The Panasonic IPALM camera is a point and shoot 3.3 megapixel digital camera that uses SD memory and will accept up to 2 gig memory.
Always turn off the camera to remove or insert the SD card. Here is a short series of steps to take some pictures, and check them out. turn off the camera, remove the SD card, insert the SD card into an adapter, insert the adapter into your computer, copy the files into a new subdirectory, have the computer turn off the adapter, remove the adapter, remove the SD card, and finally, return the SD card to the camera?
The largest picture SF mode will create is a one meg image, the F mode will create a 500K image and the N mode will create a 200K image. for most work, any will work fine, but for the best resolution, use the SF mode. If there is a very long time lapse capture wished then the less resolution will allow more images (or larger storage).
The time lapse mode will take pictures at 1, 5, 10 or greater minute intervals. It will be better to take the pictures at 1 minute intervals so that tighter information can be seen.
It is easier to delete an extra picture than it is to go back to the summer
solstice and re take the pictures.
Verify that the clock is set correctly every time. The clock set is the
last option on the Menu.
A very easy way to view the images is to load all images of one scene into a well named subdirectory on the computer, change the view (on the computer) to thumbnails, reduce the size of the viewing frame to one image width and click on one image. Now, when you press the up or down arrow, the images will change just like the old flip card movie and it will show a tiny movie that does not cost a cent. When one image is interesting, then double click on just that image and look at the details.
TRY IT FIRST !!!!
You will have better success in the field if you become familiar with the equipment before the long drive and hike. So, several days before you go out into the field, take the camera out at home, turn it on, take a few pictures, turn the camera off and load the pictures onto your computer, test them, check them out.
Time Lapse Instructions (finally!!!)
Set the dial to the black 'M' for manual, press the menu button and use the up/down arrows to navigate down to the time lapse function. Press the right arrow and note one minute appears in the screen and instructions on the bottom of screen that you press the menu button to start the time lapse. While the 1 minute is on the screen, you can press the up/down arrows to select 5,10,etc minute, I always use the one minute option, easier to delete than to re-shoot. From the time lapse / menu, the screen explains to press the shutter to start the time lapse. At this time, I make sure the focus is working, turn off the flash, (press flash button twice till small Icon is in upper left of screen) and make sure there is enough memory for the time needed. At one minute intervals, 24 hours will use 1440 pictures at one meg each, that is a gig and a half for the SF setting.
Battery notes
The Ipalm camera uses four AA batteries and has an the external battery Jack. I generally use the internal batteries only for keeping the clock set. Alkaline batteries have a longer shelf life that they have a much shorter camera photography life. This means they will last for many months to keep the clock set and only last minutes to take pictures. The rechargeable AA batteries will take twice as many pictures but will only last a month to keep the clock set.
The external battery must be 6 V. And there are many variables. 6 V batteries that are purchased can be the older carbon style and are very inefficient. Or they can be alkaline and last a little longer. The alkaline 6 V batteries have any recovery feature, which means when they are brand new they may last 10 hours of timelapse pictures. If they are only used for three or four hours than they can recover and be used four or five times for a total of 20 hours or more. So if you turn on the timelapse, set it and leave it, the battery will only last once. If you set it for five hours come back and turn it off, wait a day, use it for another five hours, turn it off wait a day or more, you can use it 3,4 or maybe even five times. A voltmeter helps to recognize the battery level. A 6 V battery is exhausted, when the volts get down to 6 V and still have life when they read 6.2 to 6.3 V.
A rechargeable battery should read over 6.5 V when it's fully charged, 6.2 to 6.3 V half charged, and under 6 V it is discharged.
A rechargeable 1.2 V battery will read 1.3 V when it is fully charged
The IPALM buttons
Display -- turn off or on the LCD (it does not work for T L)
>/Off, Auto, manual, dial. To view/turnoff/auto/manual modes
delete. (To delete a picture).
vol/^/V/W./T. up/down wide angle/telephoto (menu navigation)
menu -- to select options/set time/beep/TIME LAPSE (in Manual setting)
mode. To change picture size SF is preferred. --
change flash -- turnoff normally --
microphone -- record audio (not used).
>>>>Test It <<<<<
To take a simple picture, dial off to auto (red). Snap picture -- turnoff -- open the SD card
door (left side), press to remove SD card -- plug card into computer
(adapter provided). Open computer window -- move files to computer -- view pictures.
Important, tell computer to remove card -- wait for 'safe to remove' screen -- do not plug or unplug card, while being accessed -- do not plug or unplug card from camera, while the camera is turned on (the Ipalm camera has a green light when it is turned on).
In auto (red icon), the menu has four options, you can turn on timer, set LCD brightness, turn off or on the
beep, and set the clock.
Notes: the beep provides good feedback for operation and tells you when the shutter clicks.
(is it working? stick around to listen for the shutter when turning on the TIME
LAPSE) Setting the clock accurately helps to document when the pictures are taken. You can verify the time by looking at the monitor when you first turn on the camera. The date and time appear in one bottom corner and the number of pictures remaining appear in the other bottom corner.
Information: changing from auto to manual. You shoot quick feedback on battery condition, mode setting, flash
on (no upper left corner sign) or off (flash symbol circled). Do not confuse flash off with the red eye mode, which looks similar that has multiple flashes instead of one or none.
Remember, Use the Manual mode for Time lapse. Have Fun!!