Canon® EOS RebelXSi/450D Digital

Field Guide

Charlotte K. Lowrie

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Canon® EOS RebelXSi/450D Digital

Field Guide

Charlotte K. Lowrie

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Canon® EOS Rebel XSi/450D Digital Field Guide

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.10475 Crosspoint BoulevardIndianapolis, IN 46256www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

ISBN: 978-0-470-38087-1

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in anyform or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise,except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, withouteither the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of theappropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600. Requests to the Publisher for permission should beaddressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN46256, (317) 572-3447, fax (317) 572-4355, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: The publisher and the author make no representationsor warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work andspecifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particularpurpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The adviceand strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with theunderstanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or otherprofessional services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competentprofessional person should be sought. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable fordamages arising herefrom. The fact that an organization or Web site is referred to in this work as acitation and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the author or thepublisher endorses the information the organization of Web site may provide or recommendationsit may make. Further, readers should be aware that Internet Web sites listed in this work may havechanged or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read.

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Trademarks: Wiley and the Wiley Publishing logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of JohnWiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Canon is a registered trademark of Canon, Inc. All othertrademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associatedwith any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

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About the AuthorCharlotte K. Lowrie is a professional editorial, portrait, and stock photographer and anaward-winning writer based in the Seattle, Washington area. Her writing and photographyhave appeared in newsstand magazines and Web sites. She is the author of nine booksincluding the best-seller Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi Digital Field Guide, the Canon EOS40D Digital Field Guide, the Canon EOS 5D Digital Field Guide, the Canon EOS 30D DigitalField Guide, and she is co-author of Exposure and Lighting for Digital Photographers Only.Charlotte also teaches two photography classes at BetterPhoto.com every month. Herimages have appeared on the Canon Digital Learning Center, and she is a featured pho-tographer on www.takegreatpictures.com.

Charlotte’s images have been published in a variety of books, magazine articles, commer-cial products, and advertisements. You can see more of her images on wordsandphotos.org

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Acquisitions EditorRyan Spence

Senior Project EditorCricket Krengel

Copy EditorLauren Kennedy

Editorial ManagerRobyn B. Siesky

Vice President & Group ExecutivePublisherRichard Swadley

Vice President & PublisherBarry Pruett

Business ManagerAmy Knies

Senior Marketing ManagerSandy Smith

Project CoordinatorLynsey Stanford

Graphics and Production SpecialistsAlissa D. ElletAndrea Hornberger

Quality Control TechnicianJessica Kramer

ProofreadingLaura L. Bowman

IndexingSherry Massey

Credits

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I dedicate this book in loving memory to my Mother, Margie Kissler, who went to be with the Lord in

April 2008. Her selfless and joyous love inspired me through life, and the

memory of it inspires me still.

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Acknowledgments

My thanks to Bryan Lowrie and Sandy Rippel who kindly contributed images for this book.

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Contents at a GlanceAcknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viiIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii

Part I: Using the Rebel XSi/450D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Chapter 1: Exploring and Setting Up the Rebel XSi/450D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Chapter 2: Using the Rebel XSi/450D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Chapter 3: Using White Balance and Picture Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Chapter 4: Using Live View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83Chapter 5: Customizing the Rebel XSi/450D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Part II: Creating Great Photographs with the Rebel XSi/450D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109Chapter 6: The Fundamentals of Light and Exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Chapter 7: Using Flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133Chapter 8: Exploring Canon Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145Chapter 9: In the Field with the Rebel XSi/450D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Part III: Appendixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231Appendix A: Downloading Images and Updating Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . 233Appendix B: Exploring RAW Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

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ContentsAcknowledgments vii

Introduction xvii

Part I: Using the RebelXSi/450D 1

Chapter 1: Exploring and Setting Up the Digital Rebel XSi/450D 3

Anatomy of the Digital Rebel XSi/450D 1

Front camera controls 4Top camera controls 5Rear camera controls 7Camera terminals 10The LCD 10Viewfinder display 11Lens controls 12

