Product Description
MAGIC LANTERN GUIDES: NIKON D80, Simon Stafford, A Lark Photography Book Simon Stafford's photographs have been used widely in newspapers, books, calendars, and magazines. Completely self-taught, he has built up a wealth of experience over the past twenty years with both film and digital cameras. Throughout his photographic career he has used the Nikon system extensively, and is now the Technical Editor to the Nikon Owners' Club International's Nikon Owner magazine. The new, mid-priced Nikon D80 replaces the Nikon D70s/D70 which was the subject of the best-selling Magic Lantern Guide ever! This model features a 10 megapixelsensor, up-sized 2.5" LCD monitor, and 4.5 fps capability.
Customer Reviews:
Nikon d80 Guide.......2007-10-03
This book is worth the price. I looked at a number of guides for the D80 and found this to be the best for me. More info than is contained in user manual. Easy to understand, contents set up easy for uses.
WOW!.......2007-09-13
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Nikon D80 is in there! This book definitely helps you learn about all the advantages of using your dslr. If you own any camera, get the accompanying book and you will improve your shots dramatically!
Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon D80.......2007-08-01
Good, clearly written & understandable manual for the Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera body. I was very disatisfied with the manual provided by the manufacturer,(Nikon). Internet manuals are too laced with author's personal opinions & bias's. The Magic Lantern Guide is presented in a manner that genuinely helps the reader master the multiple settings required to sucessfully use this camera body. A digital SLR has many more adjustments for the user to master than does the equivalent film camera making fairly frequent referral to an understandable reference mandatory. This Guide definitely fills that need.
Great info.......2007-07-24
This book has a lot of extra info from the user manual. The book gives a lot of depth to all of many features of this camera and also gives some interesting back stories.
The author does not like auto features at all, but I found that the auto features work rather good on this camera. But he goes into the manual setting in great detail.
The index is rather poor but it is laid out so that you can find stuff okay.
I learned three or four solid things from the book so it was worth it.
Thorough and clear, but not creatively helpful.......2007-07-21
While I strongly disagree with those who so vehemently criticize Nikon's D80 manual (I actually think it is quite well written and very helpful, and refer to it often), I do think that this Magic Lantern guide is a must for D80 owners.
By the time I had finished my first reading of this book, I had a thorough and in-depth understanding of the workings of my Nikon D80 camera. The suggesions which accompany many of the sections were somewhat helpful, but nothing to write home (or even to Mr. Stafford) about.
Other than the many and annoying "typos" and poor editing (commented on by others, as well), the main shortcomings of this book (in order of importance) are: 1.) it provides little or no creative information about using the D80 or improving your photography with this camera generally (although, to be fair, that is not the reason I bought the book in the first place); 2.) there are not nearly enough illustrative pictures, and none are in color (which I understand is a printing cost-saving measure); and 3.) the index is much to meager - it could have been twice as long.
Still, I highly recommend this book to D80 owners (whether, like me, you have previously used a film or digital SLR, or you are completely new to SLR and/or digital photography). This is a valuable tool in learning your D80 and in making it more than just a "point and shoot" camera.
Product Description
It's great, and it's Nikon's most talked about camera introduction in years! The D200 is the long-awaited successor to the bestselling D100, and so it's almost guaranteed to have an instant following from pros and advanced amateurs worldwide. And along with the camera, those eager photographers will want Magic Lantern to help them learn the ins-and-outs of this exciting piece of equipment. A robust body houses Nikon's latest CMOS DX digital image sensor, high speed crop technology, 3D Matrix II Color Metering and NEF (RAW) image processing technology, and much more: all of which are fully, beautifully covered in this invaluable manual. 5 X 7 1/2. b/w illus. throughout
Customer Reviews:
Black & White.......2007-07-28
The Magic Lantern D200 guide is merely a slightly expanded version of the factory manual, it's barely bigger in size and B/W. The "bonus" quick reference card is very basic - as a D200 user you're unlikely to get any use out of the quick reference card unless you have difficulty remembering what ISO, WB, Mode etc. stand for.
The second D200 guide I've got is the Digital Field Guide. It is the better guide out of the two, but not by much. Unfortunately neither guide is very good at telling you how to get the best out of your camera.
The "should have been the manual" guide book.......2007-07-15
Despite its grayness cover and photos, this book is clear, straight forward
and very comprehensive manual. This book is the manual that should have been
included in the kit instead what's included today.
