Polaroid 640CF - PDC 0.3MP Digital Camera User manual

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CFDigital CameraUser’s Manual 1
Introducing Your Polaroid PhotoMAX
PDC 640CF Digital Camera
Your Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera Kit contains
everything you need to takedigital photos, transferthemto your computer,
changetheminmany creativeways, include themin e-mails, printthem,and
find other great ways to usethem.
Note: To install the PhotoMAX software that comes with the camera, see
page 22.
aCamera case
bPolaroid 640CF Digital Camera
cWrist strap
dUser’s Guide
ePolaroid PhotoMAX Image Maker
Software CD-ROM
fFour AA batteries
gAC power adapter
hCamera-to-computerRS-232Serial
cable
iCamera-to-computer USB cable
Your Camera
Front view
aOpticalviewfinder
bFlash
cLens cover and on/off switch
dTripod mount
eSelf-timer LED
fBattery compartment
gWrist strap slot
hLens
iHand grip
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2Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Rear view
aStatus LCD
bFlash status LED
cCamera power/status
LED
dOpticalviewfinder
eShutter button
fColor LCD on/off button
(DISPLAY)
gColor LCD scroll up
button
hColor LCD scroll down button
iMenu on/off and selection button (MENU/SELECT)
jColor LCD (menu/viewfinder)
kFlashsetting button
lSelf-timer button
mPhoto delete (trashcan) button
nUSBand RS-232 Serial connection
oAC power adapter connection
pMemory card slot
Note: For a detailed list of camera specifications, see the PhotoMAXPDC
640CF DigitalCamera Specificationssection oftheonlinePolaroid
PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
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Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 3
Status LCD
When you turn the camera on, icons appear on the Status LCD on top of the
camera. Icons may appear differently (or not at all), depending on the mode
thecamera is in.
aBattery status (page 12)
bSelf-timerstatus (page 13)
cPhotosin the camera (page 13)ortheself-
timer countdown (page 13).
dPhoto resolution setting (page 14)
ePhoto quality setting(page 14)
fFlash setting (page 15)
Color Menu/viewfinder LCD
You use thecolorLCD ontheback
of the camera:
•As a live viewfinder for taking
photos
•To review photos you have
taken
•To change camera settings and
menus
aFlash mode button (page 15)
bSelf-timer button (page 13)
cPhoto delete (trashcan) button (page 20)
dColor LCD DISPLAY on/off button
eColor LCD scroll up button (page 11 and pag e19)
fColor LCD scroll down button (page 11 and pag e19)
gMENU/SELECT
button (page 11)
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4Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Preparing to Take Photos
Power supply
You can operate the camera using batteries or theAC adapterprovided. To
conserve battery life, the camera shuts off after 30 seconds of inactivity, if the
menu/viewfinder LCD is on. Thecamera then shuts offafter 3 minutes of
inactivity. To activate the camera again, close and reopen the lens cover.
Note: Usethe AC adapter whenever possible to extend the life of your
batteries.Keep asetof extrabatteries handy, especially onatrip, when
it may not be possible to find replacement batteries easily.
When not using the camera, close the lens cover. And when not using
the camera for more than a few days, remove the batteries.
Loading batteries
1Open the battery compartment cover on the
bottomofthecamera bysliding the cover outto
the side as far as it will go and lifting it.
2Insert four AA batteries withthe +and –
terminals oriented as shown insidethebattery
compartment.
•Use only AA high-capacity super alkaline
or lithium disposable batteries or NiCad or
NiMH rechargeable batteries.
•Never mix old batteries with new batteries,
different types of batteries, or batteries
fromdifferent manufacturers.
3Close the battery compartment cover securely.
If you feel resistance, do not force the cover.
Slide it out tothe sideas far as it will go, press it
down flat against the camera base, and slide it
backinto the base to lock it closed.
Note: For important information about using batteries properly and safely,
see the Tips, Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of the online
Polaroid PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 5
Using the AC adapter
To maximize the life of your camera batteries, use the AC adapter whenever
possible. For example, always use the AC adapter when reviewing stored
photos on the LCD or transferring photos into your computer.
Note: The AC adaptermay becomewarm to the touchafterextended
periods ofuse. This is no causeforalarm.
If you areusing rechargeable batteries, using the AC adapter will not
recharge them. For more information about how to recharge the
batteries, see the instructions provided by the battery manufacturer.
1Closethe lens cover to turn the camera off.
2Connect one end of the AC adapter (a) to
theAC connection on the camera.
3Connect the other endof theAC adapter to
a grounded electrical outlet.
4Slide the lens cover open to turn thecamera
on.
Note: For important information about using
the AC adapter properly and safely, see the Tips, Tricks,Terms,and
Techniques section of the online Polaroid PhotoMAXImage Maker
User’s Guide.
Turning the camera on
Slide the lens coverto the right to turn the
camera on.
Closethe lens cover to turn the camera off.
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6Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Photo storage
The PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera is ready to store your photos in
2 MB of internal memory (or in any optional ATA Type I CompactFlash
memory card, as described below).
Depending on the camera’s photo-quality setting (page 14), its internal
memory normally stores from 16 to 33 photos at 640 x 480 resolution or 64
to 132 photos at 320 x 240 resolution.
Note: For more information about the camera’sstoragecapacity,see the
Tips, Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of theonline Polaroid
PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
Using an optional CompactFlash card
The PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera includes a slot for an optional
ATA Type I CompactFlash memory card of any size.
Note: For more informationabout CompactFlash memory cards, visit your
local computer retailer.
If you insert a CompactFlash memory card into the camera, photos are
stored on the card, and not in thecamera’s internal memory. Photos already
in the camera’s internalmemory arenot lost, however. You can stillaccess
them by removing the CompactFlash card.
Caution:Do not insert or remove a memory card while the camera power is on.
Doing so may damage the memory card or corrupt photos stored on it.

