Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital Photography Reviews

• If you have a Canon 40D you need this book

  
  By AVHZ3ZFGXHX7B on 2007-12-25
  If you have a Canon 40D you need this book. It has great pictures and illustrations and explains each setting on the Canon 40D and why you care. It's the equivalent of a "missing manual". Do yourself a favor, read this book and skip the unreadable manual.
  
  

• excellent detailed explaination of Canon 40D

  
  By A1PN2U0AWXGVML on 2007-12-27
  The book is about 300 pages dedicated to the 40D. The book is extremely detailed. Basically, everything you will need to know including the included software that came with the 40D. It's written in a very personal way from David Busch and its kinda like having him actually there. Highly recommended.
  
  

• Good general book, but with important error

  
  By A1J7LPN356ARFN on 2008-03-28
  I bought this book along with a EOS 40D after reading the many good reviews here. This book is definitely a good companion to the user manual but there is an important error in the book:
  
  On page 124 under the chapter "Bracketing", the books says:
  In Av mode, the aperture will change, while in Tv mode, the shutter speed will change.
  
  This is wrong and is a critical mistake because the Canon manual did not explain how the Auto Exposure Bracketing works. So if you refer to that chapter in this book you'll get the wrong idea. It should read:
  In Av mode, the shuttle speed will change, while in Tv mode, the aperture will change.
  
  Another area that I wished this book do better is in the area of manual exposure. This is an important aspect of photography and the brief coverage means most users will only glance at it, thinking they'll never need it.
  
  Otherwise, recommended if you are new to digital SLR camera and have or is thinking about buying a Canon EOS 40D.
  
  

• Fails to Reveal the Secrets of the 40D

  
  By A1E8OGP1GK5S9E on 2008-06-02
  The Canon EOS 40 D Guide by David Busch is a very readable book, but it fails to reveal the secrets to shooting 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. The Busch's book was the first one I purchased ,and after reading it in detail, my picture taking did not improve.
  
  Half-way through my on-line course, I bought my third book, the Digital Field Guide by Charlotte Lowrie, 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.
  
  Busch's book is much easier read than Lowrie's, but it does not get into customized Picture Styles in enough detail and failed to discuss entering Camera User Settings at all. Maybe if I had been an experienced user of the Canon 30D moving up to the 40D the Busch book might have worked for me, but I needed the more specific guidance on set-up and use in the field that I got from the Lowrie book. If you are buying just one book on the 40 D get Lowrie's, but I am glad that I have both.
  
  
  

• If this is your first DSLR, this book is a must own.

  
  By A2OEIIRT7KKK97 on 2008-03-17
  This book covers, in plain English, all the features, options and functions, of the 40D. You won't be disappointed. Before I bought this book, I read the manual that comes with the camera. Even thought the manual is great for getting you the "how-to" do something, this book, gives you more of the "why you should do it" and "what happens" if you do something a certain way. I suppose you could just trial-and-error everything instead, some people are like that, but if you're not that kind of person and want to be able to master your new camera, this book will certainly help you do that more quickly.
  
  
• Dumbed Down Version of Canon Manual
  By AJMIRJ1GDVK6V on 2008-03-11
  I was very disappointed in this book which I thought would give deeper explanations than the canon manual which came with the camera. What I found was a dumbed down version of the manual which actually contained several mistakes. For example, page 99 indicates that Custom Function IV-01 default behavior does not meter and focus at the same time. This contradicts the manual and when tested, guess what, the canon manual is correct! There were other instances where the information was either incorrect or just incomplete. Makes it hard to trust anything the book says.
  The only good thing is the large print and large color pictures.
  
  Dennis Curtin's book is more complete, more in-depth and more accurate. Also, the e-book pdf version is in color.
  
  
  
• Great beginner's book
  By A2FYAACQJGRT0J on 2008-03-13
  I am new to a photography, and Canon 40D is my first dslr. I had a Lantern series book on this camera, but that book went back to the store in less than a week. But David Busch's book is great for a beginner - very personal, written easy and understandable. Manual is worthless compared to this book. Highly recommended, especially if you are new to dslr. Great help in my learning journey!
  
  
• Guide for Canon 40D
  By A3HWA9BO5H3YJ9 on 2008-03-21
  This book is 99% thorough - loved it. I learned quite a bit more about my camera even after using it for months. I had a couple of detailed questions that are not covered but I can work them out. I recommend it.
  
  
• This is the only book you will need to unlock the power of the 40D!
  By AVJQW45Z54CG6 on 2008-03-22
  This book by Busch is a pleasure to read and provides me with everything I need to know to use my Canon 40D. The Canon manual just wasn't enough and the Magic Lantern Guide I bought for my Rebel XT was not too informative so I didn't want to get that again.
  
  I read the only negative review on Busch's book and I felt it was way off. There is no way this book is a dumbed down version of the manual. The reviewer pointed out one mistake that Busch made and how the manual was correct. I didn't check if this was true or not but I felt Busch's book was extremely informative and detailed.
  
