Alex. I'm also a 70s film shooter so I naturally use a DSLR the same mostly in full manual.
The 500 is slightly different as it does not have the two dials, only the main dial situated above the shutter release button. In manual mode this dial will adjust the shutter, but on depressing the AV button ar the rear of the camera it will then adjust the aperture.
Camera Manual can be downloaded from
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...nloadDetailAct
Harry