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 7
Installing and Removing a CompactFlash card
1Turn the camera off.
2To install a memory card:
aOpenthememorycompartmentcover
on the side of the camera (a).
bInsert the card carefully, but firmly,
into the slot with the raised lip on the
edge of the card facing thefront of the
camera (b).
The card fits completely into the slot in
only oneway. When the card is inserted
correctly, the eject button above the card
pops up (c).
Note: If the card does not seem to fit correctly, do not force it.Turn the
card over and retry.
cClosethe memory compartment cover.
3To remove a memory card:
aOpen the memory compartment cover
on the side of the camera (a).
bPush the eject button abovethe
memory card (b).
cGrasp the edge of the memory card
and pull it out (c).
dClosethe memory compartment cover.
Note: For a description of card-related error
messages that may appear on the color LCD, see page 26.
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8Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Formatting a CompactFlash card
You may need to format a new memory card before you can use it. Also, you
may need to reformat a card (or the camera’s internal memory) to eliminate
corrupted files.
Note: If you areusing a CompactFlash memory card, any photos on the
card are deleted, but photos stored in thecamera’s internal memory
are not. You must remove the memory card to format the camera’s
internal memory.
1Insert the new CompactFlash memory card.
2Turn the camera on.
3Press the MENU/SELECT button to display the MAIN MENU.
4Use the LCD scroll buttons to highlight FORMAT MEDIA in green.
5Press the MENU/SELECT button to display the FORMAT MEDIA
options.
The camera displays a CONTINUE FORMAT OF MEDIA? message.
6Use the LCD scroll buttons to highlight OK or CANCEL (thedefault)
and pressthe MENU/SELECT button to make your selection.
•If you select OK, the camera displays FORMATTING CARD and
then turns the LCD off.
•If you select CANCEL, the camera returns to the MAIN MENU
without formatting memory.
7If you are finished with the MAIN MENU, usethe LCD scroll buttons
to highlightDONE and press the MENU/SELECT button to exit the
MAIN MENU and turn the LCDoff.
Note: For a description of card-related error messages that may appear on
the color LCD, see page 26.
Note: If you cannot format the card, it may be defective.Return it to the
retailer where you purchased it.

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 9
Taking Photos
Now that you have prepared yourPhotoMAXPDC 640CFDigital Camera
for action, it’s time to take some photos! For your convenience, this section
briefly describes the entire process:
•Taking photos
•Reviewing photos in the camera
•Deleting unwanted photos
•Transferring photos to your computer
This section also tellsyou where go in this guide for detailed explanations of
each step.
You can takephotos using either the optical viewfinder or the LCD
viewfinder. Use the optical viewfinder:
•For faster processing and flash recycle time
•To optimizebattery life
To take a photo
To takeaphoto, set up the camera for thefirst time, orto redefine camera
settings after changing thebatteries:
1Turn the camera on (page 5).
2Set the flash mode, if needed (pag e15).
3Set the photo resolution (pag e14).
Note: You need not set every parameter for every photo. You can often
use camera default settings. Some settings (like resolution) also
remain at their current value untilyou change them or remove
thecamera’s batteries.
4Set the photo quality (pag e14).
5Set the exposure-value brightnesscompensation, ifneeded (pa ge16).
6Set the white-balance compensation, if needed (pag e17).
7Set the preview mode, if desired (pag e18).
8Activate the self-timer, if desired (page 13).

