Shutter Button, Pressing halfway, Pressing completely | Canon 550D

Basic Operation

Shutter Button

The shutter button has two steps. You can press the shutter button halfway. Then you can further press the shutter button completely.

Pressing halfway

This activates autofocusing and automatic exposure metering that sets the shutter speed and aperture.

The exposure setting (shutter speed and aperture) is displayed in the viewfinder (0).

Pressing completely

This releases the shutter and takes the picture.

Preventing Camera Shake

Hand-held camera movement during the moment of exposure is called camera shake. It can cause blurred pictures. To prevent camera shake, note the following:

•Hold and steady the camera as shown on the previous page.

•Press the shutter button halfway to autofocus, then slowly press the shutter button completely.

If you press the shutter button completely without pressing it halfway first or if you press the shutter button halfway and then press it completely immediately, the camera will take a moment before it takes the picture. Even during the menu display, image playback, and image recording, you can instantly go back to shooting-ready by pressing the shutter button halfway.

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Image 37

Canon 550D Shutter Button, Pressing halfway, Pressing completely, This releases the shutter and takes the picture

Contents

English Introduction Testing the Camera Before Use and LiabilityTake Test Shots to Familiarize Yourself with the Camera Copyrights Camera Item Check ListWith eyecup and body cap Interface cable Icons in this Manual Conventions Used in this ManualBasic Assumptions Chapters Contents Advanced Shooting Creative Shooting Shooting Movies Handy FeaturesImage Playback Customizing the Camera 189 Printing Images 175Reference 201 243 Contents at a Glance Playback FocusingPrinting Camera Care Handling Precautions Cards LCD MonitorLens About smear adhering to the front of the sensor Set the power switch to Insert the battery. p.26Quick Start Guide Red index Attach the lens. p.33 Auto. p.46 Set the Mode Dial to 1 FullFocus the subject. p.37 Take the picture. p.37 Contacts p.13 Nomenclature Nomenclature Large/Fine Shooting Settings Display Focus confirmation light Max. burst Viewfinder Information Creative Zone Mode DialBasic Zone Full Auto p.46 Creative Auto p.55 Image Zone Lens with a distance scale Lens without a distance scale Charger for Battery Pack LP-E8 p.24 Battery Charger LC-E8Battery Charger LC-E8E Attaching the Strap Getting Started Remove the protective cover Attach the battery Charging the BatteryRecharge the battery. For LC-E8 As shown in the illustration, attach the battery securely Tips for Using the Battery and Charger Installing and Removing the Battery About the Automatic Self-Cleaning Sensor Turning on the PowerAbout Auto Power Off Battery Life Checking the Battery LevelTemperature At 23C / 73F At 0C / 32F Exit the setting 3Setting the Date and TimeDisplay the menu Under the 6 tab, select Date/ Time Under the 6 tab, select LanguageK 3Selecting the Interface LanguageSet the desired language Installing the Card Open the cover Installing and Removing the SD CardInsert the card Captured images are recorded onto the card sold separately Removing the Card Make sure the access lamp is off, then open the coverRemove the card Attaching and Detaching a Lens To zoom, turn the zoom ring on the lens with your fingers About ZoomingImage Conversion Factor About the Lens Image Stabilizer Set the is switch toPress the shutter button halfway Take the picture Holding the Camera Basic Operation Pressing halfway Shutter ButtonPressing completely This releases the shutter and takes the picture Set the desired setting QUsing the Quick Control ScreenDisplay the Quick Control screen Quick Control Screen Nomenclature Function Setting Display 3Menu Operations Movie shooting modeMenu Screen Basic Zone modes Select the setting Menu Setting Procedure Display the menuSelect a tab Select the desired item Select Format 3Formatting the CardFormat the card Under the 5 tab, select Format, then press Execute Format in the following cases Shooting Settings Switching the LCD Monitor DisplayMenu Functions Captured Image About the Auto Lighting Optimizer Basic Shooting Image Playback 1Fully Automatic Shooting Set the Mode Dial toAim any AF point over Subject Although it is