Konica Minolta DIMAGE 3D1500 User Manual

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Thank you for purchasing the Minolta 3D 1500. Please take the time to read through this instruction manual so you can enjoy all its features.

For information on installing and operating the included application software, please read the software instruction manual saved in the CD-ROM as a pdf file. This manual contains information regarding products introduced before Sep., 1999. To obtain compatibility information for products released after this date, contact a Minolta Service Facility listed on the back cover of this manual.

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).

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. 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.

Do not remove the ferrite cores from the cables.

• MetaFlash™, MetaFlash™ Studio, and MetaStream™ are trademarks of MetaCreations Corporation.

• Windows

is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries of

Microsoft Corporation.

Digital Camera:

FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

3D 1500

Tested To Comply With FCC Standards

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BEFORE YOU BEGIN

FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE

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Read and understand all warnings and cautions before using this product.

WARNING

Batteries may become hot or explode due to improper use.

• Use only the batteries specified in this instruction manual.

• Do not install the batteries with the polarity (+/-) reversed.

• Do not subject batteries to fire or high temperatures.

• Do not attempt to recharge, short, or disassemble.

• Do not mix batteries of different types, brands, or ages.

Use caution, accidents may occur when using this product near young children.

Keep batteries or things that could be swallowed away from young children. Contact a doctor immediately if an object is swallowed.

Immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use if...

• the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior is exposed.

• the product emits a strange smell, heat, or smoke.

Do not walk while looking at the monitor.

Do not disassemble. Electric shock may occur if a high voltage circuit inside the camera is touched. Take your camera to a Minolta Service Facility when repairs are required.

CAUTION

The heat of the camera rises with extended periods of use. Use caution when handling the camera or removing the batteries and compact flash card.

The lens retracts when the camera is turned off or Auto Power Off is activated. Touching the lens barrel while it is retracting may cause injury.

Check the packing list before you begin. If some parts are missing, contact your camera dealer or a Minolta Service Facility listed on the back cover of this manual.

• Minolta 3D 1500 camera (x 1)

• Camera Bracket CB-3D1 (x 1)

• AA-size Alkaline Batteries (x 8)

• AC Adapter (x 1)

• Quest

8 HOUR NiMH BATTERY CHARGER and NiMH BATTERIES

Quest®AA-size rechargeable NiMH batteries (x 4) Size AA& size AAANiMH battery charger (x 1)

• Video Cable VC-EX1 (x 1)

• CD-ROM (x 1)

MetaFlash™ Studio for Windows

MetaStream™ Viewer Plug-in (Web browser Plug-in) MetaFlash™ Studio User Guide (PDF file) Adobe Acrobat™ Reader 4.0 Installer

• Floppy Disk (x 1) Calibration File Script file for reading the number of MetaFlash fired (GETSCNT.CSM)

• LexarMedia JumpShot®USB connection kit

32MB USB-enabled CompactFlash card (x 1) JumpShot®USB cable (x 1)

• Documentation

Camera Instruction Manual (this manual) (x 1) Dimâge EX Camera Instruction Manual (x 1) Dimâge EX Version 2 Guide (x 1) Warranty (x 1)

[IMPORTANT] About the Calibration File

The attached floppy disk contains a calibration file. The data in this file is required to generate 3D images for MetaFlash Studio from the image data which is taken with the 3D 1500 camera. You could generate no 3D image without this data.

The calibration file is unique to each 3D 1500 camera. You can not use it for another 3D 1500 camera You can not use the calibration file for another 3D 1500 camera with your 3D 1500 camera, either.

