Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

There are You Tube videos that would be of great help just Google set up Canon T6. It comes out of the box ready to go and I would say start using it and look at the quick start guide then at the manual. But none of the instruction will make too much sense until you have actual time behind the viewfinder.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

DO read the entire frustrating manual. There are no shortcuts.

The camera's defaults are already set. They are boring and benign. But they are an acceptable start.

You need to understand each control and what it affects... and when it applies... when it is irrelevant... how much each "notch" of +/- adjustment changes an image... why raw? ...why JPEG? ...and a thousand other things.

So dive in, say, "Shovel please!" And read until it makes sense. WHY first. But to understand, you will also have to TRY.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

You camera should be ready to go. Load in the battery, then the memory card and shoot. But now come the hard part and that is to know what you are doing and by doing that you will have to read the manual. Sorry there is no other way. Sounds like you want an easy way out? IF SO STICK TO YOUR POINT AND SHOOT.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Download and read the manual with your camera in front of you. Access your camera to look at each item from the manual. You'll know what to set up. And have FUN with your new camera. To me - nothing more fun than learning a new camera. I envy you.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

I have used the David Busch guides for my Nikon DSLR's. Right out of the box, there are presets that should get you started with getting the feel for the camera. If you read certain sections of the guide, they will direct you to specific settings designed at getting to a better result. Give the books a try - they read pretty easy, much better than the manual that comes with the camera, have great illustrations of your camera body, and I believe will help you. There may be other authors, as well, that Canon users like, who have published operating guides that others here on UHH could recommend.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

There is no initial setting that is universally correct. The camera will be delivered with a basic set of settings that will work well as you get started. There should be a startup manual, sheet, section, etc. that will go through things like setting the language and time. If nothing is printed, the camera itself will most likely take through the initial settings. After that, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR READING THE MANUAL, perhaps a couple of times so that you begin to get an idea of what the options are. You might not be in a position to choose a particular setting until you gain some experience with the camera -- go out and shoot, do that again, then do that some more. I could tell you how I set up my cameras but that would likely be of no use to you because I'm not you and I have absolutely idea of what you want to shoot. Additionally books like the "for dummies" series or any other camera specific book can be of tremendous help. I can also HIGHLY recommend Peterson's Understanding Exposure as a book everyone should read in the beginning and once-in-a-while. I just purchased his latest version (from B&H) and find I learn/remember something every time I read it. Add in all the stuff available on line and you will be totally overwhelmed. Again, no substitute for experience so go out and shoot. Enjoy yourself, have fun, experiment -- nothing can be broken! Best of luck!

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Take your camera out and do some shooting in auto mode, just to get a feel for the camera. It's not going to be the same as shooing with a P&S. This will help you become familiar with the controls. But do read your manual. If you have a question about a control or button, it will tell you what that control or button does. In some cases, controls or buttons have more than one function. Also, reading that manual can help you decide what settings you want or need for each control. There are some good aftermarket books, such as David Busch's books which go beyond the manual and tell you not only what the controls and settings are, but how and why to use them. You can then decide which ones are "right for you," as they say on the ads for prescription meds on tv. There are also tons of tutorials available on line on YouTube, and are very helpful. They can help you to better understand your camera. One last thing here, keeping in mind the type of photography you do can better help you to determine how you want to set up your camera. As was stated, there really isn't any universal setting, aside from the basic setting that comes from the factory. And remember, the more you use your camera, the more you get to know it. Eventually you will make your own determination as to how to set it up. Good luck, and congrats on the new camera. Enjoy.

daf40 Loc: Mesa, AZ

There is no one correct "initial setup". The initial setup depends entirely on the type of picture you are taking, the light, and a host of other factors.

Based on your question, I'm assuming that you know virtually nothing about exposure. If that is the case, reading the manual will be of little help. I would suggest that the first thing you should do is put your camera on automatic and start taking pictures. A lot of pictures. Indoors, outdoors, sunlight, incandescent light, night, day, moving subjects, still subjects, etc. Then, study your pictures. Make a mental note of which ones are good and which ones are bad, and what you think might be wrong with them.

Then, begin to learn about exposure. Specifically, learn how shutter speed, aperture (f-stop) and ISO affect exposure? If you don't know this, the manual won't make sense. There are countless books and videos on the subject of exposure. Once you have a rudimentary knowledge of how shutter speed, aperture and ISO affect your pictures, then start reading the manual.

Once you reach this point, then you can start worrying about your initial setup-- which will vary depending on the type of picture you are taking.

marty wild Loc: England

A place where to start is just fire a few off in manual and middle of your lens range in F stops. If you have not a clue what I'am on about you need to join a camera club. If your ok with the first bit. Rock on! Bring up the histogram you will need your manual to find where this is this will tell you if it's to dark or to light. To dark means to FAST so SLOW the shot down or add light. If the shots too light it means speed the shot up, or turn the flash off. Once you get the know how, next is mount your body on a tripod and do the same images in auto the camera will slow things down or speed up what it thinks is correct expouser Complete this task and you now have a reference to work off. Compare the shots in the histogram this will give you a basic set up. On what you have produced, and a very basic set up your camera thinks is correct. Once you have knocked a thousand shoots off. Go to next lesson! ISO you will have fun in this menu knock another five hundred off in manual and another five hundred in auto. The percentage is low after that task you should have about 100 good images. If you are in it or the long haul you will have to put your self on a self inflicted apprenticeship of one or two years it might go in to three years if you have the winter months off. So then start now on page one of your manual.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Step Zero: "Go to mailbox and pick up package." (Seriously, check box for any damage in shipping.)

Pkfish Loc: Wilson Wy

I had a friend that is very good photographer help with some set up. That was after I did the initial set up (date time etc) and shot for awhile on auto . Then I read the manual. I hate manuals but I have found out they really help. I still can't read the whole thing as I have a retention problem after way tooooo much info. But I usually get it all done after awhile. As many have said the internet can be your friend. It also helps to have some good friends or mentors to show you the way. Don't forget to have fun!

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

As a Nikon shooter, I am not familar with the T6, but that being said, enable rear button focus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Ib1mhvjOA

aellman Loc: Boston MA

My Sony a300 manual is 160 pages long. It's useful when you want to look up some specific thing (unless they left it out).
Most manuals are pretty good on setup process. >Alan

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