User manual CONCORD 4330Z - Instruction Manual

Owner`s Manual 4.1-megapixel digital camera (2272x1704 pixels) 3x zoom lens 8-24mm (38-114mm in 35mm terms), Macro down to 0.08 m Automatic flash unit with five modes Automatic exposure control, single frames, continuous shooting and multishot images Various autofocus and exposure modes Shutter speeds 2 ­ 1/500 s, apertures f/3.4-3.6 to f/15 1.8-inch TFT screen (220 x 280 pixels) Type I CompactFlashTM cards as storage medium Professional image management with camera folders Video Out for TV/beamer Power supplied by four size AA alkaline or rechargeable NiCd or NiMH batteries Optional external 6V DC power supply USB image transfer to PC or Macintosh Warnings Caution ! Be sure to read all hints and warnings carefully. Improper use may cause batteries to heat up or explode. Exclusively use the types of battery mentioned in this manual. Be sure to load the batteries with proper orientation of negative and positive poles. Do not expose batteries to fire or high temperatures. Never try to recharge, short-circuit or open ordinary batteries. Do not mix batteries of different make or age. Follow the usual rules for the use of batteries. Be particularly careful when using the camera near small children to avoid accidents. Always keep batteries and other small objects that might be swallowed out of reach of small children. Immediately call a doctor if such an object has been swallowed. · If you have dropped the camera or if it has received a severe blow that might have damaged its interior components, immediately remove the batteries and do not use the camera any more. · Do not use the camera if it emits smoke, smell or heat. · Do not walk or run while looking at the TFT screen. NEVER try to dismantle your camera! Contact with its electrical circuits may result in electric shock! Please consult your dealer should the camera need repairs. The temperature of the camera will rise during prolonged use. Take suitable care when using the camera or changing batteries or memory cards. · · · · · · · · 2 Before you start... Everything complete? Check the packing to see whether everything is complete. Should something be missing, please contact your dealer or an authorized service center. · · · · · · Camera (1x) Size AA alkaline batteries (4x) Video cable (1x) Wrist strap (1x) Camera case (1x) USB cable (1x) · Software on CD-ROM: USB drivers for Windows®98/Windows®98 Second Edition, Windows®2000 Prof/Me/ Windows®XP USB drivers for Mac OS 8.6/9/9.0.2/9.0.4 Owner`s Manual (PDF) Windows® / Macintosh Adobe Photoshop LE 5.0, Family Edition, CD-ROM for Windows® Adobe Photoshop LE 5.0, CD-ROM for Macintosh Printed documentation Warranty card (1x) · 3 Contents Proper and safe use ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Before you start ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Contents Names of parts and controls, camera front ------------------------------------------------------ 8 Names of parts and controls, camera back ------------------------------------------------------ 9 Terminals, bottom plate -----------------------------------------------------------------------------10 LCD monitor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11 Viewfinder ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 Focus/flash-ready indicators ------------------------------------------------------------------------13 Brief instructions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 Getting ready -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 Shooting -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 Playback -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16 Deleting images --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17 Power supply Loading the alkaline or rechargeable batteries -------------------------------------------------18 Checking battery power -----------------------------------------------------------------------------19 Automatic cutoff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19 Using the optional power-supply unit ----------------------------------------------------------- 20 Memory card Inserting and removing the CF memory card ---------------------------------------------------21 Basic functions The TFT screen in Camera mode ------------------------------------------------------------------ 22 Screen settings --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Taking pictures Focusing ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 Focus lock --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 Special focusing situations ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 4 Contents Digital zoom ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26 Shooting digital images ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 Autofocus photography ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 Switching to spot autofocus ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 Switching from autofocus to manual focusing---------------------------------------------------30 Switching to macro autofocus -------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 Using the built-in flash unit ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 32 More details about flash photography ---------------------------------------------------------- 33 Using the different shooting modes ------------------------------------------------------------- 35 Automatic exposure control ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 Exposure compensation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38 Selecting resolution / file size --------------------------------------------------------------------- 