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

• A MUST have book for both the Rebel and the Rebel XT

  
  By A3154A4W6TWOJF on 2005-07-10
  I wish this book had been available when I first got my Rebel...it would have saved so much frustration and very possibly provided instant gratification. Charlotte Lowrie is an excellent teacher, and this book covers every single aspect of the camera's controls, the Whys, What's, and How to's. As she writes in the Introduction: "Most important, these chapters will help you understand how controls and functions on the Digital Rebel work together with your photography knowledge to make a picture. When you know how the exposure is made, you'll be much more confident when changing settings and knowing what results you can expect."
  
  The book is divided into three parts: Part I, Using the Digital Rebel. The Introduction begins with A Quick Tour, where the camera is set up and pictures taken. The next few chapters go through each of the camera's programmed modes...what they do, how to set them and how to change them. Part II, Creating Great Photos with the Rebel. Discussion of photography basics, lighting, lenses, techniques for taking great photos (broken down into subject categories that include the usual suspects, plus an excellent section on night photography and fireworks, as well as how to take photos for online auctions), then on to how to download and edit pictures. There are example photos with specific information on how the picture was taken, including lighting, lens, modes and settings. I am really grateful for her explanation and how to's of the RAW format, as well as how to convert from RAW to JPEG. This has added significant pleasure to my photography experience.
  In Part III, the Appendices and resource section, there are web addresses for various photography sites for camera accessories; public photography forums to share experiences, sites to learn more about photography, as well as sites where one can share pictures online.
  
  Whether a newbie or a more experienced photographer, this book is an excellent companion for the owner of the Rebel.
  
  
  

• The best manual of any kind I've ever read

  
  By A3JLOU3WDYGICA on 2005-10-15
  As a professional writer who has written dozens of technical books over the years, I feel qualified to comment on the writing skills of the author. Simply put, this is the best-written book on a technical topic that I've ever read. The writing is crisp and easy-to-read; the material is extremely well-organized and flows well from one topic to the next.
  
  I consider myself a very good photographer, and thought I knew a lot about photography. When I started learning neat new things in the Quick Tour, I realized how much more there is to know. I think I'll read this book several times...
  
  

• OK Intro

  
  By AGXV8E7XK9J6H on 2006-04-27
  The information was a little basic, but that's what I believe she was going for. It is a good book for those just starting out and wanting to know how to use their new XT. If you have already been taking pictures (especially digital pictures) for awhile there are better options out there such as Bryan Peterson's Understanding Digital Photography or John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide.
  
  

• Jury's out

  
  By A1DVNMVUZCJ5LA on 2006-03-21
  The book is designed for the 300. If you own the 350 it borders on annoying. There are footnotes throughout for the 350d at the end of most sections but when you read it like a book top to bottom, left to right it then may end a section with "this doesn't apply for the XT ..... " or something similar. This confusion could very simply be overcome with better heading/sub-heading layout for each camera but as it is the main text is for the 300 with the XT as footnotes. I also find the first chapter or two is about the Rebel but majority of the book is just a general photography book. For the price though one can't argue and if you are a beginner I'm sure you'll find something in this book.
  
  

• Wonderful resource for all

  
  By A3DPI83VRUUQ62 on 2005-09-30
  I am fairly experienced as a photographer, but still learned quite a bit about how to use my Digital Rebel XT from this book. It is lavishly illustrated and contains clear but concise instruction on how to use all the features of this camera. The recipes are good, too, for shooting various types of pictures in all kinds of situations. If you're a veteran photographer, you'll find this book valuable. If you're new, you MUST own it.
  
  
• Canon EOS Digital Rebel Digital Field Guide
  By A19YPL1YRFJUVH on 2005-08-02
  The guide is well written and illustrated with color photos, however, it is written for the Canon Rebel 300 and only mentions the Canon XT 350 when there are differences with the 300. I was dissapointed that the illustrations did not show the XT.
  