OK!.......2007-07-06
It was slow but was recieved on time. Book binding came loose but book still great.
A systematic approach to D200.......2007-06-09
Hello Fellow Enthusiasts !
I ordered it before ordering for D200, the reason is to understand the features of D200 before i get my hands on the real machine.
This guide is beautifully laid out, glossy papers and very expressive with sequence of chapters very thoughtfully designed.
Since I haven't seen the similar product offering by other publishers so can't comment on others or compare. But definitely it's worth reading and understanding the camera. if you are new like me to SLR and that too D200 then don't think twice and simply order it.
Good Luck
Vaibhav Mittal - India
Magic Lantern guide for Nikon D200.......2007-06-08
This is a concise, easy to read guide for the Nikon D200. It is easier to understand than the manual that comes with the camera. My only criticism, if any, is that the index is not as comprehensive as it could be.
Product Description
Michael Guncheon is a contributing editor for PC Photo magazine and is author of "Helpline," one of the magazine's oldest and most popular columns. He has also written for Digital PhotoPro and Outdoor Photographer magazines. His resume includes a long list of professional assignments in video and film editing, which includes commercials, music videos, and documentaries. He has taught technical seminars and is a member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. This replacement for the ever-popular Rebel XT is destined like its forerunner to become one of the top-selling amateur category digital SLR cameras. Written by the author of the Magic Lantern Guide: Digital Rebel XT, this information-packed volume covers every feature! This Magic Lantern Guide has the answer to all their questions, because it explains in detail how to use all the wonderful enhancements: its ability to save large and fine resolution images direct to the CompactFlash Card, its user-selectable metering; and its single plate, high sensitivity, high resolution color CMOS imaging sensor technology, and the XTi's special feature
Customer Reviews:
Half a bargain.......2007-08-27
Good content but all pictures are black and white! What's the point for a photo book? Not as interesting and to the same level of the book written by C.Lowrie.
Best guide out there.......2007-07-03
Magic Lantern guides are all very good, but this one is better than most. I had a Canon XT and upgraded to an XTi (the next, slightly newer model). I also had the XT lantern guide so was hesitant to get the XTi version, thinking it might be a rehash.
While there were a few overlapping paragraphs, almost all of the content is entirely new and is specific to the XTi. There are things I can do with that camera that I didn't know existed. There are tips and tricks that make relatively complex tasks easier. I very highly recommend getting this book if you have the XTi. You'll be glad you did.
Magic Lantern Guides.......2007-06-28
I have two other Canon bodies and have Magice Lantern Guides for both of them. They are invaluable. The Guides go further than those provided by the manufacturers in explaining how the camera works and the various functions.
'The' Guide for Cannon EOS400D.......2007-06-03
Many years ago I purchased a 'Magic Lantern' guide for my then state-of-the-art Cannon EOS 35mm film camera, and was impressed. Hoping for the same sort of book-partner for my first digital camera - the Cannon EOS400D - I purchased the new 'Magic Lantern' guide, and was not disappointed...all the camera functions are explained in easy and simple language, from the basic right through to the advanced. I had the Cannon EOS400D, read the instruction manual - and still wondered what all the functions did ... this book answered all (yes, all) my questions.
great companion guide.......2007-05-30
this is a good book to reference when learning your new camera. Would have liked color pictures as examples to explain different things tho.
Product Description
Michael Guncheon is a contributing editor for PC Photo magazine and is author of "Helpline," one of the magazine's oldest and most popular columns. He has also written for Digital PhotoPro and Outdoor Photographer magazines. His resume includes a long list of professional assignments in video and film editing, which includes commercials, music videos, and documentaries. He has taught technical seminars and is a member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. Canon's digital camera is going to be hot, hot, hot! It's high quality, reasonably priced, lightweight, and constructed to feel comfortable in the hand. And the many avid amateurs snatching up this great equipment will want to understand how to get the most of every one of its state-of-the-art features, from its superb resolution to its super-fast speed. This Magic Lantern Guide has the answer to all their questions, because it explains in detail how to use all the wonderful enhancements: its ability to save large and fine resolution images direct to the CompactFlash Card, its user-selectable metering; and its single plate, high sensitivity, high resolution color CMOS imaging sensor technology. 5 x 7-1/2". b/w illus. throughout
Customer Reviews:
Must have for Rebel XT owners.......2007-07-13
If you want to learn all about your Rebel XT camera, this is the book to buy. If you are happy with the manual, then you may not need this book.
great camera manual.......2007-04-13
After reading some of the other reviews, I was hesitant to buy this book. I did anyway, and found it to be exactly what I was looking for - a book on how to use this camera to it's fullest. If this is what you're looking for, then buy this book.