39 Selecting the compression level -------------------------------------------------------------------40 Selecting pixel sharpness -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41 Selecting white balance----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42 Resetting camera functions to default settings ----------------------------------------------- 43 Default camera settings ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44 Selecting screen brightness ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 45 Image playback Displaying individual images ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 46 Displaying several images (Index Mode) -------------------------------------------------------- 47 Magnified playback --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48 Slide show ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------49 Playback via TV set or video beamer ------------------------------------------------------------ 50 Deleting images Deleting images one by one ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 51 Deleting all the images on your memory card ------------------------------------------------- 52 Image printout Preparing images for direct printout in DPOF format ----------------------------------------- 53 5 Contents Image management Saving and managing images in folders -------------------------------------------------------- 54 Deleting folders from the memory card --------------------------------------------------------- 55 DCF standard for digital image storage --------------------------------------------------------- 56 Basic settings Basic camera settings and functions-------------------------------------------------------------- 58 Default settings for Playback, Set and Transfer modes---------------------------------------- 60 PC linkup Connecting the camera to PC --------------------------------------------------------------------- 63 Connecting the camera to Macintosh ----------------------------------------------------------- 61 Tips and tricks How to handle batteries --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64 Notes on the use of CompactFlashTMcards ---------------------------------------------------------75 Care of TFT screen ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 75 Taking care of your digital camera ----------------------------------------------------------------66 Cleaning your digital camera -----------------------------------------------------------------------66 Questions and service -------------------------------------------------------------------------------66 Troubleshooting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 67 Specifications ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 71 System requirements -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 72 6 7 Names of parts and controls Camera front Shutter release Mode dial LCD monitor Viewfinder window Flash unit* Lens* Self-timer indicator Flash sensor* * Do not touch! 8 Terminal cover Names of parts and controls : Camera back Flash-ready indicator Focus indicator (green) Viewfinder* Power switch on/off Strap lug menu button TFT screen* enter button Display button Four-way control Card slot Note: The four-way control has a number of different functions: In the camera mode it controls zooming, helps you navigate through the display of stored images and select camera functions. As a rule, the selection made in the different setting menu is confirmed by depression of the Right arrow . The enter button at the back of the camera is enabled only when the four-way control is needed, for example, for selection in index displays. 9 Names of parts and controls Camera terminals / bottom plate Power-supply terminal Video Out USB terminal Battery cover Tripod socket 10 Names of parts and controls LCD monitor Image size Flash mode Battery status Frame counter*/ No card Self-timer The number of remaining images is approximate as the number will vary according to the compression selected. 11 Names of parts and controls Viewfinder Focus indicator (green) Parallax marks Flash indicator (orange) Parallax marks At distances of less than 1 m, only the subject detail below these marks will be recorded. It is therefore advisable to use the TFT screen for framing at short range. 12 Names of parts and controls Focus/Flash-ready indicators Focus indicator (green) Lights Blinks rapidly (approx. 8x per second) Subject in focus. Focusing impossible. (Insufficient contrast, subject too dark or too close. In macro mode: subject too far away.) Image being written to CompactFlashTM card or loaded from card. Blinks slowly (approx. 2x per second) Focus area In autofocus mode, the camera will focus on the area marked gray. Flash indicator (orange) Lights Blinks rapidly (approx. 8x per second) Blinks slowly (approx. 2x per second) Flash fully charged and ready to fire. Flash being recycled, shutter cannot be released. With flash switched off, camera uses slow shutter speed ­ risk of camera shake. 13 Brief instructions This is how it works: Load batteries This is how it looks: Insert memory card Shoot Turn mode dial to camera icon Press power switch on/off. 14 Brief instructions This is how it works: Frame your subject in the viewfinder or on the TFT screen This is how it looks: If necessary, zoom in or out pressing the four-way control: Right telephoto Left wide-angle Press shutter release halfway until the green lamp beside the viewfinder eyepiece lights green Press shutter release fully to take your picture Please note: The shutter release works in two stages; pressed halfway, it activates the autofocus system that needs a few fractions of a second for focusing.. 