Very disappointed with R8 Manual, any suggestion?

[Zorg]

Hi

Well, it has been 10 years I bought the Canon 7D, but the manual was extremely usefull ... 291 pages split in 14 chapter, a real reference I kept along the years.

Now, I open the R8 box, quite woried about the thin manual (about ×3 times less than the 7D) ... to discover it is in 5 languages !!!
It is only 24 pages !!

What happen?
Ok, this seems to be the "light" guide ... The "advanced" one is about 1000 pages ... in pdf or html.

Well, I'd prefer to have a paper version to read it anywhere without the need to have a phone, network, power etc.
Does anyone know a way to buy the paper version or could reference a great reference book available somewhere?

Thanks

 

[JustUs7]

I download the pdf to my phone and it is available anywhere. No need for a network. There should be a QR Code in your papers that came with it that will take you right to the PDF.

I know it’s not the same as a book. But no network needed once it’s saved to your phone.

I don’t know if you even can order a paper version anymore.

 

[koenkooi]

The versions at cam.start.canon get updated with each firmware change, which I appreciate a lot more than a pound worth of dead tree slices in the box.

The downside of the html version is that Canon doesn't want it to look and feel like a digital version, so cross references are very clunky. For example the focus breathing correction section tells you to go to the website (already on it!) for the list of supported lenses and the provided link doesn't go relevant section, but to the generic page. So you have to click 4 more times to get to the section you want. Just provide a direct link! Or better, integrate it into the manual proper. That doesn't even need a fancy automated system, it only needs an intern to copy/paste things when an update happens, which isn't very often.

 

[Zorg]

Hi
Yes, I can't argue against that, but there is some times when you do not have anything and a book is the simpliest thing you need.
But looking at the book of the 7D (293p), I agree a 1000p book would be quite big.
Thanks

 

[Kwazy]

Yep. The era of paper manuals is over.
If you absolutely need paper, you can print it; will probably cost around $20 in paper?
The benefit of downloading the PDF to your phone is that you can reference it at any time if a question arises while you're out shooting somewhere. And it's searchable!

 

[Stig Nygaard]

One of the first things I do when purchasing a new Canon camera, is to order a printed version of the Advanced Manual from EOS Magazine Shop:

Canon EOS instruction manuals for EOS M-series and R-series cameras

Get a high quality printed and bound instruction manual for your Canon EOS mirrorless camera – includes M-series and EOS R

www.eos-magazine-shop.com

It doesn't look like they have it ready for R8 yet, but probably wont be long.

It is A5 prints with spiral back. So not as compact as in the good old days, and probably too big to carry all time in the camera bag. But if you like I prefer to study a printed manual, it might be a good investment.
(Could probably also be printed from pdf by other shops).

 

[Dean Wilson]

Can you imagine a printed version for the R5?

Print one for firmware version 1.3.1 and wait 4 months then print 1.4.0.
Then 4 months pass and it's December 2021 and you get a new manual 1.5.0 for Christmas.
Luckily you don't have to wait as long for 1.5.1 and you get a new manual for Valentines Day.
Then in time for St. Patrick's Day 2002 you get a 1.5.2 manual
July. It's time for a new manual for the new features in the 1.6.0 firmware.
In time for Christmas 2022 you get a NEW Manual for firmware 1.7.0 and you are so excited...but wondering what you are suppose to do with the previous 5 manuals!??!

Finally it March 2023 and you are happy because you can finally print the very last manual to reflect the final firmware version!


Of course you are hearing rumors of version 2.0.x being released before the end of the year.
Don't forget to print all the manuals for your lenses while your at it!

>Typed with humor<

 

[Stig Nygaard]

Print one for firmware version 1.3.1 and wait 4 months then print 1.4.0.
Then 4 months pass and it's December 2021 and you get a new manual 1.5.0 for Christmas.
Luckily you don't have to wait as long for 1.5.1 and you get a new manual for Valentines Day.
Then in time for St. Patrick's Day 2002 you get a 1.5.2 manual
July. It's time for a new manual for the new features in the 1.6.0 firmware.
In time for Christmas 2022 you get a NEW Manual for firmware 1.7.0 and you are so excited...but wondering what you are suppose to do with the previous 5 manuals!??!

Getting an early print and just keeping up with updates, works fine for me. Eventually I can make notes in the print if there's anything important to add from a newer firmware.
But okay, you are also writing ...

>Typed with humor<

/Stig

 

[RDM5546]

I like a paper manual for some uses. I use a printing and binding service that charges a modest fee:

Printed Camera Manuals | Camera-Manual.com

They have printed and nicely bound EOS R8 manual for $26.95. They have all the Canon manuals. They are printed custom from your order.

 

[VanDyck]

cam.start.canon : For customers using the EOS R8

Like others, I downloaded the PDF. Unfornately, it doesn't save bookmarks. Otherwise, it's easy enough to digest in sections.

 

[Dean Wilson]

For PDF files, and such, I use the Keyword search very helpful and fast!

 

[RDM5546]

cam.start.canon : For customers using the EOS R8

Like others, I downloaded the PDF. Unfornately, it doesn't save bookmarks. Otherwise, it's easy enough to digest in sections.

I like to have a paper copy as well as computer copy. That may just me. Which I use depends on how much I intend to read. Reading larger complex session I prefer the paper. It allows me to go back and forth.

For simple and smaller issues I use keyword search but when needed can also add bookmarks using Adobe tools

How to add bookmarks to PDF files: PDF bookmarks | Adobe Acrobat

Learn how to add bookmarks to PDF files with our guide. Improve your document organization and save time navigating through lengthy PDFs with bookmarks.

www.adobe.com

 

[Zorg]

Hi

After some days, I've read several chapter of the Canon's booklet and I am quite disapointed. This book is basicaly a reference book to the different menu and configuration possible, not explaining why they exists and their purpose.

Old book delivered with the box of the camera used to be much more "user friendly", or the Canon 7D was an exception.

I saw many book available on Amazon, but they are just a print the the Canon's booklet, which was what I was looking for, but now quite not, since the content is quite just basic info without any soul, the pfd or online will be fine for this.

I guess I will have to wait to a real author to publish their version, I saw :
- Rocky Nook's Pocket Guide collection, waiting for R8
- David Busch's "Guide to .." which seems nice

We will see

 

[Dean Wilson]

M. Leferfort I see this has been released.

 

[Grahamk]

It may be worth keeping an eye on Nina Bailey’s range of books. She produces very good guides to Canon cameras, which are downloadable, but also Pocket Books, which are printed A6 size so easily fit in a pocket or camera bag. As an example, the R6 guide is 430 pages and the R6 Pocket Book is 60 pages.

Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be anything for the R8 yet.

 

[Grahamk]

Forgot to be helpful and add the link to Nina Bailey’s guides and Pocket Books in my previous post - they can be found at: https://www.ninabailey.co.uk/bookshop/

 

[VanDyck]

Two video tutorials that I plan to view soon...

Canon R8 Beginners Guide - How-To Use The Camera Step By Step!

In this highly detailed video tutorial I will be covering the Canon R8 https://geni.us/j73y beginners guide style :) Links below and thanks for watching, Ja...

www.youtube.com

Canon R8 Tutorial Training Video Overview Users Guide Set Up - Made for Beginners

If you would be interested in me making a Canon R8 Crash Course, leave a comment in the comment section:http://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID=5295&canon-r8-...

www.youtube.com