User manual MINOLTA DIMAGE S414

E INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE YOU BEGIN Thank you for purchasing this Minolta digital camera. Please take the time to read through this instruction manual so you can enjoy all the features of your new camera. Check the packing list before using this product. If any items are missing, immediately contact your camera dealer. Minolta DiMAGE S414 digital camera AA alkaline batteries (set of four) Neck strap NS-DG304 Lens cap LF-236 CompactFlash card AV cable AVC-100 USB cable USB-600 DiMAGE Viewer CD-ROM DiMAGE Viewer instruction manual Camera manual Warranty card FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE Read and understand all warnings and cautions before using this product. WARNING Using batteries improperly can cause them to leak harmful solutions, overheat, or explode which may damage property or cause personal injury. Do not ignore the following warnings. · Only use the batteries specified in this instruction manual. · Do not install the batteries with the polarity (+/­) reversed. · Do not use batteries which show wear or damage. · Do not expose batteries to fire, high temperatures, water, or moisture. · Do not attempt to short or disassemble batteries. · Do not store batteries near or in metallic products. · Do not mix batteries of different types, brands, ages, or charge levels. · Do not charge alkaline batteries. · When recharging rechargeable batteries, only use the recommended charger. · Do not use leaking batteries. If fluid from the batteries enters your eye, immediately rinse the eye with plenty of fresh water and contact a doctor. If fluid from the batteries makes contact with your skin or clothing, wash the area thoroughly with water. · Tape over battery contacts to avoid short-circuiting during disposal; always follow local regulations for battery disposal. · Use only the specified AC adapter within the voltage range indicated on the adapter unit. An inappropriate adapter or current may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock. · Do not disassemble this product. Electric shock may cause injury if a high voltage circuit inside the product is touched. · Immediately remove the batteries or unplug the AC adapter and discontinue use if the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior, especially the flash unit, is exposed. The flash has a high voltage circuit which may cause an electric shock resulting in injury. The continued use of a damaged product or part may cause injuries or fire. · Keep batteries or small parts that could be swallowed away from infants. Contact a doctor 3 Camera Notes Because the performance of alkaline batteries with digital cameras is low, the use of Ni-MH batteries is recommended. Although alkaline batteries are supplied with this product, its performance will be limited; only use alkaline batteries for test photographs or when Ni-MH batteries, the Minolta external battery pack, or the AC adapter are not available. Fully recharge the Ni-MH batteries just before using the camera. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Power Macintosh, Mac OS, and the Mac OS logo are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. The official name of Windows is Microsoft Windows Operating System. Pentium is a registered trademark of the Intel Corporation. Power PC is a trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation. QuickTime is a trademark used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2 BEFORE YOU BEGIN immediately if an object is swallowed. · Store this product out of reach of children. Be careful when around children not to harm them with the product or parts. · Do not fire the flash directly into the eyes. It may damage eyesight. · Do not fire the flash at vehicle operators. It may cause a distraction or temporary blindness which may lead to an accident. · Do not use the monitor while operating a vehicle or walking. It may result in injury or an accident. · Do not look directly at the sun or strong light sources through the viewfinder. It may damage your eyesight or cause blindness. · Do not use this product in a humid environment, or operate this product with wet hands. If liquid enters the product, immediately remove the batteries or unplug the AC adapter and discontinue use. The continued use of a product exposed to liquids may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock. · Do not use the product near inflammable gases or liquids such as gasoline, benzine, or paint thinner. Do not use inflammable products such as alcohol, benzine, or paint thinner to clean the product. The use of inflammable cleaners and solvents may cause an explosion or fire. · When unplugging the AC adapter, do not pull on the power cord. Hold the adapter unit when removing it from an outlet. · Do not damage, twist, modify, heat, or place heavy objects on the AC adapter cord. A damaged cord may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock. · If the product emits a strange odor, heat, or smoke, discontinue use. Immediately remove the batteries taking care not to burn yourself as the batteries become hot with use. The continued use of a damaged product or part may cause injuries or fire. · Take the product to a Minolta Service Facility when repairs are required · The camera temperature rises with extended periods of use. Care should be taken to avoid burns. · Burns may result if the memory card or batteries are removed immediately after extended periods of use. Turn the camera off and wait for it to cool. · Do not fire the flash while it is in contact with people or objects. The flash unit discharges a large amount of energy which may cause burns. · Do not apply pressure to the LCD monitor. A damaged monitor may cause injury, and the liquid from the monitor may cause inflammation. If liquid from the monitor makes contact with skin, wash the area with fresh water. If liquid from the monitor comes in contact with the eyes, immediately rinse the eyes with plenty of water and contact a doctor. · When using the AC adapter, insert the plug securely into the electrical outlet. · Do not use if the AC adapter cord is damaged. · Do not cover the AC adapter. A fire may result. · Do not obstruct access to the AC adapter; this can hinder the unplugging of the unit in emergencies. · Unplug the AC adapter when cleaning or when the product is not in use. The following marks may be found on the product: 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). Digital Camera: Tested To Comply With FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE CAUTION · Do not use or store the product in a hot or humid environment such as the glove compartment or trunk of a car. It may damage the product and batteries which may result in burns or injuries caused by heat, fire, explosion, or leaking battery fluid. · If batteries are leaking, discontinue use of the product. 4 FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE 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. Do not remove the ferrite cores from the cables. Tested by the Minolta Corporation 101 Williams Drive, Ramsey, New Jersey 07446, U.S.A. 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. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS The basic operation of this camera is covered between pages 15 and 42. This section of the manual covers the camera parts, preparation of the camera for use, and the basic camera operation for recording, viewing, and deleting images. The basic and advanced auto-recording mode sections cover all the basic functions of the camera in this mode and in the multi-function recording mode. Take time to read these sections before moving on to the multi-function recording mode section. The basic playback section describes how to view images. The other sections can be read as needed. Many of the features of this camera are controlled with menus. The menu navigation sections concisely describe how to change menu settings. Descriptions of the settings immediately follow the navigation sections. Throughout the text are shooting tips and camera notes. Shooting tips give advice and information on photography and how to use the camera to achieve the best results. Camera notes cover details on camera operation. Names of parts ....................................................................................................................................10 Camera body ...........................................................................................................................10 Viewfinder ................................................................................................................................12 Mode dial .................................................................................................................................12 Data panel ...............................................................................................................................13 LCD monitor display ................................................................................................................14 Getting up and running.........................................................................................................................15 Attaching the neck strap and lens cap ....................................................................................15 Changing batteries ..................................................................................................................16 Battery condition indicator .......................................................................................................17 Auto power save......................................................................................................................17 