Innholdsfortegnelse for The Canon Camera Manual i The Canon Camera Manual

If you seek something easy to use but still powerful, sleek and stylish, then Canon’s range of compact cameras is where you can find your perfect device. Canon’s innovative technologies are the backbone of the PowerShot and IXUS range of compact digital cameras that take you to the next level of shooting and sharing beautiful photos and HD quality movies. From the ultra compact, to the versatile and affordable, you will no doubt find something that suits your pocket and your lifestyle. Here is just a sample of the digital compact camera range, that will get you inspired and ready to share your precious memories. Canon IXUS 285 HS £159/$199/€184 (US ELPH 360) Style and connectivity ■ 20.2 MP back illuminated CMOS sensor ■ f/3.6 - f/7.0 maximum aperture ■…

When it comes to reliability, performance and the production of creative photography and video, the Canon professional range of camera bodies is the one-stop shop for results that you and your clients will love. Whatever the conditions, Canon’s professional DSLR reliable performance will keep you shooting and keep delivering the shots you need. They are weather resistant, keeping dust and moisture at bay and their magnesium-alloy construction provide reliable strength and welcome lightness. Look at any high-end sporting event or fashion shoot and you will see Canon professional cameras and lenses. Sports shooters love them for their advanced autofocus ability to lock on and track the action, coupled with amazing optics from the range of lenses available; it makes them a formidable image capture system. The full-frame benefits of these…

TS-E 17mm f/4L £1799/$2149/€2699 A specialist wide angle tilt-shift lens for distortion free architectural photography ■ Ultra wide 17mm tilt and shift lens ■ Low distortion and high resolution ■ 6.5° tilt and 12mm shift ■ Independent tilt or shift rotation ■ Aspherical and UD lens elements ■ Subwavelength Structure and Super Spectra coatings ■ Circular aperture TS-E 90mm f/2.8 £1344/$1399/€1472 Suitable for a variety of subjects, from product photography to architecture ■ 90mm tilt and shift lens ■ Telephoto lens with image control ■ 8° tilt and 11mm shift ■ 58mm filter size ■ Non-rotating front element ■ Featuring six elements in five groups ■ Super Spectra coatings reduce flare and ghosting TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II £1579/$1899/€1782 With a wide range of movement, this lens expands the possibilities of…

All but the most basic budget compact cameras have a selection of shooting modes, usually chosen by a dial on the top or back of the camera. Easy-to-use, mainly automatic cameras in the range will only have a few shooting modes, while the more sophisticated cameras such as the EOS DSLRs may have as many as a dozen, including manual exposure options and user-programmable special settings. As newer models appear in the range or older models are updated, the shooting modes available will be revised and possibly expanded. Shown on this spread are some of the most often used modes selected from the mode dial on the top of the camera. Auto DOF Mode: As you focus on your subject, the camera will use the other focus points to measure…

Professional photographers use some very simple tricks and rules-of-thumb that have been developed over many years, including rules of composition that are inspired by classical art. Combined with technical skill and a thorough understanding of the principles of photography that we laid out in the previous section, these artistic methods produce well-balanced, attractive photographs that will really stand out. However the true artistic inspiration that differentiates a talented photographer from merely a skilled technician must come from within, and can’t be taught by any guidebook. There are of course many more secrets and tricks in the field of creative photography than we have room to cover, but hopefully we can show you some basic ideas and tips that will form the foundation of your hobby and inspire you to learn…

The following pages detail some of the main elements you should be keeping in mind as you start out on your black and white journey. Naturally, as you develop in both skill and confidence, you will find through trial and error what works best for your particular creative vision, which you will want to be seen by the world. It is by no means an exhaustive guide, but hopefully it can set you on your way by outlining what are generally regarded as the essentials for black and white photography. 1 Shoot colour and Raw A lot of modern cameras have so-called creative functions that give you the option to capture your images in black and white at the outset. Doing this may actually result in a loss of tonal…

“Don’t be afraid to read the manual. That may sound obvious, but take the time to get to know the features on offer.” Shooting with a flash is often considered to be quite intimidating if you are new to photography, or even if you have been using a DSLR for while but have been shooting with available light only. Let’s face it, there are enough variables within the camera itself to remember. Suddenly adding a flash to the mix has the potential to confuse the issue still further. Shooting with a flash shouldn’t be scary or overly-complicated but there are some basic skills that, once learned, will help demystify flash photography and make it an enjoyable, rewarding and creative experience. Which flash? Just like the cameras themselves there is often a…

