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Canon Eos 40D Digital Field Guide

by Robert Fergeson

Overview

Digital cameras have enabled the amateur photographer to take better photos cheaper and easier. Many of the same features formerly found only in expensive 35mm film models are now common in the new Digital SLR's, including the popular Canon 40D. If you have been thinking of moving up from your point-and-shoot model to a true digital SLR, a Canon 40D is a feature-packed choice for any aspiring photographer.

Canon 40D Digital Camera
Shooting Modes

The Canon EOS 40D has an impressive array of shooting modes, from manual to full automatic. In the field, choose the mode that reflects your subject. The seven basic modes are for letting the camera make the decisions, with five creative modes to let your artistic side take over. In the basic menu, select the auto mode if in doubt, and let the 40D do the work. Portrait mode is great for shooting people and faces close to the camera, while landscape is the choice for scenery and vistas, adding richness and color contrast. CloseUp mode captures insects and plants, and is used when the subject is a foot or less away. There's a sports mode too, for slowing down the action and catching fast-moving objects. Many seasoned photographers use the aperture priority mode in the creative menu almost exclusively, while sports fans find the shutter priority great for action shots. Don't be afraid to experiment; you can always delete the pictures later. With digital cameras, there are no film costs or trips to the developer.

Lens

With the Canon 40D, changing your lens is a welcome option. Most 40D's come packaged with the standard EF-S 18-55mm lens, some with the larger EF-S 17-85mm telephoto. Only Canon lenses with the EF or EF-S designation are compatible with the 40D. The 18-55mm is well-suited for most shooting, while the 17-85 will give you more telephoto range for those longer shots. If you find yourself taking steps back to get your subject into frame, a wide-angle lens such as the EF-S 10-22mm is the key. Keep a UV filter on your lens to protect the glass from scratching. Use a lens hood to protect the camera and lens from bumps and hard objects. A polarizing filter is a good choice for bright days when lots of sun, sky, sand and beach are prevalent. This filter will keep your skies from being washed out, bringing back the natural color.
Features

The 40D uses compact flash cards for memory storage. These cards are now attractively priced and come in a variety of memory sizes. Pick a card with enough memory to get a full day of shooting in without changing cards. A 4GB card should suffice; keep extra cards in your camera bag in case. There are two file types for taking your pictures on the 40D, the standard JPEG format, and RAW. JPEG is fine for most shots; you have the option of using file sizes from small to large, depending on the quality of shot you need. For images that will be printed as enlargements, use the biggest size. If the shots will be used only on the Internet or emailed, a small file size is easier. RAW files are larger than JPEGs, and require more editing, but give you better options when fine-tuning your images and printing in large formats. With the 40D and a large compact flash memory card, you can shoot in JPEG and RAW simultaneously, getting the best of both worlds. This gives you the option to decide on the format later, in case that simple snapshot turns out to be a stunning image you'll want to enlarge and frame.
Tips

Only change your lens in a protected area such as inside your motel room or vehicle. Never attempt to remove the lens in wet, windy or dusty conditions. Digital camera sensors are difficult to clean, and removing annoying dust specs from your pictures in your editing software is time consuming.