Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D Digital Field Guide (Digital Field Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)At the time of this writing, there are only two books about the Canon T3i available on Amazon. With both (Kindle editions) being sold at $9.99, I would have to say that the Digital Field Guide is the MUCH better deal. It's clear, concise, well-illustrated. It gives examples, and provides photos for better understanding of concepts. You won't need to go back and forth between this and the manufacturer's manual because this book tells you everything you need to know. If this had been available earlier (I believe it came out just a few days ago!), I might have ended up buying and reading this one first. I probably wouldn't have needed to search for anything more. Highly recommended, especially for the DSLR novice who wants a great book that will tell you everything!

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The perfect companion for Canon's new Rebel dSLR camera
The Canon Rebel EOS T3i/600D combines the shooting power of the Rebel T2i with the hardware and options of the Canon 60D, creating a powerful camera packed with new features. This handy field guide fits in a camera bag and explains how to use all the settings and modes, shoot HD video, work with common Canon accessories, and more. Illustrated with spectacular photos by author and popular photographer Charlotte Lowrie, the book shows you how each button and dial can affect your images. A bonus gray/color checker card helps you get the color right on every shot.
Canon's new Rebel EOS T3i/600D sports a dizzying array of features including expanded power in auto settings, onboard shooting guides, variable frame rate for video, and updated video zoom capabilities
This conveniently sized field guide fits in your camera case and explains how to use all the camera settings as well as how to shoot HD video
Filled with step-by-step techniques and plenty of tips for getting great shots
Includes a gray/color checker card to assure accurate color and white balance
Illustrated with the author's outstanding color photos

Make the most of every feature on your Canon Rebel EOS T3i/600D with this colorful, portable guide.Photos from the Author Pink Camellia(Click image to see larger version and information on the photo)

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The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3 Review

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(More customer reviews)I like Scott's first two volumes. But this one is lost in repetition, filler and useless information. I am not sure what kind of photographers' author is trying to target, typically it should be advanced photographers as it is 3rd volume. Some reviewers mentioned that it's good for beginners but I don't think so it contained some advance info and some very basic stuff and it also keep referring to 1st and 2nd volumes.
Good:
If you are product photographer then you have got some information in this book.
Bad:
Repetition Topics: A few examples...
1. Sharpest Aperture: We already discussed this in first two books and same info is shared as topic.
2. Wake up early in the morning.
3. Most of topics in Sports are already covered.
4. As usual screen shot of B&H Photo-Video site which is not relevant to that topic. Ohh wait! This time it's different page not homepage. Why do we require this site's pictures while author is trying to explain myth about card speed.
Filler: This is interesting. A few examples, these points are covered as full page topic in book.
1. There is separate whole topic on how to change lens. (May be in Vol-4, Scott will cover how to properly charge/install battery)
2. How to clean lenses.
3. Shortcut for formatting memory card.
4. Resetting camera setting.
Come on! These topics are covered in detail in operating manuals of every DSLR/Lens.
5. As usual too much advertising of websites and expensive gears.
I was expecting real professional info/tips and going beyond volumes 1 and 2, not the same information/filler. This book is certainly not for me. If you really want to get some interesting tips, you may want to check out `Understanding Exposure:...' by Bryan Peterson.


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Scott Kelby, author of The Digital Photography Book, volume 1 (the world's best-selling digital photography book of all time), is back with a follow-up to his volume 2 smash best seller, with an entirely new book that picks up right where he left off. It's even more of that "Ah ha—so that's how they do it," straight-to-the-point, skip-the-techno-jargon stuff you can really use today to make your shots even better.This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here's how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, 'Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?' I wouldn't give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life, I'd just turn to you and say, 'Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.' Well, that's what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned, just like I would with a friend—without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak."Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you're tired of taking shots that look "okay," and if you're tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.This isn't a book of theory—full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade," this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.

