The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS/1000D Companion

Body Parts

As you work through the rest of this book, you will become well-versed in all of the XS's controls. Let's take a quick look at the different interface elements on the XS so that you understand what controls I'm referring to as you work through the rest of the book.

Camera Top

You should already be familiar with the power switch and Mode dial on the top of the camera. We'll be exploring all of the mode options throughout the rest of the book.

Figure 2-3. On the top of the camera you'll find several essential shooting controls.

• If you've been shooting, then you also already know where the shutter button is and understand that it has two positions, a half-press position for focusing and a full press for taking a shot.

• Just behind the shutter button is a Control Wheel. You'll use this for changing parameters such as aperture and shutter speed.

• Behind the Control Wheel is the ISO button, which is used for setting the ISO speed of the camera. You'll learn about this in Chapter 6.

• Finally, just above the viewfinder is a hotshoe for mounting an external flash unit.

Camera Front

The front of the XS has minimal controls, but the few buttons that are there are ones you'll use often.

Figure 2-4. The front of the camera has a few simple but important controls.

• The Flash button pops up the camera's ...