BASIC IMAGE RECORDING BASIC IMAGE RECORDING 4. Compose the image on the monitor screen so This section describes the basic procedure for recording an image. the point on which you want to focus is inside the Focus frame. Recording a Simple Snapshot The camera’s Program AE Mode (P Mode) is for simple snapshots. In this mode, the camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture for you in accordance with subject brightness. Focus frame 1. Before turning on the camera, remove its lens cap. 5.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING • You can find out the status of the Auto Focus operation by checking the color of the focus frame and the status of the operation lamp. If you see this SHIFT INFO • Recorded images are temporarily stored in a buffer, from which they are stored to the memory card installed in the camera. You can continue to store images as long as there is space available in the buffer.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING About the REC Mode Monitor Screen ■ Fixed Focusing Distances • The image shown on the monitor screen in the REC mode is a simplified image for composing purposes. The actual image is recorded in accordance with the image quality setting currently selected on your camera. The image recorded on the memory card has much better resolution and detail than the REC mode monitor screen image.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING Image Recording when the Battery is Low Using Zoom To protect against unexpected loss of image data, images are recorded one-by-one whenever the battery level is indicated as or lower. The message “Press to cancel save.” appears on the monitor screen during the save operation under this condition. As long as you do not press , the save operation continues and takes a few seconds to complete.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING 4. Select the setting you want, and then press the NOTES shutter release button to apply it. • Changing the optical zoom factor also affects the lens aperture value. • The lens aperture value indicated on the camera is the aperture when optical zoom is 1X. Using a higher optical zoom setting results in a higher aperture value (smaller aperture). • Use of a tripod is recommended for telephoto shots to avoid blurring of the image due to camera movement.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING • Each press of cycles through the available flash modes described below. Using the Flash The following describes various flash settings you can make to suit the type of image you are trying to record. To do this Have the flash fire automatically when required (Auto Flash) 1. Enter the REC mode. Turn off the flash (Flash Off) Always fire the flash (Flash On) 2. Press to cycle through the available flash modes until the indicator for the one you want is on the monitor screen.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING Flash Status Indicators Adjusting the Flash Intensity You can check the current flash unit status by checking the monitor screen indicator and operation lamp while the shutter release button is pressed about half way down. Use the following procedure to adjust the intensity of the flash when it fires. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. SHIFT INFO 3. Select “FUNCTION” “Flash Intensity”, and then press the shutter release button. MF RESIZE 4.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING • The flash unit does not charge when battery power is too low to charge the flash. The (Flash Off) indicator appears to warn you that the flash will not fire correctly, which may affect exposure of the image. Replace batteries as soon as possible when this happens. • Red-eye reduction may not work well when the camera is not pointed directly at the subject or when the subject is far from the camera.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING Using the Auto Focus Mode Selecting the Focus Mode As its name suggests, the Auto Focus Mode adjusts focus automatically whenever you press the shutter release button about half way down. The following shows the relationship between optical zoom factor and the focusing distance for Auto Focus. You can use the following procedure to select from among four different focus modes: Auto Focus, Macro, Infinity, and Manual Focus. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING Using the Macro Mode The Macro Mode automatically sets the focus for close-up shooting. Focus adjustment starts automatically whenever you press the shutter release button about half way down. The following shows the relationship between optical zoom factor and the focusing distance for the Macro Mode. Focus frame QV-2400UX QV-2900UX • You can find out the status of the Auto Focus operation by checking the color of the focus frame and the status of the operation lamp.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING Using the Infinity Mode Using the Manual Focus Mode The Infinity Mode sets the focus near infinity. It is a good choice for scenery and other far-off subjects. Focus adjustment starts automatically whenever you press the shutter release button about half way down. With Manual Focus, you make the required focus settings by hand. The following shows the relationship between optical zoom factor and the focusing distance for the Manual Focus Mode. 1.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING 3. Press the shutter release button to stop the Using Focus Lock indicator flashing and fix the image focus at its current level. Normally, Auto Focus automatically focuses on the object that is inside the focus frame. Focus lock is a technique you can use in the Auto Focus, Macro( ), and Infinity ( ) modes that lets you lock the focus on a subject and then move the camera so the focus frame is pointed at another subject when you record.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING 2. While keeping the shutter release button de- Specifying Image Size and Quality pressed half way, move the camera and compose the image as you want. You can specify the image size and image quality to suit the type of image you are recording. