Friedman’s book...opinions...Please

John
Forget the Magic Lantern Guide -- it was written, most believe, without any hands on at all and appears to be a rough and at times inaccurate rehash of the manual.
Not to belittle Friendman's book, in the broader scheme it remains a guide most useful to people who have either little SLR or digtital experience. And that is what it was intended to be and does very, very well.
If you want to get into things in more detail, you will have to buy lots of books and they won't be brand specific. It is my belief that Friedman explains as much as you really need to know about the principles of AS and ZM -- the rest can be figured by referencing against your own use of those facilities and, as you say, from websites such as this. Remember there's not much cost involved in experimenting.
Friedman writes in a pleasant, conversational style and illustrates what he talks about in a very good way.


Edited by brettania - 15 March 2006 at 07:21

the Friedman book is truly a bargain, $20 USD for a full color download that you can read on your computer or print out as you see fit. In view of the considerable investment everyone here has made in cameras and equipment, this is a trivial expense regardless of how much or how little you get out of it. And as for an earlier concern someone had about Mr. Friedman's boosterism for KM, I would suggest that it is his enthusiasm that separates his book from the host of impersonal guides and tutorials that abound.

The appendix B "update" is another reason to own the Friedman book. While his cover email didn't bring us any startling news, he is obviously keeping close tabs on the KM - Sony situation. Considering his contacts, he's probably one of the more reliable sources of info.

here's the link (he sent an email)

(deleted by Brettania -- if you have purchased the book and not received the appendix, then email Gary)

Edited by brettania - 20 March 2006 at 16:40

If you ask GF nicely I am sure he will put the contents of the email either here or on his website but without the relevant link ;)

I agree with Cameron. I had already worked through the manuals of both the 5D and 7D before I got Gary Friedman's book. It took me a whole evening to read it and, although I enjoyed it, I didn't feel I learned very much new. Even his good exposition on the use of wireless flash was not entirely new - I mastered this system some years ago with my 7xi/5400xi setup.

On the other hand, this book is perfect for my wife, who has no patience for cryptic manuals but wants to be able to use the 5D when we go travelling (does that sound sexist - it isn't meant to - she's a great photographer, but very impatient with new stuff..)

I think there's a gap (or, perhaps, that there would have been a gap if KM was still in business!) for a more advanced technical book on the 'science' of the KM system - not necessarily fun to read, but which answers all the questions likely to come up as you progress with the system.

Still, I suppose that's why we have this forum! Maybe you guys should think of compiling something which we can download to our PDAs - there's heaps of material in your archives, and lots of techies among your members to peer-review it! Maybe you could even make some money :-)

Edited by Mink - 21 March 2006 at 20:14

To followup, I sent Gary an email this morning and he replied within three hours. If, like me, you purchased a printed copy of the book through Lulu be aware that the printer does not share any buyer information with Gary. So buyers of the printed book need to contact him as he has no way of knowing who all to send the pdf update to.

I used the contact address at the bottom of the Friedman Archives home page to get in touch with him.

(Edited to delete the extra "http://" from the link above)

Edited by ajm80031 - 22 March 2006 at 15:00