Why does Canon Provide a Manual with a Camera?

[Jakpro]

I am at a loss in determining why Canon bothers to provide a manual on its' cameras.

Many of the questions asked in various posts are easily answered by reading the manual. I keep seeing the same questions asked over and over and if the poster would bother to read the manual, the poster's question would be answered in detail.

I also have downloaded and saved the PDF files of the manuals to more easily locate information and to make miniature manuals to reference.

I just don't get it!:rolleyes:

[Kevin034]

what does the shutter button do on my XTi?

:D j/k j/k!

[dj sin]

i have said that to my friends who also own canons ...

" that was in the manual, did you read it ? "

[baboymo]

what's a forum for?

[lhoney2]

Your question is answered on page 39. Next time, please RTFM. Thanks.

[PhotoFranz]

I am at a loss in determining why Canon bothers to provide a manual on its' cameras.


I agree with Jakpro. I am not buying my XTi until April, but I have already downloaded the manual and use it for my bedtime story. When I get the camera, it will not be as mystical.

[Ephemeral]

what's a forum for?

There are questions that the manual can answer, and there are questions that the manual cannot. Both types of questions are asked here and answered.

I personally find that I have more sympahty to ppl who ask questions that illustrate that they've read the manual but still don't quite understand. I pitty the few who have blatently not read the manual. I try not to bother with ppl who think this forum is a help desk.

[Mark_Cohran]

Sometimes people with little or no photographic experience read the manual, but still don't understand the concepts. That's when the forum is most useful.

Mark

[gjl711]

If they didn't provide the manual, then my wife wouldn't have it to read. The forum is great, but it's not with me in the field. My wife is. ;)

[gjl711]

... use it for my bedtime story.....BTW. It is best read on the throne.:oops: That way as the old comes out, it is replace by the new.:D

[sWampy]

Most people are used to not having to read the manual. I can't think of the last time I actually read the manual on a tv/dvd player/computer/car/camera (pre canon)/etc. Modern electronics are usually designed in such a way, that most things can be figured out in seconds without having to search through a manual.

[gjl711]

Most people are used to not having to read the manual. .... The car has to be king. Several weeks ago I missed a great photo-op. A poor fella was sitting by the side of the road next to a flat tire. He had a jack in one hand and the manual in the other. I remember driving by thinking that that would be a great picture. I355 at rush hour is not the best time to read the manual.

[Woolburr]

Manual?? We don't need no stinkin' manual!

[PhotoFranz]

BTW. It is best read on the throne.:oops: That way as the old comes out, it is replace by the new.:D

Too hard to handle the laptop on the throne.

[PhotoFranz]

Boy, did that ever sound bad!

[gjl711]

Manual?? We don't need no stinkin' manual!
Was he talking about a manual? Hmmm... I thought he was talking about Manuel. And I need Manuel. He's a great guy. :)

[gjl711]

Boy, did that ever sound bad!It sure got me laughing though...:D

[Jon]

Same reason POTN has separate forums for separate topics.

[tracer bullet]

Too hard to handle the laptop on the throne.
:lol: Agreed. Plus, other people will prod you about what you're *really* looking at. :oops:

[20droger]

People forget...

One who will not read has no advantage over one who cannot read.

[Mike R]

Why read the manual? That's as bad as stopping to ask for directions when lost.:lol:

[20droger]

Do what I do. Don't get lost.

[saravrose]

this whole thread annoys me. Yet another 'funny' way to discourage people from trying to learn.. does anyone think that somebody's going to come across this thread and pick up and read their manual through three or four times and get every concept?.. nope. they're going to look at this thread think that the members have an attitude about folks who are just starting out and learning and they won't ask anything.. I agree that you should read your manual. Lord knows I did when once I discovered that I wasn't going to pick it up as I went.. But asking questions and doing searches on questions that were already asked on POTN was ten times more effective than going page by page mumbling to myself.. The whole point of a forum is to give and receive advice and help.. regardless of whether or not you think a question has merit..

sari

[Mike R]

this whole thread annoys me. Yet another 'funny' way to discourage people from trying to learn.. does anyone think that somebody's going to come across this thread and pick up and read their manual through three or four times and get every concept?.. nope. they're going to look at this thread think that the members have an attitude about folks who are just starting out and learning and they won't ask anything.. I agree that you should read your manual. Lord knows I did when once I discovered that I wasn't going to pick it up as I went.. But asking questions and doing searches on questions that were already asked on POTN was ten times more effective than going page by page mumbling to myself.. The whole point of a forum is to give and receive advice and help.. regardless of whether or not you think a question has merit..

sari

You are right. I would hope that people would interpet this thread as a bit of humor but could see your point.

