Argus DC3810 User manual

DC3810 USER'S MANUAL
***STOP!***
Before returning your new product to the store, CONTACT ARGUS FIRST;
Visit us online at: www.aguscamera.com
E-mail us at: [email protected]
Problems or Questions?
or, call us at: 1.888.552.7487

SYSTEM REQUIREMETS WINDOWS
• Windows® 98; 98 SE; Windows 2000 prof.; Windows Me; Windows XP
• 32 MB RAM
•110 MB free memory capacity
•VGA color monitor
• CD ROM drive
• USB PORT
SYSTEM REQUIREMETS MACINTOSH ®
IMac; iBook; G3 blue &white series; G4 series
•Mac OS 9.0; 10.1.3
• 64 MB RAM or higher
•110 MB free memory capacity
•VGA color monitor
• CD ROM drive
•USB PORT
ACCESSORY POWER OPTION:
AC Adapter 6V 1A (sold seperately) pg. 28

3
Thank you for purchasing the Argus DC3810.
Please read through this instruction manual so you can enjoy all
its features.
The CE mark on your camera certifies that the DC3810 meets the requirements of
EU (European Union) regulations concerning interference-causing equipment.
CE stands for Conformité Européenne (European Conformity).
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions: (1) This device may cause interference.(2) This device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Do not remove the ferrite cores from the cables.
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
Digital Camera
DC3810
Tested To Comply
With FCC
Standards

4
Read and understand all warnings and cautions before using this product.
Batteries may overheat due to improper use.
• Use 4 each AA alkaline or 4 each AA Ni-MH batteries.
• Do not mix batteries of different types, brands, ages, or charge levels.
• Do not subject batteries to fire or high temperatures.
• Do not attempt to recharge, short, or disassemble batteries.
• Do not install batteries with polarities (+/-) reversed.
• Follow local regulations for battery disposal.
• Keep batteries and other small objects away from small children. Contact a physician immediately
if an object is swallowed.
Immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use if:
•If the camera's internal components become exposed for any reason, remove all power sources .
• Do not walk while viewing monitor.
WARNING
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
This is a descriptive statement warning of the result if the instructions are
ignored or not understood.
• Properly dispose of batteries that show wear or damaged.
• Do not store batteries on metallic surfaces.
• Do not expose batteries to water or moisture.

5
WARNING
• Never recharge alkaline batteries!
• Properly dispose of leaking batteries. Incase of accidental contact with eyes, immediately flush with
plenty of fresh water. Seek medical attention. If battery fluid contacts skin and/or clothing, wash
area thoroughly with soap and water.
• Use only an Argus-specified AC adapter. Improper voltage may result in permanent damage to
your camera.(Argus specifies 6V 1A--sold separately)
• Do not drop, crush, or immerse camera in liquid; electrical shock may result.
• Do not use camera near flammable liquid or gas; explosion or fire may result.
• Immediately disconnect power source (batteries, AC adapter) if camera smells hot or emits smoke.
Refer to arguscamera.com for warranty and repair information.
• Do not disassemble camera; electric shock may result.
(Use caution when disconnecting power source; camera may be hot.)
• Do not clean camera with flammable products; explosion or fire may result.
• Do not expose eyes to direct flash.

6
CAUTION
Camera temperature rises with extended periods of use. Use caution when handling.
• Do not expose camera to extremely high temperatures. Leaving camera inside a sealed vehicle
under direct sunlight or any prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may adversely affect the
• Remove all power sources when storing camera for prolonged periods.
• Store camera in a cool, dry, dust-free environment.
camera's internal components.

7
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Check the parts list before you begin. If some parts are missing, contact your
camera dealer or refer to arguscamera.com for warranty and repair information.
• ARGUS DC3810 ZOOM camera........(x 1)
• AA-size Alkaline Batteries................(x 4)
• Video Cable.......................................(x 1)
• Hand Strap........................................(x 1)
• Camera Case.....................................(x 1)
• USB Cable.........................................(x 1)
• 32 MB CompactFlash Card...............(x 1)
• Software and Documentation on CD-ROM:
USB Driver Software for Windows® 98; Windows 98 SE;Windows 2000; Windows XP
and Mac®OS 9.0; 10.1.3
Instruction Manual (PDF) Windows and Macintosh
PhotoImpression;VideoImpression
• Documentation (Printed)
Warranty Card (x 1)

