INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for purchasing the Olympus AZ-4 Zoom. The AZ-4 Zoom is a totally new handgrip type single lens reflex camera in the full-size 35mm format. It is equipped with a 35 ~ 135mm zoom lens and, of course, focus is fully automated. Furthermore, the camera is extremely compact and easy-to-use, with features that give added flexibility including spot metering, fill-in flash, program shift, exposure compensation, double exposure, and a continuous shooting mode. With the AZ-4 Zoom, everyone can enjoy photography, from snapshots and portraiture to advanced techniques. Before using the camera, please study this instruction manual carefully with the AZ-4 Zoom in front of you, to get the very best performance and longest service life from your new camera. Symbols used in this manual Correct Incorrect Operation Operation order Automatic operation Attention Press lightly Lamp on Lamp blinking Preparations before taking pictures Loading batteries Checking the batteries Taking photographs I Loading the film Taking photographs Unloading the film Taking photographs II Using the focus lock Taking a continuous series of shots .... Using the self-timer How to use the manual focus Macro photography Exposure compensation Spot metering Program shift Double-exposure photography Using the RESET button Taking photographs III Flash auto photography Using fill-in flash Using an exterior flash attachment Attaching a shoulder strap In order to take even better photographs Auto focus (AF) Exposure Viewfinder displays LCD panel and mode buttons For long-lasting enjoyment of your AZ-4 Zoom Care and storage Questions and answers Description of controls Specifications Accessories sold separately Preparations before Taking Pictures Loading Batteries Do not use incorrect batteries or mix new and old batteries at the same time. Before replacing batteries, set the power switch to OFF. Please remove the batteries from your camera during long periods in which the camera is not in use. Turn the lock screw on the bottom of the grip with a coin as shown to remove the battery case lid. Insert the batteries correctly as shown and replace the lid using a coin to turn the screw. Use two 3V Lithium batteries (Panasonic CR-123A or Duracell DL-123A batteries.) * Try to avoid changing batteries while the film is still in the camera. (With the batteries removed the film counter indicator will remain active for approximately 30 minutes.) Checking the Batteries Slide the power switch ON. * In order to conserve power, the LCD panel and the finder indicator will shut off automatically after approximately 15 sec. Lightly pressing the shutter release button will reactivate the panel and indicator. The charge remaining in the batteries will be displayed on the LCD panel. When is displayed for 2 sec., the batteries are OK. When blinks, excess battery consumption is occurring. The batteries should be replaced as soon as possible. is blinking, the When the outer frame flash cannot be used. is indicated, the batteries have * When reached their expected life span and should be replaced immediately. Taking Photographs I With the AZ-4 Zoom, anyone can take photographs easily using a variety of techniques. This section explains the basics of photography. Loading the Film Film-loading and film-speed selection (ISO) for DX film is automatic in this camera. Use a DX type film. Your camera will automatically set itself for DX-coded film speeds ranging from ISO 25 to 5000. * In case of non-DX film, film speed is automatically set at ISO 100. Depress the film compartment cover lock and slide the cover latch release button down to open Insert the film cartridge. Always avoid direct sunlight when loading the film. Align the film leader with the green mark. Close the camera back. The film is automatically wound until the exposure counter reads 1. Film type confirmation: This is possible through the window in the camera back. * If the film is wound incorrectly, the will blink and the shutter release will not operate. In this case, open the film compartment cover and load the film again. * When using a non-DX film, if the film is not wound correctly, the number indicator in the LCD panel will stop on indication will not appear 0. The in the LCD and the shutter release may not lock. Taking Photographs Preparations 10 Under normal operation conditions, set the switch to A for autofocus. When you wish to set the focus manually, set the switch to M. (See p. 23) When this camera is in focus, and when the last frame of film has been exposed, you will hear a "beep-beep" sound signaling these conditions. In order to turn off this sound, slide the sound switch to the down position. Remove the lens cap. 11 Slide the power switch to ON and the lens will extend from the camera body. * Use the MACRO position for taking photos of objects nearby. (See p. 24) * With the switch in the OFF position, the Viewfinder will become dark. Adjust the grip angle. * The grip angle can be adjusted by moving the grip as you push the grip lock release button The grip adjusts to 6 different angles at 15° increments. While looking through the Viewfinder, aim the camera at the subject you want to shoot. * When the shutter speed indicator blinks in the Viewfinder, change to the flash AUTO photography mode. (See p. 34) Adjust the zoom lever to the correct angle for the photo you wish to take. * Be careful not to touch the lens surface with your finger. Tele: long angle Wide: wide angle * The LCD panel will indicate the lens focal length for two seconds after you stop zooming. 12 Move the camera so the subject is in the center of the autofocus frame. * Be sure to keep the subject within the frame. 13 Press the shutter release button halfway to focus. * The button can be pressed in two steps; autofocus operates when the button is pressed to the first of these steps. * When the camera is in focus, the green focus lamp comes on in the Viewfinder and you will hear the "beep-beep" sound. * The shutter speed and the aperture will be indicated in the Viewfinder. (See p. 46) * When the shutter speed indicator is blinking, change to the flash mode. (See p. 34) If you do not use the flash in this case, the shutter speed may be too slow and it is recommended that you use a tripod to avoid the effects of camera shake. * If the camera is not in focus, the red focus-aid lamp will blink. In this case, push the shutter release button again. * The shutter cannot be released while the focus-aid indicator is blinking. Press the shutter release button fully. * Immediately after the shutter is released, the film is automatically wound by one frame, and the exposure counter advances by one. In dark places: A red-colored light emerging from the AF illuminator aimed at your subject will provide extra illumination and allow for precise focus. (illumination distance: approx. 