[Jason77]

BTW. It is best read on the throne.:oops: That way as the old comes out, it is replace by the new.:D

i don't think anything has ever caught me off guard as much as this. good job!

[gparvan]

Most of you sound like this guy at the district swim meet this evening. He was shooting with his digital Canon, XTi I think, and when he finished the frame I asked him what speed he was shooting indoors. He replied "fast" and then snickered at me. Hmmm, either he was feeling his oats with his new digital camera or he was to stupid to know.

I believe these forums are to help folks who need it, when they need it, and how they need it. We like to stretch our egos a bit, see "Let's see your boxes!" thread. Luckily there are enough folks interested in offering help to me, and needing help from me.

Yeah, I'm having a bad day! This thread just pi$$ed me off.

[johnnybfan]

Manual?? We don't need no stinkin' manual!

Amen!! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Glenn NK]

I'm not surprised that Canon supplies a manual. It prevents lawsuits.

What surprises me is the number of people that don't seem to read it.:eek:

On second thought, maybe it is (was) brain surgery.:rolleyes: ;)

[Jakpro]

this whole thread annoys me. Yet another 'funny' way to discourage people from trying to learn.. does anyone think that somebody's going to come across this thread and pick up and read their manual through three or four times and get every concept?.. nope. they're going to look at this thread think that the members have an attitude about folks who are just starting out and learning and they won't ask anything.. I agree that you should read your manual. Lord knows I did when once I discovered that I wasn't going to pick it up as I went.. But asking questions and doing searches on questions that were already asked on POTN was ten times more effective than going page by page mumbling to myself.. The whole point of a forum is to give and receive advice and help.. regardless of whether or not you think a question has merit..

sari

The "point" of the thread was not to discourage people from asking questions or trying to learn--that is why I come here.

I was pointing out the notion that many people could find many of the answers to their questions by reading the manual.

I am not suggesting that anyone refrain from asking any question, regardless of whether it is covered in the manual. Many things that are in the manual are not necessarily clear and need explanation. Asking how to switch the camera to aperture priority or manual is a little unbelievable.

I guess that I am one that reads the manual, buys books, and asks questions after I am unable to answer my question through researching it with the available media on hand.

By the way, could someone explain to me how to turn this new digital camera on?

[italianfemmy]

I think many people have read the manual before asking questions in the manual. Unfortunately, not everyone reads in the same language. What one person says may come across as rude but let someone else say it and add another word or 2 and it is ok.

I think that undertanding the terminonolgy in the manual isn't always easiest for some people. They'd rather people talk to them on their level which is what they understand best. Everyone isn't technical when it comes to reading and processing a bunch of fancy words crammed into a sentence. I really think this is what it often times boils down to.

[Jon, The Elder]

I guess that having made a living for many years by writing and designing Technical Manuals, my outlook is a bit different.

By their very nature, manuals are a way of conveying technical information in a straight forward manner. Very few begin with "Once upon a time....".

Most begin with the premise that the reader has a basic knowledge of the subject itself, at least to the rudiments of the operational sequence.

Canon has been criticized for having poor manuals. This is based on 2 main factors. The writer/designer has poorly defined the audience in his mind, before starting out. The intended audience and the actual audience are not always the same. Also there may be a cultural difference in the writer and reader. The second factor is the reader. What knowledge level of cameras and photography do they posses?

Now, technology has offered a new method of getting this information into the brain. A forum such as this which does away with such frustrating things as looking in the index for something, and finding out that what you think it is called, is something completely different.

