Cards Readers and Batteries
MEMORY CARDS
The Digic III processor in the Rebel XSi/450 supports both Secure Digital (SD) and Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory card formats. Memory cards are priced based on their data transfer speed (DTS). Cards with a Class 2 rating are guaranteed to sustain a DTS of 2 megabytes/second, whereas Class 4 and Class 6 cards sustain rates of 4 and 6 megabytes/ second, respectively.
The DTS numbers for the Digic III are not available from Canon. Suffice it to say that it's very fast. I made a simple and totally unscientific test to determine how inexpensive SD cards compare to their faster, more expensive brethren just to see what would happen. The inexpensive card was a free 2 GB giveaway from a local office supply store, whereas the other was a 2-GB SanDisk Extreme III card that reads/writes at a minimum DTS of 20 MB/second.
I set my Rebel to Continuous Shooting and began firing. The free card was slow enough that the buffer filled after 40 frames and then required approximately 20 more seconds to write the remaining images to the card. The SanDisk card was not able to overpower the buffer, registering more than 100 continuous frames before I stopped shooting. The camera needed less than a second to write remaining buffer data.
What does this mean to you? First, any card will work perfectly well for basic, snapshot applications. There's no need to spend a lot of money (and you can certainly get great results with a freebie). However, if you plan on shooting sports or any subjects that require continuous shooting, spending more for a better card is a good idea.
CARD CARE
Unlike earlier Rebels, your XSi/450 uses the newer Secure Data (SD) cards. It may be hard to believe that something so small can hold as much data as it does, but it's actually a precision instrument manufactured to exacting tolerances that can give you years of flawless performance when treated with tenderness, love, and respect.
Notice that there's a lock slider in the upper left corner. Use this whenever you have stored information that you do not wish to overwrite, even accidentally. When the lock is engaged, the data may not be added to or downloaded.
To get the highest level of performance, here are some recommendations for card care:
• Avoid dropping the card. Even tossing it casually onto your desk can damage it.
• Avoid strong vibrations.
• Don't use or store the card in strong magnetic fields. You could lose data.
• Leaving the card in strong sunlight or heat could warp it.
• If you spill liquid on it or drop it into water, clean it carefully with a damp cloth and let it dry completely before trying to retrieve your data. You may get lucky (and probably will—personal experience).
• Store the cards in their cases to keep dirt off the contact points.
• Don't flex or bend the card or keep it in your pocket. It's not a lucky charm.
• Hot, dusty, or humid conditions are bad but hard to avoid. Keep the card as protected as possible.
CARD READERS
Although you can tether your camera to your computer and download using Canon's software (explained elsewhere), many people prefer to use a card reader. Most efficient card readers are either USB-2 or Firewire devices and are inexpensive.
If you also work with a camera that uses the CF card format, memory stick, or some other format, there are readers on the market that are equipped to read all cards. They are also inexpensive. Bear in mind when downloading that a high-speed card reader will not make a slow card any faster. Cards can only read and write at their stated transfer speeds.
BATTERIES
The XSi/450 takes advantage of ongoing power supply research and uses the new LP-E5 Li-ion battery pack. About the same weight as previous batteries, this new item will give you approximately 20% more exposures per charge than its predecessor while still maintaining a rapid recharge time.
This Rebel no longer requires a separate date/time battery. Instead, a small and inaccessible rechargeable battery inside the body draws a tiny amount of power from the LP-E5 to sustain itself. Bear in mind that if the LP-E5 is stored outside the camera for too long, you may have to reset the Date/Time Function when you replace the battery.
The battery charger that's supplied with the camera is compatible with any country's AC power between 100 to 240 volts and 50 to 60 Hz. You may have to purchase a commercially available adapter for other countries.
If you are worried about depleting the battery but have access to AC power, you can purchase the AC Adapter Kit (ACK-E5) and run the camera indefinitely off household current. Canon warns you not to connect or disconnect the power when the camera is turned on.
BATTERY CARE
• Even if you recharged the battery after using it the last time, plug it in and top it off before using the camera. A small amount of electricity will be continuously discharged whenever the battery is in the camera.
• Canon recommends you remove the battery when not using the camera. This could be problematic if you consistently leave it out too long and have to reset the Date/Time Function every time you get ready to shoot. Unfortunately, there are no data as to what "too long" actually is.
• Keep the battery covered when not in use. Dirt in the contacts can affect battery performance.
• Like everything else, batteries have a finite life. When yours no longer holds a charge or doesn't perform like it used to, it's time to replace it.
CAMERA MAINTENANCE
Your Rebel is a precision instrument, and dirt is its nemesis. Use an air bladder to gently blow off dust from all surfaces, but pay particular attention to areas around the lens mount, as this is where dust will enter the mirror and sensor assembly. Stubborn grit on the camera surface can be removed with a soft brush followed by the air bladder (never use a brush on the sensor). Clean the camera with a lens attached to maintain a seal against outside elements. Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the lens and viewfinder. For the LCD, spray a small amount of glass cleaner onto a clean soft cloth or microfiber cloth. Never spray directly onto the LCD or any other part of the camera. Wipe off any fingerprints.
See Menus>Setup Menu 2>Sensor Cleaning for detailed instructions on how to properly clean the image sensor.
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