A ShortCourse Book
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Photography

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Photography

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Photography

This clearly written and easy-to understand short course on your Canon EOS 5D Mark II, explains step-by-step how, why and when you use your camera's controls for better pictures and HD movies. This guide is available as a traditional 168 page large-format (8.5 by 11) spiral bound book printed in black and white, and as a full-color, fully searchable PDF eBook you can order on a CD or download instantly.

 
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Photography pocket Guide
A Pocket Guide to the 5D Mark II is the perfect field companion when you can't recall how to change your camera's settings. This 31 page easy to use guide covers all of the camera's settings step-by-step. Don’t leave home without it; just print a copy and slip it in your pocket or purse. This guide is drawn from the comprehensive 168 page book A Short Course in Canon EOS 5D Mark II Photography. To learn more about when and why you would make the settings summarized in this guide, you should also order a copy of the full-length book.


Click to order a PDF download of this pocket guide for $4.95US. After completing the checkout process, a download link is given on the thank you page and on your e-mail receipt.



Canon EOS 5D Mark II ePub Pocket Guide
Finally, a 5D Mark II Pocket Guide for your iPhone/iTouch formatted as an ePub so you can read it on the free eBook Stanza reader. It has the same contents, drawn from the same big book, as the PDF Pocket Guide described above.

Click to download instructions on how to transfer this ePub guide to your iPhone/iTouch in just a few easy steps.

Click to download an ePub edition of this pocket guide for $9.95US. After completing the checkout process, a download link is provided on the thank you page and in your e-mail receipt. Follow the instructions displayed when you click the link above to display the Pocket Guide on your iPhone/iTouch.



 

Introducing Animations

The eBook edition of this book has links to 50 animations, movies and other resources that illustrate and explain the core concepts of digital photography. Integrated throughout the eBook, these linked resources help you understand your camera better, and make you a better photographer.

To use the animations you need the eBook version of this book and an Internet connection.

 
Click to see how every camera is just a black box then minimize or close the animation window.
 
 
Click to see how full color images are created from only three colors then minimize or close the animation window.

Introduction

New, a Short Courses digital photography book for people who want to get better pictures with their Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera. This beautifully written and illustrated guide, pulls together answers to the questions you might have about using the camera, including the following:

Contents

Cover ...i
Short Courses Books and Web Site ...ii
Preface ...iv
Contents ...v

Chapter 1
Camera Controls and Creativity ...7

The 5D Mark II Camera ...8
Jump Start—Using Full Auto Mode ...9
Good Things to Know ...10
Using the Viewfinder ...12
  • Focus Screens ...12
  • Diopter Adjustment ...12
  • AF Points ...12
  • Information Display ...12
Anatomy of the Camera ...13
  • Top View ...13
  • Rear View ...14
Changing Settings with Buttons and Dials ...15
  • The Main Dial ...15
  • The Quick Control Dial ...15
  • The INFO Button ...15
Changing Settings on the Quick Control Screen ...16
  • The Quick Control Screen ...16
  • Dual Function Button Screens ...16
Changing Settings with Menus ...17
Playing Back & Managing Your Images ...20
  • Image Review ...20
  • Image Playback ...20
  • INFO Display ...20
  • Jumping in Playback ...21
Using the Playback Menu ...22
Giving Slide Shows ...23
Selecting Image Quality and Size ...24
  • Number of Pixels ...24
  • How An Image is Captured ...26
  • The Exposure ...26
  • It’s All Black and White After All ...26
  • Choosing Image Size and Quality ...27

Chapter 2
Controlling Exposure ...30

Understanding Exposure ...31
The Shutter Controls Light and Motion ...32
The Aperture Controls Light and Depth of Field ...34
Using Shutter Speed and Aperture Together ...36
  • Exposure— Faucets & Buckets Analogy ...37
  • Exposure— Seesaw Analogy ...38
Retaining Highlight and Shadow Details ...39
Choosing Shooting Modes ...40
Using Creative Auto (CA) Mode ...41
Using Program AE (P) & Program Shift ...42
Using Shutter-Priority (Tv) Mode ...43
Using Aperture-Priority (Av) Mode ...44
Using Manual (M) Mode ...45
How Your Exposure System Works ...46
  • Meter Averaging and Middle Gray ...46
  • Types of Metering ...48
When Automatic Exposure Works Well ...49
When to Override Automatic Exposure ...50
  • Scenes Lighter than Middle Gray ...50
  • Scenes Darker than Middle Gray ...51
  • Subject Against a Very Light Background ...51
  • Subject Against a Very Dark Background ...52
  • Scenes with High Contrast ...52
How Overriding Autoexposure Works ...54
How to Override Automatic Exposure ...55
  • Exposure Compensation ...55
  • Autoexposure (AE) Lock ...55
  • Autoexposure Bracketing (AEB) ...57
Using Histograms ...59
  • Displaying Histograms ...59
  • Evaluating Histograms ...59
  • Clipped Pixels ...61
  • Sample Histograms ...62