  The negative reviewer also ended her review by promoting another book on the Canon40D. This left me the impression that the reviewer was putting Busch's book down in order to promote the other book. I'm glad I didn't take her advice because Busch's book is well worth it.
  
  I also purchased the Canon EOS 40D Made Easy (Two Tutorial DVD set) by Elite Video. I felt the combination of the two would help me to get the most out of my Canon 40D and I was correct. If you are a better visual learner than this DVD set would be a great addition to Busch's book.
  
  I can't wait to go out and experiment with my 40D today!
  
  
• Great book for starters
  By A346YX86CE12FY on 2008-01-13
  I just recently got 40D, stumbled upon this book and give it a try. Turns out to be a great resources to use my 40D to its full potential, perfect for an amateur like me
  
  
• Excellent entry for the NEW SLR (40D) owner.
  By A1RL1OTV8IJMVD on 2008-02-13
  It's definitely refreshing to find a book for 40D owners that doesn't assume they have tons of experience with SLRs prior to owning this new Canon iteration. For that, I thank the author greatly.
  
  I was quite surprised when I received this book because it's a really, really nicely laid out read, and is very EASY to read. Lots of really useful pictures in full COLOR, which, in a photography book, is quite helpful! I knew I was in for a quality book when I came across the picture of f/stops and how it affects the aperture. Most books just tell you what that means in writing, but a picture tells a thousand words. There's a nice little cluster of color illustrations showing you the aperture and how f/stops affect how open it is. Incredibly useful for the new SLR owner.
  
  Will this book make you a super photographer? No. Will it give you enough information so you can go out and take pictures? (as you should do! It's the only way to learn!) Definitely.
  
  The must-have 40D guide.
  
  
• awsome!!!!
  By A1XK6QPQKGLO5C on 2008-03-11
  Got the camera....bought the book!! This is a must have...FAR BETTER than Magic Lantern Guides....easy to read, easy to understand...great book!
  
  
• Excellent companion for the CANON 40D
  By A9Z0UYAGZQDM5 on 2008-04-12
  I highly recommend this book as a companion to the CANON 40D.
  
  I just bought the CANON 40D, and was intimidated by all the settings, being a novice to SLR cameras ! I was wondering if I needed just one book or several books to get going. Being a novice, I was wondering whether the book would be too much for me. But my fears were put to rest ! This book is the perfect guide for not only camera-related information, but also for photography in general ( such as JPEG and RAW formats ). It gives you the HOW and WHY of everything about the camera.
  
  
  
  
  
• This is the one!
  By A1EWZM6Q2UUFVC on 2008-04-06
  Go no further! This is the one book you are looking for. I've been handling cameras professionally for nearly fifty years but this time I had to master the vexing mysteries of the Canon 40D virtually overnight and then do a hugely complex, on location, get-it-right-the-first-time photo shoot at New York City Opera the next day. No re-shoots possible! This book got me through it with flying colors. Its layout is dazzlingly simple and logical, even soothing to that incipient hysteria inherent in approaching an object with a lot of strange and threatening buttons and dials for the first time. Not only that, but it's a lot cheaper than living on tranquilizers and less embarrassing than patting a security blanket. Buy this book!
  
  
• The Book Every 40D Owner Should Own
  By A3N9H0LQHO9EPV on 2008-04-24
  This book covers the Canon EOS 40D from the standpoint of a user, not a software engineer. I especially like how well the 40D's many menus are described throughout the book. The LCD screen description is also very well labeled. The photos taken by the author throughout the book also help to illustrate a number of the functions. I have used the camera extensively, and this book should help photographers of any level get up to speed faster.
  
  The explanation of the Live View feature was also very helpful and worth mentioning because it can be tricky to locate it and make it work properly.
  
  
• Excellent manual for Canon 40D
  By A16SRDVPBXN69C on 2008-03-05
  This is one of the better books written for a camera. I have owned several other books over the years for my cameras, particularly the DSLR camera, as it is just easier than slogging through the manual. I liked the Dennis Curtin books but they are so cheaply reproduced that I couldn't bring myself to pay for another. This is well written, easy to comprehend, good quality paper and photos. Highly recommend; very useful for a sophisticated camera like the 40D to really learn to use it's many functions.
  