Great book!.......2007-04-04
This is a must if you have the camera. Like I've read, the instruction manual is lacking.....especially if you're a novice. I plan to buy one for my daughter who just now bought the camera. It answers a lot of questions.
Must have for XT users.......2007-03-13
Good book that goes in depth a lot further than the factory manual that comes with all XT cameras. Gives lots of detail and a no brainer when you consider the lost cost versus high value. You'll always keep this one in your bag, trust me.
Canon Digital Rebel XT.......2007-03-11
I bought the camera and read through the manual, and found it informative, but then found this book which I feel is easier to use then the actual manual. It is the manual PLUS MUCH MORE. I no longer use the manual - I have this book. Highly recomended
Product Description
Peter K. Burian is a freelance photographer based in Toronto, Canada. His outdoor, travel nature and lifestyle photographs are used widely by editorial and advertising companies. He is the author of numerous photography books and isa frequent contributor to magazines, including Shutterbug and Photo Life. Find out more at www.peterkburian.com. A guide to what is expected to be a top-selling camera in 2007! The Sony A100 is the first digital single-lens-reflex camera from the manufacturer of the world's best-selling digital cameras. It has Super SteadyShot anti-shake image stabilization, and sports a 10 megapixel APS-C CCD with anti-dust sensor cleaning technology; a Minolta A lens mount;, and eyestart autofocus to name the more notable of many innovative features. 5" x 7-1/2". b/w illus. throughou
Customer Reviews:
Sony a100 for Dummys.......2007-08-13
A good reference for the camera. We plan to take it with us on our next vacation - just in case!
Good but not great.......2007-07-18
This is a good but not great book. It does have some good features. But, most of what it tells you, you can find in the manual.
DSLR-A100 Field Guide.......2007-06-06
Well worth the money. Excellent reference book for learning DSLR camera use.
Best alternative.......2007-05-22
Also bought the Sony DSLR-A100 Digital Field Guide but the Magic Lantern Guide was more complete and detailed in it's coverage.
Useful and comprehensive handbook.......2007-03-31
This is a comprehensive and easy to follow handbook explaining all the features of the Sony Alpha 100, including photographs, illustrations and diagrams. It covers from basics through to advanced features and settings and goes much further than the handbook that comes with the camera. It certainly helps the reader understand how to get the best out of this user friendly but sophisticated digital SLR. Highly recommended.
Book Description
Digital SLRs are the hottest cameras on the market, and Nikon’s interchangeable lens, D70, is one of the best, delivering superb image quality at an excellent price. Make the most of its many capabilities with this guide to all the fundamentals, plus information not even covered in the camera’s instruction manual. With the Magic Lantern at hand, photographers at all levels will find it extremely easy to master the exclusive selection of new features that distinguish this revolutionary model, and to work with digital technology. From handling the lenses to coordinating the camera with the computer, from taking a basic picture to understanding different file formats and resolution, it’s all here.
Customer Reviews:
Very good book.......2007-09-11
In spite of the several negative reviews I read here (mainly saying this book contains only that which is found in the product manual) I appreciated the subject matter being presented in a very consecutive and logical manner - so much better than the product manual. This little book IS worth buying.
Easy as Pie!.......2007-05-31
With this book even a person like me who had no knoledge about digital photography like me could take pictures like a pro. Very easy to follow.Best book I've ever bought.
Great Know-How Book.......2006-11-05
This book is a terrific guide to helping understand all the functions of the D70/D70s. The explanation is more understandable than the owner's manual. I think this is a must for all new users of the D70/D70s.
A complement to the manual.......2006-10-20
I purchased this book several weeks ago after getting my new Nikon D70s and I, personally, think it's a great complement to the camera's manual. Yes, it does cover many of the same topics as the manual (in fact, as I flip through it, I usually have the manual close by), but it's a bit easier to read and uses language that us amateurs (who are new to the DSLR world) would find very useful, epecially when trying to navigate the technical specs of the camera.
I probably wouldn't recommend this book to the veteran Nikon user (it may be a bit too redundant), but if the D70s is your first DSLR, I certainly think it's worth the money if you're serious about really understanding the D70s and what it can do.