Setting Up the Rebel XSi/450D 13

Formatting an SD/SDHC card 14Setting the date and time 15Choosing the file format and

quality 16JPEG format 17RAW format 17

Changing file numbering 19

Chapter 2: Using the Rebel XSi/450D 21

Choosing a Shooting Mode 22How shooting modes relate to

exposure 22Basic Zone shooting modes 23

Full Auto mode 24Portrait mode 25Landscape mode 26Close-up mode 27Sports mode 27Night Portrait mode 29Flash-off mode 29

Creative Zone shooting modes 30P mode 30Tv mode 31Av mode 32M mode 33A-DEP mode 34

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Selecting a Metering Mode 35Evaluative metering 36Partial metering 36Spot metering 37Center-weighted Average

metering 38Modifying Exposure 38

Auto Lighting Optimization 39Highlight Tone Priority 39Exposure Compensation 40Auto Exposure Bracketing 41Auto Exposure Lock 42

Evaluating Exposure 44Brightness histogram 45RGB histogram 45

Setting the ISO Sensitivity 47Getting Sharp Focus 49

Selecting an Autofocus point 51Selecting an AF point 51Verifying sharp focus 52

Choosing a Drive Mode 52Single-shot mode 53Continuous mode 53Self-timer modes 53

Viewing and Playing Back Images 54Single-image playback 54Index Display 55Auto Play 55Using the Display Button 56

Erasing Images 56Protecting Images 56Using the EOS Integrated Cleaning

System 57Automatic sensor cleaning 57Obtaining Dust Delete Data 58Applying Dust Delete Data 59

Chapter 3: Using White Balance and Picture Styles 61

About Color Spaces 61Choosing a Color Space 64Choosing White Balance Options 65

Approaches to using various white balance options 67

Set a custom white balance 69Use White Balance Auto

Bracketing 71Set White Balance Correction 72

Choosing and Customizing a Picture Style 73

Registering a User Defined Picture Style 79

Using the Picture Style Editor 80

Chapter 4: Using Live View 83

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About Live View 83Live View Features and Functions 84

Live View focusing 84Exposure simulation and

metering 84Using a flash 85

Setting Up for Live View 85Setting Live View Custom

Functions 86C.Fn-8 86C.Fn-6 87

Live View function settings 87Shooting in Live View 88

Focusing with Quick or Live mode 88

Quick mode focusing 88Live mode focusing 89Manual focusing 90

Using Live View with tethered shooting 91

Chapter 5: Customizing theRebel XSi/450D 95

Setting Custom Functions 96Custom Function groupings 96Custom Function specifics 96

C.Fn I: Exposure 96C.Fn II: Image 98C.Fn III: Autofocus/Drive 101C.Fn IV: Operation/

Others 102Setting Custom Functions 105

Customizing My Menu 106Changing the Screen Color 108

Part II: Creating GreatPhotographs with the Rebel XSi/450D 109

Chapter 6: The Fundamentals of Light and Exposure 111

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The Four Elements of Exposure 111Light 112Sensitivity: The role of ISO 113Intensity: The role of

the aperture 115Wide aperture 115Narrow aperture 116Choosing an aperture 116What is depth of field? 117

Time: The role of Shutter Speed 119

Equivalent Exposures 120Putting It All Together 120Let There Be Light 121

Understanding color temperature 121

The colors of light 123Sunrise 123Midday 123Sunset 124Diffused light 124Electronic flash 125Tungsten light 125Fluorescent and

other light 126Metering light 127Additional characteristics

of light 128Hard light 128Soft light 129Directional light 129

Chapter 7: Using Flash 133

Exploring Flash Technology 133Using the Onboard Flash 135

Disabling the flash but enabling the flash’s autofocus-assist beam 137

Red-eye reduction 137Modifying Flash Exposure 138

Flash Exposure Lock 138Flash Exposure

Compensation 139Using Flash Control Options 141Using One or More Accessory

Speedlites 143

Chapter 8: Exploring Canon Lenses 145

Understanding the Focal Length Multiplication Factor 145

Lens Choices 147Wide angle 147Normal 148Telephoto 148Macro 148

Zoom Versus Prime Lenses 149About zoom lenses 149

Zoom lens advantages 149Zoom lens disadvantages 150

About prime lenses 151Prime lens advantages 151Prime lens disadvantages 151

Canon Lens Terminology 151Using Wide-Angle Lenses 154Using Telephoto Lenses 156Using Normal Lenses 157Using Macro Lenses 158