External power supplies (sold separately)...............................................................................18 Changing the CompactFlash card...........................................................................................18 Setting the date and time ........................................................................................................20 Auto-recording mode - basic operation ................................................................................................22 Setting the camera to record images automatically ................................................................23 Handling the camera ...............................................................................................................24 Using the zoom lens................................................................................................................24 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Basic recording operation........................................................................................................25 Focus lock ...............................................................................................................................26 Focus range.............................................................................................................................26 Focus signals...........................................................................................................................27 Special focusing situations ......................................................................................................27 Digital-subject-program button ................................................................................................28 Flash modes ............................................................................................................................30 Flash range - auto-recording mode .........................................................................................31 Flash signals............................................................................................................................31 Camera-shake warning ...........................................................................................................31 Drive modes ............................................................................................................................32 Self-timer .................................................................................................................................33 Remote control (sold separately) ............................................................................................34 Continuous advance................................................................................................................35 Bracketing................................................................................................................................36 Display button - recording mode .............................................................................................37 Playback - basic operation ...................................................................................................................38 Single-frame playback and histogram display.........................................................................38 Viewing and deleting images...................................................................................................39 Display button - playback ........................................................................................................40 Enlarged playback ...................................................................................................................41 Auto-recording mode - advanced operation.........................................................................................42 Navigating the auto-recording mode menu .............................................................................42 Image size and image quality..................................................................................................44 Voice memo.............................................................................................................................46 Date imprinting ........................................................................................................................47 Digital zoom.............................................................................................................................48 Instant playback.......................................................................................................................49 Exposure compensation ..........................................................................................................50 What is an Ev? What is a stop? ..............................................................................................51 Multi-function recording mode ..............................................................................................................52 Autofocus areas and control....................................................................................................52 Navigating the multi-function recording mode menu...............................................................54 Exposure modes......................................................................................................................56 Program ......................................................................................................................56 Aperture priority - A.....................................................................................................56 Manual exposure - M ..................................................................................................57 Bulb exposures........................................................................................................................58 Focus modes ...........................................................................................................................59 White balance..........................................................................................................................60 7 Automatic white balance.............................................................................................60 Preset white balance ..................................................................................................60 Custom white balance ................................................................................................61 Camera sensitivity - ISO..........................................................................................................62 Flash range and camera sensitivity.........................................................................................62 Full-time AF .............................................................................................................................63 Metering modes.......................................................................................................................63 Exposure bracketing increment ...............................................................................................64 Color mode ..............................................................................................................................64 Image control - sharpness, contrast, & filter............................................................................65 A short guide to photography ...............................................................................................................66 Movie recording....................................................................................................................................68 Notes on movie recording .......................................................................................................69 Recording movies with the IR Remote Control RC-3 (sold separately)..................................69 Playback mode - advanced operation..................................................................................................70 Playing back voice memos......................................................................................................70 Viewing movies........................................................................................................................71 Navigating the playback-mode menu ......................................................................................72 Frame-selection screen ...........................................................................................................74 Viewing images on a television ...............................................................................................75 Deleting files ............................................................................................................................76 Locking files.............................................................................................................................77 Changing the index playback format .......................................................................................77 Slide Show...............................................................................................................................78 About DPOF ............................................................................................................................80 Creating a DPOF print order ...................................................................................................80 Ordering an index