Don't Waste Your Money!.......2006-09-22
This book has very little that a careful reading of the Nikon manual doesn't provide. Some very useful items about the D70 are hard to find - i.e. the index is incomplete. An example is the cabability to set the file number sequense. While there is a specific bold heading on the topic in the text, there is no index item. One has to dig through 25 pages of the "Set Up" index item to find it. Also, physically the book is inferior (that's being polite). After only 5 months of ownership, the book is literally falling apart because the publisher used an cheap/inferior binding process. I now have 4 groups of pages that have fallen from the binding. That makes it useless as a field manual.
Product Description
Nikon manufactures some of the most sophisticated accessory flash equipment found in today's marketplace, and the Magic Lantern Guide shows photographers exactly how to master the complex equipment and operating modes of the company's AF Speedlight Flash System. That's why it's destined to be the most often used reference on photographic flash technique. From advice on Multi-sensor balanced fill flash, bounce flash, rear-curtain sync to high-speed sync, or multiple flash set-ups, this manual explains everything. It comes complete with a course on the basics of flash handling, specialized flash technique, and a model-by-model review of using current flash gear with Nikon cameras. 5 x 7-1/2". b/w illus. throughout
Customer Reviews:
It's a good book.......2007-01-24
I like this book. Unlike most of the book in this series that mostly written for people who lost a manual this one goes far beyond manufactures manual. Even if you a not a Nikon flash users it contains some information that could be interested for anyone in flash photography.
Finally!.......2007-01-18
I have been looking for help with the Speedlight system for over a year - since first purchasing my SB-800. There only ones I found were out-of-print and obviously too outdated to matter anyway! If you think figuring out how to access all the power of one model is difficult, just imagine trying to cover all the models Nikon has produced since it introduced TTL. Add to that the fact that Nikon bodies change the available features. (The current digital bodies like D200 are covered as well). A daunting prospect for any author. So the good news is that I found the book very helpful and it clears up a lot of my confusion. The bad news is that you must sort thru a lot of info about Speedlight models and film bodies that you are unlikely to own.
SB-800 Guide.......2007-01-10
This book was WAY over my head. It was a struggle to understand and I did not finish but about half of it. If you are not an advanced lighting technician you should look for a more simple SB-800 guide. I wish I had known this before I purchased it. Nikon has a CD that I wish I had purchased instead. This book was too technical for me.
Throwing a Little Light on the Subject.......2006-11-20
Here's a book aimed at Nikon camera owners using the speedlights that make up the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS). Perhaps the most innovative function of this system is the ability to exercise a new degree of control in the use of multiple lights.
The book starts out providing some basic flash concepts and explaining Nikon's nomenclature (which is often confusing because of the similarity of terms over the years) for its different flash modes. The author follows with a discussion of flash techniques, including direct flash, bounce flash, and repeating flash. The most practical chapters tell you how to use a single speedlight to take pictures, and how to use multiple speedlights. Finally, there are descriptions of both the early digital speedlights, i.e., the SB 28DX and the SB-80DX and then the components of the CLS. There is an addendum on the D80 which has a built-in speedlight that works with the CLS, and which probably was necessitated by Nikon bringing that camera to market as the book was going to press.
The book is aimed purely at the technical side of using these speedlights and does not touch on the artistic use of the lights. This book probably was in response to the difficulty that some people had in understanding the manuals that come with Nikon products, and integrating the manuals from several different products. But this effort at integration creates its own brand of confusion. The author tries to tell you how to use the products with both film and digital cameras, but since the automatic features of the CLS have to be handled differently for film and digital cameras, the instructions are somewhat confusing. I suggest you go through the book with a magic marker and highlight the sections applicable to your type of camera (and if you shoot both film and digital, you'd better use both a yellow and a blue marker!)
Moreover, don't think you can skip over any of the material, because important information may just have a passing reference in an unusual place. It took me several readings to understand that I could not use my SB-28DX with a digital camera for multiple speedlight use. (That's not altogether true - it's possible to shoot in manual mode, but if you are going to do that, you lose all the advantages of modern speedlights. You're better off junking your old SB-28DX and getting a new CLS speedlight).
There are several pictures included in the book but they are of a rather pedestrian nature and add nothing to one's understanding of Nikon speedlights. Additionally, except for the cover there is no color printing in the book. Finally, for a system that has been on the market for a couple of years, this book looks like it was rushed to market with many typographical errors.
