Olympus 211 User Manual

INSTRUCTIONS

Before using your camera, read this manual carefully to ensure

correct use.
We recommend that you take test shots to get accustomed to
your camera before taking important photographs.

Thank you for purchasing an Olympus camera.

MAIN

FEATURES

Built-in 38mm~70mm (approx. 2X) zoom lens

Remote control (optional)
Quartz date or time imprinting

(QUARTZDATE/DLX

models

only)

Symbols used in this manual:

Incorrect

2

Indicator on

Manual

operation

Indicator

blinking

Next

operation

Attention

Operation

order

Depress

halfway

Automatic

operation

PREPARATIONS

Names and f unctions of parts

Viewfinder display/LCD panel

Using the strap and soft case

Outline of operations

4

Loading the batteries

6

Checking the batteries

7

Poin ts t o remember

8

12

13
14

BASIC OPERATIONS

ADVANCED
TECHNIQUES

CAMERA
MAINTENANCE

Loading the fil m

Taking pictures

Using the focus lock

Unloading the film

Flash photography

Selftimer

Remote control RC-100 (optional)
Printing the date and time (f o r QUARTZDATE/DLX models only)
Correcting the data (for QUARTZDATE/DLX models only)

Questions and answers
Care and storage

Battery handling

Troubleshooting
Specifications

16
18

22

24

25
28
29
30
31

32
33
34
35

3

40

NAMES AND FUNCTIONS OF PARTS

/REMOTE

button

(See

p.

28/29.)

Zoom dial

Controls zoom-in and

-out when turned

Power switch

(See

Switches the power ON

and OFF when turned

p.

18.)

(See p. 18.)

Shutter release

button

(See

p.

15.)

Strap eyele t

4

Mid-roll rewind

button

Flash

(See

p.

Flash mode button

24.)

(See

Autofocus windows

p.

25.)

LCD panel

Displays the camera's mode

and operation conditions.

MO D E a nd S E T

buttons*

Selftimer indicator

Lens

*QUARTZDATE/DLX models only

(See p. 6.)

(See

p.

30/31.)

Light sensor

Viewfinder

Viewfinder

(See

p. 6.)

Fi lm window

Back cover

release

Tripod socket

Battery compartment

cover

Back cover

5

VIEWFINDER DISPLAY/LCD PANEL

VIEWFINDER DISPLAY

Orange lamp

Lights when the flash is ready to fire.

Green lamp

Lights when the subject is in focus.

Close-up correction marks

At a close distance, your subject must be

positioned within the

close-up correction marks.

Autofocus mark

Position your subject within

the autofocus mark.

LCD PANEL

6

Date indicator

(QUARTZDATE/DLX

models only)
Flash modes (p. 25)

Battery check (p. 13)

Selftimer/remote control (optional)

(p. 28/29)

Exposure counter (p. 17)

USING THE STRAP AND SOFT CASE

Attaching the Strap

Using th e Soft Case (optional)

7

Lithium
battery

Load the batteries (p. 12).

8

Two AA

alkaline
batteries

OUTLINE OF OPERATIONS

Basic Shooting Procedures

(R6)

Open the back cover (p. 16)

Load the film (p. 16).

Align the film leader with the
mark, and close the back cover
(p. 17).

Set the ON / O F F switch to ON

(p.

18).

Mak e sure the exposure counter

on the LCD panel reads (p. 17).

9

Turn the zoom dial for telephoto

or wide-angle photography

(p.

18).

10

Place the au tofocus mark on the
subject you want to photograph
(p. 19).

Depress the shutter release
button halfway to make sure the
green lamp lights (p. 20).

Depress the shutter release button

fully to ta ke a pict ure (p. 20).

When the film reaches the end of

the roll, it will automatically rewind
(p.

24).

Open the back cover to remove

the rewound film (p. 24).

11

LOADING THE BATTERIES

Remove the battery cover.

1

.

Use one 3V lithium battery (CR123A or DL123A) or two AA
(R6) alkaline batteries.
Before loading the batteries, set the ON/OFF switch to OFF.

12

The lens protector may sometimes open and close when
the batteries have been loaded.

Insert t he batteries, and
replace the battery cover.

2.

