I started taking pictures in High School when my dad bought me a (then) new Canon EF with an f/1.8 50mm lens. I was really into it for years. Put my pictures in some shows and even sold a few here and there. As I got older, I let life interfere with my hobby and then all of a sudden digital photography emerged. I didn't want to spend a lot of money - my EF was (and is) still performng admirably, but I wanted to cross the great divide. I bought an Olympus 3020 P.A.S. camera, which actually took some pretty good pictures, but with no control. When I decided that I wanted to get serious about photographt again, I bought my Canon 40D and LOVE IT. Now I have embelished my hobby with several lenses, flashes, and some other tools of the trade.
When I first got my 40D I need something more comprehensive than the owner's manual to learn how to use it. That was naturally before I found this site (and some others, like Digital Photography School). Although I especially find this site extremely valuable and packed with great information, sample, tips, critiques, etc. (the things you can't get in a book), there are times when having a printed book in hand is so much more convenient (if you know what I mean). You can always pick it up and take it with you and use it as a reference. Before I go on about the value of printed materials over elctronic alternatives (I am in the printing industry - we manufacture, sell, and service printing presses), I only wanted to take the opportunity to mention a book that I find very helpful and see if anyone else has had the same experience, or can suggest other printed reading material as a good source of education.
The book I bought is titled Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital SLR Photography by David D. Bush. His series covers other Canon DSLR's as well. Maybe there is an author out there who only writes about Canon camera's, but this book is very complete and detailes, at least IMHO.
Jim
