Ok then, this is OTT, more chatter in conversation street by the TEA machine if you will
Here are some photos taken today at RAF Marham on the last official day of the Tornadoes tour of bases in the UK before being withdrawn from service in I think 3 weeks time. These were meant to have taken with my latest purchase, a NOS Canon EOS 7D with just 1 shutter operation to its name. It was a display model in a glass display case at a camera dealers and so is absolutely mint condition and I got it for a real bargain price with a warranty, this one to hijack one of BD's sayings, I'm taking this one to the grave with me when I go So then these shots were taken on what is now going to be my second (backup) camera, a Canon EOS 50D which is still bloody camera.
I have a few Canon cameras - but the 7D was my first "pro" model. In order to get the best results out of it:
1) Expose to the right and shoot in RAW mode. You will be able to maximise S/N and still recover proper exposure in post. It's a fine sensor, but Canon's firmware tends to underexpose and in JPG mode you get unnecessary hard-to-remove noise and artifacts.
2) If you don't already, learn to use back-button autofocus. It will make a huge difference in the ability to capture moving targets once you sort out which focus point grouping works best for you.
3) Get the best lens you can afford - an APS-C sensor like the 7D has will benefit from extra resolution in the lens.
You can get some amazing shots with it.
Wow!! A NOS 7D? That's amazing! I got mine as a refurb in 2011. That being said, it's a fine camera, and will serve you well. I actually find that mine seems to overexposed in auto mode, so if I'm being lazy and using that mode, I generally dial in -1/2 stop of exposure compensation.
I'll second Greg's suggestion to configure it for back button AF - I've done that with all of mine - it's great to be able to decouple AF from metering and taking the shot, especially if you like to recompose after focusing and your subject isn't on an AF point.
And of course, glass, glass, glass. Good lenses will outlive bodies.
Enjoy the new camera!
-Pat