New 7D owner - couple of questions

Picked a new 7D yesterday to replace my 550D

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/trugga/79911582​51/

Hey Lawrence, congrats on the 7d, it's a great body!

firmware is pretty easy, just load the .fir file onto the memory card and pop it in, go into firmware and hit update....As long as you don't power off during the update you're gold.
I think the pics your seeing with the "extended" screen are because of a protector that's on that one, they are all flush...
I haven't had much experience with 3rd party batteries, I spend the extra buck on Canon's and I haven't had any problems.

I don't know, but that looks kind of like a screen protector to me.

As far as firmware: unzip the file, follw the directions, and you'll be ok.

Thanks for the quick reply Chris - I think I'll give the firmware update a go.

Aha, screen protector - yep, I ought to get one of those (took the old one off my 550D to prepare for sale and the screen is mint).

Cheers
Lawrence

Hi Lawrence I have extra batteries that are 3rd party and so far so good got them from amazon and also a 3rd party battery grip. Congrats on your new 7d.

As for firmware it is so easy. I have not updated yet to 2.0.3 but I did the v2.0 when it first came out.
7d is amazing I love the burst mode.

I've got a Zeikos grip on mine and have had no problems. I've got Maximal Power extra batteries and also Sterling Tek are good. There is no 7D MK 2. Like others have said the firmware update is easy, just follow the directions in the file and you will have no trouble. There are some very nice glass screen protectors that amazon sells that are inexpensive also. Here is a link to one. http://www.amazon.com …/B0030B87DS/ref​=pd_cp_p_0 I'm sure you will enjoy the camera!

Thats definitely a screen protector and a pretty nasty cluncky one at that.
Any doubts look at the word 'Canon' at the bottom it's partially obscured.

The GGS one is just a thin sheet of glass but still protrudes a little. NB always stick it on when you are looking at a picture review screen, as this is the 'tallest' screen - so you don't partially obscure the EV numbers.

Personally I'd always use Canon batteries - but then it's your choice.
Firmware 2.0.3 seems solid not heard of one person with an issue yet.
Hope you enjoy it.
The 40mm Panacake is great on this body as is the 70-300L IS USM F4-5.6

Thank you all.

It really does feel a nice piece of equipment and sits really well in my hands.

I've found some "soft" (rather than thin glass) protectors on Amazon, taylored for bothe screens. I've also selected a couple of 2100mah batteries (I managed ok with 3rd party batteries on the 55O)

I'll read up on and do the firmware in the week.

I need to read up on the focusing options then go try them out next weekend.

Cheers
Lawrence

You're going to love the 7D!

I have a no name grip and two no name batteries. I have had no issues with them.

The rear control wheel for EC and aperture control is a dream. I am teaching my daughters to use my old 550D, and I was fumbling trying to show them how to change the aperture after using the 7D for a while now.

The firmware update has been done

Had a bit of a scare when trying to copy the file to the root of the CF card (tethered) in Windows 7 - wouldn't let me do it. Resorted to using the Canon utilities and away it went. The whole process took less than 10 minutes.

I too like the layout of the 7D, so much that it is difficult going back to the 550D (in preparation for it's sale - I hope I'm not asked to demo it).

Cheers all
Lawrence

Good job. Canon utilities for me is the easiest way to update firmware.

Like Lawrence, I have just purchased a 7D, the acquisition purely as an upgrade to something better, and to sell the 60D (immaculate condition with only 7400 shutter actuations) . I didn't realise that I had become quite attached to the camera and now I am being tormented about whether to sell or not. I haven't seriously put the 7D through any tests as yet, that will happen from today forward, and maybe my attitude will change.\
It is nice to have a second camera though...............i​sn't it?

I just upgraded 2 months ago from a t2i and love the 7d. I purchased a Vello grip from B&H and an extra canon battery. On my t2i I had a canon grip, but the Vello is great I have no complaints(it even has a slot to hold the factory battery door). I shot a wedding with it with over 1000 images on the body using flash 80% of the time and only used 50% of the battery life.

Congrats on the upgrade

Trugga wrote in post #15004847
The firmware update has been done

Had a bit of a scare when trying to copy the file to the root of the CF card (tethered) in Windows 7 - wouldn't let me do it. Resorted to using the Canon utilities and away it went. The whole process took less than 10 minutes.

I too like the layout of the 7D, so much that it is difficult going back to the 550D (in preparation for it's sale - I hope I'm not asked to demo it).

Cheers all
Lawrence

Hah, you found it; I was gonna suggest the Canon Utils, myself. It's so much simpler than monkeying with the card route.

Congrats on the new camera; it's a really nice body once you get it dialed in to your preferences.

Snydremark wrote in post #15006113
Hah, you found it; I was gonna suggest the Canon Utils, myself. It's so much simpler than monkeying with the card route.

And as far as I can tell, it is actually the same thing. The only thing the Canon Utilities does is allow you to upload the file to the CF card through the camera body, something that is normally restricted by the camera's memory control settings.