Canon XapShot RC-250 User manual

Hi~
Canon STILL VIDEO
CA
MERA ~C·250
XAP~I-I(]T
RC-250
\!b::::::E::, -;;- _---.: H:i9~hh--Band Hi~
~
Q DREC
©©© .
r;:I :--..l........~
Instructions

2
Thank you for purchasing the Canon Still
Video Camera "Xap
Shot" RC-250 , an en-
tirely new camera that takes pictures,dis-
plays them and erases them
as you wish.
Please read these instructions carefully
before using the camera and keep them in
a readily accessible place
for future
reference.
Keep the front and back pages of
this
manual opened for easy reference to the
camera's parts.
* This product is sold under the name " Q-Plt
RC - 250 " in Japan.
Main Features
1. Shoot and show
The Xap Shot records pictures on
a video floppy
disk and immedi-
ately displays top-quality images
on a
TV screen easily.
2. High disk capacity
Fifty pictures can
be recorded on
a two-inch video floppy
disk .
3. Shooting and editing versatility
During shooting, disks can
be ex-
changed at anytime. Erased or
skipped tracks can be recorded
over for maximum disk use. Track
erasing and skip I insert shooting
are fast and simple too.
4. Macrophotography
Shoot,close-ups from 12 in. away.

3
Names of Parts (1)
Macro Selector
Lens
White Balance Window
Hi~ is the standard symbol recognized for tr e still video floppy system.
. This camera complies with the "high·band" format of the still video floppy systems.lUse the standard video floppy disk
with the RC-250.llmages recorded in the high-band format cannot be displayed on a player without the Hi[2£Jmark.llm-
ages not recorded in the high-band format will not be displayed properly.

4
System Components
You need a battery pack BP-4P or a battery
charger BA-24P plus an AC coupler AV-C25
to take pictures and display them.
To TV terminal
CD RC-250
® Wrist Strap WS-C25
@ Soft Case SC-C25
@ Battery Charger BA-24P
@
Battery Pack BP-4P
@ AC
Coupler AV-C25
(j) Mini Plug-Pin Cable KE-M2P
@ Pin Cable KE-PIN
@ Video Floppy Disk VF-50
* Items @ through @ are sold
separately.

Table of Contents
Main Features . ....................... . .... .. .... . ... . .... ... ... 2
Names of Parts ......................................... .... 3, 46
System Components . ..... ......... ..................... .. .. .. . . 4
Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Video Floppy Disks ..... .................. . ..................... 8
1. Power Source . .............................................. 10
2. Display Panel .. ............... .... ... . ...................... 14
3. Inserting a Video Floppy Disk . ...................... . ....... . . 16
4. Taking Pictures ..... . .............. .. ....................... 17
(1) Regular Shooting .................. ... ... . ... . ... .... . .... .. . .. .. 18
(2) Skip/Insert Shooting ... .. ...... . . ... ..... .. .. ... : ... .. .. . .. . . . ... 22
(3) Flash Photography .. .... . .. . ................ . ................. ... 24
(4) Shooting Backlit Subjects ..... ... ... ....... . . . . . ....... . ......... 26
(5) Macrophotography ...... .. ........ . ....... . .. . . . ....... . .... . .... 27
(6) Self·timer Photography .. . . ......... ... .. . .............. . .... . .... 28
5. Viewing Pictures ..... .. ... . .. ..... . . .......... ..... ........ . 29
(1) Connecting the Camera to a TV . .. . . ..... ..... ................. .. . 30
(2) Viewing Pictures .. .. . .............. .. . .. ..... ... . .. ..... .. . . . ... . 33
6. Erasing Pictures . ............................................ 36
7. Troubleshooting Chart ....................................... 37
8. Specifications. . . . . . .. ........... .. ............... ..... ...... 40
5

