T2i/550d 3 books recommended by y’all

Not sure this is the correct forum. Please move if I am in the wrong forum. Thanks! Gil

These 3 books have been “recommended” on POTN for the T2i (Busch’s more than the other 2). After reading the reviews on Amazon, Jeff Revel’s book seems to come out ahead. Up to a point, I am familiar with the T2i controls as I shot exclusively RAW in Tv, Av, and some M with the G3, 6, and 12. The reviews on Busch’s and King’s books seem to indicate they deal more with the functions/settings/com​mands of the T2i than composing(?) good photos. Revel’s seems to come out ahead in composition and what/when/how/why to use the functions/commands to take good photos as opposed to snapshots. Any thoughts please?

http://www.amazon.com/​Canon-EOS-Rebel-T2i-550D/dp/0321733916/ref​=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?i​e=UTF8&colid=18EO6FN5O​ZIPO&coliid=I2CJBF6XL3​WAJQ#_

http://www.amazon.com/​David-Buschs-Canon-Digital-Photography/dp/1435457​668/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pdT​1_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1​8EO6FN5OZIPO&coliid=IT​5L3JH8MTUTK

http://www.amazon.com/​Canon-EOS-Rebel-550D-Dummies/dp/0470768819/​ref=wl_it_dp_o_pdT1_nS​_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=18EO​6FN5OZIPO&coliid=I11Z8​5Z4H28YK8

A side note, I felt bad about not using M more until I read this: …“Manual mode (M): Manual mode means that you physically turn the shutter speed and aperture dials to set the camera according to what the in-camera meter tells you is the correct exposure. Many amateur photographers (and some pros) think that this gives you the greatest creativity. Not true. All you are doing is relying on the in-camera meter and doing what it says. What is the difference between manually turning the dials or having the camera do it for you? The answer is … there is no difference. Manual exposure mode slows you down. For fast moving subjects like children, sports, and wildlife, shooting on manual means that you will miss a lot of pictures because you’ll be fiddling with the controls on your camera instead of concentrating on the subject and shooting.”… JUSTICE
from this website/blog: http://blog.corporatef​ineart.com/2009/04/whi​ch-exposure-mode-to-use-av-tv.html a little out-dated

Gil

Yes and no. It's true you don't want manual mode when you need blink of an eye response. In manual mode you can set the shutter, aperture and iso and hyper focal distance, such that moving the camera doesnt change your exposure.

It's a technique that allows better creativity if used properly. People will turn to fists discussing this very subject.

I would also say that M mode is great for wildlife. I havent missed a shot yet and its pretty quick to swap settings. On the contrary I have saved more especially when shooting birds against the sky where metering is impossible. Yes you can use EV compensation in Tv, P, or Av, but for me a moving variable can screw up a shot. And that for me is the difference between what the camera thinks i need and what I am willing to sacrifice to get a good shot (ie: SS or DOF situation dependent). Don't feel bad about not using M, it's no pro or magic setting, just a mode that offers more control over your shot when desired.

kenshap wrote in post #14850592
Yes and no. It's true you don't want manual mode when you need blink of an eye response. In manual mode you can set the shutter, aperture and iso and hyper focal distance, such that moving the camera doesnt change your exposure.

It's a technique that allows better creativity if used properly. People will turn to fists discussing this very subject.

Nature Nut wrote in post #14850678
I would also say that M mode is great for wildlife. I havent missed a shot yet and its pretty quick to swap settings. On the contrary I have saved more especially when shooting birds against the sky where metering is impossible. Yes you can use EV compensation in Tv, P, or Av, but for me a moving variable can screw up a shot. And that for me is the difference between what the camera thinks i need and what I am willing to sacrifice to get a good shot (ie: SS or DOF situation dependent). Don't feel bad about not using M, it's no pro or magic setting, just a mode that offers more control over your shot when desired.

A little late but thanks for your replies. This was kind of a "thumb my nose" at the people who insist M is the only way to shoot: PERIOD! As y'all are saying, it depends on the situation. At times, Tv or Av may be a better choice than M. The Author was only saying M is not always the best mode. That was my point for the die-hard: learn and shoot solely in M. kenshap, I was fully aware I was putting my neck on the chopping block when i posted that but sometines you just gotta poke the devil to see what happens

I found it sadly interesting that no one addressed the primary question: Which book

Gil

Gil Bean wrote in post #14862287
I found it sadly interesting that no one addressed the primary question: Which book
Gil

I really couldnt say which book and wouldn't want to point you in the wrong direction . Most of what I learned I did from online tutorials and articles. They are not t2i specific but apply to DLSR photography in general. I can share some if you were looking for shooting tips not specific to the rebel line.