  
• Great Guide
  By A1O7PSZZ3W0BQ9 on 2005-08-31
  Initially flicking through I thought the guide was 'wordy' rather than practical. Once I got into reading the easy written style I have read the guide like a book knowing I can go back for reference. I have been an EOS owner for 9 yrs but the guide has been useful in explaining the setting for digital and also the protocols for the EOS system. It has helpful advice for setting for different circumstances. It gives you confidence in pushing the limits of the options because you understand the parameters. Obviously it is not the complete answer for REBEL owners but it is both suitable for the experienced and inexperienced EOS user. This book and the manual are a contrast between using the tool to do good work and just using bits and pieces that are available.
  Compliments to the writer.
  
  
  
• Decent basic book, but not just for Rebel
  By A2N866U5PC42K4 on 2007-02-21
  The book is 250 pages long. Of that, the first 58 are specific to the Digital Rebel XT. The rest are for any digital camera (and parts are for any camera, film or digital). There's a 9 page chapter on lenses that use Canons as examples, but, she could have used Nikons with no noticable difference.
  
  If you're a beginner and have this camera, then get the book. It is perfect for you.
  
  If you already understand depth of field, exposure times, ISO values and so on, then don't waste your money.
  
  This appears to be a book that can change the first 50 pages with descriptions of a different camera, then republish it as a new/different book.
  
  If you're looking for a book that is well-expanded version of the camera manual get Guncheon's Magic Lantern Guide to the rebel XT (ISBN 1-57990-761-x)
  
  
• The other manual.
  By A8X1O54CR5QNQ on 2005-08-09
  This book for being so good that it would have to come inside of the box as one another owner's manual of Canon Rebel Digital.
  
  
• If you own a Rebel XT this is a MUST have!
  By A280E03GK712L3 on 2006-01-10
  This is a great book. First read the manual that came with the book and then get this book and read it. Great book for beginners in fact its a must have for beginners. If you are experienced you will also find great value in this book. The manual that came with the camera is a summary or the "cliff note" version of the real manual. The real manual is this book, and should be included with the camera when you buy it. It does a great job of explaining every possible setting and photography terms. Only knock against it is that it does not show pictures of the Rebel XT (350), but if you want those pictures open up the manual that came with the camera.
  
  
• A disappointment. Save your money for something better.
  By AE09SOA2VXBRB on 2007-02-20
  After reading such positive reviews I was excited to read this book. The camera's manual was very complicated, so I wanted a simpler guide to the camera and the added photography tips sounded great! The first part of the book was ok, but didn't go into the detail I was hoping for. However, it is the rest of the book that has me scratching my head and wondering how this author got published writing a book with photography techniques.
  
  It is a shame that so many budding photographers are getting such bad photography advice. Not all of the pictures are glaring mistakes, most look like the kind of point and shoot pics you get with a much cheaper camera and a new photographer not paying attention to good photography techniques. An example is the sunset photos that are washed out and look like the author had to leave before the beautiful late sunset colors came out.
  
  If people want these kind of ho hum pictures, so be it. But the people buying this book probably want to improve their pictures, and some of the advice is just terrible. The worst offender has to be page 139, showing a family portrait with the older son a little out of focus and the youngest son severely tilted and more out of focus. The caption states "the sense of motion created by the blur of the young boy in front and the older boy in back adds fun to this image." It is definately not "fun." It is a bad, out of focus picture.
  
  I was able to find a great, easy to read, nicely illustrated (free!) guide that I reccommend highly for understanding your camera and digital photography at Canon's site called "Enjoy! Digital SLR cameras." I got a lot more out of the site than this book.
  
  
• A Must-Have Book for new Rebel XTi Owners
  By AQ532B4NIWKBV on 2007-06-10
  Digital Rebel XTi/400D is the latest of the Digital Field Guide series that provides the reader an in-depth guide to maximizing the use of digital gadgets from cameras to iPods. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi/400D is the newest prosumer single lens reflex camera from Canon that debuted a little less than a year ago. I got mine in December 2006.
  
  The first two chapters are specific to gaining a good understanding of the Rebel XTi/400D camera. The manual that came with my Digital Rebel is woeful: its small size makes it very user unfriendly. The Digital Field Guide series features attractive two-column, all-color design. I agree with the jacket that this is a book that you'll want to take along with you as you get familiarized with your new camera.
  