6
Precautions
• This camera is not waterproof. If you
splash water on it or expose it to sea
breezes, wipe it
thoroughly with a
clean dry cloth.
•
Do not leave the camera in direct sun-
light, or other places where the tem-
perature can get extremely hot, such
as the trunk or rear window shelf of a
car.
• Avoid using or storing the camera in
places where dust or sand can
damage it.
• Never attempt to disassemble the
camera.
• Always use a soft cloth to clean the
camera.
• Handle the camera very carefully. Do
not subject it to unnecessary shock
that may damage the camera.
If you do not plan to use the camera
for a while, remove the battery pack
and store it in a well-ventilated, cool,
and dry place. Be sure to charge the
Battery Pack BP-4P at least once ev-
er six months .
i> 0, >;;; ; ~:::: : ' < •. . ..
~f""':--;";";";""""':'

• Video floppy disk precautions
• Keep the disk in its case when not in
use.
• Do not leave a disk loaded in the
camera
for a long time.
• If the dustproof shutter opens by ac-
cident, close it immediately. Never
touch the
disk inside.
• Do not put video floppy disks near a
motor,
or electronic devices which
generate strong magnetic fields.
•
Do not leave disks in direct sunlight,
in a car trunk or other places where
the temperature or humidity can be-
come very high.
• Keep disks away from dust or dirt.
• Do not bend or drop disks . Protect
them from strong vibration or shocks.
7

8
Video Floppy Disks
(1) What is a video floppy disk?
A video floppy disk is a two-inch floppy
disk which conforms to worldwide stan-
dards. One disk has 50 recording tracks,
and the RC-250 records one picture in
each track. Tracks are numbered from 1
to 50.
Picture 3 Picture 2 Picture 1

Use the Canon Video Floppy Disk VF-50
with the RC-250.
0 Canon
VI DEO FL OPPY DISK
VF·50
¢ @
mO
I I
(2) Erasure Prevention Tab
• The recorded video floppy disk can be used
to record new images over and over again
after erasing old ones. However, by break-
ing the erasure prevention tab, the record-
ed images cannot be erased.
• Break off the tab to prevent accidental
erasure.
• If a disk without an erasure prevention tab
is covered by the seal
included or thin cel·
lophane tape at
the tab portion, it can be
used again for recording or erasure.
Seal Placement Area
Put a seal or cellophane tape
_ {( inside this area only.
~ .
Erasure Prevention Tab
9

1. Power Source
10
The RC - 250 can be powered by either the
Battery Pack
BP-4P for great mobility, or
connection to a wall outlet for shooting
or viewing pictures at home.

(1) Battery Pack Bp·4P
Install the battery as shown below.
1. Set the main switch
to LOCK.
2. Remove the battery
cover.
3. Insert a fully·charged
battery in the direc·
tion of the arrow.
4. Replace the battery
cover.
• A new, fully·charged battery takes approximately 800 shots without flash
use, or 200 -300 shots if flash is used for about one in every four photos.
• Pictures can be viewed on a TV screen for 10-15 minutes .
(Based on Canon's Standard Test Method)
• Battery life reduces in low temperatures.
• We recommend that you always have a spare batter y handy when operating the camera in
low temperatures or if taking many flash photos.
11

12
Battery Pack Bp·4P Precautions
• The battery must always be fully charged
before use.
Be sure to read the handling in·
structions for the battery and the battery
charger.
Be sure to charge the Battery Pack BP-4P
with the Canon Battery Charger BA-24P (or
BC-24P) .
• Set the main switch to LOCK before remov-
ing the battery from the camera.
• If you do not plan to use the battery, store
it in a dry, dark and cool place.
Do not for-
get to charge the battery at least once ev-
ery six months.
• If the battery is damaged and battery fluid
(electrolyte) should come in contact
with
your clothing or skin, wash it off immedi-
ately with plenty of water. If the fluid con-
tacts eyes or mouth, wash it out
immediately with plenty of water and se.e
a physician.
• Carefully observe the following precautions
to avoid danger:
• Never connect (short out) the positive (+ )
and negative (- ) terminals.
• Never attempt to disassemble the battery.
• Never dispose the battery in an open fire.
• Always keep the battery out of the reach
of children.
• Observe the following precautions to avoid
damage
or deterioration of battery.
• Do not drop the battery.
• The battery pack BP-4P is to be used only
with the RC-250 . Do not use it with other
equipment.
• Refrain from using the battery in extreme
temperatures below 23°F
or above 104°F
(-5°C or above +40°C)

