Panasonic A F100 Manual

							31
Preparation
1 Set the POWER switch to ON. (Page 27)
2 Press the MENU button.
For menu operation (Page 44)
•	
Operations may also be performed 
•	
using buttons on the remote control that 
correspond to those on the camera. For 
details, see “Description of parts (Remote 
control)”. (Page 23)
3 Viewfinder adjustments
Set YES under EVF SET on the setting menu 
DISPLAY SETUP screen.
LCD monitor adjustments
Set YES under LCD SET on the setting menu 
DISPLAY SETUP screen.
4 Select the desired item by tilting the 
Operation lever in the   directions, and 
push the Operation lever.
5  Adjust the selected item by tilting the 
Operation lever in the   directions.
6 Press MENU button to exit the menus.
The viewfinder display can be in color or black 
•	
and white. (See the setup menus, DISPLAY 
SETUP screen, EVF COLOR.) The resolution 
is the same for both of them.
Adjusting the screen display
  
						

							32
Viewfinder (continued)
Changing backlight brightness
The brightness of the LCD monitor backlight can 
be adjusted between five different settings.
1 Select LCD BACKLIGHT from the setup 
menu DISPLAY SETUP screen.
2 Select and set a value in the range of +1 to 
-3.
The greater the value the brighter the screen.
This setting will remain saved even if the 
•	
camera’s power is switched off. 
						

							33
Preparation
The CLOCK SET value is recorded in the contents 
(clip), and affects the sequence of playback of 
the thumbnails. Before carrying out recording, be 
sure to check and set TIME ZONE and CLOCK 
SET. This shows you how to adjust the calendar to 
17:20 on December 25, 2010.
1 Set the camera’s power switch to ON.   
(Page 27)
2  Press the MENU button.
Menu operation (Page 44)
•	
Operations may also be performed 
•	
using buttons on the remote control that 
correspond to those on the camera. For 
details, see “Description of parts (Remote 
control)”. (Page 23)
3 Select the TIME ZONE item on the settings 
menu OTHER FUNCTIONS screen, and 
push the Operation lever (or tilt lever in 
 
direction).
4 Pushing the Operation lever twice brings up 
the setting screen. Tilt the Operation lever in 
the 
  directions to set the time difference 
from Greenwich Mean Time, and push the 
Operation lever again. 
Factory default setting is +00:00.
Setting the calendar
5 Tilt the Operation lever in the  direction and 
select YES in the CLOCK SET item on the 
settings menu OTHER FUNCTIONS screen.
6  Tilt the Operation lever in the   directions 
and set to DEC.
7  Tilt the Operation lever to the  direction 
to change to the next item, and set to 25 by 
tilting in the
   directions.
8  Repeat steps 6 and 7 to set the remaining 
items.
The date can be set to any date between 
•	
January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2039.
For any date after December 31, 2039, “- -” 
•	
will appear on screen. 
Time is displayed in 24-hour format.
•	 
						

							34
9 When settings are complete, push 
the Operation lever, select YES on the 
confirmation screen, and push the 
Operation lever again.
The clock can vary in accuracy so check that 
•	
the time is correct before shooting.
When using the camera overseas, do not 
•	
set the CLOCK SET option to the local time, 
but instead enter the time difference from 
Greenwich mean time according to TIME 
ZONE. (Page 63 of Vol.2)
Setting the calendar (continued) 
						

