topic Re: Cannon T7i in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Cannon T7i

Barby64 — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 15:04:28 GMT

Ok so I do not know a thing about this camera other then it is going to be awesome
but fo those of you who have had one , what are some basics and some tips to know about this camera
THANK YOU EVERYONE for your help with picking it out for me
glad I went from just a T7 to a T7i
look s like more features for me to play with

Re: Cannon T7i

John_ — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 21:42:05 GMT

Great choice! My first advice to you id download the full manual from the Canon website and begin to read it, also search you tube for videos on the T7i. Learn to shoot in P mode then go from there. There is a lot to discover but that will get you started.

Re: Cannon T7i

Barby64 — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 23:03:46 GMT

My biggest question is how dows a person capture Christmas lights when it is dark out
we have a Christmas Train that comes to our little ND town every year
what is the best way to capture that
you guys are awesome
Thanks

Re: Cannon T7i

Waddizzle — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:22:08 GMT

@Barby64 wrote:
My biggest question is how dows a person capture Christmas lights when it is dark out
we have a Christmas Train that comes to our little ND town every year
what is the best way to capture that
you guys are awesome
Thanks

No one can give a precise answer to that question for you. Lighting conditions can vary widely, and the challenge to the photographer is figure out how to caputre the moment.

In other words, it takes some understanding of basics of photography and DSLR cameras, It is also going to take some practice with the camera. It is also going to take lots of practice with the camera.

Follow John's suggestion and use P mode. Find material that teaches you about photography and DSLRs. The two most crucial concepts to understand are " Exposre Triangle " and " Depth of Field ". Those topics are discussed in the first series of videos at the following link..

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/General-Camera-Discussion/Canon-YouTube-Video-Series/m-p/269237#M7640

Most people do not figure out their cameras until they hit 10,000 shots. Most people never hit that mark. But, most people begin to get the hang of it at around 1000 shots. The road to 10,000 shots will be a bumpy one, but it will be rewarding if you persist and not give up.

The 10,000 figure is not as formidable as it might sound. If you take 100 shots per day for a week, that is 700 shots. Most photographers find something to shoot to learn on. It is usually outdoors, simply because it is easier to shoot on a bright sunny day. Every photographer has had a subject that they used as a training ground, shooting it over and over.

Shooting under difficult low light conditions takes experience, and choosing the best lens for the job. I would suggest the inexpensive EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM. Notice the low number after the letter "f". That is number is the aperture value. The videos at the link explain what aperture means, and how it works. It is basically like the iris in your eye.

Re: Cannon T7i

kvbarkley — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 02:04:01 GMT

Actually, I have found that straight P mode with evaluative metering does a pretty good job.

(The christmas tree shots were with my T3i, and they were all hand held)

Re: Cannon T7i

Waddizzle — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 09:31:35 GMT

@kvbarkley wrote:
Actually, I have found that straight P mode with evaluative metering does a pretty good job.

(The christmas tree shots were with my T3i, and they were all hand held)

Nice shots!

Using P mode does work for a large number of shooting scenarios. It is a semi-automatic mode, and you still need to be smart with making what adjustments that you are allowed to perform. For example, you did not dial in ISO 100 for those shots, did you?

Re: Cannon T7i

kvbarkley — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 14:02:55 GMT

Nope, just point and shoot. Maybe I trust my camera too much. 8^). After looking at it, Mater's tree is overexposed a bit, and could have used about -1 of exposure compensation.

Re: Cannon T7i

ebiggs1 — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 15:43:01 GMT

Wow, 10,000 shots! That's ridiculous as usual. Don't buy in to it. In my DSLR 101 classes we did perhaps 50 shots through the whole course and everybody left with a reasonable understanding of how their cameras work. You can learn most of what you need to know in a few minutes. Especially learn P mode. It is no different than your old camera's P mode. If it worked well for you with the old camera, the T7i will do better.

"we have a Christmas Train that comes to our little ND town every year"

Does this train stop or will it be moving? If it is moving it may be impossible to get a great shot but if it is still, no problem. Get yourself a tripod and just use P mode. If it never stops you can still capture some creative shots even hand held.

If the train is stopped (tripod) use a lower ISO number. If it is moving use a higher, perhaps much higher, ISO number. Where you shoot from will enter into the situation, too. The course of action is to shoot a few look at them. Look at the settings, too. Adjust what didn't work and keep what did. Remember even the best photographers never get every shot.

Re: Cannon T7i

ebiggs1 — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 15:47:53 GMT

You can get some interesting night shots just hand held. These were at our annual light show.

Re: Cannon T7i

Waddizzle — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 18:07:09 GMT

”Wow, 10,000 shots! That's ridiculous as usual. Don't buy in to it. In my DSLR 101 classes we did perhaps 50 shots through the whole course and everybody left with a reasonable understanding of how their cameras work. You can learn most of what you need to know in a few minutes.“

You can forget most of what you learned in a few days. There is no substitute for hand on experience. There is nothing simple and straightforward about street shooting at night.

As for using P mode, Safety Shift will likely kick in unless it is disabled, further complicating matters. Did your students walk away with an understanding of Safety Shift after 50 shots?

I said it takes 1000 shots to begin to understand, meaning for it to sink into in and not get lost. From there you learn through trial and error how to capture photos under different shooting scenarios.

Putting in the time and gaining experience is the key. I am surprised that you have to be reminded of it.

Re: Cannon T7i

kvbarkley — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 18:23:39 GMT

Assuming the students were learning on a Rebel, there is no safety shift to worry about.

I would include shooting with other Canon cameras in that total shots, my T6S was not all that different than my T3i. I am still figuring out my Olympus TG-5, though.

Re: Cannon T7i

Waddizzle — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 18:35:52 GMT

”Assuming the students were learning on a Rebel, there is no safety shift to worry about.”

It is automatic in P mode. You cannot disable it like you can in Av and Tv modes.

Re: Cannon T7i

Barby64 — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 12:39:55 GMT

I tried to add my image but it keeps saying it is too big

Re: Cannon T7i

Barby64 — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 12:42:05 GMT

Re: Cannon T7i

Barby64 — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 12:44:30 GMT

Re: Cannon T7i

ebiggs1 — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 15:40:48 GMT

Very nice and it didn't take 10,000 shots.

Re: Cannon T7i

ebiggs1 — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 15:43:32 GMT

"Assuming the students were learning on a Rebel,..."

You never know what folks, mostly Moms, will show up with. Usually low end cameras from all brands. But, yes, Rebels by far the most common.

I have no doubt one individual here took 10,000 shot to learn his camera, however.

Re: Cannon T7i

Waddizzle — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 12:39:17 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Assuming the students were learning on a Rebel,..."

You never know what folks, mostly Moms, will show up with. Usually low end cameras from all brands. But, yes, Rebels by far the most common.
I have no doubt one individual here took 10,000 shot to learn his camera, however.

I stand by that 10,000 figure. It takes that long to really understand photography. Anyone can learn how to take a snapshot in after 50 shots. But, it takes much longer to learn composition and how to get the best exposure under a variety of shooting scenarios.

Re: Cannon T7i

ebiggs1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 15:10:42 GMT

I have no dispute with you on the 10K figure in your case. No problem at all ! But you can't make that across the board statement average on what it took you to learn and apply it to everyone else.

Re: Cannon T7i

Waddizzle — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 06:03:50 GMT

It takes that long to figure out lenses, composition, exposures, camera features, post processing, the whole package.

Like I said, as much as you blow the “get out and take photos” horn, it is surprising to hear you argue against gaining experience.