Hi everyone - new on this forum and just bought a Dig Rebel XT

[transparant]

I'm still playing around with it and reading through the manual. This is the first digital camera I've ever owned. It's comparable to my canon 35mm film camera that I have - so I'm familiar with some of the features.

I do have a few questions though (being totally new to digital) - Can someone explain the difference to me between jpg & RAW? That really confuses me!

There is an option on the camera for "white something ?? can't remember the exact wording) - what exactly would I use that for?

And last but not least - how do you permanently delete pictures from your memory card?


Any other tips you can give me (pluses and minuses) I would appreciate it!

Oh - I also want to add that I'm using my Tamron 28/300 SLR lens & my 550 flash on it too.

THANKS!

Heather

 

[dcg0317]

I don't own the Canon XT but here is a good place to start that may help you out.
http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/index.html

 

[transparant]

THANK YOU!!!

 

[ndelaware]

I'm still playing around with it and reading through the manual. This is the first digital camera I've ever owned. It's comparable to my canon 35mm film camera that I have - so I'm familiar with some of the features.

I do have a few questions though (being totally new to digital) - Can someone explain the difference to me between jpg & RAW? That really confuses me!

There is an option on the camera for "white something ?? can't remember the exact wording) - what exactly would I use that for?

And last but not least - how do you permanently delete pictures from your memory card?




Any other tips you can give me (pluses and minuses) I would appreciate it!

Oh - I also want to add that I'm using my Tamron 28/300 SLR lens & my 550 flash on it too.

THANKS!

Heather

1) A RAW image file is an the image as the camera and lens saw it without any in camera processing of the image. A JPEG is the image you captured but then the file is compressed and your camera applies the in camera processing you have selected for things like sharpness and contrast, etc.. RAW files are much larger, usually more than twice as the size of a JPEG. On a 1 GB memory card should yield about 290 images at the highest JPEG level and about 110 if you shoot in RAW. Think of shooting in RAW as if you want to do your own developing (using your pc's photo software). That way you have the undeveloped negative to work with.

2) "White Balance" is the term. White balance settings help the camera determine what is "white" under certain light conditions and add more red or blue to the image to balance incandescent, flourescent, with flash or without flash lighting so that white truly does look white.

Both of these things are covered in chapter three of the XT manual.


3) To permantly erase the images from your memory card you have to format it using the menu on the back of the camera.

I suggest going to http://www.dpreview.com/forums/ There is a ton of info in their forums and a huge forum dealing with the XT in particular. It is a great resource.

Format your card before you use it the first time and then again everytime after you upload images to your PC. This will help keep your images from becoming corrupted in the camera. Also, to be safe, do not make any changes to the image until it is safely uploaded to your computer.

Buy yourself a USB card reader. It is easier and faster than uploading them from the camera to your computer. And saves your camera battery.

If you don't already have it, buy "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.