Remember also that a manual is a cost factor in the production of a product and as such is considered to be a "necessary evil" and not profit producing in a direct manner. Why put in more content than you have too?

The sad thing is that human nature being what it is, the manuals will probably continue on as is.

[Steve In Kentucky]

I am at a loss in determining why Canon bothers to provide a manual on its' cameras.

Many of the questions asked in various posts are easily answered by reading the manual. I keep seeing the same questions asked over and over and if the poster would bother to read the manual, the poster's question would be answered in detail.

I also have downloaded and saved the PDF files of the manuals to more easily locate information and to make miniature manuals to reference.

I just don't get it!:rolleyes:
I think it's not that people don't read the manual ,it's just they want their suspicions confirmed. I always yield to someone with more experience. The only dumb question is the one thats not asked. I also just like hangin out on the forum.

[20droger]

I guess that having made a living for many years by writing and designing Technical Manuals, my outlook is a bit different.

By their very nature, manuals are a way of conveying technical information in a straight forward manner. Very few begin with "Once upon a time....".

Most begin with the premise that the reader has a basic knowledge of the subject itself, at least to the rudiments of the operational sequence.

Canon has been criticized for having poor manuals. This is based on 2 main factors. The writer/designer has poorly defined the audience in his mind, before starting out. The intended audience and the actual audience are not always the same. Also there may be a cultural difference in the writer and reader. The second factor is the reader. What knowledge level of cameras and photography do they posses?

Now, technology has offered a new method of getting this information into the brain. A forum such as this which does away with such frustrating things as looking in the index for something, and finding out that what you think it is called, is something completely different.

Remember also that a manual is a cost factor in the production of a product and as such is considered to be a "necessary evil" and not profit producing in a direct manner. Why put in more content than you have too?

The sad thing is that human nature being what it is, the manuals will probably continue on as is.
Me too, Jon. And for some things a heck of a lot more technical than a Canon camera.

Actually, as equipment manuals go, I think Canon does an excellent job.

What many fail to consider is that it is a manual on how to operate the camera. It is not a manual on how to take pictures. As you said, that is presumed.

A basic photography guide on the CD would be nice. It would be rather inexpensive to produce, and would be a great help to newbies.

[gjl711]

...Actually, as equipment manuals go, I think Canon does an excellent job.

What many fail to consider is that the purpose of the manual on how to operate the camera. It is not a manual on how to take pictures. As you said, that is presumed.....I agree, I like the Canon manual. It is small fitting easily in the bag. It is laid out in a reasonable manner, has a detailed index, and it covers in detail the functioning of the camera itself without a lot of fluff. It stays in my bag and I refer to if often though as I become more familiar with the finer points of the camera, I refer to it less and less. I could not imagine leaving it at home when out shooting.

[PacAce]

BTW. It is best read on the throne.:oops: That way as the old comes out, it is replace by the new.:D

LOL :lol: You are one funny man. But that's exactly what I do, too. That's the only place where my reading has my undivided attention (well, almost :o ). Anywhere else, I'm either distracted by the program on the TV, the computer or the grandson.

[PhotoFranz]

In my opinion, I think this was a GREAT thread. I am a beginner (I am not even getting my XTi until April) but when I read some of the questions on here, I am amazed that the person has to ask such a basic question when it is clearly covered in a manual. I know "there are no stupid questions". However there may be unnecessary ones. I also do not think that mixing a bit of humor with the subject in any way diminishes its importance. If anyone were to peruse this entire thread, it would be difficult not to arrive at the conclusion that reading the manual is a GOOD thing. No one was really making fun of reading the manual, rather making fun of those who do not.

[Jon, The Elder]

I know "there are no stupid questions". However there may be unnecessary ones.

Now THAT is a very profound and true statement. It alludes to my favorite human trait, that being 'common sense'.

I hope the OP is following this thread.

[mrclark321]

LOL :lol: You are one funny man. But that's exactly what I do, too. That's the only place where my reading has my undivided attention (well, almost :o ). Anywhere else, I'm either distracted by the program on the TV, the computer or the grandson.