Exercise adequate care when handling or storing the floppy disk so that the calibration file on the floppy disk may not be lost or corrupted. Be sure to take a backup copy of the floppy disk in case it is lost or damaged. It is recommended that, whenever possible, the data on the floppy disk be saved on two or more storage media such as another floppy disk, hard disk, and Zip disk.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE ......................................................................2

BEFORE YOU BEGIN ......................................................................................3

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................4

NAMES OF PARTS..........................................................................................6

MATERIALS COVERED IN THIS MANUAL....................................................8

PREPARATION

INSERTING BATTERIES [Camera Body] ................................................10

INSERTING BATTERIES [MetaFlash]......................................................12

Low Battery Indicator [Camera Body].................................................14

Rules of Thumb for Replacing the Batteries [MetaFlash] ..................14

Auto Power Off [Camera Body]..........................................................15

Auto Power Off [MetaFlash]...............................................................15

Using the AC Adapter [Camera Body Only] .......................................16

COMPACT FLASH CARD ........................................................................17

Inserting the Compact Flash Card......................................................17

Removing the Compact Flash Card...................................................18

A TTACHING AND REMOVING THE METAFLASH UNIT.........................20

Attaching the MetaFlash Unit to the Camera.....................................20

Removing the MetaFlash Unit from the Camera................................20

ATTACHING THE CAMERA BRACKET...................................................21

BEFORE TAKING PICTURES

PROCESSES FOR GENERATING A 3D IMAGE.....................................23

IMPORTANT PREPARATIONS FOR TAKING PICTURES ......................24

Subjects That are Not Suited for the 3D 1500...................................24

Making the Background of the Subject Solid Black ...........................25

Brightness of the Subject and Its Surrounding...................................26

To Get Better 3D Images....................................................................27

TAKING PICTURES

BASIC RECORDING PROCEDURE........................................................29

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION................................................................34

TRANSFERRING IMAGE DATA...............................................................36

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

WHEN TO REPLACE THE XENON LAMP ..............................................38

TROUBLESHOOTING..............................................................................39

ACCESSORIES........................................................................................42

CARE AND STORAGE.............................................................................44

TECHNICAL DETAILS..............................................................................47

NAMES OF PARTS

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NAMES OF PARTS

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Flash tube

Refer to the Dimâge EX Camera Instruction Manual for more details.

Power switch

Flash-ready lamp

Display button

Tripod socket

Battery-chamber cover

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MATERIALS COVERED IN THIS MANUAL

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PREPARATION

This manual covers only the procedures for using the Minolta 3D 1500 to take pictures which will be served as the source for generating 3D images.

For the basic functions and operating procedures of the Minolta 3D 1500 camera, refer to the Camera Instruction Manual for Dimâge EX.

You can use your Minolta 3D 1500 as an ordinary Dimâge EX (Version 2) camera (non-3D camera) by attaching an optional Zoom 1500 or Wide 1500 lens unit in place of the MetaFlash unit. For the operating procedures for this purpose, refer to the Dimâge EX Camera Instruction Manual and “Dimâge EX Version 2 Guide” which come with the Dimage EX system.

INSERTING BATTERIES [Camera Body]

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INSERTING BATTERIES [Camera Body]

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Open the battery-chamber cover by sliding it in the direction indicated, then open the cover.

(When replacing the batteries), press the main switch to turn the camera off and remove the camera bracket (see Page 21).

• You may skip this step when inserting the batteries for the first time after purchase.

Insert the batteries as indicated by the +/- diagram on the back of the battery-chamber cover.

Close the battery-chamber cover and slide it shut until it clicks.

The Minolta 3D 1500 uses a total of 8 AA-sized alkaline batteries, 4 batteries for the camera body and 4 batteries for the MetaFlash unit.

• You may also use AA-sized Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries.

• When using Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries, fully recharge them with a vendor-endorsed

battery charger.

INSERTING BATTERIES [MetaFlash]

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INSERTING BATTERIES [MetaFlash]

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(When replacing the batteries), press the main switch to turn the camera off, turn the MetaFlash off, and remove the camera bracket (see Page 21).

• You may skip this step when inserting the batteries for the first time after purchase.