print............................................................................................................81 Canceling a DPOF print order .................................................................................................81 Copying images.......................................................................................................................82 Setup mode ....................................................................................................................................84 Navigating the setup menu......................................................................................................84 LCD monitor brightness...........................................................................................................86 Formatting CompactFlash cards .............................................................................................86 Auto power save......................................................................................................................86 Language.................................................................................................................................87 Display mode...........................................................................................................................87 File number (#) memory ..........................................................................................................88 Folder name ............................................................................................................................88 Select folder.............................................................................................................................89 Audio signals ...........................................................................................................................89 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS Shutter FX ...............................................................................................................................89 Volume ....................................................................................................................................89 Resetting the camera ..............................................................................................................90 Date and time setting ..............................................................................................................91 Date format..............................................................................................................................91 Video output ............................................................................................................................91 Data-transfer mode ..............................................................................................................................92 System requirements...............................................................................................................92 Connecting the camera to a computer ....................................................................................93 Connecting to Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition ................................................................95 Automatic installation..................................................................................................95 Manual installation ......................................................................................................96 CompactFlash card folder organization...................................................................................98 Disconnecting the camera from the computer ......................................................................100 Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition.........................................................................100 Windows Me, 2000 Professional, and XP ................................................................100 Macintosh..................................................................................................................101 Changing the CompactFlash card - data-transfer mode .......................................................102 Auto power save - data-transfer mode..................................................................................102 QuickTime system requirements ...........................................................................................103 Appendix ..................................................................................................................................103 Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................................103 About Ni-MH batteries ...........................................................................................................105 Removing the driver software - Windows..............................................................................106 Care and storage...................................................................................................................107 Technical specifications .........................................................................................................110 9 CAMERA BODY * This camera is a sophisticated optical instrument. Care should be taken to keep these surfaces clean. Please read the care and storage instructions in the back of this manual (p. 107). Mode dial (main switch) Shutter-release button Digital-subject-program button (p. 28) Data panel (p. 13) Viewfinder window* Microphone Flash mode/Magnification button (p. 30, 41) Drive-mode button (p. 32) Exposure-compensation button (p. 50) Viewfinder* (p. 12) LCD monitor* (p. 14) Controller Speaker Flash (p. 30) Strap eyelet (p. 15) Menu button QV/ Delete button (p. 38) Display button (p. 37, 40) Access lamp Remote-control receiver Self-timer/ Remote-control lamp (p. 33) Lens* Battery-chamber door (p. 16) Battery-chamber lock (p. 16) DC terminal cover (p. 18) Card-slot door release Card-slot door (p. 18) The USB port and AV-out terminal are located behind the card-slot door. Tripod socket 10 NAMES OF PARTS 11 VIEWFINDER DATA PANEL Digital-subject-program indicators (p. 28) White-balance indicator (p. 60) Manual-focus indicator (p. 59) Camera-sensitivity indicator (p. 62) Spot-metering indicator (p. 63) Flash-mode indicators (p. 30) Image-size display (p. 44) Image-quality display (p. 44) Drive-mode indicators (p. 32) Microphone indicator (p. 46) Battery-condition indicator (p. 17) Frame counter (p. 45) Digital-subject-program icons (p. 28) Focus lamp (green) Flash lamp (orange) Focus frame Because the optical viewfinder and the lens are slightly separated, the image seen through one is not exactly the same as the other; this is called parallax. Parallax can cause errors in framing at close distances and is more pronounced at longer focal lengths. When the subject is closer than 1m (3ft) at the wide-angle lens position or 3m (10ft) at the telephoto lens position, use the LCD monitor to compose the image; because the lens creates the monitor image, it does not suffer from parallax. MODE DIAL This dial gives direct and easy access to the camera's major modes. It also acts as the main switch. Auto-recording mode (p. 22, 42) Multi-function recording mode (p. 52) Playback mode (p. 38, 70) Movie-recording mode (p. 68) Setup mode (p. 84) Data-transfer mode (p. 92) Exposure-compensation indicator (p. 50) Exposure-mode indicators (p. 56) The frame counter cannot exceed 999. When the number of recordable images exceeds this, 999 will be displayed. The frame counter will continue to count down when the number of recordable images falls below one thousand. 12 NAMES OF PARTS 13 LCD MONITOR DISPLAY GETTING UP AND RUNNING ATTACHING THE NECK STRAP AND LENS CAP Attach the small strap to the lens cap by passing one of the small loops through the eyelet on the cap (1) and then passing the other loop through the first loop (2) and tightening. Attach the camera strap to the strap eyelets as shown. Make sure the neck strap passes through the loop of the lenscap strap. Always keep the camera strap around your neck in the event that you drop the camera. 2 1 3 4 a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. Voice memo indicator (p. 46) o. Mode indicator (p. 12) p. Flash-mode indicator (p. 30) q. Sharpness display (p. 65) r. Contrast-compensation display (p. 65) s. Filter display (p. 65) t. Exposure-compensation display (p. 50) u. White-balance indicator (p. 60) v. w. Exposure-mode (p. 56)/ Digital-subject-program indicators (p. 28) x. Shutter-speed display Metering-mode indicator (p. 63) Aperture display 1. Camera-shake warning (p. 31) 2. Camera-sensitivity (ISO) display (p. 62) 3. Manual-focus indicator (p. 59) Focus signal (p. 27) Frame counter (p. 13) Drive-mode indicator (p. 32) Macro indicator (p. 28) Battery-condition indicator (p. 17) Image-quality indicator (p. 44) Image-size display (p. 44) Color mode indicator (p. 48) Digital-zoom display (p. 48) Using your thumb and index finger, pinch the outside tabs of the lens cap to remove or attach. Always replace the lens cap when the camera is not in use. Focus frame (p. 25) Spot metering area (p. 63) AF sensors (p. 25) Indicators and displays from both the auto-recording and multi-function recording modes have been displayed for clarity. 