New to 7D II, I have a couple of questions

LOVE the camera so far, the high ISO ability is amazing. I upgraded form a 40D

1) Can i get a exposure line in the viewfinder (as i am looking thru the eye piece so i can make adjustments to settings while looking thru)? on the 40D i could see what my exposure was going to be while I was pressing the * back button. I have the back button set up, but Have no idea what my exposure is?

2) I have the focus point set on center like I like it, BUT, when i am looking thru the eye piece and use the back button to focus the red square does not light up. When i chimp the picture it shows i indeed did have it there on the picture. How can i, or can i make it show up when hits the focus on the back * button?

i am sure i will have MANY other questions

Canon moves the Exposure indicator for Manual mode to the right side of the viewfinder window, but there is zero indication on the top LCD. You can press the Info button to see exposure settings on the rear LCD, or you can view them on the rear LCD during Live View.

And, via Menu settings, you can get the AF point(s) to illuminate red, in addition to the AF indicator at the lower right of the viewfinder window.

Got it! now for the center focus point question... can i have it light up when i focus on an object? thru the view finder window?

superdiver wrote in post #18475777
Got it! now for the center focus point question... can i have it light up when i focus on an object? thru the view finder window?

Yes, I highlight that response in my prior reply.

I can't figure out how to make it illuminate... I found the area in the menu, but I can't change the settings

I think it is:

VF display illumination: Enabled
AF point display during focus: Selected (focused)

I am not where I can check right now but I don't believe you get the red box in AI Servo. If you are not in one shot, try one shot and see if you get the red focus confirm when using that setting.

after reading the manual,

u may want to read this:

https://www.the-digital-picture.com …News-Post.aspx?News=13844
https://photographylif​e.com …canon-7d-mark-ii-settings
http://blog.dojoklo.co​m …ith-recommended-settings/

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18054737
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18203545

Nogo wrote in post #18475801
I am not where I can check right now but I don't believe you get the red box in AI Servo. If you are not in one shot, try one shot and see if you get the red focus confirm when using that setting.

Right

The red illumination of the AF point is Focus Lock Confirmation. The problem is that focus only locks in One Shot mode (and once locked won't change even if you keep the AF On/Back Button pressed).

In AI Servo focus never locks. As long as you have the AF On pressed it constantly refocuses, so AF is never locked and no red illumination.

With the fancy new transmissive LCD focus screens to they still show the location of the focus points in black, like you get on the old standard screens? On my 50D in AI Servo I get a red flash to remind me of the active point, but it doesn't light in red, since it is not actually locking on. I could see how not having an indication of the active point/area when trying to focus would be particularly difficult. It's been a while since I looked at any new cameras, and in store they are usually in One Shot anyway, my memory is letting me down here.

Alan

Alan,

After you have chosen which groups of AF points to use, the currently chosen group does show up in black and the focus locked specific AF point also lights up red...IF you have the options chosen to make the camera do this, and you are not using AI Servo

OP, have you downloaded the PDF of the user manual? It is way easier to search a PDF on screen than flip through a paper manual.

Wilt wrote in post #18482439
Alan,

After you have chosen which groups of AF points to use, the currently chosen group does show up in black and the focus locked specific AF point also lights up red...IF you have the options chosen to make the camera do this, and you are not using AI Servo

Sorry let me get this right, if you are in AI Servo you get the configured AF area in black, but no red AF acquired signal, since AF is never actually acquired in AI Servo? In One shot you get the configured AF area in black, and the red indication when AF is acquired? Provided you have made all of the correct settings in the camera AF menus and custom functions. My 50D is the same as my 20D, and I guess your 40D in that you always see the black AF squares, assuming you are using the standard screen. Then in AI Servo the selected starting AF point flashes in red when you initiate AF. In One shot the selected AF point only lights red once it has confirmed AF is achieved, and then stays red until you reinitiate the AF process.

The new AF systems do seem to offer a lot more control, but as always when you have lots of choice settings it up to suit you becomes much harder.

Alan

BigAl007 wrote in post #18482608
Sorry let me get this right,

1. if you are in AI Servo you get the configured AF area in black, but no red AF acquired signal, since AF is never actually acquired in AI Servo?
   
2. In One shot you get the configured AF area in black, and the red indication when AF is acquired? Provided you have made all of the correct settings in the camera AF menus and custom functions.
   
3. My 50D is the same as my 20D, and I guess your 40D in that you always see the black AF squares, assuming you are using the standard screen. Then in AI Servo the selected starting AF point flashes in red when you initiate AF. In One shot the selected AF point only lights red once it has confirmed AF is achieved,
   
4. and then stays red until you reinitiate the AF process.
   

The new AF systems do seem to offer a lot more control, but as always when you have lots of choice settings it up to suit you becomes much harder.

Alan

#1, yes for 7DII
#2, yes for 7DII
#3, same for 40D as your 20D and 50D
#4, not right...the 40D flashes in red in One Shot mode when confirmed AF is achieved but does not 'stay red'...the black AF display remains, the red was only briefly