daylight, the flash popped up FAQ Recomposing the Shot 1Full Auto TechniquesShooting a Moving Subject Shooting Tips 7Disabling FlashTaking portraits without flash Use a telephoto lens 2Shooting PortraitsFocus the face Check that the AF point covering the face flashes in red With a zoom lens, use the wide-angle end 3Shooting LandscapesShooting night scenes Use a simple background 4Shooting Close-upsSimple background makes the flower, etc., stand out better Move to the subject as close as possible Use the center AF point to focus 5Shooting Moving Subjects Use a wide-angle lens and a tripod 6Shooting Portraits at Night CCreative Auto Shooting Set the Mode Dial to CPress the Q button Creative Auto screen appears on the LCD monitor Flash firing Adjusting the picture brightnessBlurring/sharpening the background Image effects Single, continuous, and self-timer shootingImage-recording quality Playback the image XImage PlaybackSelect the image Creative Shooting Program AE Set the Mode Dial to d Focus the subjectCheck the shutter speed and aperture display Compose the shot and press the shutter button completely Program can be shifted. Program shift Change the ISO speed or use the built-in flashDifferences Between d and 1 Full Auto Press the Z button Changing the ISO SpeedNSet the ISO speed ISO Speed Guide Shooting Mode ISO Speed Setting 3 /4 /5 /6 /C 3Setting the Maximum ISO Speed for Auto IsonAbout Auto for Automatic ISO Speed Press the D button DUsing the Built-in FlashEffective Flash Range ISO Speed If the subject is far away, increase the ISO speed 3Using Red-eye ReductionBy increasing the ISO speed, you can extend the flash range Bright light, decrease the ISO speed Select the AF mode On the lens, set the focus mode switch to AFChanging the AF ModeN One-Shot AF for Still Subjects AI Servo AF for Moving Subjects AI Focus AF for Automatic Switching of AF Mode Press the S button SSelecting the AF PointNSelect the AF point Set the lens focus mode switch to MF Manual FocusingFocus by turning the lens focusing Ring until the subject looks sharp Press the YiQ button Select IContinuous ShootingNPress the U key to select i, then press For still subjects Press the YiQ button Select the self-timer Using the Self-timer10-sec. self-timer Remote control can also be used. p.204 Guide to Image-recording Quality Settings Approx 3Setting the Image-recording QualitySelect Quality Select the image-recording quality What’s the difference between 7 and 8? When should I use 1?Does the camera display the maximum burst? Paper size About 1+73 About Press the XA button ASelecting a Picture StyleNSelect a Picture Style Picture Style Effects Faithful NeutralUser Def CAbout the Main Dial Pointer Advanced Shooting Action Shots Set the Mode Dial to s Set the desired shutter speedShutter Speed Display How to blur a flowing river or water fountain Using the Built-in FlashTo freeze the action or moving subject Use a fast shutter speed such as 1/4000 sec. to 1/500 sec Changing the Depth of Field Set the Mode Dial to f Set the desired apertureAperture Display Changing the Depth of Field Depth of Field PreviewN Manual Exposure Set the Mode Dial to a Set the shutter speed and apertureSet the exposure and take the picture Bulb Exposures Automatic Depth-of-Field AE Set the Mode Dial to Focus the subject Set the metering mode Select Metering modeQChanging the Metering ModeN OSetting Exposure Compensation Setting Exposure CompensationNMaking it brighter Making it darker Select y YFlash Exposure CompensationNSet the flash exposure compensation amount Select Expo. comp./AEB 3Auto Exposure BracketingNSet the AEB amount Using AEB with continuous shooting Canceling AEBUsing AEB with u single shooting Using AEB with exposure compensation Select Picture Style ACustomizing a Picture StyleNSelect a parameter Set the parameter Sharpness Adjusts the sharpness of the image Parameter Settings and EffectsSaturation Image’s color saturation can be adjusted Color tone Skin tones can be adjusted KFilter Effect Monochrome AdjustmentLToning Effect Select User Def ARegistering a Picture StyleNPress Select the base Picture Style Registering a Picture StyleN Select Color space 3Setting the Color SpaceNAbout Adobe RGB Press the a button AAE LockNRecompose and take the picture AE Lock Effects Press the D button to pop-up the built-in flash AFE LockNFocus the subject Press the a button Press the WB button