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Using Tilt-and-Shift Lenses 160Using Image-Stabilized Lenses 161Exploring Lens Accessories 161

Lens extenders 162Extension tubes and

close-up lenses 162

Chapter 9: In the Field with the Rebel XSi/450D 165

Approaches to Composition 165Subdividing the

photographic frame 166Balance and symmetry 167Tone and color 168Lines and direction 170Fill the frame 171Check the background 171Frame the subject 171Control the focus and

depth of field 171Defining space and

perspective 172Action and Sports Photography 173

Inspiration 175Taking action and sports

photographs 176Action and sports

photography tips 178Animal and Wildlife Photography 179

Inspiration 180Taking animal and wildlife

photographs 181Animal and wildlife

photography tips 183

Architectural and Interior Photography 184

Inspiration 186Taking architectural and

interior photographs 188Architectural and interior

photography tips 190Child Photography 191

Inspiration 192Taking child photographs 193Child photography tips 195

Macro Photography 196Inspiration 197Taking macro photographs 198Macro photography tips 200

Nature and Landscape Photography 200

Inspiration 202Taking nature and landscape

photographs 203Nature and landscape

photography tips 205Night and Low-Light Photography 205

Inspiration 208Taking night and low-light

photographs 208Night and low-light

photography tips 210Portrait Photography 210

Lens choices 211Backgrounds and props 211Lighting 211Accessory flash 212Posing 212Rapport 213Direction 213Inspiration 213Taking portrait photographs 214Portrait photography tips 216

Still-Life Photography 216Inspiration 218Taking still-life photographs 219Still-life photography tips 220

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Stock Photography 221Inspiration 222Taking stock photographs 223Stock photography tips 224

Travel Photography 225Inspiration 227Taking travel photographs 228Travel photography tips 229

Part III: Appendixes 231

Appendix A: DownloadingImages and Updating Firmware 233

Downloading with a USB Cable 233Downloading with a Card Reader 235Updating the XSi/450D Firmware 236

Appendix B: Exploring RAW Capture 239

Learning about RAW Capture 239Canon’s RAW Conversion

Program 242Sample RAW Image Conversion 243Creating an Efficient Workflow 247

Glossary 249

Index 255

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Introduction

Welcome to the Canon EOS XSi/450D Digital Field Guide. With the introduction of theXSi/450D, Canon combined the best of its recent technologies into an affordable, digitalSLR that is fast, reliable, and produces outstanding image quality. This book is designed tohelp you master using the camera and to help you get the best images possible from it.From my experience, it’s safe to say that this camera is a very capable tool that enables youto express your creative vision.

The XSi/450D features the best of Canon’s latest technology that gives this camera speedyresponse and performance, and a suite of powerful features that give you more control dur-ing shooting. The camera is approachable with a small and lightweight footprint, and it fea-tures Live View shooting for new creative opportunities, good customizability, 14-bitconversion for fine gradation and more colors, highlight tone priority, in-camera Canon EXSpeedLite control, large-text, intuitive, full-feature menus, a personalized menu, a big,bright, wide-angle view LCD, and automatic image-sensor cleaning with the option ofrecording and applying Dust-Delete Data after image capture in Canon’s Digital PhotoProfessional program.

The XSi/450D is the latest in Canon’s new generation of cameras that opens the door togreater creative expression for photographers. This book is designed to help you go deepinto the XSi/450D and use its full potential.

You’ll find that this book is a mix of how-to-use the camera information together with in-field of specific photographic subjects. Regardless of your shooting specialty preference,when the day is done, most photographers know that all of life is a photographic stage. Inhis book The Mind’s Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers, Henri Cartier-Bresson said, “There is subject in all that takes place in the world, as well as in our personaluniverse. We cannot negate subject. It is everywhere. So we must be lucid toward what isgoing on in the world, and honest about what we feel . . . In photography, the smallest thingcan be a great subject. The little human detail can become a leitmotiv. We see and showthe world around us, but it is an event itself which provokes the organic rhythm of forms.”