The Nikon CLS system offers unprecedented opportunities for photographers to use flash for better pictures. However, if you are looking for ideas on increasing your creativity, look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you are still having a problem with the technical side of your speedlight, like how to set your SB-800 to control the lighting balance of a second flash, this book will prove useful to you.
Expected better.......2006-11-11
I have Simon Stafford's "The new Nikon compendium" and use it all the time as reference. I purchased the current book before purchasing a Nikon R1 flash kit. While Mr. Stafford mentions the compatibility problems between various camera bodies and this kit, no mention is made (in the book) of the fact that you CANNOT use the R1-kit, or the SB-R200 flash system, with a stack of Nikon LENSES - they are incompatible - and serious damage may result, esp when using AF. Nikon says "the weight of this Speedlight when attached to the front of the lens will cause excess strain on the barrel and helicoid, affecting lens performance". Whilst thankfully I have not damaged my lens (found the fine print in the manual before using the kit), I would have liked Mr. Stafford to have done his research, and I would have liked to have been warned! I have spent a lot of money on the R1-kit after reading this book. Not happy.
Then I tried to refer to the book on how to use the Nikon D200 camera in commander mode with the new Nikon CLS speedligths. And while I could find the info on how to set up the SU-800 controller, I just could not find any info on how to set up the camera itself to act as a commander, when not using the SU-800 commander. My camera does not need the SU-800 commander, so I don't own one. So I ended up refering back to the Nikon camera manual to find out which menu item to set and how. Hmmm. Shouldn't this info be in the book? Easily accessible and indexed?
Anyone want to buy a slightly used book about the Nikon AF Flash system?
Average customer rating:
- An exellent introduction to magik!
- What every magician should have on hir shelf.
- Excellent Reference and Symbol Source
- All Somebody needs to start into occult!
- Incredible reference!
|
Magician's Companion: A Practical and Encyclopedic Guide to Magical and Religious Symbolism (Llewellyn's High Magick Series)
Bill Whitcomb
Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Psychology & Counseling
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
| Adolescent Psychology
| Applied Psychology
| By Topic
| Child Psychology
| Clinical Psychology
| Cognitive
| Counseling
| Creativity & Genius
| Developmental Psychology
| Education & Training
| Ethnopsychology
| Experimental Psychology
| Forensic Psychology
| General
| History
| Hypnosis
| Industrial Psychology
| Logotherapy
| Medicine & Psychology
| Mental Illness
| Movements
| Neuropsychology
| Occupational & Organizational
| Pathologies
| Personality
| Philosophy of Psychology
| Physical Illness & Psychiatry
| Physiological Aspects
| Psychiatry
| Psychoanalysis
| Psychobiology
| Psychopharmacology
| Psychosomatic Medicine
| Psychotherapy, TA & NLP
| Reference
| Research
| Sexuality
| Social Psychology & Interactions
| Statistics
| Suicide
| Testing & Measurement
General
| Encyclopedias
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Religion
| Encyclopedias
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Wicca
| Earth-Based Religions
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Witchcraft
| Earth-Based Religions
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Magic
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Parapsychology
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Alchemy
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Personal Transformation
| Spirituality
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Health Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Nonfiction Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Reference Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The New Encyclopedia of the Occult
-
Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts (Llewellyn's High Magick)
-
Three Books Of Occult Philosophy (Llewellyn's Sourcebook)
-
Middle Pillar: The Balance Between Mind & Magic: formerly The Middle Pillar
-
The New Hermetics: 21st Century Magick for Illumination and Power
ASIN: 0875428681 |
Amazon.com
This book is as voluminous as its title, and no matter what type of magic you practice, or even if you just study it, it is an indispensable book with a wealth of useful intelligence on all Eastern and Western forms of magic. Bill Whitcomb also graciously provides contact information for areas that are not covered. Any serious student of magic can appreciate the expense of research time, and this book will help minimize the research, thereby allowing more time for your workings. The Magician's Companion is going to be a well-worn volume on my shelf.
Customer Reviews:
An exellent introduction to magik!.......2007-05-13
An easy read, gives insight on several levels, both to practical magik, & to overall attitudes. I highlty reccomend this book, whether you choose to practice the Kabbalah, or go on to other types og magik!
