DIGITAL CAMERA COOLPIX 300 User’s Manual i
Cautions • The reproduction of all or part of this manual without our permission is prohibited. • The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. • We have made every effort to produce a perfect manual, but should you find any mistakes, we would be grateful if you would kindly let us know. • We shall take no responsibility for consequences resulting from the operation of this product, despite the terms mentioned above.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Frequency Interference Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Safety Precautions Be sure to observe the following safety precautions when using and storing your COOLPIX 300. Do not look directly at the sun through the viewfinder Viewing the sun or other strong light source through the viewfinder could cause permanent visual impairment. Cut power immediately in the event of malfunction Should you notice smoke or an unusual smell coming from the camera or the optional AC adaptor, unplug the AC adaptor and remove the batteries immediately, taking care to avoid burns.
Use only AA alkaline batteries Using other batteries could cause fire. Observe proper precautions when handling batteries Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled. Observe the following precautions when handling batteries for use in this camera. • If you are using the optional AC adaptor, be sure to unplug the camera before replacing the batteries. • When inserting batteries, be sure to align their positive (+) and negative (-) poles as shown below.
Observe proper precautions when using the AC adaptor Improper use of the COOLPIX 300’s optional AC adaptor could result in fire or electric shock. Observe the following precautions when using the AC adaptor. • Be sure to use a voltage which matches the voltage written on the adaptor. • The adaptor is for indoor use only. Use batteries when operating your COOLPIX 300 out of doors. • Be careful not to damage the power cord’s protective insulation.
How to hold the COOLPIX 300 When taking photographs with the COOLPIX 300, you can frame your shots using either the viewfinder or the touch-panel display. Using the viewfinder with the touch-panel display’s cover closed saves battery power and allows you to support the camera with both hands, which prevents the camera from shaking and so blurring your photographs. When framing pictures through the viewfinder, close the touch-panel cover and hold the camera as shown below.
Changing the language of the touch-panel display When you first turn the camera on, the touch-panel display’s menus and messages may appear in a language other than English. To change the language of the display, follow the steps described in the second and third chapters of this manual (“Before You Begin” and “First Steps”) to ready the camera and stylus and to turn the camera on.
Press the Page Down arrow ( the second item from the top. xxxx ), and in the menu that next appears select 2/2 xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx Touch here xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx Note: In this illustration, “xxxxx…” is used in place of the characters that will actually be seen in the display. In the menu that appears, select “E” for English and touch the ENTER key.
Notice concerning prohibition of copying or reproduction Note that simply being in possession of material which has been copied or reproduced by means of a digital camera may be punishable by law. Items prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced Do not copy or reproduce paper money, coins, securities, government bonds, or local government bonds, even if such copies or reproductions are stamped “Sample”.
Contents Safety Precautions ................................................................. iv Overview ...................................................................... 1 Before You Begin ......................................................... 3 What’s in this Package .................................................................. 3 Parts of the COOLPIX 300.............................................................. 5 Attaching the Wrist Strap ................................................
Viewing Multiple Images ............................................................. 46 The Status Bar ............................................................................... 48 Playback Options ........................................................................ 49 Deleting Images and Recordings from Memory ...................... 51 Slide Shows ................................................................................... 53 Connecting the COOLPIX 300 to a Television Set .................
Overview Thank you for your purchase of a Nikon COOLPIX 300. The COOLPIX 300 combines a digital camera, memo tablet, and digital audio recording system into a compact, light-weight (240 gram, or 8.6 ounce) package that fits comfortably into a pocket or briefcase. Recorded image and sound data can be played back using the camera’s built-in speaker and TFT video display, or the camera can be attached to television set to create multimedia presentations.
This manual explains how to use and care for your COOLPIX 300. The next section, “Before You Begin,” introduces you to the parts of the camera and gives basic precautions that should be observed when using and storing the COOLPIX 300. This section is followed by “First Steps,” which takes you from putting batteries in your camera and turning it on to making your first photographs, memos, and recordings.
Before You Begin This chapter introduces you to the contents of this package and to the parts of your Nikon COOLPIX 300. It also lists basic precautions that should be taken to ensure that your camera continues to operate properly. What’s in this Package Purchasers of the COOLPIX 300 should find that the package contains all the items listed below. Should you notice that anything is missing, contact your retailer immediately.
