Canon 7D - Help!!

[PhotoNewbie1561]

[h=2]Canon 7D - Help!![/h]

I have researched DSLR's for about a year now - on and off - almost half-halfheartedly. Over the last three months, I've become more aware that the photos I'm taking of my kids with a regular P&S aren't cutting it.

So, I finally decided to make a purchase; it was between a Canon T3i or Canon 7D. I realize NOW (after I've submitted the order) that I may have made a mistake. I ordered the Canon 7D, which from what I understand - is for people that are more familiar with a DSLR.

Now, let me explain what I'm wanting to accomplish with a Digital SLR initially: I love my kids, and I take a TON of pictures. I want to be able to take a picture of my kids - focus in on them, make my subject crystal clear, and blur the background to the degree that I want.

Please don't mistake me for an idiot: I know the [very] basics of a DSLR.

Here is what my camera is coming with:
Canon 7D
EF-S 28-135mm USM standard zoom lens (f/3.5-5.6mm)

Is that camera and lens going to help me accomplish what I want? Without it being a ridiculously complicated procedure to do? If so, is there someone out there with this camera that can walk me through it?

I'm sure once I'm through the novelty of THAT, I'll want to learn more about my camera. Right now, my focus (hahahaha) is on my kids.

Now, if the 28-135mm lens isn't going to cut it, do you recommend a different one for portraits? (Or what I want to do with my pictures?) I do realize that I should probably get a f/1.2 or f/1.4, correct? Any recommendations would be superb.

And any of you REALLY know this camera, please feel free to give other advice.

Thank you!!!! Have a blessed day!

~*S*~​

 

[Alter_Ego]

I have no idea how to use that camera but it looks awesome!
Have fun!

 

[PhotoNewbie1561]

Hahaha, thanks! I just hope I learn how to use it!

 

[gsgary]

All cameras work the same but some have more features, 7d will have more features than t3i will focus faster and better built

 

[Rekd]

[h=2]Canon 7D - Help!![/h]focus in on them, make my subject crystal clear, and blur the background to the degree that I want.

You'll be very happy with the 7D in these aspects. That lens should work fine for most of your shooting. It may be heavier than you're ready for though. If you're going to be holding it a lot and taking it with you everywhere it will get heavy fast.

 

[nntruong]

I would try and get prime lens if you shoot mostly portrait

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

The 7D is great and while there are many more features to learn, the basics will be the same as the T3i, if anything its easier because it has two wheels for adjusting instead of just one. Just make sure you READ THE MANUAL and keep it with you at all times. In terms of lenses, while the one you are getting isn't terrible, for very sharp pictures, freezing fast moving kids, focusing quickly, shooting in low light, and blurring the background at will, you are going to want a prime lens or two. I would recommend something in the 28-50mm range. You can also get something a little longer like the 85mm 1.8 for longer shots outdoors or headshots. If you bought the 28mm 1.8 and the 85mm 1.8 you are probably looking at $800-1000. However, I would also recommend that you learn the camera and lens you already will have first. Not only will you then be able to make the best use out of better glass, but depending how you typically shoot and how nitpicky you are, you may just be content with that setup and not want to dive any deeper down the rabbit hole.

 

[subscuck]

Is that camera and lens going to help me accomplish what I want? Without it being a ridiculously complicated procedure to do?

There is nothing easy about photography. There's a learning curve that's steep at first, and get's easier as you learn more.

If so, is there someone out there with this camera that can walk me through it?

I doubt any one here will be willing to take the time to do that much writing in a post. In addition, you'll get much more out of it by researching the answers on your own. Fortunately, a lot of very good beginner level books have been written. "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson and Scott Kelby's three volume "Digital Photography" series are great places to start. After reading, and practicing, you can then ask specific questions to clarify points you don't understand. Everybody here will be more than willing to help you with that.

I'm sure once I'm through the novelty of THAT, I'll want to learn more about my camera. Right now, my focus (hahahaha) is on my kids.

This is a little backwards. With the money you've just spent, your focus should be learning the fundamentals of cameras and photography. Use that knowledge to then take better pics of your kids.

Now, if the 28-135mm lens isn't going to cut it, do you recommend a different one for portraits? (Or what I want to do with my pictures?) I do realize that I should probably get a f/1.2 or f/1.4, correct? Any recommendations would be superb.