15 Brief instructions This is how it works: Playing back images This is how it looks: Turn the mode dial to the Playback icon If the camera is still off, press the power switch Your last shot will be displayed; using the four-way control, you can navigate between all the pictures stored on your memory card 16 Brief instructions This is how it works: Deleting images Turn mode dial to Playback icon This is how it looks: Press 1) menu button on camera back; 2) Right-hand arrow of four-way control on Delete item of menu 3) Right-hand arrow of four-way control once more on Select Image item of submenu An overview of six images will be displayed, the image to be deleted being highlighted 4) Once more select this image by pressing the DISP on/off button until delete icon (recycle bin) appears in image 5) Finally, press enter button and answer the following dialog by 6) pressing the Down arrow of the four-way control = Yes 7) Then press right-hand arrow of four-way control to delete the image. 17 Power supply This is how it works: Loading alkaline or rechargeable batteries This is how it looks: : This is what it`s for: The camera should preferably be used with highcapacity NiMH batteries. After changing batteries, check whether the built-in clock is set to the correct date and time. If the camera is without power supply for over five minutes, the clock may be slow or it may reset. In this case, set date and time. Left without power supply for a prolonged period, the camera will "forget" individual settings and reset to default values. However, the pictures stored on your memory card will not be lost. Do not put the camera down with the battery compartment open to prevent damage to its cover. Be careful when changing the batteries as they may be hot. Your camera uses four size AA alkaline batteries or four NiMH batteries or four rechargeable batteries, type NiCd. Should you use rechargeable batteries, make sure that these have been fully charged in a suitable charger. Always turn the camera off before loading or exchanging batteries. Open the battery compartment by pushing its cover in the direction shown (1), then open the flap (2). Load the batteries in accordance with the +/marks. 18 Power supply This is how it works: Checking battery power This is how it looks: This is what it`s for: With batteries loaded, the camera will automatically check their status and display it on the LCD monitor. If the LCD monitor is blank, replace all batteries and make sure they are inserted with their +/- poles properly oriented. If left unused for three minutes, the camera will automatically switch off to save power. To resume operation, press the power switch. If you wish, you may select intervals of 1, 5, 10 or 30 minutes for automatic cutoff. When the optional powersupply unit is used or when the camera is connected to a PC, the cutoff interval is always 30 minutes and cannot be varied. lit Full power. lit Declining battery power, but the camera is fully operational. If the display disappears, followed by the battery icon blinking for five seconds and disappearing once more, battery power is insufficient for camera operation. Replace all batteries by fresh ones, or use the optional power-supply unit. 19 Power supply This is how it works: Using the optional power-supply unit This is how it looks: This is what it`s for: The camera can be operated on external power with the aid of the optional powersupply unit. This is advisable for prolonged shooting sessions to save battery power. The power-supply unit is particularly helpful when the camera is linked up with a PC. Before changing over from battery power to AC or vice versa, make sure that your camera is turned off. Never change the power supply with the camera switched on! Connect the plug to the power-supply terminal of the camera. Plug the power-supply unit into a wall outlet. Note that the power-supply unit will not recharge any batteries in the camera. To charge these, use a commercial charger. Even with the power-supply unit, the camera will automatically cut off (for safety reasons) after 30 minutes of non-use. To reactivate the camera, simply press the power switch. 20 Memory card This is how it works: Using the CompactFlash TM memory card This is how it looks: This is what it`s for: Always switch off your camera before inserting or changing a CompactFlashTM card! Otherwise, the data on the card may be lost or the card itself damaged. Open the card slot as shown. Insert the CF card with its contacts forward into the camera. Be sure not to tilt or jam the card. To avoid jamming, make sure the card is inserted with the proper end facing the camera. Never use force to avoid damage to card and camera. Note: CF cards (type I) can be inserted into the camera only in one direction and with the proper side up. Before important events, it is advisable to practice the exchange of memory cards at home. The card slot of the camera has a small hinged safety and ejector lever. This holds the card in place and ­ when folded ­ serves to eject it. After properly inserting the card, push it as far as it will go. The safety lever will move out and can be folded. To remove the card, fold the lever out and push to eject the card slightly. 