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David Busch's Canon EOS Rebel T3i/600D Guide to Digital SLR Photography (David Busch Camera Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is certainly the friendliest camera guide I've ever used, starting with the gentle easing into the use of this camera in the three Quick Start chapters, to the author's friendly, easy to understand style, and responsiveness to questions. There's a link to his blog in the beginning of the book, and I was surprised when he almost instantly answered one question I had when I sent him an email. (The answer was in the book, and could be found in the index, but I hadn't done that, and David kindly answered my question without quoting page number and verse.}
Now that I've taken the time to look at the book more closely, I find that everything is in there, including information I couldn't find in other guidebooks or even the book packaged with my T3i. The book is divided into 14 very complete chapters:
CH 1 - This is the introduction Canon should have provided with the camera. It describes everything you need to know to get started, and each section is preceded by a green highlighted box that tells you what will be described in that section, so you can skip over it and jump to the next section if you want. Most users who have owned a digital SLR in the past can skim through this helpful chapter, which has information on everything from charging the battery and formatting a memory card to setting diopter correction.
CH 2 - This is the true Quick Start meat, with the same green highlighted introductions that help you discover how to choose a shooting mode, focus mode, select a focus point, set white balance, ISO, use the flash, and review your first pictures. If you're unfamiliar with the T3i, this chapter will tell you everything you need to know to go out and take pictures.
CH 3 - This chapter has 20 pages of "roadmap" coverage of every control, dial, and viewing/playback screen of the T3i, replacing the couple pages of black and white drawings with endless cross references in the user manual, with 22 large, full-color illustrations. You'll know what each control does from this chapter, and can use it as a reference after you've been using the camera awhile.
CH 4, CH 5, CH 6, CH 7- Next, the author explains the basics you need to know to begin taking great pictures, with full chapters on Understanding Exposure, Mastering the Mysteries of Autofocus, and using Live View and Movies. In each of these chapters, he offers many tips, including advice that will help nail autofocus and exposure perfectly, and shoot interesting movies. Chapter 7 has advanced shooting tips for working with time exposures, long exposures, WiFi, and Geotagging. I was delighted to finally see these topics explored in a camera guide.
CH 8, CH 8 - Wow, did we ever need these 90 pages of advice on how to use the T3i's menus. I finally understand some of the more esoteric functions, and know why I should use every option. Other guides I've seen just list the entries and possible options with very little explanation. Thank you!
CH 10, CH 11, CH 12 - If you've been using your T3i long enough to wonder what lens to buy next, Chapter 10 gives you a clear comparison of all the most common lenses, with the author's evaluations The next two chapters are devoted to lighting and flash, and include the only chapter I've ever seen that covers only wireless flash, a new capability for this camera. It made me want to go out and buy a 320EX Speedlite and begin putting the author's lessons to work.
CH 13, CH 14 - I found these two chapters the least useful, with basic introductory information on software available for this camera (but without much how-to, as this is a camera guide, not a software book), and some troubleshooting advice that I haven't used yet, because I haven't had any trouble, upgraded my firmware, or needed to clean my sensor manually. I'm sure I'll find use for this later.
All in all, this book is a must for anyone who has bought a T3i and really wants to understand how to learn to use it directly from the leading Canon guru.


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Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)Last week I bought my first digital SLR - the Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens. I decided to step into the world of digital SLRs after years of experience with different (and very good) compact or "point and shoot" digital cameras.
My current compact digicam is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) - which I took to Peru, and with which I took some wonderful photos. As good as they were, I wanted to try for even better pictures, and happily bought my Nikon D40x SLR.
But after I opened the boxes and got my pristine new D40x ready to use, I suddenly felt lost and overwhelmed. Yes, there's an "auto" setting, but if that's all I use, I figure I might as well not have spent all the money to get into the digital SLR world. The owner's manual is, I'm sure, complete and accurate, but I found it difficult. It tells me the name of a button and something of how to use it, but I don't have the background to know what most of that means in terms of taking a photo.
Fortunately, I ordered this book from amazon - and it's saved the day. I'm still working my way through it, but I know it's a keeper - and it's going along whenever possible, for reference on the spot when I'm taking photos.
I'm no dummy, nor a total novice at digital photography. But I'm not a professional photog, nor a "camera geek" familiar with a lot of the technical terms and concepts.
The author strikes just the right note for me with the explanations in this book. At last - I'm starting to understand histograms, and feel more assured when changing ISO settings. I'm also learning the uses of all those dials and buttons on my new D40x.
Reading this book has conquered a vague sense of dread I felt about this new gadget ("what was I thinking buying this complicated expensive camera?"). Instead, I'm looking forward to using my D40x and learning more as I go.
I don't know if it exactly replaces the owner's manual supplied by Nikon, but I encourage anyone who's feeling baffled by that manual to get their hands on this book. It's made all the difference to me between puzzlement and comprehension.

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Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide is filled with everything you need to know in order to take amazing photographs using your Nikon D40 or Nikon D40x. This full-color portable guide walks you through the essential controls, features, and functions of your Nikon D40 or D40x digital SLR using step-by-step instructions and full-color images of each menu screen. This robust guide not only shows you how to adjust white balance, autofocus, exposure, and choose lenses, it also teaches you when and why you should adjust each of these key settings. The Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide goes beyond camera settings to offer you a refresher guide to the principles of digital photography, covering the essentials of lighting, composition, and exposure. Filled with amazing examples, this book also presents you with a variety of tips and tricks to capturing portraits, candids, sports, travel, macro photography, and much more.

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