New Camera...What do you do?

[AntZ]

So, I've got a 7D on the way, and I've been tracking its movements through the courier network and I should get it tomorrow. Any way it got me thinking is there anything people do routinely with a new camera to protect, test or ro any reason?

[belliveau]

I’ve never done anything with mine not planning on doing anything with the A77 I’m getting this summer. My thinking is if you have to protect it you’re going to baby it. So you will never get the cool shots other people are not willing to get.

[Marko]

I just use common sense and try not to abuse it too badly.

[kat]

LOL....only think I did with mine was kiss it. Hahahaha. Enjoy your new camera!

[AntZ]

I though I might get some suggestions about charging batteries, or screen protectors, or some sort of shooting tests... :)

Any way my 7D arrived, and I purposely didn't any lenses to work with me or I would have lost half a day. It was fortunate my youngest had a school thing on the next day and I went along and took a few shots. There are enough differences between the 40D and 7D to make things feel a little unfamiliar. Add to that the option of video. As it turned out I missed the "important bit" because there was an issue with writing to the CF card, so I might need a new one for shooting video.

I've since read the manual and trawled the web a bit more and discovered the difference in AF with shooting stills in the video mode. Anyway this shot is one I managed to get under more controlled environment and some nice light.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JcckYpcBfR4/T3MHH1fz-5I/AAAAAAAAHlc/59XVss8Tlq4/s1152/IMG_0036.jpg

Hopefully some more tests this weekend.

[Iguanasan]

An excellent shot with excellent sharpness. I think you are going to enjoy that new camera! :) I'm guessing St. Patty's Day with all that green?

[AntZ]

An excellent shot with excellent sharpness. I think you are going to enjoy that new camera! :) I'm guessing St. Patty's Day with all that green?
Thanks Iggy. Focus seems much improved. My wife used the 7D today and got some shots in focus :) (she notoriously misfocused the 40D)
Not St Patty's, just the school colours, but very close to the that emerald green.
Just checked out file sizes of some of the raw images...30mb!!!

[Iguanasan]

Hehehehe... time to buy some hard drives :)

[Marko]

I abuse the crap out of my cameras so no coddling advice from me ;) but now that I think of it (after reading your comment)

.....I do fully charge the battery before using the camera.....I take all screen protectors OFF so I can clearly see what I've just shot. I have a good friend that has kept his on for years to protect the screen...I find that foolish though. Plus I often zoom in on the shot to see if the focus is good and that's so much harder to do with a screen protector.

I usually do test the body with a lens I know works well. I also test and play around with the focus points to make sure they autofocus where they should. Hope that may help.

Lovely eye sharpness on your test shot and enjoy the new body!

[JAS_Photo]

THat's a great shot, Antz! Looks like the new camera will work out well. :)

[Hillbillygirl]

Congrats on the new acquisition, you will love it. That auto focus system works amazing on 7D, and it is an excellent wildlife/action camera. Had two of them myself, before getting the 1DMkIV's.
As for protection. If you are worried about marks and such you can buy a whole thin rubber skin for camera, and put screen protectors on all lcd's. I only use the screen protectors myself, and I am quite careful as I have waaay too much invested not to be. Take care of your tools and they will take care of you, and you will enjoy for years to come.
BTW, lovely shot.

[Barefoot]

...I take all screen protectors OFF so I can clearly see what I've just shot. I have a good friend that has kept his on for years to protect the screen...I find that foolish though. Plus I often zoom in on the shot to see if the focus is good and that's so much harder to do with a screen protector.


Look into the Giottos Screen Protectors.

Made of tempered Schott glass(someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe B+W uses Schott glass for their filters if that means anything to you) from Germany, Crystal clear and worth every penny. Heck, you won't even know its there because it fits so well.

[bucket]

Well check first if it's been physically damaged in some way. If not, then you can proceed to checking the different features and functions of your new camera. And there's no better way of doing this than by taking actual photographs in different situations.