  Chapter 1 explains how to set up and operate the Digital Rebel XTi and Chapter 2 covers using the camera. Interespersed throughout the book are colored icons indicating a Cross-Reference, Note, Tip, or Caution. These inserts provide concise advice for the newbie. The Digital Rebel XTi sports many features and I particularly appreciated layouts that showed the same photo using different styles or settings. For example there is a layout showing a home that was taken with the 6 different picture styles the camera has from Standard to Portrait to Monochrome. You can visually see the difference using each style. The quality of the photographic reproductions shows subtle differences.
  
  Chapter 7, Techniques for Great Photos, is where this Digital Field Guide shines. Initially I thought that this was a generic section with minor tweaks and photos to adapt it to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi camera. A quick trip to a bookstore where I checked out other Digital Field Guides for popular cameras like the Nikon D80 showed that I was wrong. Digital Field Guides have a similar sequence of chapters but each has a different author and is written for the specific camera. In this chapter it explains in great detail, including equipment, settings and other criteria, to take superb photos of pets, street scenes, sunrise and other applications. The author, Charlotte Lowerie, provides excellent photographs with clear explanations on what Canon equipment and the specific techniques and camera settings that were employed.
  
  Buying a single lens reflex digital camera is a major investment and the promise of producing stunning photographs is enticing. But a camera is just a piece of equipment; it is how you use it that will produce quality photos. Wiley Books' Digital Field Guide for the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi is a must-have book. There is a wealth of information and the high quality photographs support the advice provided. I agree with the book's jacket that this is the one book that will accompany my camera on major photographic treks. I highly recommend it for Digital Rebel XTi owners. For that matter, I recommend the entire Digital Field Guide series!
  
  
• Gotta Love it!
  By A3LI9D4913600C on 2005-07-29
  This book has been a perfect compliment to my new Rebel! Full color throughout, detailed photos of camera features, clear explanations of how to use the Rebel's features (Canon please take note!), useful quick-reference tables for taking portraits, travel shots, stop-action shots, etc., and lots of techniques for dealing with nearly any kind of photo opportunity. I recommend buying this -- not only for yourself -- but for friends and relatives who also have Rebels.
  
  
• Poorly Titled
  By A3EPOPSX1T92NN on 2006-12-10
  If you want to learn more about your Rebel read your instruction book. You won't learn anything new about the camera in this book. Its a very pretty book and has lots of instruction on taking better photographs. I wanted to learn more about the camera not about good picture taking technique.
  
  At best the title of this book is misleading. It is not a Field Guide to the Rebel. Frankly I'm not sure what it is. Save your money!
  
  
• There is more to write about this subject.
  By A289EU8N2YOUBZ on 2006-03-20
  It a good book about the camera... as good and maybe la litte better than the manual that came with it.
  I wish I would have found more on the tips, tricks and traps of digital photo with the Rebel, things like managing light and movement, shapes and contrasts.
  Maybe I was expecting too much, and I will have to learn the old way: step by step, sometimes feeling sorry for the photos I missed about moments that are gone, and some other time totally amazed by pictures I didn't expect to be good.
  But one thing for sure, I am not going back to my other 35mm Rebel Camera.
  
  
  
• A generally good guide
  By AIXXEOGCBC4XL on 2007-05-11
  This book is a blend of specific info on the Canon Rebel XTi (about 40%)and general photography (about 60%). It is generally well written and clear, but does have some odd oversights (e.g., on one page it mentions JPEG photo files as being "lossy" without explaining the term, and most people have no clue, but then later on the same page explains non-lossy under a different type of file). Once in a while, the author inserts a little humor and vitality, usually via parenthetical remarks, which I enjoyed, more would be better. The book is useful for explaining how to use the XTi and its features, but it's more about general technique. For someone new to digital photography or digital SLRs, it would be very useful. I would recommend it to people who are moderately experienced amateurs. Pure beginners might find it handy but a little confusing, while advanced would find it interesting but a bit old hat and less helpful.
  
  
• Best-selling book on a best-selling camera
  By A14XEABFLCOJ5N on 2006-04-12
  The Digital Rebel was the FIRST affordable digital SLR, and this book covers the setup and use of this camera thoroughly. If you're a beginner to using the Canon camera, you need to read this book before making a serious attempt to shoot good pictures. Recommended.
  
  
• I've Learned So Much
  By A21S26XYPGXJZX on 2007-03-15
  I'm new to the world of dSLRs, and when I got an XTi for Christmas, I went into a panic because there was so much I just didn't understand, right down to standard terminology. I was afraid I would use the camera in auto mode forever.
  