Setting the White BalanceNSelect the white balance OCustom White Balance 100 White Balance Correction Select WB Shift/BKT 2White Balance CorrectionNSet the white balance correction 101 Set the white balance bracketing amount White Balance Auto Bracketing102 Bracketing Sequence 3Auto Lighting OptimizerN Set the correction settingSelect Auto Lighting Optimizer 103 Select Peripheral illumin. correct 3Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction104 Under the 1 tab, select 105 About the Lens Correction Data Focus the subject, press the shutter button completely Preventing Camera ShakeNPress the shutter button completely again 106 107 Shooting with the LCD Monitor Live View Shooting Display the Live View image AShooting with the LCD Monitor108 Temperature Shooting Conditions To Enable Live View Shooting109 110 About the Information Display QQuick Control Shooting Function Settings111 112 3Menu Function Settings Selecting the AF Mode Using AF to FocusLive Mode d Move the AF point 114 UFace detection Live Mode c 115 116 Live Mode and uFace Detection Live Mode NotesAF operation 117 Select the AF point. N Quick Mode f118 119 Set the lens focus mode switch to MF Focusing ManuallyFocus manually 120 About the E icon 121 Custom Function Notes 122 Cards which can record movies 123About Full HD KShooting Movies Autoexposure Shooting Set the Mode Dial to kShooting the movie 124 125 126 127 Manual Exposure Shooting 128 Focus and shoot the movie 129 Shooting Still PhotosTaking still photos during movie shooting 130 3Menu Function Settings Display the movie menuMenu options under the n and o tabs are explained below Menu Movie-recording size 131Mainly for motion pictures AF during k 132 133 Menu Movie exposure 134Sound recording KHighlight tone priority 2Shooting 2 Menu 135Recording and Image Quality Playback and TV connection 136 137 Handy Features 3Setting the Image Review Time Handy Features3Silencing the Beeper 3Card Reminder 3Adjusting the LCD Monitor Brightness Setting the Auto Power-off Time139 140 3File Numbering MethodsIMG0001.JPG File numbering after replacing the card Card-1Card-2 141 142 3Auto Rotation of Vertical ImagesSet OnPD, then playback the image. It will be rotated Settings Display BChecking Camera Settings143 Select Clear settings 3Reverting the Camera to the Default SettingsNSelect the desired setting Select OK Image-recording Settings Shooting SettingsCamera Settings Live View Shooting Settings 3Preventing the LCD Monitor from Turning off Automatically 3Changing the Shooting Settings Screen ColorSelect LCD auto off Select Screen color Normally, set this to Enable 3Setting the FlashNSelect Flash control Flash firing 148 Flash modeShutter sync Select External flash C.Fn setting, then press Clear flash settingsSet the Custom Function 149 Cleaning the Sensor Now FAutomatic Sensor CleaningSelect Clean nowf Disabling Automatic Sensor Cleaning Preparation 3Appending Dust Delete DataNObtain the Dust Delete Data Select Dust Delete Data 151 152 About the Dust Delete DataSelect OK, and the menu will reappear Select Sensor cleaning 3Manual Sensor CleaningNSelect Clean manually End the cleaning 154 About images taken with another camera 155 XSearching for Images Quickly Switch to the index displayHDisplay Multiple Images on One Screen Index display 156 Select the jump method IJump through Images Jump displayBrowse by jumping 157 Magnify the image YMagnified ViewScroll around the image 158 Select Rotate BRotating the ImageRotate the image 159 Playback on a TV set p.167 KEnjoying MoviesPlayback on the Camera’s LCD Monitorp.162-166 160 161 Playback and Editing with a Personal Computer Select a movie KPlaying MoviesPlayback the movie 162 163 On the movie playback screen, select XEditing the Movie’s First and Last ScenesSave the movie 164 Select Slide show 3Slide Show Auto Playback165 Under the 3 tab, select Slide show, then press Quit the slide show Start the slide show166 Display time Viewing the Images on TV Set the camera’s power switch toViewing on HD High-Definition TV Sets Press the x button Select Ctrl over Hdmi For Hdmi CEC TV sets168 169 Set the camera’s power switch to Select Protect images KProtecting ImagesSelect the image and protect it 170 Erase the image LErasing Images3Checkmarking X Images to be Erased in a Batch Select Erase images 172 3Erasing All Images in the Card 173 BShooting Information DisplayAbout the Highlight