Guys,

When I have the 7D in manual doing video, I notice that the exposure (via apertur?) seems to still step down as I pan through light when using the kit 18-135mm lens. You can hear the camera "click" as you pan through an illumination change. What am I missing or mis-interpretting?

I'm an A1 guy trying to figure this new system out, be kind to your new comrade in the DSLR world! Remember, my work makes your work look really good!

Does ISO, shutter speed and aperture show a constant value in the lcd ?

If you use live view AF during recording that will change exposure.
Low light conditions looks like 7D will add "light" to get contrast for live view AF. But it will be also visible in a video.

In addition to setting the dial to M, did you also choose a particular ISO setting? If not, ISO may be changing automatically.

Turn off the Auto Lighting Optimizer.

Thanks guys, I'll bet its the lighting optimizer, I remember that being "on".

Give up trying different settings. Please read this thread I started on another forum. It is an inherent problem with the camera that could be fixed by Canon with a simple firmware update if they cared.

7D, 8FPS? only in good light! - FM Forums (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/823708/0)