Panasonic Aj D215 Operating Instructions Manual

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1REW (rewind)/FF (fast forward) buttons
OWhen the REW or FF button is pressed while
the tape has stopped traveling, the tape is
rewound or fast forwarded at the normal
rewinding or fast forwarding speed in the E-E
mode.
OWhen the REW or FF button is pressed while
the tape is being played, the tape is reviewed or
cued at approximately 4.5 times the normal tape
speed.
OWhen the REW or FF button is pressed in the
STILL or REC PAUSE mode, the tape is
reviewed or cued at approximately 1 times the
normal tape speed.
Function buttons
2STOP button
The tape stops traveling when this button is
pressed.  The button does not work during
recording.  To stop the tape during recording, first
establish the REC/PAUSE mode and then press
the STOP button.
3PLAY button/lamp
When this button is pressed, play is commenced
and its lamp lights.  When it is pressed again, the
STILL mode is established, and when it is pressed
once more, the PLAY mode is established again.
4EJECT button
When this button is pressed, the cassette holder
rises, and the cassette tape can be loaded or
removed.  The button does not work when the
VTR is in the REC mode.  To eject a tape in the
REC mode, first establish the REC/PAUSE mode
and then press the EJECT button.
REWSTOP EJECTFF PLAY
12134 
						

							– 12 –
5Audio input selector (MIC SELECT) switches
These switches are used to select the CH1 and
CH2 audio input.
FRONT:Set to this position when recording audio
signals from the microphone
incorporated in the camera.
REAR:Set to this position when connecting
external microphones to the audio input
connectors (XLR 3P) on the rear panel
and recording the audio signals from
these microphones.7ITEM button
This is used to select menu items.  When the :
MENU switch is at OFF, it functions as the reset
button for the CTL counter.
8DOWN and UP buttons
These are used to make changes to the menu
settings.
9PAGE button
This is used to set the menu items.
:MENU SET/OFF selector switch
SET:Set to this position when displaying or
making changes to menu items.
OFF:The switch is normally kept at this
position.
MIC SELECT
CH2 CH1REAR FRONT
AUDIO LEVEL CH 1 CH 2
MENU
OFF SET
ITEM
CTL RESET
DOWNUPPAGE
10 010 0
8
656
:79
6Audio level controls
These are used to adjust the CH1 and CH2
recording levels. 
						

							– 13 –
14a a 
 
Power Zoom Lens (option)
7Lens cable (12-pin)
This cable is to be connected to the LENS
connector.
8Focus ring
This ring is turned to focus the lens.
9Zoom ring
To adjust the screen size, set the power/manual
zoom selector switch to MANU,and turn this ring.
1Automatic iris control
This enables the automatic iris speed to be
adjusted.  
Removal of the rubber cap reveals the control
inside.  The speed is increasing by turning the
control clockwise but take care not to turn it too far
since hunting (continuous cycling) will occur.
This control must be adjusted when the lens has
been replaced or when a lens has been mounted
for the first time.
2Lens iris selector switch (IRIS)
(A) side:The iris is adjusted automatically.
(M) side:Set to this position to adjust the iris
manually.
3Power zoom control switch
The zoom can be controlled electrically by setting
the power/manual zoom selector switch to SERVO
and then pressing the power zoom control switch.
The zoom speed differs depending on the force
with which the switch is pressed.
4Hand strap
Adjust this to fit the size of your hand.
5Return switch (RET, REC CHECK)
This switch is for checking a recording.  When it is
pressed in the recording pause mode, the
recording check function is activated, the recorded
section is played back, and then the recording is
placed in the pause mode.
6VTR start/stop switch
This switch provides easy manual access to
starting and stopping the VTR recording.  When it
is pressed once, recording starts; when it is
pressed again, it stops.  When using this lens, the
VTR can be controlled by this switch or the VTR
start/stop switch on the camera.
1
7
8
:; = >23546

						

							– 14 –
:Iris ring
To adjust the iris, set the lens iris selector switch
(IRIS) to M, and turn this ring.
;Flange back adjustment ring
To adjust the flange back, loosen the flange back
locking knob, and turn this ring.  The ring must be
adjusted when the lens has been replaced or
when a lens has been mounted for the first time.
Power/manual zoom selector switch
When this switch is set to SERVO, the zoom can
be adjusted using the power zoom control switch.
When it is set to MANU, the zoom can be adjusted
using the zoom ring.
Also refer to the operating instructions accompanying the lens you have purchased. 
						