8
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE . . . . . . . . . . .4
BEFORE YOU BEGIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
NAMES OF PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
CAMERA BODY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
INSIDE THE TERMINAL COVER . . . . . .14
BOTTOM OF BODY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
DATA PANEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
VIEWFINDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
QUICK REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
TAKING PICTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
MONITORING THE CAPTURED IMAGES . .20
DELETING IMAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
PREPARATION
ATTACHING THE HAND STRAP . . . . . . . . . .24
INSERTING THE BATTERIES . . . . . . . . . . . .25
CHECKING THE BATTERY POWER . . .27
AUTO POWER OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
USING THE AC ADAPTER (6V 1A)
(sold separately) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
INSERTING/REMOVING THE COMPACT
FLASH (CF) CARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
INSERTING THE CF CARD . . . . . . . . . . .29
REMOVING THE CF CARD . . . . . . . . . . .30
TAKING PICTURES
BASIC RECORDING PROCEDURE. . . . . . . . .33
THE RECORDING MODE DISPLAY ON THE
LCD MONITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
THE DISPLAY OF THE CAMERA SETTINGS .36
ADJUSTING THE FOCUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
FOCUS LAMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
FOCUS DISTANCE IN THE AUTOFOCUS
MODE (Minimum Focus Distance)....................37
THE SUBJECT THAT IS DIFFICULT TO
FOCUS

9
IN THE AUTOFOCUS MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
WHEN THE SUBJECT IS NOT IN THE
CENTER OF THE FRAME
(Focus Lock Function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
ADJUSTING THE FOCUS DISTANCE . . . .40
CLOSE UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
ADJUSTING THE FOCUS AREA . . . . . . . .43
FLASH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
FLASH RANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
SELECTING THE FLASH MODE . . . . . . .45
FLASH LAMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..46
ADVANCED OPERATIONS
P/A/S/M EXPOSURE
EXPOSURE MODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
DIGITAL ZOOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
BURST IMAGE CAPTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
SELF-TIMER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
ISO SETTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION . . . . . . . . . . ..57
MOVIE CLIP SHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
MOVIE CLIP PLAYBACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
MOVIE CLIP SETTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
VOICE RECORDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
VOICE PLAYBACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
SPECIFYING THE RECORDING MODE
SPECIFYING THE RECORDING MODE . . . .64
THE RECORDING MODE MENU DISPLAY
(LCD Monitor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
RECORDING MODE MENU ITEMS . . . .64
SPECIFYING IMAGE QUALITY MODE . . . . .68
SPECIFYING THE IMAGE SIZE MODE . . . .71
SPECIFYING WHITE BALANCE MODE . . . .73
SPECIFYING THE SHARPNESS MODE . . .75
RESETING TO THE RECORDING MODE DEFAULT
SETTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

10
SPECIFYING THE PLAYBACK MODE
THE PLAYBACK MODE MENU . . . . . . . . . .101
THE PLAYBACK MODE MENU
(LCD Monitor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
THE PLAYBACK MODE MENU ITEMS AND
EACH SETTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
SPECIFYING THE PRINT SETTINGS WITH
THE DPOF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
SPECIFYING THE IMAGE AND THE
NUMBER TO BE PRINTED . . . . . . . . . .104
SPECIFYING THE INDEX PRINT
SETTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
TO CANCEL THE PRINT SETTINGS WITH
THE DPOF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
FOLDER NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
SELECTING A FOLDER .. . . . . . . . . . . . .110
GIVE FOLDER A NEW NAME . . . . . . . . .111
On DCF (Design rule for Camera File system)
Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
PLAYBACK MODE
SINGLE-FRAME PLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
THE PLAYBACK MODE DISPLAY ON THE
LCD MONITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
THE IMAGE INFORMATION DISPLAY
IN THE PLAYBACKMODE . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
INDEX PLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
ZOOM PLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
SLIDE SHOW
TO START THE SLIDE SHOW . . . . . . . . .87
TO STOP THE SLIDE SHOW . . . . . . . . . .88
THE SETTING IN THE SLIDE SHOW
MODE MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
DELETING IMAGES
DELETING SELECTED IMAGE . . . . . . . . . . .92
DELETING ALL IMAGES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
DELETING FOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
ADJUSTING THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LCD
MONITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