Two AA

alkaline batteries

Lithium
battery

Be sure the batteries are aligned correctly
as shown.
Insert the bottom of the battery first.

Read "Battery Handling" on page 34.

(R6)

Set the ON/OFF switch

to ON.

1

.

CHECKING THE BATTERIES

Batteries are OK. The ma rk

disappears after 12 sec.

Batteries are low.

Blinks

Lights

Have spares handy.

Batteries should be replaced
immediately.

13

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Hold the Camera Correctly.

Correct.

Hold the camera firmly with both hands.
In the vertical position, hold the camera with its flash
positioned at the top.

14

Correct.

Caution:

Keep your fingers away from
the lens, flash, autofocus
windows and light sensor.

Incorrect.

Proper Shutter Release.

Depress the shutter

1.

release button halfway

To lock th e focus.

The green lamp lights in
the viewfinder.

To release the shutter

and take the picture.

Practice before loading the film.

Depress the shutter

release button fully

2.

Cautions:

Press the shutter release

button gently.

Avoid shaking the camera when

pressing the shutter release
button to prevent blurry pictures .

15

LOADING THE FILM

Slide the back cover release
upward to open the back

1.

cover.

OPERATIONS

BASIC

Note:
Be careful not to touch the camera's interior
surfaces, such as the inside of the lens. When
dust is stuck to the lens, use a blower brush, etc.,

16

to clean it.

Insert the film cartridge,

2.

making sure the film is lying

flat.

Correct

Incorrect

Align the film leader with the

.

red mark, and close the back

3

cover.

Set the ON/OFF switch to ON.

4

.

The film automatically advances to the first frame.

The film does not overlap any of the positioning
guides shown above.

The exposure counter on the LCD
panel reads

Note:

If blink s in the exposure counter, as shown
above, reload the film.

17

TAKING PICTURES

Rotate the power switch to

1.

turn the power ON.

The lens protector opens, the lens extends
slightly, and the LCD panel activates.

18

Aim the camera at your subject.
Use the zoom dial for telephoto

2.

or wide-angle photography.

Telephoto: Turn the zoom dial to T.

Maximum
telephoto focal

length: 70 mm

Wide-angle: Turn the zoom dial to W.

Position the autofocus mark

on your subject.

.3

Maximum

wide-angle focal

length: 38 mm

Autofocus mark

19

Depress the shutter release

4.

button halfway.

Depress the shutter release

5.

button fully.

The green lamp lights.

20

The film automatically advances to the

next frame.

Working Distan ce

The focus range of the camera is

0.6 m (2 ft) to (infinity).

When the subject is closer tha n 0.6 m

(2 ft), the shutter will not release.

(The green lamp blinks.)

When the subject is extremely close to

the camera, the subject will be out of

focus although the shutter releases.

Close-Up Correction

Close-up correction marks

Image area of picture at 0. 6 m (2 ft)

The viewfinder's picture frame shows the area tha t
can be shot for subjects at . However, the picture

area will move lower in the viewfinder as you get
closer to the subject. At 0.6 m (2 ft), the shaded area
is the actual available image area. In this case, the

subject should be positioned b elo w the close-up

correction marks.

Picture frame

21

TO AVOID TAKING OUT-OF-FOCUS PICTURES

USING T HE FOCUS LOCK

When the main subject is not in
the center of the frame, use the
focus lock.

The autofocus mark must be positioned on

the subject in order to focus on it. In the above

case, the camera will focus on the tree in the

22

background and the subjects will be out of

focus.

Autofocus mark

Position the autofocus mark on

1.

your subject and press the shutter

release button halfway.

The green lamp lights.

Reposition your subjects in the picture

frame while keeping the shutter

2.

release button depressed halfway.

Depress the shutter release
button fully to take picture.

3.

Difficult Autofocus Subjects

Glossy and reflective surfaces

Black objects

Subjects behind glass or wire mesh

Flames and smoke

Excessively bright light within the

picture area

In the above situations, use the focus lock by

focusing on a different subject at a similar

distance. Then reposition the correct subject

in the picture frame.

23

UNLOADING THE FILM

The camera automatically
rewinds the film when you reach

the end of a roll.

