Argus Camera DC3550 User Manual

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DC3550

Digital Camera

User's Manual

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Welcome Contents of Package System Requirements Dc3550 Nomenclature Accessory Set-up

Powering Up

Battery Installation Using the AC adapter Compact Flash Card Installation

Ejecting the Compact Flash Card Formatting Compact Flash Card

Date and Time Adjustment

Recording Images

Using the Navigation Dial Recording Mode Screen LCD Panel Control Screen Taking Pictures

Using Zoom Macro Mode Exposure Compensation White Balance Using the Flash Self-Timer LCD Brightness Beep Sound

Taking a Movie

Viewing Pictures

1 2 3 4 6

7 8 9 9 9

10 11 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 20

Playback Pictures Display a Movie Deleting Pictures Managing Pictures

Connecting External Equipmen

Television Display Output PC Display Output

Installing Software

How to install driver for Windows98( other OS without) How to install MGI PhotoSuite8.21SE software How to install QuickTime5 software

Accessories

FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions) Specifications

QSG(Quick Start Guide)

20 21 22 22

23 24

32 43

78 81

Getting Started

Welcome to the Exciting World of Argus Camera

Thank you for choosing Argus Camera to pursue your video adventures. Whether you are creating memories of your friends and family or exploring the great outdoors, since 1936 Argus Camera has been there, sharpening your images with leading edge technology. To get the utmost satisfaction from your DC3550 digital camera please take a moment to read through this manual. Its contents will send you on an educational journey into your camera's multiple capabilities.

Thank you again for choosing Argus!

This camera is not resistant to water and should not be used outdoors in snow or rain. If accidentally dropped in water, please quickly pour out the water. Dry it with sunlight or an air-blower. Protect it from excessive humidity. It will wet the lens and the pictures taken will be blurred. Do not attempt to disassemble the camera yourself. Always take it to an authorized service facility for repair. To store the camera, wrap it in a piece of clean, soft cloth and place it in a cool, dry, dust-free place. Performance may be limited using 1.5V batteries in low temperatures. Do not use Manganese batteries as they may overheat and destroy the camera.

Contents of Package

DC 3550 camera

USB cable

Video cable

User's Manual

Installation CD-ROM

Wrist strap

Lens cap strap

Lens cover

4- AA 1.5V batteries

System Requirements

Intel 486 or higher CPU (intel pentium processor or higher recommended)

Microsoft Windows98/Me /XP operation system/2000

At least 16MB RAM

80MB harddisk space

CD-ROM driver

Microsoft Mouse or compatible mouse device

DC3550 Nomenclature

Computer connector USB

card compartment cover

Video output connector NTSC

AC adapter connector

Control panel

Flash

Lens

Viewfinder

Macro / self-timer / flash

Viewfinder focus dial

Self-timer lamp (red)

Flash sensor

Connector cover

Viewfinder

Process lamp shooting ready (green)

Autofocus mark

Viewfinder

Online lamp AF ready (orange)

LCD monitor

Display button

Battery compartment open/close lever

Power button

Navigation Dial

Zoom lever

Mode dial

Shutter release

button

"ok" mark

Enter button

Menu button

Tripod mount

(bottom view)

Accessory Set-up

Figure 1 Figure 2

CARD

Figure 3 Figure 4

CARD

Powering Up

Battery Installation

sliding theLOCK switch inthe opposite directionof the arrow to unlock

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

1.Be sure that power is OFF.

Unlock the battery compartment by sliding the LOCK switch in the opposite direction of the arrow. See Figure 1.

2.Open battery chamber cover.

Insert 4 AA batteries into the battery chamber. Be sure to use correct polarity

as shown on the battery chamber inside cover. See Figure 2.

3.Close battery chamber cover.

Slide the LOCK switch in the direction of the arrow to secure the battery compartment closed. See Figure 3..

Using the AC Adapter

An optional AC adapter allows you to power your digital camera from a common AC wall outlet.

AC wall outlet

AC adapter connector

AC adapter

1.Be sure that power is OFF.

2.Open the Connector cover and plug the AC adapter into the AC adapter connector on the camera. See illustration.

3.Plug the AC adapter into a power outlet.

See illustration.

4.To disconnect, turn off the power, and unplug the AC adapter first from the camera then from the outlet.

Note:

When in use for long periods, the AC adapter may get warm. This is normal.

Compact Flash Card Installation

power(off)

Figure 1

Figure 2

Open the CF card compartment cover

thebackofthecard

the

back

faces theback of the

faces

the

camera.

eject lever

back

card

1.Be sure that the camera is OFF.

2.Open Card compartment cover.

3.Insert the CF card into the slot. Be sure that the CF card is in the upright position and the back of the card faces the back of the camera.

4.Close the CF card slot.

Ejecting the Compact Flash Card:

1.Turn OFF camera power.

2.Open the Card compartment cover.

