OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Using Auto Focus As its name suggests, Auto Focus focuses the image automatically. The automatic focus operation starts when you press the shutter release button down half way. The following is the Auto Focus range. Range: Approximately 40cm to (1.3´ to ) This section describes other powerful features and functions that are available for recording. Selecting the Focus Mode You can select one of four different focus modes: Auto Focus, Macro, Infinity, and Manual. 1. In the REC mode, press [ ] ( ). · Each press of [ ] ( ) cycles thorough the focus mode settings in the sequence shown below. [ ]( MENU ) 1. Keep pressing [ ] ( ) until there is no focus mode indicator on the display. 99 1600 1200 NORMAL IN 2. Compose the image SET so the main subject is within the focus frame, and then press the shutter release button half way. · You can tell whether the image is focused by observing the focus frame and the green operation lamp. 1 / 1000 F2.6 03/12 24 03 12/24 12 : 58 DISP No indicator (Auto Focus) (Macro) (Infinity) MF (Manual Focus) Focus frame Green operation lamp Focus mode indicator 57 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS When you see this: Green focus frame Green operation lamp Red focus frame Flashing green operation lamp It means this: The image is focused. The image is not in focus. Using the Macro Mode The Macro mode lets you focus automatically on close up subjects. The automatic focus operation starts when you press the shutter release button down half way. The following is the focus range in the Macro mode. Approximately 6cm to 50cm (2.4 to 19.7) 3. Press the shutter release button the rest of the way to record the image. 1. Keep pressing [ ] ( indicator shows . ) until the focus mode 2. Record the image. · The focus and image recording operations are identical to those in the Auto Focus mode. · You can tell whether the image is focused by observing the focus frame and the green operation lamp. The indications of the focus frame and green operation lamp are the same as those in the Auto Focus mode. IMPORTANT! · In the Macro mode, the optical zoom range is 1x to 1.8x. 58 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Using the Infinity Mode The Infinity mode fixes focus at infinity (). Use this mode when recording scenery and other faraway images. Using Manual Focus With the Manual Focus mode, you can adjust the focus of an image manually. The following shows focus ranges in the Macro mode for two optical zoom factors. Optical Zoom Factor 1X 3X Approximate Focus Range 6cm (2.4) to infinity () 18cm (7.1) to infinity () 1. Keep pressing [ ] ( indicator shows . ) until the focus mode 2. Record the image. 1. Keep pressing [ ] ( ) until the focus mode indicator shows MF. · At this point, a boundary also appears on the display, indicating the part of the image that will be used for manual focus. Boundary 59 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 2. While watching the image on the monitor screen, use [ ] and [ ] to focus. Using Focus Lock Focus lock is a technique you can use to focus on a subject that is not located within the focus frame when you record an image. You can use focus lock in the Auto Focus mode and the Macro mode ( ). Manual focus position 1. Using the monitor screen, compose the image so the main subject is within the focus frame, and then press the shutter release button half way. 99 1600 1200 NORMAL IN To do this: Focus out on the subject Focus in on the subject Do this: Press [ ]. Press [ ]. 1 / 1000 F2.6 · Pressing [ ] or [ ] causes the area inside of the boundary displayed in step 1 to fill the monitor screen momentarily to aid in focus. The normal image reappears a short while later. 03/12 24 03 12/24 12:58 12 58 Focus frame 3. Press the shutter release button to record the image. IMPORTANT! · In the Manual Focus mode, the [ ] and [ ] keys adjust focus, even if you used key customization to assign other functions to them (page 77). · You can tell whether the image is focused by observing the focus frame and the green operation lamp. The indications of the focus frame and green operation lamp are the same as those in the Auto Focus mode. 60 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 2. Keeping the shutter release button half way down, recompose the image as you like. · This locks the focus on the subject that is currently within the focus frame. 99 1600 1200 NORMAL IN Exposure Compensation (EV Shift) Exposure compensation lets you change the exposure setting (EV value) manually to adjust for the lighting of your subject. This feature helps to achieve better results when recording a backlit subject, a strongly lit subject indoors, or a subject that is against a dark background. EV Shift Range: ­2.0EV to +2.0EV Steps: 1/3EV 1 / 1000 F2.6 03/12 24 03 12/24 12 : 58 3. When the image is composed the way you want, press the shutter release button the rest of the way to record it. · The focus and image recording operations are identical to those in the Auto Focus mode. NOTE · Locking the focus also locks the exposure. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the "REC" tab, select "EV Shift", and then press [ ]. Exposure compensation value 61 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 3. Use [ ] and [ ] to change the exposure compensation value, and then press [SET]. · Pressing [SET] registers the displayed value. EV value · To cancel EV Shift, adjust the value until it becomes 0.0. 4. Record the image. IMPORTANT! · When shooting under very dark or very bright conditions, you may not be able to obtain satisfactory results even after performing exposure compensation. NOTES · Performing an EV shift operation causes the metering mode to switch automatically to center weighted metering. Returning the EV shift value to 0.0 causes the metering mode to change back to multi-pattern metering. · You can use key customization (page 77) to configure the camera to perform exposure compensation whenever you press [ ] or [ ] while in the REC mode. Up : Increases the EV value. A higher EV value is best used for light-colored subjects and backlight subjects. Down : Decreases the EV value. A lower EV value is best for dark-color subjects and for shooting outdoors on a clear day. 62 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Adjusting White Balance The wavelengths of the light produced by various light sources (sunlight, light bulb, etc.) can affect the color of a subject when it is recorded. White balance lets you make adjustments to compensate for different lighting types, so the colors of an image appear more natural. 