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QSnapDigPhoto-02 7/24/06 3:14 PM Page 22 QSnapDigPhoto-02 7/24/06 3:14 PM Page 23 2 Setting Up Your Digital Camera ven point-and-shoot cameras aren’t quite ready to go right out Large numbers of digital cameras are also sold by mail order and of the box. Before you can begin pointing, you’ll usually need over the Internet with very little interaction between you and the ven- to set up your camera, make some initial settings, and prepare dor. It’s very likely that when you open the box and unpack your new E digital camera, you’re on your own, alone with the camera manufac- it for use. If you purchased your digital camera in a full-service retailer, it’s likely that the store personnel helped you set up your cam- turer’s Quick Start poster and not much more in the way of informa- era, explained some of the key controls, and gave you a quick tour of tion. The manual that came with your camera may be fairly helpful, the main features. That’s one of the best reasons for buying from a but it probably offers only the basics without any background that local store that specializes in photography and imaging products, explains why you’re performing the various setup tasks. If you’ve even if the price you pay is a little higher. However, the reality is that bought this book, however, you’re not entirely without setup help. This many digital cameras are bought from “big box” electronics stores chapter provides an overview that you should find helpful when con- and other outlets staffed by sales people rather than photographers, figuring your camera. and all you may receive is a box and a handshake. That’s okay, too, if you need a handshake more than handholding. QSnapDigPhoto-02 7/24/06 3:14 PM Page 24 Quick Snap Guide to Digital Photography Battery Charging and Battery Life All digital cameras use one or AA batteries (alkalines or the case with a few inexpensive charge each day, even when the more batteries, which provide rechargeables), non-rechargeable digital cameras). camera is not being used). So, electrical power for the camera’s lithium cells, or an AC adapter it’s helpful to recharge your bat- various functions. One of these that can be helpful when using The clock battery is usually a teries before attempting to use the will be the main battery, usually a the camera for long periods, such small button cell that’s good for a camera. The process usually rechargeable nickel metal as when you’re shooting time- number of years before it must be takes only an hour or two to reju- hydride (NiMH) or lithium ion (Li- lapse sequences that can last replaced. Unfortunately, this cell venate a fully depleted battery. Ion) power pack that can be hours or days. isn’t always as accessible to the Here are some things to consider: removed from the camera for user, which means you must send N recharging or replacement, or You might not be aware that your the camera to the vendor when Separate charger required. Digital camera batteries are usually which can be charged while it’s digital camera could also have a the clock battery needs replace- second “secret” battery, often ment. If you keep a well-charged recharged outside the camera, still in the camera. The disadvan- using a separate battery charger, called a clock battery because it main battery in your camera, it tage of in-camera charging, of like the charger shown in Figure course, is that you can’t use your powers the memory that retains can protect the clock battery from 2.1. Removing the depleted battery camera while the internal battery various settings, including the discharging, prolonging its useful gives you the opportunity to plug in is being recharged. If you have a time and when the main battery life. Often, you’ll find that a a fresh one and continue shooting choice, a camera with removable has been completely discharged “clock” icon is flashing on your if you like. It’s a better method than that used with cameras that require cells, which can be replaced with or removed. Without this second- new digital camera when you plugging the whole camera into a another set so you can continue ary cell, all the customized set- receive it. That doesn’t mean that shooting, is the best option. tings you’ve made, as well as the the battery is already dead; it sim- current time and date, would be ply signifies that the time and date Your digital camera might also lost every time you changed the need to be set for the first time. operate using standard AAA or main battery (which is actually Your camera’s main battery is sel- dom fully charged when you AVOID BURNOUT receive the camera. It may have Don’t carry a loose spare battery; make sure it’s inside a pouch or container been shipped with a partial that prevents the exposed contacts from touching any conductive surface charge, or it might have lost that might cause the battery to short out. It’s surprising how hot a battery some or all of its juice after leav- can get when all its energy is released unexpectedly through a short circuit. ing the factory (rechargeables Figure 2.1 Many batteries must be often lose about 1 percent of their recharged outside the camera. 24 QSnapDigPhoto-02 7/24/06 3:14 PM Page 25 Setting Up Your Digital Camera power source for recharging, or digital cameras have a Battery Why do some digital cameras nestling the camera into a separate Information screen that shows an have relatively more juice than image transfer/power dock. accurate percentage of power smaller, less fully featured point- remaining, and the number of pho- N Recharge anytime. NiMH or and-shoot digicams? Part of the tos taken with the current charge Li-Ion batteries can be topped off at (this may be a larger number than answer comes from the size fac- any time, regardless of how much the exposures shown on your cam- tor alone: Compact consumer of the charge has been used, with- era’s status display if you’ve digital cameras may have a tiny out danger of suffering from the swapped or reformatted memory “memory effect” that plagued ear- battery, like the one shown in cards). Some high-end cameras lier types of batteries (particularly Figure 2.2, that offers perhaps with “intelligent” batteries also nickel cadmium cells) and gradu- 600 to 700 millampere hours measure how many times a battery ally depleted their capacity. (mAh) of power, compared to the has been recharged, recommend Modern batteries are good for up replacement with a new one when 1,500 to 2,000 mAh (or more) to 1,000 full charge/recharge needed, and track the accuracy of ratings of typical advanced digi- Figure 2.2 Batteries for compact cycles in any combination; for their gauge and call for recalibra- tal camera batteries. digital cameras are usually good for example, if you consistently tion when there is a difference 150-400 shots. recharge when the battery is half Snapshooters tend to use their between the predicted and actual expended, you can reasonably camera’s built-in flash units more, number of shots you should be expect to do that about 2,000 power-hungry LCDs are often getting. shutter release button is partially times before needing to buy a switched on for long periods to depressed. Serious photogra- new one. N Longer life. Some kinds of batter- compose or review images, and phers don’t use flash as often as ies last longer than others, and the N Check remaining power. the camera’s battery may have to number of shots you can get varies snapshooters. When “idling,” a Some cameras offer two ways to handle power-gobbling functions from camera to camera, too. A camera uses very little electricity check the amount of charge particular camera may give you like zooming. remaining. You’ll usually find an at all, yet is able to spring to life just 100-150 shots with a set of icon in the shape of a battery on instantly when the shutter release two alkaline AA batteries, but offer More advanced digital cameras, the back panel LCD (or on the sta- is pushed. Actually taking a pic- 400 or more exposures with a in contrast, may be more efficient tus LCD on top of the camera in the ture does cause a spike in battery compatible rechargeable pack. A in their use of power. Their LCDs case of more advanced cameras). consumption, but the amount of similarly sized camera from The icon will gradually lose inter- may switch off after a minute or another vendor might provide current drawn isn’t all that great. nal segments as the battery is two, and remain off until you’re twice as many shots with each type The flash, LCD, and sensor that depleted, until an “empty” battery ready to take another picture or of battery. Advanced digital cam- must remain active to supply an icon represents a fully discharged during picture review or menu eras with their hefty battery packs cell. There may be a battery warn- image to the LCD are the most can sometimes take 1,000 or more access. Autofocus and autoexpo- ing light inside your viewfinder, prominent power hogs in your images on a single charge, and sure functions consume power, too.

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