Using a coin or similar object, turn the battery-chamber lock counter-clockwise to the OPEN mark.

Open the battery-chamber cover, then insert the batteries as indicated by the + and - marks.

Close the cover, then turn the battery-chamber cover to the CLOSE mark to lock it.

• To prevent damage to the cover, do not place the camera body with the batterychamber cover opened and the cover facing downward.

The Minolta 3D 1500 uses a total of 8 AA-sized alkaline batteries, 4 batteries for the camera body and 4 batteries for the MetaFlash unit.

• You may also use AA-sized Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries.

• When using Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries, fully recharge them with a vendor-endorsed

battery charger.

INSERTING BATTERIES - CONT’D

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INSERTING BATTERIES - CONT’D

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A warning message will appear in the top overlay bar of the LCD monitor when the battery power gets low.

In such a case, turn the camera off temporarily and replace the four batteries with new ones* or use the AC adapter.

Low Battery Indicator [Camera Body]

When the battery power is too low for camera operations, an alert dialog will appear on the LCD monitor.

You can not operate your camera under this situation. The camera will automatically shutdown in aproximately one minute.

In such a case, turn the camera off immediately and replace the four batteries with new ones* or use the AC adapter.

Auto Power Off [Camera Body]

The LCD monitor will shut off if the camera has not been used for 3 minutes.

• The power lamp will remain on.

• Press the Display button to turn the LCD monitor back on.

After an additional 3 minutes without use (6 minutes total), the camera will shut down completely.

• The power lamp will turn off.

• Press the main switch to turn the camera back on.

When you are using the AC adapter, the Auto Power Off feature will be activated and camera power is automatically shut off if you take no action for approximately 30 minutes or longer.

Rules of Thumb for Replacing the Batteries [MetaFlash]

Auto Power Off [MetaFlash]

* Take care when replacing the batteries as they are hot immediately after the camera

is operated.

Replace the batteries when the camera shows one of the following charging times (the time till the Flash-ready lamp on the rear panel turns on after taking a picture):

AA-sized alkaline batteries

30 seconds or longer Replace all of the 4 batteries with new ones.

AA-sized Ni-Cd batteries

30 seconds or longer Replace all of the 4 batteries with fully charged ones.

AA-sized Ni-MH batteries

30 seconds or longer Replace all of the 4 batteries with fully charged ones.

The MetaFlash unit is provided with no Auto Power Off feature. For power saving, turn off its power frequently when you are not to use the MetaFlash unit.

Whenever you take a picture, make sure that your MetaFlash unit is switched on.

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COMPACT FLASH CARD

INSERTING BATTERIES - CONT’D

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Using the AC Adapter [Camera Body Only]

Use the AC Adapter allows the camera to receive power from an electrical outlet. Use of the AC Adapter is recommended to conserve batteries during periods of heavy use. It is also recommended when interfacing the camera with the computer.

Always turn the camera off, and switch the digital camera power supply off, before changing from batteries to AC adapter or vice versa. Do not change the power supply while the camera is on.

Turn the camera off and remove all of the four batteries.

Insert the mini plug into the camera’s DC terminal.

• The shape of the mini plug varies depending on the AC adapter.

Your camera requires a compact flash card to be inserted before capturing images.

Always turn off the camera before inserting or removing the compact flash card into or from the camera.

The data in the card will be lost, or the card itself may be damaged, if the compact flash card is inserted or removed while the camera is on.

Open the battery-chamber cover by sliding it in the direction indicated, then open the cover.

Insert the compact flash card into the card slot, pushing it in until the card-release lever pops out.

• Insert the card so the back label is on the lens side of the camera.

• Push the card in straight, not at an angle.

• Wrong direction: If the card stops mid-way,

confirm the direction of the card. Do not force the card.

Fold the card-release lever down as shown.

Inserting the Compact Flash Card

Continued on Next Page

Insert the AC plug into an electrical outlet.

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