10 Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
9Stand at the proper distance from thesubject:
•Outdoors: 2 feet (60 cm) or morefrom the subject
•Indoors: 3 to 10 ft. (1 to 3 m) fromthe subject (see page 15)
10 Frame the subject:
•Within the yellowframing lines in the optical viewfinder
•Within the color LCDscreen
11 Press theshutter button down fully totake thephoto.
Hold the camera steady until you hear a beep followed by two quick
beeps.
Note: If the camera’s internal memory (or CompactFlash card) is full,
the camera will not take morephotos.Fora description of
storage-relatederrormessagesthatmayappearonthe colorLCD,
see page 26. When a card is full, you must review and delete some
photos before taking more (see page 19).
Note: After you take a photo, the green power/status LED immediately
to the left of the optical viewfinderblinks while the camera
processes andsaves the photo.Waituntilthepower/statusLED
stops blinking before you turn the camera off or takeanother
photo. If you used the flash, the flash LED to thefar leftof the
optical viewfinder also blinks after the power/status LEDstops
blinking.
12 Review and delete unwanted photos from the camera to regain storage
space (page 19).
13 Transferphotos fromthecamera to your computer and delete unwanted
photos using the PhotoMAX software (page 22).
Note: Formore information about takingbetterphotos, see the Tips,
Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of the online Polaroid
PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 11
Using Camera Controls and Functions
Camera menus
Hereis the generalprocedurefor using the camera menus:
1Turn the camera on.
2Press the MENU/SELECT button to display the MAIN MENU.
3Use the LCD scroll buttons to highlight, in green, a menu option you
want to use (CAMERA SETUP, DELETE ALL, or FORMAT
MEDIA).
Note: The DELETE ALL and FORMAT MEDIA commands operate
differentlythandiscussed here, and aredescribedonpage 20 and
page 21.
4To change CAMERA SETUP options:
aWith CAMERA SETUP highlighted in green, press the MENU/
SELECT button to go to theCAMERA SETUP page.
bUse the LCD scroll buttons to highlight, in green, a camera-setup
command you want to configure (in the left-hand column). For
example: QUALITY.
cPress the MENU/SELECT button to highlight, in green, the
command’s current setting (in theright-hand column). For
example: HIGH,NORMAL, or LOW.
dUse the LCD scrollbuttons to display and highlight, in green, the
newsetting you want to use (in the right-handcolumn).For
example: NORMAL.
ePress the MENU/SELECT button to select this new setting,which
reverts to white text on thescreen.
5Repeat step 4 for all menu options that you want to change.
6Use the LCD scrolldown button to highlight SAVE in green.
7Press the MENU/SELECT button to implement your menu selections
and return to the MAIN MENU.
8Ifyouarefinishedwiththe MAIN MENU,usetheLCDscrollbuttonsto
highlight DONE and press the MENU/SELECT button to exit the
MAIN MENU.
The LCD viewfinder turns off or returns to a live LCD viewfinder,
depending on its state whenyou opened the MAIN MENU in step 2.

12 Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Battery status indicator
Note: This is an automatic indicator that you do not configure.
The battery status icon on the Status LCDshows how muchenergy remains
in the batteries:
Note: For important information about using batteries properly and safely,
see the Tips, Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of the online
Polaroid PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
Status LCD Icon Battery Status
Fully charged
Lowcharge—You can still take photos,but the
flash and LCD viewfinder cannotbe used. As
battery power drops still lower, the camera
eventually shuts down, and you need to replace all
four batteries.

