Canon EOS 450D Instruction Manual

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3 Formatting the Card
About Low-level Formatting Do low-level formatting if the card’s recording or reading speed seems 
slow.
 Since low-level formatting will erase all recordable sectors in the card, the 
formatting will take slightly longer than normal formatting.
 You can stop the low-level formatting by selecting [Cancel]. Even in this 
case, normal formatting will have been completed and you can use the 
card as usual.
When the card is formatted, only the file management information is 
changed....

42
The LCD monitor can display the shooting settings screen, menu screen, image, etc.
 
Displayed when the camera is turned on.
 When your eye nears the viewfinder 
eyepiece, the display-off sensor turns 
off the LCD monitor automatically. This 
prevents the bright LCD monitor from 
interfering with your view. The LCD 
monitor turns on again when your eye 
leaves the viewfinder eyepiece.
 While the menu screen or image is displayed as shown below, you 
can instantly return to the shooting settings screen...

43
2
Basic Shooting and
Image Playback
This chapter explains how to use the Basic Zone modes 
on the Mode Dial for best results and how to playback 
images.
With the Basic Zone modes, all you do is point and shoot and 
the camera sets everything automatically. Also, to prevent 
botched pictures due to mistaken operations, shooting settings 
cannot be changed in the Basic Zone modes. The settings 
(functions set automatically) which cannot be set by the user 
are grayed out.
Full Auto
Basic Zone
About the...

44
1Set the Mode Dial to .
2Aim any AF point over the 
subject.
 All the AF points will operate, and 
focus will generally be achieved at 
the AF point covering the closest 
object.
 Aiming the center AF point over the 
subject will make focusing easier.
3Focus the subject.
 Press the shutter button halfway, and 
the lens will move to focus.
XThe dot inside the AF point achieving 
focus flashes briefly in red. At the 
same time, the beeper will sound and 
the focus confirmation light  in 
the viewfinder...

45
1 Fully Automatic Shooting
 The focus confirmation light  blinks and focus is not achieved.
Aim the AF point over an area having good contrast between light 
and dark, then press the shutter button halfway. (p.162) If you are 
too close to the subject, move away and try again.
 Sometimes multiple AF points flash simultaneously.
This indicates that focus has been achieved at all those AF points. As long as 
the AF point covering the desired subject flashes, you can take the picture.
 The beeper...

46
Depending on the scene, position the subject toward the left or right to 
create a balanced background and good perspective.
In the  (Full Auto) mode, while you press the shutter button 
halfway to focus a still subject, the focus will be locked. You can then 
recompose the shot and press the shutter button completely to take the 
picture. This is called “focus lock”. Focus lock is also possible in other 
Basic Zone modes (except  Sports).
In the  (Full Auto) mode, if the subject moves (distance to...

47
The  (Portrait) mode blurs the background to make the human 
subject stand out. It also makes flesh tones and the hair look softer than 
with the  (Full Auto) mode.
 The farther the distance between the subject and background, 
the better.
The farther the distance between the subject and background, the 
more blurred the background will look. The subject will also stand 
out better in front of a plain, dark background.
 Use a telephoto lens.
If you have a zoom lens, use the telephoto end to fill the...

48
Use the  (Landscape) mode for wide scenery, night scenes, or to 
have everything in focus from near to far. The greens and blues also 
become more vivid and sharp than with  (Full Auto).
 With a zoom lens, use the wide-angle end.
When using a zoom lens, use the wide-angle end. This will have 
objects near and far in focus, better than at the telephoto end. It also 
adds breadth to landscapes.
 Shooting night scenes.
Since the built-in flash will be disabled, this 
mode is also good for night scenes....

49
When you want to photograph flowers or small things up close, use the 
 (Close-up) mode. To make small things appear much larger, use a 
macro lens (sold separately).
 Use a simple background.
A simple background makes the flower, etc., stand out better.
 Move to the subject as close as possible.
Check the lens for its minimum focusing distance. Some lenses 
have indications such as . The lens minimum 
focusing distance is measured from the  (focal plane) mark on 
the camera to the subject. If you are...

50
To photograph a moving subject, whether it is a child running or a moving vehicle, use the  (Sports) mode.
 Use a telephoto lens.
Using a telephoto lens is recommended so you can shoot from afar.
 Use the center AF point to focus.
Aim the center AF point over the subject, then press the shutter 
button halfway to auto focus. During autofocusing, the beeper will 
continue beeping softly. If focus cannot be achieved, the focus 
confirmation light  will blink.
When you want to take the picture, press the...