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Explore you camera’s features
Techniques
24 October 2007 12:16
Just when you think you’ve exhausted the creative possibilities of your DSLR, there’s always another technical marvel waiting to assist you in your quest for brilliant pictures. Want to order prints straight from your camera? No problem. Fancy viewing your pictures on a TV screen? Easy. Here are some of the options on offer…
• Light up the LCD panel
At dusk it can be difficult to see your LCD panel to establish whether the camera’s set to f/16 or f/22. The solution? If you’re not carrying a torch, hit the LCD panel illumination button. DSLRs with separate LCD screens for exposure info usually offer this facility – generally a specific button. Once pressed the light will stay on for a few seconds and turn itself off as soon as you press the shutter.
• Change the info displays
High-end DSLRs such as the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and Nikon D2x allow you to customise which information is displayed in the viewfinder, top and rear LCD panels. Options generally include displaying the number of shots taken and the ISO speed. These options can be found in your DSLR’s Custom Functions menu.
• Watch your images on telly
Did you know you can review your DSLR images on TV? First, make sure your camera is set to the correct video format – select Video System from the set-up menu and choose either PAL or NTSC. Then use the video cable to connect the camera’s Video Out socket to your TV’s Video In terminal (while the camera and TV are switched off). Now simply switch your TV on, set its input to Video In/AV, turn your camera on and enjoy.
• Get prints direct from the camera
DSLRs that are either DPOF or PictBridge-enabled allow you to bypass PCs altogether when printing images. DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) allows you to choose which images are to be printed and how many prints you want. This info can then be saved to a CompactFlash card, which can then be inserted into a printer’s CF slot or taken to a lab for instant prints. You can also connect your DSLR directly to a DPOF-compatible printer. Or, connect a PictBridge-enabled camera to a PictBridge-enabled printer and print one or more images, print using the DPOF info and print index prints.
• Change your mind
Custom functions can be found on even the most basic DSLRs. But if you’ve experimented and can’t remember the default settings, fear not. Scroll through the menu and select the Clear Custom Functions or Menu Reset option.