Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide Reviews

• This book is more about Christianity than Canon 40D

  
  By A1RQZGD9H714TZ on 2008-04-14
  This review might seem to be about Christianity - not about an instructional book on a camera. That is because the Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide should be called The Digital Field Guide for Christians Only! While informative on the new Canon 40D's many functions, this book is nauseatingly riddled with references to the writer's religion - from example photos of christian churches, crosses, crucifixes, to indoor stage performances listed as "Christian Rock."
  
  The book begins with a dedication to someone that gets muddled with "faith, god, jesus, the son..." and this theme continues throughout the book.
  
  I am still reading through the book and do appreciate the information about the functions that can be set, though I would not use many of the writer's suggested setting. I cringe every time "god" is mentioned or a religious photo is used to demonstrate a camera setting, because I feel like I was tricked into going to sunday school. If you tell me this is a camera book with emphasis on christianity, or an emphasis on golfing photography or bird watching photography - fine - I can decide to buy it or keep looking. I am fully expecting to turn the page and see a photo of that holy grilled cheese sandwich sold on ebay as an example of the "christian portrait setting" on the camera (which is not listed in the Canon's manual).
  
  I find out now that the writer (Charlotte K. Lowrie) uses her photos on various religious sites, and I wish she would stick to writing for them. Either write a book of inspirational photos and sell it to your own kind, or write an instructional manual and stick to the subject - the camera! This mixed up theme of technical and subliminal religious messages is exclusionary to other religions and non-religious people.
  
  I am sorry I bought this book (maybe proceeds go to her church and I can write it off) - shame on the publisher. I would recommend to anyone looking for straightforward information about this great Canon camera to look elsewhere - especially if you happen to be Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist, etc. I am giving a gracious 2 starts for the information on the menu setting.
  
  

• Best Book To Learn The Secrets of Canon 40D

  
  By A1E8OGP1GK5S9E on 2008-05-27
  The Digital Field Guide by Charlotte Lowrie is the best book to learn how to shoot the Canon 40 D at the highest and most efficient levels. Four months ago I took a big leap and went from a Kodak point and shoot camera to a Canon 40 D with four very good (and expensive) lenses. I was initially very disappointed with my images compared to ones I had shot with my Kodak camera; they weren't very sharp and the colors seemed washed out. So what did I do: I bought three books on the 40D, a DVD guide to the 40D, and took an on-line course with a professional instructor on the 40D. I bought the Digital Field Guide last, half-way through my on-line course, and only then did I really learn the secrets of the 40D.
  
  Here is what the Digital Field Guide revealed to me: 1. The importance of Picture Styles and how/why each owner of a 40 D should explore modifying the default style settings. 2. A detailed review of the 40 D's Custom Functions with suggestions from an experienced 40 D user. 3. How to set up Camera User Settings (C1, C2, and C3 on the Mode dial). 4. Some real practical insights to using the 40 D in the field and some further insights to the 40 D and Canon lenses by listing the lenses and settings for the photos contained in the book.
  
  The key is setting modified Picture Styles and then taking advantage of Camera User Settings. Lowrie says her modified preference is Neutral Picture Style with revised settings. That approach did not work for me, as I do not shoot in RAW, but I now have found revised Portrait, Faithful( Macro shots) and Landscape Styles for my C1-3 settings.
  
  If this book is so good, why do I give it only a four star rating? The format and layout is confusing. In this regard, the Canon EOS 40 D Guide by David Busch is much better. His book is much easier read, but it does not get into customized Picture styles in enough detail and failed to discuss Camera User Settings at all. If you are buying just one book on the 40 D get Lowrie's, but I am glad that I have both. By the way, until I read one of the reviews posted here I did not pick-up on religious references in the book, still do not find anything that bothers me.
  
  
  

• Somewhat disappointing...

  
  By A1MXMO2W4IIQ1R on 2008-05-10
  I ordered this book on the 40D after I sold another one that REALLY disappointed me. The problem with a lot of these newer camera books is that they have been rushly patterned on earlier books on previous camera models and nothing really new emerges. They don't seem to be written by spending extended field time with the camera and its system and offer little that you can't glean from the camera manual. If I buy a book on a new camera model I don't need the entire digital camera technology re-hashed but want to know what makes this particular model special and for which applications is it especially suited. I would like to see suggestions of basic outfits of this camera and a few lenses for various applications and (unless the book is sponsored by the camera manufacturer) it should include discussions of third party gear (Sigma, Tokina, Tamron) that work especially well with the 40D. For example, I am using the Sigma 2.8/18-50mm lens on the 40D - a perfect match and excellent balance. I think a good example of such a well-executed digital camera book is Guido Krebs's "Canon EOS 350D Digital Praxisbuch" (unfortunately only in German). He even recommends the Novoflex BALCAN-AF bellows unit for the 350D (Digital Rebel XT) because Canon doesn't offer a compact AF bellow unit in its EOS system. This is the kind of advice you don't get from the camera manual. He also discusses each lens of the EOS system and how well it is matched to the 350D. So, perhaps Ms. Lowrie could try again in a second edition, as much as I appreciate her real life/average user picture examples.
  
