Robert Correll has over two decades of experience in writing and photography. He is the author of all previous editions of Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies and has written several other books specific to individual DSLR camera models.

Introduction 1

About This Book 2

Icons Used in This Book 2

Where to Go from Here 3

Book 1: Pursuing Digital SLR Photography 5

Chapter 1: Embracing Digital SLRs 7

Introducing the Digital SLR 7

Naming and Classifying Digital SLRs 9

Make and model 9

Sensor size 11

Pixel count 12

Lens mount 13

Mirror and viewfinder type 15

Lenses 16

Wrapping it up 16

Pricing Digital SLRs 16

Consumer dSLRs 17

Mid-range models 18

Professional cameras 18

Delving into Camera Specifications 19

Basic information 20

Crop factor 20

ISO 21

Shutter speeds 21

Autofocus system 22

Movies 23

Shooting modes and scenes 24

In-camera processing 25

Filters and other creative effects 25

Media 26

Viewfinder specs 26

Image stabilization 27

Following Recent dSLR Developments 29

Shopping for a dSLR 31

Understanding the system 31

Going shopping 31

Investing in accessories 33

Embracing dSLRs 35

Chapter 2: Handling, Cleaning, and Protecting Your Camera 39

Anatomy of a dSLR 39

Front and center 40

Around back 40

Top and bottom 42

Both sides 43

Working the Controls 45

Gripping the Camera 47

Standard grip 47

Vertical grip 48

Over-the-shoulder grip 49

Live View grip 49

Providing Additional Support 50

Handling an Articulated Monitor 52

Using a Touchscreen 53

Changing Batteries 54

Checking battery power 54

Inserting a battery 55

Removing a battery 56

Inserting and Removing Memory Cards 57

Inserting a memory card 57

Removing a memory card 58

Cleaning Your Camera 59

Wiping off the camera body 59

Cleaning monitors and LCD panels 60

Cleaning inside the camera 61

Protecting Your Camera 63

Using a camera strap 63

Carrying a camera bag 64

Buying extra lens and camera caps 64

Armoring your camera 65

Dealing with adverse weather 65

Chapter 3: Learning about Lenses 69

Identifying and Naming Lenses 69

Brand name 71

Lens mount 72

Focal length 72

Aperture 73

Image stabilization 74

Other identifiers 74

Other lens characteristics 75

Older lenses 76

Categorizing Lenses 77

Normal lenses 78

Wide-angle lenses 78

Telephoto lenses 79

Prime lenses 80

General-purpose zoom lenses 81

Wide-angle zoom lenses 81

Telephoto zoom lenses 82

Specialty lenses 82

Looking at Lens Anatomy 85

Working with Lenses 88

Getting a grip 88

Mounting a lens 91

Removing a lens 93

Zooming in and out 94

Switching from auto to manual focus 95

Manually focusing 96

Activating lens-based image stabilization 97

Cleaning Lenses 98

Chapter 4: Exploring Menus and Camera Settings 101

Understanding How Menus Are Organized 101

Opening and Using the Menu 103

Setting Up Your Camera 106

Date and time 106

Language 107

Feature guides and expanded help 107

Review time 107

Auto power off 108

Sound 108

Touchscreen settings 108

No card 109

Setting Typical Shooting Options 109

Image size and quality 109

Using multiple memory cards 110

ISO settings 111

Picture control or creative style 111

Color space 112

Highlight and shadow options 112

Noise reduction 113

Aspect ratio 113

Red-eye reduction 113

Flash options 114

Movie options 114

Making Other Choices 114

Display settings 114

Display brightness and color 116

Filenaming and numbering 116

File and folder structure 117

Auto Rotate (camera orientation) 117

Copyright 117

Wi-Fi connectivity 118

Video mode or system 118

Controlling Playback 118

Protect Images 119

Rotate 119

Erase/Delete 119

Print order 119

Slide show 120

Retouch 120

Keeping Everything Running Smoothly 120

Showing battery information 120

Formatting memory cards 121

Cleaning the image sensor 121

Creating a dust reference photo 121

Resetting the camera 122

Updating the firmware 122

Exploring Advanced Options 123

Using custom functions and settings 124

Creating custom shooting profiles 124

Tweaking autofocus settings 124

Configuring bracketing settings 125

Customizing the controls 125

