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Canon® EOS Rebel T2i/550D Digital Field Guide

Canon® EOS Rebel T2i/550D Digital Field Guide

by Charlotte K. Lowrie
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Release Date: May 2010
ISBN: 9780470648636
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Book Description

Be a rebel. Demand all your EOS Rebel T2i has to offer

Canon's flagship EOS Rebel offers you professional features, ease of use, an advanced HD movie mode, 3.7 frames per second shooting speed, and a lot of fun. This book provides a roadmap to all the settings and controls, but it does a great deal more. It guides you through effective exposure control, super color secrets, tips on using Live View, making the best lens choices, how to take videos, and advice on getting great action, nature, and portrait shots.

  • Set up your T2i to get the highest quality images

  • Learn both basic and advanced exposure techniques

  • Explore shooting modes, movie mode, and how to get tack-sharp focus

  • Refresh your knowledge of composition, exposure, and lighting

  • Learn to customize your Rebel T2i and how to add a copyright to your images in the camera

Inside - your free gray and color checker card to help you achieve accurate white balance and color

Table of Contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. Credits
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
  6. 1. Setting Up the EOS Rebel T2i/550D
    1. 1.1. Roadmap to the Rebel T2i/550D
      1. 1.1.1. Front camera controls
      2. 1.1.2. Top camera controls
      3. 1.1.3. Rear camera controls
      4. 1.1.4. Side camera controls
      5. 1.1.5. Lens controls
      6. 1.1.6. The LCD
      7. 1.1.7. Viewfinder display
    2. 1.2. Setting Up the Rebel T2i/550D
    3. 1.3. About Media Cards
    4. 1.4. Choosing the File Format and Quality
      1. 1.4.1. JPEG format
      2. 1.4.2. RAW format
      3. 1.4.3. RAW + JPEG
    5. 1.5. Changing File Numbering
      1. 1.5.1. Continuous file numbering
      2. 1.5.2. Auto reset
      3. 1.5.3. Manual reset
    6. 1.6. Additional Setup Options
    7. 1.7. Adding a Copyright to Images
    8. 1.8. Viewing and Finding Images
      1. 1.8.1. Single-image playback
      2. 1.8.2. Index display
      3. 1.8.3. Slide show
      4. 1.8.4. Image jump
      5. 1.8.5. Using the Display button
      6. 1.8.6. Displaying images on a TV
    9. 1.9. Erasing and Protecting Images
      1. 1.9.1. Erasing images
      2. 1.9.2. Protecting images
  7. 2. Controlling Exposure and Focus
    1. 2.1. Choosing a Shooting Mode
      1. 2.1.1. How shooting modes relate to exposure
      2. 2.1.2. Basic Zone shooting modes
        1. 2.1.2.1. Creative Auto mode
        2. 2.1.2.2. Full Auto mode
        3. 2.1.2.3. Flash-off mode
        4. 2.1.2.4. Portrait mode
        5. 2.1.2.5. Landscape mode
        6. 2.1.2.6. Close-up mode
        7. 2.1.2.7. Sports mode
        8. 2.1.2.8. Night Portrait mode
        9. 2.1.2.9. Movie mode
      3. 2.1.3. Creative Zone shooting modes
        1. 2.1.3.1. P mode
        2. 2.1.3.2. Tv mode
        3. 2.1.3.3. Av mode
        4. 2.1.3.4. M mode
        5. 2.1.3.5. A-DEP mode
    2. 2.2. Setting the ISO Sensitivity
      1. 2.2.1. About ISO settings
      2. 2.2.2. Expanded ISO settings
    3. 2.3. Metering Light to Determine Exposure Settings
      1. 2.3.1. How the Rebel T2i/550D meters light
      2. 2.3.2. Four metering modes
        1. 2.3.2.1. Evaluative metering mode
