The Canon 20D - a semi-pro camera. Much reviewed, much used and much admired. With such expectation, I bought it but within minutes, horror of horrors, I hated it with a vengeance. In womanly terms, it was a hag on a broomstick.

But wait no longer - what is this, that's yonder coming, fair of cheek and sleek of hair, with a smile to die for and a body worth caressing? Why, it's the 20D (again) with a renewed brisk turn of step and a glint in its eye and an owner who's profusing undying love and eternal wonderment. So, what changed...?

Well, of course, it's no good taking a camera straight out of the box and snapping away, with all that diffused backlighting. Noooooooooooo, sir. One must get used to the controls, handle the machine with care and (very important, this) READ the flipping manual! Otherwise, random knob-twiddling results in random pictures. Most of which are as poor as ...... well, you get the idea.

So, dear readers, I read the manual and found the PARTIAL metering switch, and - hallelujah - it's made all the difference. I recommend reading the blurb. One day, all cameras will have lovers - it's just that sometimes they play hard to get. Enjoy.

Eric Hartwell is an experienced photographer and owner of the photography resource website ephotocentral.