Canon 50d Owners Manual

							101
Exposure compensation is used to alter the standard exposure set by 
the camera. You can make the image look brighter (increased 
exposure) or darker (decreased ex posure). You can set the exposure 
compensation up to ±2 stops in 1/3-stop increments.
1Turn the Mode Dial to any 
Creative Zone mode except .
2Check the exposure level 
indicator.
 Press the shutter button halfway and 
check the exposure level indicator.
3Set the exposure compensation 
amount.
 Set the power switch to < J>, and 
while looking at the viewfinder or LCD 
panel, turn the < 5> dial.
  Turn the < 5> dial while pressing the 
shutter button halfway or within ( 0) 
after pressing the shutter button 
halfway.
  To cancel the exposure 
compensation, set the exposure 
compensation amount back to < E>.
4Take the picture.
Setting Exposure Compensation N
Increased exposure for a 
brighter image
Decreased exposure for a 
darker image
 The exposure compensation amount will remain in effect even after you 
set the power switch to < 2>.
 
Take care not to turn the  dial and change the exposure compensation 
inadvertently. To prevent this, set the power switch to .  The exposure compensation can also be set with [2 Expo. comp./
AEB ] menu (p.102).
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							102
By changing the shutter speed or aperture automatically, the camera 
brackets the exposure up to ±2 stops in 1/3-stop increments for three 
successive shots. This is called AEB.
1Select [Expo. comp./AEB].
  Under the [2 ] tab, select [Expo. 
comp./AEB ], then press < 0>.
2Set the AEB amount.
  Turn the < 6> dial to set the AEB 
amount.
 