21 Basic functions The TFT screen in Camera mode Each depression of the Display button the screen display as follows. will change TFT screen turned off Live image (Camera settings not shown) 22 Live image (Camera settings displayed) Basic functions Screen settings White balance (see page 43) Image size (see page 40) Image quality (see page 40) Flash mode (see page 33) Drive-Modus (siehe Seite 36) Focusing mode (see page 42) Exposure compensation (see page 39) Frame counter 23 Taking pictures This is how it works: Focusing This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: Focus lock As the shutter release is pressed halfway, the camera automatically focuses on your subject. The green lamp near the viewfinder eyepiece signals the focus status. If the lamp lights green (after a few fractions of a second), focus is set and you may press the shutter release to take your picture. Should the green lamp blink, check the following points: Did you try to focus on a detail that is difficult to focus on? (See page opposite.) Is your subject less than the minimum focusing distance away (or over 40 cm in Macro mode)? The autofocus system is center-weighted. If your subject is off center, the camera will focus on the background. In this case, use focus lock: Place your main subject in the center of the TFT screen and press the shutter release halfway. Then recompose without letting go of the shutter release and finally press the release fully to take your picture. 24 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Special focusing situations This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: The autofocus system is center-weighted and uses image contrast (the difference between dark and bright details) to detect focus. This is why there are some subjects that make autofocusing impossible. In this case either use focus lock, focusing on a subject at the same distance, or switch to manual focusing. Your subject is too dark. Your subject has insufficient contrast, such as blue sky or a white wall. Subjects located at different distances overlap in the focus area. Your subject is too bright, such as highly glossy car paint or a shiny water surface. 25 Taking pictures This is how it works: Digital zoom This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: The camera has a digital zoom which allows zooming in on your subject beyond the longest focal length of the camera`s zoom lens. The digital zoom is operative only with the TFT screen switched on. To turn on the digital zoom, press the Right arrow of the four-way control beyond the maximum value for two seconds. Note: Use this feature only in exceptional cases and for pictures that require only lesser resolution because the camera will automatically change over to 480x640pixel resolution. 2 sec The digital zoom should not be confounded with the optical zoom, that is, a variation of lens focal length. Digital zooming may be compared to selective enlargement, which is why digital-zoom pictures cannot be enlarged or sharpened. 26 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Shooting digital images This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: Turn the mode dial to the red camera icon . Always reset the camera from other settings in the Playback, transfer and set menus to the camera icon, so you`ll always be ready to shoot at a moment`s notice. Switch the camera on. Look through the viewfinder or switch the TFT screen on by pressing the screen icon on the camera back. The optical viewfinder is ideal for candid shots and for use in bright light. Press the shutter release fully down. Because of autofocusing, the shutter release operates in two stages. To take your picture, always press it fully. The camera will save your picture to the memory card. The camera takes a few seconds to complete saving. Only then is it ready for the next shot. 27 Taking pictures This is how it works: Autofocus photography This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: The shutter release operates in two stages: Half depressed, the camera will start automatic focusing. This always takes a second or so (approx. 1.5 second for a subject 3 m away). Once the camera has focused on your subject, a green lamp will light beside the viewfinder eyepiece (focus indicator), and a short beep will be heard. Only now should you press the shutter release fully for exposure. Always wait for the green light beside the viewfinder to come on before pressing the shutter release fully. The beep may be disabled via the Set menu (accessible with the mode dial). If your main subject is off-center, lock focus on the most important detail by keeping the shutter release pressed halfway. Then recompose with the release held in this position. It is advisable to practice the two-stage release of the shutter. For critical subjects you have the additional option of manual focusing as well as the Macro mode. 28 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Switching to spot autofocus Taking pictures This is what it`s for: While autofocusing is normally center-weighted, it may also be switched to spot focusing. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select Focusing. Then select Area, followed by Spot. Choose spot autofocusing if you wish to focus precisely on a specific part of your subject. As the camera is turned off, it will reset to normal (center-weighted) autofocusing. 29 Taking pictures This is how it works: Switching from autofocus to manual focusing This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: As an alternative to autofocusing, you may also focus manually. Use the TFT screen of the camera for manual focusing. This cannot be turned off in the manual focusing mode. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select Focusing. Then select Focus and from there Manual. Confirm your selection by pressing the Right arrow of the four-way control. To focus, press the four-way control. Depression of the Up arrow will shift focus towards infinity, of the Down arrow towards close-up (down to 8 cm). Manual focusing is possible from infinity right down to close-up. During manual focusing, the green lamp beside the viewfinder eyepiece ­ which during autofocusing signals that focus has been achieved and the camera is ready to shoot ­ is disabled. 