After the motor stops and starts blinking
on th e LCD panel, o p en the back cover and

remove the film.

Note: The final number of exposures may sometimes

24

exceed the number of exposure s specified on the film.

Rewinding the film before the end

of the roll

Press the mid-roll rewind button with the tip of

a ballpoint pen, or the like. Do not use an

instrument with a sharp tip.

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

This camera has four flash modes. Select the flash mode according to
your shooting conditions and needs.

How to select the flash

mode:

When the flash mode button is
pressed, the flash mode changes
in the order shown on the right.

The selected flash mode is

displayed on the LCD panel.

Mode

AUTO
AUTO-S

OFF

FILL-IN

Note AUTO-S will not be canceled when the power is turned OFF All other modes
will return to the AUTO mode.

FLASH WORKING

RANGE

Automatically fires in low-light conditions. (p. 26)

Significantly reduces the phenomenon of "red-eye"
(when a subject's eyes appear red). (p. 26)

The flash does not fire. (p. 27)

Fires regardless of available light. (p. 27)

W (Wide-Angle)

ISO

0.6

100

200

0.6

0.6 ~ 7.6 m (2 ~ 24.9 ft)

400

~

3.8 m (2

~

5.4 m (2

Function

~

12.5 ft)

~

17.7 ft)

T (Telephoto)

0.6

~

2.2 m (2

~

3.1 m (2

0.6

0.6

~

4.4 m (2

~
~
~

7.2 ft)

10.2 ft)

14.4 ft)

TECHNIQUES

ADVANCED

25

AUT O (Au t o Flash)

In the Aut o Flash mode, the flash will
fire automatically in low-light
conditions.

The orange lamp in the upper left of the
viewfinder lights when the shutter release

button is depressed halfway.

Note. If the orange lamp blinks when the shutter

release button is depressed halfway, the shutter

won't release because the flash is being recharged.

Remove your finger from the button and wait for

26

several seconds before shooting.

AUTO-S

(Red-Eye Reducing Flash)

Significantly reduces the phenomenon of

"red -eye " (when a subject's eyes appear

red in the final photograph).

In the Auto-S Flas h mode, the camera will emit a

series of low-power pre-flashes before the regular
flash. This makes the subjects' pupils contract,
significantly reducing red-eye. Except for the pre-

flashes, this mode is the same as the Auto Flash

mode.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to hold the camera still until

the shutter releases.

Note: Red-eye reduction may not be effective with

some individuals or if the subject wasn't watching

the pre-flashes.

OFF (Flash Override)

FILL-IN

(Forced Activation)

When you don't want the flash to
fire, even in the dark.

In the Flash-Off mode, the flash does not fire even in

low-light conditions. Use this mode in situations
where flash photography is not desired or is
prohibited.

Note: Since a slow shutter speed (down to 1
second) is automatically selected in low-light
situations, the use of a tripod is recommended to
prevent blurred pictures caused by shaking the
camera.

When you want to fire the flash every
shot.

In the Fill-in Flash mode, the flash fires regardless of

available light. This mode can be used to brighten
up a subject's shaded face, for example.

27

1.

Press

the

/REMOTE

is displayed on the LCD

panel.

To Put Yourself in the Picture

SELFTIMER

button.

Aim at your subject, and press

2.

the shutter release button

10 sec.

Selftimer

indicator lights.

.

2 sec.

Blinks.

Notes:

The focus and exposure will be locked when the shutter release
button is depressed halfway.
After the shutter is released, the Selftimer mode will be
disengaged.

28

To cancel the Selftimer after it has been activated, press t he

/REMOTE button again.

The shutter will be released 12 seconds

later.

1.

Press

panel.

REMOTE CONTROL RC-100 (optional)

the

/REMOTE

is displayed on the LCD

button.

Aim the remote control at the camera,

and press the button. The shutter will

2.

be released after 3 seconds.

After shooting, press the /REMOTE button

again to cancel the Selftimer/remote control
mode.

CAUTIONS: KEEP THE REMOTE CONTROL OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILD R E N. IF A CHILD S WALLOWS THE REMOTE
CONTROL, CONTACT A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY . NEVER TRY TO DISASSEMBLE THE REMOTE CONTROL. NEVER EXPOSE

THE REMOTE CONTROL TO EXCESSIVE HEAT OR OPEN FLAME.