You can set the exposure compensation 
amount with the <
5> dial. If AEB is 
combined with exposure compensation, 
AEB will be applied centering on the 
exposure compensation amount.
  Press < 0> to set the amount.
XWhen you exit the menu,  and the AEB 
level will be displayed on the LCD panel.
3Take the picture.
 Focus and press the shutter button 
completely. The three bracketed shots will 
be taken in this sequence: Standard, 
decreased, and increased exposure.
  Follow steps 1 and 2 to turn off the AEB amount display.
  AEB will be canceled automatically when you set the power switch 
to < 2 > or when the flash is ready to fire.
3  Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) N
AEB amount
Canceling AEB
 If the drive mode is set to < u>, you must press the shutter button three 
times. When  or  is set and you hold down the shutter button 
completely, the three bracketed shots will be taken continuously. Then 
the camera will stop shooting. When < j> or < l> is set, the three 
bracketed shots will be taken after a 10-sec. or 2-sec. delay.
  Neither flash nor bulb expos ures can be used with AEB.
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							103
Use AE lock when the area of focus is to be different from the exposure 
metering area or when you want to take multiple shots at the same exposure 
setting. Press the <
A> button to lock the exposure, then recompose and take 
the shot. This is called AE lock. It is effective for backlit subjects.
1Focus the subject.
 Press the shutter button halfway.
X The exposure setting will be 
displayed.
2Press the  button. (0 )
X The < A> icon lights in the viewfinder 
to indicate that the exposure setting is 
locked (AE lock).
  Each time you press the < A> button, 
it locks the current auto exposure 
setting.
3Recompose and take the picture.
  If you want to maintain the AE lock 
while taking more shots, hold down 
the < A> button and press the shutter 
button to take another shot.
* When the lens’ focus mode switch is set to < MF>, AE lock is applied at the 
center AF point.
A AE Lock N
AE Lock Effects
Metering Mode  
(p.100)AF Point Selection Method
Automatic SelectionManual Selection
q*AE lock is applied at the AF 
point that achieved focus.AE lock is applied at the 
selected AF point.
wreAE lock is applied at the center AF point.
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							104
When bulb is set, the shutter stays open while you hold down the shutter 
button completely, and closes when you let go of the shutter button. This is 
called bulb exposure. Use bulb exposures for night scenes, fireworks, the 
heavens, and other subjects requiring long exposures.
1Set the Mode Dial to .
2Set the shutter speed to “buLb.”
  While looking at the LCD panel, turn 
the < 6> dial to select “ buLb.”
  The next setting after “ 30 ” is “ buLb .”
3Set the desired aperture and 
shoot.
 To set the aperture, set the power switch 
to , and turn the  dial.
 While you hold down the shutter 
button, the exposure will continue.
X
The elapsed exposure time (sec.) will be 
indicated on the LCD panel by the same 
indicator used for the shots remaining.
Each time you press the  button, 
the LCD panel illumination will turn on or 
off ( 9). During a bulb exposure, 
pressing the shutter button completely 
will turn off the LCD panel illumination.
Bulb Exposures
Elapsed exposure time
U LCD Panel Illumination
  Since bulb exposures produce more noise than usual, the image might 
look rough or grainy.
  When [ 8C.Fn II -1: Long exp. noise reduction] is set to [ 1: Auto] or 
[ 2: On ], noise generated by the bulb exposure can be reduced (p.176).
  For bulb exposures, using the Remote Switch RS-80N3 or Timer Remote 
Controller TC-80N3 (both sold separately) is recommended.
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							105
Bulb Exposures
If you take a picture without looking at the viewfinder, light entering the 
eyepiece can throw off the exposure. To prevent this, use the eyepiece 
cover (p.23) attached to the camera strap.
1Remove the eyecup.
 Push the bottom of the eyecup 
upward.
2Attaching the eyepiece cover.
 Slide the eyepiece cover down into 
the eyepiece groove to attach it.
You can connect the Remote Switch RS-80N3 or Timer Remote 
Controller TC-80N3 (both sold separately) or any EOS accessory 
equipped with an N3-type terminal to the camera and shoot with it.
To operate the accessory, refer to its instruction manual.
1Open the terminal cover.
2Connect the plug to the remote 
control terminal.
  Connect the plug as shown in the 
illustration.
  To disconnect the plug, grasp the 
plug’s silver part and pull out.
Using the Eyepiece Cover
Connecting the Remote Switch
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							106
Although using the self-timer or Remote Switch can prevent camera 
shake, using mirror lockup to prevent camera vibrations can also help 
when you use a super telephoto lens or shoot close ups.
When [ 8C.Fn III -6: Mirror lockup] is set to [1: Enable]  (p.180), 
shooting with mirror lockup will be possible.
1 Focus the subject, press the shutter button completely 
and release it.
X The mirror will swing up.
2 Press the shutter button completely again.
XThe picture is taken and the mirror goes back down.
Mirror Lockup N
 In very bright light such as at the beach or ski slope on a sunny day, take 
the picture promptly after mirror lockup.
  Do not point the camera toward the  sun. The sun’s heat can scorch and 
damage the shutter curtains.
  If you use bulb exposures, the self-timer, and mirror lockup in 
combination, keep pressing the shutter button completely (self-timer 
delay time + bulb exposure time). If you let go of the shutter button 
during the 10-sec./2-sec. self-timer countdown, there will be a shutter-
release sound. This is not the actual  shutter release (no picture is taken).
 When [ 1: Enable ] is set, single shooting will take effect even if the drive 
mode is set to continuous.
  When the self-timer is set to < j> or < l>, the picture will be taken 
after 10 sec. or 2 sec. respectively.
  The mirror locks up, and after 30 seconds, it will go back down 
automatically. Pressing the shutter button completely again locks up the 
mirror again.
  For mirror lockup shots, using the Remote Switch RS-80N3 or Timer 
Remote Controller TC-80N3 (both sold separately) is recommended.
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							107
E-TTL II autoflash obtains high-precision and consistent flash shots.
If necessary,  the built-in flash will pop-up automatically  in low-light 
or backlit conditions. (except in < 3>   modes)
Regardless of the light level,  you can press the  button to pop-up 
and fire the built-in flash whenever desired.  If the built-in flash has 
popped up, you can push it back down with your fingers.
d : For fully automatic flash photography.  The shutter speed (1/ 
250 sec. - 1/60 sec.) and aperture are set automatically.
s : Enables you to set the desired shutter speed (1/ 250 sec. - 
30 sec.).  The flash exposure will be se t automatically to match 
the aperture that was set automatically.
f : Enables you to set the desired aperture.  The flash exposure 
will be set automatically to match the aperture that was set.  The 
shutter speed will be set automatically between 1/250 sec. - 
30 sec. to suit the scene’s brightness.
In low light, the main subject is exposed with the automatic 
flash, and the background is exposed with a slow shutter speed 
set automatically. Both the subject and background look 
properly exposed (automatic  slow-speed flash sync).
  With slow shutter speeds, using a tripod is recommended.
  If you do not want a slow shutter speed to be used, set 
[8 C.Fn I -7: Flash sync. speed in Av mode ] to [1: 1/250-1/
60sec. auto ] or [2: 1/250sec. (fixed) ] (p.175).
a : You can set both the shutter speed (1/250 sec. - 30 sec., 
bulb) and aperture.  The flash exposure will be set 
automatically to match the aperture that was set. The 
background exposure will vary depending on the shutter speed 
and aperture.
8 : The flash result will be the same as the < d> mode.
Using the Built-in Flash
Using the Built-in Flash in the Basic Zone
Using the Built-in Flash in the Creative Zone
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							108
Using the Built-in Flash
Effective Range of Built-in Flash[Approx. meters/feet]
Using the red-eye reduction lamp before taking a flash picture can 
reduce red eye. Red-eye reduction  will work in any shooting mode 
except   .
 Under the [1 ] tab, select [Red-eye 
On/Off ], then press < 0>. Select 
[On ], then press < 0>.
 
