[. . . ] E INSTRUCTION MANUAL 9222-2779-11 HA-A205 2 BEFORE YOU BEGIN Thank you for purchasing this Minolta digital camera. Please take the time to read through this instruction manual so you can enjoy all the features of your new camera. This manual contains information regarding products introduced before May, 2002. To obtain compatibility information for products released after this date, contact a Minolta Service Facility listed on the back cover of this manual. [. . . ] This software can reconstruct the image and apply the same image processing controls as the camera. RAW data is saved as a 12-bit file; the DiMAGE Viewer software can convert this data into 48-bit TIFF files. A RAW image is stored with a file header that contains white-balance information, changes made to contrast, saturation, and color with the Digital Effects Control, any image processing applied in a subject-program setting, and changes to sharpness. The changes in camera sensitivity are applied to the RAW data; ISO values can be manually set to control noise (p. The camera's image-processing controls apply the affect of the color modes to the live image displayed on the monitors, but the stored data may not be influenced by the setting. The black and white color mode has no effect on the final image; a raw image taken in the black-and-white color mode can be restored to a color picture. The saturation difference between the Natural Color and Vivid Color modes is preserved in the RAW data, but the solarization color mode does not alter the image data. For more on color modes, see page 96. 84 IMAGE-FILE SIZE AND COMPACTFLASH CARD CAPACITY The number of images that can be stored on a CompactFlash card is determined by the size of the card and the file size of the images. The actual file size is determined by the scene; some subjects can be compressed further than others. The tables below list approximate file sizes based on average file sizes. Approximate file sizes. Image quality Image size 2560 X 1920 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960 9. 5MB 14. 1MB 2. 1MB 1. 1MB 0. 65MB ­ 5. 6MB 1. 0MB 0. 6MB 0. 38MB ­ 3. 6MB 0. 66MB 0. 41MB 0. 29MB 640 X 480 ­ 0. 96MB 0. 27MB 0. 2MB 0. 15MB RAW Super fine Fine Standard Economy Image size Approximate number of images that can be stored on a 16MB CompactFlash card. Image quality 2560 X 1920 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960 1 1 5 8 13 ­ 2 11 16 22 ­ 3 15 21 26 640 X 480 ­ 11 27 31 35 RAW Super fine Fine Standard Economy 85 RECORDING MODE FLASH MODES Data panel EVF & LCD monitor Fill-flash Red-eye reduction Used in low-light conditions and to reduce shadows under direct sunlight. To reduce the red-eye effect with flash photographs of people and animals Flash fires at the end of long exposures. ­ ­ Rear flash sync The flash mode can be changed in the basic section of the recording-mode menu (p. The flash will fire in the selected mode regardless of the amount of ambient light. When the flash is used, the camera sensitivity is automatically set between ISO 100 and 200. The auto-white-balance setting will give priority to the flash's color temperature. If preset or custom white-balance settings are used, priority is given to the active setting's color temperature (p. 62). FILL FLASH Fill-flash can be used as the main or supplementary light. In low-light conditions, the flash will act as the main source of illumination and overpower the ambient light. Under strong sunlight or in backlit situations, the fill-flash can reduce harsh shadows. 86 RED-EYE REDUCTION Red-eye reduction is used when taking photographs of people or animals in low-light conditions. The red-eye effect is caused by light reflected from the retina of the eye. The camera will fire a pre-flash before the main flash to contract the pupils of the subject's eyes. REAR FLASH SYNC Rear flash sync is used with long exposures to make trailing lights or blurring appear to follow rather than precede the subject. [. . . ] Completely exhaust the Ni-MH batteries using the camera before charging. It is recommended that the batteries used with the camera are not used with any other device. Always follow the directions and safety instructions in the charger manual. 158 LCD MONITOR CARE · Although the LCD monitor is manufactured using high precision technology, there may occasionally be a lack of color or bright points on the LCD monitor. · Do not apply pressure to the surface of the LCD monitor; it may be permanently damaged. [. . . ]