Chapter 3
Controlling Sharpness ...63

Getting Sharper Pictures ...64
  • Using the Self-timer/Remote Switch ...64
  • Supporting the Camera ...64
  • Adjusting the ISO ...65
Sharpness Isn’t Everything ...67
How to Photograph Motion Sharply ...68
  • Speed of Subject ...68
  • Direction of Movement ...68
  • Distance to Subject and Focal Length of Lens ...69
Focus and Depth of Field ...70
  • Focus ...70
  • Depth of Field ...70
  • Checking Depth of Field ...71
Focusing Techniques ...72
  • Autofocus Modes ...72
  • Selectable Focusing Points ...73
  • Displaying AF Points in Playback ...74
  • Using Focus Lock ...74
  • Manual Focus ...75
Controlling Depth of Field ...76
Using Deep Depth of Field ...77
Using Shallow Depth of Field ...78
Conveying the Feeling of Motion...79

Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color ...80

Where Does Color Come From? ...81
White Balance and Color ...82
  • Using Preset White Balance Settings ...82
  • Creating and Using a Custom White Balance Setting ...83
  • Using a Specific Color Temperature ...84
  • Selecting a Color Space ...84
  • Using White Balance Correction & Bracketing ...85
    Color and Time of Day ...86
    Sunsets and Sunrises ...87
    Weather ...89
    Photographing at Night ...91
    The Direction of Light ...93
    The Quality of Light ...95

Chapter 5
Understanding Lenses ...96

Canon Lenses ...97
  • Electronic Lens Mount ...97
  • Focusing Technology ...97
  • Ultrasonic Motors ...98
  • Image Stabilization ...98
  • Information on a Canon Lens ...99
Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction ...100
Focal Length ...101
Zoom Lenses ...102
Normal Lenses ...103
Wide-Angle Lenses ...104
Telephoto Lenses ...106
Macro Lenses and Accessories ...108
Tilt-Shift Lenses ...110
Lens Accessories ...111
Perspective in a Photograph ...112

Chapter 6
Using Flash and Studio Lighting ...113

How Flash Works ...114
Using a Canon Speedlite ...115
Controlling Flash Exposures ...116
  • What’s E-TTL II? ...116
  • Flash Exposure Compensation ...116
  • Flash Exposure (FE) Lock ...117
External Speedlite Control ...118
  • Flash Function Settings ...118
  • Custom Functions ...118
  • Flash Exposure Bracketing (FEB) ...119
  • High-speed Sync (FP) ...119
  • Wireless Remote Flash ...120
  • Stroboscopic Flash ...120
Portraits with Flash ...121
  • Positioning the Flash and Subjects ...121
  • Red-eye ...122
Using Fill Flash ...123
Using Slow Sync Flash ...124
Using Available Light ...126
Using Flash in Close-ups ...127
Studio Lighting ...128
  • Candidates for Studio Lighting ...128
  • Lighting ...128
  • Backgrounds ...130
  • Risers ...130
  • Special Bulbs ...130
Portrait and Product Photography—Introduction ...131
The Main Light ...132
The Fill Light ...133
The Background Light ...134
The Rim Light ...135

