Canon Eos Rebel T2i 550d Instruction Manual

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The captured images are recorded onto the card (sold separately).Make sure the card’s write protect switch is set upward to 
enable writing/erasing.
1Open the cover.
 Slide the cover as shown by the 
arrow to open it.
2Insert the card.
 As shown by the illustration, face 
the card’s label side toward you 
and insert it until it clicks in place.
3Close the cover.
 Close the cover and slide it in the 
direction shown by the arrow until it 
snaps shut.
  When you set the power switch to 
, the number of possible shots  
will be displayed on the LCD monitor.
Installing and Removing the SD Card
Installing the Card
Write protect switch
Possible shots
  The number of possible shots depends  on the remaining capacity of the 
card, image-recording quality, ISO speed, etc.
  Setting the [ 1 Release shutter without card ] menu option to [Disable] 
will prevent you from forgetti ng to install a card (p.138).
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							Installing and Removing the SD Card
32
1Open the cover.
 Set the power switch to .
  Check that “Recording...” is not 
displayed on the LCD monitor.
  Make sure the access lamp is off, 
then open the cover.
2Remove the card.
 Gently push in the card, then let go. 
The card will stick out.
  Pull the card straight out, then close 
the cover.
Removing the Card
Access lamp
 When the access lamp is lit or blinking, it indi cates that the images 
are being written to or read by the card, being erased, or data is 
being transferred. While  the access lamp is lit or blinking, never do 
any of the following. Doing so ma y 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 record ed images, the image number might 
not start from 0001 (p.140).
  Do not touch the card’s contacts wi th your fingers or metal objects.
  If a card-related error me ssage is displayed on the LCD monitor, remove 
and reinstall the card. If the erro r persists, use a different card.
If you can transfer all th e images in the card to a computer, transfer all 
the images and then format the card  with the camera (p.42). The card 
may then return to normal.
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1Remove the caps.
 Remove the rear lens cap and the 
body cap by turning them as shown 
by the arrows.
2Attach the lens.
 Align the lens’ red or white index with 
the camera’s index matching the 
same color. Turn the lens as shown 
by the arrow until it snaps in place.
3On the lens, set the focus mode 
switch to  (autofocus).
 If it is set to < MF> (manual focus), 
autofocus will not operate.
4Remove the front lens cap.
Attaching and Detaching a Lens
Attaching a Lens
White index
Red index
Minimizing Dust
 When changing lenses, do it  in a place with minimal dust.
  When storing the camera  without a lens attached, be sure to attach the 
body cap to the camera.
  Remove dust on the body cap before attaching it.
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							Attaching and Detaching a Lens
34
To zoom, turn the zoom ring on the lens 
with your fingers.
If you want to zoom, do it before 
focusing. Turning the zoom ring after 
achieving focus may throw off the 
focus slightly.
While pressing the lens release 
button, turn the lens as shown by 
the arrows.
 Turn the lens until it stops, then 
detach it.
  Attach the rear lens cap to the 
detached lens.
About Zooming
Detaching the Lens
 Do not look at the sun  directly through any lens. Doing so may cause 
loss of vision.
  If the front part (focusin g ring) of the lens rotate s during autofocusing, do 
not touch the rotating part.
Image Conversion FactorSince the image sensor size is 
smaller than the 35mm film 
format, it will lo ok like the lens 
focal length is in creased by 1.6x. Image sensor size(22.3 x 14.9 mm / 0.88 x 0.59 in.)
35mm image size (36 x 24 mm / 1.42 x 0.94 in.)
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When you use the IS lens’ built-in Image Stabilizer, camera shake is 
corrected to obtain a less blurred shot. The procedure explained here is 
based on the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5 .6 IS lens as an example.
* IS stands for Image Stabilizer.
1Set the IS switch to .
 Set also the camera’s power switch to 
.
2Press the shutter button halfway.
XThe Image Stabilizer will operate.
3Take the picture.
  When the picture looks steady in the 
viewfinder, press the shutter button 
completely to take the picture.
About the Lens Image Stabilizer
 The Image Stabilizer may no t be effective if the subject moves at the time 
of exposure.
  The Image Stabilizer may no t be effective for excessive shaking such as 
on a rocking boat.
  The Image Stabilizer can operate wi th the focus mode switch set to 
either < f> or < g>.
  If the camera is mounted on a trip od, you can save battery power by 
switching the IS switch to < 2>.
