Chapter 1: Exploring the Canon EOS Rebel T5i/700D
The Canon Rebel T5i/700D has many buttons and dials, and it’s important that you take the time to review each control and option at least once. You may not need them all now, but as you become more familiar with your camera, it helps to know what options are available. In this chapter, I cover each side of the camera to help you understand the standard controls, as well as the viewfinder, LCD screen, and display options. I also review the camera exposure modes, where the tripod and connection sockets are, and how to use the dioptric adjustment dial. Once you understand the camera’s controls, you can focus on taking photos.
Make sure you understand the function of each of the buttons on your camera.
The Top of the Camera
The top of the camera houses the power switch, exposure modes, Main dial (
), and the ISO (
) and shutter buttons. All of these play an integral role in creating photographs.
1.1 The top of the Canon EOS Rebel T5i/700D.
The following list explains what each switch and button does:
• ISO button ( ). The ISO setting represents the camera’s sensitivity to light. Your camera has a range of ISO 100 to ISO 12800. You also have the option of H, which if engaged increases the camera light sensitivity to ISO 25600. To turn this option on, use the Custom Function 2 ISO expansion.
• Shutter button. This button triggers the camera to take a photograph. Pressing the button halfway activates the focusing and exposure system. To view the shutter speed and aperture, look through the viewfinder. When using slower shutter speeds, press the shutter button slowly to avoid camera shake.
• Main dial ( ). Use this to move through different menus and options on your camera. For example, if you press the Menu button (
) and turn the Main dial (
) either left or right, you scroll across the menu screen. If you select Shutter-priority AE mode (
), you use the Main dial (
) to increase and decrease your shutter speed.
• Power switch. You have three options on the power switch: On, Off, and Movie (
). On is for photographing still images; Movie (
) is for creating videos.
• Mode dial. This dial houses the 12 exposure modes. The white line next to the Mode dial tells you which option is in use. Unlike previous models, the dial rotates 360 degrees to make it easier to change modes. There are also three additional options located under the S...