14 NAMES OF PARTS 15 CHANGING BATTERIES This digital camera uses four AA-size alkaline or Ni-MH batteries. Ni-MH batteries are recommended because of longer life. When using Ni-MH batteries, fully recharge them with a battery charger suitable for complex electronic equipment. Please consult your vendor about an appropriate charger. When replacing batteries, the mode dial should be in the off position. If the camera is not turned off when replacing exhausted batteries, the low-battery warning may not reset. BATTERY CONDITION INDICATOR This camera is equipped with an automatic battery-condition indicator. When the camera is on, the battery-condition indicator appears on the data panel and monitor. The monitor icon will change from white to red when battery power is low. If the data panel and monitor are blank, the batteries may be dead or installed incorrectly. Full-battery Icon - the batteries are fully charged. This icon is displayed for five seconds on the monitor when the camera is turned on. The icon remains on the data panel. Low-battery warning - battery power is very low. The batteries should be replaced as soon as possible. This warning automatically appears and remains on the monitor until the batteries are changed. Blinking low-battery icon - when displayed on the data panel with no other icons, power is insufficient for camera operation. The shutter will not release. When replacing exhausted batteries, wait thirty seconds between removing the old batteries and inserting the new ones. When installing batteries, make sure the battery terminals are clean. Residue or dirt on the terminals can sometimes cause a false low-battery warning. Always use a clean, dry cloth to clean batteries. 3 1 2 Open the battery-chamber door by moving the batterychamber lock (1) to the open position. Slide the door forward (2) to release the safety catch; the door should spring open (3). Insert the batteries. Make sure the positive and negative battery terminals are oriented as illustrated on the diagram in the battery chamber. AUTO POWER SAVE 5 Close the battery-chamber door and slide it back toward the body (4) to engage the safety catch. Move the lock lever (5) to the close position. After installing the batteries, the set-time/date message may appear on the monitor. The clock and calendar are set in the custom 2 section of the setup menu (p. 20). To conserve battery power, the camera will turn off displays and unnecessary functions if an operation is not made within a certain period. The LCD monitor will turn off after thirty seconds. The data panel turns off after one minute. To restore the displays, press any button or key, or turn the mode dial to another position. The length of the auto-powersave period for the data panel can be changed in the basic section of the setup menu (p. 84). 4 16 GETTING UP AND RUNNING 17 EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLIES (SOLD SEPARATELY) The AC Adapter allows the camera to be powered from an electrical household outlet. The AC Adapter is recommended when the camera is interfaced with a computer or during periods of heavy use. AC Adapter model AC-1L is for use in North America, Japan, and Taiwan; AC-2L is for use in all other areas. The External High-power Battery Pack Kit EBP-100 is a portable source of power for the camera. The kit contains a high-power lithium-ion battery, holder, and charger. The battery and charger are also available separately. This battery pack will significantly extend the operating time of the camera. Always turn off the camera and confirm the access lamp is not lit before inserting or removing a CompactFlash card, otherwise the card may be damaged, and data lost. 1 2 3 4 Always turn off the camera before changing between power supplies. Remove the DC terminal cover from the left. The cover is attached to the body to prevent loss. Insert the mini plug of the AC adapter or battery pack into the DC terminal. Always remove exhausted batteries before connecting an external power supply. Wait thirty seconds between removing the old batteries and plugging in the external power source. Insert the AC adapter plug into an electrical outlet. Slide the card-slot door release down to open the card-slot door (1). To eject a CompactFlash card, press the card-eject lever (2). The card can now be pulled out. Take care when removing the card as it becomes hot with use. Insert the memory card into the card slot until the card-eject lever pops out (3). Insert the card so the face is toward the front of the camera. Always push the card in straight, never at an angle. Never force the card. If the card does not fit, check that it is oriented correctly. Close the card-slot door (4). A card used in another camera may have to be formatted before being used. A card is formatted in the basic section of the setup menu (p. 84); this operation permanently erases all data on the card. If the unable-to-use-card message appears, the card is not compatible with the camera and cannot be formatted. CHANGING THE COMPACTFLASH CARD A type I CompactFlash card must be inserted for the camera to operate. If a card has not been inserted, a no-card warning will automatically be displayed on the monitor and three dashes (­ ­ ­) will be displayed on the data-panel frame counter. For CompactFlash card care and storage, see page 109. 18 GETTING UP AND RUNNING 19 SETTING THE DATE AND TIME After initially inserting a memory card and batteries, the camera's clock and calendar must be set. When images are recorded, the image data is saved with the date and time of recording. Depending on the region, the menu language may also have to be set. To change the language, see the camera notes on the following page. Setup Basic Custom1 Custom2 ­ Reset default Date/Time set ­ Date format MM/DD/YYYY Video output NTSC Use the right key to highlight the custom 2 tab at the top of the menu. Use the down key to highlight the date/time-set menu option. Press the right key. "Enter" will appear on the right side of the menu. Turn the mode dial on the top of the camera to the setup position. The camera will turn on and the setup menu will be displayed. Navigating the menu is simple. The up/down and left/right keys of the controller move the cursor and change settings on the menu. Pressing the center of the controller selects menu options and sets adjustments. Custom 2 section of the setup menu Press the center of the controller to display the date/time setting screen. Setup Date/Time set Use the left and right keys to select the item to be changed. 4 . 20 . 2003 16 : 33 Use the up and down keys to adjust the item. Press the center of the controller to set the clock and calendar. The setup menu will be displayed. Enter Setup Basic Custom1 Custom2 LCDbrightness 3 ­ Format Power save 1 min. Language English Display mode ­ Controller Date/Time setting screen Camera notes For customers in certain areas, the menu language must also be set. Highlight the language option in the basic section of the setup menu. Press the right key to display the language settings. Using the up/down keys, highlight the desired language. Press the center of the controller to set the highlighted language; the setup menu will be displayed in the selected language. 20 GETTING UP AND RUNNING 21 AUTO-RECORDING MODE BASIC OPERATION This section covers the basic operation of this camera. Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the operations in this section before moving on to the other sections in the manual. The sophisticated technology employed in the auto-recording mode frees the photographer from complicated camera settings to be able to simply concentrate on the subject and composition. Although automated, the camera's operation can be changed to meet various conditions as well as to suit personal shooting preferences. SETTING THE CAMERA TO RECORD IMAGES AUTOMATICALLY Turn the mode dial to automatic recording (1); all camera operations are now fully automatic. The autofocus, exposure, and imaging systems will work together to bring beautiful results effortlessly. While many of the camera's systems in this mode are automatic, the camera's operation can be optimized to different subjects very simply with the digital subject program button (p. 28). The flash mode (p. 30) and drive mode (p. 32) can also be changed. Image size and quality can be set on the auto-recording mode menu (p. 42). Minolta History Innovation and creativity has always been a driving force behind Minolta products. The Electro-zoom X was purely an exercise in camera design. It was unveiled at Photokina in Germany in 1966. The Electro-zoom X was an electronically controlled aperture-priority mechanical SLR with a built-in 30 - 120mm f/3.5 zoom lens giving twenty 12 X 17mm images on a roll of 16mm film. The shutter-release button and battery chamber are located in the grip. Only a few prototypes were built making it one of Minolta's rarest cameras. 1 Exposure mode Metering mode Camera sensitivity (ISO) Flash mode Focus area Focus control Drive mode Exposure compensation Color mode White balance Program Multi-segment Auto Auto flash Wide focus area Autofocus Single-frame advance 0.0 Natural Color Auto Fixed Fixed Fixed Can be changed* Fixed Fixed Can be changed* Can be adjusted* Fixed Fixed * Changes to the flash or drive mode will reset when the mode dial is turned to another position. Adjustments made with exposure compensation will be reset to 0.0 when the camera is turned off or changed to another mode. 22 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - BASIC OPERATION 23 HANDLING THE CAMERA While using the viewfinder or LCD monitor, grip the camera firmly with your right hand while supporting the body with your left hand. Keep your elbows at your side and your feet shoulder-width apart to hold the camera steadily. When taking vertical pictures, hold the camera so that the flash is above the lens with the grip to the bottom. Take care not to cover the lens with your fingers or the strap. BASIC RECORDING OPERATION With the mode dial set to auto recording, the camera will be on and the LCD monitor will activate. Place the subject within the focus frame. · The focus-lock function (p. 26) can be used with off-center subjects. · The subject must be within the focus range of the lens: 0.5m - (wide-angle position), 0.9m - (telephoto position). For subjects closer than 0.6m, use the macro function (p. 28). · If the subject is closer than 1m at the wide-angle lens position or 3m at the telephoto lens position, use the LCD monitor to frame the subject. USING THE ZOOM LENS This camera is equipped with a 7.15 to 28.6mm optical zoom. This is equivalent to a 35 - 140mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera. In 35mm photography, focal lengths below 50mm are referred to as wide-angle; the angle of view is larger than that of the human eye. Above 50mm is referred to as telephoto and makes distant objects appear closer. The effect of the optical zoom is visible in both the viewfinder and LCD monitor. 