Canon EOS
Oct 16, 2017 15:01:51 #
If you are new to digital photography and need it on vacation but don't have time to learn before you go I would suggest you set the mode dial to "P" (program aka professional 
). This is a setting in which the camera's built in software reads the scene and used settings developed by photographers working for Canon. When all else fails it usually gets pretty fair results.
You can also use the scene selection part of the dial and set the camera to what you are doing. You have to learn what each little icon means.
Here is a link to a basic guide to using the T3i: http://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/canon-rebel-t3i/
This article is from UC Berkeley Media Institute (part of their graduate level School of Journalism) so they pretty much know what they are talking about. And the author writes pretty good plain English as opposed to techno babble.
You can print this whole thing on 10 pages, 5 sheets if your printer does double sided to carry with you.
). This is a setting in which the camera's built in software reads the scene and used settings developed by photographers working for Canon. When all else fails it usually gets pretty fair results.You can also use the scene selection part of the dial and set the camera to what you are doing. You have to learn what each little icon means.
Here is a link to a basic guide to using the T3i: http://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/canon-rebel-t3i/
This article is from UC Berkeley Media Institute (part of their graduate level School of Journalism) so they pretty much know what they are talking about. And the author writes pretty good plain English as opposed to techno babble.
You can print this whole thing on 10 pages, 5 sheets if your printer does double sided to carry with you.
Oct 17, 2017 06:22:19 #
Consider finding - purchasing if you must - a video tutorial that walks you through the camera functions - these run about $30 or so and are well worth it!
Oct 17, 2017 07:26:57 #
hj
Loc: Florida
I respectfully disagree.... start out using full Auto so you don't become discouraged and put the camera on a shelf. After a few days of getting great shots, then migrate to using full manual to better learn the camera.
Marionsho wrote:
Welcome, Nattybongo.
Start out shooting full manual, so you get an idea of what's happening when you change the settings.
Marion
Start out shooting full manual, so you get an idea of what's happening when you change the settings.
Marion
Oct 17, 2017 09:45:19 #
Auto iso works great on t2i. Battery life is awsome. Always have a spare battery.
Start in auto watch the light meter and the metadata.
Learn to adjust the iso, f-stop and shutter. Also adjust the exposure as a whole. These 4 setting are the most important. The camera is designed to make these adjustments.
Don't be afraid of the camera you won't hurt it by pressing buttons.
Get an intervalometer. I have a wireless one I paid $20.
Start in auto watch the light meter and the metadata.
Learn to adjust the iso, f-stop and shutter. Also adjust the exposure as a whole. These 4 setting are the most important. The camera is designed to make these adjustments.
Don't be afraid of the camera you won't hurt it by pressing buttons.
Get an intervalometer. I have a wireless one I paid $20.
Oct 17, 2017 10:00:50 #
YouTube is your best friend. Search for Canon T3i and a lot of very good videos will turn up. I have teh T3i and consider it to be one of Canon's hidden treasures. It is that good. Even better when paired with a quality lens, not the kit lens.
Ken
Ken
Oct 17, 2017 10:48:32 #
It really pays to study the manual with the camera in your hand. There are a lot of settings and it helps to play with them so that they are familiar when you go to take pictures. You will find a lot of free videos online, and it really pays to seek them out. Although there are more sophisticated cameras out there you can take excellent photos with what you have. The T3 is not junk. You can win photo contests with it. You can also have a lot of fun. The more you learn the easier it becomes and the wider range of things you can accomplish. Beware of third party cheap zoom lenses. You can waste a lot of money going cheap, and bad lenses will ruin the performance of any camera. Enjoy!
Oct 17, 2017 11:14:41 #
I've just learned to use my EOS Rebel T2i this summer. I would recommend a class, lots available online or your local camera store might have one. Community colleges usually have a course, too. There is so much to learn, not just where the photo button is (I took some fence post pictures just trying to figure that one out on a vacation!) Pretty soon you too will be haunting the onine stores looking for more equipment, better lenses, fancier camera bags, etc.
Oct 17, 2017 11:47:35 #
hj wrote:
I respectfully disagree.... start out using full Auto so you don't become discouraged and put the camera on a shelf. After a few days of getting great shots, then migrate to using full manual to better learn the camera.
I'll buy that. Thanks.
Marion
Oct 17, 2017 12:02:31 #
Marionsho wrote:
I'll buy that. Thanks.
Marion
Marion
I don't. Full auto teaches little, except perhaps composition. P mode will get good results and teaches, especially if set to a fixed ISO value - one variable at a time. Then Tv, then Av, before full manual. Each is a step that will educate a new set of concepts and controls. I would consider auto ISO last, since it masks the effects of other exposure controls.
Understanding how each automation function works and what it does becomes important to achieving consistently improving results. It takes time, practice, and small incremental steps.
Each to their own of course, and people learn differently, but going from nothing to everything under manual control is a steep learning curve. When we didn't have automatic cameras the expectations were different. Starting with manual everything gave no options but learning. Starting with automation and moving to manual can be harder.
Oct 17, 2017 12:27:05 #
Welcome to UHH. 2 suggestions. Read the manual. Take lots of photos, look at them critically, try to determine how to make them better.
Oct 17, 2017 12:30:32 #
Nattybongo wrote:
I just bought a Canaon EOS T3i. Need some ideas on how to use it effectively.
Welcome.. This is a great camera to learn from. Take lots of photos of any subject. Its a learning curve. In time when you have a grasp on exposure you will expand on your love of photography and look for more refined equipment, like lenses and cameras. Just learn for now and enjoy. BTW there are lots of helpful experienced photographers here that are here to help you grow.
Oct 17, 2017 12:35:36 #
Thanks!. I would really need some help. I am practicing a lot.I am installing the software on my laptop that came with my EOS t3i.
Oct 17, 2017 12:40:57 #
Peterff wrote:
I don't. Full auto teaches little, except perhaps... (show quote)
You say "It takes time". How much time are we talking?
Oct 17, 2017 12:54:10 #
Nattybongo wrote:
Thanks!. I would really need some help. I am practicing a lot.I am installing the software on my laptop that came with my EOS t3i.
I would recommend setting the camera to record both raw and JPEG at the best level (fine). Try using Canon Digital Photo Professional, but you may want to download the latest version of DPP4 from Canon's website: http://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/cameras/dslr/eos-rebel-t3i-ef-s-18-55-is-ii-kit?tab=drivers#Z7_MQH8HIC0L88RB0AMD0F1Q42K25
It works well with the T3i, as well as newer models.
Oct 17, 2017 16:51:00 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Nattybongo wrote:
I just bought a Canaon EOS T3i. Need some ideas on how to use it effectively.
Read the manual (free to download from the Canon website, if you didn't get one with the camera).
For add'l info, buy one of the guide books for the T3i.... I'm familiar with the guides for other cameras from David Busch, Doug Klostermann, Charotte Lowry... all good. I'm not a fan of the "Dummies" series (too simplistic), but some people like them. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/135-4277217-2532322?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Canon+T3i&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ACanon+T3i
For overall information about DSLRs in general, buy and read Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure".
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