SC-E300M serial (RS-232/ RS-422) cable for Macintosh SC-E300 serial (RS-232C) cable for PC (1) User’s manual (this manual) EG300 video cable (1) Open Me First Envelope (1) 4 Nikon View software and manual (1) Before You Begin : What’s in This Package
Parts of the COOLPIX 300 Before You Begin : Parts of the COOLPIX 300 5
[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] [10] [11] [12] Viewfinder eyepiece Microphone Recording lamp Speaker ON/OFF switch Record button Strap pin POWER lamp READY lamp Macro close-up switch AV out Shutter release button [13] Touch-panel display [14] Cover for serial and SCSI connectors [15] Stylus for touch-panel display [16] DC connector for attaching optional AC adaptor [17] Cover for touch-panel display [18] Lens [19] Viewfinder window [20] Red-eye reduction lamp [21] Flash window [22] Photocell
A Guide to the Touch-Panel Display The centerpiece of the COOLPIX 300’s user interface is its touch-panel display, which gives access to most of the camera’s functions and settings through a series of menus and icons. To view the touch-panel display, slide open the panel’s protective cover. Note: When using your COOLPIX 300 with the touch-panel display open, hold the camera as shown below.
✔ Caution: When operating the touch-panel display, use only the stylus provided for this purpose. Using a pen or other sharp object could result in damage to the display. Do not exert pressure; the display will respond to a light touch from the stylus, and using too much pressure could damage the touch panel. To keep the display free of fingerprints, avoid touching it with your hands. When the camera is on, you can save power by closing the touch-panel display.
Using the Stylus The COOLPIX 300’s touch-panel display is operated with a special telescoping stylus which fits into a compartment in the camera’s body. To use the stylus, first remove it from its compartment and extend it as shown below. ✔ Caution: The compartment for the stylus is located adjacent to the connector for the optional AC adaptor. To avoid accidental disconnection, care should taken removing the stylus when the AC adaptor is plugged in.
When operating the touch-panel display, hold the stylus as you would an ordinary pen, being careful not to touch the display with your hands. There is no need to exert pressure when using the stylus, as the panel will respond to a light touch. Using too much pressure could damage the display.
Through the Viewfinder The viewfinder contains two frames. The frame on the left is used when taking pictures at a range of 65 cm (two feet) or more, that on the right when composing photographs for macro close-up at ranges of 14 – 23 cm (5.5˝ – 9˝). The READY lamp, which indicates whether or not the camera is ready to take photographs, is located below the viewfinder eyepiece.
Cautions To ensure that your COOLPIX 300 continues to operate properly, you should observe the following precautions. ✔ Do not touch the lens with your fingers The proper procedure for cleaning the camera’s lens is described in “Caring for Your Camera.” ✔ Do not cut power when the camera is on Do not unplug the camera or remove the batteries while the camera is on, or while data are being recorded or items deleted from memory.
✔ Turn the camera off before connecting the AC adaptor or other peripherals Be sure the camera is off before connecting the optional AC adaptor. When connecting the camera to a computer or television set, be sure that both the camera and the device to which it is to be connected are off before attaching the cables. When the camera is connected to a computer, be sure to turn the camera on before turning on the computer, and to turn the computer off before turning off the camera.
✔ Batteries When you turn the camera on, check the battery level displayed in the start-up window to determine whether the batteries need to be replaced. See “Checking Battery Level” for a description of the battery level indicator. Replace the batteries with AA alkaline batteries. Do not use nickelcadmium batteries. On cold days, the capacity of batteries tends to decrease. When taking pictures outside in cold weather, keep a spare set of warm batteries on hand.
First Steps This section guides you through the steps you will take when using your COOLPIX 300 for the first time, from inserting the batteries or plugging in the optional AC adaptor to making your first photographs, memos, and recordings. Putting Batteries in Your Camera When putting new batteries in your camera, first make sure that the camera is off (if you are using the optional AC adaptor, you should also unplug the camera). You may then slide the battery cover off as illustrated below.
Being careful not to catch your fingers in the latches, slide the battery cover back on until you hear the “click” made by the latches closing.
Attaching the Optional AC Adaptor To increase battery life, the COOLPIX 300 can also be operated using a special-purpose AC adaptor which is available separately. When connecting this optional AC adaptor, first make sure that the camera is off. Then insert the power jack into the camera’s DC connector. Plug the AC adaptor into a power outlet. You are now ready to turn the camera on.
Note: Avoid using the camera continuously for an extended period of time when it is powered by the AC adaptor, as the camera may overheat. Note: You will not be able to use the flash or adjust flash settings while the camera is plugged in, even when there are batteries in the camera. In these circumstances, the flash will automatically be set to “Off.” When leaving the camera unattended, unplug the AC adaptor by pulling directly on the adaptor itself.
Turning the Camera On To turn the camera on, slide the ON/OFF switch down and then release it. POWER lamp READY lamp ON/OFF switch recording lamp After the COOLPIX 300 is turned on, the word “HELLO” will appear in the touch-panel display and the POWER, READY, and recording lamps will flash while the camera performs a brief initial check of its internal systems and power supply.
Note: To increase the life of the batteries, the camera will automatically enter “sleep” mode if no operations are performed for thirty seconds. When the camera enters “sleep” mode, the touch-panel display will turn off automatically but the POWER lamp will remain lit. If no operations are performed for a further two minutes, the camera will turn itself off automatically (this does not apply when the camera is being powered by the AC adaptor).