3.Push the eject lever to eject the card.

the

See Figure 2

Formatting the CF Card

1.Set the Mode dial to .

2.Press the Menu button to display the Menu.

3.Move arrows on the navigation to ""

and press .

4.Confirm with then auto run

"ok"

"FORMAT/SURE?

"ok"

COMPLETE

FORMAT

Date and Time Adjustment

1.Set the Mode dial to " " and press to display.MENU

2.Press the arrow on the navigation dial to select mode,and press "OK"

used to move the item,

used to change the value ,

press "OK".

Recording Images

1.Turn mode to

2.Press MENU to display the menu screen

3.Press the navigation arrow to toggle through the items.

4.Press "OK" to select and item."Date" "Format"

5.Use the navigation arrow to select condition elements.

6.press "OK" when condition element is selected.

7.Use the navigation arrows to adjust the value of specified"Date"

condition .Press "OK" to complete selection.

move the cursor up, down,

"OK" ENTERbutton

Navigation tools

left, right.

Recording Mode Screen

When the Mode dial is set to or .

Monitor display

MOVIE MODE MENU

STILL MODE MENU

ITEM CONDITION

SIZE

ELEMENT

QUAL

LCD

LANG

DATE

FORMAT

EN FRGR

2002.09.20 15:45

SURE?

LANGUAGE

"ok"

first

each value of condition element

Use

"ok"

ENGLISH GERMAN FRENCH

"ok"

sunny cloudy fluorescent indoor

09 20 15 45

2002

then

lamp

"ok"

COMPLETE

Monitor display

Use

LCD will display the last image of still picture.

LCD will display the last image of movie picture.

MULT1

"ok"

(continue to be display)SLIDE

LOCK?

SURE?

"ok"

COMPLETE

"ok"

The images that are displayed will be a slide.

"ok"

Press to pause.

"ok"

LCD Panel Control Screen

Battery check

Red-eye reducing

Large size

Night scene & shake avoid

Standard size

Frame number

CF card check

Selftimer

Macro

Flash Fill-in Flash auto Flash off

High quality

Standard quality

Taking Pictures

Taking pictures using the optical viewfinder.

Viewfinder

Autofocus mark

Figure 1

Using Zoom

Figure 2

1.Set the Mode dial to or .

2.Compose the picture by placing the subject within the autofocus marks in the viewfinder. SeeFigure1.

3.Press the shutter release button halfway to lock the focus and exposure.

(When the orange lamp blinks, focus or exposure is locked.)

Press the Shutter release button fully to take the picture.

Press the " T" to choose telephoto shooting. See figure 2. Press the"W"tochoose wide-angle shooting.See figure 2.

NOTE:

When using the Digital tele mode, your picture will appear approximately six times larger The setting will be canceled when the power is turned OFF.

Macro Mode

You can take photographs in macro mode as close as 0 .2 meters. A subject that is approximately6X8cmcanbephotographed fully within the frame.

1.Set the Mode dial to or .

2.Press the Macro button until appears on the control panel.

To cancel the Macro mode, press the Macro button again until the disappears.

3.Take a picture.

Control panel

Shooting Range: 0.66 (0.2m)~1.64 (0.5m)approximately

Note:

When using the flash in the Macro mode, the flash may not have the proper effect. Confirm the result using the LCD monitor.

Using the LCD monitor as a viewfinder makes it easy to take the close-up pictures.

The setting will be canceled when the power is turned to OFF. When using movie record mode in Macro mode, the camera has an effect similar to Digital

TEL mode.

Exposure Compensation

In addition to automatic exposure, you can also adjust it manually.

Use - to adjust when the subject is mostly bright Use + to adjust when the subject is mostly dark The flash sensor controls the exposure when the camera is in flash mode.

1.Set the Mode dial to or .

2.When Mode dial is selected, the exposure setting will be displayed.like:"0/3EV"

it meaning that steps ,approx

Press the arrow on the dial for + adjustment and the arrow

for - adjustment.

Note:

Not available in the Manual mode. The setting will be canceled when the power is turned off. The exposure compensation may not work properly when shooting with the flash.

"+2EV in 1/3EV .-6/3EV~+6/3EV"

navigation

White Balance

1.Set the Mode dial to .

2.Press the Menu button to display the Menu.

3.Press the arrows on the navigation dial to select" WB".

4.Press the on the dial to select AUTO, SUNNY, CLOUDY, INDOOR or FLUOR.

arrows navigation

5.Press the to confirm the setting.

"ok"

Using the Flash

Select the mode according to shooting conditions.

You can toggle to the next flash mode by pressing the Flash button.

Flash mode

Auto-Flash

Red-eye reducing Flash

Fill-in Flash (Flash always fires)

Flash Off (Flash dose not fire)

Night Scene

Automatically flash in low-light and backlight conditions.

Reducing the subject's eye appearing red.