1 Press the shutter-release button partway down (1) to lock the focus and exposure. · The focus signals (p. 27) on the monitor will confirm the focus. If the focus signal is red, the camera was unable to focus on the subject. Repeat the previous steps until the signal is white. · When the focus is set, an AF sensor will briefly appear on the live image to indicate the point of focus. · The shutter speed and aperture value will change from white to black indicating the exposure is locked. Controller The zoom lens is operated by the controller. Pressing the up key (T) will zoom in to the telephoto position of the lens. Pressing the down key (W) will zoom out to the wideangle position. 2 Press the shutter-release button all the way down (2) to take the picture. · The access lamp will glow indicating image data is being written to the CompactFlash card. Never remove a memory card while data is being transferred. 24 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - BASIC OPERATION 25 FOCUS LOCK The focus-lock function is used when the subject is off-center and outside the focus frame. Focus lock may also be used when a special focusing situation prevents the camera from focusing on the subject. This function is controlled with the shutter-release button. Place the subject within the focus frame. Press and hold the shutter-release button partway down. · The focus signals will indicate that the focus is locked. The shutter speed and aperture value will change from white to black indicating the exposure is locked. · When the focus is set, an AF sensor will briefly appear on the live image to indicate the point of focus. FOCUS SIGNALS This digital camera has a quick, accurate autofocusing system. The focus icon in the lower right corner of the LCD monitor and the green focus lamp next to the viewfinder indicate the focus status. Focus icon: white Focus lamp: steady Focus icon: red Focus lamp: blinking Focus locked. Cannot focus. The subject is too close or a special situation is preventing the AF system from focusing. · The shutter can be released even if the camera cannot focus on the subject. · When the AF system cannot focus, the focus is set to infinity. When the flash is in use, the focus is set between 3.0 and 3.8m. In this case, focus lock can be used with an object at the same distance as the main subject or the camera can be focused manually in the multi-function recording mode (p. 59). Without lifting your finger from the shutter-release button, recompose the subject within the image area. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the picture. SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS The camera may not be able to focus in certain situations. If the autofocus system cannot focus on a subject, the focus icon will turn red. In this situation the focus-lock function can be used to focus on another object at the same distance as your main subject, and then the image can be recomposed to take the picture. FOCUS RANGE Wide-angle lens position Telephoto lens position Macro mode (p. 28) 0.5m - (1.6ft - ) 0.9m - (3ft - ) 0.16m - 0.6m (0.5ft - 2ft) CCD plane The subject is too dark. The subject in the focus frame is low in contrast. Two subjects at different distances overlap in the focus frame. The subject is near a very bright object or area. All distances are measured from the CCD. 26 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - BASIC OPERATION 27 DIGITAL-SUBJECT-PROGRAM BUTTON 1 CCD plane The digital-subject-program button (1) optimizes the camera's exposure, white-balance, and imageprocessing systems for various conditions and subjects. Pressing the subject-program button cycles through the modes: macro, portrait, landscape, night portrait, text, macro & text, and the original exposure mode. A pointer will indicate the active subject program. The subject program will remain in effect until it is changed or the mode dial is turned to another position. Except for macro, digital subject programs cannot be used in the multi-function recording mode. PORTRAIT - optimized to reproduce soft skin tones and a slight defocusing of the background. The flash mode can be changed (p. 30). Most portraits look best at a telephoto setting; longer focal lengths do not exaggerate facial features and the shallower depth of field softens the background. LANDSCAPE - optimized to produce sharp, colorful landscapes. The flash mode is set to flash cancel. Fill-flash can be used (p. 30). While subject programs optimize camera performance for each shooting condition, some changes can be made to camera settings. The flash mode (p. 30) can be changed and the exposure can be altered using the exposure-compensation function (p. 50). In extreme lighting conditions, changes in exposure compensation may not produce the intended results in the portrait, night portrait, or text modes. The camera-shake warning (p. 31) may appear in macro, landscape, night portrait, or text modes. MACRO - used for close-up photography between 16 and 60 cm (6 ~ 24in.) from the CCD. When the macro mode is selected, the lens will automatically zoom to the correct position. The zoom position cannot be changed. The LCD monitor should be used to compose the picture and will automatically activate if off. The viewfinder cannot be used because of parallax. The flash is set to flash cancel (p. 30). Fill-flash can be used, but can cause extreme overexposure and uneven illumination. This subject program can be used in the multi-function recording mode. It will not reset if the position of the mode dial is changed. 28 AUTO-RECORDING MODE NIGHT PORTRAIT - for deep, subtle night scenes. When used with fill-flash, the subject and background exposures are balanced. When taking pictures of a landscape at night, use a tripod to eliminate blurring from camera shake. To take portraits with night scenes, set the flash mode to fill-flash (p. 30). Ask your subject not to move after the flash burst; the shutter will still be open for the background exposure. TEXT - for the crisp reproduction of black text or line art on white backgrounds. The flash mode is set to flash cancel (p. 30). Fillflash can be used. Use a tripod to eliminate camera shake and ensure the sharpest images. MACRO & TEXT - for close-up images of text or line art between 16 - 60cm (6 ~ 24in.) from the CCD. Two pointers will indicate the combined modes on the data panel and the macro and text indicators will be displayed on the monitor. The use of a tripod is recommended. The flash is set to flash cancel. Fill-flash can cause extreme overexposure and uneven illumination. 29 - BASIC OPERATION FLASH MODES To set the flash mode, simply press the flash mode button (1) on the back of the camera until the desired mode is displayed. Autoflash - the flash fires automatically in low-light and backlit conditions. Fill-flash - the flash fires with each exposure regardless of the amount of ambient light. Fill-flash can be used to reduce harsh shadows caused by strong direct light or sunshine. FLASH RANGE - AUTO-RECORDING MODE The camera will automatically control the flash output. For well-exposed images, the subject must be within the flash range. Because of the optical system, the flash range is not the same at the lens' wide-angle position as it is at the telephoto position. 1 Wide-angle position Telephoto position 0.5m ~ 3.5m (1.6 ft. ~ 11.5 ft.) 0.9m ~ 3.0m (3.0 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.) At the wide-angle lens position, when using the flash with subjects closer than 1m (3ft.), vignetting can occur. A slight shadow or shading may be apparent at the bottom of a horizontal image. FLASH SIGNALS The orange flash lamp next to the viewfinder indicates the status of the flash. When the lamp glows steadily, the flash is charged and ready to fire. When the lamps blinks quickly, the flash is charging and the shutter will not release. The flash lamp is also used as a camera-shake warning, see below. Autoflash Fill-flash Flash cancel Autoflash with red-eye reduction Fill-flash with red-eye reduction Flash cancel - the flash will not fire. Use flash cancel when flash photography is prohibited, natural light is desired to illuminate the subject, or the subject is beyond the flash range. The camera-shake warning may appear when flash cancel is selected (p. 31). Red-eye reduction - the flash fires twice before the main flash burst to reduce red-eye; an effect caused by light reflected from the retina. Use in low-light conditions when taking photographs of people or animals. The preflashes contract the pupils of the subject's eyes. 30 AUTO-RECORDING - CAMERA-SHAKE WARNING If the shutter speed falls below the point where the camera can be safely hand held, the camera-shake warning will appear on the LCD monitor and the orange focus lamp will blink slowly. Camera shake is slight blurring caused by subtle hand motion and is more pronounced at the telephoto setting of the lens than at the wide-angle setting. Although the warning appears, the shutter can still be released. If the warning appears, the following steps can be taken: · Place the camera on a tripod. · Use the built-in flash. · Zoom the lens towards the wide-angle position until the warning disappears. MODE BASIC OPERATION 31 DRIVE MODES The drive modes control the rate and method images are captured. Icons indicating the selected drive mode appear on the data panel and LCD monitor. To change the drive mode, simply press the drive-mode button (1) on the back of the camera until the desired mode is displayed. SELF-TIMER Used for self-portraits, the self-timer will delay the release of the shutter for approximately ten seconds after the shutter-release button is pressed. The self-timer is set with the drive-mode button (p. 32). 