  

• Too general

  
  By AOAAVHP60BIM2 on 2008-05-23
  I bought this book and was impressed with the quality of the paper stock and photography. The author has a very clear and concise writing style, which makes her instructions easy to read and understand. The size of the book also makes it practical for stashing in my camera bag.
  
  However, this book skimped too much on the features of the Canon EOS 40D and does not cover many of the advanced features in depth. I believe that the author could have made the book better by focusing more on the EOS 40D features and capabilities instead of devoting almost 2/3 of the book to general photography. As a result, I give this book 3 stars despite its strengths.
  
  

• Charlotte Lowrie delivers....

  
  By A14VRHOGJP2GFT on 2008-05-07
  This is my second 'how to' camera book by Charlotte Lowrie, the first covered the Canon XTi. Although I have learned a great deal about DSLR photography since then, her 40D field guide does a much better job than the user manual Canon provides. Perhaps some will suggest she repeats some basic photography lessons, I say, a refresher course never hurt anyone and besides, you can skip over what you don't want to read. In addition to step by step instructions, the guide is full of color illustrations and photograph's.
  
  Charlotte's job is to provide a comprehensive users guide for the new 40D owner and for that, she delivers. As with most camera field guides, the writer usually/should assume readers are probably not professionals who need another lesson on depth of field. The target audience is someone who just invested a good chuck of change in a Canon 40D and values a sturdy field guide companion.
  
  
• Decent introduction
  By AE173XADA4G6S on 2008-06-01
  I bought this book because I am getting started with digital photography with Canon 40D. It does a decent job of introducing features of 40D but I would still go for class for hands on practice.
  
  
• Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide
  By A29NXE3EO841Y4 on 2008-06-10
  Written for Ann Friedenreich SCG Photos
  In general, the field guide genre of photography/camera books is an amazing way to get lots of info in a book small enough to tote. The Wiley edition of the "Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide" at first flip seemed like it would be a verbose little guy, but then I found the table of contents...and it was love at first sight! That old adage, a picture can say a thousand words, was as true now as ever. I stopped at the tomatoes, on the 2nd page of the table (chapters 2&3),thinking that it might be about color, before I even read the topic line. And yes; it was was about color. It was also about balance, color spaces and picture styles, but it was about color too...which is what I wanted to read about. I couldn't say that the other photos in the table of contents were as right on as the tomatoes, but having photos mark the different topics was helpful.
  
  There were ample notes/tips/cross-reference spots, charts and tables, photos and illustrations throughout the book. Having said that, I would like to offer that, I'd like to have seen more color throughout the book...all of the black print made it a bit tedious for me, and bold face type is boring. Maybe the direction, step by step, list paragraphs/sections could have been printed on a color background or have different color type just to break up the black type. It would not take up more space or make any drastic change, just a little eye candy to keep the reader on a high note.
  
  Overall the book is a great little helper that packs lots of info. I also appreciated the glossary and appendices at the end which had lots of internet hot spots to visit. I'd give this book 4.5 stars out of 5!
  
  
• Not for the novice!
  By A1GFZBJ9RIM3TM on 2008-06-08
  I would have to give this book a 3-star rating, not due specifically to the content but more to the organization and level of difficulty. I approached this reading with no film background, a newly acquired passion for digital photography, and my very first D-SLR, the Canon EOS 40D. Fortunately I had read other 40D books so I had a basis for comparison. Had this been the first one I had read on this camera, I might have just put the setting on "Automatic" and left it there. I would not recommend this book for a beginning photographer.
  This Digital Field Guide is literally PACKED with information, tables, cross reference notations and subjects that go way beyond my level of absorption at this time. Though I feel the book has a "busy" visual appearance, it might appeal to the Canon EOS 40D owners who either come from a film background, previous D-SLR's, or both and understand the basic language of exposure settings, focus, shutter speed, etc. I didn't have a solid footing in these areas and found the book to be overwhelming and somewhat discouraging.
  If you are a more experienced photographer who has a new Canon EOS 40D, I encourage you to give this book a read. If you know all the content when you finish, you're in good shape! The book provides a number of in-the-field tips dealing with different types of shooting. There is a chapter on RAW capture for those of you who are leaning in that direction, and a very impressive appendix covering topics such as camera specifications, a glossary of photography terminology, and a list of professional websites and resources. For you lens aficionados there is a whole section of the book devoted to various lenses and what they do. You just need lots of money!
  Happy Reading!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Very disappointing
  By A1JGZZTT6M2MRV on 2008-07-10
  I opened this book yesterday and immediately returned it. Perhaps the worst layout I've seen for an instructional guide to a digital camera. Confusing and unorganized to say the least.
  
