Pentax Assistant 3 User Manual
Operating Manual
(Version 3.5)
Thank you for purchasing this PENTAX Digital Camera.
This is the manual for “PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3” software for your
Windows PC or Macintosh for enabling you to set and operate this camera
from a computer. Please read the separate camera Operating Manual and this
manual before using your camera and “PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3”, in
order to get the most out of all the features and functions.
Keep the camera Operating Manual and this manual safe, as they can be
valuable tools in clarifying and helping you to understand all the camera
capabilities.
Regarding copyrights
Images taken using this camera that are for anything other than personal enjoyment
cannot be used without permission according to the rights as specified in the Copyright
Act. Please take care, as there are even cases where limitations are placed on taking
pictures even for personal enjoyment during demonstrations, performances or of items
on display. Images taken with the purpose of obtaining copyrights also cannot be used
outside the scope of use of the copyright as laid out in the Copyright Act, and care
should be taken here also.
Regarding trademarks
• PENTAX and smc PENTAX are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation.
• PENTAX PHOTO Browser, PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory, PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation.
• Mac OS and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.
• SD logo and SDHC logo are trademarks.
• This product includes DNG technology under license by Adobe Systems
Incorporated.
• The DNG logo is either a registered trademark or trademark of Adobe Systems
Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
• All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.
Disclaimer
• PENTAX is not responsible for any damages resulting from the direct or indirect use
of this software or repercussive damages, damage to data, programs or other
intangible property, loss of profit or anticipated profit, or dispute with a third party
resulting from the use of this software.
• The specifications of this software are subject to change without notice.
Symbols used in this manual have the following meanings:
Gives information that is useful to know.
Gives cautions and notes about the operation.
The screen pictures shown in this manual may differ depending on the type of
computer used.
Contents
Provided Software ............................................................... 3
Software Provided....................................................................................3
System Requirements..............................................................................4
Installing the Software......................................................... 5
When Using Windows..............................................................................5
When Using Macintosh ............................................................................7
PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3............................................ 8
Connecting the Camera to Your Computer..............................................8
Opening PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3.................................................9
Main Window Layout..............................................................................11
Menu Bar................................................................................................15
Tool Bar..................................................................................................17
Connecting the Camera to the Computer ........................ 19
Connecting the Camera .........................................................................19
Selecting the Camera for Operations.....................................................20
[Set Body Number] Dialog Box ..............................................................21
Taking Pictures .................................................................. 23
Getting Ready to Shoot..........................................................................23
Save Modes ...........................................................................................26
Taking Pictures ......................................................................................28
[Shooting Conditions] Dialog Box ................................... 30
1
[Shooting Conditions] Dialog Box...........................................................30
Displaying/Hiding the [Shooting Conditions] Dialog Box........................30
Shooting Condition Settings...................................................................31
Expanded Shooting - Interval/Timer Shooting................ 34
Interval/Timer Shooting..........................................................................34
Displaying the [Interval/Timer shooting] Dialog Box...............................34
Time Delay.............................................................................................35
Interval ...................................................................................................35
Number of Shots ....................................................................................35
Release All Shutters...............................................................................35
Expanded Shooting - Bulb Timer ..................................... 36
Bulb Timer Shooting...............................................................................36
Displaying the [Bulb Timer] Dialog Box..................................................37
Time Delay.............................................................................................37
Interval ...................................................................................................37
2
Number of Shots ....................................................................................38
Exposure Time.......................................................................................38
Composite..............................................................................................38
[Set-up]/[Date Adjust] Dialog Box .................................... 40
[Set-up] Dialog Box ................................................................................40
Displaying the [Set-up] Dialog Box.........................................................40
Set-up Settings.......................................................................................41
[Date Adjust] Dialog Box ........................................................................42
[USER Mode Settings] Dialog Box ................................... 43
[USER Mode Settings] Dialog Box.........................................................43
Displaying the [USER Mode Settings] Dialog Box .................................43
USER Mode Settings .............................................................................44
Saving the Settings to the Computer .....................................................44
Loading a USER Mode Settings File......................................................44
[Custom Setting] Dialog Box ............................................ 45
[Custom Setting] Dialog Box ..................................................................45
Displaying the [Custom Setting] Dialog Box...........................................45
Custom Settings.....................................................................................46
Changing the Custom Settings ..............................................................47
Saving the Custom Settings to the Computer........................................47
Loading a Custom Settings File .............................................................47
Resetting the Custom Settings...............................................................47
[Measure Manual White Balance] Dialog Box ................. 48
[Measure Manual White Balance] Dialog Box........................................48
Displaying the [Measure Manual White Balance] Dialog Box ................48
Shutter Release .....................................................................................49
[Change Area]........................................................................................49
[Measure] ...............................................................................................50
[Options] Dialog Box ......................................................... 51
[Options] Dialog Box ..............................................................................51
Displaying the [Options] Dialog Box.......................................................51
Auto-Save Setting ..................................................................................52
Remote Release Button Function ..........................................................53
Display Messages .............................................................. 54
Provided Software
The CD-ROM (S-SW75) provided with the u contains the following
software:
• PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3
This manual describes PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 with screen images
from Windows XP.