  I bought this book a week ago, and I have learned *so much*. It is exactly what I was looking for...poking through other photography books they would make suggestions for the best settings for certain types of photography, but this book tells me EXACTLY how to do it using the XTi's buttons and menus. The day I found the page that explained settings for photographing snow and rain (i.e. do you want to see the drops stopped or blurred? Here's how to do both) I was in heaven. Great investment!
  
  
• Disappointed
  By A3N8K34U2DCEJE on 2007-05-12
  I wouldn't recommend this book. I felt it had little to offer over just reading the manual. The reproductions of the photos were of poor quality--small, not sharp and poor color. I had some problems with my camera and I was looking for a good trouble-shooting section that was suitable for a person with some knowledge of photography and also a discussion of lenses and recommendations of what lenses to purchase. The book did not meet my expectations.
  
  
• awesome companion to my new camera
  By A6FX3L6HJEYOQ on 2007-06-22
  I bought the canon rebel xti as a way of "going to the next level" in my photography.I have always owned point and shoot cameras and wanted to have more control over what the camera and I was doing.The truth of the matter is; there is definetly a learning curve to getting real professional results.I bought different books,borrowed a dozen or so books from the library,they all had some good points and I gleamed some important knowledge from them but I have to admit the buck stopped when I purchased this book.The book not only explains the different functions on this particular camera in a way that is easy to understand but goes way beyond the owners manual.Because of her insight and suggestions,my photos are miles ahead of anything I have done before.If you own this camera you owe it to yourself to get this book. Charlotte Lowrie is an artist!(check out her web sight and links)
  
  
• Great help for beginners
  By AG7Z45HQHNS02 on 2006-03-11
  I'm a beginning photographer. I haven't owned a digital SLR in the past, so I really appreciate this book. It's simplistic in it's descriptions without being so much so that someone at a higher level than myself would get nothing from the book. i could see this book being one that I carry around for help...it's well written and gives alot of helpful tips!
  
  
• Digital Learner
  By A12JKC29DG8FBG on 2006-07-26
  Your can read the rest of the reviews for the nitty-gritty details ... for a new lerner in the digital world this is a best-buy. I have learned plenty on my Rebel even after having it for a year - from controls to composition to some tricks. If you just got your Rebel, invest the few dollars now.
  
  
• The first book any Digital Rebel owner should buy!
  By A222RRNL0JJ6FK on 2006-03-12
  AWESOME! Not only does it tell you about generally taking good fotos...but gives you specifics on how to make better with the Rebel/XT!! ANd the first 1/3rd of books is specificially aboutusing the Rebel & XT. ie...changing modes, shutter sped etc.
  
  MANDATORY for any owner of a digital rebel!
  
  
• Great guide
  By A6PCENTT8CGOL on 2006-07-25
  I got this book before a big trip and it really helped me take better pictures and use more of the great features of this camera.
  
  
• Excellent find!
  By A3CRSFF2TRALAX on 2006-02-14
  
  
  What a great book, i have the Rebel XT and this is a perfect book to compliment it, to show me how to get the best out of the camera, what i like about it is that its neither too technical or in depth - but it doesnt dumb the subject down either, its a good level read for begginers to intermediate's to digital photography.
  
  
• This is an EXCELLENT book to go with your Canon digital Rebel SLR
  By A2XU6J41ZQOJ2V on 2006-02-15
  I purchased the Canon Digital Field Guide after reading the reviews. It is an awesome book, much more complete than anything that came with the camera. Not only does it cover the basics unique to working with the digital Rebel, it covers many more advanced topics. Also basics of lenses, light, techniques for taking great photos, RAW images, downloading, and editing photos. The pages are filled with photographs as way of examples. The last section has many websites for a user to find even more information. This guide is well worth the money spent.
  
  
• Beginners guide at best
  By A3CZPAWBBA16M6 on 2007-07-29
  I bought this book hoping that it would augment my user manual, giving me insight into how best to use and combine features for different situations and such. It does not fulfill this desire. It is an extremely basic look at photography in general, as applied to the 400d (rebel xti). If you are brand new to photography, and have not heard of the rule of thirds, then this book may do you some good. If you are familiar with the camera and some photography in general, pass on this.
  