Checking the Battery Level Once the camera has been turned on and finished its initial check, the following status window will be shown in the touch-panel display. FRI JAN 3.1997 22:10:32 BATTERY POWER 100% REMAINING MEMORY 100% PICTURES 66 COUNT SOUNDS 1017 SEC PICTURES 49 SET +SOUNDS OK Note: The above window will be displayed for about ten seconds after the camera has finished its initial check, after which time the camera will enter recording mode.
Note: At low battery levels, you may find that the camera will not record images under some settings. There may also not be enough power to charge the flash, in which case the flash will automatically be set to “Off.” The flash will also be set to “Off” whenever the battery-level indicator shows the low battery mark ( ). When the battery level becomes critically low, an alarm will sound (a rapid beeping which continues for thirty seconds) and the following warning will appear in the touch-panel display.
Setting the Time and Date When you turn on your camera for the first time, you will need to set the time and date. Open the touch-panel display and press the MENU key with the tip of the stylus to bring up the COOLPIX 300’s main menu. MENU RECORDING PLAY BACK SLIDE SHOW SET UP STATUS Select SET UP to bring up the setup menu and then press Next (▼). Choose DATE from the menu that appears.
Selecting DATE brings up the following window. MENU SETUP DATE M-D-Y D-M-Y DATE [MAR][ 1]’[97] TIME [ 0]:[00]:[00] Select “M-D-Y” or “D-M-Y” to display the date in the order “month-dayyear” or “day-month-year,” respectively. The year is shown as two digits: values between zero and eighty-nine correspond to years between 2000 and 2089, values between ninety and ninety-nine to years between 1990 and 1999. Time is displayed as “[hour] : [minute] : [second]” using a twentyfour hour clock.
Taking Your First Photograph Once you have checked the battery level and set the time and date, you are ready to make your first recordings. This section gives a brief description of how to make a photograph after turning the camera on; more detailed information on changing the camera’s settings may be found in the “Settings” chapter. For instructions on how to make memos or record sounds, refer “Creating Your First Memo” and “Making Your First Recording” immediately following this section.
The amount of memory available for making further recordings is shown as a percentage next to the REMAINING MEMORY item (fractions of less than one percent are rounded down). PICTURES indicates the number of photographs or memos that could be recorded at the current quality setting if all available memory were used to store images.
Step 4 - Check the camera’s settings When the camera is in recording mode, a hand icon ( ) appears in the status bar at the bottom of the touch-panel’s main window. Touching this icon with the stylus causes the COOLPIX 300’s settings to be displayed in the settings list at the top right corner of the main window. Settings list (flash mode) Hand icon [ 66] Number of exposures remaining Battery level indicator Touching the hand icon once will bring up the flash-mode icon as shown above.
Check to see that the settings are appropriate to your subject, lighting conditions and memory requirements. Touching an icon with the stylus will bring up a menu which will allow you to change the settings for that item (see “Settings”).
Note: Be careful not to place your finger over the lens or flash window when taking photographs. Step 6 - Compose a photograph Frame your subject in the viewfinder (illustrated below) or in the touchpanel display. Note that as the touch-panel display shows the view directly through the lens, there is no need to adjust your composition when using macro close-up.
Note: COOLPIX 300 uses a parallax viewfinder with a field of view which is between 80% and 85% of that of the lens. The viewfinder will therefore show an area slightly smaller than that which will appear in the actual photograph. At distances of between 14 and 23 cm (5.5˝ – 9˝), objects centered in viewfinder will appear off-center in the actual photograph. Use the macro close-up field of view when framing photographs in the viewfinder from a short distance.
Step 8 - Take a photograph When the camera is ready to record an image, the READY lamp will glow steadily. You can now take a picture by pressing the shutter release button down the rest of the way or, if you are framing a photograph in the touchpanel display, by touching the ENTER key with the stylus.
A beep will sound three times, signaling that the camera’s electronic shutter has been released, and the READY lamp will blink while the camera transfers the photograph to memory. When the camera has finished recording the image, the exposure count in the status bar of the touch-panel display will go down by one.
Creating Your First Memo COOLPIX 300 offers a simple drawing function which allows you to create memos in three colors, either as independent images or as notes written directly on photographs or combined with sound recordings stored in the camera’s memory. This section gives an overview of the memodrawing function. For information on how to add memos to photographs and recordings, see “Annotating Photographs and Recordings” in the “Playback” section and “Taking Your First Photograph” immediately above.
Step 3 - Touch the main window with the stylus With the camera in recording mode, touch the main window of the touchpanel display once with the stylus. The main window will show a threecolor palette on a blue background. Color palette Step 4 - Select a color Use the stylus to touch the area of the color palette that corresponds to the color in which you wish to draw. Step 5 - Create a memo Using the stylus, draw or write on the blue background area to create a memo.
