Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide
by Charlotte K. Lowrie
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Book Reviews of Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide
Book Review: Somewhat disappointing...
Summary: 2 Stars
I ordered this book on the 40D after I sold another one that REALLY disappointed me. The problem with a lot of these newer camera books is that they have been rushly patterned on earlier books on previous camera models and nothing really new emerges. They don't seem to be written by spending extended field time with the camera and its system and offer little that you can't glean from the camera manual. If I buy a book on a new camera model I don't need the entire digital camera technology re-hashed but want to know what makes this particular model special and for which applications is it especially suited. I would like to see suggestions of basic outfits of this camera and a few lenses for various applications and (unless the book is sponsored by the camera manufacturer) it should include discussions of third party gear (Sigma, Tokina, Tamron) that work especially well with the 40D. For example, I am using the Sigma 2.8/18-50mm lens on the 40D - a perfect match and excellent balance. I think a good example of such a well-executed digital camera book is Guido Krebs's "Canon EOS 350D Digital Praxisbuch" (unfortunately only in German). He even recommends the Novoflex BALCAN-AF bellows unit for the 350D (Digital Rebel XT) because Canon doesn't offer a compact AF bellow unit in its EOS system. This is the kind of advice you don't get from the camera manual. He also discusses each lens of the EOS system and how well it is matched to the 350D. So, perhaps Ms. Lowrie could try again in a second edition, as much as I appreciate her real life/average user picture examples.Book Review: Some highs and some lows
Summary: 4 Stars
Reading the other reviews of the guide gave me a little concern, in that several people took offense at the specifically Christian references in the text. I finally decided that I wouldn't be offended if the author had been specifically Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist, so why get my panties in a bundle about Christian references. That's who she is.
And she is very technically savy about the EOS 40D. It's almost overkill in spots, more a technical manual than a field manual. I'm not an engineer or an IT specialist, so a lot of her material, frankly, went over my head. I was hoping for simple, down-to-earth, well-illustrated instructions on the many wonderful changes in the 40D compared to previous incarnations of the 10D series. I found her explanations too wordy and too poorly illustrated.
Which brings me to my main consideration and criticism. It would seem to me that someone as well versed in the operation of the camera would take the time to learn what makes a good photograph. The illustrations taken, one would suppose, from the author's own files, would not be so amateurish. There are lots of photographs of Christian Rock concerts, snap-shot portraits of folks around the church, and weddings. None are of a professional quality.
She is, however, a technical master and if your goal is complete technical mastery of the 40D, then this may be your book. Just go out and make your own photographs. I'll bet they'll be better than what's in the book
Book Review: I read three books on the 40D
Summary: 5 Stars
Long story short: 1st choice Charlotte K Lowrie, 2nd choice David D Busch
and 3rd Rob Sheppard.
Now for long story. Having read Lowrie's books before I knew I could glean some good information from this book. This book is in color, a must. Lowrie's tables are easy to read and understand, the index has everything you can imagine in it.
I find myself going back to this book all the time. Example; 4th of July, index, fireworks photography, page 228-229, shutter speed 1-2 seconds, and I'm off to the party. I ordered Lowrie's book on the 5D just to read it, even though I'll probably won't buy the 5D camera. I have found mistakes in all of the books. Page 30, image 1.14, after reading the caption, I thought I bought the wrong lens and went to Canon's web site to see if there was 24-70 "IS", no, but I wish or on page 33, 25-105 f/2.8L IS USM. Wouldn't that be a great lens if it were real. There was one more about that 24-70 "IS" page 34. Any one of these authors could do a better job of writing an owners manual than Canon. For me Lowrie's book is the best.
Book Review: Great additon to the manual
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great addition to any 40D owners arsenal of information, the camera manual is written by technical minded people, this helps breakdown the actual functions of the camera and provides an explanation in layman's terms of how each function works and how to set and adjust each feature of the camera. The only thing that the author really could have done better is during the chapter In the field she could have gone more in depth on a picture style settings that may have complemented the other settings as a base for helping the photographer develop more understanding of how the picture styles will effect the scene the photographer is trying to shoot.
The people who took offense at the specifically Christian references in the text are possibly a little over sensitive. The author doesn't appear to be trying to convey anything about religion or religious beliefs she is explaining the techniques behind the photograph to show what was desired in the picture (e.g. The singers hands at the concert).
Book Review: Charlotte Lowrie delivers....
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my second 'how to' camera book by Charlotte Lowrie, the first covered the Canon XTi. Although I have learned a great deal about DSLR photography since then, her 40D field guide does a much better job than the user manual Canon provides. Perhaps some will suggest she repeats some basic photography lessons, I say, a refresher course never hurt anyone and besides, you can skip over what you don't want to read. In addition to step by step instructions, the guide is full of color illustrations and photograph's.
Charlotte's job is to provide a comprehensive users guide for the new 40D owner and for that, she delivers. As with most camera field guides, the writer usually/should assume readers are probably not professionals who need another lesson on depth of field. The target audience is someone who just invested a good chuck of change in a Canon 40D and values a sturdy field guide companion.