Getting a loaner 7D, need some setup tips.

My 1DMKII is off at Canon getting a shutter replacement so I asked CPS to send me a camera just in case it isn't back in time for an air show next weekend. They were out of 1DMKIV, but had a 7D (oh yeah, and a 300 f/2.8 IS ). It is due to arrive on Friday the 15th, and I'm leaving Saturday the 16th for Atlanta so I will not have much time to mess around with it. I'll probably download the manual and skim through it, but also thought I would ask for some tips on settings. The newer cameras are far different from the MKII and 30D I currently use.

Shoot raw and about 1/3 to 2/3 to the right to provide a bit better noise cleanup. You will find that there are noise artifacts at low ISOs, but at 100% and are cleanable without loss to detail. The metering is touchy, but in many cases is better than the older gen metering. I use only 4 AF modes, center, spot center, center expanded, and whatever the one is where it will start at the selected AF point then handoff to the other points as the object moves (kinda like ROF). I use this latter one for birds in flight.

For the airshow, I only used the center expanded, though, I believe.

3200 and 6400 are usable with good exposure and good post tools.

There are some good videos on the AF located in the 7D sticky.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #11051094
Shoot raw and about 1/3 to 2/3 to the right to provide a bit better noise cleanup. You will find that there are noise artifacts at low ISOs, but at 100% and are cleanable without loss to detail. The metering is touchy, but in many cases is better than the older gen metering. I use only 4 AF modes, center, spot center, center expanded, and whatever the one is where it will start at the selected AF point then handoff to the other points as the object moves (kinda like ROF). I use this latter one for birds in flight.

For the airshow, I only used the center expanded, though, I believe.

3200 and 6400 are usable with good exposure and good post tools.

There are some good videos on the AF located in the 7D sticky.

Sounds very similar to how I use my MKII and 30D. I typically use Manual, but if we have passing clouds I may use Av or Tv too.

Thanks!