1 Data panel All drive-mode indicators have been shown for clarity. The single-frame advance and continuous drive indicators occupy the same area of the data panel. All the drive-mode icons appear in the lower right corner of the monitor. With the camera on a tripod, compose the picture as described in the basic recording operation section (p. 25). Focus lock ( 26) can be used with off-center subjects. Press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the exposure and focus (1). Press the shutter-release button all the way down to begin the countdown (2). Because focus and exposure are determined when the shutter-release button is pressed, do not stand in front of the camera when taking a self-timer image. Always confirm the focus with the focus signals before beginning the countdown (p. 27). During the countdown, the self-timer lamp on the front of the camera (3) will start to blink and is accompanied by an audio signal. A few seconds before the exposure, the self-timer lamp will blink rapidly. The lamp will glow steadily just before the shutter fires. To stop the countdown, press the drive-mode button. The self-timer is canceled after the exposure. The audio signal can be turned off in the custom 1 section of the setup menu (p. 84). 1 2 LCD monitor Single-frame advance Self-timer/ Remote control Continuous advance Bracketing To take a single image each time the shutterrelease button is pressed (p. 25). To delay the release of the shutter. Used for self-portraits. To take multiple images when the shutterrelease button is pressed and held. To take a series of three images with differing exposures. 3 Shooting tips The self-timer can be used to minimize camera shake with long exposures. When using the camera on a tripod, photographs of static subjects (landscapes, still-lifes, or close-up photographs) can be made with the self-timer. Because no contact is made with the camera during exposure, there is no risk of camera shake caused by the operator. 32 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - BASIC OPERATION 33 REMOTE CONTROL (SOLD SEPARATELY) The IR Remote Control RC-3 allows remote camera operation up to 5m (16 ft.) away. The remote control unit can be used in movie recording (p. 68). Place the camera on a tripod, and set the drive mode to self-timer / remote control (p. 32). Arrange the camera and subject to compose the picture. Frame the subject within the focus frame when setting up the camera. Focus lock cannot be used with the IR remote control. In multi-function recording mode, focus area selection can be used for off-center subjects (p. 52). CONTINUOUS ADVANCE The continuous-advance drive mode allows a series of images to be captured while holding down the shutter-release button. Continuous advance acts like a motor drive on a film camera. The number of images that can be captured at one time and the rate of capture depend on the image-quality and image-size setting. The maximum rate of capture is 1.6 fps. The continuous-advance mode is set with the drive-mode button (p. 32). 1 When the shutter-release button is pressed and held, the camera will begin recording images until the maximum number has been taken or the shutter button is released. This mode cannot be used with TIFF images (p. 44). The built-in flash can be used, but the rate of capture is reduced because the flash must recharge between frames. Compose the picture as described in the basic recording operation section (p. 25). Press the shutter-release button partway down (1) to lock the exposure and focus for the series. Press and hold the shutter-release button all the way down (2) to begin taking pictures. The following chart lists the approximate maximum number of images that can be captured with different image-quality and image-size combinations. Size 2272 X 1704 2 While pointing the emitter window of the remote control unit toward the camera, press the release button or the delay button to take the picture. When the release button is pressed, the self-timer lamp on the front of the camera will blink once before the picture is taken. When the delay button is pressed, the self-timer lamp on the front of the camera will blink for two seconds before the picture is taken. The drive mode does not reset after the exposure so multiply images can be captured. The remote control may not operate with backlit subjects or under fluorescent light. Emitter window Delay button Release button Quality 1600 X 1200 10 16 24 1280 X 960 15 23 31 640 X 480 33 43 53 Fine Standard Economy 6 9 14 34 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - BASIC OPERATION 35 BRACKETING This drive mode makes a three-image bracket of a scene. Bracketing is a method of taking a series of images of a static subject in which each image has a slight variation in exposure. The bracketing mode is set with the drive-mode button (p. 32). Brackets cannot be made with TIFF images (p. 44). Normal Under Over DISPLAY BUTTON - RECORDING MODE The display button controls the LCD monitor display. The display cycles to the next position each time the button is pressed: standard display, focus frame only, real-time histogram, live image only, and monitor off. The number of screens and their formats can be changed in the basic section of the setup menu (p. 84) Battery power can be conserved by turning the monitor off and using the viewfinder to take pictures. When the menu or exposure-compensation button is pressed, or the macro mode is activated, the monitor will automatically turn on. Full-time AF (p. 63) and the digital zoom (p. 48) are disabled when the monitor is off. The order of the bracket series is normal exposure (as indicated by the shutter speed and aperture displays), underexposure, and overexposure. The exposure bracket in auto-recording mode is set to 0.5 Ev increments. In the multi-function recording mode the increment can be set to 0.3, 0.5, or 1.0 Ev increments in the custom 1 section of the menu (p. 54). Compose the picture as described in the basic recording operation section (p. 25). Press the shutter-release button partway down (1) to lock the exposure and focus for the series. Press and hold the shutter-release button all the way down (2) to make the bracket series; three consecutive images will be captured. If the memory card is filled or the shutter button is released before the series has completed, the camera will reset and the entire bracket must be made again. When using flash, there will be a delay between frames as the flash charges. The remaining number of frames in the bracket series is displayed on the monitor next to the bracketing icon. Number of frames in bracketing series Frame counter 1 Standard display Focus frame only Real-time histogram Live image only 2 LCD monitor off Display button The real-time histogram shows the approximate luminance distribution of the live image. The histogram is not accurate when the monitor image is amplified in low-light conditions, or when the camera is focusing. The histogram of the recorded image may not have the same distribution as the real-time histogram. When using exposure compensation (p. 50), the bracketing series will be made in relation to the compensated exposure. Under extreme conditions, one of the bracketed exposures may be inaccurate because it is outside the exposure control range of the camera. 36 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - BASIC OPERATION 37 PLAYBACK - BASIC OPERATION Images can be viewed in the Quick View or playback modes. This section covers the basic operations in both modes. The playback mode has additional functions, see page 70. To view images from the playback mode, turn the mode dial to the playback position. To view the histogram of the displayed still image, press the up key. The histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image from black (left) to white (right). The 224 vertical lines indicates the relative proportion of that light value in the image. The histogram can be used to evaluate exposure, but displays no color information. To return to single-frame playback, press the down key. VIEWING AND DELETING IMAGES In Quick View or the playback mode, use the left/right keys of the controller to scroll through the images. To view images from the auto-recording, multi-function recording, or movie recording modes, press the Quick View / delete button. To return to the recording mode from Quick View, press the menu button or shutter-release button partway down. Controller SINGLE-FRAME PLAYBACK AND HISTOGRAM DISPLAY Mode indicator Image size (p. 44) Image quality (p. 44) Aperture value Shutter speed Time of capture Date of capture Voice-memo indicator (p. 70) Lock indicator (p. 77) Print indicator (p. 80) Frame number/ total number of images 38 PLAYBACK BASIC OPERATION Menu button Quick View / Delete button The displayed image can be deleted. Once deleted, an image cannot be recovered. To delete the displayed image, press the QV/delete button. A confirmation screen will appear. Delete this frame? White-balance setting (p. 60) Sensitivity setting (p. 62) Degree of exposure compensation (p. 50) Folder name (p. 88) Folder number - image file number Histogram Use the left/right keys to highlight "Yes," "No" will cancel the operation. Press the center of the controller to delete the image. Yes No 39 DISPLAY BUTTON - PLAYBACK The display button controls the display format. Each time the button is pressed, the display cycles through to the next format: full display, image only, index playback. ENLARGED PLAYBACK In single-frame playback, a still image can be enlarged up to 3.5X in 0.2X increments for closer examination. 