Introduction to the Canon 7D vol. 2: Advanced Topics Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital

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.

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.

Buy Introduction to the Canon 7D vol. 2: Advanced Topics Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital Now

JUST ANOTHER TRAINING CD. NOTHING SPECTACULAR. INTERESTING TO WATCH BUT WOULD I BUY IT AGAIN IF I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT ALREADY? NO WAY!!!

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I bought this because I didn't want to have to read a book first, but wanted to be able to quickly get up to speed on this camera. The video is okay. Presentation is quite dry. Sometimes the voice over is being read with no emotion as if by a robot, but the content is valuable. Probably a good buy if you want to get an overview of some of the more advanced features of the 7D and then drill down later in a book/ the manual on specific features that matter to you most.

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This is a good reference book for the 7D. Nice size to keep in your camera case.Best way to describe it is to say its an inhanced version of the book that came with your camera. Does nothing, as far as "How to use" on the 7D. It simply tells you what all the settings are and what they do. For a book on learning to actually use the 7D try "Canon 7D, From Snapshot to Great Shot", by Nicole S. Young.

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