Minolta DiMAGE S404, Instruction Manual

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CAMERA SENSITIVITY - ISO
M
ULTI
-
FUNCTION RECORDING
FLASH RANGE AND CAMERA SENSITIVITY
Flash range (wide angle) ISO setting
AUTO
64
100
200
400
0.5m ~ 3.5m (1.6 ft. ~ 11.5 ft.)
Flash range (telephoto)
0.9m ~ 3.0m (3.0 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.)
0.5m ~ 2.0m (1.6 ft. ~ 6.6 ft.)
0.5m ~ 2.5m (1.6 ft. ~ 8.2 ft.)
0.5m ~ 3.5m (1.6 ft. ~ 11.5 ft.)
0.5m ~ 5.0m (1.6 ft. ~ 16.4 ft.)
0.9m ~ 1.7m (3.0 ft. ~ 5.6 ft.)
0.9m ~ 2.1m (3.0 ft. ~ 6.9 ft.)
0.9m ~ 3.0m (3.0 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.)
0.9m ~ 4.2m (3.0 ft. ~ 13.8 ft.)
The flash range is measured from the CCD. 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.
Five camera sensitivity settings can be selected: Auto, 64, 100, 200, and 400; the
numerical values are based on an ISO equivalent. ISO is the standard used to indicate
film sensitivity: the higher the number, the more sensitive the film. Camera sensitivity is
set in the basic section of the multi-function recording mode menu (p. 50).
The auto setting automatically adjusts the camera sensitivity to the light conditions
between ISO 64 and 320. When the flash is activated and camera sensitivity is set to
auto, the ISO value is set between ISO 64 and 200. When any other setting than auto
is used, “ISO” will appear on the data panel, and “ISO” and the set value will be
displayed on the monitor.
Photographers can select a specific sensitivity setting. As the ISO value doubles, the
camera sensitivity doubles. Like grain in silver-halide film that increases with speed,
noise increases with sensitivity in digital imaging; an ISO setting of 64 will have the
least noise and 400 will have the most noise. An ISO setting of 400 will allow the
camera to be hand-held in low-light conditions without the need of a flash.
FOCUS MODES
This camera has autofocus and manual focus control. The focus mode is set in the
basic section of the multi-function recording mode menu (p. 50).
Autofocus will produce excellent results in almost every situation, however, under
certain conditions, the autofocus system will not work accurately; see special focusing
situations on page 25. In these situations the camera can be manually focused.
After setting the camera to the manual focus mode (MF), “ZOOM” and “FOCUS” will
appear at the top of the LCD monitor. Press the center of the controller to switch
between the two functions; the function highlighted in blue is active. With “FOCUS”
highlighted, use the up/down keys of the controller to focus; the approximate focus
distance is displayed at the bottom of the monitor next to the frame counter. All
distances are measured from the CCD.
When the focus is set to the minimum focusing distance, as the lens is zoomed, the
distance will change to match the minimum focusing distance at each focal length.
Manual focus is not available when the monitor is turned off. The controller function will
automatically switch to the zoom.
Press the controller to switch between
focus and zoom (1). The active function is
highlighted in blue (2).
Use the up/down keys of the
controller to zoom or focus.
Focus
distance
from the
CCD.
2
1
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
.