Notes:

Use the remote control within the above range.
The camera will focus on the subject directly i n front of it.

29

PRINTING THE DATE AND TIME

(for

QUARTZDATE/DLX

Choose the desired mode with the

MODE button.

models)

The mode will switch in the described order by

pressing the MODE button.

30

No data
Year-month-day
Month-day-year
Day-month-year

Day-hour-minute

The quartz date shares the power
source with the main unit. Make sure to
correct the data after the batteries are

replaced.

The data is imprinted in the lower right
of the picture. If there is something
whitish or tinged with orange where the

data is imprinted, the data may be

difficult to read.

On the frame(s) after the specified final
exposure of the film, the data may not

be imprinted or may be superimposed.

CORRECTING THE DATA

(for

QUARTZDATE/DLX

models)

Press

the

MODE

1

.

seconds or longer.

The year indication wi ll start blinking.

Note: As you press the mode button, the blinking indication changes in the order of year, month, day, hour, and minute. The data

correction will be finished when the mode button is pres s e d again.

button

for two

Pres s the mode button again to choose the
data to be corrected until it starts blinking. And

2.

press the SET button

If you press the button once, the number on display
will advance by 1. And if you keep it pressed, the
numbers will run throu gh in rapid succession.

to correct the data.

31

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: How long will the batteries last?
A: If you use 24-exposure rolls of film and use

the flash on half of a ll your pictures, one

new 3V lithium battery or two new AA (R6)

alkaline batteries will last for approximately
12 rolls or 8 rolls respectively. If you do not
use the flash and zoom very often, the

MAINTENANCE

CAMERA

32

batteries will last much longer.

Q: How should I clean the lens?

A: Wipe the lens gently with a soft, clean cloth.

Do not use lens cleaning fluid.

Q: Can I use film that is not DX-coded?

A: Ye s, but only ISO 100 film.

Q: When does the camera measure and set

the exposure?

A: Wh en the shutter release button is de-

pressed halfway, the camera measures both

the exposure and focus and locks them as

long as the shutter release button remains

halfway depressed.

Q: Can the battery in the optional remote

control RC-100 be replaced with a new
one?

A: No, it cannot be replaced but lasts about 5

years.

Q: It sounds like the film is advanced twice after

the shutter releases. Is this a malfunction?

A: No, it isn't. The camera sounds that way

because the motor is used to prepare the

camera for the next shot as well as to

advance the film.

CARE AN D STORAGE

CAUTIONS

DO NOT EXPOSE THE CAMERA TO EXTREME

HEAT (O VER 40°C/104°F) OR TO EXTREME
COL D ( BE LO W -10°C/14°F).
AVOID SUDDEN TEMPERATURE CHANGES
AND HUMIDITY.
DO NOT EXPOSE THE CAMERA TO STRONG

MAGNETIC FIELDS.

DO NOT APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE

CAMERA OR ITS CONTROLS.

DO NOT TOUCH THE CONTACT POINTS INSIDE
THE CAMERA.
DO NOT USE ORGANIC SOLVENTS, THINNERS,
OR BENZINE TO CLEAN THE CAMERA.

AVOID STRONG IMPACT CAUSED BY BUMPING

OR DROPPING THE CAMERA.
KEEP THE CAMERA DRY.

DO NOT EXPOSE THE CAMERA TO EXCESSIVE

DUST AND SAND.

WARNING

NEVER ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE
THE CAMERA; IT CONTAINS A HIGH-

VOLTAGE CIRCUIT.

In case of malfunction, consult you r nearest
Olympus dealer or Olympus service center.

33

BATTERY HANDLING

NOTES

Even when batteries are brand-new, their

service life may be shorter than specified if
an extended period of time has passed

since they were produced.
Do not mix different types of batteries or

new and old batteries.
When the camera is not to be used for an
extended period of time (more than a year),

remove the alkaline batteries fr om the

camera to avoid damage from leakage.

Keep spare batteries on hand when going
on a long trip or to a co ld area.

34

Sweat and oil can prevent a battery's
terminals from making electrical contact.
To avoid this, wipe both terminals before
loading batteries.