I hope that this book is a rewarding journey for you, not only in learning to use the EOSXSi/450D, but also in exploring a universe of subjects and distilling the essence of eachimage with freshness and personal creative vision. And as you use this book, remember thatit is the photographer who makes the picture — and having a camera like the EOS XSi/450Dis a great extension of your vision and your creative insight.

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Getting the Most from This BookThroughout the book, the goal is to make your workflow more efficient by setting up thecamera for routine shooting so that you get the highest image quality and the color settingsthat fit best within your workflow. The first half of the book is devoted to not only settingthe camera controls, but also to the effect of using different controls and settings duringshooting. It is essential to know the camera controls well, and to set up functions so thatthey best suit your routine shooting preferences. The XSi/450D is customizable giving youample opportunity to setup the camera so that it works well for you. Further, Canon pro-vided a full complement of features that give you control over exposure, color, and drivemodes. Knowing the extent of these features will go a long way toward making your pho-tography efficient and successful.

While you may or may not be drawn to the Picture Styles, offered on Canon EOS digitalcameras, Chapter 3 explains why you need to carefully evaluate and consider modifyingPicture Styles. The more you know about Picture Styles, the better your chances of gettingthe best color and quality both from the camera and subsequently from the prints youmake. The XSi/450D also offers many opportunities to customize the functions and use ofthe camera. All the customization features translate into saving you time during shootingand later as you process your XSi/450D images.

In Chapter 6, those who are new to photography can get an overview on the basics of photographic exposure including an introduction to ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and thetypes and characteristics of light, and how these elements work together to create a goodexposure.

You’ll also find discussions of Canon SpeedLites and lenses in Chapters 7 and 8. In Chapter7, you’ll learn about both the onboard flash as well as using one and more accessorySpeedLites. Chapter 8 introduces the range of lenses that Canon offers as well as providingexample images taken using some of the lenses. These chapters are designed as a quick ref-erence, not an exhaustive compendium of lens test results and flash shooting techniques —both of which are book-length topics on their own. The next part of the book concentrateson the photographic areas where the EOS XSi/450D is a stand-out performer. Each sectionoffers discussions about each photographic area; field notes on using the XSi/450D; lenses,flash, and accessories; shooting tips and experiences; and, workflow notes.

This part of the book is designed to discuss camera performance and capability in variousvenues and to provide suggestions and comments to make your shooting more efficientand successful. As with any area of photography, there are as many options, preferences,and opinions as there are photographers. The information provided in this part of the bookreflects one photographer’s experience — use it as a springboard for your work with theXSi/450D.

In Appendix A, you learn about getting and installing periodic firmware updates for theXSi/450D that are provided by Canon. These updates are important in resolving any knownbugs with the camera as well as updating menu functions.

xviii Introduction

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Digital images aren’t finished, of course, until they are edited, and, in the case of RAW capture, until they are converted to TIFF or JEPG format. Canon provides a suite of programsthat allow you to view and edit XSi/450D images. In addition, if you are interested in get-ting started with RAW capture, Appendix B provides the basics for shooting and convertingRAW images using Canon’s Digital Photo Professional program.

I hope that during your journey through this book, you will be inspired and challenged tothe XSi/450D to capture stunning, personal-best images. Regardless, I am confident thatyou will find that the EOS XSi/450D is an exceptional tool to help you achieve your photo-graphic vision.

The editor, the staff at Wiley, and I hope that you enjoy reading and using this book as muchas we enjoyed creating it for you.