  
• Canon 40D vs Rebel XTi or New XSi
  By A2AWEULDHGE3IX on 2008-04-05
  If you want the best non professional Canon digital camera buy the 40D. Afer owning the Rebel XTi, the 40D at first felt large and a little heavy. But within hours I felt much more comfortable and I noticed the brighter and larger viewfinder. You will no longer think it heavy or large. You will compose your shots quicker & better etc.. The XSi is said to be lighter and will have a better grip over the XTi?? It will not be as well built nor as "fast" as the 40D. The 40D will cost you approx. $200 more than the XSi - wait till the XSi becomes available and compare it to the XTi and the 40D. The 40D is almost a "baby" EOS-1D Mark III. The 40D is a great camera and overall better camera than the Rebels - twice the shutter life as just one example. I am very happy. Buy the book on the 40D by David D. Busch. Learning curve of the 40D vs the XSi should be about the same - so learn how to use the more professional 40D and be set for a long time. Do not buy the kit lens. Buy the Canon 24-105 4f L lens as your first lens - well worth the money and you will truly not need another lens for all round and walk around photography. After a few months of learning and taking photos - then you can get a better idea of what other lens you may put good use to. Good luck.
  
  
• Excellent supplement to 40D's Instruction Manual
  By A1LGABRRIB3WTK on 2008-02-16
  While Canon's manual shipped with the 40D assumes a lot of the reader in terms of photographic experience, the Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital Photography makes no such assumptions. I was impressed with the quality, and readability of the writing. The 40D is a surprisingly complex instrument, and this book helps to distill away some of that complexity, especially as it relates to some of the metering options. Don't get me wrong, the camera isn't hard to use, but in order to best exploit its capabilities, sometimes it's good to have a supplement such as the Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital Photography. You won't go wrong with this book.
  
  
• Outstanding Book with details for the novice or expert
  By ATR45I3U2I47U on 2008-03-06
  I just bought a 40D and took a chance based on the positive reviews. They were spot on...I am so glad I bought this book. The details and examples have made the transition to this camera easy and educational. If you are thinking about this...go for it. You will not be disappointed.
  
  
• Practical and useful instruction
  By AD5OQXJ9OP6UO on 2008-04-23
  There are many books on digital photography and books specific to particular cameras. Not infrequently there is a disconnect between the two. David Busch has pretty well succeeded in bridging that gap by combining instruction in digital photography as it pertains to the Canon 40D. Recommended.
  
  
• Very good book!
  By A1AYEWVOUM0XH7 on 2008-03-31
  I used a 300D before upgrading to the 40D. This book helps me understand the many new features of the camera as it provides greater and 'easy to understand' insight on the Canon 40D (compared to the manual). Recommended!
  
  
• Very Helpful
  By AFHPB14A853K on 2008-05-03
  I read about half the book and it has been very helpful for me to review and learn things I fined helpful in using my new Canon 40D . It is good to know different setting in using the camera.
  
  
• Wonderful Book!
  By A3BR9370CT0MKK on 2008-01-29
  Clear and concise, very thorough writing. Over 300 pages of information printed on very nice stock with tons of full-color photos. Definitely the best 40D book out there. (so far anyway)
  
  
• So far so good
  By A14QBRVVLV12UZ on 2008-04-12
  This book is pretty handy and have learnt a couple more things off it. The manual that comes with the camera explains the basic functions but this book helps explain why you should you them.
  
  
• Great Canon 40D Guide for Advanced/Beginner users
  By A19HH531ZMY143 on 2008-04-19
  I have been shooting Canon's for 10 years now, and specifically the 40D for 8 months. I bought this a week ago and was really surprised at how many features I had been unaware of on my camera. The basic functions are of course covered, but it is the treatment of less talked about features and the thinking behind those options that really impressed me. Well thought out and well laid out. Excellent source for maximizing the many talents of the 40D
  
  
• Great personal look at the 40D
  By AU5U16YWAIYZP on 2008-05-08
  This book covers a lot of what's in the owners manual but presents it in a personal manner that makes for much better interpretation then the owners manual.
  
  It's easy to read and even entertaining something you can't say for the Canon owners manual and rightfully so of course since the owners manual has to be as concise as possible to fit into your pocket.
  
  In additional this book provided solutions to problems the author had while using his 40D both hardware and software that really came in handy.
  
  I heartily recommend "Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital Photography!
  
  
• a must have
  By AGMS25UF74I81 on 2008-05-05
  Excellent resource. Strongly written with more than plenty large color pictures. I highly recommend buying this.
  
  
• Excellent 40D Guide
  By A3OKA76DOG7USY on 2008-02-21
  A very helpful, easy to understand, guide that provides more information than the Canon manual. Good quality, well written product with pictures to help illustrate the topic. A good tool to help get the most out of the 40D. I think it's a good start for someone new to dslr( but still providing enough useful info for the more advanced user). Fast delivery as well!
  
  
• Did not learn much new
  By A71GYL954Z1I9 on 2008-03-22
  Not a particularly outstanding book. It's a glorified version of the camera manual without too many new pointers. This has not been a good investment.
  
  
• Great information
  By A2IWFI1NPNBV60 on 2008-04-04
  This book has all the information you need to use this camera, very easy to read
  
  

• Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens
• Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Select Digital Cameras and Camcorders
• SanDisk SDCFX3-4096-901 4 GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card (Retail Package)
• The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
• SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III CF Card SDCFX3-8192-901 (Retail Package)