Nearly all of us have had a portrait photograph taken. Whether it’s the traditional school photograph, complete with bad hair and nervous smile, or the photo for passport taken in an automatic booth which somehow always makes you look like an escaped convict, any photo for which we sit and pose can be considered a portrait. Even a police mug shot is a portrait of sorts, although probably not one we’d want to keep and show to our friends. Portrait photography is an art in itself, as well as being a highly profitable business for some people, but you don’t need a huge professional studio and thousands of pounds’ worth of lighting equipment to produce good results. In fact you can take professional-looking portraits at home with gear that you…

Whatever camera you buy, there are several accessories that you will find very useful. First, get a lens hood. Sometimes the sun is going to be in your shot or just out of frame, and a lens hood will help to reduce lens flare. If you have several lenses you may need a hood for each. Also useful are a few filters. The most popular are a polariser for reducing glare, a neutral and a sepia gradient for enhancing clouds, and a skylight UV filter to prevent fogging at high altitudes and to protect the front element of your lens. Finally, although landscapes can be shot with any lens of your choice, it is always a great boon to have a good wide-angle lens.…

If you’re serious about your photography then sooner or later you’re going to want a digital SLR. Despite all the improvements in advanced compact, super-zoom or compact system camera design, in terms of image quality, performance and creative versatility the digital SLR still beats almost every other type of camera hands down. There are some top-end pro cameras costing tens of thousands of pounds which can take better pictures, but frankly if you’re considering one of those then you’re reading the wrong book. The acronym “SLR” stands for “single lens reflex”. The “single lens” part is to differentiate them from the twin-lens cameras that were popular in the 1960s, while the “reflex” part refers to the reflex mirror, an angled movable mirror that sits in front of the sensor and…

Take more creative control of your photography with a range of digital cameras for enthusiasts that are as easy to use as you need them to be, with image quality that is sure to impress. Turn snaps and video clips into something far more wonderful: images and footage that you are proud of and want the world to see. Use high-end techniques such as shallow depth of field to create differential focus and draw your viewer’s eye to your subject. Make your images distinctive with the use of creative filter effects that can all be done in-camera with the touch of a button. Take command of your camera with controls that are easy and intuitive. Touchscreen LCDs give you greater access to your camera’s functions and shooting modes. You can…

EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM £1889/$2099/€2571 A precision ultra wide-angle lens with superb image quality and minimal distortion ■ L-series construction with dust and moisture sealing ■ Aspherical and UD lens elements ■ Circular aperture ■ Super Spectra coatings ■ Rectilinear design EF 35mm f/2 IS USM £399/$549/€543 A versatile standard f/2 prime lens with ultrasonic AF, ideal for everyday photography ■ Up to four stops of image stablisation ■ Fast f/2 maximum aperture ■ Ultrasonic AF for quick and accurate focusing ■ Compact, lightweight design ■ Eight-bladed aperture for smooth bokeh ■ Moulded glass elements for consistent sharpness ■ 0.24m minimum focus distance EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM £1224/$1549/€1666 A fast aperture wide-angle lens with low distortion, ideal for hand held shooting in low light ■ Wide 84° angle…

Bring the light and take a step further in the world of creative photography; as you develop your skills as a photographer, you will discover the benefits of being in control of your own lighting to really express your creative vision. Using your own lighting equipment is how you elevate your work above those who shoot with ambient light. Using your own lighting schemes allows you to produce a distinctive look that cannot be achieved any other way. Whenever you are using a flash to simply fill in dark shadows on a bright day or using a multiple light setup to bring life to a dark setting, the Canon Speedlite range of flashes will give you the control you need. Use them mounted to the hot-shoe of your camera or use…

