32 Steps to the Ultimate Canon EOS R100 Setup

The Canon EOS R100 is here, and it is time to set up this camera for use. Following are the 32 steps taken to prepare an out-of-the-box R100.

1. Record serial number, and add camera to the insurance policy
2. Open the box, find the battery, place it in the charger, and plug it in.
3. Consider downloading and installing the latest Canon imaging software to gain support for the latest camera model(s). Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP) and EOS Utility are the options I include in the install.
4. Insert a memory card (we'll format the card in a later step), insert a charged battery, and power the camera on.
5. The date, time, and time zone setup display will show at the first startup. Use the rear cross keys and set button to update this information.
6. Set the camera's mode to Av, Tv, or M (some modes may provide only a subset of available menu options) and press the menu button.
7. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Image quality: Use the top control dial to set RAW to "RAW", and use the rear direction keys to set JPEG to "-" (RAW image files provide the highest quality and are especially valuable for post-processing work)
8. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Auto Lighting Optimizer: Off (my choice is to adjust the images later)
9. Shooting Menu, Tab 2: White balance: AWB W (White) (I seldom use another white balance setting while shooting, though I often adjust white balance modestly during post-processing)
10. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Picture Style: Neutral with Sharpness = 1 (Note: the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram that best shows the available dynamic range. I usually change the Picture Style to "Standard" in DPP after capture.)
11. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Lens Aberration Correction: All options "OFF" (I suggest that most photographers enable Chromatic Aberration correction, enable others to taste)
12. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: High ISO speed NR: Low (noise reduction is destructive to images details, so I prefer to add noise reduction sparingly during post-processing)
13. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: Continuous AF: Disable (I want the camera to focus only when I half-press the shutter release)
14. Shooting Menu, Tab 5: MF peaking settings: On (highlight in-focus detail in red during manual focusing)
15. Shooting Menu, Tab 6: Image review: Review duration: 4 sec.
16. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Screen info. settings: Enable 1, 2, and 4; edit screen 2 to show only: Basic shooting info and Histogram
17. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: VF info/toggle setting: Enable 1 and 3 (the default); edit screen 3 to show only Histogram
18. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Grid display: 3x3 (sometimes the 3x3 grid is helpful for alignment checking while not complicating the view)
19. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Histogram disp: RGB, Small (show the brightness levels of each channel separately and do not let the graph to take up much space in the display as it can affect the perceived composition)
20. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Disp performance: Smooth (select Smooth if shooting fast action and battery life is not a concern, select Power saving otherwise.)
21. Playback Menu, Tab 5: Playback information display: 1 and 2 only; change view 2 histogram to RGB
22. Wireless Settings Menu, Tab 1: Airplane mode: Off (only choose this setting if not using the camera's wireless features)
23. Function Settings Menu, Tab 1: Format card (always format a memory card in the camera before using it — all data on the card will be lost)
24. Function Settings Menu, Tab 1: Auto Rotate: On computer (images are properly rotated when viewed on a computer, but are always oriented to fill the LCD when viewed on the camera)
25. Function Settings Menu, Tab 2: Beep: Disable (most will find your camera's beep annoying)
26. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 4: Custom Functions(C.Fn): C.Fn II:Others 5: Retract lens on power off: Disable (I opt for off to prevent a carefully-selected focus distance from resetting when the camera auto powers off)
27. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 4: Copyright information: enter as desired
28. Display Level Settings Menu, Tab 1: Menu Display: Standard (novices may appreciate this feature)
29. Display Level Settings Menu, Tab 1: Mode guide: Disable (novices may appreciate this feature)
30. Display Level Settings Menu, Tab 1: Feature guide: Disable (novices may appreciate this feature)
31. My Menu: Add My Menu 1: Register your most-used options
32. With a lens mounted and a subject focused on, adjust the viewfinder diopter until the scene is sharp

I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.

To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.

If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established.

More Information

Canon EOS R100

Support this site by ordering the Canon EOS R100 from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX

Please share!