The operation of this software application is nearly the same on Macintosh with
the exception of some keys. For information on Macintosh-specific instructions,
see the sections labeled “For Macintosh” or the online help.
Software Provided
PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3
(9 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian,
Chinese [traditional and simplified], Korean, Japanese)
PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 is software for operating and setting
PENTAX Digital SLR cameras (q and u) from your
computer via USB connection.
Shooting and setting operations featured on the camera, as well as
functions not featured on the camera such as superimposed composite
images in bulb timer shooting are available.
Additionally, images shot using PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 are saved
directly to your PC. PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 saves you the trouble
of transferring images to your PC and allows you to shoot pictures without
worrying about how much memory is left.
3
4
System Requirements
The following are the system requirements for installing PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant 3 and operating and setting the camera from your PC.
Windows System Requirements
• Operating System : Computer with Windows XP (Home Edition/
Professional/x64 Edition) SP2 or later or Windows
Vista preinstalled (USB 2.0 port must be standard
equipment)
• CPU : Pentium 4 or higher (Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or faster
recommended)
• RAM : 512 MB or more
• Monitor : 1024×768 pixels or more
• Free Disk Space : 250 MB or more (500 MB or more recommended)
We recommend using the AC adapter (sold separately) when connecting the
camera to the computer. If the battery becomes depleted during image
transfer, the image data or SD Memory Card may be damaged.
Macintosh System Requirements
• Operating System: Macintosh with Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later preinstalled
(USB 2.0 port must be standard equipment)
• CPU : PowerPC G4 1GHz or faster (Universal Binary
format)
• RAM : 512 MB or more
• Monitor : 1024×768 pixels or more
• Free Disk Space : 250 MB or more (500 MB or more recommended)
We recommend using the AC adapter (sold separately) when connecting the
camera to the computer. If the battery becomes depleted during image
transfer, the image data or SD Memory Card may be damaged.
Installing the Software
Here is the procedure for installing PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3.
If an earlier version of PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 is installed, it will be
overwritten.
If you wish to continue to use w with PENTAX REMOTE Assistant,
install PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 without uninstalling PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant. (The applications will coexist.)
When multiple accounts have been setup in Windows XP/Windows Vista
or Mac OS X, log on with an account that has administrative rights before
installing the software.
When Using Windows
1
Turn your computer on.
Close any other software that is open.
2
Place the provided CD-ROM (S-SW75) into the CD-ROM
drive on your computer.
5
The PENTAX Software Installer screen appears.
• If the PENTAX Software Installer screen does not appear
Display the PENTAX Software Installer screen following the steps below.
1) Click [My Computer] from the start menu.
2) Double-click the [CD-ROM drive (S-SW75)] icon.
3) Double-click [Setup.exe].
3
Choose a language from the
displayed screen.
The software selection screen
appears.
6
4
Click [PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant].
5
Select the desired language in
the Select Language screen
and click [OK].
Some operating environments select the language automatically. Continue
with the installation in step 6. The installer starts.
6
The installer starts. Click
[Next].
