You don't need a full course on photography Bob, but a couple decent sentences that give the reader a clue as to what the designers had in mind for each function would be a good step in the right direction. This is especially important in the point-n-shoot cameras and the entry-level DSLRs. It's also important for advanced functions of all cameras.
Most of the manuals simple list a zillion functions and don't tell the owner what the actually are intended to do. However, they'll probably give you the same unhelpful description in at least three or four languages. Instead of this: "The ISO setting is increased by..." How about something helpful like this: "ISO is intended to make your camera more or less sensitive to light. This will help you adapt to a variety of lighting conditions. In lower light levels the setting can be increased by..." Just a couple of extra sentences to give the user a hint. To PDML readers, the above example is very obvious, but to total newcomers, it can at least point them in the right direction. Now don't get me started on the various modes of the 360 or 540 flashes. Those manuals are horrible. They try to be helpful but the illustrations are bad and the descriptions are incomplete. Obviously not written by someone with a command of the language or the subject. And then there are the user manuals that don't have an index. And then there are the manufactures that take common functions and creatively name them something misleading. On the other hand, most of the manuals probably go unread anyway, so why should they sink a lot of money into making them better. I will now step down from my soap box. Obviously, this is a hot button for me. gs On Sat, Aug 9, 2008 at 12:08 PM, Bob W <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > it's not the manual writer's job to teach people the basics of > photography. The writers have to assume some basic knowledge on the > part of the camera owner. > > -- -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
