Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D Digital Field Guide Reviews

• Excellent resource for the amateur photographer

  
  By A3LQA093EL5EXI on 2008-08-02
  I recently upgraded to the Canon Rebel Xsi (previously using a point and shoot) and wanted a book to help explain the many features on the Xsi and how to use them in different shooting situations. This book is exactly what I was looking for. It offers a good explanation of concepts and as well as showing me how to use the different features my camera offers.
  
  The first half of the book details the different features and settings of the Xsi with step by step instructions on how to access the settings along with explanation for when and why you would use the different settings. For me there is just enough detail to help my understanding without being overwhelming.
  
  The second half of the book focuses on more general photography fundamentals (light and exposure, using flash); discussion of canon lenses; and discussion of different subjects with tips for shooting each (action/sports; children; nature/landscape; night/low-light; portrait; travel; etc.)
  
  There are color pictures throughout the book that illustrate most of the concepts being explained which I found to be very helpful. The chapters discussing the fundamentals of light and exposure are excellent, especially for the beginner without an understanding of aperture, shutter speed, ISO and how they work together to create exposure.
  
  Here's the table on contents (at a glance) since Amazon does not yet have a preview of the book available:
  
  PART I: USING THE REBEL XSI/450D
  Ch. 1: Exploring and Setting Up the Rebel Xsi
  Ch. 2: Using the Rebel Xsi
  Ch. 3: Using the White Balance and Picture Styles
  Ch. 4: Using Live View
  Ch. 5: Customizing the Rebel Xsi
  
  PART II: CREATING GREAT PHOTOS WITH THE XSI
  Ch. 6: The Fundamentals of Light and Exposure
  Ch. 7: Using Flash
  Ch. 8: Exploring Canon Lenses
  Ch. 9: In the Field with the Xsi
  
  PART III: APPENDIXES
  Appendix A: Downloading Images and Updating Firmware
  Appendix B: Exploring RAW Capture
  Glossary
  
  
  

• Less helpful than owner's manual

  
  By A1BJG8MKUHS76A on 2008-08-06
  I bought this book based on the reviews of the author's "field guide" on the XTi, which were quite positive, with only a few critics. Usually, that's enough to steer me away if there's another choice, but I thought since there were so many positive reviews, the book must be pretty good. I was very disappointed, however, and I agree with the analysis of those critics of the XTi book.
  
  If you're looking for a version of the owner's manual that's larger and in full color, you might be happy with this "field guide", but if you're looking for something to help you take advantage of what the XSi can do (i.e. tips and techniques), you'll be disappointed too. It was actually less helpful to me than the owner's manual was. For example, I'm new to SLRs (as most of the audience for this book should be), and I didn't know very much about the 4 metering modes that this camera offers. Both the owner's manual and this book describe what they do, but only the owner's manual gives a recommendation (spot metering and center-weighted average are labeled "for advanced users"). Perhaps Lowrie wouldn't agree with that, but at least it's something besides the nuts & bolts.
  
  I can't imagine how Lowrie went about taking up so much space without saying something valuable, or even subjective, about this camera. Perhaps it was all the "full color photos". I also can't imagine ever bringing this "field guide" into "the field". I'd much sooner stick the owner's guide in my back pocket. I found Lowrie's blog much more informative and useful than this book.
  
  

• Great Guide

  
  By A146QQ3CMY124R on 2008-08-14
  Well written, excellent guide for the Canon Rebel XSi. Many of the features that were unclear in the user manual are clearly explained in this guide. After reading this book, I have a much better understanding of my XSi than before, even though I read the user's manual from cover to cover. This book is easy to understand and will put you in touch with all the features the XSi has to offer.
  
  

• Well worth the cost for a new SLR user!

  
  By A3F9CBHV4OHFBS on 2008-09-08
  I went from a point and shoot to a Canon Rebel XSI SLR. It has been somewhat of an intimadating experience, but with the field guide book explaining so many features and settings, I can breath a sigh of relief.
  
  It is well layed out and easy to read. The index covers all the necessary cross reference pages so a user can quickly find what he or she needs to operate the camera.
  
  After reading the first couple of chapters, I am now ready to get off the Basic mode settings with confidence.
  
  

• Boilerplate tech stuff but no help for newbies

  
  By A1GV5GH58WUR2 on 2008-09-04
  Totally agree w. Shortstack above, this is a fancy manual, more concerned about completeness and boilerplate than taking the time to select the 30 most useful things a newbie could use. Most owners of this entry-level SLR are stepping up fr. point and shoot, otherwise they'd buy a mid level "prosumer" model. Will someone tell me 10 quick tips to take a portrait. For Instance, how hard it is, and how complicated it is, and if it is worth it, to get a better portrait by just using the portrait button or instead by making real adjustments in say Program or Aperture mode? Two pix, side by side, one taken w. Portrait button, the other taken w. some quick and realistic changes using Program or Aperture mode. Is it worth it? How hard is it? At what point do you need to leave the buttons, and who can realistically do that. Stuff like that, and the same for landscapes, kids, sports, etc. and basically some down and dirty basics for the 99 percent of pics folks like me and Shortstack take. Then you can use rest of book for Advanced stuff, if someone has the time and energy. Scot Kelby's books attempt to do this, but are seriously annoying b.c. of Scot's juvenile and egotistical style,but at least he 'gets' it. When Scot, or someone like him, takes his meds and writes a book dedicated to one camera, like the Canon EOS, SIGN ME UP FOR THAT BOOK. AMAZINGLY, the great how to photo book for interested newbies is YET TO BE WRITTEN. Do you really need to adjust White Balance by having subject hold up a white card? And taking two test photos?? Can't you correct that in like Picassa, and how many serious amateurs do that? Stuff lkke that.
  
  

• David Busch's Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D Guide to Digital SLR Photography
• Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
• Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for Digital Rebel
• Transcend 8 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card TS8GSDHC6
• Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter