Cover image for Canon® EOS Rebel XSi/450D Digital Field Guide

Canon® EOS Rebel XSi/450D Digital Field Guide

Author Charlotte K. Lowrie
Release Date: 2008/07/01
ISBN: 9780470380871
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Book Description

Your Digital Rebel XSi/450D, with its 12.2 megapixel resolution, 3-inch view screen, and the option for "Live View" shooting, is designed for simplicity without sacrificing creative freedom. This guide is ideal for helping you use that creative control and get great shots anywhere, anytime. If you’re new to dSLRs, it makes the transition easy. If you’re already comfortable with the various modes and settings, the book helps you make the most of every one.

  • Set up your camera and learn when to choose automatic, semi-automatic, and manual modes

  • Understand the camera's controls, menus, and when to use different metering and autofocus modes

  • Explore Canon Picture Styles and custom functions

  • Learn to manipulate ISO, exposure, depth of field, and shutter speed

  • Create intriguing night and low-light images, capture sports action, portraits, and get tips for better macro photography

Table of Contents

  1. copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. Credits
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. Getting the Most from This Book
  6. I. Using the Rebel XSi/450D
    1. 1. Exploring and Setting Up the Rebel XSi/450D
      1. 1.1. Anatomy of the Rebel XSi/450D
        1. 1.1.1. Front camera controls
        2. 1.1.2. Top camera controls
        3. 1.1.3. Rear camera controls
        4. 1.1.4. Camera terminals
        5. 1.1.5. The LCD
        6. 1.1.6. Viewfinder display
        7. 1.1.7. Lens controls
      2. 1.2. Setting Up the Rebel XSi/450D
        1. 1.2.1. Formatting an SD/SDHC card
        2. 1.2.2. Setting the date and time
        3. 1.2.3. Choosing the file format and quality
          1. 1.2.3.1. JPEG format
          2. 1.2.3.2. RAW format
        4. 1.2.4. Changing file numbering
    2. 2. Using the Rebel XSi/450D
      1. 2.1. Choosing a Shooting Mode
        1. 2.1.1. How shooting modes relate to exposure
        2. 2.1.2. Basic Zone shooting modes
          1. 2.1.2.1. Full Auto mode
          2. 2.1.2.2. Portrait mode
          3. 2.1.2.3. Landscape mode
          4. 2.1.2.4. Close-up mode
          5. 2.1.2.5. Sports mode
          6. 2.1.2.6. Night Portrait mode
          7. 2.1.2.7. Flash-off mode
        3. 2.1.3. Creative Zone shooting modes
          1. 2.1.3.1. P mode
          2. 2.1.3.2. Tv mode
          3. 2.1.3.3. Av mode
          4. 2.1.3.4. M mode
          5. 2.1.3.5. A-DEP mode
      2. 2.2. Selecting a Metering Mode
        1. 2.2.1. Evaluative metering
        2. 2.2.2. Partial metering
        3. 2.2.3. Spot metering
        4. 2.2.4. Center-weighted Average metering
      3. 2.3. Modifying Exposure
        1. 2.3.1. Auto Lighting Optimization
        2. 2.3.2. Highlight Tone Priority
        3. 2.3.3. Exposure Compensation
        4. 2.3.4. Auto Exposure Bracketing
        5. 2.3.5. Auto Exposure Lock
      4. 2.4. Evaluating Exposure
        1. 2.4.1. Brightness histogram
        2. 2.4.2. RGB histogram
      5. 2.5. Setting the ISO Sensitivity
      6. 2.6. Getting Sharp Focus
        1. 2.6.1. Selecting an Autofocus point
        2. 2.6.2. Selecting an AF point
        3. 2.6.3. Verifying sharp focus
      7. 2.7. Choosing a Drive Mode
        1. 2.7.1. Single-shot mode
        2. 2.7.2. Continuous mode
        3. 2.7.3. Self-timer modes
      8. 2.8. Viewing and Playing Back Images
        1. 2.8.1. Single-image playback
        2. 2.8.2. Index Display
        3. 2.8.3. Auto Play
        4. 2.8.4. Using the Display (Disp.) Button
      9. 2.9. Erasing Images
      10. 2.10. Protecting Images
      11. 2.11. Using the EOS Integrated Cleaning System
        1. 2.11.1. Automatic sensor cleaning
        2. 2.11.2. Obtaining Dust Delete Data
        3. 2.11.3. Applying Dust Delete Data
    3. 3. Using White Balance and Picture Styles
      1. 3.1. About Color Spaces
      2. 3.2. Choosing a Color Space
