Author Topic: Who actually reads their manual? (Read 761 times)

voyager · « **on:** February 19, 2012, 10:31:15 PM »

Be honest now...

Eureka · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2012, 12:08:52 AM »

Before I started to use my E-PL1 I did read the whole, but now with my E-P3 I just read it when I don't know how to do what I want to do. I think I would have read the whole E-P3 manual if it was in paper and not digital, like the E-PL1 manual was.

For the E-PL1 I had the PEN case smart, and at the back of that bag it was a perfect pocket to always carry the manual

Now my (younger) brother own the E-PL1

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2012, 01:57:23 AM »

I honestly haven't even taken it (them) out of the box. I did read some parts of the Nikon D90 manual when I got it, but that was the first (non-P&S) camera I owned, and didn't know what a lot of the technical terms even meant. By the time I got my E-P1, I'd learned enough that I could just scroll through the menus and get a decent understanding of how everything works.

lisandra · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2012, 01:47:45 PM »

I do, you think you know everything about the camera and then you read the manual.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2012, 02:04:45 PM »

I go to my G3 PDF Manual only a few times. Owning a G1, gave me a jump start. But, I am going through the E-M5 PDF manual, so when I do get one, I'll be ready.
But, I still go to it now and again.

Jason C · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2012, 02:48:32 PM »

Me, honest.

Every camera I've owned, I go through the manual with camera in hand.

Jason C

everclear · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2012, 03:58:44 PM »

Always worth a scan to see if there are any useful features you might otherwise miss.

Also worth reviewing your main settings once in a while.

lisandra · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2012, 04:52:59 PM »

For example my fellow panny users...did you know that when your moving the focus point across the screen you can reset it dead center by pressing the DOF preview/trash button?

Centauri27 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2012, 04:54:44 PM »

As a tech writer, I always read my instruction manuals for professional interest (how the info is presented, the writing style, etc.) and to learn the product. I've read the E-P1 manual cover to cover (lots to learn in there!) and have uploaded the PDF version onto my iPod Touch & tablet for reference as well. I also look at the manuals out of professional courtesy, to acknowledge the efforts of the writers who toil in obscurity, producing documentation that few actually read...

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2012, 06:07:32 PM »

Quote from: lisandra on February 20, 2012, 04:52:59 PM

For example my fellow panny users...did you know that when your moving the focus point across the screen you can reset it dead center by pressing the DOF preview/trash button?

I did not know that

I'll have to READ that part of the Manual.

voyager · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2012, 12:48:35 PM »

I'd probably actually like my E-P1 if I read the manual.

lisandra · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2012, 08:43:59 AM »

Quote from: M5-User on February 20, 2012, 06:07:32 PM

Quote from: lisandra on February 20, 2012, 04:52:59 PM
For example my fellow panny users...did you know that when your moving the focus point across the screen you can reset it dead center by pressing the DOF preview/trash button?

I did not know that
I'll have to READ that part of the Manual.

I have it set up so that if you touch the screen it doesn't take a photo, it just switches from the 23 area to single point. I move it around depending on subject, but switch it to dead center for compose/recompose. It has to be done while you're moving it (while its yellow) but it has proven to be invaluable to me.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2012, 09:29:35 AM »

Quote from: lisandra on February 22, 2012, 08:43:59 AM

Quote from: M5-User on February 20, 2012, 06:07:32 PM
Quote from: lisandra on February 20, 2012, 04:52:59 PM
For example my fellow panny users...did you know that when your moving the focus point across the screen you can reset it dead center by pressing the DOF preview/trash button?

I did not know that
I'll have to READ that part of the Manual.
I have it set up so that if you touch the screen it doesn't take a photo, it just switches from the 23 area to single point. I move it around depending on subject, but switch it to dead center for compose/recompose. It has to be done while you're moving it (while its yellow) but it has proven to be invaluable to me.

Isn't that a default... to touch the screen w/o pressing the AF/Shutter button. Where is you touch the AF point, it moves with your finger? With the G3, it is that way anyway.
Just not sure on how to reset the AF point (Haven't looked it up yet)

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2012, 10:08:12 AM »

With the G3, you just push the "Del" button by it self. the Fn buttons selection, does not matter. I have Fn2 for AE Lock, so, for me, I have to focus where ever I want 1st, then Lock the exposure, (if I want to), take a photo from shutter button, then hit "Del" to reset the Focus AF point. And the meter weighs towards where the AF point is, I think.

lisandra · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2012, 10:56:21 AM »

The default on the gh2 is to take the picture when you press the screen, you have to press the simbol with the finger on the button for it to switch to "move the focus point". On the gh2 the del button is also the DOF preview button

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2012, 11:35:25 AM »

Quote from: lisandra on February 22, 2012, 10:56:21 AM

The default on the gh2 is to take the picture when you press the screen, you have to press the simbol with the finger on the button for it to switch to "move the focus point". On the gh2 the del button is also the DOF preview button

I guess they made the default to move the AF point w/o taking a picture on the G3, and, I have to custom set Fn1/2 for DOF preview. So, that is changed a little also.

Who actually reads their manual?