5.5m (18 ft)) 14 Shooting range: Photos can be taken from a range of 1.2m (3.9 ft.) to infinity. When the is blinking in the Viewfinder, the camera is too close to the subject. Switch to the MACRO mode. 15 Aim correctly: Be careful not to touch the lens, flash or AF Illuminator. As the focal distance increases, the possibilities of the camera shake also increase. Grip the camera tightly with your right hand as you aim in order to avoid any shaking. If you use the shoulder strap, make sure that it doesn't interfere with the flash or the lens. Unloading the Film 16 When you reach the end of the film, it will rewind automatically. You will hear the "beep-beep" sound indicating that the film has been rewound fully. If you want to rewind the film in the middle of a roll, open the mode cover and press the rewind button. * The final reading of the exposure counter prior to rewinding may be more than the number of exposures specified for the film. 17 * You will hear the "beep-beep" sound indicating that the film has been completely rewound and the exposure indicator will return to 0. * After the film has been rewound, the shutter cannot be released until the film has been removed. Open the camera back, and remove the film. * In order to protect the shutter, the film is entirely rewound into the film canister. 18 Taking Photographs II The AZ-4 Zoom is equipped with various functions that add greater versatility to photography. In this section, the operation of each of the camera's various features will be described, explaining how to use them most effectively. Using the Focus Lock For use when the subject is not in the center of the autofocus frame. 19 Center the subject within the autofocus frame. Press the shutter release button lightly to lock focus on that subject. * When focused, you will hear the "beepbeep" sound. The AF indicator will light in the Viewfinder. The distance indicator appears in the LCD panel. (See p. 46) Maintain the focus lock by keeping the release in this position and recompose the picture. Now fully depress the shutter release to take the picture. Taking a Continuous Series of Shots You can take pictures at the rate of 2 shots per second. When using the flash, the film will not be wound until the flash has finished charging. 20 Push the continuous mode button under the mode cover, and the LCD panel will indicate C for this mode. C will appear in the LCD panel and it will blink. * If you push the continuous mode button again, the C indication will disappear, and the camera will return to the single shot mode. The camera will shoot repeatedly as long as the shutter release button is depressed. * The focus will be locked to the settings corresponding to the first shot of the series, so be careful when shooting a moving subject or other subject where subject distance varies. Using the Self-timer The camera should be set firmly, on a tripod, for example. 21 If you push the self-timer button, the will be indicated in the LCD panel. will blink. This * If you push the self-timer button again, indication will disappear and the releasing the camera from the self-timer mode. Press the shutter release button lightly, and focus on the subject you want to shoot. * When focused, you will hear the "beepbeep" sound and the focus lamp will light in the Viewfinder. Press the shutter release button fully to start the self-timer. * The self-timer lamp will blink and there will be a "beep-beep" sound indicating that the shutter will be engaged within 10 seconds. 2 seconds before the shutter is engaged, the self-timer lamp will remain on and the beeping sound will continue without interruption. To avoid incorrect exposure in the selftimer mode, ensure that strong light does not enter through the Viewfinder before the self-timer mode is started. * Once the shutter is released, the selftimer mode is disengaged. The self-timer can be cancelled at any time before the shot is taken by performing any of the following operations: (1) Pressing the SELF-TIMER button (2) Sliding the power switch to OFF (3) Pressing the RESET button 22 How to Use the Manual Focus Use it when the autofocus system cannot focus properly or when you prefer to focus the camera yourself. (See pg. 44) 23 Slide the focus switch to the M position. Adjust the focus by moving the zoom lever as you press the manual focus button * As you move the zoom lever towards the focus aid indicator in the Viewfinder, your subject will come into focus and the focus lamp will go on confirming correct focus. Macro Photography You can take close-up photos at a distance of 0.49 ~ 1.2m (1.6 ~ 3.9 ft). When using the MACRO mode, manual focusing is necessary. 24 Move the power switch to the MACRO position. mark will light up in the * The Viewfinder. Adjust the focus by aiming through the Viewfinder and moving the zoom lever. Release the shutter when your subject is in focus. * As you move the zoom lever in the direction of the focus aid in the Viewfinder, the focus lamp will light when your picture is in focus. * The autofocus does not work during macro photography. * In macro photography, zooming is not possible. * There is no need to press the manual focus button. Do not change the focus switch from the A position. 25 Exposure Compensation You can adjust exposure to compensate for special lighting conditions and for special effects. panel, you have set your exposure compensation. * The compensation varies between - 4EV and +4EV in steps of 1/3EV every time the button is pressed. * During flash AUTO photography (See p. 34), exposure compensation is not possible. As you press the exposure compensation button under the mode cover and the up-down button as illustrated simultaneously , and when your desired compensation is indicated in the LCD 26 -2EV ±OEV + 2EV Spot Metering You can set the exposure for critically lighted subjects. If the pop-up flash is not engaged, the activation of spot metering is especially effective. 27 Move the camera so that the section to be met ...