EOS Documentation Project

EOS REBEL XS / EOS 500 / EOS KISS

by Julian Loke

Contents

• Introduction

  Warnings  Parts 

• Operation

  Batteries  Film  Lens  Mode Dial  Camera strap 

• Basic Modes

  L = OFF  Full Auto  Portrait Mode  Scenic Mode  Flower Mode  Sports Mode  Night Mode 

• Creative Modes

  BULB  M  Av  Tv  P 

• Overrides

  Program Shift  Exposure Compensation  Metering Pattern  Autofocus Mode 

• Flash

  TBA 

• Revision History
• Comments

Introduction

This camera is sold variously as the EOS KISS / EOS REBEL XS / EOS 500 in different markets. It was introduced in 1993 September as a replacement for the already successful EOS 1000FN / EOS REBEL SII / EOS 1000S. These cameras are basic level cameras that offered value for money and a large but not complete feature set.

The EOS KISS was very successful because of its light weight and small size, but also because it was one of the cheapest SLR cameras in the marketplace. In spite of the price, it offered many desirable features such as full automatic operation yet allowing full manual control. Another attractive feature is full compatibility with the EOS system of lenses, flashes, and accessories.

The EOS KISS has since been replaced by the NEW EOS KISS / EOS 500N / REBEL G newer, smaller model at the same price point.

Warnings

Do NOT point the lens at the sun, nor look at the sun directly. This can cause damage to the camera, or blindness in the photographer.

This camera is not waterproof nor is it resistant to chemical or physical attack. Avoid extremes of temperature.

Parts

Front . Lens mount . Popup flash . Red-eye reduction lamp . Indicator lamp Back . Viewfinder . Removable Eyecup . * button . # button . Film chamber window . Film chamber door * Date/Time imprint Side . Latch for film door . Remote release socket Top . Shutter button . Hotshoe . Bottom . Tripod mount . Battery compartment

Operation

Batteries

This camera uses two CR123 batteries, supplying 3 volts each. The state of the battery can be checked by switching the camera to GREEN mode, and looking at the battery symbol on the top LCD panel. Battery exhaustion is indicated by blinking empty battery symbol. In this state, the camera will not operate until the battery is replaced. Important camera settings are preserved even without battery power, so it is safe to change the battery even if film is already loaded.

To change batteries, open the compartment cover located on the bottom of the camera, at the base of the handgrip, near the tripod socket. Remove the old battery, then insert the new battery, taking care to match the polarity as shown on the diagram located inside the battery compartment.

If the camera is to be unused for some time, remove the battery before storing the camera.

Film

The camera indicates that it is safe to open the film chamber only when the top LCD panel shows that no film canister is present, or when there is a blinking film canister symbol. You can verify the presence of a canister by looking through the film chamber window on the back of the camera.

To load film, open the film chamber by sliding down the release catch on the left side of the camera, and opening the camera back. Insert the film canister into the chamber, and pull the film leader until it reaches the ORANGE mark. Close the back firmly until you hear a click. Prepackaged film is sold in single-use canisters encoded with the film sensitivity contained in a metallic pattern, called a DX code. For a brief moment just after loading a new film canister, the camera displays the ASA/ISO rating detected from the DX code.

If the DX code is incorrect, or if you are packaging bulk film in reusable canisters, the camera may not be set to the correct ASA rating for the film. To change the ASA rating, set the mode dial to ISO, then turn the Main Input Dial until you see the desired ASA number. The camera will not take pictures in ISO mode. Turn the camera out of ISO mode to take pictures. Warning: If you set the wrong ASA number, the camera may overexpose or underexpose your pictures!

As part of the loading process, this camera automatically takes up film onto an internal spool, displaying a count of the frames REMAINING to be shot on the roll of film. If film loading was unsuccessful, a frame number does not appear and the canister symbol flashes. Just open the camera back and try loading the film again again.

As you take pictures, film is REWOUND into the canister. After taking the last frame on the film, the camera will automatically rewind the film completely into the canister.

Although the prewinding protects undeveloped photos in case the camera back is opened accidentally, the correct procedure to remove a partially exposed roll of film is to activate mid-roll rewind.

To continue using that roll of film, you will need to remember the frame number (e.g. write the number on the film canister), and use a film-leader retrieval tool so that you can reload, then take blank pictures (lens cap on, manual focus, Tv=1000, no date imprint) until the film reaches the same frame number.

Lens

This camera was originally supplied with general purpose EF 35-80 mm zoom lens. If you wish to use another lens compatible with the EF mount, remove any existing lens by pushing the lens release lever, then rotate the lens anticlockwise until the red dot on the lens barrel lines up with the red dot on the front of the camera body. The lens can then be removed easily, ready for storage with the front and rear lens caps in place.

