drkeene Loc: Florida Gulf Coast

When I get a new camera, I take it out and run it through a series of tests on a tripod, using all the buttons and features that I think I know.

Then... I take the camera DVD to Office Max and have them print off the darn thing (for the Canon G15, 315 pages, spiral bound at $16). I start over with the camera in one hand and the printed manual in the other. I work through the manual over a period of days, and use a highlighter to mark all of the "surprises" in the manual: features that I didn't know were there, capabilities that I want to get better acquainted with, shortcuts, etc. After all, the camera cost $500, and will be with me for many years. I want to be able to take it out of my bag with defaults set for each of the modes, but be able to dial in changes at an instant's notice (e.g. exposure brackets, neutral density filter, white balance, etc.).

After I have printed off the manual, and feel somewhat comfortable with the camera, I then buy an aftermarket book (in my case, David Busch's Canon G15). This is the book I read for both pleasure and knowledge, as it is usually written in a more accessible fashion, and is based on the author's long experience with that general type of camera.

I can of course, pick up a camera and use most of the features right off the cuff, but there is so much more available... A fine camera is the latest in a long generational line of instruments offering capabilities accessible only to someone who has thoroughly familiarized him/herself with it.

Even though I have only a simple camera, I am still a learner. Eventually, with experience, I may become good enough to take advantage of all the features!

Brian in Whitby Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada

I generally read every page of the manual no matter what the item is. On exception was the parts of the maul for my dSLR. I skipped the part on movie mode because that did not interest me.

When I read the manual, I do not expect to absorb all the material but at least to remember features and capabilities. I then read for understanding those areas that interest me the most and those that I am most likely to use immediately. I add to my understanding of features as I need them. In the case of my camera, I keep the manual in my photography vest so I have it to refer to when I am in the field. I have had to do that once.

I use the same approach with new software too.

I never cease to be amazed at the number of people that buy cameras that have no idea their camera's capabilities. They pay a lot of money for a camera with manual mode for example and then use it like a point and shoot.

Quarter20

I teach an adult ed class in digital photography. I am an amateur and photography is a hobby going back to the late 40s with my first camera, a Kodak Retina. I should be used to it by now but I am amazed at the folks who bought very nice equipment with all the bells and whistles and never turn camera's control knob to anything but green automatic. I am coming to the conclusion that part of the user's reluctance to manuals is the manual does little to explain the basics. The manuals are well written but assume the reader knows the basic Triangle of Shutter, Aperture, and ISO. Not knowing this seminal relationship when reading the manuals is confusing.

Call me geeeky but I read the manual cover to cover and carry it with me on photographing expeditions. I don't use some many of the camera's features so I forget the how-to and need the refresher. AND, I am still learning.... lots

dh

ole sarg Loc: south florida

I used to translate from Japanese to English. Did it for manuals and for my thesis. The manuals are penned by the engineers and are so convoluted that I needed a native photographer speaker to sit next to me so that he could covert engineeringese into japanese photoese so that I could convert it into english.

I use books on the manual like the magic lantern series.

Wayne93 Loc: Montrose, Colorado

I always buy a Blue Crane DVD, they offer a DVD on just about every Nikon or Cannon camera as well as flash.
http://bluecranedigital.com/default.aspx

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

I read the manuals and try everything at least once even if it doesn't interest me now. The things that do interest me I try several times. Then I by an after market book for that camera. That is what I put in my backpack. Sometimes in the manual I don't get clear instructions so the after market book becomes my manual. For things that I seldom use or is new to me I sticky note the page with the function covered writen on the edge. My life is much simpler and I don't have to reset to factory settings.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

I think it's better to get a book on a specific camera. It is much more readable, much more in depth and for me, much easier to use as a reference book. I keep the manual in a zip top in my camera bag - just in case.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

I agree. I like David Buschs' Canon books very well. On my first Canon T2i I also utilized Blue Crane Digital's instructional DVD's. I have now upgraded to a 7D and 5D Mk II and found much in the first 50-60 pages of each manual is repetitious, so I use them for the different features each camera has. I also print out the PDF file and put it in a 3 ring binder. Much easier to read with my tired old eyes.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

And I use David Buschs' Nikon books.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Ditto for me too. Rarely if ever read a manual or instruction sheet from cover to cover for anything ( unless it is 20 words or less :) ). Bought a new torch the other day and did have to read the damn instructions though, just to find out how to open it to put in the batteries!
In the days of film, I don't think one needed an instruction manual really but with digital, things are a little more complex.
I do have all the manuals downloaded to my iPad (cameras & flash) but refer to them only if there's a problem.
Nikon get a lot of criticism for their 'in-camera' menu system but personally, being on my 5th Nikon digital, I find them quite logical from model to model.

By the way, there are jokes about New Zealanders never reading 'instructions' going back to before WWII. :?

waynebritt Loc: Folsom, California

I, like many others, start out trying to read the manual but, out of boredom or frustration, soon look for 3rd party manuals. The best ones, I've found, are Compact Field Guides (such as David Busch's) as they are easy to read and cover just the essentials.

jiminee1 Loc: S.E.MA

I learned a lesson a long time ago.... Read all Manuals -Save all Receipts and warrantys. This comes in handy whenever you need Manufacturers assistance. I always refer to the owners manual(s) whenever necessary.Most info you need for camera(s) or lenses can be found online. The "manual" for lenses is just that one sheet folded like an old roadmap of very small print in abt. 12 different languages.English is usually the last listed.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Before I buy a camera, I always download the manual from the manufacturer and glance through it to see what it's capable of and what features it comes with. If I order the camera, then I study the manual in great detail while it's being shipped to me. By the time it arrives, I already know my way around the camera's menu and which features I want to try out. I tend to do this with all other equipment too, but usually there's not a whole lot to read in a tripod or flash unit manual.

Jblanke Loc: Metairie, LA

I read most of my manuals. They seem to be better suited for use as refreshers and clarifiers than "how to" manuals. Accordingly, I seem to get more out of them "down the line" than I do immediately.

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

I like the online PDF versions which are easily resized to give clear reading. Certainly - unless you are a complete novice you can use a lot of the equipments functions without reading the manual. However, you can miss a lot of features this way so for a new item I would skim through to quickly read about the available functions and then check the relevant section when going to use a new function for the first time to ensure i get the best from it.
Some electronic equipment nowadays is so complicated and virtually all software that for some functions even an expert needs to read the manual at least once.