Introduction xix

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Using theRebelXSi/450D II

P A R T

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

In This Part

Chapter 1Exploring and SettingUp the Rebel XSi/450D

Chapter 2Using the RebelXSi/450D

Chapter 3Using White Balanceand Picture Styles

Chapter 4Using Live View

Chapter 5Customizing the RebelXSi/450D

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

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11C H A P T E RExploring andSetting Upthe RebelXSi/450D

Professional photographers know that an importantfirst step in photography is learning the camera so

thoroughly that they can operate the camera without hesitat-ing or hunting for controls. By knowing the camera and lenscontrols well, you can make adjustments instinctively andconfidently without missing a shot.

The simple design of the Rebel XSi/450D makes mastering itboth easy and fun; yet despite the simplicity, the camera offersfull-function features for exceptional creative control. Internally,Canon’s 12.2-megapixel CMOS (complementary metal-oxidesemiconductor) sensor, DIGIC III Image Processor, and 14-bitanalog-to-digital conversion deliver dependably vivid, crispimages, especially at the highest image-quality settings.

Anatomy of the RebelXSi/450DMany of the Rebel XSi/450D’s controls are within a finger’sreach for quick adjustment as you’re shooting. Less frequentlyused functions are accessible only via the menus. The follow-ing sections help you to explore and master the XSi/450Dcontrols.

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

In This Chapter

Anatomy of the RebelXSi/450D

Setting up the RebelXSi/450D

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

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Front camera controlsThe front of the camera is a view photogra-phers seldom see. But there are controls andconnections on the front of the camera thatyou’ll use often, such as the Lens release but-ton and the Depth of field preview button. Ifyou use EF-S lenses, you should note thelocation of the white EF-S lens mount indexmark. This is the mark you use to line up thelens when you mount it on the camera.

The front camera controls, from left to right,include the following:

✦ Shutter button. This button setsfocus, initiates metering and expo-sure calculation, and fires the shut-ter to make an exposure. To set thefocus for the image, press theShutter button halfway. To makethe picture, press the Shutter but-ton completely.

4 Part I ✦ Using the Rebel XSi/450D

Shutter button

Red-eye reduction/Self-timer lamp

EF lens mount index

EF-S lens mount index

Flash pop-up buttonBuilt-in flash

Grip/battery compartment Lens mount

Mirror

Contacts

Depth of fieldpreview button

Lens release button

1.1 Rebel XSi/450D front camera controls

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✦ Red-eye reduction/Self-timerlamp. This red lamp flashes tocount down the seconds to shutterrelease when the camera is set toone of the Self-timer modes.

✦ EF and EF-S lens mount indexmarkers. Use these markers onthe lens mount to line up the lenswhen you mount it on the camera.Use the EF lens mount index for allEF lenses that have a red markeron the lens, and the EF-S lensmount index for EF-S lenses thathave a white marker on the lens.

✦ Built-in flash and Flash pop-upbutton. The flash provides illumina-tion either as the main light sourceor as a fill flash. In Basic Zonemodes such as Full Auto, Portrait,Landscape, and so on, the flashfires automatically. In Creative Zoneshooting modes such as P, Tv, Av,and so on, pressing the Flash pop-up button raises the flash for use.

✦ Depth of field preview button.Press this button to stop down, oradjust, the lens diaphragm to thecurrent aperture to preview thedepth of field in the viewfinder.The larger the area of darkness inthe viewfinder, the more extensivethe depth of field will be. At thelens’s maximum aperture, theDepth of field preview button can-not be depressed because thediaphragm is fully open. The aper-ture cannot be changed as long asthe Depth of field preview buttonis depressed. You can also previewdepth of field when using the LiveView function.

✦ Lens release button. Press andhold this button to disengage thelens from the lens mount by turningthe lens to the right to remove it.

Top camera controlsControls on the top of the camera enableyou to use your thumb and index finger on your right hand to control commonadjustments quickly. Here is a look at thetop camera controls:

✦ Mode dial. This dial enables you toswitch among shooting modes bylining up the mode you want withthe white mark beside the dial.