							35
Preparation
Shooting
The images shot from when shooting starts 
•	
until it is stopped are recorded as one clip.
When recording is paused after a short period, 
•	
a small amount of time may be required after 
pressing the START/STOP button to stop 
recording before writing to the SD Memory 
Card is terminated.
  This means that operations cannot be 
accepted if the START/STOP button is 
pressed immediately.
The camera will read information from the SD 
•	
Memory Card immediately after the card is 
inserted. Press the START/STOP button to 
begin recording after PAUSE is displayed in 
the operation status display. (Page 47 of Vol.2)
The camera’s factory default setting is PH 
•	
mode 1080/60i recording.  
(To view current setting status: Page 6 of 
Vol.2)
The upper limit for the number of clips which 
•	
can be recorded on a single SD Memory Card 
is 900. (However, this number may exceed 
900 clips at times such as when shooting 
immediately after the POWER switch has been 
set to ON.)
Checking photos taken (REC CHECK)
When recording is paused, the REC CHECK 
function can be used to review the video and audio 
recorded 2 seconds immediately prior. You can 
assign the REC CHECK function to USER switch 
1/2/3 via the menu.The REC CHECK images are also recorded 
•	
when a device is connected to the camera and 
backup images have been recorded.
The REC CHECK function does not work when 
•	
PC has been selected as the operation mode.
This function does not work if the REC format is 
•	
changed, if the camera is set to the CAM mode 
after having been switched to the PB mode, if the 
SD memory card slot cover is opened, or if the 
slot is switched after shooting. 
Preparing for recording
1 Turn the POWER switch to ON.  
(Page 27) Make sure the mode lamp is lit up. 
•	
2  Lift the viewfinder up, and slide the card slot 
cover OPEN lever right to open.
3 Fully insert an SD Memory Card into the 
card slot.
4 Close the SD Memory Card slot cover.
Ensure that the cover firmly clicks into place.
•	
Insert the 
connector part 
in the direction 
shown here, and 
push until the 
card clicks firmly 
into place.3
Do not perform any of the following operations 
•	
while the SD Memory Card access lamp is 
flashing.
    Performing these operations may damage the 
SD Memory Card or its contents, or cause the 
camera to fail to operate correctly.
Opening the card door and removing the SD 
 
ā
Memory Card
Switching off the power
 
ā
Connecting or disconnecting the USB 
 
ā
connection cable
Shaking or striking the camera
 
ā
Always format SD Memory Cards that have 
•	
been used in other devices when first using 
them with this camera. (Page 36)
If “CHECK CARD” is displayed on the 
•	
viewfinder or the LCD monitor, please remove 
the SD Memory Card and insert it again.
Basic shooting operations 
						

							36
Basic shooting operations (continued)
SD Memory Card access lamp
CAM mode/PB mode 
Illuminated orange:  Reading/writing possible
Flashing orange (fast):    Verifying card/inspecting 
card for possible defects
Flashing orange (slow):  Accessing card
Flashing green (slow):    Card write-protected/  
no space left on card
Illuminated green:     Card not selected for 
recording
Off:   No card inserted/unformatted or incompatible 
card inserted
When the USB is connected
Flashing orange:   Accessing card
Off:   A status other than access underway.
SD Memory Card access lamp
Selecting a slot
Of the two SD memory card slots, the slot to be 
used for recording can be switched.
1 Press the SLOT SELECT button while 
recording is paused. 
The access lamp of the slot for recording lights 
up orange.
This function works when a recordable SD 
•	
card is inserted in both slots. 
The slot cannot be switched during recording.
•	
Formatting SD Memory Cards
1  Set the camera’s power switch to ON.   
(Page 27)
2  Press the MENU button.
3	 Select	CARD	FUNCTIONS→CARD 	
FORMAT from the menu, and then push the 
OPERATION lever to confirm. Select the slot number of the card to format 
•	
when the following screen is displayed. 
Select NO if you do not wish to format the 
card.
Press the MENU button to close the menu display.
•	
4  Select YES on the conformation screen.
The SD Memory Card will be formatted.
•	
5  Press the MENU button to finish.
When an SD Memory Card is formatted, all 
•	
data including video data and still images 
recorded on the card will be erased and will 
not be restorable.  
Save all important data to your computer. 
						

