2 questions (Page 4): Here are a few links that may help. Be aware that the manual you get with the camera is a significantly abridged version. The full manual is over 500 pages long!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Cookie223 wrote:

I just ordered the Understanding Exposure book, and will down load the free Canon manual. Since I'm currently incapacitated I should have more than enough time to read these books.

Thanks MW, and AMfoto

Here are a few links that may help. Be aware that the manual you get with the camera is a significantly abridged version. The full manual is over 500 pages long! Here is the link to it on the Canon download page for the 7D Mark II:

Canon 7D Mark II full manual
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/cameras/eos-dslr-and-mirrorless-cameras/dslr/eos-7d-mark-ii?tab=manuals

I've also taken the liberty of attaching links to four Canon training videos on using the AF system and on setting some of the option parameters. Additionally I provided a link to an essential AF Guide for your camera. Its a PDF download. The manual is only 51 pages long and will teach you all about the AF modes and shooting cases, and when and how to use them. Lastly, You should also learn how to set up and use the Intelligent viewfinder. I provided a video link for that feature as well. Lots to learn. Have fun with it!

Af and settings training video links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxctDJuqWRU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWzGE7SB6RU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMpWnWBSPiQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6W5X3RQlQ0

Canon 7D Mark II AF Guide in PDF format:
https://media.canon-asia.com/shared/live/products/EN/K289AFGuideBook_web.pdf

Intelligent Viewfinder training Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixfRNtuKUVQ

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

amfoto1 wrote:

Good info... You've obviously worked with your 7DI... (show quote)

Had to call Canon to find the 50 page guidebook, I couldn't find it! The Canon rep walked me through it and it was posted in an Canon Asian website. But I have it now and thanks again.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

mwsilvers wrote:

Here are a few links that may help. Be aware that ... (show quote)

Thanks again MW, I have plenty of time to watch/read and learn.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Cookie223 wrote:

Thanks again MW, I have plenty of time to watch/read and learn.

Canon USA has strangely deleted the links for a lot of documentation including the Canon 7D Mark II AF Guide, as you found out. The link I provided you for that guidebook was also from Canon Asia. That's seems to be the only Canon link available for that manual. There are non Canon third party links that say they have it, but generally I would advise against using them. Many of the old links on Canon USA's website for various things now take you to the Canon EOS R mirrorless camera page. I hope this is not a trend.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

mwsilvers wrote:

Canon USA has strangely deleted the links for a lot of documentation including the Canon 7D Mark II AF Guide, as you found out. The link I provided you for it was also from Canon Asia. Many of the old links for various things now take you to the Canon EOS R mirrorless camera page.

At least I have it. Thanks!

I noticed you’re from Jersey too, I’m in the Montville area, maybe we’ll run into each other someday, coffee is on me.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Cookie223 wrote:

At least I have it. Thanks!

I noticed you’re from Jersey too, I’m in the Montville area, maybe we’ll run into each other someday, coffee is on me.

Last exit on the GSP? You're practically a New Yorker.

I'm down a ways in Edison.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

mwsilvers wrote:

You missunderstood my response to billnikon who sa... (show quote)

My suggestion was NOT to shoot P all the time. But if the OP was not getting the results he/she wanted and if the images were important at the time he/she should switch to P to make sure they got the shots rather than miss them. P was meant to GET THEM BY.
Wow, how easy it is to be misunderstood here. WOW.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

mwsilvers wrote:

Last exit on the GSP? You're practically a New Yorker.

I'm down a ways in Edison.

My company has a service location in Edison (Penske Truck Leasing). Before I retired I used to go there often.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Cookie223 wrote:

My company has a service location in Edison (Penske Truck Leasing). Before I retired I used to go there often.

I think I know where it is.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

billnikon wrote:

My suggestion was NOT to shoot P all the time. But if the OP was not getting the results he/she wanted and if the images were important at the time he/she should switch to P to make sure they got the shots rather than miss them. P was meant to GET THEM BY.
Wow, how easy it is to be misunderstood here. WOW.

You are correct about how easy it is to be misunderstood here. That's why its so important to put yourself in the shoes of the reader. I try to do that but I'm not always successful myself. Your statement was, "I would strongly suggest you set the camera to P and enjoy yourself". It didn't include any of the qualifiers you added in this post which lead me to my conclusion about what you meant.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Cookie223 wrote:

PH,
That's basically all I did, I'm just as confused as you. There are times on the same day, that some pictures come out great, and then some are very dark, or bright.

You said you "slightly lowered the exposure settings". We don't know what you meant. How was this done after RAISING the ISO which would raise the exposure?

Showing us examples of wrong exposures will help. Don't forget to use "add attachment" AND "store original".

What may be happening is that you may be using the wrong metering method for the situation. Spot metering is used when you want a particular part of the image properly exposed. Average metering is when you want the exposure set for the average of the image.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

PHRubin wrote:

You said you "slightly lowered the exposure s... (show quote)

I think somewhere in the thread the OP said the images were deleted and no longer available. I am still unclear on what mode/settings were being used. It is very difficult to provide help when so much is withheld.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

dsmeltz wrote:

I think somewhere in the thread the OP said the images were deleted and no longer available. I am still unclear on what mode/settings were being used. It is very difficult to provide help when so much is withheld.

DS & PH,

The setting that I manually reduced towards darker was the exposure setting. If this is confusing for you guys, imagine what it's like for me.

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

Cookie223 wrote:

DS & PH,

The setting that I manually reduced towards darker was the exposure setting. If this is confusing for you guys, imagine what it's like for me.

Exposure compensation?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Cookie223 wrote:

DS & PH,

The setting that I manually reduced towards darker was the exposure setting. If this is confusing for you guys, imagine what it's like for me.

Were you in manual, AV or TV mode? Were you using some other mode like portrait or landscape? You have not told us what mode you were using. Telling us about minor adjustments helps not at all if we do not know what mode you were shooting in. Individual adjustments impact other setting differently in different modes. so just tell us what mode you were in at the start.