Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide

This is an excellent technical manual and guide to the Canon 40D DSLR for both the enthusiast and the professional photographer. In addition to being an accomplished photographer, the author is also a highly trained and experienced technical writer. These facts are clearly evidenced by the full-color charts, tables, illustrations, and sample photos placed throughout the text of this logically organized and well-laid out book. I have read all the currently available books on the 40D and this one is by far the best organized and written, in my opinion. A positive aspect, for me, is that the book avoids dwelling upon the elementary aspects of how to operated a camera - what is an f-stop? what is an aperture? She assumes that the reader has or can access such basics somewhere else and in a more thorough and appropriate manner. The field guide is not watered-down with such out of scope topics, as almost all the other currently available 40D books are to one degree or another. Thus, this is a field guide for a specific advanced camera, the 40D, and not a course on general photography. As a result, every page is dedicated to how to use specific Canon 40D controls, settings, and custom functions in an appropriate and comprehensive professional manner. There is no wasted space or words - each page is concentrated with essential camera information, including helpful hints in using the setting groups in example photo shoots. Most of the detailed informaton is laid out in color charts and tables specific to a given topic for rapid reference in the field, as the title says. In summary, this book is not for the beginner that has never operated an advanced camera before and who knows nothing to very little about photography. This book is for intermediate to experienced photographers - those who would find themselves using such an advanced camera as the 40D in the first place. Such readers want to be able to quickly refer to the guide, efficiently glean the essential control and settings information so as to get up to speed rapidly, and then refer back while shooting in the field using their own techniques, as appropriate. I highly recommend it and give it the highest rating.

Originally I had bought the Field guide for the xti when I had it, so I bought this one when I got the 40D. I love how it expands on everything and gives so much information on each subject. A must read for anyone with a 40D!

I purchased Charlotte Lowrie's book on the XTi and found it invaluable, so it only made sense to purchase the 40D book when I upgraded cameras. I find myself referring to the 40D book regularly and always finding it easy to understand and helpful. A must for those wanting to learn how to create those custom settings on the Canon 40D. Would I recommend Charlotte's books to my friends? I have and to anyone that will listen. I have also taken online photo classes with Charloitte Lowrie .... highly recommend Charlotte's work.

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.

In 55 years of photography, this is one of the best books I've read. This book is excellent for both the beginner and intermediate photographer. Everything is explained and illustrated extremely well.