Follow the instructions on the screen
and continue with the installation.
When Using Macintosh
1
Turn on your Macintosh.
Close any other software that is open.
2
Place the provided CD-ROM (S-SW75) into the CD-ROM
drive on your Macintosh.
3
Double-click the [CD-ROM
drive (S-SW75)] icon.
The contents of the CD-ROM are
displayed.
4
Double-click the [PENTAX
Installer] icon.
7
The PENTAX Software Installer
screen appears.
5
Select the operating system to install to.
6
Click
[PENTAX REMOTE
ssist
A
Follow the instructions on the screen
and continue with the installation.
ant].
8
PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3
This section explains how to start up and close PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant 3, the main window layout and the functions that are available.
Connecting the Camera to Your Computer
To use the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3, connect your camera to your
computer using the USB cable supplied with the camera. (p.19)
You can connect the camera to the computer before starting up or while
operating the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3. The program recognizes the
camera, enabling you to use the program functions.
You cannot use the functions of the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 when
a camera is not connected to the computer.
• Auto Power Off does not work when the camera is connected to the
computer.
• It is recommended to power the camera with the AC adapter when using the
PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 with the camera connected to the computer
for a long period of time.
• Before using the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3, update the q
firmware to Version 1.20 or later. Visit http://www.pentax.co.jp/english/
support/ for information on updating the firmware.
Opening PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3
For Windows
1
Select the start menu on the desktop.
2
Select [All Programs] - [PENTAX
Digital Camera Utility] - [PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant 3].
PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 starts
and the main window is displayed.
Closing PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3
Select [Exit] from the [File] menu on the main window.
You can save the settings on the [USER mode settings] and [Custom Setting]
dialog boxes to the computer. Save these settings, if necessary, before closing
the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3. (p.43, p.45)
9
For Macintosh
1
Double-click the [PENTAX Digital Camera Utility] folder in
[Applications] on the hard disk.
2
Double-click the [PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant 3] icon.
PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 starts
and the main window is displayed.
10
Closing PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3
Select [Quit PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3] from the [PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant 3] menu on the desktop menu bar.
You can save the settings on the [USER mode settings] and [Custom Setting]
dialog boxes to the computer. Save these settings, if necessary, before closing
the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3. (p.43, p.45)
Starting up from PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3
In the PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 window, select [PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant] J [PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3] from the [Tools] menu.
You can also click on the toolbar in the PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3
window and select [PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3] from the drop-down
menu.
The PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 starts and the main window is
displayed.
• If PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3 is not installed properly, [PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant] is not available and cannot be selected on the [Tools]
menu in the PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 window. In this case, reinstall the
PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3.
• If you are using w digital SLR and PENTAX REMOTE Assistant (Ver.
1) for w is installed properly, you can start and use this program from
PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3. (Select [PENTAX REMOTE Assistant] from the
[Tools] menu or click on the toolbar and select [PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant]. PENTAX REMOTE Assistant Ver. 1 can only be used with
w.
• Click on the toolbar to start the version selected in the drop-down menu.
Main Window Layout
This section explains the layout of the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3
main window and the functions of the various window elements.
Tool bar Title bar Menu bar
11
Virtual viewfinder display area Status bar
• When multiple cameras are connected to the computer, one main window is
displayed for each camera.
• The camera body number is displayed in the title bar and the camera model
name and attached lens name are displayed in the status bar of each main
window. (p.12, p.14)
12
Title Bar
The title bar displays the body number of the camera corresponding to the
main window. You can use the [Set body number] dialog box of this
program to assign a body number to the camera. (p.21)
Menu Bar
You can use the menu bar to select remote shooting operation and
camera settings. You can also use the menu bar to change the PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant 3 settings. (p.15)
Toolbar
The toolbar displays the icons of frequently used functions available in the
menus. Click an icon on the toolbar or select an item from a drop-down list
on the toolbar to set or operate that function. (p.17)
Virtual Viewfinder Display Area
Focusing area
indicator
(AF Point)
Focusing area
display button
Histogram
button
Remote
release button
13
Captured image
Viewfinder shooting information
The image captured when shooting with the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant
3 is displayed on the virtual viewfinder screen.