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 3. Select “FUNCTION” “Size/Quality”, and then press the shutter release button. 4. Select the size and quality setting you want, 3.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING IMPORTANT! Using the Self-timer • The values in the table below are all approximate, and are affected by the types of images you record and other factors. • Saving two versions of an image in JPEG and TIFF formats creates a file that is very large, and greatly reduces storage capacity (page E-92). • To determine the number of images that can be stored on a memory card of a different capacity, multiply the capacities in the table below, by the appropriate value.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING To do this Turn the self-timer off Record 10 seconds after the shutter release button is pressed Record two seconds after the shutter release button is pressed Select this setting Exposure Compensation No display Whenever program AE, shutter speed priority AE, or aperture priority AE is selected as the exposure mode, you can adjust the exposure compensation value (EV value) within the range shown below in order to compensate for current lighting conditions.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING 3. After the EV value is the way you want, press EV value the shutter release button to record the image. [+] : Increases the EV value. A higher EV value is best for light colored subjects and backlit subjects. IMPORTANT! • When shooting under very dark or very bright conditions, you may not be able to obtain satisfactory results even after performing exposure compensation. • An EV value setting you make remains in effect until you change it.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS This section describes more advanced recording operations that are also provided by this camera. NOTE • You can blur the background even more by using the zoom slider adjust to maximum telephoto. Shooting Portraits The Portrait Mode blurs the background slightly, which makes the foreground subject stand out better. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 3. Select “PORTRAIT” (Portrait Mode), and then press the shutter release button. 4.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS NOTES Shooting Landscapes • You can add more depth from the foreground to background, and also create a greater feeling of horizontal expanse by using the zoom slider to adjust to maximum wide-angle. • Using the Landscape Mode indoors, in a shaded location, or in any other areas where lighting is dim can result in distant objects being out of focus. The Landscape Mode brings everything from distant scenery to close foreground objects into focus. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS NOTE Shooting Night Scenes • You can use the Night Scene Mode in combination with flash for slow sync shooting of people against a twilight or night scene background. The Night Scene Mode uses longer exposure to produce beautiful night scene images. IMPORTANT! • The shutter speed is quite slow in the Night Scene Mode, so be sure to use a tripod to hold the camera steady. • Auto Focus is difficult in the dark. If you experience problems, use manual focusing (page E-58).
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS ■ Composition Outline With certain Best Shot Mode images, a composition outline appears on the monitor screen to aid you when composing your image. The Auto Focus Frame is also adjusted on the monitor screen, so it is in the appropriate location to suit the composition outline. Instant Setup Using the Best Shot Mode The Best Shot Mode comes with a library of 28 different images.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 1. Enter the REC mode. NOTES • Best Shot Mode images are not images recorded using this camera. They are intended for reference purposes only. • The actual conditions that are present when you record your image may make it impossible to correctly obtain all of the effects of the Best Shot Mode image you select. • After selecting an image in the Best Shot Mode, you can adjust camera settings manually as you normally do.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS NOTES Specifying the Location of Best Shot Mode Scene Images • If there are no Best Shot Mode sample images on the memory card, you will be able to select from among the 28 built-in sample images only, even when the Built-in+CF or CF option is selected. • See page E-71 for information about storing sample images on a memory card. You can use the following procedure to specify the location of the Best Shot Mode scene images. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 3.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Registering Your Own Scene Setups 1. Enter the REC mode. You can register the settings of any image recorded with a CASIO QV-2400UX or QV-2900UX camera as a “user setup” for the Best Shot Mode. After you register a user setup, you can recall it just as you do with other scenes in the Best Shot Mode. 2. Press MENU. 3. Select “Best Shot” and then press the shutter release button. 4.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS NOTES Importing a Scene from the Best Shot Library on the CD-ROM • When you enter the Best Shot Mode, the first scene that appears is the last one you were viewing when you last exited the Best Shot Mode. • After you select a Best Shot Mode image, you can see the camera setup by displaying the various menus you normally use when setting up the camera manually.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 2. Set the bundled CD-ROM into your computer's IMPORTANT! CD-ROM drive. • Sample images appear on the Best Shot image selection screen in the same sequence they are registered on the memory card. • Formatting a memory card deletes all Best Shot Mode scene sample images stored on it. After deleting the card, you have to import the scenes you want to the memory card (page E-41). 3. If you are running Windows, Click “My Computer” and then open the CD-ROM drive's window.