Canon 50d Owners Manual

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Nomenclature
Nomenclature for Kit Lenses
EF-S18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Focus mode switch (p.31)
Lens mount index (p.31) Contacts (p.13)
Hood mount 
(p.209, 210)
Filter thread 
(front of lens)
 (p.209, 210)
Focusing ring (p.88,127)
Zoom ring (p.32)Zoom position index (p.32)
Image Stabilizer switch (p.33)
ç
çç
Focus mode switch (p.31)
Image Stabilizer switch (p.33) Lens mount index (p.31)Contacts (p.13)
Distance scale
Hood mount 
(p.209, 210)
Filter thread 
(front of lens) (p.209, 210) Focusing ring (p.88,127)
Zoom ring (p.32) Zoom position index (p.32)
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Nomenclature
Battery Charger CG-580
Charger for Battery Pack BP-511A (p.24).
Battery Charger CB-5L
Charger for Battery Pack BP-511A (p.24).
Battery pack slot
Charge lamp
Power plug
This power unit is intended to be correctly orientated in a vertical or 
floor mount position.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS-SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
DANGER-TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, 
CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
For connection to a supply not in the U.S.A., use an attachment plug adapter 
of the proper configuration for the power outlet.
Power cord
Power cord socket
Battery pack slot 
Charge lamp
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1
Getting Started
This chapter explains preparatory steps and basic 
camera operations.
Attaching the Strap
Pass the end of the strap through 
the camera’s strap mount eyelet 
from the bottom. Then pass it 
through the strap’s buckle as shown 
in the illustration. Pull the strap to 
take up any slack and make sure 
the strap will not loosen from the 
buckle.
  The eyepiece cover is also 
attached to the strap (p.105).
Eyepiece cover
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1Remove the protective cover.
 When you remove the battery from 
the camera, be sure to reattach the 
cover to protect it against short 
circuiting.
2Attach the battery.
 Align the battery’s front edge with the 
battery charger’s index line. While 
pressing down the battery, slide it in 
the direction of the arrow.
  To detach the battery, follow the 
above procedure in reverse.
3Recharge the battery.
For CG-580
 As shown by the arrow, flip out the 
battery charger’s prongs and insert 
the prongs into a power outlet.
For CB-5L
 Connect the power cord to the 
charger and insert the plug into the 
power outlet. 
X Recharging starts automatically and 
the charge lamp starts blinking in red.
  It takes about 100 min. to fully 
recharge a completely exhausted 
battery.
The time required to recharge the 
battery depends on the ambient 
temperature and battery’s charge 
level.
Recharging the Battery
Battery pack slot index
CG-580
CB-5L
* The numbers and markings on the batterycharger correspond to the table above.
Recharge LevelCharge Lamp
0 - 50%Blinks once per second
50 - 75%Blinks twice per second
75 - 90%Blinks three times 
per second
90% or higherLights on
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Recharging the Battery
 Recharge the battery on the day before or on the day it is to be used.
Even during non-use or storage, a charged battery will gradually 
discharge and lose its power.
  After recharging the battery, detach it and unplug the power 
cord or prongs from the power outlet.
  You can attach the cover in a different 
orientation to indicate whether the battery 
has been recharged or not.
If the battery has been recharged, attach the 
cover so that the battery-shaped hole < > is 
aligned over the blue sticker on the battery. If the battery is 
exhausted, attach the cover in the opposite orientation.
  When not using the camera, remove the battery.
If the battery is left in the camera for a prolonged period, a small amount 
of power current is released, resulting in excess discharge and shorter 
battery life. Store the battery with the protective cover attached. Storing 
the battery after it is fully charged can lower the battery’s performance.
 The battery charger can also be used in foreign countries.The battery charger is compatible with a 100 V AC to 240 V AC 50/60 Hz 
power source. If necessary, attach a commercially-available plug adapter for 
the respective country or region. Do not attach any portable voltage 
transformer to the battery charger. Doing so can damage the battery charger.
 If the battery becomes exhausted quickly even after being fully 
charged, the battery has worn out.
Purchase a new battery.
Tips for Using the Battery and Charger
  Do not recharge any battery pack other than Battery Pack BP-511A, BP-
514, BP-511, or BP-512.
  Battery Pack BP-511A is dedicated to Canon products only. Using it with 
an incompatible battery charger or product may result in malfunction or 
accidents for which Canon cannot be held liable.
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Load a fully charged Battery Pack BP-511A into the camera.
1Open the battery compartment 
cover.
 Slide the lever as shown by the arrow 
and open the cover.
2Insert the battery.
 Insert the end with the battery 
contacts.
  Insert the battery until it locks in 
place.
3Close the cover.
 Press the cover until it snaps shut.
Open the cover and remove the 
battery.
 Press the battery lock lever as shown 
by the arrow and remove the battery.
 
To prevent short circuiting, be sure to 
attach the protective cover to the battery.
