Introduction to the Canon 7D, vol. 1 : Basic Controls Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital

by Blue Crane Digital

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 7.5 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002TN2680
• Item model number: zBC129
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,939 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 22, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Introduction to the Canon 7D, vol. 1:  Basic Controls Training DVD
Take great pictures with your Canon 7D!  All you need is this training DVD and less than 90-minutes, and you’ll have the knowledge and the confidence you need to create the images you want.  The topics are arranged in chapters so you can move at your own pace and revisit individual subjects.

Discover the settings that have the most impact on your shooting

Topics include:

• Creative auto
• Shutter priority
• Aperture priority/Depth of field
• Depth of field preview
• Focus alternatives
• Metering
• White balance/Color temperature
• Playback and image review
• Live View shooting
• HD and SD video recording
• Exposure compensation
• Flash basics
• Custom functions introduction
• Programmable buttons
• Info button
• Composition
• Self timer
• Picture styles
• And much more!

Learn how to capture the best images in a variety of settings

The Canon 7D is a powerful piece of equipment.  A solid understanding of its features and controls will unleash its potential.   Once you learn how the camera’s components work together, you’ll have all the tools you need to capture the best images under a variety of conditions.

This DVD is intended for photographers moving up to a digital SLR from a point-and-shoot camera, or for new 7D owners who would like a basic introduction to the camera and an overview of the most important controls.  Also look for volume 2, which covers more advanced topics.


Format:  NTSC video, All Regions
Running time: 85 minutes

Product Description

Take great pictures with your Canon 7D! All you need is this training DVD and about 90 minutes, and you’ll have the knowledge and the confidence to create the images you want. The topics are arranged in chapters, so you can move at your own pace, and return later to individual subjects. Topics include: • Creative Auto • Shutter priority • Aperture priority/Depth of field • Depth of field preview • Focus alternatives • Metering • White balance/Color temperature • Playback and image review • Live View shooting • HD and SD video recording • Exposure compensation • Flash basics • Custom functions introduction • Programmable buttons • Info button • Composition • Self timer • Picture Styles • And much more! The Canon 7D is a powerful piece of equipment. A solid understanding of its features and controls can really unleash its potential. Once you learn how the camera’s components work together, you’ll have all the tools you need to capture the best images under all conditions. This DVD is intended for photographers moving up to a digital SLR from a point and shoot camera, or new 7D owners who would like a basic introduction to the camera and an overview of the most important controls. Also look for Volume 2, which covers more advanced topics. Format: NTSC video, All Regions Running time: 85 minutes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Running Start For You and Your Canon 7D, January 24, 2010

By 

L. Bishop "The Felioness" (Somewhere Near Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to the Canon 7D, vol. 1 : Basic Controls Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital (Electronics)

The DVD instructions are a real "Running Start" for learning the basics of Canon 7D operation. This DVD has certainly flattened the learning curve.

As someone who once used the Canon A1 and FD lenses, I am not a stranger to the SLR world of cameras. So this DVD served as a great introduction to the very different world of the Canon 7D DSLR.

The video introduces, in plain English the basic functions of the 7D. It explains how many of the settings are "by touch". The narrator compares how a person can control a car by touch, and that the user of the 7D will eventually learn how to "drive" their camera like one drives a car.

When viewing your DVD have a notebook, pen, owner's manual, and post-it colored tape tabs. I viewed it straight through, not stopping for the exercises. I then watched it again, jotting down notes and locating the relevant information in the instruction manual. I then performed the exercises.

If the 7D is your first DSLR, purchase this DVD at the same time you purchase your 7D. You will be spared all sorts of frustration as you tackle the learning curve.



I plan on purchasing Volume 2 in a few weeks.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Really informative, really fast, September 19, 2010

By 

City Of Rocks - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to the Canon 7D, vol. 1 : Basic Controls Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital (Electronics)

I want to give this thing five stars. It is so loaded with content and in a great, professional package. Good spokesperson, helps you not only make the most of your camera but improve your photography skills if you're intermediate or newer in your skill level. I really like this video a lot.

So why the three-star rating. Well, it moves way too fast. They need to remember that you're trying to find your way around the camera. Sure, you can pause to find things and see what he's talking about before continuing, but at this pace, that requires pausing every few seconds. You can watch it first and then watch it again with your camera, but this is limited in usefulness since much of what you need to do, of course revolves around pushing buttons and turning knobs. Besides not giving you time to locate these things, they focus on the camera's digital display while instructing you, and don't zoom out to let you see the camera body so you can see where the button being discussed is located. It would further help to have a little red arrow point out the button or knob for easy location. As it stands, the button is not even on-screen as it is being discussed, or in the rare instance where it is in view, the picture is not zoomed out enough for you to see the button in context of the whole camera body so you can see where it *is*. It's one thing to see what the button looks like, it's another thing to know where to find the thing. It would be much better to say, "take a moment to find the [button or knob I'm talking about]. It's to the top right [or wherever, in respect] of the viewfinder."

Also, it moves so quickly there isn't time to absorb it. Rather than watch the same video multiple times, I'd rather have it move more slowly so I can grasp what he's getting at before he moves to the next topic. Yes, that would lengthen the video quite a bit, but if the goal is to educate the operator, do what is necessary to accomplish that, then.

If you're getting this because audio/visual instruction is so much faster and more efficient than using the manual, this will in no way accomplish that for you, I'm afraid. It is fast, but inadequate the way it is arranged.

However: this isn't to say this video isn't worthwhile-it is.

For the advanced user: you'll find this very helpful just to get to know which settings can be accessed from which menus and you learn the various means and advantages of accessing menus in the ways in which this camera was engineered to offer you benefit. It will save you a heap of time. You'll of course find little use in the artistic explanations-you probably know the techniques described. So you'll sit through a lot you already know but since it moves so quickly, it's not a real problem.

For the new or intermediate user: you can gain from the artistic instruction-you can achieve better pictures. Since you may find yourself baffled by the controls and what they do, and the video moves so quickly, I suggest reading the manual *first*.

Actually I suggest reading the manual first to anyone of any experience level. Memorize where everything is because most of the time, you won't get this from the video. it assumes you know all this already.

So, I love the video, but in my opinion it's always better to have complete package. Take the time. Make a video that will replace the manual since people want speed and efficiancy. The preference for that, too, is definitely a marketable asset.

I do wonder if it was put together this way to make one video for all users, but of course that isn't possible and it ends up being inadequate for all levels. Still, it is definitely worth watching. Just get to know all the controls very, very well first.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to Canon 7D DVD, February 10, 2010

By 

Mr. D. Nicholson (Málaga, España) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to the Canon 7D, vol. 1 : Basic Controls Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital (Electronics)

If you are like me and dont like to read the manual, the Canon EOS 7D can be an experience that would make you read the manual, if this video guide had not been made. It is clear and well paced and takes you through the basics so that you can enjoy this great camera. Thank you Blue Crane.