							– 15 –
Viewfinder displays
SCENE data MARK display
AUDIO (yellow):This is not used in this system.
TALLY (red):This lights during recording.  It flashes as the tape is
approaching the recording position from unloading or
when trouble has occurred.
STBY (green):This is not used in this system.
GAIN (yellow):This lights when the camera gain is increased.
BATT (yellow):This flashes when the battery charge has dropped.
VTR (yellow):This lights or flashes when trouble has occurred in the
VTR.
LED displays
TALLYAUDIOSTBY
GAINBATTVTR
Character displays
Lens f-value display
Battery voltage display
Gain display
(this appears when the gain is selected) Audio CH1 level meter
Remaining tape display
Color temperature display
(this remains displayed in the ATW mode)
Time code displayElectronic shutter speed display
(this appears when the shutter speed is selected)
----------+++++ 120 min F2.8
----------+++++ M4400 14.6V
SHUTTER 1/100 0 dB
TCG 00:00:00:00 MARK 1
Audio CH2 level meter
OThese displays appear when the CHARACTER switch at the front of
the viewfinder is set to ON.
OEach individual display can be turned off by setting the corresponding
menu item.
OWhen the mode check switch has been pressed, the current statuses
are displayed regardless of whether the individual displays have been
set ON or OFF using the corresponding menu items or whether the
CHARACTER switch is ON or OFF.
OThe color temperature display in the ATW mode and the SCENE data
MARK will appear even when the CHARACTER ON/OFF switch is at
the OFF position. 
						

							– 16 –
Error message displays
Error display Cause Remedial action
BACKUP BATTERY
EMPTYThis appears when the internal clock battery
has run down.Replace the unit’s back-up battery.  For the
replacement procedure, refer to page 58, and
consult with your dealer.
Remarks: 
A flat back-up battery will interfere with the clock and time code free run functions although all
other functions will remain unaffected.  Replace the back-up battery at the earliest possible
opportunity.
The BACKUP BATTERY EMPTY display will appear even when the power is turned back on
immediately after the back-up battery was replaced.  This is normal and not indicative of a
malfunction.
When an error occurs, an error message appears in the viewfinder. 
There are two types of error messages: those which appear when the power is switched on, and those which
appear during operation.
The tables given below indicate the causes and remedial action for the corresponding error messages.
FLASH MEMORY
EMPTYThis appears when garbage data in the built-in
flash memory needs to be collected.
A special memory called a flash memory is used
inside this unit. It contains all the menu settings,
white balance adjustment data and many other
types of data. Due to the fact that this is a
special memory, the old data no longer required
when menu changes are made, for instance,
are retained. Consequently, garbage memory
contents such as these must be collected from
time to time.Proceed with garbage collection on the
MAINTENANCE menu screen among the menu
items.  Refer to the menu items (on pages 48,
49 and 55).
Remarks: 
This display appears well ahead of time so there is no need to panic and initiate garbage collection
immediately.  The garbage collection processing takes some time (about 1 minute) so it should be
done when there is a spare moment.
Error messages which appear when the power is switched on 
						