Creating custom menus 126

Chapter 5: Taking Pictures with Your dSLR 127

Seeing the Big Picture 127

Planning Ahead 128

Unpacking and Readying Your Gear 129

Setting Up Your Camera 131

Performing an initial checkup 131

Preparing for still photography 132

Choosing a shooting mode 132

Setting the image quality 144

Choosing a viewing mode 144

Configuring the display 146

Setting exposure controls 146

Setting other parameters 147

Taking and Reviewing Photos 154

Book 2: Looking Through Lenses 161

Chapter 1: Appreciating Standard Zoom Lenses 163

Embodying Versatility 163

Taking Wide-Angle Shots 165

Working with Normal Focal Lengths 168

Zooming In 170

Capturing telephoto shots 171

Capturing portraits 172

Capturing close-ups 173

Chapter 2: Enjoying Wide-Angle Lenses 177

Wide-Angle Whatzit 177

Looking at Landscapes 179

Capturing Wide-Angle Cityscapes 180

Focusing on Single Buildings 182

Photographing Interiors 184

Shooting Wide-Angle Portraits 185

Improving Your Wide-Angle Shots 186

Frame tall objects from afar 186

Get up close and personal 187

Use the vertical 188

Combine different elements into one shot 189

Emphasize height 189

Chapter 3: Capturing Macros and Close-ups 193

Defining Macro and Close-up Photography 194

Shooting at Close Ranges 195

Managing Depth of Field 196

Shooting Handheld with a Flash 197

Maximizing Shutter Speed 198

Shooting in Controlled Conditions 199

Exploring Creative Alternatives 201

Relaxing your angle of view 201

Shooting close-ups with everyday lenses 202

Using telephoto lenses 202

Using Holga lenses 203

Shooting with Special Accessories 204

Using a teleconverter 205

Using extension tubes 205

Using diopters 207

Using reverse rings 209

Using a macro bellows 211

Chapter 4: Reaching Out with Telephoto Lenses 213

Learning the Lingo 213

Using a Super Telephoto Lens 216

Capturing Action with Telephoto Lenses 219

Using Telephoto Lenses for Close-ups 221

Capturing Portraits 223

Photographing Animals 225

Chapter 5: Exploring Other Lenses 229

Fisheye Lenses 229

Tilt-Shift Lenses 233

Holga Lenses 236

Lensbaby Lenses 239

Pinhole Lenses 241

Diana F+ Lenses 242

Book 3: Taking Creative Control 245

Chapter 1: Making Sense of Exposure 247

Understanding Exposure 247

Evaluating exposure 248

Controlling exposure 249

Comparing exposure intervals 250

Keeping an Eye on Exposure Information 252

Reading the exposure level 252

Viewing exposure settings 253

Paying attention to warnings 255

Measuring Light by Metering 255

General metering methods 256

Camera metering modes 256

Changing metering modes 258

Metering the scene with your camera 258

Using an external light meter 259

Reviewing and Analyzing Your Photos 260

Delving into photo playback 260

Interpreting histograms 262

Troubleshooting Exposure 268

Using exposure compensation 268

Setting the exposure manually 269

Using AE lock 271

Autoexposure bracketing (AEB) 274

Using other exposure tricks 275

Chapter 2: Setting the Aperture 277

Investigating f-numbers and Apertures 277

Learning about f-numbers 277

Lenses and apertures 278

Setting the Aperture 281

From the camera 281

From the lens 282

Digging into Depth of Field 283

Controlling the depth of field 283

Previewing the depth of field 285

Paying attention to the blurry parts 286

Being realistic 287

Designing with Depth of Field 288

Landscapes 288

Portraits 289

Macros and close-ups 292

Action 293

Tilt-shift lenses 294

Chapter 3: Choosing a Shutter Speed 295

Decoding Shutter Speed 295

Learning about the shutter 296

Reading the speed 298

Shutter speed and exposure 300

Setting the Shutter Speed 301

Combating Blur and Noise 302

Camera shake, rattle, and roll 302

Shooting moving targets 307

Enabling Long Exposure Noise Reduction 308

Designing with Shutter Speed 308

Shooting crisp photos 309

Accounting for flash sync speed 311

Photographing action 312

Being creative with water 313

Working with slow shutter speeds 315

Using Bulb mode 316

Shooting macros 316

Chapter 4: Selecting an ISO 319

Understanding ISO 319

A bit of history 320

Inside the numbers 321

Generating noise...