Book recommendation for first DSLR (Canon 40D)?

Question

I have just purchased a Canon 40D DSLR, having previously had an Olympus C-7070 compact. I pretty much just used my compact as a point and click camera and did not learn about manual settings so I would say I am an absolute beginner.

I would like to get a book or books to get me started. I did buy one called "Caonon 40d Digital Field Guide" but I find this too technical and not an ideal book for my level of knowledge.

Ideally I need a book that will explain the basics in plain language. For example I don't even know what ISO means. Also I have no idea what the 17-85mm means on the name of the lens that came with the camera.

Hopefully someone can suggest the perfect book for my situation. Perhaps I have gone for a more complex camera than I needed for my level of knowledge but I may as well aim high with my goals.

Answer 1

what chris said

people learn best and fastest in structured learning enviroments with teachers, thats why we send kids to school year after year, go do some night courses, meet some other kool kats and learn it up

try youtube there are some kool tutorials there, all books all ok for something start collecting them for when you know iso is sensitivity to light - on film its grain, on digi its noise,

a

Answer 2

A company called The Magic Lantern offers an instructional DVD for your camera. Circuit City may have it or you can check eBay and Amazon.

These books may also help:

"Hands-On Digital Photography" by George Schaub

"How Digital Photography Works, Second Edition" by Ron White

Courses in photography would be the very best way to learn.

Answer 3

I would suggest the Magic Lantern Books.  they make guides for specific cameras that are basically idiot proof.  they also make dvd's so you can actually watch what they do and follow along. very helpful.  it won't replace a photography class, but they'll explain what all those settings are for, and what they mean to you.

good luck!

Answer 4

Join a local photographic club or go on a college course, its the quickest way to get the basic knowledge, trying to do it by 'book learning' can be a case of the blind leading the blind, remote learning via the web doesn't work much better either, having a tutor right there with you is priceless at least at first.

Chris