      3. 3.3. Choosing White Balance Options
        1. 3.3.1. Approaches to using various white balance options
        2. 3.3.2. Set a custom white balance
        3. 3.3.3. Use White Balance Auto Bracketing
        4. 3.3.4. Set White Balance Correction
      4. 3.4. Choosing and Customizing a Picture Style
      5. 3.5. Registering a User Defined Picture Style
      6. 3.6. Using the Picture Style Editor
    4. 4. Using Live View
      1. 4.1. About Live View
      2. 4.2. Live View Features and Functions
        1. 4.2.1. Live View focusing
        2. 4.2.2. Exposure simulation and metering
        3. 4.2.3. Using a flash
      3. 4.3. Setting Up for Live View
        1. 4.3.1. Setting Live View Custom Functions
          1. 4.3.1.1. C.Fn-8
          2. 4.3.1.2. C.Fn-6
        2. 4.3.2. Live View function settings
      4. 4.4. Shooting in Live View
        1. 4.4.1. Focusing with Quick or Live mode
          1. 4.4.1.1. Quick mode focusing
          2. 4.4.1.2. Live mode focusing
          3. 4.4.1.3. Manual focusing
        2. 4.4.2. Using Live View with tethered shooting
    5. 5. Customizing the Rebel XSi/450D
      1. 5.1. Setting Custom Functions
        1. 5.1.1. Custom Function groupings
        2. 5.1.2. Custom Function specifics
          1. 5.1.2.1. C.Fn I: Exposure
            1. 5.1.2.1.1. C.Fn-1: Exposure-level increments
            2. 5.1.2.1.2. C.Fn-2: Flash sync. speed in Av (Aperture-priority AE) mode
          2. 5.1.2.2. C.Fn II: Image
            1. 5.1.2.2.1. C.Fn3: Long-exposure noise reduction
            2. 5.1.2.2.2. C.Fn-4: High ISO speed noise reduction
            3. 5.1.2.2.3. C.Fn-5: Highlight tone priority
            4. 5.1.2.2.4. C.Fn-6: Auto Lighting Optimizer
          3. 5.1.2.3. C.Fn III: Autofocus/Drive
            1. 5.1.2.3.1. C.Fn7: AF-assist beam firing
            2. 5.1.2.3.2. C.Fn-8: AF during Live View shooting
            3. 5.1.2.3.3. C.Fn-9: Mirror Lockup
          4. 5.1.2.4. C.Fn IV: Operation/Others
            1. 5.1.2.4.1. C.Fn-10: Shutter button/AE Lock button
            2. 5.1.2.4.2. C.Fn-11: SET button when shooting
            3. 5.1.2.4.3. C.Fn-12: LCD display when power ON
            4. 5.1.2.4.4. C.Fn-13: Add original decision data
        3. 5.1.3. Setting Custom Functions
      2. 5.2. Customizing My Menu
      3. 5.3. Changing the Screen Color
  7. II. Creating Great Photographs with the Rebel XSi/450D
    1. 6. The Fundamentals of Light and Exposure
      1. 6.1. The Four Elements of Exposure
        1. 6.1.1. Light
        2. 6.1.2. Sensitivity: The role of ISO
        3. 6.1.3. Intensity: The role of the aperture
          1. 6.1.3.1. Wide aperture
          2. 6.1.3.2. Narrow aperture
          3. 6.1.3.3. Choosing an aperture
          4. 6.1.3.4. What is depth of field?
            1. 6.1.3.4.1. Shallow depth of field
            2. 6.1.3.4.2. Extensive depth of field
        4. 6.1.4. Time: The role of shutter speed
      2. 6.2. Equivalent Exposures
      3. 6.3. Putting It All Together
      4. 6.4. Let There Be Light
        1. 6.4.1. Understanding color temperature
        2. 6.4.2. The colors of light
          1. 6.4.2.1. Sunrise
          2. 6.4.2.2. Midday
          3. 6.4.2.3. Sunset
          4. 6.4.2.4. Diffused light
          5. 6.4.2.5. Electronic flash
          6. 6.4.2.6. Tungsten light
          7. 6.4.2.7. Fluorescent and other light
        3. 6.4.3. Metering light
        4. 6.4.4. Additional characteristics of light
          1. 6.4.4.1. Hard light
          2. 6.4.4.2. Soft light
          3. 6.4.4.3. Directional light
    2. 7. Using Flash
      1. 7.1. Exploring Flash Technology
      2. 7.2. Using the Onboard Flash
        1. 7.2.1. Disabling the flash but enabling the flash's autofocus-assist beam
        2. 7.2.2. Red-eye reduction
      3. 7.3. Modifying Flash Exposure
        1. 7.3.1. Flash Exposure Lock
        2. 7.3.2. Flash Exposure Compensation
      4. 7.4. Using Flash Control Options
      5. 7.5. Using One or More Accessory Speedlites
    3. 8. Exploring Canon Lenses
      1. 8.1. Understanding the Focal Length Multiplication Factor
