50D Quick Start Guide

Right out of the box the 50D has a few features disabled and other settings that can use some adjustments.

I recommend adjusting the following:

1) Enable ISO expansion; Custom Function 1-3; set option 1; expands ISO to 6,400 (H1) and 12,800 (H2)

2) Enable Live view: Under menu select Live View Function settings; Enable.

3) Shutter Button option: Custom Function IV-1 ; set option #3 AE LOCK/Metering + AF Start (allows you to lock metering, while focusing else where) – moves focus to back AF On button

4) Custom Function IV-2; set option 1; Swithches focus from AF on and *, * is larger and not as hard to reach as the AF On button for focusing purposes.

5) Custom Function IV-3; set option 3; when you press SET button in the dial wheel, Menu comes up.

6) I recommend starting with Av mode – aperture priority mode. This will allow you to choose the depth of field your images contain, but at the same time permit the user to see what shutter speeds are chosen by the camera. This will help establish an initial foundation for your understanding of both aperture and shutter speeds.

7) Turn off auto iso. As a general rule of thumb, if you are out in daylight use ISO 100 or 200 and 400 at the most, if you are inside try ISO 400 and 800, 1600 or 3200 if dire. Only use H1 or H2 when there are no other options.

8) Use 1 focus point, I recommend the center focus point. You know what your targeting as your subject. Later on you can adapt more advanced functions which will permit you to take control of the focus system. Remember that the fully automatic modes, enable all focus points to be selected by the camera so you lose control.

9) Use continuous shooting for action, use one shot for landscapes or portraits, and use the timer for night shots or long exposures.

10) Use evaluative or center weighted metering for landscape shots, for difficult shots use the spot meter to meter on the subject you want to be exposed “properly”.

11) Use auto white balance if shooting indoors or outdoors, if you know you are in fluorescent light set it to fluorescent.

12) make sure highlight tone priority is OFF, this is in the custom function menu.

13) You are on this site because you want to get better results, so I recommend shooting in RAW format. Its more work, but the results are far superior to the JPG output. My more in depth tutorials will teach how to handle RAW files.

14) Pay attention to your horizons, keep them level.

15) Important for hand held shots: when shooting hand held you need to keep your shutter speed over 1/(focal length x 1.6) for example if using 200mm lens 1/(200×1.6) = 1/320 minimum shutter speed. Try to keep it faster, if hand holding and using below 1/320 your shots will likely have camera shake blur.