11
SETUP
THE SETUP MODE MENU DISPLAY . . . . . .115
THE SETUP MODE MENU DISPLAY ON
THE LCD MONITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
THE SETUP MODE MENU ITEMS AND
EACH SETTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
SPECIFYING THE TIME FOR THE AUTO
POWER OFF FUNCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
FORMATTING THE CF CARD . . . . . . . . . .119
SETTING THE DATE / TIME . . . . . . . . . . . .121
SETTING THE BEEP SOUND . . . . . . . . . . .123
SWITCHING THE VIDEO SIGNAL FROM
THE VIDEO OUTPUT TERMINAL . . . . . . . .125
SWITCHING THE LANGUAGE DISPLAYED
ON THE LCD MONITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
RESETTING TO THE DEFAULT SETTINGS. 128
CONNECTING TO YOUR PERSONAL
COMPUTER
CONNECT TO PERSONAL COMPUTER
For Windows® 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
For Macintosh®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
CAUTIONS WHEN CONNECTING TO
THE PERSONAL COMPUTER . . . . . . .146
INSTALLING Photo Impression & Video
Impression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135&141
APPENDIX
WATCHING THE CAPTURED IMAGES
ON TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
NOTES ON THE HANDLING . . . . . . . . . . .155
CARE AND STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
TECHNICAL DETAILS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

12
NAMES OF PARTS
CAMERA BODY
* Do not touch lens with fingers.

13
AF
CAMERA BODY

14
INSIDE THE TERMINAL COVER
BOTTOM OF BODY
USB connector
Video-out terminal
AC Adapter input
Batt. compartment door
Tripod socket

15
* Refer to the number of recordable remaining framesas a guide. The number changes depends
upon the scene or subject being recorded.
DATA PANEL
The following diagram shows features displayed.
Battery-condition indicator
Self-timer indicator
Numeric display of recordable remaning frame
No-card indicator
Image-size indicators Flash-mode indicators

16
Close-framing guide
When using the viewfinder to shoot a subject closer than 1m,the area under the close-framing
guide will be recorded. Use the LCD monitor to check image composition.
VIEWFINDER
Focus Iamp
(green)
Flash Iamp
(red)
Close-framing guide

17
Focus Lamp (Green)
Illuminated
The focus is determined and locked.
Blinks quickly.
(about eight per second)
The focus is not determined.
(The subject contrast is too low, the subject is too dark or too close,
or the subject is too far in the close-up mode.)
Blinks slowly.
(about two per second)
The image is busy recording onto the CF (Compact Flash) card.
The camera reads out the image from the CF card.
Focus Area (as a Guide)
Flash Lamp (Red)
In the autofocus mode,
the focus is adjusted in
the gray area as shown.
Illuminated Flash is charged and ready to fire.
Blinks quickly when the shutter-release
button is pressed completely down.
(about eight per second)
After canceling flash function, light blinks
slowly.(about 2 per second)
The flash is charging.
Shutter speed is very slow.
Pictures taken in this mode will blur with any
movement of camera. Tripod recommended.

18
QUICK REFERENCES
GETTING STARTED
TAKING PICTURES – See page 33 for details.
1Insert the batteries (see page 25).
2Insert the CF card (see page 29).
1Rotate function dial to .
2Slide power switch to run on camera.
Caution:
We suggest using Sandisk or Hitachi CF card.
• Press the display button to view LCD monitor.

19
3Determine the image composition while looking into LCD
monitor or viewfinder.
5Hold the shutter-release button halfway down to focus.
4Zoom in or out.
( / ).
• To zoom in, press the button.
• To zoom out, press the button.
6
Press the shutter-release button full-way down to take the
picture.
• The LCD monitor will display the captured image.
• The green focus lamp will blink slowly while the camera loads the image to
the CF card.

20
MONITORING THE CAPTURED IMAGES – See page 82 for details.
1Rotate the function dial to .
2Slide the power switch to turn on the camera.
• The LCD monitor will display the last recorded image.
3Pressing the or key will scan through the previous
or next images in sequence.