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS To record a movie using the normal mode Recording a Movie You can record movies that are approximately 16 seconds long. There are two movie recording modes: past and normal. The past mode lets you capture images of events that occurred before you pressed the shutter release button while the normal mode records what happens after you press the shutter release button. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 3. Select “MOVIE” (Movie Mode), and then press the shutter release button.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS IMPORTANT! To record a movie using the past mode • Flash is disabled during movie recording. • To view an AVI file on your computer, install QuickTime from the CD-ROM disc that comes bundled with the camera. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 3. Select “MOVIE (PAST)” (Movie Past Mode), and then press the shutter release button. 4. When you are ready to record, press the shutter release button all the way down. • Auto Focus continues to adjust the focus as the subject moves.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 4. Press the shutter release button to record the Shooting Panoramas first image. The Panorama Mode lets you digitally stitch together multiple images to create a sweeping panorama. • The right edge of the first image remains on the left side of the monitor screen to help you compose the second image of the panorama. Right edge of previous image 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 3. Select “PANORAMA” (Panorama Mode), and then press the shutter release button. 5.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS NOTE Shooting at Fixed Intervals • The camera uses the same exposure and white balance settings in effect when the first image of the panorama is recorded for recording all of the other images of the panorama. The Interval Mode lets you specify the number of images you want to shoot, the interval between shots, and the time to start shooting. It provides you with the following three types of interval shooting.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 4. Specify a value for “Shots” and then press the 8. Make exposure mode, metering mode, white shutter release button. balance, and other image settings you want. • You can skip this step if you want to shoot only a single image. 9. Compose the image so the subject is in the focus frame, and press the shutter release button all the way down. • Select “MAX shots” when you want the camera to keep recording images until its memory card becomes full.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Canceling an Interval Mode Timer Operation Specifying the Exposure Mode You can select from among the four exposure modes listed below. You can change the shutter mode setting while in any of the record modes. Sliding the POWER ON/OFF switch to the right to turn on the camera while an Interval Mode timer operation is being performed cancels the operation, which is indicated by the message “Interval operation cancelled” on the monitor screen.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Aperture Priority AE 1. Enter the REC mode. The A Mode (aperture priority AE) is the opposite of the S Mode. It lets you specify an aperture setting and automatically adjusts shutter speed accordingly. A larger aperture decreases depth of field, which is the zone of sharp focus in a scene. Conversely, a smaller aperture increases depth of field. 2. Press MENU. Large Aperture 3. Select “FUNCTION” “Exposure Mode”, and then press the shutter release button. 4.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS To do this Decrease aperture Increase aperture Shutter Speed Priority AE Press this button [+] [–] The S Mode (shutter speed priority AE) lets you specify a shutter speed and automatically adjusts aperture accordingly. 6. Press the shutter release button to record the Slow (1/30) image. Fast (1/1000) IMPORTANT! • It is often difficult to obtain proper brightness when shooting a subject that is very dark or very light.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 3. Select “FUNCTION” IMPORTANT! “Exposure Mode”, and then press the shutter release button. • It is often difficult to obtain proper brightness when shooting a subject that is very dark or very light. In such a case, try different shutter speed settings to find the one that produces the best results. • When the Shutter Speed is set to “BULB”, exposure continues as long as you depress the shutter button.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 4. Select “M” (Manual), and then press the shut- • A shutter speed slower than 1/8 second can cause the brightness of the image on the monitor screen to be different from the brightness of the image that is recorded. Slower speeds can also cause exposure of the image to be outside the AE range, making it impossible to achieve a proper aperture setting. ter release button. 5. Use [+] and [–] to specify the shutter speed.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 6. While holding down SHIFT INFO, use [+] and [–] Quick Exposure Mode Selection to select the aperture value you want. You can also use the following procedure to change the exposure mode, without going through the menu. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. While holding down SHIFT INFO, press to cycle through the exposure mode icons on the monitor screen in the sequence shown below. Aperture • To do this Decrease aperture Increase aperture Press this button [+] [–] 7.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Multi: Selecting the Metering Mode This mode takes readings across the entire image, and provides balanced exposure settings. Use the following procedure to specify multi metering, spot metering, or center-weighted metering as the metering mode. Center: 1. Enter the REC mode. This mode takes readings at the center of the image. 2. Press MENU. Spot: 3. Select “FUNCTION” “Metering”, and then press the shutter release button.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Quick Metering Mode Selection Setting the Sensitivity Level You can also use the following procedure to change the metering mode, without going through the menu. Use the following procedure to specify the sensitivity level. 