Chapter 7
Other Features and Commands ...136

Continuous Photography ...137
Remote Control Photography ...138
Shooting Still Images in Live View ...139
  • Manual Focusing ...140
  • Live View/Movie Function Settings ...140
  • Live View Function Settings ...140
  • Screen Settings Type ...141
  • Grid Display ...141
  • Silent Shooting ...141
  • Metering Timer ...142
  • AF Mode ...142
  • General Tips in Live View ...143
  • Live View Focusing Tips ...143
  • Magnified View for Focusing ...144
  • Live View Exposure Tips ...144
Shooting Movies in Live View ...145
  • Basic Movie Tips ...145
  • Camera settings ...146
  • Exposure Tips ...147
  • Things to Avoid ...147
  • Using a TV As the Monitor ...147
Playing Movies ...148
Using Picture Styles ...149
  • Selecting Picture Styles ...149
  • Adjusting Picture Styles ...149
  • Registering a Picture Style ...150
Registering Your Own Settings...151
Using Custom Functions...152
  • C.Fn I: Exposure ...153
  • C. Fn II: Image ...154
  • C.Fn III: Auto focus/Drive ...155
  • C.Fn IV: Operation Others ...156
Using My Menu ...158
Changing Other Settings ...159
  • Shooting Without a CF Card ...159
  • Setting the Date and Time ...159
  • Changing the Review Time ...159
  • Reset File Numbers ...160
  • Turning the Beep On and Off ...160
  • Adjusting Monitor Brightness ...161
  • Traveling Options—Language and Video Settings ...161
  • Setting the Auto Power Off Time ...161
  • Formatting CF Cards ...161
  • Turning Auto Rotate On and Off ...162
  • Creating and Selecting Folders ...162
  • Firmware Version ...163
  • Battery Info ...163
Resetting Camera Settings ...164
Caring for Your Camera ...165
  • Cleaning the Image Sensor ...165
  • Cleaning the Camera and Lens ...167
  • Protecting your Camera from the Elements ...167
  • Protecting when Traveling ...168
  • Storing a Camera ...168
  • Caring for Yourself ...168


Preface

A great photograph begins when you recognize a great scene or subject. But recognizing a great opportunity isn’t enough to capture it; you also have to be prepared. A large part of being prepared involves understanding your camera well enough to capture what you see. Getting you prepared to see and capture great photographs is what this book is all about. It doesn’t matter if you are taking pictures for business or pleasure, there’s a lot here to help you get better results and more satisfaction from your photography

To get better, and possibly even great photographs, you need to understand both concepts and procedures; the “whys” and “hows” of photography.

  • Concepts of photography are the underlying principles that apply regardless of the camera you are using. They include such things as how sharpness and exposure affect your images and the way they are perceived by viewers. Understanding concepts answers the “why” kinds of questions you might have about photography.
  • Procedures are those things specific to one kind of camera, and explain step-by-step how you set your camera’s controls to capture an image just the way you want to. Understanding procedures gives you the answers to the “how” kinds of questions you might have.
This book is organized around the concepts of digital photography because that’s how photographers think. You think about scenes and subjects, highlights and shadows, softness and sharpness, color and tone. The procedures you use with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II are integrated throughout the concepts, appearing in those places where they apply. This integrated approach lets you first understand the concepts of photography and then see step by step how to use the 5D Mark II in all kinds of photographic situations.

To get more effective, interesting, and creative photographs, you only need to understand how and when to use a few simple features on your camera such as focus, exposure controls, and flash. If you’ve previously avoided understanding these features and the profound impact they can have on your images, you’ll be pleased to know that you can learn them on a weekend. You can then spend the rest of your life marveling at how the infinite variety of combinations make it possible to convey your own personal view of the world. You’ll be ready to keep everything in a scene sharp for maximum detail or to blur it all for an impressionistic portrayal. You’ll be able to get dramatic close-ups, freeze fast action, create wonderful panoramas, and capture the beauty and wonder of rainbows, sunsets, fireworks, and nighttime scenes.

As you explore your camera, be sure to have fun. There are no “rules” or “best” way to make a picture. Great photographs come from using what you know to experiment and try new approaches. Digital cameras make this especially easy because there are no film costs or delays. Every experiment is free and you see the results immediately so you can learn step by step.

This book assumes you’ve mastered the mechanics of your camera. It’s about getting great pictures, not about connecting your camera to computers and using your software. That information is well presented in the user guide that came with your camera. Be sure to visit our Web site at www.shortcourses.com for even more digital photography information.

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Click to order a PDF download of this book for $19.95US. After completing the checkout process, a download link is given on the thank you page and on your e-mail receipt.


Click to order a copy of the printed book for $24.95US.


Click to order a printed copy of the book and a PDF copy on a CD at a special package price of $36.95US.


Click to order a PDF copy of the book on a CD for $19.95US.


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