Customer Reviews

Magic Lantern Guides: Canon EOS 30D

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was hoping this book would bridge the gap between the Canon 30D's user 's manual and a photographic styles manual.

I was looking for a "cookbook" that would help me learn when and how to use the vast number of features the 30D possesses.

While meeting some of my requirements the book is so full of typos and misinformation that it is not a reliable instructional reference.

For example, in the section on how to set the AutoFocus to use a specific AF point the instructions offered are completely incorrect. The author fails to show or explain the AutoFocus Point Selection button!

It seems that the book was written using a pre-production example of the camera or press releases, not an actual production camera.

The saving grace of the book is that there are a number of good explanations about complex components such as the sensor and RAW files.

My advice would be to anyone purchasing this book is to be careful using the suggested feature setting instructions. Cross check any information with the Canon owner's manual before heading out of a shooting session.

This book is a huge disappointment. Why are you thinking of spending $15 for a supplemental manual? If you're like me you want something that goes beyond the camera manual, a second resource that explains your new camera in more detail than the often abbreviated explanations in most manufacturer manuals. This book fails miserably.

First, the camera manual is much better organized. This guide wanders and meanders, the author repeats information and appears to be trying to pad the length of his guide to make it more impressive. He has two sections that repeat the same information about 30D file formats. He has three sections that repeat the same information about the LCD display, probably one of the simplest and most self explanatory parts of the camera. Other examples of redundancy abound throughout the book.

Second, the manual is actually more explicit than this book for many camera functions. In the section about histograms on the display the manual has an illustration, this book's author relies on pure verbal descriptions. In the section on manual focus he tells the reader to use the exposure meter system without any kind of illustration to explain what the meter is how it operates. The camera manual has a picture of the exposure meter and specific details about how it works.

Third, when the author does seem to be going beyond the manual he stays annoyingly vague. For example, when discussing the two types of tripod heads he only says they differ but doesn't say HOW they differ or what the advantages and disadvantages of each are. When talking about high speed flash synchronization he says that some flashes can operate with shutter speeds above the 1/250 second limit, but he doesn't explain how you can accomplish this.

Fourth, the book is full of unremarkable photos that poorly illustrate what the author is saying. Pictures of the camera lack any kind of pointers to specifically show what button or feature he is talking about. One picture illustrating fill flash doesn't show with and without comparisons to show the reader what fill flash can do. Some pictures simply don't have anything to do with the caption beneath it. One picture is supposed to illustrate the continuous 5 frame/sec shooting mode. But the picture is of an SUV driving down a dusty road...how does that illustrate the camera's feature? The printing resolution and detail is so poor that most of the pictures look amateurish or just bad.

Finally, in many instances the author simply rephrases information from the manual without adding anything new. He spends 8 pages detailing the custom functions available but each one is an almost literal copy of the manual, differing only in a few verbs or adjective used.

Don't buy this book. It won't provide you with any information that isn't in the manual and the information it does present is poorly organized.

This book is a wonderful companion for any canon SLR user. If I wanted a book about how to take beautiful photos, I would look for a more artistic book, but this book is specifically geared towards explaining camera features. It details ALL the custom functions, picture styles, white balance settings...so many things that are time consuming to figure out on your own. And it's small enough to fit in my camera bag. The images are black and white, but again, this isn't a coffe table book. I think I saw all of 5 typos, and they didn't interfere with my comprehension of the context. I love it, and highly recommend it to anyone with a 30D!

I suggest you run out and get this immediately if you are brand new to these type of cameras. I was when I got it and it helped me a lot. I wanted to just read up on my camera and everything it can do, because I'm the kind of person who just likes knowing everything about something. I learned more than I expected to and the author is very down to Earth and easy to understand. He phrases things the way a normal, casual photographer will understand.
I realize that the book's not perfect if you're already knowledgeable about DSLRs and you probably will outgrow this book as you become more and more experienced with your camera, but this is a great jumping off point for someone who wants more than the manual, but who doesn't want a book on digital photography in general.
The book is thorough, enjoyable and educational.

I have never been disappointed in a Magic Lantern Guides book!! This one, like the others, is chock full of information and very, very helpful!! There is no doubt in my mind, unless you know all there is to know
about cameras, you will love this handy, informative book!!! I use it often and love it!!!

This has been a great help for me in my photography, you can never have to much reference material when trying to learn ways to improve yourself.

I have owned many SLR's over the years, and I always get a Magic Lantern Guide as soon as I can after my camera purchase. They always have easy to understand information and tips that make it much easier to understand how to use a new camera. Read it cover to cover and then keep it handy for occational refreshers, and you will be a better photographer.

I feel this book is just like the owners manuel that came with my camera. I was looking for tips and hints on how to better my skills with this camera.

This book will help you understand the basics of photograpy and explain how to use all the features in your camera much better than the booklet that came with your camera. It is a must and well worth the money.

Hi All:

I am not reviewing the book itself, but the reviews offered here about the book. The first review highlighting Rob Sheppard and Lightroom is Fantastic - giving top review and all other reviews afterwards give extremely poor reviews of same product. Very confusing so decided not to get Magic Lantern book.