Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies. Robert Correll
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and compose the scene, focus, adjust settings, review photos, and take photos. Learn the names and functions of all the buttons, knobs, levers, and screens. That will enable you to work them without hesitation.
Figure 2-2 shows the back of the Canon EOS Rebel T6i. Aside from the plethora of buttons, two other important features are the LCD monitor and viewfinder.
FIGURE 2-2: The back of this camera has a wide variety of buttons.
You'll use the monitor to display camera settings, shooting functions, and the menu; to play back photos and movies; and to frame and focus when shooting in Live View mode (a special viewing mode that displays the scene on the monitor instead of through the viewfinder). Your camera's LCD monitor is so important that you can't operate a modern dSLR without it. Protect it and keep it clean.
Many dSLRs and dSLTs come with articulated monitors. Although the style may vary, they all swing or move up and out from the back of the camera so you can position them. They can be faced inward to protect the monitor.
The primary purpose of the viewfinder is to show you the scene, but it also displays lots of helpful information relating to the shooting mode, exposure details, and the focus and metering modes you’re in.
The other features on the back of the camera are normally organized into functional areas related to focus, exposure, or playback. Many times, buttons can have more than one purpose, depending on the mode your camera is in.
Top and bottom
Figure 2-3 shows the top of the Canon T6i. At minimum, the top will have a power switch, a dial or button to set the shooting mode, and the shutter button. Some cameras have more than one large dial on the top of the camera (the Pentax K-1 has three!). You may also see one or more shooting function buttons that let you set the ISO speed and enter exposure correction. More expensive cameras have a top LCD panel. The pop-up flash (if applicable; many full-frame models and the odd cropped-frame model do not have a built-in flash) and accessory shoe (also called the hot shoe, which is used to mount accessories and an external flash to the camera) are located here.
FIGURE 2-3: This Canon has several buttons and other controls on the top.
Figure 2-4 shows the bottom of the same camera. You'll find the tripod socket here, plus the battery or combo battery/memory card compartment. Some dSLRs put their memory cards in the same compartment as the battery.
FIGURE 2-4: The bottom of a typical dSLR.
Both sides
You’ll grip the camera by the sides. The right side (looking at the camera from behind; shown in Figure 2-5) is where your right hand goes and is completely devoid of buttons and other controls. Most memory card doors are located on the right side of the camera and blend in with the curve of the camera body.
FIGURE 2-5: Most memory cards go in the grip from the side.
The left side hosts a number of different features, as shown in Figure 2-6. You’ll often find the flash button located here, as well as the depth-of-field button. Advanced cameras often have custom buttons and more autofocus controls. You’ll also find most of the camera's input and output terminals. Consumer models may only have a few. More advanced cameras have more. Rubber doors swing out of the way but stay attached to the camera. I've digitally removed them (with Photoshop) to make the terminals more visible in Figure 2-7.
FIGURE 2-6: Look for most input/output terminals on the left side of the camera.
FIGURE 2-7: Here are the terminals themselves.
Working the Controls
As you can see, digital SLRs certainly have a lot of parts. Besides knowing the name and function of everything on your camera, you should be comfortable operating the buttons, dials, and other controls. Familiarize yourself with your camera and practice the following actions:
❯❯ Pushing buttons: Push them with a free finger. The most important button is the shutter button (or shutter-release button). Press it firmly and steadily. Don’t jab at it, or you’ll shake the camera. Try squeezing it to reduce camera shake. Get used to what it feels like to press the shutter button halfway; you have to do that to autofocus and have the camera evaluate the scene’s exposure.
❯❯ Turning dials: Dials that turn are very knoblike. The largest and most important dial is usually the mode dial. Some mode dials have a locking button in the center. You have to press it in order to unlock and turn the dial.
❯❯ Spinning dials: Dials that spin are very wheel-like. Most are on the right side of the camera. Spin them with your thumb or index finger.
❯❯ Using the sliders and other controls: Your camera may have levers and selectors and other controls. Practice reaching and activating them.
❯❯ Operating the lens controls: If you’re comfortable using your left hand, use it for lens buttons and switches. These controls are normally on the left side of the lens as it faces away from you. You have little choice other than to use your left hand to zoom and focus. Your right hand will hold on to the camera, ready to press the shutter button. Manual focusing takes practice. More on lenses in Book 1, Chapter 3, as well as Book 2.
❯❯ Opening covers: When you remove memory cards, change batteries, or make other connections, you’ll open a cover on your dSLR. Sometimes a cover has a lever or slider that you need to move to unlatch the cover. This is common with battery compartments. Or, you might slide the cover toward the back of the camera to unlatch it and then swing it open. This is a common feature of memory card covers. Others, like those covering the camera's main terminals, are rubberized and pop in and out of the camera body. It’s recommended that you turn the camera off before removing the memory card or battery.
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