XT crib notes

[rhys]

Has anybody yet come up with better crib notes than that great big manual that Canon produced for the XT?

Thus far I printed out a copy of the labelled diagram pages so that I can tell at a glance what's what.

I'm thinking now of adding some crib notes to the backs of that lot to say what each button does.

As far as custom functions and paramenters go, I can't say I really care to know. There's already so much on the XT that it's pretty darned confusing.

I used to use a Nikon FM and was very happy doing all the calculations and adjustments in my head while maintaining full control of the camera. The problem with the XT (and all dSLRs) is that there are so many options that do so little. I fail to see the point of 3 metering modes. I fail to see the point of 3 focus modes and the explanations for the 3 focus modes just don't wash. Sport is usually so far away that infinity focus is all that's needed.

I don't see the point of white balance or exposure compensation when it all has to be done via Post Processing the RAW anyway.

And don't let me get started on the stupid symbols. What's wrong with printing AE lock, Focus lock on the camera body? We don't need buttons that have changing and user-defined functions. That's just ludicrous. Far better to have a camera that's easy to learn rather than a camera that has to be learned and then re-learned if the settings are changed.

[-MasterChief-]

i guess there's two ways of looking at it ... one way is yours, the simpler the better -- i tend to agree with that! you want a camera that you can just pick up and start using -- but then again, you can just pick up any P&S for that.

on the other hand, you paid over $500.00 for your DSLR -- simply because you want more control over the pictures that you take. thats what the extra functions are for, to give you more control.

oh well, my two cents ...

[storeman]

Got to disagree with every point you mention.

Reading the manual whilst experimenting with the camera several times engraves the buttons and their functions plus the metering modes and their uses on the brain.

If you get it right in the camera then there is no need to alter white balance or exposure in post processing. Being able to alter the white balance and exposure compensation helps you to get it right in camera (eventually anyway).

Once you ge used to the buttons then the symbols labelling them become instantly recongnisable for what they are. What has infinity focus for sports got to do with the buttons, white balance, exposure compensation or focus modes ?

AI focus and AI Servo makes focussing on and tracking a moving subject easier so it is a very usefull addition and not a useless addition.

It sounds like all you need is a point and shoot camera with a large optical zoom which has the ability to shoot raw. A DSLR isn't meant to be a no brainer. It is no different to film slr's were back when they started being sold with AF and TTL metering etc. They need to be learned. Spend some time reading the manual while doing everything on the camera and soon it will start to fall into place.

To get the best from the camera you need to put some effort into it. Laziness and DSLR's do not make great partners.

[-MasterChief-]

good job storeman! i was about to say whatever you said but i didnt have the balls, LOL!

[XTshooter]

My Rebel XT actually came with a small pamphlet that did a pretty good job of explaining some of the basics as far as buttons go. If I've got a really in-depth question, I'll go to the manual, but I keep the little pamphlet with the camera at all times in case I forget something that's not too technical.

[storeman]

Forgot to add.....

Printing AE-Lock and focus-Lock takes up a lot more room than printing a single character spaced symbol and knowing a little about some aspects of the printing industry I would guess that it would add a small extra cost to the silk screening process. Although the added cost on an individual item may be small, with the volumes produced by the major manufacturers, the multiple small amounts would add up to a whole lot of money that would otherwise be profit.

I'm guessing that you either walk around town and maybe are a driver. Either way we meet symbols everwhere and no-one complains that they don't understand what these symbols are. In the UK and many other countries we instantly recognise these symbols without having to think about what they may mean. Common ones are sybols for......

Toilets
Telephones
Road signs
Chemists / Pharmacies
Opticians
Pedestrian Crossings
Bus Stops
Railway Stations

For these and many more, although some may be accompanied with a written sign, we don't need to read the words because we have learned the meaning of the signs and symbols. It is no different with your camera.

[MisterJP]

Here's what I use . . . basic, but helped me out when I first started playing with my XT. A bit of info on the settings and some info from the Understanding Exposure book. These are lower resolution versions of the card I made when I first got my camera. I printed these back-to-back and then laminated it . . . fits easily in my bag or back pocket.

[TenaCJed]

While this is not free, nor do I know how it is layed out or how informational it is, it is still an option.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

[evandavies]

Rhys, its confusing and frustrating learning something new especially when you are used to something else but go step by step and don't rush it...

Perhaps you can get a book on digital photography that focuses on using the XT. (anyone have any suggestions?)

Take lots of pictures to see whats happening. It doesn't cost anything

It may not seem like it now but there is a reason why everything is there. At some point in the future you may get another camera to have MORE options

Above all try and enjoy it. If you don't then you won't want to learn and you will stay frustrated.

[rhys]

Yes. I do find the XT confusing. Personally I'd like to see a very much stripped-down version, possibly implementing JPEG 2000 rather than RAW files.

Having said that, I find the inconsistancies irksome. I set up a test shot today and took 4 photos of a house about 80 feet away with my 17-35 Tamron. The first shot was crisp. The next 3 were fuzzy. Not quite in focus and not quite out of focus.

[chtgrubbs]

I generally know the buttons and functions of the camera, but what I always need to look up is the custom functions. So I made a little chart and laminated it, and keep it in my camera bag. Now when I am out and need to change a function to fit a shooting situation I have the necessary info right with me.

[pttenn]

Guess we need Cliff notes for operating our cameras..... (I know I do!) I had just got used to my 300D when I upgraded to the 20D--and now I feel like I'm starting over.

[cdifoto]

Originally Posted by rhys

Yes. I do find the XT confusing. Personally I'd like to see a very much stripped-down version, possibly implementing JPEG 2000 rather than RAW files.

RAW an option.

[rhys]

Originally Posted by chtgrubbs

I generally know the buttons and functions of the camera, but what I always need to look up is the custom functions. So I made a little chart and laminated it, and keep it in my camera bag. Now when I am out and need to change a function to fit a shooting situation I have the necessary info right with me.

I'm starting to do this myself. I printed the PDF manual pages regarding what the buttons are/do. My next step will be to make notes on the back as to what else I need to know. The basic photo stuff I don't need. I don't need to know anything about the JPEG settings as I use RAW at the moment so that cuts it down a lot.