Making Your First Recording In addition to its camera and memo functions, the COOLPIX 300 incorporates a digital recording device which allows to record up to seventeen minutes of audio data. Sound recordings can be stored independently or made in combination with photographs and memos. This section describes the basics of making audio recordings with your COOLPIX 300. For more information on recorder settings, refer to the “Settings” chapter.
The amount of memory available for making further recordings is shown as a percentage next to the REMAINING MEMORY item. The number next to SOUNDS indicates how many seconds of audio data could be recorded were all the available memory used to store sound recordings.
The following menu will appear in the touch-panel display. MENU SETUP SOUND ON OFF MODE 1 MODE 2 MODE 3 Select ON to enable the audio recorder. The COOLPIX 300 allows you to choose any one of three recording modes. Choosing Mode 1 links the camera’s microphone to the shutter release button, causing the camera to make a recording of a fixed duration whenever you take a photograph (for details on setting the length of the recording time in Mode 1, see “Settings”).
Step 5 - Make a recording Once you have enabled the audio recorder by selecting ON from the menu above, touch the ENTER key to return to recording mode. Before making a recording, confirm that the READY lamp is lit. To make a recording in Mode 2, press and hold the record button. The recording lamp will glow and a flashing microphone icon ( ) will appear at the top of the main window in the touch-panel display while audio data are being recorded through the camera’s built-in microphone.
Playback This section details how to use the COOLPIX 300 to view stored images and sounds, how to annotate stored items with memos or recordings, how to delete stored data, and how to connect the camera to a television set for on-screen viewing and playback. The Main Menu The COOLPIX 300’s play-back functions are mostly accessible from the camera’s main menu. To view the main menu when the camera is in recording mode, press the MENU key in the touch-panel display.
The items in the main menu are described below. RECORDING Selecting this item returns the camera to recording mode. PLAY BACK Brings up the play-back window. SLIDE SHOW Allows you to create a slide show from a selection of the camera’s stored images and sounds (see “Slide Show,” below). SET UP Brings up the setup menu (see “Settings”).
Images and sounds are shown in the playback list in the order recorded, with the most recent recording displayed at the bottom of the list. Photographs are indicated by thumbnail previews, memos by the memo indicator (■), and sound recordings by a note mark ( ; the number to the right of the note mark shows the length of the recording rounded down to the nearest second).
Playing Back a Single Image or Recording The playback list can be used to select images and recordings for playback. To play back a single image or sound recording, page through the playback list until the desired photograph, memo, or recording is visible. Using the stylus, touch the number to the left of the image or recording to select it for playback. Selected items will be outlined as shown below.
Once you have selected an image or recording, touch the ENTER key with the stylus to play the selection back. If the selected item is a photograph or memo, the selection will be shown full screen in the main window. If the selection is an audio recording, the main window will show a flashing note mark ( ) on a blue background and the selection will be played back from the camera’s speaker.
Adding Voice Memos or Recordings to Images You can use the camera’s audio recorder to add voice memos to photographs or memos displayed in single playback, or you can add further sound data to the end of an existing recording. To make a voice memo, first be sure that the microphone is on (see “Making Your First Recording” and “Sound Recording Options”). Next, follow the steps described in the preceding section to select and play back the item to which you wish to add audio data.
Annotating Photographs and Recordings When playing back a single image or recording, you can annotate it by adding a memo or, if the item already contains a memo, you can make additions to an existing annotation. To add a memo to a photograph or recording, first play it back in the main window as described in Playing Back a Single Image or Recording. With the image or recording displayed, touch the main window once with the tip of the stylus to bring up the color palette.
Viewing Multiple Images Multiple photographs, memos, and recordings can be chosen for playback by selecting several items in succession. In the playback list, simply use the stylus to touch each of the items you wish to play back. If the items are not on the same page, select those items that are visible, then use the Page Down and Page Up arrows to locate pages with other items you would like to view. The items on the new page can be then be added to your selection by touching them with the stylus.
When more than four items are selected for simultaneous playback, only the first four items selected will be displayed. The remaining items can be viewed by using the scroll keys ( ) to move through the selected items. Touch the Next ( ) and Previous ( ) arrows to scroll through the selected items one at a time or the Page Down ( ) and Page ) arrows to move through the items a five at a time.
The Status Bar The status bar at the bottom of the playback window provides ready access to commands which control playback, screen, and speaker settings. When the playback list is displayed in the main window, the status bar contains the items listed below. LCD Choosing this command with the stylus allows you to select the language used in the camera’s menus and dialogs, and to control the brightness of the TFT display.