							37
Shooting
 SD Memory Card recording times
Total available recording times (approx.) when using SD/SDHC/SDXC Memor\
y Cards manufactured by 
Panasonic
SD Memory Card  capacity Recording mode
PH *1(Highest quality mode*3/ 
1920 × 1080 pixels or 1280 ×  720 pixels)HA*1(High quality mode/  
1920 × 1080 pixels)HE *2 (Long duration mode/ 
1440 × 1080 pixels)
512 MB Approx. 2 min Approx. 3 min Approx. 10 min
1 GB Approx. 5 min Approx. 7 min Approx. 21 min
2 GB Approx. 10 min Approx. 15 min Approx. 45 min
4 GB Approx. 21 min Approx. 30 min Approx. 90 min
6 GB Approx.  33 min Approx. 45 min Approx. 135 min
8 GB Approx. 45 min Approx. 60 min Approx. 180 min
12 GB Approx. 65 min Approx. 90 min Approx. 270 min
16 GB Approx. 90 min Approx. 120 min Approx. 360 min
32 GB Approx. 180 min Approx. 240 min Approx. 720 min
48 GB Approx. 270 min Approx. 360 min Approx. 1080 min
64 GB Approx. 360 min Approx. 480 min Approx. 1440 min
*1   Use an SD memory class of SD speed class 4 or above when recording on PH mode or HA mode. 
Recording cannot be completed on SD Memory Cards of lower speed classes.\
*
2    Use an SD memory class of SD speed class 2 or above when recording in HG mode or HE mode. 
Recording cannot be completed on SD Memory Cards of lower speed classes.\
*
3	 	 This is the highest quality mode of this camera.This camera uses the VBR recording system. “VBR” stands for Variable Bit Rate, and it refers to a system in 
•	
which the bit rate (volume of data per given time period) varies autom\
atically depending on the subject which is 
being shot. This means that the recording times will be shorter when fast-moving sub\
jects have been recorded.
Times displayed include time needed for processing, etc. – actual avai\
lable recording times will be 
•	
slightly shorter.
The camera is capable of continuous recording for a maximum of 12 hours.\
•	
Recording can be restarted even if it was paused due to shortage of spac\
e. 
•	
Even for the same card, the recording time differs depending on conditions such as the recording format 
•	
and recorded images. 
Mosaic-like noise may appear on the playback screen under the following \
shooting conditions:
•	
When there are complex patterns in the background
 
ā
When the camera is moved in large motions or when it is moved very quick\
ly
 
ā
When a fast-moving subject has been recorded (and especially when HE ha\
s been set as the recording mode)
 
āWhen an SD memory card is formatted, the entire data including still ima\
ges recorded on the card is 
•	
erased and cannot be restored.  Save any valuable data on your personal \
computer before formatting. 
Please use an SD memory card class of SD speed class 6 or above when usi\
ng the VFR function. 
•	
Recording cannot be performed with less than SD speed class 6. 
						

							38
Removing SD Memory Card
1 Lift the viewfinder up, and slide the card slot 
cover OPEN lever right to open.
Ensure that the SD Memory Card access 
•	
lamp is not flashing orange before opening 
the cover.
2 Press the center of the SD Memory Card so 
that it pops out slightly, and pull the card 
straight outwards.
SD Memory Card access lamp
Do not remove the SD Memory Card or switch off 
•	
the power in the following circumstances. Doing 
so may damage your SD Memory Card.
  1)   While the SD Memory Card access lamp is still 
flashing orange after an SD Memory Card has 
been inserted.
  2)   While the SD Memory Card access lamp is 
flashing such as during recording or during 
recording finalization. 
Protecting SD Memory Cards
Move the write-protect switch on the SD Memory 
Card to the “LOCK” position to prevent recorded 
contents being accidentally erased from the card.
32
LOCK
Write-protect 
switch
Repairing SD Memory Cards
Never remove the SD Memory Card or disconnect 
the battery or DC cord while the SD Memory Card 
access lamp is flashing, as doing so may damage 
the SD Memory Card. In the event that the SD 
Memory Card has been removed while the SD 
Memory Card access lamp was flashing, or that 
the battery or DC cord has been disconnected 
during recording or the recording finalization 
process, a repair verification screen will be 
displayed the next time the power is switched on in 
order to allow errors to be repaired.
Select YES to begin repairing. When repairing is 
complete, “REPAIR FINISHED” will be displayed, and 
the camera will switch to the recording paused screen.
Select NO to switch directly to the recording 
paused screen without repairing.
Memory cards cannot be repaired with the camera 
•	
if NO is selected, but can still be repaired by using 
the AVCCAM Restorer *
 contents repair software.
An SD Memory Card on which an error occurred 
•	
can be repaired by using either the camera 
that was used for the shooting, or the AVCCAM 
Restorer contents repair software.
A repair confirmation message may be displayed 
•	
after inserting an SD Memory Card which has no 
error, but repair will not be performed even when 
YES or NO is selected.
Repair may take up to 20 minutes or so depending 
•	
on the places where the errors occurred on the card.
Use a battery with an adequate charge or the AC adaptor.
•	If the repair operation has failed, “SYSTEM 
•	
ERROR TURN POWER OFF” will be displayed. 
In this case, please use the AVCCAM Restorer 
contents repair software.  
Depending on the status of the data, it may not be 
possible to restore all data completely. In this case, 
it will no longer be possible to play back the clips 
that were recorded before the power was turned off.
Clips with a total recording time of less than 10 
•	
seconds may not be able to be repaired.
Indexes attached during recording cannot be repaired.
•	
*  AVCCAM Restorer is included on the supplied 
CD-ROM. 
For details on how to install it, refer to install.txt.  
For details on how to use it, read the operating 
instructions (PDF file). 
The AVCCAM Viewer can also be downloaded 
from the following website.  
http://pro-av.panasonic.net/
Basic shooting operations (continued) 
						