Regardless of available flash.

Never flash.

Slow shutter speed mode with speed as slow 1 second.

Use

Flash working range:

approximately 2.62 (0.8m)~18.37 (5.6m)

Note:

A blinking green lamp signifies the flash is the time of charg, Wait until the green lamp is not blinking to take the picture. When using the flash in the Macro mode, especially with wide-angle shooting, the flash may not have the proper effect. Confirm the result using the LCD monitor. Flash cannot be enough time to charge in the Sequence mode.

Self-Timer

1.Set the Mode dial to .

2.Press the self-timer button until appears on the control panel.

3.Place the Auto Focus mark over the subject and press the shutter button. The camera focuses on the subject in the frame as the front red lamp is blinking.

In this mode a timer runs for roughly 10 seconds before the shutter is released. To cancel the self-timer mode, press the self-timer button until disappears.

NOTE:

When using the self-timer mode, the use of a tripod is recommended.

Viewfinder

LCD Brightness

Autofocus mark

1.Set the Mode dial to " "or" "and press to display.MENU

2.Press the arrow on the navigation dial to select " " mode, then press the arrow to adjust LCD brightness .( )

Finally, press to confirm it.

"ok"

LCD

Beep Sound

1.Set the Mode dial to and press to display.MENU

2.Press the arrow on the navigation dial to select " "mode, then press the

arrow to adjust the setting "OFF LOW HIGH" and press botton to

conform.

Note:

The setting will remain until it is readjusted.

BEEP

"ok"

Taking a Movie

1.Press to set /exit.MENU

2.Use to select wide angle or telephoto.WT

3.Press the shutter halfway to lock focus and exposure. See Figure 1.

4.Press the shutter fully, to record movie until the gauge is full. This usually

happens within approximately 12 seconds. See Figure 2.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Viewing Pictures

Playback Pictures

Use button to specify whether the image appears after picture is taken.MENU

1.Set MODE dial to and press to display.

2.Select playback way to MULTI or SLIDE.

3.Select PROTECT to protect images from being deleted.

4.Select DELETE to erase images.

Multi Frame Mode:

1.Press .

2.Press to toggle between multi frames mode.

3.Use to display the image from 6 frames.

"ok"

4.Press if you want to resume and select another.

5.Press to specify the photographed image under single frame mode.

Slide Mode:

1.Press .

2.The images that are displayed will be a slide.

3.Press to pause.

"ok"

Enlarge Pictures using Zoom mode:

1.You can enlarge the preview to check the image.

2.Zoom in different parts of the image.

3.Pressing reverts picture to zoom out.

"ok"

Display a Movie

Use button to specify MOVIE mode.MENU

1.Set MODE dial to and press to display.

2.Select PROTECT to protect images from being deleted.

3.Select DELETE to erase images.

Multi Frame Mode:

1.Press .

2.Press to toggle between multi frames mode. Use to select and display the image from 6 frames.

"ok"

3.Press if you want to resume and select another.

4.Press to specify the movie under single frame mode.

Slide Mode:

1.Press .

2.The images that are displayed will be a slide.

3.Press could be pause.

"ok"

Play movie:

1.Press to play the movie when data is loaded.

2.Press again, could be pause or resume.

"ok"

Deleting Pictures

1.Set the Mode dial to or press the MULTI,andMENU

to select the picture you

"ok"

want to delete.

2.Press the and use navigation dial ONE/ALL,

3.Press to select Delete one or Delete all.

Important

Never open the card cover, eject the card, remove the batteries, or pull the plug while erasing pictures. It may destroy the data in the card. When the picture is protected or the write-protect adhesive seal " "MARK is placed on the picture the camera does not erase it. Cancel the protection or remove the seal use " "to switch "LOCK? /UNLOCK?"under

" protect" mode.

"ok"

to select Use arrows to choose

Managing Pictures

1.Set the Mode dial to or

Press the

MULTI,and

want to protect.

2.Press the and navigation dial to select ,Use arrow to choose ONE/ALL.

3.Press to select Protect one or protect all.

"ok"

The protected picture will not be deleted with all-Frame erase. When using card format, it will erase all protected and unprotected pictures.

to select the picture you

"ok"

Note:

The protected picture will not be deleted with All-Frame erase, but will be deleted with Card format.but "card format" will erase all the picture , can't choice or selection. Delete is not available when the write-protect adhesive seal is placed like " MARK". The setting will remain until it is readjusted.

Connecting External Equipment

Television Display Output

Recorded images can be viewed on TV

1.Be sure the TV is OFF and the camera is OFF prior to connecting.

2.Connect the cable by inserting video connector between camera and television . See Figure 1.

3.Turn on the TV. See Figure 2.

4.Set the camera Mode dial to or .

5.Select a picture. Use instructions on page 20 Playback Picture to choose a picture.

Video cable

Video output connector

Figure 1

Figure 2

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