Playback Options Selecting DISP from the status bar at the bottom of the playback window brings up the following menu. MENU PLAY ON DISP OFF DISPLAY 1 DISPLAY 2 DISPLAY 3 Using this menu, you can control what information appears when images and recordings are played back. When the display option is set to OFF, no information is displayed when an image or recording is played back. When this option is ON, you can choose any one of the display formats listed below.
When you have finished changing the display setting, touch the ENTER key to put the changes into effect and return to the playback list, or the CANCEL key to return to the playback list without changing the display setting.
Deleting Images and Recordings from Memory While the camera is in playback mode, you can delete images and recordings that you no longer need. You can delete the items when they are played back, or you can select the items to be deleted directly from the playback list by touching each of their associated thumbnails or indicators (■ for memos, for sound recordings). The items you have chosen will be outlined in white; touching an outlined item a second time causes it to be deselected.
To delete all data currently in memory, first transfer those items you would like to keep to a computer for long-term storage (see “Connections” for information on transferring the contents of your COOLPIX 300’s memory to a computer). Display the playback list and select ALL from the status bar at the bottom of the playback window. All items in memory will be selected. If you now touch the DELETE key with the stylus, the following dialog will appear.
Slide Shows The COOLPIX 300 allows you to create a slide show from the images and recordings stored in the camera’s memory. To use the slide-show function, select SLIDE SHOW from the main menu. A preview window similar to that shown below will appear in the touch-panel display. Item number Position in show 1 [ 1] [ 2 [ 2] [ 14] 3 [ 3] [ 12] 4 [ 4] ■ [ REPEAT [ 2] 2] 1] CYCLE Time displayed (sec.
When SLIDE SHOW is first selected from the main menu, the preview window will show the camera set to cycle once through all the items in memory in the order they were recorded, displaying each item for two seconds or, if the item contains an audio clip, for two seconds plus the length of the audio recording. Combinations of photographs, memos, and/ or sound recordings that were recorded together will be played back simultaneously, with annotations overlaid on photographs or recordings.
In this example you would press twice to change the number from “1” to “3.” The first page of previews would then be as shown below. 1 [ 3] [ 10] 2 [ 2] [ 12] 3 [ 3] [ 10] 4 [ 4] ■ [ REPEAT [ 2] 1] CYCLE DEF In the example above, the slides will appear in the order 3-2-3-4…. Notice that item number three is now displayed twice in the preview window and hence will appear in twice in the corresponding slide show.
To remove an element from the preview list, touch the corresponding thumbnail, memo indicator, or note mark to deselect it. The element will appear in the preview list without a highlight, meaning that it will not be displayed in the slide show.
To restore all items in memory to their original position in the preview list, touch DEF with the stylus. All changes will be lost, and the slide show will be set to cycle through all items in memory once in the order recorded. To change the length of time an item will be displayed, select the item’s display duration (shown in the rightmost column) and edit the value using the arrow keys ( ). Pressing increases the duration in increments of one second, while pressing increases it by five seconds.
Once you have finished adjusting the camera’s slide-show settings in the preview window, you can press the ENTER key to view the resulting slide show. While the slide show is in progress, you can repeat the previous slide by touching the Previous arrow or move the show back four slides by touching the Page Up arrow (if the current slide is the first slide in the show, touching Previous will stop the show and return you to the preview list).
Connecting the COOLPIX 300 to a Television Set The COOLPIX 300 can be connected to a television set for playback or demonstration, allowing you to use your camera as part of a multi-media presentation. When connecting your camera to a television set, first ready the AV cable supplied with your COOLPIX 300. After checking that both the camera and the television are off, connect the cable to the camera by inserting the black plug into the COOLPIX 300’s AV OUT jack. Next connect the cable to the television.
Images played back on the COOLPIX 300’s touch panel display will now be shown simultaneously on the television screen, and sound recordings played back when you use the camera’s slide-show or playback functions will be broadcast over the television’s speakers. Note: The version of the COOLPIX 300 shipped to countries which have adopted the NTSC video system is for use with NTSC-compatible televisions only.
Settings This chapter describes how you can change the camera’s settings to suit your needs. It also explains how to use macro close-up and the camera’s built-in flash and automatic timer. The Setup Menu Most of the camera’s settings can be accessed from the setup menu. To view the setup menu, select SET UP from the camera’s main menu (the main menu can be accessed by pressing the MENU key when the camera is in recording mode).
The setup menu contains two pages of options. You can move from one page to another using the Up (▲) and Down (▼) arrows. MENU 1/2 SETUP Down Arrow (▼) MENU SETUP SHOOTING MODE DATE SPEED LIGHT LCD PANEL IMAGE QUALITY SPEAKER SOUND MODE INTERFACE 2/2 SELF TIMER Up Arrow (▲) The functions of the items in the setup menu are briefly described below. SHOOTING MODE Selecting this item allows you to choose one of two shutter settings: single frame or continuous (see “Shooting Mode,” below).