One hand for typing and one for the paperwork......I hope :p

[Glenn NK]

I agree, I like the Canon manual. It is small fitting easily in the bag. It is laid out in a reasonable manner, has a detailed index, and it covers in detail the functioning of the camera itself without a lot of fluff. It stays in my bag and I refer to if often though as I become more familiar with the finer points of the camera, I refer to it less and less. I could not imagine leaving it at home when out shooting.

Totally agree, and it stays in the bag until needed for some obscure technical adjustment that I've forgotten.

The comment about the user having basic knowledge of photography is right on. The manual can't possibly be teaching photography.

[philbyuk]

when all else fails its time to read the manual

[4hero]

Just started reading my manual now. I can't wait for the day when I understand what my camera can actaully do! I have only had a dslr for 2 weeks though...

[20droger]

Now THAT is a very profound and true statement. It alludes to my favorite human trait, that being 'common sense'.

I hope the OP is following this thread.
Remember, Jon, common sense isn't.

[mu60]

I have to say that when I was a total, total newbie to digital camera, I would read the manual, and I just still wouldn't understand it. People - myself included - may ask questions that are covered in the manuals, but are looking to have it explained in 'friendlier' terms.

I agree that some of the questions really are unnecessary after just a quick glance at the manual - some of the questions just develop out of sheer laziness, but I can empathize with people who need either a better or a simpler explanation.

I know it's difficult for some people to remember their earliest camera interactions, but I can say that what may seem common knowledge to you could very well be completely foreign to people like me (although I'm getting better).

I can also say first-hand that sometimes certain people have their manuals thrown out by certain other people, and said person has trouble getting Canon's website to load at times. Not that I've ever had that happen personally. :-P

[Glenn NK]

Another take on the situation:

Manuals in general are written by people that not only know the product, but have an above average working knowledge of the language. Let me explain:

On this forum alone, the words their and there, are frequently interchanged - only the context enables one to determine the correct word. In some cases, the correct word would have been “they’re”, a contraction for “they are”. This is not simply the result of spelling mistakes. It might be laziness, but I suspect they just do not know these are different words.

My brother taught high school English from 1965 until 1996; the ability of students in comprehension and composition dropped dramatically in that time span. While this may sound like an indictment of high school teachers, it is not. My brother "inherited" the students coming from grade eight - they simply didn't “know anything from something.”

In his last year of teaching, he showed me some essays by grade twelve students that were hoping to go to college - at least half of them I would have placed at the grade five level; some were unintelligible. None, in my opinion, were capable of handling English courses at college. I understand why he quit teaching at the age of 54 (he was an English major).

The ability of today's students to read with comprehension and to construct a sentence with correct grammar and no spelling mistakes, is abysmal.

The information in the camera manual would have been beyond the comprehension ability of these students.

[20droger]

I think there is a difference between asking what a shutter button does and how to press a shutter button. One is explained clearly in the manual, the other is not. The difference is what this forum is for (in my opinion).

I agree! There are no stupid questions, but there are unnecessary ones. Some questions are more unnecessary than others.

[mu60]

The ability of today's students to read with comprehension and to construct a sentence with correct grammar and no spelling mistakes, is abysmal.


I can vouch for that. Without getting into a discussion about the education system, I can say that the grammar and spelling of a surprising amount of my peers is abhorrent. I've been blessed; I've always had a mother who was seriously devoted to my education. Sadly, most kids aren't that fortunate. A combination of parents that are too busy or just un-interested, and too many poor teachers is really having a bad effect on America's youth. I don't think it's a problem for everyone, but I do agree that it has an effect. But I digress...

And another point is that not everyone has time to read the entire manual. Is it preferable? Yes, but it's not always possible. So, when you use the manual as just a reference, you may not know something that is involved in the steps of doing what you've looked up (I hope that made sense). Again, it goes back to some people just looking for a quick, step-by-step in basic terms. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but it's an explanation.

[gjl711]

I think there is a difference between asking what a shutter button does and how to press a shutter button.....Ya know, for the easiest and most understandable part of the camera, this one little button still causes more trouble than many of the features. I have two in my family, one old, one young who constantly take blurry pictures. I have tried and tried explaining to them that it's the way they press the button, not the camera. Both carefully 1/2 depress and focus correctly, then both haul off and finish the press as if there were a car spring underneath and causing the camera to nod. Camera motion blur plain and simple. Yet I have not been able to modify their behavior and they continue to complain that the camera is not focusing.

