20D-Books to learn to use camera & software.

[BobHowell]

I am getting used to my 20D and find many terms and proceedures vague. I would like to read a few books to better understand the camera and software that comes with it.

I gather you can shoot in RAW mode and make many corrections later with the various software packages. I see books on general topics but how much applies to the 20D. Many books list all of the various features available on various SLR Digital cameras, but I have a hard time keeping up with just which ones apply to the 20D.

Canon seems to have 3 or 4 different RAW file formats. So even that term has different meanings. What settings on the Camera can be adjusted later with software. When do I use the DPP soft ware or Go to PhotoShop Elements. 2 or 3 books to get me started would be helpful. I am interested in photographing shore birds on the Gulf Coast and backyard birds around Atlanta. I have used a Rebel G with a 400mm 5.6 L lense for a year, and books by Moose Peterson on Nature Photo. I see he has a Book on the Nikon Digital System. I wonder if there is a Canon book out there. I know I need to take a class and will someday but I want to read a few books while I search for a convienent time slot.

Thanks,

Bob

[jimtfoto]

My wife recently upgraded from DRebel to the 20D. We had a book from Magic Lantern Guides on the Rebel, which she found extremely useful. At a local Chapters recently, we noticed Magic Lantern plans a book on the 20D, but it won't be available here in Toronto until March. Don't know where you are located, but you might want to check with your local stores to see ifg availability is any different. The ISBN number for the book is 1579906923

cheers,
jim

[cmM]

I'm not sure there is a book speciffic to the 20D, there are more general refference books. I'm pretty sure there's a "EOS" book out there.

[Gus00]

Just last night I noticed and instructional DVD for the 20D at B&H for $19.95.

[Scottes]

www.shortcourses.com

I got their 10D book - *way* better than the Magic Lantern guide.

[glamourbyjim]

Try this web site http://www.shortcourses.com/

They offer lots of camera specific books. I have used several of their books and recommend them highly.

Jim

[Jonny]

Try this book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1579906923/qid=1106158902/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-1796326-7937650?v=glance&s=books)

[donlavange]

Spiral bound and a liitle more costly is this from Amazon:
A Short Course in Canon EOS 20D Photography (Book & CD-ROM) by Dennis Curtin

[mdr]

Start with a general book like Andy Rouse's Digital SLR Master Class. It covers all aspects of digital photography from the use of SLRs to workflows of processing raw files. Absolutely excellent for any beginner (or even intermediate users).

Remember, any book on how to use your 20D will only tell you how to use the camera. That's only the start, as there is more to digital photography than just mastering the camera functions. Such a book won't tel you how to use, for example, histograms to assess photo's taken, and subsequently process the raw files to produce the finished products.

It's the end result that counts.

[Scottes]

Remember, any book on how to use your 20D will only tell you how to use the camera.
That's not necessarily true. The ShortCourses book, which has been recommended 3 times now, will give you some basic info on the histogram. As well as a whole lot of other photography subjects pertinent to far more than just the 20D.