							– 17 –
Error display Cause Remedial action
TOO BRIGHT
ERRORThis appears when the white balance is to be
adjusted (when the AUTO W/B BAL switch was
operated) or when the screen is excessively
bright.Stop down the iris a little more, and adjust the
white balance.  If the error display remains,
insert the electronic shutter or attach the ND
filter.
Error messages which appear during operation
TOO DARK ERROR This appears when the white balance is to be
adjusted (when the AUTO W/B BAL switch was
operated) or when the screen is excessively
dark.Open the iris a little more, increase the gain (if
this is warranted by the subject brightness), and
adjust the white balance.  If the error display
remains, direct some light onto the subject.
LENS UNIT ERROR This appears when the lens cable has been
disconnected or when the lens iris control circuit
has been damaged.The cause is almost always a disconnected lens
cable.  If the display appears even when the
cable is connected properly, consult with your
dealer.
SELECT SW ERROR This appears when the AUTO W/B BAL switch
was operated with the white balance selector
switch at a position other than MEMO.Adjust the white balance (operate the AUTO
W/B BAL switch) with the white balance selector
switch at the MEMO position.
OUTPUT SW ERROR This appears when the AUTO W/B BAL switch
was operated with the OUTPUT switch at a
position other than CAM.Adjust the white balance (operate the AUTO
W/B BAL switch) with the OUTPUT switch at the
CAM position.
BLACK BAL ERROR This points to a malfunction in the camera unit. Consult with your dealer.
SERVO This appears when an unrecorded part of a tape
is played back or at other times when the VTR
servo lock is disengaged.It is normal for this display to appear with
unrecorded parts of tapes.  If the display
appears during the playback of an obviously
recorded tape or during recording, this points to
a malfunction.  Consult with your dealer.
HUMID This signifies that condensation has formed.
Refer to page 63 where detailed instructions
can be found.Refer to page 63 where detailed instructions
can be found.
POWER OFF This is not an error message.  It is a warning which indicates that the power will be turned off very
shortly. WHITE BAL ERROR
TRY AGAINThis appears when the white balance was not
attained properly due to some condition or
other.If the TOOL BRIGHT ERROR, TOO DARK
ERROR or LENS UNIT ERROR message has
appeared, take the corresponding measure, and
then try adjusting the white balance again.
If the WHITE BAL ERROR TRY AGAIN
message has appeared but the TOOL BRIGHT
ERROR, TOO DARK ERROR or LENS UNIT
ERROR message has not appeared, proceed to
attain the white balance again.  If the display still
appears even after two or three attempts,
consult with your dealer.
Remarks:
The above errors are detected when the white balance is adjusted (when the AUTO W/B BAL switch has been operated).
The LENS UNIT ERROR is also detected immediately after the power has been switched on. 
						

							– 18 –
Preparations
Attaching the lens
1Position the lens, insert it, and lock it in place using the lens locking
lever.
Lens locking lever
2Connect the cord to the LENS connector, and secure it using the
cable clamp.
LENS connector
Notes:$Refer to the operating instructions accompanying the lens for
details on handling the lens.
$Attach the lens cap to protect the unit when the lens has been
removed.
Cable clamp
$Attaching the peripheral units 
						

							– 19 –
Mounting the viewfinder
1Align the positions of the marks (red), and fit into place.
2Turn the viewfinder locking ring to lock the viewfinder into place.
Viewfinder locking ring
The viewfinder can be turned by 90 degrees by loosening the locking ring.
Viewfinder
Marks (red) 
						

							– 20 –
Eye cup
unlocking leverEye cup
Removing the eye cup
2
1
Move the eye cup unlocking lever is the
direction indicated by the arrow.
2
Slide the eye cup in the direction indicated to
remove it.
Adjusting the eyepiece position
1
Set the eyepiece stopper to FREE.
2
Move the eyepiece toward the left or right to a
position which affords the easiest viewing.
3
Tighten the eyepiece stopper.
Adjusting the eye cup position
1
Set the eye cup stopper to FREE.
2
Adjust the eye cup by moving it toward you or
away from you.
3
Set the eye cup stopper to LOCK to lock the
eye cup in place.
Eyepiece
stopper12 3
Eye cup
stopperFREE
LOCK
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