Mount a new lens by matching the red dot on the lens with the red dot on the front of the camera body. Rotate the lens clockwise until the lens locks into place with a quiet click. Before using the camera, check that the lock is correctly engaged and that the lens cannot be accidentally dislodged.

Mode Dial

Camera operation is controlled by the Mode Dial at the top left of the camera.

Choose one of the operating modes illustrated along the top of the dial. Turn the dial so that desired operating mode is opposite the white mark on the camera body.

When the camera

Camera strap

Thread the camera strap through the two metal lugs at the top of the camera. Make sure that the buckles are fastened securely

Basic Modes

L = OFF

The "L" setting locks the camera so that you cannot accidentally take a picture. Like on a digital wristwatch, the camera LCD display remains ON at all times, showing if any film is loaded and the number of frames remaining. In this mode, battery power consumption is minimal.

Note: Even in L mode, pushing ANY button on the camera causes increased battery drain. A sure way to drain your camera batteries is to over pack your camera bag so that one of the camera buttons is continuously pressed.

Full Auto

Switch the camera ON by turning the command dial to the GREEN SQUARE. This mode is also known as the "Point and Shoot" mode.

Look through the viewfinder. Point the camera at the subject. Half-press the shutter release button: the camera activates autofocus, and opens the popup flash if necessary. Listen for a soft beep that indicates the camera is ready, then fully depress the shutter release button to take the picture.

If the camera is unable to find focus, or if proper exposure is not possible with the lens and the film you are using, one or more indicators will blink. In such cases, move closer or further away from the subject, or change your angle to avoid extremes of light. If this fails, switch the lens to Manual Focus

Note: The camera is set for evaluative metering, automatic flash, one-shot autofocus, and single frame advance.

Portrait Mode

Use this mode to take photos of people. To capture different facial expressions, use the camera continuous wind by pushing and holding the shutter button.

Note: The camera is set for evaluative metering, automatic flash, one-shot autofocus, and continuous wind.

Scenic Mode

Use this mode to take photos of scenery, or where flash is prohibited. In low light, a tripod is necessary to avoid blurry photos.

The camera is set for evaluative metering, with flash disabled, one-shot autofocus, and single frame advance.

Flower Mode

Use this mode to take close-up pictures of objects such as flowers or coins.

Note: The camera is set for partial metering at the centre of the frame, automatic flash, one-shot autofocus, and single frame advance.

Sports Mode

Use this mode to take photos of action. For best results, shoot in bright light and/or use a sensitive film such as ASA 800, and a wide aperture, fast focussing lens.

Note: The camera is set for evaluative metering, automatic flash, continuous (SERVO) autofocus, and single frame advance.

Night Mode

Use this mode to take pictures with mixed lighting and automatic flash. For example, night mode can be used to photograph at the same time a person close to the camera, but also a floodlit building at dusk. A tripod is recommended to prevent blurring the photo.

Creative Modes

BULB

Use this mode when you want manual control of shutter opening and closing, and manual selection of the lens aperture. Manual shutter timing is usually only feasible for exposures longer than several seconds, and is required for exposures longer than 30 seconds. The maximum shutter opening time is restricted only by battery life. Naturally, a tripod and a remote control shutter release is recommended in order to prevent blurred pictures.

Select BULB mode by turning the command dial to M, then using the main input dial until the shutter speed setting goes past 30 seconds and the viewfinder and top LCD display shows "buLb".

To adjust the lens aperture setting, push and hold the "#" button while turning the Main Input Dial. Alternatively, switch the command dial to Av mode, select the desired lens aperture, before changing the command dial back to M mode. The range of apertures available depends upon the lens that has been mounted on the camera.

To take a photograph in BULB mode, push and hold the shutter button to open the shutter. Release the shutter button to close the shutter.

M

M mode is also known as Manual mode. Use this mode when you wish to select both the shutter speed and the lens aperture. To determine the correct settings, you can guess, use an exposure guide (such as on the packaging of some films), or use an external accessory or even the internal light meter to help determine the correct settings. Note: Taking a photograph using a shutter speed and lens aperture that are not appropriate for your subject can result in under- or over-exposed pictures.

To activate the light meter internal to the camera, aim the lens at your subject, then press the shutter button halfway and look through the viewfinder. The meter display in the viewfinder will show underexposure, correct exposure, and overexposure.

To adjust shutter speed setting, turn the Main Input Dial. The camera offers electronically-controlled shutter speeds ranging from a top speed of 1/1000 of one second, to long exposures up to 30 seconds in duration.