✦ ISO speed button. Press this but-ton to set the sensor’s ISO setting,which determines the sensor’s sen-sitivity to light. In Creative Zonemodes such as P (Program AE[Auto Exposure]), Tv (Shutter-priority), Av (Aperture-priority), and M (Manual), you can selectAuto where the camera automati-cally sets the ISO from 100 to 800,or you can set it from 100 to 1600.In Basic Zone modes such as FullAuto, Portrait, and Landscape, thecamera automatically sets the ISObetween 100 and 800. Before youcan display the ISO settings screen,the LCD shooting information dis-play must be on. If the display isoff, press the Display button to turnit on.

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring and Setting Up the Rebel XSi/450D 5

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✦ Main dial. This dial selects a vari-ety of settings and options. Turnthe Main dial to manually select anAF (autofocus) point after pressingthe AF-point selection/Magnify but-ton, and to set the aperture in Avmode, the shutter speed in Tv andManual modes, and to shift theexposure program in P mode.Additionally, you can use the Maindial to scroll among Menu tabs.

✦ Shutter button. Pressing theShutter button halfway sets thepoint of sharpest focus at theselected AF point in manual AF-point selection mode, and it simul-taneously sets the exposure basedon the ISO and selected shootingmode. Pressing the Shutter com-pletely makes the exposure. In anymode except Direct Printing, youcan also half-press the Shutter but-ton and dismiss camera menusand image playback.

6 Part I ✦ Using the Rebel XSi/450D

Shutter button

Main dial

ISO speed button

Power switch

Mode dial

1.2 Rebel XSi/450D top camera controls

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Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring and Setting Up the Rebel XSi/450D 7

Rear camera controlsThe rear camera controls are handy for mak-ing quick adjustments while you’re shooting.In particular, you’ll likely use the WB (whitebalance), Menu, Playback, and AF-pointselection/Magnify (Autofocus) buttons often.

Your ability to use some of the rear cameracontrols depends on the shooting modeyou’re using. In automatic modes such asPortrait, Landscape, and Sports, pressing theAV, WB, and Drive mode selection buttonshas no effect because these functions are setautomatically by the camera. But in theCreative Zone modes such as P, Tv, Av, M,and A-DEP, these buttons function asdescribed next.

If you press the WB (WhiteBalance), AF (AutoFocus), orother buttons on the cameraand nothing happens, check theMode dial first to see if you’reusing an automatic mode suchas Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape,and so on. If you want to usethese buttons to make changes,then switch to P, Tv, Av, M, or A-DEP mode.

✦ Menu button. Press the Menubutton to display camera menus.To move among Menu tabs, turnthe Main dial or press the left orright cross key on the back of thecamera.

✦ Disp. (Display) button. Press thisbutton to turn off the LCD display.If you’re using the camera menus,you can press this button to dis-play the current camera settings,available space on the SD/SDHCcard, and other camera settings.Then press the button again toreturn to the menu. Or if you are insingle-image playback, pressingthis button cycles through the vari-ous playback display modes toshow shooting information and

one or more histograms with animage preview. You can also usethis button when you’re printingdirectly from the SD/SDHC card tochange the image between hori-zontal and vertical orientations.

The LCD display is on by defaultwhen you turn the camera on. Butyou can set Custom Function(C.Fn) 12 to change the power sta-tus when you turn on the camera.

See Chapter 5 for details onusing Custom Functions.

✦ Av button. Press and hold this but-ton and turn the Main dial to setexposure compensation in P, Tv, Av,and A-DEP. In Manual mode, pressand hold this button and turn theMain dial to set the aperture.

✦ Print share/WB (White Balance)button. Pressing the Printshare/WB button enables you totransfer all or selected images fromthe SD/SDHC card to your com-puter. Press this button when youwant to print images on theSD/SDHC card directly to a com-patible printer. When you’re shoot-ing, pressing the button enablesyou to set a white balance thatmatches the light in the scene foraccurate, natural-looking colors.

✦ Playback button. Press this but-ton to display the last capturedimage on the LCD. The default single-image Playback displayincludes a ribbon of shooting infor-mation at the top. Pressing theIndex/Reduce button on the top-right back of the camera duringplayback displays a grid of imagesyou can scroll through using theMain dial. Press the AF point selection/Magnify button one ormore times to return to single-image display.

Tip

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