What every magician should have on hir shelf........2006-08-13
I actually read through this entire book. It's mainly meant to be used as a resource guide, but in my personal opinion, anyone who wants to use it for that purpose should read through it once to get an idea of what Whitcomb covers. It is one of the most in-depth correspondance guides I've read. Whitcomb also offers coherent brief explanations on the various systems he writes about. Whether this book is for a beginner or an experienced it has something for everyone and should be one of the few books any magician is required to purchase.
Excellent Reference and Symbol Source.......2006-08-11
I loved this book because it is organized in such a neat way (numbers within systems) and because of the wealth of information it covers. The only disappointing thing is that it didn't go very deep into some of the systems I know I am interested in at least, such as runes or the ogham. However, it is undeniable that this is a necessary addition to the working magician's library, and shouldn't be missed!
All Somebody needs to start into occult!.......2006-04-27
This is like occult for dummies, the information is so well explained and placed. There is sooo much to read in this very thick book. I love how he recommends certain books to research in the certain occult fields. If there was a occult 101 class I would bet the book required would be this book!
Incredible reference!.......2006-02-14
This book is the best reference I have to correspondences. I am not sure about theory in this book, but there is so much information spanning so many traditions.
I would describe it as invaluable in applied work as long as you have a grip on ritual theory already.
Product Description
Packed with diagrams, instructions, and tips, Magic Lantern has become the world's most popular brand of camera guide. Sturdy and well-produced, with laminated covers for long life and sized for portability, they have a tradition of helping photographers make the most of their equipment. This newest entry is dedicated to the just-released Canon EOS 30D. Canon has added or improved the following features, all of which receive in-depth coverage in the superb Magic Lantern style: a new and larger 2.52, 230K pixel, 170s wide viewing angle LCD screen; an 8.2 megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor; and picture style image processing parameters. 5 X 7 1/2. b/w illus. throughout.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book for this Camera.......2007-09-16
I suggest you run out and get this immediately if you are brand new to these type of cameras. I was when I got it and it helped me a lot. I wanted to just read up on my camera and everything it can do, because I'm the kind of person who just likes knowing everything about something. I learned more than I expected to and the author is very down to Earth and easy to understand. He phrases things the way a normal, casual photographer will understand.
I realize that the book's not perfect if you're already knowledgeable about DSLRs and you probably will outgrow this book as you become more and more experienced with your camera, but this is a great jumping off point for someone who wants more than the manual, but who doesn't want a book on digital photography in general.
The book is thorough, enjoyable and educational.
Magic Lantern Reviews Confuse.......2007-08-25
Hi All:
I am not reviewing the book itself, but the reviews offered here about the book. The first review highlighting Rob Sheppard and Lightroom is Fantastic - giving top review and all other reviews afterwards give extremely poor reviews of same product. Very confusing so decided not to get Magic Lantern book.
The 30D manual is better and free.......2007-07-02
This book is a huge disappointment. Why are you thinking of spending $15 for a supplemental manual? If you're like me you want something that goes beyond the camera manual, a second resource that explains your new camera in more detail than the often abbreviated explanations in most manufacturer manuals. This book fails miserably.
First, the camera manual is much better organized. This guide wanders and meanders, the author repeats information and appears to be trying to pad the length of his guide to make it more impressive. He has two sections that repeat the same information about 30D file formats. He has three sections that repeat the same information about the LCD display, probably one of the simplest and most self explanatory parts of the camera. Other examples of redundancy abound throughout the book.
Second, the manual is actually more explicit than this book for many camera functions. In the section about histograms on the display the manual has an illustration, this book's author relies on pure verbal descriptions. In the section on manual focus he tells the reader to use the exposure meter system without any kind of illustration to explain what the meter is how it operates. The camera manual has a picture of the exposure meter and specific details about how it works.
Third, when the author does seem to be going beyond the manual he stays annoyingly vague. For example, when discussing the two types of tripod heads he only says they differ but doesn't say HOW they differ or what the advantages and disadvantages of each are. When talking about high speed flash synchronization he says that some flashes can operate with shutter speeds above the 1/250 second limit, but he doesn't explain how you can accomplish this.
Fourth, the book is full of unremarkable photos that poorly illustrate what the author is saying. Pictures of the camera lack any kind of pointers to specifically show what button or feature he is talking about. One picture illustrating fill flash doesn't show with and without comparisons to show the reader what fill flash can do. Some pictures simply don't have anything to do with the caption beneath it. One picture is supposed to illustrate the continuous 5 frame/sec shooting mode. But the picture is of an SUV driving down a dusty road...how does that illustrate the camera's feature? The printing resolution and detail is so poor that most of the pictures look amateurish or just bad.