Nearly all modern compact cameras have zoom lenses, and most users of digital SLRs or CSCs will also have at least a couple of zooms in their kit. Focal length is one of your primary tools for adjusting composition. Selecting the right focal length for the scene allows the photographer to control perspective, angle of view and magnification, and can radically alter the mood and style of the photo. Some focal lengths are more suited to particular types of photo, and the properties of wide-angle and telephoto lenses can be used to produce particular effects. Understanding how focal length works and how it affects your photos is a vital photographic skill. Lenses and focal length There are basically two types of lens; those with fixed focal lengths, also known as…

Now you’re familiar with how your camera works and how to use its many features, you’re ready to start learning the creative techniques that professional photographers use to achieve great results time after time. By learning and using a few simple techniques you can turn your photographs from well-taken snapshots into works of art of which you can be proud. Professional photographers use some very simple tricks and rules-of-thumb that have been developed over many years, including rules of composition that are inspired by classical art. Combined with technical skill and a thorough understanding of the principles of photography that we laid out in the previous section, these artistic methods produce well-balanced, attractive photographs that will really stand out. However the true artistic inspiration that differentiates a talented photographer from…

There are several simple guidelines for better-looking pictures that artists have learned over the years. They work for photographs too. The rule of thirds Imaging the scene in your viewfinder is divided up into thirds by straight lines both horizontally and vertically, like a noughts-and-crosses game. Try to compose the shot so that major elements fall on the points where the lines cross, and large dividing objects such as tall trees or the horizon fall along one of the lines. Foreground detail Try to include some element of the foreground in your shot, as this leads the viewer’s eye into the picture and serves to balance out the distant view of the horizon. Things such as driftwood, small bushes, or small items of debris or even litter will work. At…

It comes down to personal preference of course, but I would always recommend beginning your macro photography experience indoors. This type of photography does not require a lot of space. As long as you have your camera, lens, tripod, a tabletop and a light source, you are ready to begin. You’re in comfortable surroundings and you aren’t subject to the vagaries of the weather. You can concentrate on learning the craft and a cup of coffee isn’t far away either! Choosing your subject To be honest, anything and everything is fair game for macro photography. A lot of macro work can be seen on picture sharing sites like Flickr. The insect world is a popular subject for macro photography, as is plant life. Browsing through these images may give you…

All DSLRs have a full range of manual functions, and generally have a much wider range of control than even the best super-zooms or advanced compact cameras. DSLR sensors range from 12 megapixels up to over 25 megapixels, and are physically larger than the sensors in compact and bridge cameras, giving them a number of advantages in terms of image quality. The majority of Canon digital SLRs use a sensor size known as APS-C, roughly half the size of a frame of 35mm film. They are typically around 24 x 16mm, while the advanced professional DSLRs use ‘full frame’ sensors. These are the same size as a frame of 35mm film. All Canon digital SLRs have interchangeable lenses and a wide range of accessories, such as external flashguns, extra battery…

Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M £90/$40/€122 Gives EOS M owners access to the entire range of Canon EF and EF-S lenses ■ Small, lightweight EF-M mount adaptor for the EOS M ■ Compatible with full range ■ Removable tripod mount EF-M 15-45mm f3.5-6.3 IS STM £229/$299/€317 A light, compact and versatile standard zoom lens ideal for everyday photography ■ Versatile zoom covering wide-angle to short telephoto perspectives ■ Offers a 24-72mm equivalent focal length ■ Optical design incorporates three aspherical elements controls distortion ■ Optical Image Stabilizer incorporated into the lens design ■ Collapsible design to shorten overall length to just 1.75” ■ Capture sharp images even in low light EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM £319/$599/€435 Capture panoramic landscapes with this ultra-wide angle 11-22mm EF-M zoom lens ■ Ultra-wide 11-22mm…

EF 11-24mm f/4L USM £2699/$2799/€2549 With L series build quality, experience the best in ultra wide-angle photography ■ Minimum focusing distance of 11 in./0.28m ■ 9 diaphragm blades ■ 16 element in 11 groups ■ The world’s widest angle rectilinear zoom lens ■ Minimal distortion for architecture and interiors ■ Advanced lens coatings ■ Swift, nearly silent AF ■ Keep shooting even in tough weather EF 17-40mm f/4L USM £549/$799/€747 A lightweight and affordable ultra-wide zoom that is ideal for travel photography ■ Superb optical performance throughout the zoom range ■ Fast autofocus speed ■ Highly resistant to dust and moisture ■ 28cm minimum focusing distance at all focal lengths EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM £912/$1249/€1241 A versatile fisheye zoom lens with fantastic performance and image quality ■ Circular or…