1. Enter the REC mode. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 2. While holding down SHIFT INFO, press / / MF RESIZE to cycle through the metering mode icons on the monitor screen in the sequence shown below. • (multi) (center) 3.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS IMPORTANT! Using the Filter Function • Higher sensitivity can increase the chance of noise in the image. • Higher sensitivity can make it difficult to obtain proper focus using Auto Focus. It does not change the minimum brightness required for Auto Focus. • Regardless of the setting you make here, a sensitivity setting of ISO 80 is used automatically whenever you shoot with flash and whenever the S Mode (shutter speed priority AE) is selected.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS NOTE Selecting White Balance • Use “Daylight” for shooting in the Night Scene Mode. You can also use manual white balance if the “Daylight” setting does not produce the desired results. Selecting the right type of white balance can help to make the colors of a subject appear most natural under the type of lighting that is available. Adjusting White Balance Manually 1. Enter the REC mode.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 5. Point the camera at a piece of white paper or Quick White Balance Selection other similar object so it completely fills the monitor screen, and then press the shutter release button. You can also use the following procedure to change the white balance, without going through the menu. • This performs white balance adjustment and returns to the REC mode screen. 1. Enter the REC mode.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS NOTES Enhancing Certain Colors • The filter function (page E-86) produces the same effect as if a piece of colored cellophane paper were held in front of the lens of the camera. Color enhancement, on the other hand, alters the characteristics of the image to enhance specific color components. • If color enhancement and the filter function (page E86) are both turned on at the same time, the filter function is given priority (color enhancement is not performed).
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 4. Select the setting you want, and then press the Turning the On-screen Grid On and Off shutter release button. You can display gridlines on the monitor screen to help you compose your images before recording them. To do this Turn the grid off Turn the grid on 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 3. Select “FUNCTION” “Grid”, and then press the shutter release button.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Specifying Outline Sharpness Specifying Color Saturation Use the following procedure to control the sharpness of image outlines. Use the following procedure to control the saturation of image colors. 1. Enter the REC mode. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. 2. Press MENU. 3. Select “FUNCTION” 3. Select “FUNCTION” 4. Select the setting you want, and then press the 4.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Specifying Contrast Saving Uncompressed Images (TIFF Mode) Use the following procedure to control the difference between the light areas and dark areas of the image. Normally, the camera stores images in JPEG format only. The TIFF Mode stores two versions of the same image: a JPEG (compressed) version and a TIFF (uncompressed) version.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS IMPORTANT! Specifying Power On Default Settings • The TIFF format image save operation takes more time than the JPEG format save operation. • Turning on the TIFF Mode causes both JPEG and TIFF versions of the image to be saved. This causes image files to be very large, and greatly reduces storage capacity (page E-60). Configuring the camera’s “mode memory” controls power on default settings.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS To do this when the camera is turned on Select this Restore the item’s last setting when power was turned off On Restore the item’s factory default setting Off (default) Resetting the Camera Use the following procedure to reset all of the camera’s settings to their initial defaults as shown under “Camera Menus” on page E-146. 1. Enter the REC mode or PLAY mode. ■ Mode Memory Items and Settings 2. Press MENU. Memory Mode Status Item On Recording Mode Off Normal 3.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Changing REC mode FUNCTION Menu Settings Using the Shortcut Buttons Using the Camera’s Shortcut Features The shortcut features of the camera help to make it quicker and easier to obtain the REC mode setup you want. There are three shortcut procedures that you can use.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 3. While holding down SHIFT INFO, press one of To assign REC mode FUNCTION menu items to shortcut buttons the shortcut buttons to cycle through the settings of the item assigned to the button. The current setting of each button is indicated by an icon above the button. 1. Enter the REC mode. 2. Press MENU. Button REC mode FUNCTION Menu Item Icon 3. Use [+] and [–] to select “FUNCTION”, and then Setting press the shutter release button.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS • The following example shows the Filter setting screen. • Assigning a menu item to a shortcut button changes the icon that appears above the button when SHIFT INFO is pressed in the REC mode as shown below. Button Default Setting Icon Icon After Assignment SET 1 / /MF RESIZE SET 2 • You can assign any of the items marked with “ ” in the table under “Camera Menus” on page E-146 to a shortcut button.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 3. While holding down SHIFT INFO use [+] (for- Directly Accessing the REC mode FUNCTION Menu ward) and [–] (back) to cycle through the settings of the currently selected item. When in the REC mode, you can hold down SHIFT INFO and press MENU to display the FUNCTION menu. Cycling through REC mode FUNCTION Menu Settings You can use this shortcut to cycle through the settings of REC mode FUNCTION menu items without displaying the setting screen for the item. 1.
