Minolta Dimage 5 Continuous Advance, Self-Timer, 2560 1920 1600 X 1280 X 640 X, 2048 1536

RECORDING MODE

CONTINUOUS ADVANCE

Continuous-advance mode allows a series of images to be captured while holding down the shutter-release button. Continuous advance acts like a motor drive on a film camera. The number of images that can be captured at one time and the rate of capture depends on the image-quality and image-size setting. The maximum rate of capture is 1.1 fps (1.3 fps for DiMAGE 5) with full-size images with manual focus in manual-exposure mode. The continuous-advance mode is set with the function dial (p. 40).

When the shutter-release button is pressed and held, the camera will begin recording images until the maximum number has been taken or the shutter button is released. This mode cannot be used with super-fine or RAW image (p. 44). The built-in flash can be used, but the rate of capture is reduced because the flash must recharge between frames.

Compose the picture as described in the basic operation section (p. 29). Press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the exposure and focus for the series; if the autofocus mode is set to continuous AF, the lens will continually focus during the series (p. 68). Press and hold the shutter-release button all the way down to begin taking pictures.

The following chart lists the maximum number of images that can be captured with different image-quality and image-size combinations. The numbers in parentheses refer to the DiMAGE 5.

	Image	2560	X 1920	1600 X 1200	1280 X 960	640 X 480
Image	Size	(2048	X 1536)
Quality
Fine		5	(8)	8 (12)	11 (17)	25 (38)
Standard		7 (12)		12 (18)	17 (26)	35 (53)
Economy		12	(19)	18 (28)	24 (36)	44 (68)
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SELF-TIMER

Used for self-portraits, the self-timer will delay the release of the shutter for approximately ten seconds after the shutter is released. The self-timer is set with the function dial (p. 40).

With the camera on a tripod, compose the picture as described in the basic operation section (p. 29). Focus lock (p.30) or the Flex Focus Point (p. 67) can be used with off- center subjects . Press the shutter-release button partway down or press the AF/AEL button to lock the exposure and focus. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to begin the countdown. Because focus and exposure are determined when the shutter-release button is pressed, do not stand in front of the camera when taking a self-timer image. Always confirm the focus with the focus signals before beginning the countdown (p. 68).

During the countdown, the self-timer lamp on the front of the camera will start to blink and is accompanied by an audio signal. A few seconds before the exposure, the self-timer lamp will blink rapidly. The lamp will glow steadily just before the shutter fires. To stop the countdown, press the pro-auto button or change the position of the flash (lift it or push it down). The audio signal can be turned off in the basic section of the setup menu (p. 114).

Shooting tips

The self-timer can be used to minimize camera shake with long exposures. When using the camera on a tripod, photographs of static subjects (landscapes, still-lifes, or close-up pho- tographs) can be made with the self-timer. Because no contact is made with the camera during exposure, there is no risk of camera shake caused by the operator.

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