Installing and Removing the Battery
Installing the Battery
Removing the Battery
Battery Pack BP-514, BP-511, or BP-512 can also be used.
After opening the battery compartment cover, be careful not to swing it back 
further. Otherwise, the hinge might break.
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 : The camera is turned off and 
does not operate. Set to this 
position when not using the 
camera.
< 1 > : The camera turns on.
< J > : The camera and < 5> 
operate (p.37).
  Whenever you set the power switch to < 1/J> or < 2>, the 
sensor cleaning will be executed  automatically. During the sensor 
cleaning, the LCD monitor will display < f>. Even during the 
sensor cleaning, you can still sh oot by pressing the shutter button 
halfway (p.35) to stop the sensor cleaning and take a picture.
  If you turn on/off the power switch < 1/J>/< 2 > at a short 
interval, the < f> icon might not be displayed. This is normal and 
not a problem.
  To save battery power, the camera turns off automatically after about 
1 minute of non-operation. To turn on the camera again, just press 
the shutter button halfway (p.35).
  You can change the auto power-off time with the menu’s [ 5 Auto 
power off ] setting (p.44).
Turning on the Power
About the Automatic  Self-Cleaning Sensor
About Auto Power Off
If you set the power switch to  while an image is being recorded to 
the card, [ Recording ... ] will be displayed and the power will turn off after 
the card finishes recording the image.
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Turning on the Power
When the power switch is set to  or < J>, the battery level will be indicated in one of four levels:
z: Battery level is OK.
x : Battery level is slightly down, 
but adequate power remains.
b: Battery will be exhausted soon.
n: Battery must be recharged.
Battery Life
[Approx. number of shots]
 The figures above are based on a fully-charged Battery Pack BP-511A, no Live View 
shooting, and CIPA (Camera & Imaging Pr oducts Association) testing standards.
Checking the Battery Level
TemperatureShooting Conditions
No Flash 50% Flash Use
At 23°C / 73°F800640
At 0°C / 32°F680540
  The actual number of shots may be fewer than indicated above 
depending on the shooting conditions.
  Pressing the shutter button halfway for long periods or operating only the 
autofocus can also reduce the number of possible shots.
  The number of possible shots will decrease with more frequent use of 
the LCD monitor.
  The number of possible shots with the BP-514 is the same as indicated 
in the table.
  The number of possible shots with the BP-511 or BP-512 will be about 
75% of the figures in the table for 23°C / 73°F. At 0°C / 32°F, the figures 
will be about the same as in the table.
  The lens operation is powered by the camera’s battery. Using certain 
lenses can reduce the number of possible shots.
  Using the Image Stabilizer of the  lens will decrease the number of 
possible shots (shorter battery life).
  For battery life with Live View shooting, see page 119.
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Although the thickness is different between the two types of CF cards, 
either one can be inserted into the camera. Also, Ultra DMA (UDMA) 
cards and hard disk-type cards can be used.
1Open the cover.
  Slide the cover as shown by the 
arrow to open it.
2Insert the card.
 As shown in the illustration, face 
the label side toward you and 
insert the end with the small holes 
into the camera.
If the card is inserted in the wrong 
way, it may damage the camera.XThe card ejection button will stick out.
3Close the cover.
  Close the cover and slide it in the 
direction shown by the arrow until it 
snaps shut.
X When you set the power switch to 
 or < J>, the number of 
remaining shots will be displayed on 
the LCD panel.
Installing and Removing the CF Card
Installing the Card
Label side
Card ejection button
Shots remaining
  The number of shots remaining depends on the remaining capacity of 
the card, image-recording quality, ISO speed, etc.
  Setting the [ 1 Shoot w/o card ] menu option to [ Off] will prevent you 
from forgetting to install a card (p.193).
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Installing and Removing the CF Card
1Open the cover.
 Set the power switch to < 2>.
  Make sure the access lamp is off, 
then open the cover.
2Remove the card.
 Press the card ejection button.
X The card will come out.
  Close the cover.
Removing the Card
Access lamp
Card ejection button
  The access lamp lights or blinks while the picture is taken, when 
data is being transferred to the card and when data is being 
recorded, read, or erased on the  card. While the access lamp is lit 
or blinking, never do any of the following. Doing so may damage 
the image data. It may also damage the card or camera. 
• Opening the card slot cover.
• Removing the battery.
• Shaking or banging the camera around.
  If the card already contains recorded images, the image number might 
not start from 0001 (p.80).
  If a card-related error message is displayed on the LCD monitor, remove 
and reinstall the card. If the error persists, use a different card.
If you can transfer all the images in the card to a personal computer, 
transfer all the images and then format the card. The card may then 
return to normal.
  When holding a hard disk-type card, always hold its sides. You may 
damage the card by holding its flat surfaces. Compared to CF cards, 
hard disk-type cards are more vulnerable to vibration and physical 
shock. If you use such a card, be careful not to subject the camera to 
vibration or physical shock especially while recording or displaying 
images.
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