Canon® EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D Digital Field Guide

Chapter 1. Exploring and Setting Up the Digital Rebel XTi/400D

In This Chapter

• Camera and lens controls

• Rear camera controls

• The LCD

• Viewfinder display

• Setting up the Digital Rebel XTi/400D

• About media cards

• Setting the date and time

• Choosing the file format and quality

• Choosing a white-balance option

• Choosing a Picture Style

• Setting monochrome filter and toning effects

• Changing file numbering

Professional photographers know that the most important first step in photography is learning the camera so thoroughly that he or she can operate it blindfolded. Then, you can make camera adjustments instinctively and confidently without missing a shot.

Knowing your camera inside and out not only instills confidence, but it allows you to react quickly and to get those important brag-book shots that you might otherwise miss or wish had been better.

Because of its design, the EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D makes mastering the camera both easy and fun. Body controls translate into ease of use, while the full-function features offer exceptional creative control. Internally, Canon's high-resolution CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensor dependably delivers vivid, crisp images, especially at the highest image-quality settings.

Camera and Lens Controls

The better that you know the Digital Rebel XTi/400D controls, the faster you are able to change settings for specific images. The following sections help you to explore and master these controls.

Figure 1.1. Digital Rebel XTi/400D front camera controls.