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 13
Self-timer
Note: You configure this setting with the self-timer button on the
camera back.
Usethe self-timer featureto takeaphototen seconds afteryou press the
shutter button. The self-timer works only forthenext photo taken, and then
turns itself off.
Note: For best results, mount the camera on a tripod forself-timedphotos.
1Turn the camera on.
2Press theself-timer button (a).
The self-timer icon appears on
theStatus LCD(and on the menu/
viewfinder LCD, if it is on).
Note: Tocanceltheself-timer,press
the self-timer button again.
3Frame the photo using the optical
viewfinder or the LCD viewfinder.
4Press theshutterbutton.
The red self-timer LEDonthe frontof thecamera blinks for ten seconds
before the photo is taken and blinks rapidly immediately before the
photo is taken. A ten-second countdown also appears on the Status LCD
(wherethe number of stored photos normally appears) :
Stored photos indicator
Note: This is an automatic indicator that you do not configure.
The Status LCDshows the number of photos stored in thecamera’s internal
memory (or in an installed CompactFlash card). When the numberof
photos exceeds 99, a small plus sign appears besidethe number. For example:
•This icon shows that the number of stored photos is 8:
•This icon shows that thenumberof stored photos is 108, 208, 308,
etc.:
Note: This icon alsoappears at the bottomof the menu/viewfinderLCD.
Note: For more information about the camera’sstorage capacity, Tips,
Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of the online Polaroid
PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
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14 Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Photo resolution setting
Note: You configurethis setting withthe CAMERA SETUP RES menu,
using the general procedure described on page 11.
The PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera offers two resolution settings:
Note: For more information about digital photo resolution, seethe Tips,
Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of the online Polaroid
PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
Photo quality setting
Note: You configurethis setting withthe CAMERA SETUP QUALITY
menu, using the general procedure described on page 11.
The PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera offers three quality settings:
Note: For more information about digital photo quality, see the Tips,
Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of the online Polaroid
PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
RES Menu Setting Status LCD Icon Pixels in Photo
LARGE (default)
Note: Use for best results.
640 x480
SMALL 320 x240
QUALITY
Menu Setting Status LCD Icon JPEG Compression Ratio
HIGH Low compression for best
photo quality
NORMAL
(default) Medium compression
LOW High compression for smallest
file size
Note: These iconsalso appear at the bottom of the menu/viewfinderLCD.
You can apply these quality settings at either resolution.

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 15
Flash setting
Note: Youconfigurethissettingwiththe
flash button on the camera
back (a).
The Flash mode button lets you cycle
through theflash-mode icons on the
Status LCD. Thedefault setting is
No Flash.
Note: The optimum camera-to-subject
flash rangeis 3 to 7 feet.
(1 to 2 m). In very dark lighting, stand 3 to 6 feet fromthe subject. In
bright indoor lighting, stand 3 to10 feet (1 to 3 m)from the subject.
Note: For moreinformationabout using the camera’s flash properly, see the
Tips, Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of theonline Polaroid
PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
Status LCD Icon Flash Setting
(default) No Flash
•The flash does not fire.
•Use in places whereflash is prohibited or may be
distracting. Also use when shooting toward a
reflectivesurface, such as a window or mirror.
•If you don’t haveenoughlight whenusingtheNo
Flashsetting, your photos willbe too dark.
•Use for outdoor photos.
Auto Flash
•Use this setting to take most photos.
•The flash fires automatically as needed.
Forced Flash
•The flash fires for every photo.
•Use indoors in low light. Using Forced Flash in
bright light may overexpose the photo.
Note: These iconsalso appear at the bottom of the menu/viewfinderLCD.
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16 Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Exposure-value brightness compensation
Note: You configurethis setting withthe CAMERA SETUP EXP menu,
using the general procedure described on page 11.
Exposure-value compensation works best when you don’t use the flash. If a
photo comes out too dark or too light, change this setting and try again.
The PhotoMAX PDC 640CFDigital Camera offers nine exposure-value
settings:
Note: Each time you turn the camera off and on again, exposure-value
compensation resets to thedefault, NORMAL.
Note: For more information about using exposure-value brightness
compensation, see the Tips, Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section
of the online Polaroid PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
EXP Menu Setting Brightness Compensation
NORMAL (default) No compensation
-0.5 to -2.0 Makes photos progressively darker
+0.5 to +2.0 Makes photos progressively lighter

