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Part I: Fast Track to Super Snaps
Adjusting the viewfinder to your eyesight is critical: If you don’t, scenes that
appear out of focus through the viewfinder may actually be sharply focused
through the lens, and vice versa.
Follow these steps to adjust your viewfinder:
1. Remove the lens cap from the front of the lens.
2. Look through the viewfinder, aim the lens at a plain surface (such as
a white wall), and concentrate on the focusing screen shown on the
right side of Figure 1-4.
The
focusing screen
is the collective name assigned to the group of nine
autofocus points that appears in the viewfinder — the little squares with
the dots inside. One of the little guys is labeled in Figure 1-4.
3. Rotate the dioptric adjustment knob until the autofocus points appear
to be in focus.
Don’t worry about focusing the actual picture now; just pay attention to
the sharpness of the autofocus points.
If your eyesight is such that you can’t get the autofocus points to appear
sharp by using the dioptric adjustment knob, you can buy an additional eye-
piece adapter
.
This accessory, which you pop onto the eyepiece, enables
further adjustment of the viewfinder display. Prices range from about $15–
$30 depending on the magnification you need. Look for an E-series dioptric
adjustment lens adapter
.
Using the LCD Monitor
One of the many great features of the T3/1100D is the LCD monitor on the
back of the camera. As shown in in Figure 1-5, the monitor serves as a multi-
function display and control device. Use it to navigate the camera’s extensive
menu system, review shooting information, control camera settings, as a
viewfinder in Live View and Movie modes, to check camera settings, to watch
photo and movie playback, and to perform rudimentary photo and movie
edits. Sheesh, that’s a lot!
Because of its importance, we want to offer a few monitor-related tips:
✓
Protect it.
Although the monitor is reasonably sturdy, treat it with
care and respect. Don’t set the camera down on the monitor with the
lens pointing up into the air, You could scratch or break the monitor.
Instead, always set the camera down on its bottom — the part with the
battery door. Along these lines, be careful what you put in a camera bag
with your camera. Keys, pens, and other objects can rub against and
scratch the monitor.
In effect, treat the monitor as you would any camera lens.
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