SOUND MODE Selecting this item allows you to enable or disable the camera’s microphone and to select the method used to record audio data (see “Sound Recording Options,” below). This item can also be accessed by touching the sound-mode icon when the camera is in recording mode (see “Making Your First Recording” in “First Steps”). SELF TIMER This function allows you to use the automatic timer (see “Using the Automatic Timer,” below).
Shooting Mode The COOLPIX 300 offers two shooting modes: single frame (“Mode S”) and continuous (“Mode C”). When the camera is in recording mode, the camera’s current shooting-mode setting can be determined from the shooting-mode icon displayed in the settings list at the top right corner of the main window of the touch-panel display.
Using the Flash The COOLPIX 300 includes a built-in flash which offers the following three settings: “Auto,” “On,” and “Off.” When the camera is in recording mode, the camera’s current flash setting can be determined by checking the flash-mode icon displayed in the settings list at the top right corner of the main window of the touch-panel display. Auto When the flash is set to “Auto,” the camera's internal auto exposure circuitry will automatically activate the flash when lighting is poor.
The COOLPIX 300 also includes a red-eye reduction option, which can be used to reduce the so-called “red-eye effect,” a phenomenon produced when light from the flash is reflected from within the eyes of people and animals. When the red-eye reduction function is on, the red-eye reduction indicator ( ) appears in the status bar next to the flash icon. When the red-eye reduction indicator is displayed, the red-eye lamp will be activated whenever the flash is used.
Image Quality Image data in the COOLPIX 300’s internal memory are stored using JPEG compression to reduce the amount of memory they consume. When pictures are compressed with JPEG, some data are lost and the quality of the final image is degraded. The more a picture is compressed, the more noticeable this loss of quality will be. The COOLPIX 300 offers the following two settings for image quality, each represented by a different icon when the camera is in recording mode.
When the camera is in recording mode, the current image quality setting can be determined by viewing the image quality icon displayed in the settings list. To change the image quality setting, touch the image quality icon with the stylus or select IMAGE QUALITY from the setup menu. The following window will appear.
Sound Recording Options When the COOLPIX 300 is in recording mode, the current status of the camera’s built-in microphone can be determined by checking the soundmode icon in the status list at the top right corner of the main window of the touch-panel display. Off When the microphone is set to “Off,” audio data will not be recorded when the record or shutter-release buttons are pressed. On When the microphone is set to “On,” sound can be recorded and stored in the camera’s memory.
MODE 1 Choose MODE 1 to create photographs which incorporate an audio clip. When the camera is in Mode 1, pressing the shutter-release button to make a photograph simultaneously causes the camera to turn on the microphone and record an audio clip of fixed duration; the recording and photograph will subsequently appear together as a single item in the slideshow preview and playback lists. The length of the audio clip is determined when Mode 1 is chosen as the recording method.
MODE 2 When the camera is in Mode 2 and the microphone is set to “On,” audio data will be recorded while the record button is held down. The resulting clip will be stored as a single item in the camera’s memory. To choose Mode 2 as your recording method, select MODE 2 from the sound-mode menu and then touch the MENU key to return to main menu or the ENTER key to return to the previous menu. Selecting CANCEL discards any changes and returns you to the sound-mode menu.
Using the Self Timer The COOLPIX 300 incorporates a fixed, ten-second timer, allowing you to appear in photographs you take yourself. To set this self-timer, touch the timer icon ( ) which appears in the settings list when the camera is in recording mode, or select SELF TIMER from the setup menu. The following window will appear. MENU SETUP TIMER ON OFF When the timer is set to ON and the camera is in recording mode, the timer icon in the settings list will flash.
Display Options To set the brightness of the touch-panel display or to choose the language used in the camera’s windows and menus, choose LCD PANEL from the setup menu or LCD from the status bar in the playback list (see “Playback”). The following window will be displayed. MENU SETUP LCD LANGUAGE BRIGHTNESS E F G J [5] The language used in the camera’s windows and menus can be chosen from among English (E), French (F), German (G), and Japanese (J) by touching the appropriate letter with the stylus.
Speaker Options By default, the COOLPIX 300 sounds a buzzer when a currently inactive key is touched and produces a beep alert when an operation such as selecting a menu item or pressing the shutter release button is performed. To turn this function on and off, or to set the volume of the camera’s built-in speaker, choose SPEAKER from the setup menu or from the status bar in the playback list. The following menu will appear.
Macro Close-Up Macro close-up field-of-view The COOLPIX 300 provides a macro close-up function which allows you to take photographs at ranges of 14 – 23 cm (5.5˝ – 9˝). Use this function when you want to capture fine detail at close range. Use the macro close-up switch to select between macro close-up and normal settings.
