Oly 5050 - Why...Why...Why?!

[Addict]

Hey all - I really appreciate the advice on the cameras you all gave me last week. I ended up buying a Oly 5050Z with underwater housing. It all has arrived, and I am now playing with it.

I do have one thing that really gets on my nerves... and I just have to ask WHY?

WHY in the *Heck* are all of these companies publishing their manuals to PDF? Ok. I know it is cheaper - but it has to be a buck or two tops that they save.

I like to site down with a manual, and read - and adjust - and read. I hate having to sit in front of my computer to read the instruction manual. I HATE IT!!!

I wanted to fly to Cozumel, and have the option to read the manual on the plane, or in the hotel - or wherever. Now I am restricted to memorizing the 300 page PDF before I leave. This plain out SUCKS!

It seems that every electrical component nowadays comes only with a PDF manual. This camera came with a 'shortened' version to get you started, but provides no where near the amount of info found in the PDF. I am tempted to print off 300 pages just so I can have a 'paper' manual.

Does anyone feel the same about this, or am I the only one that has this pet peeve?

I understand the notion of 'Technology' making our lives easier - but this is one instance where it is actually less productive.

 

[wetman]

I just printed it out. This really doesn't bug me that much any more - any software i buy now is almost always downloaded so i print what i have to there as well. I honestly believe one read through the manual would be all you'd need - the menus are very easy to figure out, and even if you dont memorize the buttons, it doesnt take that long to figure that out too by experimenting. I bet the flight down would be plenty of time to learn everything you'd need by just playing with it. There were only a few pages in the manual that were all that worth reading anyways, so just print out the stuff you find most interesting.

steve

 

[raxafarian]

just print it, as mentioned. Or take the file to Kinkos and have them print it. They'll even bind it for you.

 

[Dee]

Alot of the manual only requires one read to get it. Some parts you'll want to have handy for reference...just print that part.

I've been collecting tips and hints for using my C-4040 since before I got it. I made my own 5.5x8" booklet for reference that stays in my camera case.

 

[Goeduck]

Here's what I do when I have to print out something that could possibly take a large amount of paper.

I set up the printer to print only the odd pages, starting with page one. Then, I turn the paper over, making sure that page one is on the top, reinsert it into the paper tray and set the printer to print the even pages, starting with page two.

That way, it uses only half the amount of paper and it is just like having a manual, with printing on both sides of the paper.

Then, depending on the amount of paper, I either just staple it or I use my three-hole punch and "bind" it in a cheap three-ring binder or something similiar.

 

[Aggie Diver]

If you've got a decent printer you can print out four pages per printed page easy (should be in your printer options).

AD

 

[Addict]

These are all exceptional ideas! I never really thought of the other printing options (two-sided, 4 pages per...etc.).

I think I will try that tonight. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Bacchus]

The 5050 manual is a monster, but I printed it two sided and just had Kinkos put a spiral binder on it ($4.95). Now it's easy to use and I don't have to worry about losing pages. You could do the same with 4 to a page and back to back. IT will be a pretty thick book though.

BTW- how do you like the camera?