Wally,


Well, I was experimenting today so I was using alot of different settings: The HDR was was actually 6 different shots bracketed 3 Stops above and 3 Stops below. I normally like to shoot either manual or Aperature priority, I usually keep iso between 400 and 800 since I was shooting with a Circular Polarizer filter. I try and keep shutter speeds above 800 and I normally shoot with a single point focus. But I was experimenting with the Auto Zone AF and kind of liked it. I used single point metering on the bird and I think I was using evaluative (Matrix Metering on the landscapes) I had a photo instructor provide the following for his "recipe for success" which generally works, but not always---Here it is: AV mode, aperature 6.3, Evaluative metering, ISO 800, single point AF. I have found this a very good place to start when shooting general wildlife. Two things I learned today: 1, Like others have said, the 7D overexposes by 1/3 stop. So, Meter 1/3 stop below (Left)center on the meter. or adjust EV by -1/3. The 2nd thing I learned----If I do my job, this camera performsextremely well.


One more thing---I did some tweeks on contrast, saturation and sharpeningin Canon's DPP software and ultimately reduced the shots to web sized.


Here are the details for your viewing pleasure, Hope this helps.


File NameIMG_9342.JPG
Camera ModelCanon EOS 7D
FirmwareFirmware Version 1.1.0
Shooting Date/Time1/10/2009 11:34:51 PM
AuthorRWilliams Imaging
Owner's Name
Shooting ModeAperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )1/2500
Av( Aperture Value )5.6
Metering ModeSpot Metering
AE lockON
Exposure Compensation-1/3
ISO Speed800
Auto ISO SpeedOFF
LensEF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal Length210.0mm
Image Size800x600
Image QualityFine
FlashOff
FE lockOFF
White Balance ModeAuto
AF ModeAI Servo AF
Picture StyleUser Defined 1(Standard)
Sharpness5
Contrast1
Saturation2
Color tone0
Color SpacesRGB v1.31 (Canon)
Long exposure noise reduction0:Off
High ISO speed noise reduction0:Standard
Highlight tone priority0isable
Auto Lighting Optimizer3isable
Peripheral illumination correctionDisable
File Size616KB
Drive ModeHigh-speed continuous shooting
Live View ShootingOFF


The roadrunner close up:


File NameIMG_9268.JPG
Camera ModelCanon EOS 7D
FirmwareFirmware Version 1.1.0
Shooting Date/Time1/10/2009 11:32:42 PM
AuthorRWilliams Imaging
Owner's Name
Shooting ModeAperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )1/2000
Av( Aperture Value )5.6
Metering ModeSpot Metering
AE lockON
Exposure Compensation-1/3
ISO Speed800
Auto ISO SpeedOFF
LensEF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal Length400.0mm
Image Size600x800
Image QualityFine
FlashOff
FE lockOFF
White Balance ModeAuto
AF ModeAI Servo AF
Picture StyleUser Defined 1(Standard)
Sharpness5
Contrast1
Saturation2
Color tone0
Color SpacesRGB v1.31 (Canon)
Long exposure noise reduction0:Off
High ISO speed noise reduction0:Standard
Highlight tone priority0isable
Auto Lighting Optimizer3isable
Peripheral illumination correctionDisable
File Size531KB
Drive ModeHigh-speed continuous shooting
Live View ShootingOFF


The first (Non-HDR)Landscape:


File NameIMG_8961.JPG
Camera ModelCanon EOS 7D
FirmwareFirmware Version 1.1.0
Shooting Date/Time1/10/2009 8:54:17 PM
AuthorRWilliams Imaging
Owner's Name
Shooting ModeManual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed )1/1250
Av( Aperture Value )6.3
Metering ModeSpot Metering
ISO Speed800
Auto ISO SpeedOFF
LensEF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal Length100.0mm
Image Size800x533
Image QualityFine
FlashOff
FE lockOFF
White Balance ModeAuto
AF ModeAI Servo AF
Picture StyleUser Defined 1(Standard)
Sharpness5
Contrast1
Saturation2
Color tone0
Color SpacesRGB v1.31 (Canon)
Long exposure noise reduction0:Off
High ISO speed noise reduction0:Standard
Highlight tone priority0isable
Auto Lighting Optimizer3isable
Peripheral illumination correctionDisable
File Size602KB
Drive ModeHigh-speed continuous shooting
Live View ShootingOFF


The Second Non-HDR Landscape:


File NameIMG_9168.JPG
Camera ModelCanon EOS 7D
FirmwareFirmware Version 1.1.0
Shooting Date/Time1/10/2009 9:30:45 PM
AuthorRWilliams Imaging
Owner's Name
Shooting ModeAperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )1/2000
Av( Aperture Value )5.6
Metering ModeSpot Metering
Exposure Compensation-2/3
ISO Speed800
Auto ISO SpeedOFF
LensEF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal Length375.0mm
Image Size800x533
Image QualityFine
FlashOff
FE lockOFF
White Balance ModeAuto
AF ModeAI Servo AF
Picture StyleUser Defined 1(Standard)
Sharpness5
Contrast1
Saturation2
Color tone0
Color SpacesRGB v1.31 (Canon)
Long exposure noise reduction0:Off
High ISO speed noise reduction0:Standard
Highlight tone priority0isable
Auto Lighting Optimizer3isable
Peripheral illumination correctionDisable
File Size483KB
Drive ModeHigh-speed continuous shooting
Live View ShootingOFF