8Click the View Finder button (or hold down the z key and press the V key) to display a viewfinder image in the Take Pictures window.

9To change the orientation of the image in the viewfinder, choose Landscape or Portrait as appropriate. (You can also hold down the z key and press the R key to change between Landscape and Portrait.)

10Select the Flash setting you want to use from the drop-down list. See Using flash on page 85 for more information.

11Choose a Light setting that matches the lighting conditions in the current scene. See Setting the camera for current lighting conditions on page 81.

12Select or deselect the Auto Focus option. See Using Auto Focus on page 88.

13If necessary, select Backlight Compensation. See Compensating for back lighting on page 90.

14When the picture is framed as desired, click the Snap button (or hold down the z key and press the S key) to capture the picture and transfer it to your image-processing application or to a Preview window in PDC Direct.

Using the PDC-3000 with your PowerMac/PowerPC

148

Page 147 Page 149
Page 148
Image 148
Polaroid PDC 3000 manual Using the PDC-3000 with your PowerMac/PowerPC 148
Page 147 Page 149

PDC 3000 specifications

The Polaroid PDC 3000, released in the late 1990s, is a significant milestone in the evolution of digital photography. It marked Polaroid's foray into digital cameras, blending the company’s rich heritage in instant photography with emerging digital technologies. This camera is notable for its compact design and accessible user interface, making it attractive for both amateurs and enthusiasts.

At the heart of the PDC 3000 is a 1.3 megapixel sensor, which was quite notable for its time. This resolution allowed users to capture images with decent clarity, suitable for casual prints or sharing among friends and family. The camera offered several shooting modes, including a still mode for high-quality photographs and a digital video mode, expanding its functionality beyond mere still photography.

One of the main features of the PDC 3000 is its 8 MB internal memory, allowing it to store approximately 40 images at its highest resolution. Users could select lower resolution settings to capture more images, making it versatile for different shooting scenarios. Additionally, the camera supported a 1.44-inch LCD screen, which provided real-time feedback, allowing users to frame their shots accurately before capturing.

The PDC 3000's simplicity extended to its controls, which were designed with the everyday user in mind. The menu system was intuitive, and its physical buttons were easy to understand, contributing to a seamless shooting experience.

Another notable aspect of the PDC 3000 was its connectivity options. The camera included a parallel port for direct connections to printers, enabling users to produce hard copies of their digital images without the need for a computer. This linked back to Polaroid's roots in instant printing, offering a new twist on an old concept.

In terms of design, the Polaroid PDC 3000 was compact and lightweight, making it easily portable. Its sleek body was available in several colors, appealing to a broad audience.

While the PDC 3000 may not compete with modern digital cameras, it played a crucial role in introducing digital photography to the masses and paving the way for future innovations at Polaroid and beyond. With its blend of accessible technology and Polaroid’s legacy, the PDC 3000 holds a special place in the transition from film to digital photography.
Top Page Image Contents