The remote shutter release button for shooting from PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant 3 is also displayed in the virtual viewfinder display area. (p.28)
The following shooting information can also be displayed.
Focusing area
indicator
Histogram When the histogram button is activated, a histogram of the
Viewfinder shooting
information
Checked Images This shows or hides the Checked images pane.
When the focusing area display button is activated, the
focusing area indicator appears gray. In addition, when the
AF point switching dial on the camera is set to j, you
can use the mouse to specify the autofocus area of the
image.
The focusing AF point is displayed red when an image is
focused.
image just previewed in the viewfinder display area is
displayed.
This displays the same shooting information visible in the
viewfinder on the connected camera.
14
The virtual viewfinder screen can be detached from the main window. (Select
[Separate screen display] from the [View] menu.) (p.15)
To dock the floating virtual viewfinder screen to the main window, click
in the upper right corner of the virtual viewfinder screen.
Status Bar
This displays the model name of the connected camera and the name of
the attached lens.
Menu Bar
This executes functions or sets various settings of PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant 3.
For Macintosh, the Menu bar appears at the top of the desktop.
[File] menu
Single shot mode Takes one picture at a time with the PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant 3 and saves it to a specified location. (p.26)
Buffer select mode Takes multiple pictures at a time with the PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant 3 and saves them together or saves
only the specified pictures. (p.26)
Auto save mode Automatically saves pictures taken with the PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant 3 to a set location. (p.26)
Select [Options] from the [Tools] menu to set the save
location. (p.51)
Disconnect Disconnects the camera and closes the main window.
Exit Disconnects all cameras connected to the computer and
closes the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3. (p.9)
[View] menu
Detailed viewfinder
display
Simple viewfinder
display
Separate screen
display
Toolbar Displays/hides the toolbar. (p.17)
Status bar Displays/hides the status bar. (p.14)
Shooting Conditions Displays/hides the [Shooting Conditions] dialog box. (p.30)
Switch body When multiple cameras are connected to the computer,
Arrange windows Rearranges all open windows.
Displays a detailed version of the virtual viewfinder screen
of the main window. Displays the virtual viewfinder screen,
focusing area display button, and histogram button. (p.13)
Displays a simplified version of the virtual viewfinder
display area of the main window. Displays only the
shooting information in the viewfinder, not the virtual
viewfinder screen, focusing area display button, or
histogram button. (p.13)
Detaches the virtual viewfinder display area from the main
window. This creates the same layout for the main window
as when selecting [Simple viewfinder display] from the
[View] menu. The virtual viewfinder display area can be
detached when [Detailed viewfinder display] is selected.
this allows you to select from the submenu the camera to
be operated with the PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3. (p.20)
15
16
[Camera] menu
Shutter release Releases the shutter on the camera. The camera shutter
operates according to the settings in the PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant 3.
You can set the shutter release lock function in the
[Options] dialog box when the exposure mode is set to p
(Bulb) or when the drive mode is set to j (Continuous
shooting). (p.53)
AF execution Operates the autofocus function on the camera.
AE lock Turns the camera AE lock on/off.
Green Button Operates the same as the green button on the camera in
accordance with the camera setting conditions.
Measure manual
white balance
Set-up Displays the [Set-up] dialog box. (p.40)
Date Adjust Displays the [Date Adjust] dialog box. (p.40)
USER mode settings Displays the [USER mode settings] dialog box. (p.43)
Custom Setting Displays the [Custom Setting] dialog box. (p.45)
[Tools] menu
Expanded shooting Enables [Interval/Timer shooting] and [Bulb timer]
Synchronous
shooting
Set body number Displays the [Set body number] dialog box. (p.21)
Options Displays the [Options] dialog box. (p.51)
Displays the [Measure manual white balance] dialog box.
(p.48)
expanded shooting from the submenu. (p.34) (p.36)
Enables synchronized shooting for all cameras with this
function activated.
[Help] menu
PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant Help
About PENTAX
REMOTE Assistant
Displays the help window.
Displays the version information of the PENTAX REMOTE
Assistant 3.
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