30 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Switching to macro autofocus This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: For close-up shots, switch to macro autofocus. If at all possible, mount your camera on a tripod for close-up shots. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select Focusing. Then select Focus and from there Close-up. Confirm your selection by pressing the Right arrow of the four-way control. Close-up photography makes sense only if you use the TFT screen for framing. This is why the TFT screen cannot be switched off in this mode. The built-in flash is unsuitable for close-range photography. It is therefore automatically disabled in the close-up mode. Macro autofocusing is possible over a range of 0.08 to 0.4 m. Manual focusing is helpful in close-range photography because the macro mode lets you focus all the way down to 8 cm (object field approx. 4x6 cm). 31 Taking pictures This is how it works: Using the built-in flash unit This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: Press the MENU button and use the four-way control to select Flash. Then select the Mode subfunction. The built-in flash unit has five different modes that can be selected with the four-way control. To select the desired mode, press the Right arrow of the control. Use this standard mode for candid photography. When the light is low, the flash will then fire automatically. Flash on. Shooting against the light, this mode will help you fill in deep foreground shadows (if necessary, with reduced output). This is ideal for atmospheric available-light shots in situations where flash would disturb the evocative mood of the scene. The flash emits preflashes to reduce the risk of red eye caused by reflection from the retina. Flash illuminates the foreground, while a slow shutter speed coaxes out weak illumination in the background. Flash off. Flash on with red-eye reduction. Slow sync ­ Flash is synchronized with a slow shutter speed. 32 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: More details about flash photography This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: The ready lamp beside the viewfinder eyepiece lights red as soon as the flash is fully charged and ready to fire. While the flash is recycling ­ for example when you take several flash pictures in short order ­ the red ready lamp will blink. Releasing the shutter is then impossible. For prolonged shooting sessions with flash (important events, etc.) always use fresh or fully charged batteries. Turn off the TFT screen and use the optical viewfinder if you have to use flash while the camera is warning of low battery power (only two bars remaining). Experiment with the different flash modes. More often than not, availablelight shots of stationary subjects are more evocative than flash pictures. However, the camera should be placed on a sturdy support (tripod or similar).(Stativ etc). If subject contrast is high ,for example with sunlight incident at an angle, use the flash to fill in shadows (Flash On mode). The built-in flash unit has a range of approx. 0.4 to 3 m, regardless of the focal length set. Flash is disabled in the Continuous and Macro modes. 33 Taking pictures This is how it works: More details about flash photography This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: Flash output is controlled automatically, but flash exposure compensation is possible. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select the Flash mode. Then select the Power subfunction where you can choose between the following settings: +2.0, +1.5, +1.0, +0.5, 0.0 (default), -0.5, -1.0, -1.5 and ­2.0. Confirm your selection by pressing the Right arrow of the four-way control. In digital photography, the high sensitivity of the CCD sensor may result in relatively bright flash pictures. This is why you should experiment with flash exposure compensation ­ described at left ­ as well as with slow sync that brings out weaker background illumination in addition to your flash-illuminated foreground subject. Be sure to experiment with all available flash modes ­ it`s worth your while! Digital photography is instantaneous: You will see your picture right after you take it. So you can repeat it at will, if necessary. And your pictures will surely benefit from mastery of the different flash modes. Switching the camera off will reset it to "Autoflash with red-eye reduction" and default output. 34 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Using the different shooting modes This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: Switching the camera on sets it to single frames (SingleShot). In addition, there are the Continuous, Multishot 16 and Self-timer modes. To select one of these modes, press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select Drive Mode. Then use the four-way control to select either Single, Continuous, Multishot 16 or Self-timer by pressing the Right arrow . Flash is disabled in the Continuous and Multishot 16 modes. The Continuous mode is ideal for shooting motion sequences (sports / dance / action), since it allows photos to be taken continuously at intervals of just a few seconds. These picture series are limited exclusively by the capacity of the memory card used. This is why there should be sufficient storage space available for your picture series. Alternatively, you may reduce the image size (number of pixels) and/or image quality (compression). Focusing is another point in continuous photography that deserves your attention. The camera will focus the first image of a series. Should your subject leave the area of sharp focus, you might have to interrupt the series to resume focusing. 35 Taking pictures This is how it works: Using the different shooting modes This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: In the Multishot 16 mode, 16 pictures will be taken at intervals of approx. two seconds. However, these will all be combined in one frame (multishot). Flash is not available in this mode. Be sure to experiment with this attractive feature. If your subject moves during the series or if you vary the framing slightly, the result will be particularly fascinating. In the Self-timer mode, the shutter will be released 10 seconds after depression of the shutter release. The red lamp on the camera front will blink ever more rapidly, reflecting the countdown. In addition, a beep will be heard. This can be disabled via the Set menu and the mode dial under Beep. When pressing the shutter release, be sure not to stand in front of the camera. Instead, look through the viewfinder. Otherwise, the camera might focus on your chest or some distance in front of the actual subject. If your main subject is off-center, use focus lock with the shutter release pressed halfway. See Autofocus / Focusing. 36 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Automatic exposure control This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: The camera automatically controls the exposure of your digital photos with an equivalent sensitivity of ISO 100/21°. Programmed AE will automatically select shutter speeds from 2 s to 1/500 s and apertures of f/3.4, f/4.8, f/7.7 and f/15 (wide-angle) as well as f/3.6, f/4.8, f/7.7 and f/15 (telephoto). Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select Exposure. In the Area submenu you may select Full, Central or Spot using the four-way control (pressing the Right arrow ). A blinking red lamp beside the viewfinder eyepiece warns against camera shake (when the flash is off) and recommends use of a tripod. To lock in exposure settings, press and hold the shutter release in its halfway position. This allows pinpoint exposure control in the case of high subject contrast. In its default setting, the camera averages exposure over the entire field. However, for certain subjects, such as portraits against a bright background, you may also switch to center-weighted metering. Spot metering in turn is ideal for precise metering of important subject details. For pinpoint metering, use AE lock with the shutter release depressed halfway. 37 Taking pictures This is how it works: Exposure compensation This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: Automatic exposure can be compensated over a range of +2.0 to ­2.0. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select the Exposure mode. In the EV subprogram you then can choose between the following compensation values: +2.0, +1.5, +1.0, +0.5, -0.5, -1.0, -1.5 and ­2.0. Press the Right arrow of the four-way control to make your selection. Experiment with exposure compensation to optimize your digital images. Slight compensation (for example by +/- 0.5) may be useful, above all if you wish to print out your pictures directly, i.e. without subsequent manipulation by PC image-processing software, be it on your own printer or through an Internet printing service, since different printers and printer software interpret digital images differently (and might print your pictures too bright or too dark). Note: If you wish to avoid flash in low light, a certain amount of underexposure may give you shake-free images because the camera will then use a faster shutter speed. PC image-processing software is capable of correcting such underexposure. 38 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Selecting resolution / file size This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: The camera has a 1/1.8-inch CCD sensor with 3.87 megapixels (1704 x 2272) and an aspect ratio of 4:3. The maximum resolution / file size of 1704 x 2272 pixels can be reduced to 1200 x 1600 or 480 x 640 pixels. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select the desired resolution under Image Size of 1704 x 2272, 1200x1600 or 480x640 by pressing the Right arrow of the control. The resolution selected will remain in effect, regardless of whether or not the camera is switched off. 480 x 640 1200 x 1600 1704 x 2272 Resolutions / file sizes available If you have sufficient storage space (that is, a sufficient number of or sufficiently powerful memory cards), always use the highest possible resolution (1704 x 2272 pixels). Reduce the resolution setting only if you are sure you need only a smaller file size (for example, for images intended exclusively for the Web). On the go, a reduction of file size may help you out if you are running out of storage space. This will get you a few additional pictures on your card (at reduced quality). Try to buy additional high-capacity memory cards or use other storage media (mobile hard disk/laptop) and make full use of maximum resolution (1704 x 2272) and minimum compression (Fine). 39 Taking pictures This is how it works: Selecting the compression level This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: The data provided by the camera`s CCD sensor can be saved at three different compression levels: Fine = 1:6, Standard = 1:12 and Economy = 1:25. These compression levels are available for each of the three different resolutions (1704 x 2272, 1200 x 1600 and 480x640 pixels). Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select the desired compression level under Quality: The resulting file sizes are approx. 1.26 MB* (Fine), approx. 630 kB* (Standard) and approx. 310 kB* (Economy). (*) File sizes for 1704 x 2272 pixel resolution. The compression level selected will remain in effect even if the camera is switched off. In conjunction with the different resolution settings, variation of the compression level allows very precise tailoring of the desired picture quality to your specific requirements. Optimum quality is obtained by using the highest resolution/largest file size (1704 x 2272 pixels) with lowest compression (Fine). Depending on the capacity of your memory card, you may have to make some compromises ­ for example away from home ­ in order to capture a sufficient number of pictures. It is therefore advisable to add a mobile, battery-powered hard disk to your equipment so that you can easily load down your pictures. 40 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Selecting pixel sharpness This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: A special mode of the camera allows the pixels provided by the CCD sensor to be saved with different sharpness characteristics (digital sharpening). This feature should, however, not be confounded with focusing of the lens. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select either Hard, Normal or Soft under Image Sharpness. When the camera is switched off, it will automatically reset to Normal = unchanged saving of image data. In most cases it is advisable to save the image data unchanged, that is, neither digitally sharpened nor softened. Digital sharpening enhances the visual impression of sharpness by contour sharpening through numerical manipulation of pixel characteristics (for example, at the borders of bright and dark details). Digital softening is analogous However, since this overall technique will often enhance unwanted detail as well, such as skin blemishes in portraits, it is usually more convenient to sharpen or soften (very carefully) only later, using suitable PC image-processing software. 41 Taking pictures This is how it works: Selecting white balance This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Camera icon This is what it`s for: With its automatic white balance, the camera automatically adjusts to the color temperature of available light sources. To optimize your results and make allowance for special lighting conditions, you may set the camera to special light sources by pressing the MENU button on the camera back and selecting White Balance. In addition to the default Auto setting, the presets Daylight, Light Bulb and Fluorescent may be selected with the four-way control. When the camera is switched off, it will automatically reset to automatic white balance. Similar to a video camera, a digital still camera also has to adjust to the color temperature of the prevailing light to render color as naturally as possible. Automatic white balance will be entirely sufficient for a large number of subjects. Only in extreme lighting situations ­ which you can recognize from a pronounced color cast in your pictures ­ should you make test shots using the presets for tungsten or fluorescent light. Try your hand and experiment! Selectively used, these modes can result in very attractive special effects, for example at parties, that clearly distinguish them from "ordinary" photos by their special color mood. Automatic white balance Daylight setting Tungsten setting Fluorescent-light setting 42 Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Resetting camera functions to default settings All shooting modes of the camera can be reset to their default values. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select Default and then Yes or No. If you wish to reset the camera to its defaults, select Yes and press the Right arrow of the control. This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: The camera offers a multitude of settings for shooting. However, since only some of these are reset when the camera is switched off, the Reset mode is a convenient means of defaulting all of them. This reset within the Camera menu (mode dial on top plate set to red camera icon) affects only the shooting modes and is different from the reset to default values of the general camera modes (Playback, Set and Transfer) that can be selected via the Set menu and the mode dial. 43 Taking pictures This is how it works: Default camera settings Upon reset, the shooting modes default to the following settings: Flash Autoflash with red-eye reduction Focus Mode Autofocus Focus Area Center-weighted Drive Mode Single frames Image size Full format (1704 x 2272 pixels) Quality Medium compression White Balance Automatic Exposure EV Zero exposure compensation Exposure Area Center-weighted metering Sharpness No sharpening Camera TFT screen (LCD) Screen brightness set to a medium 5 44 Mode dial set to Camera icon Mode dial set to Camera icon This is how it works: Selecting screen brightness This is how it looks: Taking pictures This is what it`s for: The brightness of the TFT screen on the camera back can be varied. Press the MENU button on the camera back and use the four-way control to select LCD and Brightness, where values from 0 to 9 can be set on a scale. Confirm by pressing the Right arrow of the control. Your setting will remain effective even when the camera is switched off. Screen brightness can also be set in the Playback menu. Screen dark ­ Camera defective? Not necessarily. Before turning the camera in for repairs, check (preferably in a dark room) whether screen brightness might be set to 1 or even 0. These settings are equivalent to extremely low screen brightness, which in daylight