patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Recently purchased the canon refurbished sx50 directly from Canon for $199. After reading posts for the last few months on UHH I figured it was a great deal and I hope it will be. My problem is I am an amateur and need all the help I can get. I was dismayed that it didn't come with a manual other than a "getting started" brochure. I was wondering how to obtain an actual written manual or even better a book by someone like David Busch that could explain the nuances of the camera. Do any books like that exist for this camera? Thanks for your expertise. Patrick

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Don't know about a book, but you can get a full manual for free from Canon. You can down load it to your computer/tablet/phone and/or ask them to send you a paper copy. I downloaded mine.

There are several here who use it regularly and will be glad to help. You can also google Canon sx50 settings and find lots of help there. I think fatdragon also has a video with demonstrations on how to use each mode with other tips and suggestions. Also go to Lillian Stokes web site (of Stokes Bird Guides) and she will email you suggested settings for birds. Also check out Tony Britton's site. Just google cybertony actually may be cybertony.com not sure. He gives some precise settings for sooc shots.

This should get you started for now. I had used only a Nikon dslr for a few years prior to getting the sx50. I tried using the same settings as I did on my Nikons...boy did that not work! Without help from the above would have been lost for a long time. I am still learning.
LindafromMaine is also a great resource on this site.

It is a fun camera to use and you will be able to get some great shots. But it is not perfect and does have a couple of quirks. But I love it.
Have fun with it and post some shots.

Here is a link to one of Tony's sites. He is also a member if uhh, but have not seen any posts recently. He us active in the Canon powershot forum on dpreview.

http://tonybritton.smugmug.com/Other/Canon-SX50-HS/

alby Loc: very eastern pa.

manualsink ..... spiral bound , reasonable

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

David Busch's books are generally available from Barnes & Noble. If you don't have a store close by, you should be able to order them online from Barnesandnoble.com or Amazon.com.

Also recommend Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" available from the same sources.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Here is the 285-page user manual. I find it handy to have on my computer even though I have a printed copy (free from Canon) since you can see the "find" function:

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0/0300008700/01/pssx50hs-cug-en.pdf

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thank you so much ellie. I've been using a nikon P7100 so I know the settings will confuse me to begin with. I will check the link for britton for sure. Hope I'm replying correctly to your post. This is my first entry.

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thanks Alby. Appreciate it. patrick

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thanks Nick. We live in a village of 15,000 in New Mexico, but Albuquerque is about 30 miles away, and they have a Barnes & Noble, I think. Probably check there after Xmas rush is over. Will also checkout "Understanding Exposure". Patrick

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thanks so much Linda. I will call Canon tomorrow and request a printed manual and try to download the manual tonight. Now I guess I need the cables to transfer to TV and computer. Hard to believe they wouldn't send cables with the order. Patrick

Ctrclckws

Cables are nice, but if you already have one, or if you have an sd card reader, that works also.

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

YouTube has many reports and reviews on the SX50. I did learn quite a bit from the many there. Pluw find reading the manual much easier on my computer screen that the little fine print booklet.
Also, the two input / output connects on the camera are very common with many other things that use the same connects. I use the same cord for two GPS's and 4 cameras. Course, I have an SD reader on my Desttop and lap puters. Also an adapter you can stick your SD card in and plug into the USB ports.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Once I discovered that my newest laptop has a slot for SD card, I now just remove the card from the camera and insert the card to computer to download the images. With my larger-megapixel DSLR especially, this is much quicker. Also have an HDMI cable attached from laptop to TV so can view images that way, if want.

qrpnut Loc: Brattleboro, Vt.

Another handy thing to have after reading the manual is "Bert's cheat sheet"on the sx50. It is a double sided, triple folded, very heavily laminated and durable single sheet with a quick reminder of every function in the book. Priceless for seldom used functions in the field. They're 10.95 online. Another tip: I found the framing assist seek and lock buttons (# 11 & 15 in the manual) so hard to locate in a hurry, I cut little circles of E-grips (available online also) silicone and attached and it makes them a snap to locate. I have also attached E-grips material in strategic places to make the camera slip proof. Hope this helps. qrpnut

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

I use a cable I got from Walmart, in the photo dept that is a retractable cable with MINI, MICRO and another end for some small cameras like the pocket size Olympus/Panasonic/etc. This allows me to charge and access the files on my phone and then I can use a different end on the same cable to download pics from camera, and then use the other end for charging my pocket camera(or to download it's pics).

The brand on the cable is Scoshe or something like that. Cost $15 or 16

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

What a good suggestion regarding e-grips. I have not heard of them. Are they only available online? Will have to goigle them. I would also put them on those buttons. I have a hard time feeling which is the top/bottom button until I have pressed it. Sometimes have guessed wrong.