Quick tips for the Rebel XT
From customizing settings to choosing good lenses, get the most of your Rebel XT

Don't shoot without the memory card. Even the most seasoned pros have failed to load their cameras with film or with a memory card. Look into the record menu and select "Shooting w/o card" to OFF. The next time you forget to insert a memory card, the camera won't shoot.

Get a grip. One of the most useful accessories you can buy to your XT is a battery grip. A lot of people complaint that the XT is very small and difficult to hold. This accessory will provide the extra grip, allowing you to have two batteries at the same time and, if you will, power your camera with AA batteries. It is also a must accessory if you plan to photograph portraits. All in all, the battery grip is a superb accessory. Bonus tip 1. With the battery grip the cool factor of the Rebel XT grows geometrically and looks like a "1Ds mark III-mini", well, almost... Bonus tip 2. You don't have to use the two batteries. Your camera will be easier lighter and easier to hold

Protect your LCD monitor. The LCD screen is one of the most important tools in your camera, and it's very prone to scratches and even major accidents. A transparent film made for PDAs will do the trick. It's an inexpensive way to protect your monitor and, if torn, you can replace it immediately.

RAW files are better, really! Unless you want to print your photos right from the camera or the memory card, chances are that your pictures will land sooner or later in a computer. With RAW files you can have more information and you'll be able to manipulate the image in a much more powerful way than the camera's microprocessor.

Custom functions: your best friends. It is easy to adjust your XT with the custom functions. Here are some useful settings:
> The SET button can be configured to choose the image quality. Go to the Custom Function 01 and choose 1:SET:Quality; now you can easily set the desired quality.
> If you use the Parameters (the first version of "Picture Styles ") a lot, you can set the Function 01 to choose them.
> The long exposure noise reduction is helpful for shots under low light conditions. Set the Custom Function 02 On.

Customize Parameters. If you are shooting JPGs, then the Parameters will help you to choose the proper mood for your photos. If you want a classic Leica BW looks enhance the contrast and sharpness. If you are shooting in color, maybe you want to crank up a little bit the saturation. Play with parameters and find the setting that suits your taste.

Don't mess with color space. If your photos look pale and less saturated on screen or when uploading them to a photo share site, chances are that you changed the color space. Stick to sRGB and leave it there if you are planning to share your images on the web.

Attach your strap wisely. Don't follow the manual. Check our pro guide on how to attach your strap.

Expand your glass arsenal. Having multiple lenses is what dSLRs are all about. Although choosing lenses is a personal decision, these are some basic glasses that you may find useful:
> EF 50mm f/1.8 mark II. Superb for portraits. It's a prime and it won't win any construction award, but it is cheap and delivers impressive images. Check our review here.
> EF-S 10-22mm. It may not be in the top of your list, but an ultra-wide angle lens is a great choice for tight interiors, huge landscapes and great fun for the money. It's not cheap, but it is worth every cent. Check our review here.
> EF-S 17-85mm. When the time comes to replace the kit lens, this is a very good option. It has a very useful focal length and an extremely good Image Stabilizer feature. Check our review here. You may also consider as a walk around lens the 28-135 that is quite affordable. Check our review here.
> EF 75-300 IS. This long tele zoom delivers very good images at a good price. It's a long tele that will enable you to take beautiful portraits and long distance shots. Check our review here.

ISO Settings. The Rebel XT is quite a performer under low light. Take advantage of this setting it at ISO400 and move from there.

Avoid dust when changing lenses . The Rebel XT doesn't sport a fancy dust control system like the one on the XTi, so it's wise to do everything you can to avoid dust: always change your lenses with the camera facing down to the floor.

Haysie1 shares with us a couple of bonus tips to avoid dust (thanks for sharing!):

1. Turn the power off before changing your lens, as turned on the camera hoovers up the air and drags in dust etc.

2. If you see dust through the viewfinder and you know it isn't the lens, or the eyepiece, it may be on the mirror. It won't show up on the image but it is still distracting. You can clean it simply by removing the lens and using a blower pointed upwards in the body (not towards the sensor!). Turning the power back on once you've done (and have reattached the lens) will give the sensor a quick shake to make sure the dust doesn't end up on there instead.

Check Haysie1's photos here.