Training books for new DSLR T2i owners

[CarlK]

Greetings,

DSLRs seem to have great training books and videos for beginners. But the T2i is too new.

For shooting video, I assume training materials for the 7D apply. Which materials do you recommend?

For shooting stills (for a DSLR beginner), which current books and training DVDs would be most useful? (And which other camera is closest?)

Thanks!
Carl

[Janke]

Better than books (which aren't bad at all...):

1.
Read the manual cover to cover, twice.

2.
Take the camera out, and use it (=play with it), at the same time recording (pen & paper still exists in this digital age...) what you did, so that you can repeat it later.

[Gillvane]

Better than books (which aren't bad at all...):

1.
Read the manual cover to cover, twice.

2.
Take the camera out, and use it (=play with it), at the same time recording (pen & paper still exists in this digital age...) what you did, so that you can repeat it later.

I hope no one will take this post seriously. I am quite certain the best thing to do is punch buttons randomly, and when you don't get the desired results, run to a forum and ask for advice.

[CarlK]

Are its still photo functions pretty similar to the 7D? more like the T1i? I think if I know that I can find the best materials.

- Carl

p.s. The story is (and I'm sticking to it) is that this is a camera for the whole family. I think some will prefer learning from tutorial book or DVD.

[Janke]

Yes, for the non-techie family members, just set to full auto; the camera will do the thinking... ;)

[Bif]

See if your local library has a copy of "David Busch’s Canon EOS Rebel T1i/500D Guide to Digital SLR Photography (First Edition) by David D. Busch (Paperback - June 26, 2009)".

Much of what was in this book also applied to the still photo side of the Canon 7D and I found that very useful. The book runs change under $20 from amazon.com and might be worth that price while you wait on the T2i book. The illustrations were excellent.

The major change will be in video mode and none of the books will cover that worth a hoot anyway. On the still side differences will be minor and should be easy to figure out.

His book on the 7D will be out in April (check amazon.com) and nobody has a book on the T2i out yet either.