[. . . ] Contents Overview First Steps Putting Batteries in Your Camera Inserting and Removing Memory Cards Choosing a Language for the Menus Setting the Time and Date Taking Your First Photograph Using the Buttons (A-REC, M-REC) Flash Settings Focus Settings Using the Self-Timer Image Quality and Size Sensitivity Exposure Mode Using the Buttons (PLAY) DIGITAL CAMERA COOLPIX 950 Reference Manual -1- The Camera Menus The A-REC Menu Using Folders (A-REC, M-REC) LCD Brightness Sound Settings Auto Off Formatting Memory Cards The M-REC Menu Digital Zoom (DIGITAL TELE) Black-and-White Photography Lens Converter Settings (LENS) Making a Panorama--Tips (AE-LOCK) User Settings Restoring Default Settings LCD On/Off The Controls Menu (M-REC) SEQ. XFER The Playback Menu Deleting Multiple Photographs Using Folders (Playback) Slideshow Protecting Photographs from Deletion Hiding Photographs During Playback Preparing Photographs for Printing The Controls Menu (PLAY) Connections Connecting to a Television or VCR Viewing Photos on a Computer Caring for Your Camera Cleaning Storage Accessories What's in the Box Optional Accessories Troubleshooting General Problems Error Messages Specifications Contents -2- Overview Thank you for buying a COOLPIX 950. This Reference Manual explains how to use and care for your COOLPIX 950. It is intended Please read all instructions carefully to get the most from your as a supplement to the Fast Track Guide and Pocket Guide, to which camera. This manual is composed of the following chapters: First Steps lists the steps involved in setting up your camera and taking photographs Using the Buttons (A-REC, M-REC) covers the settings that can be changed using the camera's control buttons and dials: flash, sensitivity, focus, exposure compensation, exposure mode, and image quality and size Using the Buttons (PLAY) outlines basic playback functions: viewing photographs and deleting single images The Camera Menus describes camera settings that can be accessed from the A-REC, M-REC, and PLAY menus Connections describes how to use the camera with a computer or television Caring for Your Camera explains the procedures for cleaning and storing your COOLPIX 950 Accessories identifies items provided with the camera and available separately Overview Notes on illustrations The illustrations in this manual are composites. [. . . ] Instructions on using this setting to take photographs that can later be blended into a single image are provided below. CARDFORMAT (Card Format) Format memory cards for use in the COOLPIX 950. See below for details. SET UP The M-REC setup menu offers access to the following settings: LCD BRIGHT (LCD Brightness): Adjust the brightness of the LCD monitor. See "The Camera Menus: The A-REC Menu, " above. 0 ON 30s E LCD BRIGHT SOUND AUTO LCD ON/OFF CONTROLS AUTO OFF SEQ. XFER DATE LANGUAGE SETSHUTTER SOUND: Turn the beep speaker on or off. LCD ON/OFF: Determines whether and when the LCD monitor comes on in M-REC mode. CONTROLS: Offers a choice of settings for controlling basic camera operations. AUTO OFF: When operated on battery power, the LCD monitor turns off automatically if no operations are performed for thirty seconds. This option can be used to extend this limit for A-REC and M-REC mode. SEQ. XFER: Allows photographs to be assigned unique filenames, preventing photographs from being accidentally overwritten when copied to a computer. DATE: Set the camera's internal clock-calendar as described in "First Steps: Setting the Time and Date, " above. Refer to "First Steps: Choosing a Language, " above. The Camera Menus: The M-REC Menu - 29 - Digital Zoom (DIGITAL TELE) In "digital zoom, " images are processed digitally to enlarge the center portion of photographs to fill the frame. Unlike optical zoom, digital zoom does not increase the amount of detail visible in the photograph. Instead, details already visible are enlarged, producing a slightly "grainy" image. 1 Turn the mode dial to M-REC. 2 Press the MENU button to display the M-REC menu. 3 Using the zoom buttons, highlight DIGITAL TELE. AUTO CONCEPT By default, the COOLPIX 950 automatically enters digital zoom mode when the zoom-in (T/L) button is held down for two seconds at maximum zoom. This automatic digital zoom is described in the Pocket Guide, "Taking Photographs: Composition and Focus. " In M-REC mode, you can choose a fixed digital zoom setting of from ×1. 25 to ×2. 5. Optical zoom will still be active and can be used to frame pictures precisely. You can also turn digital zoom off, preventing the camera from entering digital zoom mode when the zoom in switch is held down at the maximum optical zoom position. 4 To change the setting, either · rotate the command dial (press the MENU button twice to return to shooting mode once you have adjusted settings to your satisfaction), or · press the shutter-release button and select the desired magnification from the D-TELE menu. SHOOTING WHITE BAL AUTO METERING CONTINUOUS IMG ADJUST BESTSHOT D I G I TA LT E L E BLACK&WHIT D-TELE A UT O X2. OFF 5 0 6 25 AUTO Digital-zoom settings only take effect when the LCD monitor is on. While digital zoom is in effect, the zoom indicator will be displayed in the LCD monitor, with the digital-zoom ratio shown to its right, and the green AF lamp will blink slowly. To restore automatic digital zoom, select AUTO from the D-TELE menu. Note Digital zoom is not available at a multi-shot (CONTINUOUS) setting of "16-shots" (see the Pocket Guide, "Taking Photographs: Multi-Shot Photography"). The Camera Menus: The M-REC Menu - 30 - PRACTICE To change the digital-zoom setting for M-REC mode: Black-and-White Photography CONCEPT In M-REC mode, photographs can be taken either in color or in black-and-white (in A-REC mode, only color is available). Photographs taken in black-and-white have slightly better image quality than color photos. The chosen setting will be in effect whenever the camera is in M-REC mode. When black-and-white is selected, a check mark appears next to the BLACK&WHITE item in the shooting menu and the view through the monitor is in black-and-white. PRACTICE To switch from color to black-and-white or vice-versa: 1 Turn the mode dial to M-REC. [. . . ] If the SEQ. XFER option is on, choose OFF or RESET from the SEQ. XFER menu (see "The Camera Menus: The M-REC Menu"). If the error persists, it may indicate that the card is not properly formatted. Transfer all photographs stored on the card to a computer and format the card as described in "The Camera Menus: The A-REC Menu. " This error occurs in playback mode when the current folder contains no images. You will not be able to play back photos until at least one photo has been recorded on the card, although you will still be able to use the menus and the camera will function normally in M-REC and A-REC modes. [. . . ]