							39
Shooting
Basic operations of the camera
Manual focusing 
MENUSTART/STOP 2 PUSH-ENTER
MODEPOWER
DISP/MO
DE CH KUSER 1
USER 2FUNCTION
FO
CU S
I R ISG AINWHI TE  BA LBPUSH AU TO
ME GAON
O FFO .I.S .
CAM
ON
CH 1
CH2AUDIOLEVEL.
.OFF
PB
+
–AUDIO MONEXEC
APRS TLMHAM¿
FOCUS switch
PUSH AUTO 
button
Focus ring
1 
Use the FOCUS switch to choose how to 
control focusing.
A (AUTO):
  Auto focus mode
M (MANUAL):
  Manual focus mode
    Turn the focus ring by hand.
 :
    The camera first focuses on infinity, then it 
switches to manual focus.
    The FOCUS switch automatically moves 
back to M (MANUAL) after you move it to 
. Temporarily switching to auto focus
Even if you have switched FOCUS to M (MANUAL) 
the camera will focus automatically while you press 
down PUSH AUTO.
Auto focus may not work properly if there is 
•	
flickering. Select a shutter speed suited to the 
ambient light. (Page 14 of Vol.2)
If the auto focus mode is set with any format 
•	
except 60i, 60P, 50i and 50p, controlling the 
focus will take slightly longer than in the normal 
focus mode.
Auto focus is not available for some models of 
•	
lens.
Auto focus is not available when using the VFR 
•	
function.
The focus position display does not move 
•	
linearly. 
						

							40
Iris adjustments
FUNCTION
FOCUS
I R IS
G AINWHIT E BAL
PUSH AUT O
OFF
LMH
AM¿
IRIS dial
IRIS button
1 Press the IRIS button to switch how to 
adjust the aperture of lens.
AUTO IRIS:    Adjust the iris automatically.
MANUAL IRIS:  Adjust the iris manually.
2 Turn the IRIS dial to adjust the aperture of 
lens when in the manual iris mode.
In the auto iris mode, the lens iris can be 
•	
corrected using this dial.
Set the direction of the IRIS DIAL and aperture 
•	
control in the setup menus, SW MODE screen, 
IRIS DIAL. (Page 54 of Vol.2)
Depending on your lens, AUTO IRIS may not 
•	
operate. 
Depending on your lens, the CLOSE function 
•	
may not work during the IRIS operation. 
Depending on your lens, for example if you are 
•	
using a mount adaptor, the IRIS dial may not 
operate. Operate the IRIS ring of the lens. 
See the display on the iris meter for the status 
•	
of the light intensity. For details on the iris 
meter display, see page 47 of Vol. 2.
Using focus assist
1 Assign FA to any of the USER 1 – 3 buttons 
in the menu SW MODE screen.
2 Press the button assigned FA.
The contours of the image is taken in the red 
outline. Adjust the focus so that the subject to 
focus is surrounded by the red outline.
Basic operations of the camera (continued)