Canon EOS Rebel T8i/850D For Dummies. Julie Adair King

Information: Using this option, explained in Chapter 11, you can embed copyright information in your files.

       Manual/software URL: Canon provides a printed camera manual in the T8i/850D shipping box. But the print version doesn’t tell you the whole story about the camera. If you want the full manual, you can download it in an electronic format (PDF, to be specific) and then read it on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.To make finding the download site easy, choosing this menu option displays a QR code (Quick Response code). If your smartphone or tablet has an app that can read these codes, you simply aim the device’s camera at the code to display the download site’s web address (URL, or Universal Resource Locator). The site also provides access to the Canon software that’s available for free download to purchasers of the camera.

       Certification Logo Display: You have permission to ignore this screen, which simply displays logos for a couple electronics-industry certifications claimed by the camera. You can find additional logos on the bottom of the camera.

       Firmware: This item tells you the version number of the camera firmware (internal operating software). At the time of publication, the current firmware version was 1.0.0. Keeping your camera firmware up-to-date is important, so visit the Canon website (www.canon.com) regularly to find out whether your camera sports the latest version. Follow the instructions given on the website to download and install updated firmware if needed.

      A few other critical menu options before you go

      Before moving on to other parts of the book, I suggest that you also consider a few final options not found on the Setup menus:

        Network menu 1, Airplane mode: By default, all of the camera’s wireless connection functions are enabled. My theory is that Canon wanted the wireless functions on from the get-go to make it easier for new users to share photos online. Problem is, all that connectivity stuff eats battery power. So I suggest that you turn it off until you need it. The easiest method is to enable Airplane mode, as shown on the left in Figure 1-39. It works just like the Airplane mode on your smartphone or tablet, disabling all wireless signals. When it’s enabled, you see an airplane symbol on the Quick Control screen, as shown on the right in the figure.FIGURE 1-39: Enabling Airplane mode saves battery power by shutting down wireless signals.

       Network menu 1, GPS Device Settings: If your work or hobby requires you to tag your images or movies with GPS coordinates, investigate this Network Menu 1 option before you start shooting. You can add geotagging data by attaching the optional Canon GPS Receiver GP-E2 or by connecting the camera to a smartphone via the Canon Camera Connect app, which I cover in the appendix to this book. Unfortunately, for the latter connection to work, you have to enable Bluetooth, which means you have to disable Airplane mode. You can still save a little battery power by manually disabling the camera’s Wi-Fi signal via the Wi-Fi Settings option on Network Menu 1.

       Shooting menu 1, Release Shutter without Card: By default, this option is turned on, allowing you to take pictures even when there’s no memory card in the camera. Well, actually, you can take a picture; you just can’t view it or download it because it isn’t stored anywhere. It’s a dangerous setting to leave on, and I can’t for the life of me understand why Canon would make it the default setting. You do you, as the kids say, but when I do me, I turn that sucker off and never look back. Figure 1-40 shows the option turned off.

      FIGURE 1-40: Turn this feature off so that you can’t accidentally take pictures without a memory card installed.