The full list of available PDF documents is as follows:

1. Digital Photo Professional 3.3 for Macintosh Instruction Manual (EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi/EOS 450D)
2. Picture Style Editor 1.2 for Windows Instruction Manual
3. ImageBrowser 6.1 for Macintosh Instruction Manual
4. Digital Photo Professional 3.3 for Windows Instruction Manual (EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi/EOS 450D)
5. EOS Utility 2.3 for Macintosh Instruction Manual (EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi/EOS 450D)
6. CD-ROM Guide (EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi/EOS 450D)
7. EOS Utility 2.3 for Windows Instruction Manual (EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi/EOS 450D)
8. Picture Style Editor 1.2 for Macintosh Instruction Manual
9. EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi/EOS 450D Instruction Manual

Follow these steps to access the files.

Step 1

Go to the official XSi / 450D page.

Step 2

Click on the Drivers and Downloads tab. Or, go directly to the Drivers and Downloads tab.

Step 3

Click the red link of your desired download. For instance, the link for the 13.29 MB EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi/EOS 450D Instruction Manual is right at the end of the list as I write this.

Use it with the mirror lock-up function

We use the mirror lockup facility on the camera whenever we want the sharpest photo possible. Mounting the camera on the tripod is the first step for getting sharp pictures.

However, when shutter speeds are low, say less than 1/30 seconds, and you’re zoomed all the way in with a long telephoto fixed or zoom lens, say at 200mm, vibrations from the mirror slap that occurs every time you press the shutter button all the way will result in a slightly blurred photo. You get this result in spite of the camera already being mounted on a sturdy tripod.

What needs to be done here is to activate the custom function on the XSi / 450D to enable the shutter to open 2 seconds after the mirror flips up. When the shutter opens, the photo is taken.

Typically, one presses the shutter button to initiate the timer countdown. If you want your camera to be totally isolated from contact with your finger, getting the shutter released via remote is the best way.

You can’t, won’t or don’t want to stand near the camera

I can think of a couple of scenarios.

One, you want to take a group photo and want to include yourself in the picture. Without a remote, you would start the self-timer countdown on the camera and then run to the group to get yourself in the shot.

With the older Digital Rebel models, you’d have to run back to the camera and re-start the countdown sequence if you want to take more group shots. On the XSi / 450D, there’s a new, improved self-timer continuous drive mode which allows you to take continuous shots while in the self-timer mode. Still, a remote would come in handy when you want more control over the timing of the shots, or when you don’t particularly want to fiddle around with the self-timer function.

Another situation I can think of is when you do product or still life shots. Typically, you’d want to take multiple photos and have everything setup beforehand; the arrangement of the subject and props, lighting equipment and modifiers. You would have composed, pre-focused the camera and dialed in the necessary settings.

It would be convenient if you could just trigger the shutter without having to actually touch the shutter button. You do this so as to get the sharpest photo possible.

Perhaps you might not have the sturdiest of tripods and don’t want the camera’s orientation to be disturbed even in the slightest. You might also desire the convenience of being able to stand next to the subject to re-arrange the elements of the scene and take the next shot without having to walk back to the camera.

Self-portraits

I’d never thought I would need a remote for this, but just the other day, I was trying point the camera at myself while supporting the camera with my right hand, and then suddenly realized there was no way I could trip the shutter with my left hand and still look naturally posed in the photo.

With the remote control, I could now release the shutter by pressing on the control’s button – problem solved.

Shooting BULB or long exposures

If you have a thing for photographing long exposures such as star trails, a remote shutter release is almost indispensable. The more advanced units have a locking mechanism (either mechanical or electronic) that allows the shutter to stay open for the desired period of time. This is far better than having to hold down the shutter button on the camera itself; you’re guaranteed of blurry photos if you do it this way.

What remote control models are available for the XSi / 450D and which should I buy?

There are basically three types of remote shutter releases – wired, wireless or hybrids which have both wired and wireless functionality.

Wired

Wired remotes are usually the cheapest. Wired means there’s a cable that runs from the remote to the XSi / 450D’s remote control terminal.

They work pretty well when you think that you’ll always be within a few feet of the camera while using the remote.

You have two sources for these remotes. Either get the original RS-60E3 from Canon for $22 USD (the cable measures 2ft long) or purchase the Canon Phottix C1 remote (which is basically an RS60 E3-compatible release) from platinum seller HKSupplies on eBay (comes in several flavors, with choice of 3m / 9ft cord for $12 USD shipped, or 5m / 16 ft cord for $14 USD shipped).

If you can’t access the image, click the thumbnail below (all rights to the image remain with the photographer):

The Kiss X2 was launched on March 21st, 2008 in Japan, and Boqa paid 127,000 Yen (approximately $1270 USD) for a two-kit lens system (meaning the camera came with an EF-S 18-55mm IS and EF-S 55-250mm IS lenses) with a 13% discount.

Some EXIF data from the image (using the IrfanView program):

• Lens: EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
• Focal length: 109mm
• Shutter speed: 1/60 seconds
• Aperture: f/5
• ISO: 400
• Flash fired
• Firmware version: 1.0.4
• Exposure mode: Program

Boqa has also posted his impressions about the Live View functionality on the XSi.