  The Image Stabilizer is effective ev en when the camera is mounted on a 
monopod.
  Some IS lenses enable y ou to switch the IS mode manually to suit the 
shooting conditions. However, th e EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and EF-
S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lenses swit ch the IS mode automatically.
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							36Turn the dioptric adjustment 
knob.
 
Turn the knob left or right until the 
nine AF points in the viewfinder look 
sharp.
To obtain sharp images, hold the ca mera still to minimize camera 
shake.
1. Wrap your right hand around the camera grip firmly.
2. Hold the lens bottom with your left hand.
3. Press the shutter button lightly with your right hand’s index finger.
4. Press your arms and elbows lightly against the front of your body.
5. To maintain a stable stance, pl ace one foot in front of the other.
6. Press the camera against your fa ce and look through the viewfinder.
Basic Operation
Adjusting the Viewfinder Clarity
Holding the Camera
If the camera’s dioptric adjustment still cannot provide a sharp viewfinder 
image, using Dioptric Ad justment Lens E (10 type s, sold separately) is 
recommended.
Vertical shooting
Horizontal shooting
To shoot while looking at the LCD monitor, see page 107.
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Basic Operation
The shutter button has two steps. You can press the shutter button halfway. Then you can further press the shutter button completely.
Pressing halfway
This activates autofocusing and 
automatic exposure metering that sets 
the shutter speed and aperture.
The exposure setting (shutter speed and 
aperture) is displayed in the viewfinder 
(0 ).
Pressing completely
This releases the shutter and takes the 
picture.
Preventing Camera Shake
Hand-held camera movement during th e moment of exposure is called 
camera shake. It can cause blurred pictures. To prevent camera shake, 
note the following:
• Hold and steady the camera as shown on the previous page.
• Press the shutter button halfway to autofocus, then slowly press the shutter button completely.
Shutter Button
  If you press the shutter bu tton completely without pressing it halfway first 
or if you press the shutter button ha lfway and then press it completely 
immediately, the camera will take a  moment before it takes the picture.
  Even during the menu  display, image playback, and image recording, 
you can instantly go back to shoo ting-ready by pressing the shutter 
button halfway.
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You can directly select and set the shooting functions displayed on the 
LCD monitor. This is called the Quick Control screen.
1Display the Quick Control screen.
 When the shooting settings are 
displayed, press the < Q> button.
X The Quick Control screen will activate 
(7 ).
2Set the desired setting.
 Press the < S> key to select the 
function to be set.
  In the Basic Zone modes (except 
C ), you can select certain drive 
modes (p.70) and the image-
recording quality (p.72).
X The selected functi on is displayed on 
the screen’s bottom.
  Turn the < 6> dial to change the 
setting.
3Take the picture.
  Press the shutter button completely to 
take the picture.
Q Using the Quick Control Screen
Basic Zone modes
Creative Zone modes
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Q Using the Quick Control Screen
  On the Quick Control screen, select 
the function and press < 0>. The 
respective setting screen will then 
appear (except for the shutter speed 
and aperture).
  Turn the < 6> dial to change the 
setting. You can also press the 
< U > key to change the setting.
  Press < 0> to finalize the setting and 
return to the Qu ick Control screen.
Quick Control Screen Nomenclature
Function Setting Display
Shutter speed (p.78)Aperture (p.80)
ISO speed (p.62)
Highlight tone 
priority* (p.194)
Shooting mode* (p.20)
Exposure compensation/ AEB setting (p.89) Flash exposure 
compensation (p.88)
Picture Style (p.75) White balance (p.99) Auto Lighting Optimizer 
(p.103)
Image-recording
quality (p.72)
AF mode (p.66)Drive mode (p.70)
Metering mode (p.86)
Asterisked functions ca
nnot be set with the Quick Control screen.
Î
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You can set various functions with the menus such as the image-recording 
quality, date/time, etc. While lo oking at the LCD monitor, use the 
 button,  cross keys, and  button on the camera back.
3  Menu Operations
 Cross keys
Ta b
Menu items
Menu settings
1 Shooting
 button
LCD monitor
5 Set-up
9 My Menu
 button
3 Playback
*In Basic Zone modes a nd Movie shooting mode , the tabs and menu 
options displayed  will be different.
Menu Screen
Basic Zone modes Movie shooting mode
Creative Zone modes
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