        2. 2.3.2.2. Partial metering mode
        3. 2.3.2.3. Spot metering mode
        4. 2.3.2.4. Center-weighted Average metering mode
    4. 2.4. Evaluating and Modifying Exposure
      1. 2.4.1. Evaluating exposure
        1. 2.4.1.1. Brightness histogram
        2. 2.4.1.2. RGB histogram
      2. 2.4.2. Auto Lighting Optimizer
      3. 2.4.3. Highlight Tone Priority
      4. 2.4.4. Exposure Compensation
      5. 2.4.5. Auto Exposure Bracketing
      6. 2.4.6. Auto Exposure Lock
    5. 2.5. Getting Tack-Sharp Focus
      1. 2.5.1. Choosing an autofocus mode
      2. 2.5.2. Selecting a single autofocus point
    6. 2.6. Selecting a Drive Mode
      1. 2.6.1. Single-shot drive mode
      2. 2.6.2. Continuous drive mode
      3. 2.6.3. Self-timer drive modes
  8. 3. Getting Great Color
    1. 3.1. Choosing White Balance Options
      1. 3.1.1. Using white balance options
      2. 3.1.2. Set a custom white balance
      3. 3.1.3. Use White balance auto bracketing
      4. 3.1.4. Set White balance correction
    2. 3.2. Choosing and Customizing a Picture Style
      1. 3.2.1. Choosing a preset Picture Style
      2. 3.2.2. Customizing a Picture Style
    3. 3.3. Registering a User-Defined Picture Style
    4. 3.4. Using the Picture Style Editor
    5. 3.5. About Color Spaces
      1. 3.5.1. Comparing color spaces
      2. 3.5.2. Choosing a color space
  9. 4. Customizing the EOS Rebel T2i/550D
    1. 4.1. Setting Custom Functions
      1. 4.1.1. Custom Function groupings
      2. 4.1.2. Custom Function specifics
        1. 4.1.2.1. C.Fn I: Exposure
          1. 4.1.2.1.1. C.Fn-1: Exposure-level increments
          2. 4.1.2.1.2. C.Fn-2: ISO Expansion
          3. 4.1.2.1.3. C.Fn-3: Flash sync. speed in Av (Aperture Priority AE) mode
        2. 4.1.2.2. C.Fn II: Image
          1. 4.1.2.2.1. C.Fn-4: Long-exposure noise reduction
          2. 4.1.2.2.2. C.Fn-5: High ISO speed noise reduction
          3. 4.1.2.2.3. C.Fn-6: Highlight tone priority
        3. 4.1.2.3. C.Fn III: Autofocus/Drive
          1. 4.1.2.3.1. C.Fn-7: AF-assist beam firing
          2. 4.1.2.3.2. C.Fn-8: Mirror Lockup
        4. 4.1.2.4. C.Fn IV: Operation/Others
          1. 4.1.2.4.1. C.Fn-9: Shutter/AE Lock button
          2. 4.1.2.4.2. C.Fn-10: Assign SET button
          3. 4.1.2.4.3. C.Fn-11: LCD display when power ON
          4. 4.1.2.4.4. C.Fn-12: Add image verification data
      3. 4.1.3. Setting Custom Functions
    2. 4.2. Customizing My Menu
    3. 4.3. Additional Customization Options
      1. 4.3.1. Displaying the Quick Control screen
      2. 4.3.2. Changing the shooting settings screen color
  10. 5. Shooting in Live View and Tethered
    1. 5.1. About Live View Shooting
      1. 5.1.1. Live View features and functions
        1. 5.1.1.1. Live View focus
        2. 5.1.1.2. Metering
        3. 5.1.1.3. Using a flash
      2. 5.1.2. Setting up for Live View Shooting
      3. 5.1.3. Working with Live View
      4. 5.1.4. Shooting in Live View
    2. 5.2. Shooting Tethered or with a Wireless Connection
  11. 6. Using Movie Mode
    1. 6.1. About Video
      1. 6.1.1. Video standards
      2. 6.1.2. Video on the T2i/550D
    2. 6.2. Recording and Playing Back Videos
      1. 6.2.1. Setting up for movie recording
      2. 6.2.2. Recording movies
      3. 6.2.3. Playing back videos
  12. 7. Using Flash
    1. 7.1. Exploring Flash Technology
      1. 7.1.1. Using the onboard flash
      2. 7.1.2. Using the flash's autofocus-assist beam without firing the flash
