manual focusing

Using an EFS 17-55 IS 2.8 where exactly would I measure from if I wanted to use my distance scale?

Exactly? Like with a measuring tape?

Lenses for still cameras are marked for focus distance from the imaging plane. So you would measure from the bar in the little Φ symbol that is embossed on the side of your viewfinder housing.

Yes, from the target to what part of the camera. Front of the lens? Back of the lens or mid camera?

redspyder wrote in post #3951336
Yes, from the target to what part of the camera. Front of the lens? Back of the lens or mid camera?

From the point on the subject that you wish to be sharpest to the Φ symbol on the camera. This Φ is the Greek letter F which indicates the focal plane.

Then you need to set your aperture so as to ensure sufficient depth of field. dofmaster.com might help you there.

While pointing the camera at yuor subject look down on it from above and you will see a symbol similar to this Ө this is the film plane (or, focal plane) where your lens is focusing to within the camera body. This is where the film was located and now the digital sensor.

If you were to measure from a point to the subject, this is where you measure to.

Thank you rhys and Naturalist. Now I have my photo project for tomorrow.

In case anyone wants to know that symbol is located just below the mode selection line.

redspyder wrote in post #3951500
In case anyone wants to know that symbol is located just below the mode selection line.

Glad you found it. I would have looked it out if you couldn't have found it.