Canon EOS 600D
Discussion
I was very lucky and got a Canon EOS 600D for Christmas but I have no idea what to do with it. I have always had relatively simple Point and shoot cameras in the past, the most advance being a Panasonic TZ6!
I would like to learn how to use it as taking better pictures would be fun but have no idea where to start.
Any good websites for beginners or resources like books I should be aware of?
It doesnt even come with much of an instruction manual except for a disk!
I would like to learn how to use it as taking better pictures would be fun but have no idea where to start.
Any good websites for beginners or resources like books I should be aware of?
It doesnt even come with much of an instruction manual except for a disk!
I found this website useful and at about the right level learning-curve wise when I got interested in more than taking 'snaps'!
http://www.geofflawrence.com/index.htm
http://www.geofflawrence.com/index.htm
For websites Jared Polin's FroKnowsPhoto is quite good for beginners - it is a bit Nikon focussed but the essentials are there. Framed also have guide and tutorials etc for beginners and better.
As for books, I own the following and they're pretty good references for where to be looking - but don't let it influence your own style too much:
The Photographer's Eye
Understanding Exposure
Also, the PH 'togs are a good bunch to ask questions of.
As for books, I own the following and they're pretty good references for where to be looking - but don't let it influence your own style too much:
The Photographer's Eye
Understanding Exposure
Also, the PH 'togs are a good bunch to ask questions of.
Bought the 550D version of this when i got mine and for the price is really good value i feel, highly recomend it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Rebel-Digital-Field-...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Rebel-Digital-Field-...
"Understanding Exposure" is often suggested too.
Put the thing in Av mode, set the ISO to 400 and just go and play. The wheel behind the shutter will adjust the aperture, the lower the number, the bigger the aperture.. this means more light gets in to the camera. When you push the shutter button halfway the camera will meter the available light and pick a shutter speed to use, keep this to around double focal length for now (i.e. for kit lens at least 1/40th at minimum "zoom" and 1/125th at max "zoom") - if its too low pick a wider aperture (lower number). If you run out of aperture and shutter you'll need to increase the ISO.
Wide apertures is one of the causes a shallow depth of field (google it), not always desirable.
You may want to select the centre focus point too, for consistency of AF.
Put the thing in Av mode, set the ISO to 400 and just go and play. The wheel behind the shutter will adjust the aperture, the lower the number, the bigger the aperture.. this means more light gets in to the camera. When you push the shutter button halfway the camera will meter the available light and pick a shutter speed to use, keep this to around double focal length for now (i.e. for kit lens at least 1/40th at minimum "zoom" and 1/125th at max "zoom") - if its too low pick a wider aperture (lower number). If you run out of aperture and shutter you'll need to increase the ISO.
Wide apertures is one of the causes a shallow depth of field (google it), not always desirable.
You may want to select the centre focus point too, for consistency of AF.
The Canon web site has some tutorial things on offer that may provide a good lead in. Also the User guide can help.
Remember, you don't need to know it all. So pick a photographic subject that interests you - Landscape or portrait or sport or whatever - and cherry pick the bits of information that are relevant to the subject(s). When happy with that, move on and discover that much of what you have learned still applies although perhaps differently for different subjects.
Remember, you don't need to know it all. So pick a photographic subject that interests you - Landscape or portrait or sport or whatever - and cherry pick the bits of information that are relevant to the subject(s). When happy with that, move on and discover that much of what you have learned still applies although perhaps differently for different subjects.
dibbly dobbler said:
1. Turn it on
2. Remove lens cap
3. Stick it on auto
4. Blast away and see what works and what doesn't!
The rest will come with time and practice
I realised that will work but to be honest I was looking for a little more guidance to try and cut down the learning time!2. Remove lens cap
3. Stick it on auto
4. Blast away and see what works and what doesn't!
The rest will come with time and practice
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff