Thank you for purchasing the Minolta 3D 1500. Please take the time to read through this instruction manual so you can enjoy all its features. For information on installing and operating the included application software, please read the software instruction manual saved in the CD-ROM as a pdf file. This manual contains information regarding products introduced before Sep., 1999. To obtain compatibility information for products released after this date, contact a Minolta Service Facility listed on the back cover of this manual. This mark on your camera certifies that this camera meets the requirements of the EU (European Union) concerning interference causing equipment regulations. CE stands for Conformité Européenne (European Conformity). This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Tested by the Minolta Corporation 101 Williams Drive, Ramsey, New Jersey 07446, U.S.A. Digital Camera: 3D 1500 Tested To Comply With FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Do not remove the ferrite cores from the cables. · MetaFlashTM, MetaFlashTM Studio, and MetaStreamTM are trademarks of MetaCreations Corporation. · Windows® is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries of Microsoft Corporation. -1- FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE Read and understand all warnings and cautions before using this product. BEFORE YOU BEGIN Check the packing list before you begin. If some parts are missing, contact your camera dealer or a Minolta Service Facility listed on the back cover of this manual. · · · · · Minolta 3D 1500 camera (x 1) Camera Bracket CB-3D1 (x 1) AA-size Alkaline Batteries (x 8) AC Adapter (x 1) Quest® 8 HOUR NiMH BATTERY CHARGER and NiMH BATTERIES Quest® AA-size rechargeable NiMH batteries (x 4) Size AA & size AAA NiMH battery charger (x 1) Video Cable VC-EX1 (x 1) CD-ROM (x 1) MetaFlashTM Studio for Windows® MetaStreamTM Viewer Plug-in (Web browser Plug-in) MetaFlashTM Studio User Guide (PDF file) Adobe AcrobatTM Reader 4.0 Installer Floppy Disk (x 1) Calibration File Script file for reading the number of MetaFlash fired (GETSCNT.CSM) LexarMedia JumpShot® USB connection kit 32MB USB-enabled CompactFlash card (x 1) JumpShot® USB cable (x 1) Documentation Camera Instruction Manual (this manual) (x 1) Dimâge EX Camera Instruction Manual (x 1) Dimâge EX Version 2 Guide (x 1) Warranty (x 1) WARNING Batteries may become hot or explode due to improper use. · Use only the batteries specified in this instruction manual. · Do not install the batteries with the polarity (+/-) reversed. · Do not subject batteries to fire or high temperatures. · Do not attempt to recharge, short, or disassemble. · Do not mix batteries of different types, brands, or ages. Use caution, accidents may occur when using this product near young children. Keep batteries or things that could be swallowed away from young children. Contact a doctor immediately if an object is swallowed. · · · Immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use if... · the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior is exposed. · the product emits a strange smell, heat, or smoke. Do not walk while looking at the monitor. · Do not disassemble. Electric shock may occur if a high voltage circuit inside the camera is touched. Take your camera to a Minolta Service Facility when repairs are required. · CAUTION The heat of the camera rises with extended periods of use. Use caution when handling the camera or removing the batteries and compact flash card. The lens retracts when the camera is turned off or Auto Power Off is activated. Touching the lens barrel while it is retracting may cause injury. [IMPORTANT] About the Calibration File The attached floppy disk contains a calibration file. The data in this file is required to generate 3D images for MetaFlash Studio from the image data which is taken with the 3D 1500 camera. You could generate no 3D image without this data. The calibration file is unique to each 3D 1500 camera. You can not use it for another 3D 1500 camera You can not use the calibration file for another 3D 1500 camera with your 3D 1500 camera, either. Exercise adequate care when handling or storing the floppy disk so that the calibration file on the floppy disk may not be lost or corrupted. Be sure to take a backup copy of the floppy disk in case it is lost or damaged. It is recommended that, whenever possible, the data on the floppy disk be saved on two or more storage media such as another floppy disk, hard disk, and Zip disk. -2- -3- TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE ......................................................................2 BEFORE YOU BEGIN......................................................................................3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................4 NAMES OF PARTS ..........................................................................................6 MATERIALS COVERED IN THIS MANUAL ....................................................8 PREPARATION INSERTING BATTERIES [Camera Body] ................................................10 INSERTING BATTERIES [MetaFlash]......................................................12 Low Battery Indicator [Camera Body].................................................14 Rules of Thumb for Replacing the Batteries [MetaFlash] ..................14 Auto Power Off [Camera Body] ..........................................................15 Auto Power Off [MetaFlash] ...............................................................15 Using the AC Adapter [Camera Body Only] .......................................16 COMPACT FLASH CARD ........................................................................17 Inserting the Compact Flash Card......................................................17 Removing the Compact Flash Card ...................................................18 ATTACHING AND REMOVING THE METAFLASH UNIT.........................20 Attaching the MetaFlash Unit to the Camera .....................................20 Removing the MetaFlash Unit from the Camera................................20 ATTACHING THE CAMERA BRACKET ...................................................21 TABLE OF CONTENTS BEFORE TAKING PICTURES PROCESSES FOR GENERATING A 3D IMAGE.....................................23 IMPORTANT PREPARATIONS FOR TAKING PICTURES ......................24 Subjects That are Not Suited for the 3D 1500 ...................................24 Making the Background of the Subject Solid Black ...........................25 Brightness of the Subject and Its Surrounding...................................26 To Get Better 3D Images....................................................................27 TAKING PICTURES BASIC RECORDING PROCEDURE ........................................................29 EXPOSURE COMPENSATION................................................................34 TRANSFERRING IMAGE DATA...............................................................36 FOR YOUR INFORMATION WHEN TO REPLACE THE XENON LAMP ..............................................38 TROUBLESHOOTING..............................................................................39 ACCESSORIES........................................................................................42 CARE AND STORAGE.............................................................................44 TECHNICAL DETAILS..............................................................................47 -4- -5- NAMES OF PARTS Refer to the Dimâge EX Camera Instruction Manual for more details. NAMES OF PARTS Power switch Flash-ready lamp Display button Flash tube Battery-chamber cover Tripod socket -6- -7- MATERIALS COVERED IN THIS MANUAL This manual covers only the procedures for using the Minolta 3D 1500 to take pictures which will be served as the source for generating 3D images. For the basic functions and operating procedures of the Minolta 3D 1500 camera, refer to the Camera Instruction Manual for Dimâge EX. You can use your Minolta 3D 1500 as an ordinary Dimâge EX (Version 2) camera (non-3D camera) by attaching an optional Zoom 1500 or Wide 1500 lens unit in place of the MetaFlash unit. For the operating procedures for this purpose, refer to the Dimâge EX Camera Instruction Manual and "Dimâge EX Version 2 Guide" which come with the Dimage EX system. PREPARATION -8- -9- INSERTING BATTERIES [Camera Body] The Minolta 3D 1500 uses a total of 8 AA-sized alkaline batteries, 4 batteries for the camera body and 4 batteries for the MetaFlash unit. · You may also use AA-sized Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries. · When using Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries, fully recharge them with a vendor-endorsed battery charger. INSERTING BATTERIES [Camera Body] Insert the batteries as indicated by the +/- diagram on the back of the battery-chamber cover. (When replacing the batteries), press the main switch to turn the camera off and remove the camera bracket (see Page 21). · You may skip this step when inserting the batteries for the first time after purchase. Close the battery-chamber cover and slide it shut until it clicks. Open the battery-chamber cover by sliding it in the direction indicated, then open the cover. - 10 - - 11 - INSERTING BATTERIES [MetaFlash] The Minolta 3D 1500 uses a total of 8 AA-sized alkaline batteries, 4 batteries for the camera body and 4 batteries for the MetaFlash unit. · You may also use AA-sized Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries. · When using Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries, fully recharge them with a vendor-endorsed battery charger. INSERTING BATTERIES [MetaFlash] Using a coin or similar object, turn the battery-chamber lock counter-clockwise to the OPEN mark. (When replacing the batteries), press the main switch to turn the camera off, turn the MetaFlash off, and remove the camera bracket (see Page 21). · You may skip this step when inserting the batteries for the first time after purchase. Open the battery-chamber cover, then insert the batteries as indicated by the + and - marks. Close the cover, then turn the battery-chamber cover to the CLOSE mark to lock it. · To prevent damage to the cover, do not place the camera body with the batterychamber cover opened and the cover facing downward. - 12 - - 13 - INSERTING BATTERIES - CONT'D Low Battery Indicator [Camera Body] A warning message will appear in the top overlay bar of the LCD monitor when the battery power gets low. In such a case, turn the camera off temporarily and replace the four batteries with new ones* or use the AC adapter. INSERTING BATTERIES - CONT'D Auto Power Off [Camera Body] The LCD monitor will shut off if the camera has not been used for 3 minutes. · The power lamp will remain on. · Press the Display button to turn the LCD monitor back on. After an additional 3 minutes without use (6 minutes total), the camera will shut down completely. · The power lamp will turn off. · Press the main switch to turn the camera back on. When you are using the AC adapter, the Auto Power Off feature will be activated and camera power is automatically shut off if you take no action for approximately 30 minutes or longer. When the battery power is too low for camera operations, an alert dialog will appear on the LCD monitor. You can not operate your camera under this situation. The camera will automatically shutdown in aproximately one minute. In such a case, turn the camera off immediately and replace the four batteries with new ones* or use the AC adapter. * Take care when replacing the batteries as they are hot immediately after the camera is operated. Auto Power Off [MetaFlash] The MetaFlash unit is provided with no Auto Power Off feature. For power saving, turn off its power frequently when you are not to use the MetaFlash unit. Whenever you take a picture, make sure that your MetaFlash unit is switched on. Rules of Thumb for Replacing the Batteries [MetaFlash] Replace the batteries when the camera shows one of the following charging times (the time till the Flash-ready lamp on the rear panel turns on after taking a picture): AA-sized alkaline batteries 30 seconds or longer AA-sized Ni-Cd batteries 30 seconds or longer AA-sized Ni-MH batteries 30 seconds or longer Replace all of the 4 batteries with new ones. Replace all of the 4 batteries with fully charged ones. Replace all of the 4 batteries with fully charged ones. - 14 - - 15 - INSERTING BATTERIES - CONT'D Using the AC Adapter [Camera Body Only] Use the AC Adapter allows the camera to receive power from an electrical outlet. Use of the AC Ad ...