Are You Missing Out On Some Of The Best Features Of Your Camera?

Does anyone even read those manuals when they buy a new camera?

I mean, personally I’m too impatient for that – if I have a new camera in my hands I’ll just start shooting right away. And this is what I get for it… I really didn’t know my camera at all! Maybe next time I’ll be wiser.

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)

Working out the correct exposure for a shot can be tricky, especially in high-contrast scenes. The Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) function, available on all the latest Canon EOS camera models, enables you to capture three shots at three different exposures, so that you can choose the best exposure later, or combine images.

Eyepiece Dioptre
Does the viewfinder information look blurred? Adjust the tiny dioptre dial next to the viewfinder eyepiece to fine-tune the focus to suit your eyesight.

EF and EF-S lenses
Canon’s EF-S lenses will only fit Canon EOS cameras with a crop-factor APS-C sensor. EF lenses will fit both Canon APS-C and full-frame Canon EOS camera bodies.

Disable IS for fast AF
When using fast shutter speeds (i.e., above 1/1000 sec), switch IS off to speed up the autofocus system; your shutter speed will ensure shots are sharp.

Focus Limiter switch
If your lens has a Focus Limiter switch you can set it to a particular range if you know how far away a subject is, to speed up the AF and stop it from ‘hunting’.

Lock images
In Playback mode you can lock images to prevent them being deleted using the Protect Images option.

Spirit level
Some Canon EOS cameras have a spirit level feature to help you get level horizons in landscape shots. If your camera doesn’t have this, use the AF points in Live View to line up the horizon.

C mode
Custom Mode, available on high-end EOS cameras, enables you to configure the camera to your liking, then store the settings under ‘C’ on the Mode dial; used well it can help you to speed up reaction times. To register a Custom Mode, choose your preferred exposure mode and set up the camera accordingly, then head to the Setup menu and choose Camera User Settings.

Image Review
Does your Canon EOS camera display your images too briefly before they disappear? Go to the Settings menu, and change the Image Review setting.

Exposure compensation
A quick way to adjust the exposure compensation is to press the Av+/- button, then rotate the Main dial left or right.

Play a slideshow
Why scroll through your images one at a time manually, when the camera can do it for you? Look for the Slide show option in the main menu.

Embed copyright
If you take pictures for a living, you’ll want to embed copyright information. Do this by accessing the Copyright Information setting.

Creative Auto
For those who are put off by semi-auto modes such as Av, but still want more control, some EOS cameras have a Creative Auto mode that enables you to adjust key settings.

Built-in flash trigger
You can control external flash units via the built-in flash on your Canon EOS camera. Go to the ‘Built-in flash func. setting’ menu under Flash Control to activate this.

Picture Styles
You can download extra Picture Styles at web.canon.jp/imaging/picturestyle.

Highlight warning
If you select Highlight Warning mode when reviewing your shots, any areas that are overexposed, such as bright skies, will flash, enabling you to adjust the exposure and re-shoot.

Dual memory cards
Why do some Canon EOS cameras have two memory card slots? It’s not just in case your first memory card fills up! You can use the second slot to store back-up images, to separate Raw files and JPEGs, or for videos.

Mirror Lock-up
Even if you use a tripod and Self-timer mode, the action of the mirror being raised can cause camera shake. Use the Mirror Lock-up feature to prevent this.

Optimum quality
Canon lenses deliver the best optical performance, with sharpness from the centre of the frame to the edges, at middle apertures values such as f/11.

Wi-Fi access
You can use Canon’s EOS Remote smartphone app to control the 6D over Wi-Fi. Select Camera Access Point mode to connect your phone and camera.

Process in-camera
Canon EOS cameras from the 60D upwards enable you to process Raw files in-camera. Go to the Raw image processing option in the Playback menu.

Better sound
Some Canon EOS cameras offer continuous focusing for movies, but the noise of the focusing motor can be picked up by the on-board microphones. Use an external mic for quality sound.

Central AF point is best
For moving subjects or backlit subjects (when there’s little contrast) , use the centre AF point, as it’s the most sensitive.

My Menu
Fed up of hunting through the menus to find a function you use often? Create your own custom menu of frequently used settings under the ‘My Menu’ tab.

Grid display
In Live View mode you can select either a 3×3 gird or a 6×4 grid to help you compose your images – handy for landscapes and architectural shots.

Silent shooting
Some Canon cameras have a Silent mode, which enables you to take shots discretely. It’s ideal for documentary, travel and even wedding photography!

Faster cards
When choosing memory cards, don’t just go for capacity. You need ‘Class 6’ or faster SD cards to shoot Full HD video, or for long periods on burst mode.

Format or delete?
Formatting memory cards in-camera wipes the whole card, while deleting only removes photos from the folder being used by the camera.

Interpreting the histogram
The histogram display in Playback mode gives you a quick guide as to whether you need to retake a shot. Watch out for the graph being cut off abruptly at either end, which means ‘clipping’, and a loss of detail, in the shadows and/or highlights.

EOS Picture Styles
Picture Styles change the way an image is processed – you need to be shooting in one of the Creative Zone modes (P, Tv, Av, M or A-DEP) to use them. You can also adjust the sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation settings for your chosen a style.

Learn more about your Canon camera over at Techradar.

Source: Techradar