Canon SLR
Canon makes some of the most popular single lens reflex (SLR) cameras. An SLR is the type of camera that most professional photographers use because of the powerful features these cameras provide. A single lens reflex camera contains a single mirror inside the camera that allows the photographer to view the image accurately. When the photographer takes a picture, the mirror lifts, allowing light to enter the film, which captures the image. With an SLR, the photographer can exchange lenses and adjust a variety of settings to capture the perfect shot in any type of light.
Lenses
One of the main advantages of using a Canon SLR camera over a point-and-shoot camera is the ability to change lenses. Canon provides a variety of lenses that allow you to vary the way the final photo will look. A normal zoom lens is the standard lens that will zoom to about the same distance as a point-and-shoot camera. A telephoto lens contains a narrower view angle that allows it to magnify objects about six times farther than a normal lens. A wide-angle lens is used for taking landscape pictures.
To exchange lenses, press and hold the "Lens Release" button. Then, turn the lens counter-clockwise. Align the red dot on the new lens with the red dot inside the lens mount. Turn the lens clockwise until it snaps into place. Avoid getting dust particles inside the lens mount, and always use the protective covers included with the camera.
The lenses contain an auto focus/manual switch. Make sure the switch is in the correct position before shooting. To zoom in on or out from an object, turn the large dial on the lens. To use the manual focus, turn the small dial.
Automatic Modes
Canon has provided many automatic features to aid entry-level photographers. Most Canon SLRs have six automatic modes.
The auto modes determine the shutter speed, aperture and white balance for you. Full automatic mode is a green square on the mode dial. This mode attempts to determine what kind of shot you are trying to take. The other automatic modes include portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, night-portrait and flash off.
Creative Modes
For more advanced photographers, Canon provides creative modes that require the photographer to set one or more of the photo settings. This gives the photographer the freedom to adjust settings for light and movement.
Shutter speed determines how long the shutter remains open. In manual mode, turn the "Main Dial." The shutter speed displays in the upper-left corner of the LCD panel.
Aperture determines the diameter when the shutter opens, which determines blur of the background. The size of the aperture is referred to as an f-stop, a fraction that indicates the aperture size.
Tags: automatic modes, camera that, Canon provides, exchange lenses, inside lens, inside lens mount