640 X 480 size images can only be enlarged between 1.2X and 2.0X. The maximum enlargement of 1024 X 768 digital zoom images is 3.2X. TIFF images cannot be enlarged. With the image to be magnified displayed, press the magnification button (1) to activate the enlarged playback mode. The degree of magnification is displayed on the LCD monitor. 1 Full display Image only Display button Pressing the up key increases the image magnification. Pressing the down key decreases the magnification. The display button switches between showing the full display and the image only. To scroll the image, press the center of the controller; the button switches between the enlarged-playback and scroll screens. Scroll Index playback In index playback, the left/right keys of the controller will move the yellow border to the next or the previous image. When the image is highlighted with the border, the date of recording, voice memo indicator, the lock and printing status, and the frame number of the image are displayed at the bottom of the screen. The highlighted image can be deleted using the QV/delete button (p. 39), or an accompanying voice memo can be played by pressing the controller (p. 70). When the display information button is pressed again, the highlighted image will be displayed in the single-frame playback mode. A nine or four image index can be displayed. The index-playback format can be changed in the basic section of the playback-mode menu (p. 72). Use the four-way keys of the controller to scroll the image. Zoom To exit the enlarged playback mode, press the magnification button (1). 40 PLAYBACK - BASIC OPERATION 41 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - ADVANCED OPERATION NAVIGATING THE AUTO-RECORDING MODE MENU In auto-recording mode, press the menu button (1) to activate the menu. The menu button also turns off the menu after settings are made. The four-way keys of the controller (2) are used to move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the center of the controller will enter a setting. Use the up/down keys of the controller to scroll through the menu options. Highlight the option whose setting needs to be changed. When scrolling in one direction, the cursor will jump between the top and bottom of the menu. With the menu option to be changed highlighted, press the right controller key; the settings will be displayed with the current setting highlighted. To return to the menu options, press the left key. Use the up/down keys to highlight the new setting. Press the center of the controller to select the highlighted setting. Basic Image size 2272 X 1704 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960 640 X 480 TIFF Fine Standard Economy 15 sec. 5 sec. Off On Off On Off 10 sec. 2 sec. Off Settings made with the auto-recording menu will remain in effect until changed or the camera is reset to its default settings (p. 90). Image size - To set the pixel resolution of the images. Image size affects the size of the image file. Image quality - To set the rate of compression of the images. Image quality affects the size of the image file. Voice memo - To record audio after a still image has been captured. The function can be turned off and the length of the recording can be set. Date imprint - The date of recording can be imprinted on each image. The date is set in the custom 2 section of the setup menu (p. 20). Digital zoom - The digital zoom can be turned on or off. Quality Voice memo Date imprinting Digital zoom Inst.Playback Auto Basic Image size Quality Voice memo Date imprint Digital zoom Inst.Playback 2272 X1704 Standard Off Off Off Off 2 1 OPERATION Once a setting has been selected, the cursor will return to the menu options and the new setting will be displayed. Changes can continue to be made. To return to the autorecording mode, press the menu button. Changes recording affect recording made on the automode menu will also the multi-function mode. Instant playback - After taking a picture, the image will be displayed on the monitor for two or ten seconds. The displayed image can be deleted before being saved to the CompactFlash card. Read the following sections for more details on these options and settings. All of these functions appear on the multi-function recording mode menu (p. 54). 42 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - ADVANCED 43 IMAGE SIZE AND IMAGE QUALITY Changing image size affects the number of pixels in each image. The Data panel greater the image size, the larger the file size. Choose image size based on the final use of the image - smaller images will be more suitable for web sites whereas larger sizes will produce higher quality prints. LCD monitor Number of pixels (hor. X vert.) 2272 1600 1280 640 2272 X 1704 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960 640 X 480 If image size or quality are changed, the frame counter will display the approximate number of images that can be recorded at that setting on the installed memory card. One memory card can contain images with differing sizes and qualities. The number of images that can be stored on a memory card is determined by the size of the card and the file size of the images. The actual file size is determined by the scene; some subjects can be compressed further than others. Approximate file sizes. Quality Size 2272 X 1704 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960 3.7MB 720KB 460KB 330KB 3 17 26 33 640 X 480 1.0MB 320KB 240KB 190KB 13 34 42 48 Image quality controls the rate of compression, but has no effect on the number of pixels in the image. The higher the image quality, the lower the rate of compression and the larger the file sizes. If economical use of the memory card is important, use the economy mode. Standard image quality is sufficient for normal usage. The TIFF mode will produce the highest quality image and the largest image files. A status bar is displayed when large images are saved. Data panel LCD monitor File type TIFF Fine Standard Economy TIFF Fine Standard Economy 12MB 2MB 1.2MB 750KB 1 6 11 17 5.7MB 1.0MB 650KB 430KB 2 12 19 27 Approximate number of images that can be stored on a 16MB memory card. TIFF FINE STD. ECON. TIFF - the highest quality image. Fine - high-quality image. Standard - the default setting. Economy - the smallest file sizes. TIFF JPEG JPEG JPEG Camera Notes The frame counter indicates the approximate number of images that can be stored on the memory card at the camera's image quality and size settings. If the settings are changed, the frame counter adjusts accordingly. Because the counter uses approximate file sizes, the actual image taken may not change the counter or may decrease it by more than one. When the frame counter displays zero, it indicates no more images at the image size and quality settings can be captured. Changing those settings may allow more images to be saved to the card. File formats vary with the image quality setting. The fine, standard, and economy settings are formatted as a JPEG file. TIFF, fine, standard, and economy files can be recorded as color or monochrome images (p. 64) in the multi-function recording mode. Image size and quality must be set before the picture is taken. Changes are displayed on the data panel and LCD monitor. Image size and quality must be reset manually. See navigating the auto-recording mode menu section on page 42. In multi-function recording mode, image size and quality are controlled in the basic section of the multi-function recording menu (p. 54). 