  
• This Should be the Product Manual!
  By A2E4ZXOAE8URX1 on 2007-10-26
  When I say that this should be the product manual, I'm serious and mean that in a good way. This really is the book that SHOULD come with the product when you purchase a $600+ digital SLR camera. With a level of detail that consumers should expect from the product company, Charlotte Lowrie delivers a great manual for learning the ins and outs of the Rebel XTi.
  
  The "Quick Start" guide that came with my Rebel XTi consisted of a handful of pages that were the size of playing cards. Sure, they explain that you're supposed to turn on the camera, select the simplest mode, and then start taking pictures, but what does that teach me about using my camera?
  
  Lowrie takes it a few steps further and actually explains things along the way in her version of the "Quick Start." She not only explains what to do, but also where to find the controls and what it all means.
  
  Like the "Quick Start" guide, the product manual that came with the Rebel XTi is fairly small when you consider the price tag of the camera. Sure, it will tell you what each control and setting is, but most everything was just the name of the control and a brief, if any, explanation. Small photographs crowded with labels were prevalent and made it difficult to truly grasp the capabilities of the camera it came with.
  
  As with her version of the "Quick Start" guide, Lowrie again takes things a step (a few steps, actually) further and explains what all the controls are with excellent descriptions and close-up, easy-to-understand images. Her diagrams with just the right amount of labeling and her easy-to-read tables are also spot on.
  
  Having read both this book and Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure," I think this book falls short of explaining the creative modes (the latter part of the book) as well as Peterson. Peterson's first-hand examples will help you take better photographs than this book because of how in-depth they go into what makes good photography. The Rebel XTi Digital Field Guide spends more time on the controls/workings of the camera and has to sacrifice some of this more in-depth explanation of creative photography by comparison.
  
  BUT (and that's a big BUT!), this book is, first and foremost, about your Rebel XTi and it's hands-down a great book for getting more intimate with your Rebel XTi and Canon should hire Lowrie to write their product manuals for future products. A book like this will quickly make even the most intimidated consumer fearless with their new product, as it did with this digital SLR newbie and his Rebel XTi. I could actually imagine future consumers who got a book like this with their product absolutely raving about Canon and how they deliver product manuals that actually mean something and are actually helpful.
  
  Product manuals that have meaning and are helpful? Hey, I can dream, right? Thankfully, with this book, I don't have to.
  
  This isn't a knock on this book, but if you already know anything and everything about your Rebel XTi and want to learn more about creative photography, skip this book and get Peterson's book.
  
  However, if you're new to the Rebel XTi (particularly if you're new to digital SLR) or want/need to get more intimate with the settings/controls available to you with your Rebel XTi, then you NEED this book and will be more than happy with the price tag after you've finished it.
  
  As a digital SLR newbie, I got both books and couldn't be happier with my decisions!
  
  
• Excellent Buy
  By A3VBR5D5L5QSTR on 2006-02-28
  I read all the reviews before buying this book. They were right. I just bought my first digital camera and this book has helped me understand the features and photo techniques. I love this book as a reference to my camera. Much easier to understand than the manual that is sent with the camera. Nice color photos and detailed explinations.
  
  
• Good for DSLR newbies
  By A1DQZO63QKF065 on 2006-11-03
  Originally written for the Rebel D300, this book was updated slightly so to also cover the Rebel D350. It does not include changes incorporated into the new Rebel D400.
  
  Most of the book is too elementary to benefit persons who have a fundamental understanding of photography. However, persons with a point-and-shoot background will learn a lot by reading this book. Meaty information about metering and exposure is covered in just a few pages, and that information will be a good review for all but advanced photographers.
  
  

• Photoshop CS3 Workflow: The Digital Photographer's Guide (Tim Grey Guides)
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Workflow: The Digital Photographer's Guide (Tim Grey Guides)

• Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
• Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for Digital Rebel
• Canon NB-2LH Rechargeable Battery Pack for Digital Rebel XT/XTi, PowerShot S30/40/45/50/60/70/80, G7 & G9 Digital Cameras
• SanDisk 2GB ULTRA II CompactFlash Card (SDCFH-2048-901)
• Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)