      2. 8.2. Lens Choices
        1. 8.2.1. Wide angle
        2. 8.2.2. Normal
        3. 8.2.3. Telephoto
        4. 8.2.4. Macro
      3. 8.3. Zoom Versus Prime Lenses
        1. 8.3.1. About zoom lenses
          1. 8.3.1.1. Zoom lens advantages
          2. 8.3.1.2. Zoom lens disadvantages
        2. 8.3.2. About prime lenses
          1. 8.3.2.1. Prime lens advantages
          2. 8.3.2.2. Prime lens disadvantages
      4. 8.4. Canon Lens Terminology
      5. 8.5. Using Wide-Angle Lenses
      6. 8.6. Using Telephoto Lenses
      7. 8.7. Using Normal Lenses
      8. 8.8. Using Macro Lenses
      9. 8.9. Using Tilt-and-Shift Lenses
      10. 8.10. Using Image-Stabilized Lenses
      11. 8.11. Exploring Lens Accessories
        1. 8.11.1. Lens extenders
        2. 8.11.2. Extension tubes and close-up lenses
    4. 9. In the Field with the Rebel XSi/450D
      1. 9.1. Approaches to Composition
        1. 9.1.1. Subdividing the photographic frame
        2. 9.1.2. Balance and symmetry
        3. 9.1.3. Tone and color
        4. 9.1.4. Lines and direction
        5. 9.1.5. Fill the frame
        6. 9.1.6. Check the background
        7. 9.1.7. Frame the subject
        8. 9.1.8. Control the focus and depth of field
        9. 9.1.9. Defining space and perspective
      2. 9.2. Action and Sports Photography
        1. 9.2.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.2.2. Taking action and sports photographs
        3. 9.2.3. Action and sports photography tips
      3. 9.3. Animal and Wildlife Photography
        1. 9.3.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.3.2. Taking animal and wildlife photographs
        3. 9.3.3. Animal and wildlife photography tips
      4. 9.4. Architectural and Interior Photography
        1. 9.4.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.4.2. Taking architectural and interior photographs
        3. 9.4.3. Architectural and interior photography tips
      5. 9.5. Child Photography
        1. 9.5.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.5.2. Taking child photographs
        3. 9.5.3. Child photography tips
      6. 9.6. Macro Photography
        1. 9.6.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.6.2. Taking macro photographs
        3. 9.6.3. Macro photography tips
      7. 9.7. Nature and Landscape Photography
        1. 9.7.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.7.2. Taking nature and landscape photographs
        3. 9.7.3. Nature and landscape photography tips
      8. 9.8. Night and Low-Light Photography
        1. 9.8.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.8.2. Taking night and low-light photographs
        3. 9.8.3. Night and low-light photography tips
      9. 9.9. Portrait Photography
        1. 9.9.1. Lens choices
        2. 9.9.2. Backgrounds and props
        3. 9.9.3. Lighting
        4. 9.9.4. Accessory flash
        5. 9.9.5. Posing
        6. 9.9.6. Rapport
        7. 9.9.7. Direction
        8. 9.9.8. Inspiration
        9. 9.9.9. Taking portrait photographs
        10. 9.9.10. Portrait photography tips
      10. 9.10. Still-Life Photography
        1. 9.10.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.10.2. Taking still-life photographs
        3. 9.10.3. Still-life photography tips
      11. 9.11. Stock Photography
        1. 9.11.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.11.2. Taking stock photographs
        3. 9.11.3. Stock photography tips
      12. 9.12. Travel Photography
        1. 9.12.1. Inspiration
        2. 9.12.2. Taking travel photographs
        3. 9.12.3. Travel photography tips
  8. III. Appendixes
    1. A. Downloading Images and Updating Firmware
      1. A.1. Downloading with a USB Cable
      2. A.2. Downloading with a Card Reader
      3. A.3. Updating the XSi/450D Firmware
    2. B. Exploring RAW Capture
      1. B.1. Learning about RAW Capture
      2. B.2. Canon's RAW Conversion Program
      3. B.3. Sample RAW Image Conversion
      4. B.4. Creating an Efficient Workflow
    3. Glossary
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