3. Use [ ] and [ ] to select the setting you want, and then press [SET]. When shooting under these conditions: Normal conditions Outdoor daylight Shade Incandescent light bulb (reddish tinge) Fluorescent light (greenish tinge) Difficult lighting that requires manual control (See "Adjusting White Balance Manually".) Manual Select this setting: Auto 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the "REC" tab, select "White Balance", and then press [ ]. NOTES · Selecting "Manual" changes white balance to the settings achieved the last time a manual white balance operation was performed. · You can use the key customization feature (page 77) to configure the camera so the white balance setting changes whenever you press [ ] or [ ] while in the REC mode. 63 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Adjusting White Balance Manually Under some light sources, automatic white balance under the "Auto" setting can take a long time to complete. Also, the auto white balance range (color temperature range) is limited. Manual white balance helps to ensure that colors are recorded correctly for a particular light source. Note that you must perform manual white balance under the same conditions you will be shooting under. You must also have a white piece of paper or other similar object on hand in order to perform manual white balance. 4. Point the camera at a white piece of paper or similar object under the lighting conditions for which you want to set the white balance, and then press the shutter release button. · This starts the white balance adjustment procedure. The message "Complete" appears on the monitor screen after white balance adjustment is complete. · Dim lighting or pointing the camera at a dark colored object while performing manual white balance adjustment can cause the procedure to take a long time to complete. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the "REC" tab, select "White Balance", and then press [ ]. 5. Press [SET]. · This registers the white balance settings and returns to the REC mode. 3. Use [ ] and [ ] to select "Manual". · This causes the object you last used to adjust manual white balance to appear on the monitor screen. 64 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Using the Best Shot Mode Selecting one of the 21 Best Shot scenes automatically sets up the camera for recording a similar type of image. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the "REC" tab, select "REC Mode", and then press [ ]. s Example Sample Scene 3. Use [ ] and [ ] to select " (Best Shot)", and then press [SET]. · This enters the Best Shot mode and displays a sample scene. 4. Use [ ] and [ ] to select the sample scene you want, and then press [SET]. 5. Record the image. 65 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS IMPORTANT! · Sample scene number 4 is Coupling Shot scene (page 69). Sample scene number 5 is a Pre-shot scene (page 71). · Best Shot scenes were not recorded using this camera. They are provided as samples only. · Images recorded using a Best Shot scene may not produce the results you expected due to shooting conditions and other factors. · After selecting a Best Shot scene, you can change to a different one by using [ ] and [ ] to scroll through available scenes. When the one you want is displayed, press [SET]. Creating Your Own Best Shot Setup You can use the procedure below to save the setup of an image you recorded for later recall when you need it again. Recalling a setup you save automatically sets up the camera accordingly. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the "REC" tab, select "REC Mode", and then press [ ]. 3. Use [ ] and [ ] to select " and then press [SET]. (Best Shot)", · This enters the Best Shot mode and displays a sample scene. 4. Use [ ] and [ ] to display "Register Favorites". 5. Press [SET]. 66 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 6. Use [ ] and [ ] to display the image whose setup you want to register as a Best Shot scene. IMPORTANT! · Setups that you register as Best Shot sample scenes are located after the built-in sample scenes. · When a Best Shot user setup is recalled, the monitor screen in step 4 of the procedure on page 65 displays the text "Recall Favorites". · Note that formatting the built-in memory (page 117) deletes all Best Shot user setups. NOTES · Best Shot user setups are located in the camera's built-in memory after the built-in sample scenes. · The following are the settings that are included in a Best Shot user setup: focus mode, EV shift value, white balance mode, flash mode, and ISO sensitivity. · Note that images recorded with this camera only can be used to create a Best Shot user setup. · You can have up to 999 Best Shot user setups in the camera's built-in memory at one time. · You can check the current setup of a scene by displaying the various setting menus. · User setups are assigned file names using the format "UEXZ3nnn.jpe" (where n = 0 to 9). 7. Use [ ] and [ ] to select "Save", and then press [SET]. · This registers the setup. · Now you can use the procedure on page 65 to select your user setup for recording. 67 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS s To delete a Best Shot user setup 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the "REC" tab, select "REC Mode", and then press [ ]. 3. Use [ ] and [ ] to select " and then press [SET]. (Best Shot)", · This enters the Best Shot mode and displays a sample scene. 4. Use [ ] and [ ] to display the user setup you want to delete. 5. Press [ ] ( ) to delete the user setup. · You can also delete a user setup by using your computer to delete its file in the "SCENE" folder in the camera's built-in memory (page 136). 68 OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Combining Shots of Two People into a Single Image (Coupling Shot) The Coupling Shot mode lets you record images of two people and combine them into a single image. This makes it possible for you to include yourself in group images, even when there is no one else around to record the image for you. Coupling Shot is available in the Best Shot mode (page 65). · First Image This is the part of the image that does not include the person who is recording the first image. · Combined Images 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the "REC" tab, select "REC Mode", and then press [ ]. 3. Use [ ] and [ ] to select " and then press [SET]. · Second Image Making sure that the background of the image is aligned correctly, record the image of the person who recorded ...