[20droger]

Another take on the situation:

Manuals in general are written by people that not only know the product, but have an above average working knowledge of the language. Let me explain:

On this forum alone, the words their and there, are frequently interchanged - only the context enables one to determine the correct word. In some cases, the correct word would have been “they’re”, a contraction for “they are”. This is not simply the result of spelling mistakes. It might be laziness, but I suspect they just do not know these are different words.

My brother taught high school English from 1965 until 1996; the ability of students in comprehension and composition dropped dramatically in that time span. While this may sound like an indictment of high school teachers, it is not. My brother "inherited" the students coming from grade eight - they simply didn't “know anything from something.”

In his last year of teaching, he showed me some essays by grade twelve students that were hoping to go to college - at least half of them I would have placed at the grade five level; some were unintelligible. None, in my opinion, were capable of handling English courses at college. I understand why he quit teaching at the age of 54 (he was an English major).

The ability of today's students to read with comprehension and to construct a sentence with correct grammar and no spelling mistakes, is abysmal.

The information in the camera manual would have been beyond the comprehension ability of these students.
I agree, but only partially.

The lack of understanding of the proper usage of words like "there," "their," and "they're" will most certainly lead to an inability to write in a grammatically meaningful manner. It does not follow, however, that that same lack of understanding will lead to an inability to recognize and comprehend those same words when approriately written by someone else.

The subtle (or not so subtle) differences between "anything" and "something" may be lost on a person, but that does not ipso facto mean that person cannot comprehend a sentence in which "anything" and/or "something" is used.

I believe that, of those who take the time to read the manual, that manual would be lost on fewer people than you seem to imagine. Some points may be completely lost on a given person, but I doubt that loss is a result of the grammar of the manual. The vocabulary, perhaps, but not the grammar.

Vocabulary is an entirely different problem. When a person encounters a term whose meaning is not either already known or is clear from context, then it behooves that person to look up the term. Lord knows there are enough glossaries and dictionaries around to explain almost any term.

A failure of a newbie to look up a term is a different issue: should we serve as that person's personal lexicographers?

When asked about a term by a newbie, I virtually always give a meaningful answer. If I have been asked by the same newbie about a few different terms, I answer and also suggest a good photographic dictionary. When asked over and over about different terms by the same newbie, I place him/her on ignore. I am not his/her reference librarian.

[20droger]

Ya know, for the easiest and most understandable part of the camera, this one little button still causes more trouble than many of the features. I have two in my family, one old, one young who constantly take blurry pictures. I have tried and tried explaining to them that it's the way they press the button, not the camera. Both carefully 1/2 depress and focus correctly, then both haul off and finish the press as if there were a car spring underneath and causing the camera to nod. Camera motion blur plain and simple. Yet I have not been able to modify their behavior and they continue to complain that the camera is not focusing.
Ya gotta teach 'em to squeeze, not press.

First, drop the word "press" from your vocabulary. Teach them to squeeze the shutter.

Next, make them practice on somethin soft and potentially messy, like a Twinkie. If they can squeeze thier shutter finger through a Twinkie without making the goo come out, then they can take good pictures.

Teach them to sneak up on the shutter. They should not have reached full bottom when the picture is taken.

[CyberPet]

Assuming everyone have Internet access - even out shooting on the field, yeah then the manual is not needed. I have both my camera's and flash manual in my camera bag, in case I come upon a problem I can't solve quickly, like where do I change the second curtain for flash photography, when I don't do it everyday and don't have the whole manual memorized - out in a field with no computers or phone's nearby?

[20droger]

Assuming everyone have Internet access - even out shooting on the field, yeah then the manual is not needed. I have both my camera's and flash manual in my camera bag, in case I come upon a problem I can't solve quickly, like where do I change the second curtain for flash photography, when I don't do it everyday and don't have the whole manual memorized - out in a field with no computers or phone's nearby?
Have you tried PhotoBert CheatSheets? They're great! They're plastic coated for wear and tear and weatherproofing. And, they can be stuck in a back pocket for real portability.

http://www.photocheatsheets.com/

[gjl711]

Ya gotta teach 'em to squeeze, not press.