When the camera is set to macro close-up, a flashing macro close-up icon ( ) will appear at the top left corner of the main window in recording mode. Be sure to return the camera to normal mode when taking photographs at ranges greater than 65 cm (two feet). Note: The flash is automatically set to “Off” when the camera is in macro close-up mode.
Connections This chapter describes how to set up your camera to communicate with a computer and how to connect your camera to a computer by means of the serial cables provided in this package or the SCSI cable available separately as part of the SCSI Kit. Before you can use your camera with a computer, you will need to install the Nikon View software package provided with this product.
Changing the Camera’s Port Settings Before connecting the COOLPIX 300 to your computer, you will need to adjust the camera’s data rate to match that of the computer’s serial port (for information on your computer’s serial port settings, refer to the documentation provided with your computer). Select INTERFACE from the second page of the COOLPIX 300’s setup menu to bring up the first page of the interface menu, then press the Next (▼) or Page Down ( ) arrows. The menu shown at right will be displayed.
Connecting the Camera to a Serial Port Before attaching the camera to the computer’s serial port, be sure that both the camera and computer are off. Open the cover that protects your camera’s SCSI and serial connectors (the cover is labeled “DIGITAL”) and connect the serial cable as shown below. Be sure to use only the cable provided with your COOLPIX 300. Attach the other end of the cable to the computer’s serial port.
Note: While your COOLPIX 300 is being controlled by Nikon View, the camera’s touch-panel display will not respond to the stylus and the record and shutter-release buttons will be deactivated. Note: Remove the serial cable from the camera and computer only after both devices have been turned off. Unplug the cable by the connector, not by pulling directly on the cable itself.
Making a SCSI Connection If your computer supports SCSI, you can achieve high-speed data transfer using the optional SS-E300 SCSI cable available separately from Nikon. This section describes how to set your camera’s SCSI ID and how to connect your camera to a computer using the SS-E300.
✔ Caution: Choosing a SCSI ID that has been assigned to another device will prevent communication between the COOLPIX 300 and your computer and could result in loss of data from your hard disk. Be sure that the number you choose for the COOLPIX 300 is not already assigned to another SCSI device. Once you have chosen an SCSI ID for the COOLPIX 300, use the stylus to choose a setting for the camera’s built-in terminator.
Attaching the Camera to Your Computer’s SCSI Chain Before attaching your camera to the computer’s SCSI chain, make sure that all devices in the chain, including the camera and the computer, are turned off. Open the cover that protects your camera’s SCSI and serial connectors (the cover is labeled “DIGITAL”) and connect the optional SCSI cable as shown below. Be sure to use only the SS-E300 cable, available separately from Nikon as part of the SCSI Kit.
Note: The SS-E300 cable provided in the optional SCSI Kit has a fullpitch, 50 pin male connector for connection to the SCSI chain. A male 50pin full-pitch to male 50-pin half pitch adaptor (the SS-AD2) is also provided, together with a male 50-pin to male D-sub 25-pin adaptor (SSAD1) for connection to Macintosh computers. If you are connecting your camera to a device with half-pitch or 25-pin connector, attach the appropriate adaptor to the camera’s SCSI cable as shown below.
Once you have connected your camera to the SCSI chain, turn on the camera and other external SCSI devices and then turn on the computer. If you have installed the Nikon View software provided with your COOLPIX 300, you will now be able to use the software to view the contents of the camera’s memory or to transfer images and recordings to disk for longterm storage. Refer to the Nikon View User’s Manual.
Caring for Your Camera To ensure that you continue to get the most from your camera, you should observe the following precautions when cleaning and storing your camera. Cleaning The lens is covered by a clear plastic shield. You should avoid touching this shield with your fingers. Use a blower to remove dirt and dust from the lens shield. If you do get a fingerprint or other stain on the shield, wipe it carefully with a soft cloth. Periodically dust the touch-panel display with a soft, dry cloth.
Troubleshooting If you should notice any problems with your COOLPIX 300, check the list below before consulting your retailer or Nikon representative. General problems Nothing shows in the touch-panel display Checklist: • Is the camera in sleep mode? Touch the main window with the stylus to reactivate the touch-panel display. • Is the touch-panel display’s cover fully open? Make sure that the cover is fully open.
The touch-panel display does not respond when touched by the stylus Over time, the areas of the touch panel which respond to the stylus may begin to differ from the positions shown on the display. The display can be re-calibrated by following the steps listed below. 1. Turn the camera on while touching the display with the stylus (you will need to keep the stylus in place for more than three seconds after the camera is turned on). The following screen will appear in the display.
2. Touch the center of the red square at the top left corner of the display with the stylus. The square will change color to light blue, and another red square will appear at the display’s bottom right corner. Red square 3. Touch the center of the second red square. The camera’s status window will appear, and you should then be able to operate the camera normally. Note: Recalibrating the camera’s display returns all settings except language and date to their initial values.