For flash photography, when you 
press the shutter button halfway, the 
red-eye reduction lamp will light. Then 
when you press the shutter button 
completely, the picture will be taken.
ApertureISO Speed
10020040080016003200H1: 6400H2: 12800
f/3.53.7 / 12.15.3 / 17.47.4 / 24.310.5 / 34.414.9 / 48.921.0 / 68.929.7 / 97.442.0 / 137.8
f/43.3 / 10.8 4.6 / 15.1 6.5 / 21.3 9.2 / 30.2 13.0 / 42.7 18.4 / 60.4 26.0 / 85.3 36.8 / 120.7
f/5.62.3 / 7.53.3 / 10.84.6 / 15.16.6 / 21.79.3 / 30.513.1 / 43.018.6 / 61.026.3 / 86.3
3 Using Red-eye Reduction
 For close subjects, the subject should  be at least 1 meter/3.3 feet away 
when using flash.
 
Detach the lens hood and keep at least 1 meter/3.3 feet away from the subject.  If the lens has a hood attached or you are too close to the subject, the 
bottom of the picture might look dark due to the obstructed flash. If you 
use a telephoto lens or a fast le ns and the flash is still partially 
obstructed, use an EX-series Speedlite (sold separately).
  The red-eye reduction feature is most effective when the subject looks at 
the red-eye reduction lamp, when the room is well lit, or when you go 
closer to the subject.
 
When you press the shutter button halfway, the viewfinder 
display on the bottom will gradually turn off. For best 
results, take the picture after this display turns off.
  The effectiveness of red-eye reduction varies depending on the subject.
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							109
Using the Built-in Flash
In the same way as normal exposure compensation, you can set exposure compensation 
for flash. You can set flash exposure compensation up to ±2 stops in 1/3-stop increments.
1Press the  button. (9 )
2Set the exposure compensation amount.
 While looking at the LCD panel or 
viewfinder, turn the < 5> dial.
  To cancel the flash exposure 
compensation, set the flash exposure 
compensation amount back to < E>.
 
When you press the shutter button 
halfway, the  icon will be displayed 
in the viewfinder and on the LCD panel.
3Take the picture.
y  Flash Exposure Compensation N
Increased exposure
Decreased exposure
 If [8 C.Fn II -4: Auto Lighting Optimizer ] (p.177) has been enabled, 
the effect of the exposure co mpensation and flash exposure 
compensation might be minimized. Set it to [ 3: Disable] if you want to 
obtain the best results of the exposure compensation setting.
 
If you set flash exposure compensation with both the EX-series Speedlite and 
camera, the Speedlite’s flash exposure  compensation setting will override the 
camera’s. If you set EX-series Speedlite’s flash exposure compensation with the 
Speedlite, any flash exposure compensati on set with the camera will be overridden.
 The exposure compensation amount will remain in effect even after you 
set the power switch to < 2>.
  The procedure is the same when using an EX-series Speedlite. The 
Speedlite’s flash exposure compensation can be set with the camera.
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							110
Using the Built-in Flash
FE (flash exposure) lock obtains and locks the correct flash exposure 
reading for any part of a subject.
1Press the  button to pop-up 
the built-in flash.
  Press the shutter button halfway and 
look in the viewfinder to check that 
the < D> icon is lit.
2Focus the subject.
3Press the  button. (8 )
 
Aim the viewfinder center over the subject 
where you want to lock the flash 
exposure, then press the <
A> button.
X The flash will fire a preflash and the 
required flash output is calculated 
and retained in memory.
X In the viewfinder, “ FEL” is displayed 
for a moment and < d> will light.
 
Each time you press the  button, a 
preflash is fired and the required flash output 
is calculated and retained in memory.
4Take the picture.
  Compose the shot and press the 
shutter button completely.
X The flash is fired to take the picture.
A  FE Lock N
If the subject is too far  away and beyond the effective range of the flash, the 
< D > icon will blink. Get closer to the subject and repeat steps 2 to 4.
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