Finally, in many instances the author simply rephrases information from the manual without adding anything new. He spends 8 pages detailing the custom functions available but each one is an almost literal copy of the manual, differing only in a few verbs or adjective used.
Don't buy this book. It won't provide you with any information that isn't in the manual and the information it does present is poorly organized.
Love Magic Lantern Guides!!!!.......2007-05-09
I have never been disappointed in a Magic Lantern Guides book!! This one, like the others, is chock full of information and very, very helpful!! There is no doubt in my mind, unless you know all there is to know
about cameras, you will love this handy, informative book!!! I use it often and love it!!!
wonderful .......2007-03-09
I Loved this. I don't have the camara yet as my husband got it for me.He has yet to return home. Just reading it has given alot of info.
Book Description
Word of Canon’s innovative, new EOS Digital Rebel (EOS 300 D outside North America) spread across the Internet and around the world like wildfire. With this Magic Lantern Guide-written by the editor of PC Photo magazine-every customer can take complete advantage of the features in this hot, popularly priced model. Users will find out all they need to know about the Digital Rebel’s 6-megapixel CMOS sensor to get good exposures in all kinds of lighting. They’ll learn about its RAW and JPEG file formats, and how to download pictures into the computer. From tips and techniques for using the camera’s many automated features to information on Canon’s extensive line of lenses, this guide covers it all.
Customer Reviews:
Photography Class Suggested Reading.......2006-03-20
Much more detailed than the book that came with the camera. Has helpful hints and is easier to understand. I took a photography class recently, and the instructor suggested I get this book to better understand my camera. He was right.
Close but no cigar..........2005-09-08
Far more accessibly presented than the actual product manual, but I was certainly left wanting more technical and procedural detail. You'll learn more and more easily than you would with the OEM manual alone: it also makes a good field guide because the index is direct and comprehensive, so it won't slow you down. The photos the author includes as creative examples are, for the most part, of little use and, more than occasionally, a bit weird.
Great guide.......2005-03-31
I disagree with some reviews on this site. This guide was much better than the instruction book that I got with the camera. Why dis a guide because it doesn't mention microdrives when most folks don't recommend them--they are fragile, produce heat, and with the price of memory dropping, not such a great buy. I found this guide helpful and I have owned several digital cameras.
shallow.......2005-02-11
I bought this book because the manual that comes with the camera is a bit cryptic. I was disappointed because I wanted lots more technical data but I did learn a few things I didn't know. For instance it doesn't even mention micro drives when are a good inexpensive to get lots of storage space but then I did learn about a special mode to use with photo shop. It's too basic for me but I would guess it's too advanced for beginners. Perhaps it's great for folks who are just starting to stretch their digital picture taking from point and shoot
The true manual for the EOS 300D / Rebel.......2005-01-07
The manual that accompanies the camera while showing you the basics of the unit does a poor job of telling you what can be done. This book is an essential first step to understanding how to use the advanced features (creative zones) of the 300D. I'd recommend that you look into books on composition, white balance, color and other photographic techniques in addition though to master the camera.
Books:
- Media Programming: Strategies and Practices
- No Limit Hold 'em: Theory and Practice
- Parenting With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition)
- Performing Russia: Folk Revival and Russian Identity (Basees/Routledgecurzon Series on Russian and East European Studies, 7)
- Photo by Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture
- Prince of Persia(R): Warrior Within Official Strategy Guide (Official Strategy Guides (Bradygames))
- Quilting News of Yesteryear: 1,000 Pieces and Counting
- Race Series Collection (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying, 3 Book Slipcased Set)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The SPIN Selling Fieldbook
- Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature
- Introducing Character Animation with Blender
- Hogarth to Cruikshank: Social Change in Graphic Satire
- Modern Ballroom Dancing: All the Steps You Need to Get You Dancing
- Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel
- Plant Pathology
- Simple Money Solutions: 10 Ways You Can Stop Feeling Overwhelmed by Money and Start Making It Work f
- Environmental Accounting: Current Issues, Abstracts and Bibliography
- Skills and Strategies for Coaching Soccer
A Short Course in Nikon D80 Photography book/ebook
Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide
Nikon D80 inBrief Camera Reference Card
Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Introduction to the Nikon D80 Digital SLR