Camera displays a “MEMORY IS FULL” error When there is insufficient memory to perform a specified operation, or when the number of individual files stored in the camera’s memory is extremely large, the following message will appear in the touch-panel display. MEMORY IS FULL OK Touch OK with the stylus to clear the message from the display. The steps you should take next depend on when the message appeared.
Nothing happens when you release the shutter Indication: POWER lamp is off • The camera is off. Turn the camera on as described in “Turning the Camera On.” Indication: The camera is in setup mode • Close the display cover to return the camera to recording mode. Indication: READY lamp is flickering • The camera is currently recording a picture or the flash is charging.
Indication: The camera is set to “Macro close-up” • The flash will not charge when the camera is in macro close-up mode. Change the setting to “Normal” before using the flash (see “Macro Close-Up”). Indication: You are using the optional AC adaptor • The flash will not work when the camera is receiving power from the optional AC adaptor. Turn off the camera and unplug the AC adaptor before using the flash (see “Using the Optional AC Adaptor”).
Sound data is of poor quality or difficult to hear • The camera’s built-in microphone does not record well at a distance. Move the microphone to a better position before making a recording (see “Making Your First Recording”). The color palette is not displayed when the main window is touched with the stylus • To create memos, the camera must be either in recording mode or, if you wish to annotate a photograph or audio clip, in single-frame playback mode.
Nikon View displays a “Module has no sources” error when you attempt to display the camera's data files on your computer Checklist: • Is the camera correctly connected to the computer? Connect the camera to your computer’s serial port or SCSI chain as described in “Connections.
Error codes If a problem occurs in the camera's internal circuits or memory, an error code will appear in the main window of the touch-panel display. ERROR = xxxx To clear the display, turn the camera off and then on again. If the code is still displayed when the camera is turned back on, contact your retailer or Nikon representative for servicing.
Specifications Type: Digital camera combining digital audio recording system and electronic memo with pen input Input modes: Any combination of still photographs, audio data, and memos Display: Touch-sensitive 2.5˝ TFT liquid crystal display Speaker: Internal speaker, 20mm (0.8˝) diameter Image sensor: 330,000 pixel, square-pixel 1/3” CCD Resolution: 640 (horizontal) × 480 (vertical) dots Sensitivity: ISO 100 equivalent Lens: 6.2mm fixed-focus f4.
Shutter: Speed: Modes: Charge-coupled electronic shutter 1 /30 – 1/2,500 sec. Single frame, continuous Built-in flash: Flash control: Guide number 9 (IS0 100, m) Automatic, controlled by external photocell with a range of 1.2 – 2.25 meters (1.3 – 2.46 yards) Settings: Automatic, on, off Red-eye reduction pre-flash: 1 sec.
Index A AC adaptor iv, vi, 4, 6, 13, 17– 18, 65, 87, 91 ALL 48, 52 Audio data adding to an existing sound recording 44 adding to an image 44 annotating 45 combining with photographs 70 playing back 42–43 recording 35–38, 69–71 Auto exposure 1, 96 Automatic gain control 1 AV cable 59 AV OUT 6, 59 B Batteries iv, v, 3, 14, 86, 87 battery level 21–22 low battery warning 22 putting batteries in your camera 15– 16 Battery cover 15, 16 Battery level indicator 21, 27 C CANCEL key 8 Carrying case 3, 13 Cautions i
L P LCD command 48 LCD display.
S Safety ii, iv–vi SCSI 1, 81–86, 94 setting camera's SCSI ID 81–82 terminator setting 82 SCSI adaptor 4, 84 SCSI cable 4, 83 SELF TIMER 63, 72 Self timer 72, 97 Serial cable 4, 79 Serial connection 1, 77, 94 setting the baud rate for 78 SET UP 23, 40, 61 Settings 61–76 changing when in recording mode 28 Setup menu 61–63, 81 SHOOTING MODE 62, 64 MODE C 64 MODE S 64 Shutter 1, 97 Shutter mode 64 Shutter release button 6 Sleep mode 20, 87 SLIDE SHOW 40 Slide shows 53–58 adding items to 56 changing order of it
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY We Name: Nikon UK Limited Nikon House, 380 Richmond Road, Kingston, Surrey KT2 5PR, UK Address: declare that the product Product Name: Nikon Digital Camera E300, AC Adaptor EH-10E Manufacturer’s Name: Nikon Corporation Fuji Bldg.
ERKLÄRUNG ÜBER EG-NORMENGERECHTHEIT Wir Name: Nikon UK Limited Nikon House, 380 Richmond Road, Kingston, Surrey KT2 5PR, UK Anschrift: erklären hiermit, daß das folgende Produkt Produktbezeichnung: Nikon Digital Camera E300, AC Adaptor EH-10E Name des Herstellers: Nikon Corporation Fuji Bldg.