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 17
White balance compensation
Note: You configure this setting through the CAMERA SETUP
WHT BAL menu, using the general procedure described on page 11.
If you are shooting indoors without a flash, or in other unusual lighting
conditions, your photos may be tinted with strange colors (such as orange,
green, or blue). If this happens, use this setting to fix theproblem.
Note: Leave the white-balance setting at AUTO (the default) for most
photos. If flash is prohibited or if the flash is not used indoors, you
may want to trythe FLRSCN orTUNGST settings, depending on
thesource ofprevailing lighting.
The PhotoMAX PDC 640CFDigital Camera offers six white-balance
settings:
Note: Each time you turn the camera off and on again, white balanceresets
to the default, AUTO.
Note: For more information about using white-balance compensation, see
the Tips, Tricks, Terms, and Techniques section of the online
Polaroid PhotoMAX Image Maker User’s Guide.
WHT BAL
Menu Setting Lighting Conditions
AUTO
(default) Automatic compensation for most situations
OFF No compensation
Note: Use thissettingwhen you doNOTwant the
camera to change the photo’s lighting andcolor, such as
when shooting sunsets.
SUN Outdoors in sunlight
SHADE Outdoors in shade
FLRSCN Indoors in fluorescent illumination
TUNGST Indoorsin light-bulb illumination

18 Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Photo preview mode
Note: You configure this setting through the CAMERA SETUP
PREVIEW menu, using the general proceduredescribed on page 11.
When the PREVIEW mode is ON, the camera displays a photo after it is
taken and gives you a chance to deleteit immediately.
The PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera offers two preview settings:
PREVIEW
Menu Setting CameraAction
OFF (default) The camera automatically saves each photo taken.
ON The camera displays the photo just taken on the
viewfinder LCD, and letsyou delete or save it.
At theprompt, use theLCD scroll buttonsto
highlight DELETEor SAVE (thedefault)and
quickly press the MENU/SELECT button.
•If you select DELETE, the camera discardsthe photo
and turns the LCD off.
•If you select SAVE, the camera stores the photo in
memory and turns the LCD off.
If you do not select DELETE or SAVE within3
seconds, the camera automatically saves the photo for
you.

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’s Manual 19
Reviewing and Deleting Photos
Reviewing stored photos
You can review one photo at a time using the menu/viewfinder LCD.
Note: To maximize battery life, use the AC adapter whenever possible while
you review your photos.
1Turn the camera on.
2Press the DISPLAY button to turn the menu/viewfinder LCD on.
3Use the LCD scroll buttons to display a stored photo on theLCD.
4Use the LCD scroll buttons to scroll through the stored photos.
5Press the DISPLAY button or turn the camera off to stopreviewing
your photos.
Deleting photos from the camera
To free up spacein your camera for more photos, delete some photos from
the camera as described here, or transfer photos from the camera toyourPC
(page 22) and then delete them.
Note: When you delete one or more photos, the remaining photos are
renumbered.
Note: If youare usingaCompactFlashmemorycard,onlythe photosonthe
card are deleted. Photos stored in the camera’s internal memory are
not erased; you mustremove the memorycard to delete these photos.
Warning: Once you delete a photo, is cannot be retrieved—itisgone
forever!
You can delete photos from the camera using the camera’s:
•Delete button (page 20)
•DELETE ALL command (page 20)
•FORMAT MEDIA command (page 21)
•PhotoMAX ImageMaker Software (page 25)

20 Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640CF Digital Camera User’sManual
Using the camera’s delete button:
1When a photo is displayed on the
LCDas described above:
•To delete only the displayed
photo, quickly press and release
thedeletebutton (a).
•To delete all photos from the
camera’s internal memory (or
from a CompactFlash card),
press and hold the delete
button (a) for at least 3 seconds.
The DELETE menu option appears, highlighted in green on the LCD.
If you change your mind about deleting the photo or photos, use the
LCDscroll buttons to highlight CANCEL.
2Press the MENU/SELECT button to implement yourchoice.
3If you aredeleting photos individually, repeat steps 1 and 2 for each
photo that you want to delete.
Using the camera’s DELETE ALL command:
1Turn the camera on.
2Press the MENU/SELECT button to display the MAIN MENU.
3Use the LCD scroll buttons to highlight DELETE ALL ingreen.
4Press theMENU/SELECT button to displaythe DELETE ALL options.
The camera displays a CONTINUE DELETE OF ALL IMAGES?
message.
5Use the LCD scroll buttons to highlight OK or CANCEL (the default)
and pressthe MENU/SELECT button to makeyour selection.
•If you select OK,thecameradisplaysanERASING message,deletes
all photos, and returns to the MAIN MENU.
•If you select CANCEL, the camera returns to the MAIN MENU
without deleting photos.
6If you are finished with the MAIN MENU,usetheLCDscrollbuttonsto
highlight DONE and press the MENU/SELECT button to exit the
MAIN MENU.
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