I have a Canon Rebel XT, how does the LCD window work?

Question

I cannot see the picture in the LCD monitor before I take the picture. Why not? And how do I make the LCD window work? Any HELP would be greatly appreciated because I am about to pull my hair out!!!! UGH!!!!!
Thank you ALL

Answer 1

It doesn't have a live-preview. None of the digital SLR cameras do (with the exception of a single Olympus model). The LCD screen is only for reviewing pictures and using the menu.
And before you go nuts looking for the video function... it doesn't do that either ;-)
Digital SLR cameras don't work that way because there's a mirror constantly blocking the sensor, except for the split second that you're actually recording the picture.

Answer 2

The Canon Rebel XT is a Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera (DSLR). Just like any Single-Lens Reflex film camera, it use a optical viewfinder for composing the image. There are many advantage about this design.

1. The advantage of seeing the image exactly as it will be captured, through the taking lens, without parallax errors due to a viewfinder offset from the lens, has been duplicated electronically in many digital compact cameras having a live LCD. However, since these electronic viewfinders are not optical, they can not duplicate the zero lag of an optical viewfinder, and have quite low resolution making it hard to see details and are sometimes hard to make bright enough for outdoor use.

2. Like most film SLRs, DSLRs typically use a phase detection autofocus system. This method of focus is very fast, but requires the insertion of a special sensor into the optical path, so it is usually only used in SLR designs. Compact cameras that use the main sensor to create a live preview on the LCD or electronic viewfinder need to use the much slower contrast method of autofocus.

3. The ability to exchange lenses, to select the best lens for the current photographic need, and to allow the attachment of specialized lenses, is a key to the popularity of DSLR cameras.

4. The image sensor in a DSLR is typically much larger than the one in a consumer-level, compact digital camera. A larger sensor allows better image quality, lower noise, shallower depth of field and higher sensitivity with same noise.

5. The larger size of the sensor of the DSLRs compared to compact digitals makes it much easier to limit the depth of field, for example to emphasize a face by blurring the background so that the viewer will not get distracted by the details in the background.

For more information about DSLR, visit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_single-lens_reflex_camera

Answer 3

When you turn you camera on your LCD window should display what your looking at automaticly. When you take your shot then the view in the monitor may disappear for a fraction of a second and then display the picture you have taken. Before taking the picture your camera has a power saver built in so that you wont run your battery down when not in use so the LCD may go dark..you can depress your photo button slightly which will allow you to see the monitor before you shoot. if the LCD display still doesn't work then you have a flaw in the camera..always make sure your battery is fully charged, check your meter if it is somewhat low, it will save battery power by saving the monitor view therefore going dark before and after you shoot your picture. Rebel has some kinks so it may be a good idea to take it into a camera shop and have it tested

Answer 4

NO preview on LCD for Canon Rebel XT or XTi !!!
It is a classic DSLR body = you can see only using the optical viewfinder. However you can see the photo on the LCD after (NOT before) you do the shot + histogram of that frame.