For portrait work, a fast prime would be better. I'd suggest a Canon or Sigma 50mm 1.4. If you have the room, an 85mm 1.8 is great. FWIW, the 7D is a resolution hungry body. Avoid the Canon 50mm 1.8. It will not serve this this body as well as a better 50mm will.

Read, learn and practice. Do your own homework, post pics here for C&C, and ask specific questions. People get a little grouchy when someone expects forum members to answer questions that are easily found in your equipment manual(s) or thru a simple google search. It's always better (for you, especially) if you can say "I've been reading about such and such, and I don't get ___________. Can someone explain"?

Most importantly, have fun.

 

[Geaux]

Put it on auto for your kids at first ... see what settings the camera is setting during certain situations, learn, read, especially the manual. When ready, venture into all the other modes. You'll get excellent pics of your kids.


btw, you can still use your 7d as a big point and shoot lol.

 

[quaker200]

I bought the CANON 7D about a year ago and LOVE it! I will admit, I knew very little about DSLR cameras and still know very little. I also used the point and shoot for the first 6 months just so I could get used to the feel and then slowly switched over to Manuel so I wouldn't feel overwhelmed. The results have been amazing and the learning process has been a lot of fun! Just be patient, do your research, expect mistakes, and enjoy the results!

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Also, realize that "better pictures" is a very subjective thing. Aside from having better specs. ( IQ,noise handling, megapixels, sensor size, print size, focus speed etc ) the 7D isn't necessarily going to take better pictures than your point and shoot. It WILL however give you more flexibility and control once you LEARN to use it effectively. Do some research on "RAW" files and post processing. If you get the camera and start shooting and think "what the crap did I just pay $1800 for when my pics look worse," then come on here and get some advice ( as well as doing your own research ). While the 7D is capable of great images, its also capable or VERY BAD images, it just depends if you are maximizing its potential.

 

[KmH]

Many new to using a DSLR to take pics of their kids have issues trying to get sharp focus using lenses that can open to a wide aperture (like f/1.4, or f/1.8), because the depth-of-field can get very shallow which makes it difficult to get an entire face in focus let alone more than one person.

Indoors, you need the wide aperture to let in enough light. Note that most pro photographers use lights and light modifiers indoors, so they don't have to use a wide open aperture.

Most lenses, primes or zoom, used wide open have soft focus and need to be stopped down a couple of stops to be in their focus 'sweet spot'..

 

[Overread36]

The entry level camera bodies only have around 5 auto modes that the 7D lacks - sports, portrait, landscape, macro, no flash - and to be perfectly honest (and speaking as someone who started with a DSLR with no previous experience of anything) is that you can fast leave those modes well behind after only a short time learning. In the learning time the 7D still has full auto as well as a creative auto mode - so it won't leave you short at all.

Furthermore I'd strongly second the suggestion for the Scot Kelby "Digital Photography" books as a starting point - they are ideally suited toward the very early beginner in giving you a decent introduction in simple terms. From there you can also read Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson which is pretty much the introductory text book for many getting to grips with the basics of exposure control as well as giving you some great ideas on creativity with exposure (if you search Bryan Peterson on youtube he also has some guide videos for a few select examples).

 

[fokker]

7D is an aweseome camera but in all honestly it sounds massively like overkill for taking snaps of your kids and learning the basics. It is a pro-level body, after all. But hey, if you can afford it then why not?

On that note, I don't much care for the lens choice you have opted for. With 28mm on the wide angle end, you will most likely find yourself often wanting to go wider. Something like the canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS lens or the cheaper but still excellent Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 VC would better serve your camera in this regard. Plus, they have a faster constant f/2.8 aperture.

 

[mjhoward]

First of all, what is your budget. If you have a light budget, I'd suggest cancelling that order and grabbing the 60D Body to save $700. With that, you can get the faster glass that will give you the shallow DOF you want (blurry background) AND possibly better yet, a SPEEDLIGHT. One of the biggest advantages that your new DSLR will have over your point and shoot for taking portraits is a hot shoe. Get a speedlight or two and learn how to use it on and off camera. Lighting is one of the most important and overlooked elements to newcomers to photography. I was very surprised at the difference the speedlight made when I first got mine.