PLAYBACK PLAYBACK You can use the camera’s built in monitor screen to play back recorded images. NOTES • Holding down [+] or [–] scrolls images at high speed. • In order to allow for faster playback image scrolling, the image that initially appears on the monitor screen is a preview image, which is of somewhat lower quality than the actual display image. The actual display image appears about three seconds after the preview image. This does not apply to images copied from another digital camera.
PLAYBACK 3. Press the shutter release button to start play- Playing a Movie Use the following procedure to play back a movie recorded in the Movie Mode. 1. Enter the PLAY mode. 2. Use [+] and [–] to scroll through the images on the monitor screen until the movie you want to play is displayed. ing the movie. • The following describes operations that are available during movie playback.
PLAYBACK 3. Press the shutter release button to start play- Playing a Panorama Use the following procedure to play back a panorama recorded in the Panorama Mode. 1. Enter the PLAY mode. 2. Use [+] and [–] to scroll through the images on the monitor screen until the panorama you want to play is displayed. ing the panorama. • The following describes operations that are available during panorama playback.
PLAYBACK Enlarging the Playback Image 2X Use the following procedure to enlarge the playback image on the screen. You can select either 2X or 4X enlargement. 1. Enter the PLAY mode. 2. Use [+] and [–] to display the image you want to enlarge. 3. Slide the zoom slider towards T(TELE) to 4X zoom in on the image. • Operating the zoom slider sometimes causes a cropping boundary (page E-108) to appear in the image. 4. Each operation of the zoom slider change the zoom factor as follows: 1X 2X 4X.
PLAYBACK If you want to do this Do this Display on-screen guidance messages Press SHIFT INFO. Shift the view right Press [+]. Shift the view left Press [–]. Shift the view upwards Press Shift the view downwards Press Change the zoom factor: 1X 2X 4X Operate the zoom slider. Return the image to normal size Press the shutter release button. / Displaying the 9-image View The following procedure displays nine images on the monitor screen at the same time. 1. Enter the PLAY mode. /MF RESIZE. .
PLAYBACK Selecting a Specific Image in the 9-image View 3. Use [+] and [–] to move the pointer to the image you want to select, and then press the shutter release button. • This displays the single-image view of the selected image. 1. Display the 9-image view. 2. Press SHIFT INFO. • This causes a pointer to appear in the upper left corner of the monitor screen.
PLAYBACK Displaying the Histogram 4. Use [+] and [–] to scroll to another image if you The following procedure displays a histogram of an image's luminance components. The histogram is a tool you can use to check the exposure of an image. 5. To exit the histogram, press SHIFT INFO a 1. Enter the PLAY mode. want. number of times. IMPORTANT! 2. Use [+] and [–] to display the image whose histogram you want to view. 3. Press SHIFT INFO a number of times until the histogram appears.
PLAYBACK About the histogram... Using the Slide Show Feature The histogram is a graph of pixel luminance levels in terms of the number of pixels. The vertical axis represents the number of pixels, while the horizontal axis represents luminance. The information on the histogram can be used when correcting or editing the image to determine whether image details include enough shadows (left side) midtones (center), or highlights (right side).
PLAYBACK IMPORTANT! Resizing an Image • Auto Power Off (page E-37) is disabled whenever Slide Show is being used. This means you should not leave Slide Show running when using batteries to power the camera. Doing so can rundown batteries. Be sure to stop Slide Show and turn off the camera after you are finished. • Note that all buttons are disabled while an image change is in progress.
PLAYBACK IMPORTANT! Cropping an Image • The resized version of the image is saved as a new file. • The original, pre-resized image is also retained in memory. • Images smaller than 640 x 480 pixels cannot be resized. • Movie Mode, Panorama Mode, and TIFF (uncompressed) images cannot be resized. • Resizing of an image cannot proceed if the message “MEMORY FULL Delete unneeded images” appears during the above procedure.
PLAYBACK IMPORTANT! • The cropped version of the image is saved as a new file. • The original, pre-cropped image is also retained in memory. • Movie Mode, Panorama Mode, and TIFF (uncompressed) images cannot be cropped. • Cropping of an image cannot proceed if the message “MEMORY FULL Delete unneeded images” appears during the above procedure. 5. Press the shutter release button. NOTE 6. In response to the confirmation message that appears, use [+] and [–] to select “Yes”.