Nature Nut wrote in post #14862297
I really couldnt say which book and wouldn't want to point you in the wrong direction . Most of what I learned I did from online tutorials and articles. They are not t2i specific but apply to DLSR photography in general. I can share some if you were looking for shooting tips not specific to the rebel line.

Thanks Adam. I am always looking for ways to improve. Stepping from the G series into the T2i was a larger step than I anticipated. I never dealt with anythig above f8: now I am trying to figure out the advantages or disadvantages of f11, f16... f22 and so on. Plus I am faced with a plethora of lenses from the "standard" to IS, USM, L, telephoto, etcetera and not only the EF-S but also the "vintage. I hear the old EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM and the 100-300mm f4L are good and can be had for a fraction of the price. The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is supposed to be good as is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Autofocus (all telephoto). And the nifty-fifty (even at $100.00) is a "must have". I do know I am not spending a dime on lenses until I know who, what, when, where, and why I want what (except a spare battery, Revel's book, and a NEEWER® Timer Remote Control RS-60E3). Otherwise, I am taking my time, reading/learning what I can, and keeping my hand away from my wallet

Gil

Well for starters find out what you shoot a lot of and cater to that. You correct in not buying all the gear until you need it. Heres kind of my run down I've come across so far in my ventures:

Wildlife and longer shots: Telephoto with a reach of 300mm or longer, Flash with HSS for faster shutter speeds.

People: A nice flash (with HSS if desired) and a lens with a shallow DOF like the 50mm 1.8

Bugs: 50mm f1.8... Paired with extension tubes is a great macro lens

Stars and Landscape: a wide lens and a remote. I use the kit still as I am not yet fully into landscapes. I have that remote and its a great buy (works without batteries! unless your using timer)

Other gear: A nice tripod, A battery grip, third-party batteries (mucho cheaper and just as good)

Things to read up on if your not yet familiar:

Diffraction - The dangers of using higher f-stops
The ISO, SS, F-stop triangle relation
Shutter speed required to eliminate shake v.s IS and how many stops it can give you
The use of an external flash, off -camera flash and flash gels (tons of info and creativity)

Thats just my venture is by no means a guideline. As for which specific gear or lens to use thats the nice thing about the forum here and lots of other online reviews. Below are some info links that helped me along the way:

First check this out:
http://www.youtube.com …=D4HbWhri7Tc&fe​ature=plcp

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/techniqu​es/
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorial​s/
http://www.luminous-landscape.com …als/understandi​ng-series/
http://www.youtube.com​/user/DigitalRevCom/vi​deos
http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

And a lot of people recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com …tal-Updated/dp/0817463003

Hope that helps a tad.

With the deluge of information out there nowadays- I'd be hesitant on buying a model specific book on how to use a DSLR. Most Canons are like other Canons are. Most Nikons are like other Nikons. Most of the information on how to use a Rebel are just as valid from one generation to the next- for the most part- a T4i, a T2i, and a T1i operate very similarly- with very similar controls. In my opinion, if you have no idea on how to use the advanced modes like AV, TV, M- a basic book about a camera is not really going to teach you much. A good book on photography in general would be a better investment- but the best investment would be to actually browse the internet for ideas as to what you would like to do- and go out and do it. Grab the camera, and learn - try everything that you can - if you spent time to read it because you thought the subject was interesting- then don't stop there- go out and try it- practice it...

To learn a camera, for example, I tend to read the manual - and then as I go thru the various sections- when I see a concept or feature that interests me- I practice it or use it- go give it a whack- and see how the feature works.

As far as general photography is concerned- google is your friend. One could google all day long and find more information than what you would see taking a year or two of college courses. Joining a local photography club/meet up group might help. Looking here at the various forums here- there is a lot of information out here- good and bad.. Looking at photos helps- especially those that give a behind the scene breakdown / lighting examples, etc Signing up for certain mailing lists also helps- like I have one that comes from digital-photography-school.com - about once or twice a week- with tips for this and that. It helps give you ideas... Photosig- has lots of pictures- good and bad- and critiques - use them for ideas.. But in the end- it's whether or not you can put the pedal to the metal- so practice, practice, practice.

I'm relatively sure that there are other sites that our members frequent- for different reasons.. Other POTN members- feel free to chime in with sites that you've found helpful...

I do have to agree with the general comment about shooting in Manual - when the better choice might have been to shoot AV or TV. Usually, if you have someone that is proficient in Manual- to them- shooting Manual is the best choice- because their experiences lend themselves that way. Nothing wrong with that. For the most part- most of us would be better served if we dabble in all of the various modes- so that we know the strengths, weakness, limitations, and downsides of each- and then know which mode is correct - for us- individually. In the end, it's a moving target - basically, ones own choice as to which is right for each person.