well 2 copies, one for me and one to give away in a competition on my fan page on FB. Thanks again.
24-70 2.8 was used to film. I believe the 35mm 1.4 is on the 7D
Thank you for posting this. I'm going to purchase the lesson from your site.
Agree. Plus focus recompose can cause distance errors depending on distance from subject, especially if close
The 7D Crash Course CD/download is well worth the money. Thanks Michael.
@jwjsierra The 7D crash course is super helpful. I've had it for a couple months now and I feel it set a solid foundation for me. I still watch it from time to time and find myself learning something new.
Great Tutorial, I will purchase the course soon.
Hi Michael, Great video tutorial on Canon 7D. Could you also do a video Focus Squares Tutorial | Nikon D600 Training DVD Video tutorial?
Very good and easy to follow tutorial.
Thank You!
@ louisep1979 - are you in a creative or automatic mode? @ Kris- This is a DOF issue. I think you would both find my crash course on the 7D very helpful. Best wishes
Outstanding video Michael..!!..nice and simple presentation - Thank You!!!
Thanks, very useful. Hope I could afford the crash course. Hope to see more from you
Great tutorial. After watching lots of videos and reading numerous articles this explains it much more clearly. Thank you very much :-)
Very well explained and easy to follow. A great help, thank you.
Thanks for the video on the 7D. Which one works best for group shots?
Change your mode dial to P, Av, Tv, or M. Consider the Canon 7D Crash course too! thanks!
Test it in Av mode. What you are seeing is the "predicted" exposure in Manual Mode. Its normal. You might find my Canon 7D Crash Course Tutorial DVD to be very helpful. Best wishes
You are the best teacher! ;) best regards from Italy
Just a quick question,would single point be ok for concert photos,or would expansion be a better set up.This is explained nice and simple,but this will be my first time shooting proper with my 7d after owning it for just 3 days.
1st technique you describe for moving subjects.
You need to have deeper DOF. Aim at the first row for 2 rows, the 2nd for more than 2.
Hi Michael , great video. I have a 5 D mark 2 same rules apply ??? Or is it just 7 D ???
Thanks for the help! It was really great. I was just wondering what lens do you have mounted on the 7D?
You are welcome. If you want more training, be sure to check out the Canon 7D Crash Course!
great tutorial, learned a few very helpful new things here...thanks!
Great video. I am learning more about portrait/headshot photography. Would this help me?? IF so, please let me know!
Sounds like you are in live view mode. In that case you press the Q button then use the M-Fn to switch between AF Area Modes, then while in the desired mode use the large and small wheels to select your individual focus point or focus cluster depending on which Area Mode you selected.
Thanks for the video. I have a question about what focus mode is best for portraits of children - solo or with one sibling. They are in a confined area but never completely still even when sitting. It seems like Zone might be a good choice. Also AI Servo or Single Shot. With AI Servo, if you don't focus and recompose - how do you focus?
I bought this dvd.... Worth every penny
Sometimes the area of focus falls outside of the area covered by the focus squares.
I know im almost 3 years late, but excellent video man! I do got a question tho. I shoot field sports with a 300 f/2.8. before this vid i shot solely using the zone AF, quickly shifting to compose the photograph accordingly. You said the expansion AF is useful for far away- so when action is on the other end of the field. but I've found, say 1/12 of my closer shots will fall out of focus while using zone, and once that one falls out, the following 3 shots will as well. any suggestions for me?
Just bought the 7D about two hours ago. This video has saved me so much time/trial & error...mostly error.
Thanks a million.I was going bananas trying to get the settings correct..This video helped a lot....Cheers
2023, i am watching this and i completely agree this is so handy!
That was very helpful. Can't wait to get home to my camera and try out.
i realised i have been using it all wrong up until now. thanks so much.
Nice
Saneshsathya47@gmail.com
Hey Michael, good info ... it led me to purchase your course. However, for international customers I think it'd be nice to offer download only as an option. There's no need no need for me to pay for international shipping that way....
@anz388 Thank you! I occasionally do workshops- the next one will be on Maui in the near future! Come join us if you can!
Hi Michael :)
Your videos are very informational and helpful.
I have a question about the focusing system; if I want to take pictures of a group of people, what focus type should I use?
I have been using the "beginner" focusing type and some of my subjects turned out blurry because they were not closest to the camera... :(
@hjsimpson3 That would be a Depth of Field problem more than a focusing problem.
Thanks! I am really needing this lesson.
Thanks Michael, just what I needed.
Hi Michael! I hope you assume there's no dumb questions, 'cause i have one! You explain how to recompose the shot after AF lock has been achieved, but why should i bother selecting the AF point first? In other words, let's say my middle AF point is currently selected: i could simply focus using this middle point and then recompose without having to select another point first, could i? Am i missing something? Looks like a waste of time to me, since i have to recompose anyway! Thanks!
Thank you, I now mainly use manual setting however I had noticed that some settings had de selected
i found this video really very helpful....awsome teaching way......thnaks a lot Sir
Used to have a Minolta 7 that you could set up eye controlled focusing that was good.
Hi Michael can you give me some tips on what picture style I should use for general purpose for my canon 7d I was told to set everything on zero meaning the contrast, sharpness, and saturation in the image settings or use faithful picture style. If you also have a video on picture styles let me know so I can get my self a copy thank you hope to hear from you soon
Amazing tutorials !!! thank you
amazing camera!!! thanks
Hello Michael, Your Videos always helped me, but now that I started to use my 7D to do club photography I find it so hard to focus in low light, even tho having the 580 EX II on camera, is there any of your videos you would recommend me please? or any advice it would be great help, you are brilliant. Regards. :)
@JessLee919 Shorter distance to recompose- When shooting at very wide apertures, this helps make sure the eyes are in focus.
Yes
great tips also you want to learn how to remember AF points and learn the AE/LOCK very important for exposer and recomposing. but MichealTheMentor probley has a vid on this already
@MichaelTheMentor
Thanks so much for replying, I use in Manual mode or apt priorty mainly.... but worked it out I think I had problems with just selecting..??? unsure what I was doing!!
I have had a good play with what you have taught, and its helped in lots of ways
Love your easy to undersatnd way of explaining, keep it up :)
also love the new videocomparing 7d and 5d mark2.... I think your bang on
Cheers louise
Good video, I'm going out today to buy my D7
Thank you for your comment- It always makes me laugh when people post comments about things they clearly do not understand a thing about. LOL
Hello, thanks for posting. I just got this camera for aerial photography, if you can please tell me how to set it right so i can have the best of the camera. Thanks again!
Hi there, loving your tutorials!
I have a question for you or any one who knows... at 2:32 in this tut we are able to make sure all autofocus/drive options are ticked on, I cant seem to tick two of the options... Expansion and spot. What and why can I not tick these on?
Any Ideas thanks so much
Have you ever had an issue with auto-focus points jump or grab onto something else other than what you focus on causing your subject to be slightly out of focus? Like right beside what you want to focus on.. eg. face, body, object, etc..? I shoot with a Canon 7D and a 70-200 f/4L non-IS lens and this happens quite frequently. I experience it of multiple focus patterns..
Excellent Tutorial. Really helpful tips that i do not know . thanks a lots
athtut
I will be shooting a couple, would Single still work to get a good focus on both persons or do you recommend some other cluster?