may give the impression that the screen is dead. 45 Image playback This is how it works: Displaying individual images This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Playback icon This is what it`s for: Turn the mode dial to the Playback icon. . Switch the camera on. The TFT screen will automatically display your last shot, including the frame number, the shooting date and time. Pressing the screen display button again will display the entire image without these data. To navigate through the pictures saved on your memory card, press the Left arrow of the four-way control to go back, the Right arrow to go forward. The possibility of checking all your pictures right after the shot is one of the main advantages of digital photography. Immediately after pressing the shutter release you can see your picture, check framing, exposure and focus ­ and repeat the shot, if necessary. By the way: Your picture is displayed on the screen during saving, though very briefly. 46 Mode dial set to Playback icon This is how it works: Displaying several images (Index Mode) This is how it looks: Image playback This is what it`s for: If you press the screen display button twice with the mode dial set to Playback , nine images will be displayed in the Index mode. The display will start with the first image on your card, which will be highlighted in color. Using the four-way control, you can shift this frame to select separate images. After the first nine, another nine images will be opened. To open up the selected image to full size, press the ENTER button on the camera back. Go back to Index view pressing the screen display button twice. The Index mode is very convenient, above all, with high-capacity memory cards, for a quick overview of the images saved on the card. With the DPOF mode of the camera (see Image Printout), a similar index can be prepared, saved to memory card and printed out on printers compatible with this mode. 47 Image playback This is how it works: Zoom-magnifier playback This is how it looks: Mode dial set to Playback icon This is what it`s for: Recorded images can also be displayed at 2x magnification. In Playback mode (with the mode dial set to the Playback icon), press the MENU button, then select Zoom using the four-way control. If you now press the Right arrow of the control, the details of the image will be displayed at 2x magnification. A magnifier icon and 2.0x will also appear on the screen. The image section displayed can now be shifted in all four directions with the aid of the four-way control. ( ) To go back to standard display, press the MENU button. The magnifier mode is ideal for checking image detail and focus. In portraits or group shots, it lets you check whether all of the people in the picture have their eyes open so that you may repeat the shot, if necessary. Other subjects may be checked for optimum focus. If necessary, you can then switch to manual focusing and repeat the shot. 48 Mode dial set to Playback icon This is how it works: Slide show This is how it looks: Image playback This is what it`s for: The camera can display all the pictures on your memory card in the form of an automatic slide show. In Playback mode (with the mode dial set to the Playback icon) press the MENU button and use the four-way control to select Slide Show. Pressing the Right arrow of the control takes you to a submenu in which you can start the slide show selecting Start. The screen time of the pictures can be set via the Time submenu to either 2, 3, 5 or 10 seconds. The order of the pictures shown can be selected via the Direct submenu with the options Forward, Backward and Random. Your slide show will be particularly impressive if you show your pictures on a TV screen (see Playback via TV set). To do this, connect the video cable supplied to the Video Out terminal of your camera (under the lateral rubber cover) on the one hand and the Video In terminal of your TV set on the other. As soon as the cable is in place, the camera screen will be switched off. To interrupt your show, press the ENTER button, to exit press the MENU button. The picture last selected will be displayed in full size. 49 Image playback This is how it works: You may view the pictures captured with your camera on a TV screen. The camera has a video output terminal via which it can be connected to a TV set using the video cable. This terminal can be switched to either NTSC or PAL. Playback via TV set or video beamer The pictures saved on your memory card can be viewed on a TV set or projected via a video beamer. To do this, connect the cable supplied to the Video Out terminal under the lateral rubber cover of your camera to the Video In terminal of your TV set or beamer. Caution: Be sure to make the connection with both the camera and the TV set or beamer switched off! Then switch on the TV/beamer and the camera set to Playback. The camera screen is disabled in this mode. You may use any of the playback modes of the camera: single frames, zoom magnifier and, above all, slide show. Mode dial set to Playback icon This is what it`s for: Dark TV screen? Check whether the right video input of your TV set is activated. Many TV sets have several video inputs. Connecting your digital camera to a TV set is a neat way of viewing your pictures quickly and hassle-free on a large screen or showing them to your friends. You may have to turn up the color of your TV set and reduce brightness somewhat, since digital images are optimized for viewing on PC monitors. However, your pictures are saved in true color on your memory card. If you have more than one CF card, you may assemble your own selection of images on one card (via your PC). 50