The shutter of your camera is simply a mechanical barrier that prevents light from entering the camera until it is needed, controlling when and for how long light is allowed in to expose the sensor. The latest digital cameras have high-speed electromechanical shutters capable of timing exposures with an accuracy measured in fractions of a millisecond. Along with the aperture setting and the sensitivity control, shutter speed is one of the three ways that photographic exposure is adjusted. When a picture is taken, the shutter is opened for a precisely measured amount of time allowing light to pass through. The duration of the exposure is set either automatically by the camera’s light meter or manually by the photographer. The wider the range of available shutter speeds, the greater the creative…

Understanding exposure and how it affects your photographs is probably the single most important technical skill you can learn in photography. It’s certainly the one that most people get wrong, and apart from camera shake bad exposure probably ruins more photos than any other single cause. The main problem is over-reliance on automatic metering. Most modern cameras, even relatively cheap compacts, have sophisticated built-in TTL multi-zone evaluative exposure meters that measure light levels at dozens, in some cases hundreds, of points within the frame, instantly comparing the results with a built-in library of exposure situations and automatically adjusting the shutter speed and aperture to deal with problems such as back-lighting, close-ups or moving subjects. In most cases these automatic exposure systems are very good, and can reliably cope with most…

The power of the black and white portrait cannot be denied. A wise soul once said: ‘If you want fashion, shoot in colour. If you want emotion, shoot in black and white.’ As we’ve mentioned before, there is a power and depth to a black and white shot that is often swamped by colour. The story behind a shot is easier to comprehend when it is in black and white and the distraction of colour has gone. Even if there is no real story being presented in the shot, you can suddenly find yourself paying more attention to a black and white portrait. Texture, form and tone become important to the shot. It draws you in more than a colour shot ever could. A basic rule in a close-up portrait…

Selective focus is the term used to describe the method by which you render one part of your shot in sharp focus and the area beyond and/or in front increasingly out of focus. Any shot that has a small area of sharp focus whilst everything else is blurred, draws the eye to that focused area. Typically it is achieved using lenses with very large apertures of f/2.8 to f/1.2 or even wider. NASA once developed a lens that had a maximum aperture of f/0.7 that was used by the famous filmmaker Stanley Kubrick for one of his early films. As is the way in Photography, any lens that incorporates ‘fast glass’ usually comes at a price. Prices can range from £75 for a basic 50mm f/1.8 prime lens up to…

“Coloured backgrounds are tricky because you have to consider what your subject will be wearing, and the tone of the finished photo... start off with one white and one black.” There are several different types of background you can use for your home studio. A plain painted wall will do, but really you want something that can create a smooth curved corner or “cove” between wall and floor, to give the illusion of an infinitely distant background. The most professional option is a purpose-built paper roll background system, which consists of two upright stands, a crossbar and a wide roll of coloured heavy-duty paper, which can be rolled down to provide a background and floor covering. They are very easy to use, and a wide range of different colours are…

Portraits are infinitely variable in their content, style, composition and location. Trying to pin down a simple set of ground rules on how to take a good portrait is tricky in the sense that everyone eventually develops their own style and way of doing things. After all, a golden rule I’ve heard mentioned time and again is: ‘take the shots that YOU like’. It is quite easy to get started and use available light for your portraits but I’ve always held the opinion that if an experienced photographer and an enthusiast were taking shots side by side of the same subject with the same camera and lens on a sunny day, the shots are likely to be more similar than different. One of the things that can set your portraits…

AMOLED Stands for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode. A new type of display technology used in mobile devices and televisions, used in the monitors of some digital cameras. Has several advantages over LCD, including using less power. Aperture Behind the lens of your camera is a movable circular iris which opens and closes to control the amount of light falling on the sensor. This is usually controlled by the light meter, although some cameras have a manual aperture control. Altering the aperture also changes the depth of field. Aperture Priority This is one of the semi-manual exposure options found on some cameras. The user sets the aperture according to the depth of field they require, and the metering system sets the shutter speed to obtain the correct exposure. Artefacts When an…