WARNINGS

NEVER TRY TO DISASSEMBLE, RECHARGE,
OR SHORT CIRCUIT BATTERIES. NEVER
EXPOSE BATT ERIES TO EXCESSIVE HEAT.
KEEP THE BATTERIES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN. IF A CHILD SWALLOWS A
BATTERY, CONTACT A DOCTOR
IMMEDIATELY.
USE ONE 3V LITHIUM BATTERY (CR123A OR

DL123A) OR TWO AA (R6) ALKALINE

BATTERIES. NEVER TRY TO DISASSEMBLE OR
MODIFY ANY BATTERY OR BATTERY PACK

FOR USE IN THIS CAMERA.

OPERATING PROBLEMS

Symptom

The camera does not
work.

The LCD display turns off

suddenly.

The power is OFF
The alignment of the battery
terminals is not correct.
The batteries are exhausted.
The batteries are temporarily

unable to function.
The loaded film has been rewound.
The film is incorrectly loaded.

The LCD display turns off after four

and a half minutes if the camera is

not used.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Cause

Set the ON/OFF switch to ON.

Reload the batteries correctly.

Replace the batteries with new ones.
Keep the camera warm while using it.

Remove the film.
Reload the film.

Turn the power off and then on again

or press the shutter release button
halfway to turn on the LCD panel.

In addition, the power is turned OF F
automatically after 4 hours. When
the camera is not in use, keep the
power OFF as much as possible.

Remedy

See

p. 18
p. 12

p. 13
p. 33

p. 24
p. 17

35

OPERATING PROBLEMS

Symptom

The shutter doesn't

release when the remote

control's shutter release
button is pressed.

The green lamp blinks,
and the shutter will not
release.

The orange la mp blinks,

and the shutter wil l not
release.

The flash does not fire,

even in the dark.

The remote control hasn't been used
in the 15 minutes since the Selftimer/

Remote Control mode was entered,
causing the LCD panel to turn off.

The camera is too close to the subject.

The flash has not been recharged yet.

The flash mode is set to OFF.
High-speed film is used.

Cause

Turn the zoom dial. The LCD will

light. Then press the /REMOTE

button again.

Move the camera farther than

0.6 m (2 ft) from the subject.

Remove your finger from the shutter
release button and wait for several
seconds until the flash is recharged
before shooting.

Set it to a mode other than OFF.
Set the flash mode to FILL-IN.

36

Remedy

See

p. 21

p. 26

p. 25

PROBLEMS WITH THE PRINTED PICTURES

Symptom

The picture is out of
focus.

The camera moved when th e shutter

release button was pressed.

The subject was not within t h e

viewfinder's autofocus mark.
The lens and autofocus windows were
dirty.

The autofocus window was
blocked, such as by a finger.

Cause

Hol d the camera correctly a nd press the

Remedy

shutter release button gently.

Position the subject in the center of the

autofocus mark, or use the focus lock.
Clean the lens and autofocus windows.

Hold the camera correctly, keeping your

fingers clear of the autofocus windows.

See

p. 14

p. 22

p. 14

37

PROBLEMS WITH THE PRINTED PICTURES

Symptom

The picture is out of
focus.

The picture is too dark.

The subject was closer than the

minimum working distance to the lens

(0.6

While using the self-timer, the shutter
release button was pressed while

standing right in front of the camera.

When using the self-timer to photograph
yourself, the autofocus has been set
on the background.

The flash was blocked, such as by
a finger.

The subject was out of the working

range of the flash.

The subject was backlit.

38

m/2

ft).

Cause

Shoot from more than 0.6 m (2 ft)

away from the subject.
Do not stand in front of the camera.

Press the shutter release button while
looking through the viewfinder.
Use the focus lock to set focus on an
object at the same distance from the

camera as you will be.

Hold the camera correctly, keeping your
fingers clear of the flash.
Shoot within the flash working range.

Set the flash mode to FILL-IN.

Remedy

See

p. 21

p. 28

p.22/28

p. 14
p. 25
p. 27

Symptom

The date has not been

printed (or looks faded).*

The dat e mod e was set t o

Cause

no dat a ( - - - )
There is a bright color l ik e white,

orange, or yellow in the area of the

picture where the date is printed.
The picture was taken with
black-and-white film.