44 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - ADVANCED OPERATION 45 VOICE MEMO Voice memo allows a five or fifteen second audio track to be recorded with a still image. The function is activated and the length of the recording time is set on the auto-recording mode menu (p. 42). In multi-function recording mode, voice memo is controlled in the custom 2 section of the multi-function recording menu (p. 54). When the function is active, the microphone icon is displayed on the data panel and LCD monitor. The voice memo must be set before taking a picture. It will remain in effect until reset. After an image is captured, a screen will appear indicating the audio recording has started. A bar graph (1) will display the amount of recorded time remaining. The recording will automatically stop when the set time has elapsed. To cancel the recording and erase the audio track, press the down key of the controller (2) or the shutter-release button (3) before the recording has finished. The voice memo is attached to the last frame in a continuous-advance or bracketing series (p. 32). The voice memo can be played back in Quick View or in the playback mode (p. 70). Images with voice-memo audio tracks have a note icon displayed with them. DATE IMPRINTING The date of recording can be printed directly on the image. The imprinting function must be activated before the image is taken. Once activated, the date will continue to be imprinted until the function is reset; a yellow bar is displayed behind the frame counter on the monitor to indicate date imprinting is active. Date-imprinting indicator Microphone 3 Date imprinting is activated with a menu; see navigating the auto-recording mode menu section on page 42. In multi-function recording mode, date imprinting is controlled in the custom 2 section of the multi-function recording menu (p. 54). The date is imprinted in the lower right corner of the image when viewed horizontally. It is printed directly on the photograph writing over the image information. The date can be imprinted in three formats: year/month/day, month/day/year, and day/month/year. The date and date format are set in the custom 2 section of the setup-mode menu (p. 84). Auto 1 Recording audio : Stop 2 Camera Notes Every time a still image is recorded, it is stored with an exif tag that contains the date and time of recording as well as shooting information. This information can be viewed with the camera in the playback or Quick View mode, or on a computer with the DiMAGE Viewer software. Recording Tips When making audio recordings, be careful not to touch or cover the microphone. The quality of the recording is proportional to the subject to microphone distance. For best results, hold the camera approximately 20cm (8in) from your mouth. 46 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - ADVANCED OPERATION 47 DIGITAL ZOOM Assisting the optical zoom is a 2.2X digital zoom. The effect of the digital zoom doubles the power of the telephoto position of the optical zoom giving the equivalent of a 308mm lens on a 35mm camera. The effect is visible on the LCD monitor only. The digital-zoom is canceled if the LCD monitor is turned off (p. 37). The digital zoom is activated in the auto-recording menu (p. 42). In the multi-function recording mode, it is activated in the custom 1 section of the multi-function recording mode menu (p. 54). INSTANT PLAYBACK After an image is captured, it can be displayed on the monitor before being saved. An index display is used with the continuous-advance or bracketing drive modes (p. 32). When used with voice memo, the audio recording begins after the image is played back. Instant playback is activated with a menu; see navigating the auto-recording mode menu section on page 42. Instant playback is also set in the custom 2 section of the multifunction recording menu (p. 54). There are three menu settings: Controller At the maximum telephoto position, press the up key (T) to activate the digital zoom. X2.2 will be displayed in the top right corner of the monitor. To cancel the digital zoom, press the down key. Off 2 sec 10 sec Instant playback is disabled. The captured image will be displayed for two or ten seconds. While displayed, the image can be deleted before being saved. To store an image during playback. If the center of the controller is pressed during the instant playback, the displayed image will immediately be saved and the playback canceled. To delete an image. To delete an image during the instant playback, press the QV/delete button (1). A confirmation screen will appear. Delete this frame? Yes No When an image is taken with the digital zoom, the final image size depends on the imagesize setting on the camera, see chart. Auto 2272 X 1704 Size of recorded image 1024 X 768 Image size setting 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960 1024 X 768 1024 X 768 Use the left/right keys of the controller to highlight "YES." "NO" will cancel the operation. 640 X 480 640 X 480 : delete : store Press the controller to delete the image. 1 48 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - ADVANCED OPERATION 49 EXPOSURE COMPENSATION The camera exposure can be adjusted to make the final picture lighter or darker by as much as ±2Ev in 1/3 increments. In auto-recording mode, exposure compensation is reset when the mode dial is moved to another position. The exposure-compensation value will remain in effect until it has been reset in the multi-function recording mode. The exposure compensation must be set before the image is captured. When setting the exposure compensation, the amount of compensation is shown next to the exposurecompensation indicator on the monitor. After the setting is made, the shutter-speed and aperture displays will indicate the actual exposure. Because the exposure can be adjusted in fine steps, the shutter speed or aperture value displayed may not change. When set to any value other than 0.0, the exposure-compensation indicator will remain on the data panel and LCD monitor as a warning. Shooting tips Sometimes the camera's exposure meter is deceived by certain conditions. Exposure compensation can be used in these situations. For example, a very bright scene, such as a snowy landscape or a white sandy beach, can appear too dark in the captured image. Before taking the picture, adjusting the exposure by +1 or +2 EV will result in an image with normal tonal values. Calculated camera exposure ­1.0Ev ­2.0Ev 1 In the example above, the dark water caused the camera to overexpose the image making it bright and washed-out. By compensating the exposure, detail is brought out in the leaves, and the stones and water appear richer. To adjust the exposure, press the exposure-compensation button (1). The exposure compensation screen will appear. WHAT IS AN EV? WHAT IS A STOP? Ev stands for exposure value. The term stop comes from the name of aperture plates used in early lenses. A change of one Ev or one stop will adjust the exposure calculated by the camera by a factor of two. 2 adjust set Use the left/right keys of the controller (2) to adjust the exposurecompensation value. Change in exposure compensation is visible in the live image on the monitor. Change in Ev +2.0 Ev +1.0 Ev 0.0 Ev ­1.0 Ev ­2.0 Ev Change in stops Adjustment to exposure 4X as much light 2X as much light exposure 1/2 as much light 1/4 as much light Exposure-compensation indicator and value +2 stops +1 stop Calculated ­1 stop ­2 stops 50 AUTO-RECORDING MODE - ADVANCED OPERATION 51 MULTI-FUNCTION RECORDING MODE Except for digital subject programs, the basic operation of the camera in multi-function recording mode is identical to the auto-recording mode. Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the previous sections before moving on. The multi-function recording mode allows greater flexibility over image making. This recording mode gives more control over autofocus and composition. The menu controls are extensive allowing critical adjustments to image qualities such as color, sharpness, and contrast. Unlike the auto-recording mode, settings made in multi-function recording are not reset when the position of the mode dial is changed. The focus area selection controls which spot focus area is active. This function can be used for off-center subjects or to single out an individual subject from a group. Press and hold the controller to display the spot focus areas; the active area is blue. Use the four-way key of the controller to highlight the desired autofocus area. AUTOFOCUS AREAS AND CONTROL In the multi-function recording mode, the controller selects the focus area used. The wide focus area and focus area selection allow flexibility in a variety of situations. 1 Press the shutter-release button partway down (1) or press the center of the controller (2) to select the area; the other four areas will disappear. The wide focus area is an array of local focus areas that work together to control focus. This system is especially effective with moving subjects or quick shooting in fastmoving events. When focus locks, one of the AF sensors within the wide focus area will briefly indicate the point of focus. 2 Once a spot focus area is selected, it will remain active even after the picture has been taken. Only when one focus area is displayed, can the controller be used to zoom (p. 24) or adjust the exposure (p. 56). To select another focus area, press the center of the controller; all five areas should be displayed. The controller can now be used to change the spot focus area. The selected focus area selection remains in effect when the LCD monitor is turned off. Switching between the wide focus area and the spot focus areas is simple. Press and hold the controller until the wide-focus-area frame lines change to the spot-focus-area display. Press and hold the controller again to return to the wide-focus-area frame lines. 52 MULTI-FUNCTION RECORDING MODE 53 NAVIGATING THE MULTI-FUNCTION RECORDING MODE MENU In multi-function recording mode, press the menu button (1) to activate the menu. The menu button also turns off the menu after making settings. The four-way keys of the controller (2) are used to move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the center of the controller will enter a setting. Activate the recording-mode menu with the menu button. The basic tab at the top of the menu will be highlighted. Use the left/right keys of the controller to highlight the appropriate menu tab; the menus will change as the tabs are highlighted. When the desired menu section is displayed, use the up/down keys to scroll through the menu options. Highlight the option whose setting needs to be changed. When scrolling in one direction, the cursor will jump between the top and bottom of the menu. With the menu option to be changed highlighted, press the right controller key; the settings will be displayed with the current setting highlighted. To return to the menu options, press the left key. Use the up/down keys to highlight the new setting. Press the controller to select the highlighted setting. Basic