First, drop the word "press" from your vocabulary. Teach them to squeeze the shutter.

Next, make them practice on somethin soft and potentially messy, like a Twinkie. If they can squeeze thier shutter finger through a Twinkie without making the goo come out, then they can take good pictures.

Teach them to sneak up on the shutter. They should not have reached full bottom when the picture is taken.
Good tip, I'll try it... I love the Twinkie idea.

[BottomBracket]

I think that the manual is more of a technical document than a learning one. It is quite valuable for someone who is familiar with SLR's or dSLR's but may be too much for a newbie. Camera books and/or forums are the best way to learn for beginners, and even old photography salts. Take CF4-1, for example. It is one of the best things you can do to your camera. It is in the manual, but it doesn't emphasize it. Most people who love it find out about it on forums.

I don't think there are stupid or unneccesary questions, if there is no malice involved when asked. There are some people who buy a dSLR and get quite overwhelmed by all the buttons and functions that they forget which is the shutter button. At this point if they ask a 'stupid' question and get RTFM as an answer, would that be really helping him/her?

Let's just help each other out.

[Big WIll]

Everything i buy, unless its like an Ink Cartridge or something silly. I will always read the manual, however this is normally after a few hours playing with it first! :)

Manuals will solve 8/10 Problems for XT/XTI's in my experience! Then SEARCH forum and only then ASK!

[Glenn NK]

20droger:

Your replies to my rant are correct - I agree - I was ranting, while attempting to not be too blunt. Oops, I shouldn't have used "to" and "too" in the same sentence.;) ;)

Vocabulary is also a problem - or should I say lack of it.

[gjl711]

...I was ranting, while attempting to not be too blunt. Oops, I shouldn't have used "to" and "too" in the same sentence.;) ;) .... Why can't you use to and too in the same sentence. What about three. Two times I attempted to not be too blunt. :)

[Jon, The Elder]

Two times I attempted to not be too blunt.

Careful Gjl....now someone will asked if 'blunt' is a person with light yellowish hair.

[20droger]

Why can't you use to and too in the same sentence. What about three. Two times I attempted to not be too blunt. :)
Hmmm... Must like tutus too too much.

[20droger]

Careful Gjl....now someone will asked if 'blunt' is a person with light yellowish hair.
Nah! "Blunt" sounds like a past tense. It must refer to persons who used to have light yellowish hair, but don't now.

[PhotoFranz]

I know nothing about this, but "blunt" sounds a bit like something that someone who does not read the manual might smoke.

[gjl711]

I know nothing about this, but "blunt" sounds a bit like something that someone who does not read the manual might smoke.
Well... it is a size of cigar. Or are you speaking of the augmented cigars.;)

[greg20d]

I keep my manual with me most of the time I can never remember some things ....too many drugs in my youth ,,,,lol

[Hellashot]

I so agree with you. Unfortunately companies are making products specifically that they can be used without needing a manual. They want to make things more user friendly and the answer is less complex devices. The downfall is that most people DON'T even open their manual on any product, they just turn it on and press buttons.

[moss boss]

canon provides a manual for its cameras because jose is taking a siesta.;) :p

[Glenn NK]

And somebody once said to me that photographers don't have a sense of humour.:p

[Jon, The Elder]

Groan !

[bildeb0rg]

I am at a loss in determining why Canon bothers to provide a manual on its' cameras.

Many of the questions asked in various posts are easily answered by reading the manual. I keep seeing the same questions asked over and over and if the poster would bother to read the manual, the poster's question would be answered in detail.

I also have downloaded and saved the PDF files of the manuals to more easily locate information and to make miniature manuals to reference.