Alert About the Histogram 174Brightness Display RGB Display Printing p.176 175Digital Print Order Format Dpof p.185 Preparing to Print Direct printing procedure is done entirely with the camera176 While you look at the LCD monitor Press the x button 177Icon will appear on the upper left to To a printer Print setting screen will appear Select Paper settingsPrint setting screen WPrinting YSetting the Paper Type QSetting the Paper SizeUSetting the Page Layout 179 Set the printing effects What is displayed on the screen180 Start printing Set the date and file number imprinting181 Select Print, then press 182 EAdjustment of Printing Effects Set the trimming frame size, position, and aspect ratio Trimming the ImagePress 0 to exit the trimming 183 184 Handling Printer Errors Error Messages Select Set up Setting the Printing Options Select Print orderDigital Print Order Format Dpof Set the option as desired Press the 7 button 186 187 Print Ordering Direct Printing with Dpof Set the Paper settings. p.178Prepare to print Under the 3 tab, select Print order Select Print Customizing Camera Change the setting as desired 3Setting Custom FunctionsNSelect Custom Functions C.Fn Select the Custom Function No 191 Custom Functions Fn I Exposure 3Custom Function SettingsN192 Fn II Image Standard Low Strong Disable193 Off Auto 194 Fn III Autofocus/Drive 195 Fn IV Operation/OthersAF/AE lock AE lock/AF AF/AF lock, no AE lock 196 Fn-12 Add image verification data 197 About My Menu settings Select My Menu settings3Registering My MenuN Select Register to My Menu Select Copyright information 3Setting Copyright InformationNSelect the desired option Enter text 200 Text Entry Procedure Reference Subjects difficult to focus When Autofocus Fails202 Connect the power cord Using a Household Power OutletConnect the DC Coupler Insert the DC Coupler Remote Controller RC-6 Sold separately Remote Control Shooting204 Using the Eyepiece Cover Remote Switch RS-60E3 Sold separatelyRemove the eyecup Attach the eyepiece cover EOS-dedicated, EX-series Speedlites External Speedlites206 Canon Speedlites other than the EX-series Using Non-Canon Flash Units207 Sync Speed Insert an Eye-Fi card. p.31 Select Eye-Fi settings Using Eye-Fi CardsDisplay the connection information 208 209 Icon switches from gray NotPicture is transferred Connected to the icons below 210 Function Availability Table according to Shooting Modes Function Availability Table according to Shooting Modes 211 212 Menu Settings1Shooting 1 Red 2Shooting 2 Red YShooting 3 Red 2133Playback 1 Blue 4Playback 2 Blue 6Set-up 2 Yellow 2147Set-up 3 Yellow 9My Menu Green About the menu screen in movie shooting mode Movie Shooting Mode Menu215 NMovie 1 Red System Map AccessoriesBundled 216 System Map 217 Battery charger’s lamp blinks Troubleshooting Guide218 219 Battery becomes exhausted quicklyCamera turns off by itself No images can be shot nor recorded Card cannot be used 220Maximum burst during continuous shooting is lower ISO 100 cannot be set 221 222 223 Eye-Fi Settings menu item does not appearShooting date and time displayed is incorrect No image appears on the TV screen 224 Error Codes 225 Specifications Viewfinder 226Autofocus Exposure Control Shutter 227Flash Drive System Movie Shooting 228LCD Monitor 229 Power SourceImage Playback Interface 230 EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 is 231EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is 232 Use of genuine Canon accessories is recommendedTrademarks About MPEG-4 Licensing 233 Safety Warnings Preventing Injury or Equipment Damage 234 European Union and EEA only 235 236 237 Index 238 Hdmi CEC 239 240 241 242 243 Quick Reference Guide Menu items Menu settings Movie Shooting ModeQuick Reference Guide 244 245 Quick Control Screen PStandard 246QPortrait RLandscape 247 Nomenclature Indicator Aperture Shutter speed ISO speed Shooting mode248 Spot metering Press the D button to pop up the built-in flash, then shoot 249 250 Set the Mode Dial to s 251 AF ModeN Q and q drive modes can be selected in all shooting modes 252 253 Battery Life with Live View Shooting 254 Shooting Movies Index Magnify Select image LErase 255BShooting information Software Start Guide 257 Installing the SoftwareCheck that the camera is not connected to your computer Click Restart Click Finish 258Compatible OS MAC OS X 10.4 Open the CD Double-click on the CD icon 259 CEL-SP4EA210