To adjust the lens aperture setting, push and hold the "#" button then turn the Main Input Dial. Alternatively, switch to Av mode, select the desired lens aperture, then change back to M mode. The range of apertures available depends upon the lens that is mounted on the camera.

Note: The camera is set for centre-weighted metering at the centre of the frame, AI FOCUS autofocus, and continuous wind. If you use flash, the shutter speed is limited to a top speed 1/90 of one second, and metering only shows the reading for the ambient light, not for the flash exposure.

Av

Also known as Aperture Priority mode, Av mode is an autoexposure mode, in which you choose a lens aperture setting, and the camera measures the ambient light to select a matching shutter speed which will produce correct exposure.

To adjust the lens aperture setting, turn the Main Input Dial. The camera offers a range of apertures depending upon the aperture range of the lens that is been mounted on the camera.

The range of apertures available depends upon the lens that has been mounted on the camera. Shutter speeds can range from as slow as 30 s to the camera's top speed of 1/1000 of one second.* If the existing light is beyond this range, correct exposure cannot be obtained, and the shutter speed display in the viewfinder blinks: a blinking shutter speed of 30 s indicates under-exposure (not enough light), while a blinking

Note: The camera is set for evaluative metering at the centre of the frame, AI FOCUS autofocus, and continuous wind.

*If you use flash, the shutter speed is limited to a top speed 1/90 of one second, but metering, which measures only the ambient light, is otherwise unaffected.

If you use an adapter to mount an incompatible, non-electronic lens, the aperture range is fixed at 00, meaning that there is no electronic control of the aperture. After manual focussing, manually stop down the lens before taking a light measurement at the aperture chosen for shooting.

Note: The camera is set for evaluative metering, AI FOCUS autofocus, and continuous wind. If you use flash, the shutter speed is limited to a top speed 1/90 of one second, and metering only shows the reading for the ambient light, not for the flash exposure. For dark scenes, the ambient reading may result in a slow shutter speed, so use of a tripod is recommended when using flash in Av mode.

Note: In Av mode, the camera meter has control of the shutter speed, whether flash is used or not. M mode is recommended if you do not wish the camera to choose a shutter speed.

Tv

Also known as Shutter Priority mode, Tv mode is an autoexposure mode, in which you choose a shutter speed, and the camera measures the ambient light to select a matching lens aperture setting which will produce correct exposure.

To adjust the shutter speed, turn the Main Input Dial. The range of apertures available depends upon the lens that has been mounted on the camera. Shutter speeds can range from as slow as 30 s to the camera's top speed of 1/1000 of one second.*

Note: The camera is set for evaluative metering at the centre of the frame, AI FOCUS autofocus, and continuous wind.

*If you use flash, the shutter speed is limited to a top speed 1/90 of one second, but metering, which measures only the ambient light, is otherwise unaffected.

P

Also known as Program mode, P mode is a general purpose autoexposure mode, in which the camera chooses a combination of lens aperture and shutter speed. The exact combination chosen will vary depending upon the scene brightness and whether flash is used. Each time the shutter button is pressed halfway, a fresh meter reading is taken, and the program re-run. To keep a certain reading in the camera memory, keep the shutter button pressed halfway, then push the shutter button completely to take the picture.

Overrides

Program Shift

Sometimes the photographer desires a combination of aperture and shutter speed that differs from the combination chosen by the camera. P mode has "Program Shift", meaning that it is possible to select another combination by first pushing the shutter button halfway, then turn the Main Input Dial. The camera offers a range of apertures and corresponding shutter speeds within the permitted aperture range of the lens and the available range of shutter speeds on the camera.

Program shift is NOT possible when using flash in P mode.

Exposure Compensation

### average scene, 13% reflectance Push and hold, then turn the Main Input Dial to adjust the meter for a darker or a lighter result.

Metering Pattern

The metering pattern is chosen with the camera operating mode. In most operating modes, an Evaluative metering pattern is used. To use Partial metering, choose the Flower mode. To use CentreWeighted metering, choose M mode.

Autofocus Mode

In most operating modes, AI FOCUS is used. This means that the camera will choose ONE SHOT autofocus for still subjects, and continuous (SERVO) autofocus if the subject moves.

Unfortunately, subject motion is often not reliably detected. Use the SPORTS mode to force the camera to use continuous (SERVO) autofocus.

Flash

TBA

Revision History

v0.3b2004Nov04 jul: film; P mode; edits
v0.3 2004May21 jul: update draft
v0.2b2003Nov22 jul:edits
v0.2 2002Aug25 jul:
v0.1 2002Mar01 jul: original draft

Comments

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