  Besides, if I wanted to partake in a class in Christianity, I would attend a church. Why is it that authors such as herself and Scott Kelby are so intent on informing us of thier faith and beliefs?
  
  
• I read three books on the 40D
  By A22WJDGDX4IB6U on 2008-07-24
  Long story short: 1st choice Charlotte K Lowrie, 2nd choice David D Busch
  and 3rd Rob Sheppard.
  Now for long story. Having read Lowrie's books before I knew I could glean some good information from this book. This book is in color, a must. Lowrie's tables are easy to read and understand, the index has everything you can imagine in it.
  I find myself going back to this book all the time. Example; 4th of July, index, fireworks photography, page 228-229, shutter speed 1-2 seconds, and I'm off to the party. I ordered Lowrie's book on the 5D just to read it, even though I'll probably won't buy the 5D camera. I have found mistakes in all of the books. Page 30, image 1.14, after reading the caption, I thought I bought the wrong lens and went to Canon's web site to see if there was 24-70 "IS", no, but I wish or on page 33, 25-105 f/2.8L IS USM. Wouldn't that be a great lens if it were real. There was one more about that 24-70 "IS" page 34. Any one of these authors could do a better job of writing an owners manual than Canon. For me Lowrie's book is the best.
  
  
• Not a waste of time
  By A1LVO69QBK0UBD on 2008-06-07
  This book is a good next step after one has thoroughly read the Canon EOS 40D owners manual; which a lot of folks fail to do. The manual tells you what "this button" is, and what "this button" does; this book will tell you how. It may not be complete enough for the seasoned DSLR user, but it likely was not intended to. It is after all, a paperback called "field guide". I think this book could serve as a good reference and review source for many and an excellent starting point for the beginner.
  While I was not personaly offended by the author's frequent reference to her spirituality, I can see where a reader of any other faith, or none at all might be. I see no useful purpose in such rhetoric in a book about a camera.
  
  
• An over sized owners manual with a few good tips
  By A11NR4AJK9TNQM on 2008-06-24
  This is a great owners manual and it has a few good tips but that is about it. The chief benefit is it reinforces what I had seen before and that is not a bad thing. I did transition from 20D so I did glean a few good pointers and I am not disappointed.
  
  
• Great reference
  By A1MGN7O2Z94M8E on 2008-07-05
  This is a great reference for those looking for detailed information on some of the features that are not very well documented by Canon.
  
  
• Excellent book!
  By A2PEOLZA49M7MB on 2008-07-01
  In 55 years of photography, this is one of the best books I've read. This book is excellent for both the beginner and intermediate photographer. Everything is explained and illustrated extremely well.
  
  
  
  
• Learn about the 40D and support Christianity...
  By A3LLOKWLWN80M on 2008-08-06
  I purchased Charlotte K.L.'s Canon Digital Rebel XTi field guide book and learned a lot about the XTi, which was why I went for her 40D book.
  
  I must say I felt extremely uncomfortable with the Christian references - while some may consider the religious captions irrelevant, it still bothered me. I am not a religious person (nor am I an atheist). I found the religious references pointless and irritating.
  
  Page 210 of her "40D Field Guide Book" (caption to the photo):
  "The images in figures 9.10, 9.11 and 9.12 were shot for a cover and liner for a Christian music CD featuring Jessie Butterworth and the Overlake Christian Church worship team. The goal was to capture the spirit and energy of the concert for the cover and illustrate the concert experience with images for the liner. This is an establishing shot of the overall concert stage with vocalists and musicians. Exposure: ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/20 sec., using an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens."
  
  While I understand Christianity is a major part of our world's religion, to me, 3 mere religious related captions in a 300 something page technical book, is aggressive.
  
  

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