      3. 7.1.3. Red-eye reduction
    2. 7.2. Modifying Flash Exposure
      1. 7.2.1. Flash Exposure Lock
      2. 7.2.2. Flash Exposure Compensation
      3. 7.2.3. Using flash control options
    3. 7.3. Using Accessory Speedlites
      1. 7.3.1. Using multiple Speedlites
      2. 7.3.2. Exploring flash techniques
        1. 7.3.2.1. Bounce flash
        2. 7.3.2.2. Adding catchlights to the eyes
        3. 7.3.2.3. Balancing lighting extremes
  13. 8. Exploring Canon Lenses and Accessories
    1. 8.1. Building a Lens System that Lasts
    2. 8.2. Understanding the Focal-Length Multiplier
    3. 8.3. Zoom versus Prime Lenses
      1. 8.3.1. About zoom lenses
      2. 8.3.2. About prime lenses
    4. 8.4. Working with Different Types of Lenses
      1. 8.4.1. Using wide-angle lenses
      2. 8.4.2. Using telephoto lenses
      3. 8.4.3. Using normal lenses
      4. 8.4.4. Using macro lenses
      5. 8.4.5. Using tilt-and-shift lenses
      6. 8.4.6. Using Image Stabilized lenses
    5. 8.5. Setting Lens Peripheral Correction
    6. 8.6. Doing More with Lens Accessories
      1. 8.6.1. Lens extenders
      2. 8.6.2. Extension tubes
  14. 9. The Elements of Exposure and Composition
    1. 9.1. The Four Elements of Exposure
      1. 9.1.1. Light
      2. 9.1.2. Sensitivity: The role of ISO
      3. 9.1.3. Intensity: The role of aperture
        1. 9.1.3.1. Wide aperture
        2. 9.1.3.2. Narrow aperture
        3. 9.1.3.3. Choosing an aperture
        4. 9.1.3.4. What is depth of field?
          1. 9.1.3.4.1. Shallow depth of field
          2. 9.1.3.4.2. Extensive depth of field
          3. 9.1.3.4.3. Other factors affecting depth of field
      4. 9.1.4. Time: The role of shutter speed
    2. 9.2. Equivalent Exposures
    3. 9.3. Putting It All Together
    4. 9.4. Approaches to Composition
      1. 9.4.1. Subdividing the photographic frame
      2. 9.4.2. Balance and symmetry
      3. 9.4.3. Tone and color
      4. 9.4.4. Lines and direction
      5. 9.4.5. Fill the frame
      6. 9.4.6. Create a clean background
      7. 9.4.7. Frame the subject
      8. 9.4.8. Control the focus and depth of field
      9. 9.4.9. Defining space and perspective
  15. 10. Event and Action Photography
    1. 10.1. Setting up for Event and Action Photography
      1. 10.1.1. Packing the gear bag
      2. 10.1.2. Choosing settings
    2. 10.2. Taking Event and Action Images
    3. 10.3. Event and Action Photography Tips
  16. 11. Nature and Landscape Photography
    1. 11.1. Setting up for Nature and Landscape Shooting
      1. 11.1.1. Packing the gear bag
      2. 11.1.2. Choosing settings
    2. 11.2. Taking Nature and Landscape Images
      1. 11.2.1. Basic exposure technique
      2. 11.2.2. Exposing Challenging Scenes
      3. 11.2.3. Advanced exposure technique
    3. 11.3. Landscape and Nature Photography Tips
  17. 12. Portrait Photography
    1. 12.1. Setting up for Portraits
      1. 12.1.1. Selecting gear
      2. 12.1.2. Setting up the T2i/550D for portrait shooting
    2. 12.2. Making Portraits
      1. 12.2.1. Backgrounds
      2. 12.2.2. Lighting
      3. 12.2.3. Posing
      4. 12.2.4. Rapport and direction
      5. 12.2.5. Exposure approaches
    3. 12.3. Portrait Photography Tips
  18. A. Exploring RAW Capture
    1. A.1. Learning about RAW Capture
    2. A.2. Canon's RAW Conversion Program
    3. A.3. Sample RAW Image Conversion
  19. B. How to Use the Gray Card and Color Checker
    1. B.1. The Gray Card
    2. B.2. The Color Checker
  20. Glossary