I just don't get it!:rolleyes:

Not only must you be a joy to be around, but I assume you never troubled your teachers at school, as everything "was in the books"

[SuzyView]

On line manual is great, but having the hard copy is better because I can mark it up. Yesterday I couldn't turn the sound off the ring of my new cell phone. Has been bothering me for days. I found the manual, sat down, read how to silence the ring and did it. It was intuitive for me, but maybe for a 16 year old, it is. Also, I am not brave, pressing buttons and resetting things. I'm always afraid I will do something permanent and can't get back to the defaults. Insecurities abound here. Love the manual. I take it with me.

[20droger]

Groan !
See what you started?!!

[queenbee288]

I read and read and reread my manual and still refer to it often but I found Canon's video interactive tutorial very helpful. I wonder why more people aren't directed there.http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/index.html

[Cleo199]

I found my way to that workshop a few weeks ago and found it very helpful. My manual is in my camera bag. While I have read it, ask me a question about it. I don't know that my brain saved much. :( And I don't want to read it in public because I don't want people to know I really don't know what the heck I'm doing. But I come here to see what you all do and how you do it. And when I leave the house with my camera, I promptly forget all that advice........

[Amnesia180]

I have to say that I prefer coming to Forums for advice/help.

It's all very well the manual saying to do x set y and z. But if you come to a forum, someone will able to tell you what to do, why to do it, and even throw in some more advice.

If that was the case - Why go to Photography classes? why do a Degree in it? etc...

However, I understand your frustration if someone says "Where's the on button".

[BillsBayou]

I have a PDF copy of the manual. Unfortunately, something in the setup of the PDF file prohibits me from reading the manual on my Palm. If I could only carry the manual in the field without having to carry my Palm AND the damned manual, I'd be golden.

[20droger]

I have a PDF copy of the manual. Unfortunately, something in the setup of the PDF file prohibits me from reading the manual on my Palm. If I could only carry the manual in the field without having to carry my Palm AND the damned manual, I'd be golden.
It may be a reader problem. If you are not using a true Adobe reader, you should be. They're free.

Or it may be a download problem. Try the manuals here:

http://eosdoc.com/

An alternative would be to print a letter-size version of the manual, scan the text, and build your own in Word or whatever.

Good luck.

[ajbalazic]

Manuals (and maps and directions) are for wusses.

[20droger]

Manuals (and maps and directions) are for wusses.
Didn't I see you wandering around southern Arizona looking for the way north?

[Jon, The Elder]

Manuals (and maps and directions) are for wusses.

Maybe, how many do you have?

[ajbalazic]

Didn't I see you wandering around southern Arizona looking for the way north?
Strangely, I'm at the Mexican borden- not Canadian.


Maybe, how many do you have?
:lol:

[DAMphyne]

If we didn't have manuals we wouldn't have those famous 4 letters to tell the newbies.
RTFM
I'd sure miss that post, lots of people get their count up just that way.

[Jon, The Elder]

Is that an insinuation? If so, what a deplorable thing to do, I can't imagine anyone doing.............

[DAMphyne]

I had a boss that constantly asked me how to change the settings on her camera, once I replied, RTFM, and smiled.
She then asked if I liked my job.
Gulp!

[gjl711]

I had a boss that constantly asked me how to change the settings on her camera, once I replied, RTFM, and smiled.
She then asked if I liked my job.
Gulp!It really is amazing how much power that little paycheck has.

[DAMphyne]

You know it, I was happy to make any and all the changes she wanted.
No extra fee, for sure.

[gjl711]

You know it, I was happy to make any and all the changes she wanted.
No extra fee, for sure.I'm not saying my boss is an idiot, but he was having trouble with a brand new mouse that he hooked up himself. It didn't work so he asked for assistance. A quick peek behind docking station showed that he had unplugged his ethernet and plugged in the USB connector, or more accurately somehow jammed the USB into the ethernet slot. I didn't have the heart to point out his error but you would thing that an engineer would at least know the difference between the two. ;)

[DAMphyne]

Round peg in a square hole, or is it square peg in a round hole.
I wouldn't say your boss is an idiot, just not efficient, should have delegated that job.
That is funny.

[Jon, The Elder]

Just about every Engineer I know (Detroit automotive) is pretty linear. I swear that some sleep in striped Pyjamas on striped sheets (at attention). Many trip over their Egos regularly.