Change the date mode to another

setting.

Avoid bright colors in the lower left

corner of your photo compositions.

Do not use black-and-white film.

*QUARTZDATE/DLX models only

Remedy

See

p. 30

39

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Full automatic 35mm autofocus lens-shutter

camera with built-in 38 ~ 70mm zoom lens.

Film format: 35mm standard DX-coded film

(24 X 36

Lens: Olympus lens 38 ~ 70mm F4.5 ~ 7.8,

Shutter: Programmed electronic shutter.

Viewfinder: Real image type zoom viewfinder (with

40

mm).

5 elements in 4 groups.

autofocus mark, close-up correction marks,

autofocus indicator and flash indicator).

Focusing: Active type autofocus system. Focus lock

possible. Focusing range: 0.6 m (2 ft) ~
(infinity).

Exposure control: Programmed automatic exposure

control. Center-weighted average light metering.

Auto exposure range: Wide-angle — EV4.4

(F4.5, 1 sec.) to EV16 (F11, 1/500 sec.),

Telephoto — EV5.9 (F7.8, 1 sec.) to EV17.5
(F19, 1/500 sec.).

Exposure counter: Progressive type with automatic

reset, displayed on LCD panel.
Self-timer: Electronic self-timer 12-sec. delay.
Remote control (optional): Infrared remote control

unit with 3-sec. delay.
Film speed range: Automatic setting w i th DX - coded

film with ISO 50, 100 , 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200.

For non-DX-coded film and film speeds lower
than ISO 50, film speed is set to ISO 100.

Film loading: Automatic loading. (Automatically

advances to first frame when camera back is

closed).
Fil m advance: Automatic film winding.
Film rewind: Automatic film rewind (automatic rewind

activation at end of film, automatic rewind stop).

Rewind possible at any point with rewind button.

41

Flash: Built-in flash. Recycling time: Approx. 5 sec.

(at normal temperature with new batteries).
Flash working range: Wide-angle — 06 ~ 3.8 m

(2 ~ 12.5 ft), Telephoto — 0.6 ~ 2.2 m (2 ~ 7.2 ft)

with ISO 100 color negative film; Wide-angle —

0.6 ~ 7.6 m (2 ~ 24.9 ft), Telephoto — 0.6 ~

4.4 m (2 ~ 14.4 ft) with ISO 400 color negative
film. Flash m odes: AU TO (Automatic flash
activation in low light). AUTO-S (Red-eye

42

reducing, in low light). OFF (No flash). FILL-IN

(Forced activation ).
Battery check: Displayed on LCD panel.
Power source: One 3V lithium battery (CR123A or

DL123A) or two AA (R6) alkaline batteries.

Dimensions: 128(W) X 66(H) X 50(D) mm (5-1/16 X

2-5/8 X 1-15/16 in) (without protrusions).

Weight: 235 g (8.3 oz) (without batteries).

SPECIFICATIONS FOR DATE UNIT*

Imprinting direction: Data imprinted onto film f r o m

lens side.

Data coding: No data, year-month-day, month-day-

year, day-month-year and day-hour-minute.

SPECIFICATIONS AND DESIGN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR OBLIGATION ON

THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER.

External indication of data: D ata display on liquid

crystal panel.

Fil m speed setting: Automatic film speed setting.
Automatic calendar system: Up t o year 2013.
Power source: Ordinarily used wi th camera body.

*QUARTZDATE/DLX models only

43

San-Ei Bui ldi ng , 22-2, Nishi Shinjuku 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Tel. [phone]

Two Corporate Center Drive, Melville, NY 11747-3157, U.S.A. Tel. [phone]

(Premises/Goods delivery) Wendenstrasse 14-16, 20097 Ha m burg, Germany. Tel. [phone]

2-8 Honduras Street, London EC1Y 0TX , United Kingdom. Tel. [phone]

OLYMPUS

OLYMPUS AMERICA INC.

OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO. (EUROPA) GMBH.

(Letters) Postfach 10 49 08, 20034 Hamburg, Germany.

OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO. (U.K.) LTD.

OPTICAL

CO.,

LTD.