(2) Power from a Wall Outlet
------------------------------~-
Connect the camera, the battery charger, and the AC coupler as shown below:
To Wall Outlet
~ -________ ~ ~~ Battery Charger BA-24P
To Battery Compartment ~ ~
000 ~ ... ~ C Coupler "'0
f) tJ == AV-C25 ~~ c--- To Coupler
ro ~ r ~ _ terminal
~ 0 ' >
"
~
~
* See the Battery Charger and AC Coupler manuals for its connection .
* See page 30 about connection to TV units for viewing or erasing pictures .
* The coupler terminal on BA-24P only accepts the AV-C25. Other attachments ma y create
a fire hazard.
13

14
2. Display Panel
The display panel indicates necessary information for recording,viewing and
erasing pictures.
Self-timer MOde ~
Low Battery \
Warning
\\ : ~-----------------
g~cr'
sc=''-l
_-l \ \ '\""" \ ____ ~ \ ---_
~ \L contjn ~ o",-ShO \ Mode
- - Single-shot Mode
Track No. and
Warnings

Warnings in the Display Panel
00 : (00 blinking) A video floppy disk is not loaded.
Pr : (Pr blinking) The erasure prevention tab is broken (ap-
pears only in recording or erasing modes).
50 : (50 blinking) All tracks have been recorded (appears only
in recording mode). This warning appears whenever the
50th track is recorded even if other tracks may be un-
used. See page 22 about recording pictures on skipped
or erased tracks.
g : (g flashing) The battery power is low.
Lb: (g and Lb flashing) Replace the battery immediately.
The camera will not function.
Er : (Er flashing) Errorexists. Press the shutter button or reo
move and re- insert the video floppy disk. If Er still flash-
es, try anotherdisk. If the camera still does not function
normally, consult your dealer or nearest Canon Service
Facility. 15

16
3. Inserting a Video Floppy Disk
1. Press the disk eject
button to open the
disk cover.
2. Insert a video flop·
py disk as shown
below.
* Disks will not go in any
other positi
oo. Do not force
them in.
3. Close the disk
cover securely.
* Press the disk eject button
to remove the disk. The disk
will pop out slightly as the
disk cover opens.
* When exchanging disks, be
careful not
to expose them
to water, dust , dirt , etc .

4. Taking Pictures
17

18
(1) Regular Shooting
1. Set the main switch to REC.
• The first usable track number appears
in the display panel. It increases as
you take pictures.
• Good pictures require that the lens be
clean at all times. Wipe it with a lens •
cleaning paper before taking pictures.
2. Press the shooting mode
selector and set the desired
mode.
• The mode indicator in the display
panel changes from S to Cand C to 0
each time you press the shooting
mode selector.

Mode
Description
Display'
panel
Takes one picture
0
Single-shot each
time you
press the
shutter
button .
Takes approximate-
Jcontinuous- Iy 3
pictures per
ClJ
second while the
shot
shutter button is
pressed.' •
Shutter release is
delayed for about
~
Self- timer 10 seconds to put
yourself in the
picture.
* Display indication when the new
video
floppy disk is inserted.
** The continuous shooting speed
decreases when taking flash photos.
3. Look through the viewfinder
and compose the picture.
The shooting distance range is from
3.3ft11 m to 00 (infinity). Unless taking
Macro photos,
kee ~ least 3.3ft/1 m
away from
the subject for sharp focus .
The camera has a built-in dioptric adjust-
ment ring. If you are near- or far-sighted,
turn the
adjustment ring until you see
the image clearly. 19

20
4. Press the shutter button half·
way. If the red light does not
blink in the viewfinder, the
camera is ready. Press the
shutter button completely to
take a picture.
* A small click will sound when you
press the
shutter button halfway in-
dicating that the motor has started ..
Press the button completely to take
the picture. A "cl i
ck - click " sound will
be heard as the shutter is released.
5. If the red light blinks slowly (2
times per second) when you
press the shutter button half·
way, switch to flash photogra-
phy. (See page
24)
- D - - Red light
* The red light blin1ks ast (8 times per
second) in the
following condit ions:
• A disk is hot loaded.
• D
isk is full.
• Disk with a broken erasu re preventi on tab loaded.
• The main swi lch is at PLAY.
• The battery warning appears in the
disp l ay panel.