Datasheet

You may have already completed some of
the setup tasks. If you have, then you can
skim through the chapter and look for tips
that you may have missed in your initial
setup.
Formatting an SD/SDHC
card
The Rebel XSi/450D accepts SD and SDHC,
or Secure Digital High Capacity, media
cards.
Not all media cards are created equal, and
the type and speed of media that you use
affects the Rebel XSi/450D’s response
times, including the ability to write images
to the media card and to continue shooting
quickly, the speed at which images display
on the LCD, and how quickly you can zoom
images on the LCD.
The type of file format that you choose also
affects the speed of certain tasks. For exam-
ple, when writing images to the media card,
JPEG image files write to the card faster than
RAW or RAW + Large JPEG files. JPEG and
RAW file formats are discussed in detail later
in this chapter.
For performance results of vari-
ous media cards, visit Rob
Galbraith’s Web site at
www.robgalbraith.com.
As you take pictures, the LCD on the Rebel
XSi/450D shows the approximate number
of images that remain on the media card.
The number is approximate because each
image varies slightly, depending on the ISO
setting, the file format and resolution, the
Picture Style chosen on the camera, and the
image itself (different images compress
differently).
You insert the card into the card slot on the
camera, with the front of the card facing the
back of the camera. When you buy a new
card, always format it in the camera and
never on your computer. However, be sure
that you off-load all images to the computer
before you format the card because format-
ting erases images. Formatting a media card
in the camera also sets the data structure on
the card for the Rebel XSi/450D.
To format a card in the camera be sure that
you’ve downloaded all images to your com-
puter first, and then follow these steps:
1. Press the Menu button, and
then turn the Main dial to select
the Setup 1 (yellow) menu.
2. Press the down cross key to
select Format, and then press
the Set button. The Format screen
appears asking you to confirm that
you want to format the card and
lose all images on the card.
3. Press the right cross key to
select OK.
4. Press the Set button. The camera
formats the card, and then displays
the Setup 1 (yellow) menu. Lightly
press the Shutter button to return
to shooting.
It is generally a good idea to format media
cards every few weeks to keep them clean.
If you’ve used a media card in another cam-
era, be sure to format it in the XSi/450D to
ensure that proper data structure is set, and
to clean up the card.
Tip
14 Part I ✦ Using the Rebel XSi/450D
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